quote:
YELLOWKNIFE — Justin Trudeau, it's no secret: You're following your father Pierre, diving into politics. Now it's just a matter of finding a springboard to leap from. Up here in the far-flung North you've got an option that might be, well, far-flinging.When your political aims became public last month, pundits speculated you would run in Montreal's Outremont riding — a Liberal stronghold close to home, being vacated by a long-standing Grit. But apparently, highly placed Liberals want Outremont to pass to a more senior toiler. So now it's being suggested you look beyond Quebec. Perhaps, some feel, you'd do better in Manitoba or British Columbia.
Sure, maybe. But what could you really achieve from those places, or for them? If you're seeking real impact, why not set your sights higher? No, even higher — to an outsized, truly needy, resonantly symbolic and iconically Liberal corner of Canada. Yep, Nunavut.
Madness? Consider the merits.
Like Outremont, Nunavut's a Grit citadel: It's gone red in every federal race for almost 20 years. What's more, like Outremont, Canada's northernmost riding is wide open: Nancy Karetak-Lindell, a four-term Liberal incumbent, announced before Christmas she won't stand for re-election. That isn't a polar wind you're feeling, Mr. Trudeau — it's the northward pull of a political vacuum.
Being Nunavut's MP would give you a chance to prove yourself. You're often dismissed as Trudeau-lite — less of a luminous statesman than a silver-spooned Liberal poster-child. Representing Canada's most hard-bitten riding would be a trial by fire — or rather, ice. Do well here, and you can pirouette behind the backs of your detractors.
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posted 19 February 2007 11:45 AM
