Wednesday, September 09, 2015

On historical connections

Needless to say, we have ample reason to laugh at Justin Trudeau's attempt to cast himself as bearing any similarity to Tommy Douglas when it comes to social justice and economic management. But it may not be long before one significant link develops between the two.

Based on a quick scan, the 1962 federal election looks to have been the last time a major party leader managed to retain that position while losing his own riding: Douglas lost in Regina City in the NDP's first federal election, before winning a seat in Parliament in a Burnaby-Coquitlam by-election.

Well, Trudeau enjoys plenty of support within his own party to stay on as leader even if he loses the election. But he may be in tough to hold onto his own riding of Papineau.

Which raises the question: who's in line to be Canada's next Erhart Regier?

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