This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

NDP Defends Mailings Sent Out Before 2013 Byelections

Bloc Complaint Spurs Review Of NDP Mailings
|
Open Image Modal
David Cooper via Getty Images
NDP leadership candidate Thomas Mulcair meets Star editorial board February 10, 2012 (Photo by David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

OTTAWA – The NDP is defending its use of taxpayer money to send mass mailings to hundreds of thousands of homes in advance of three byelections last year.

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair told reporters Tuesday that his party was following the rules set by Elections Canada when it sent pamphlets to some 388,000 households in the Montreal riding of Bourassa, the Manitoba riding of Provencher and Toronto Centre.

“We’re allowed to contact voters. We’re allowed to send things out as long as we don’t send it out during the election period, and that’s exactly what we did. We sent it out outside of the election period. We respected all the rules,” Mulcair said.

In a letter on Monday, House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer said the Board of Internal Economy, the multiparty committee that administers the House, was reviewing the NDP’s use of bulk mailings to areas in which it has no seats.

The Huffington Post Canada has learned that the NDP sent close to two million pieces of partisan mail in some 26 ridings across the country using free mailing privileges offered to MPs within a seven-month period.

Scheer referred three specific cases to Elections Canada Monday. He questioned whether the NDP mailings to ridings where byelections were held constituted an unfair election expense. The byelections were called on Oct. 20 and took place on Nov. 25.

Scheer said the NDP planned:

– 155,428 mailings in Bourassa, in four waves between July 30 and Oct. 18, 2013, to the 50,095 households in the riding.

– 168,188 mailings in Toronto Centre, between July 16 and Oct. 18 as well as one on Jan. 29. There are 92,382 homes in that riding.

- 65,003 mailings in Provencher, which has 43,686 households, between Sept. 9 and 27.

Conservative Whip John Duncan is a spokesman for the board and said in a statement that the committee wants to ensure that Elections Canada is aware of “any costs that could be attributable to election spending.”

“It is important that the institution of Parliament is respected and that all parties act in a way that is consistent with both the letter and spirit of the rules,” Duncan said.

The Conservative, Liberal and NDP parties were allowed to spend $270,775 in each byelection race, while the Bloc Québécois was entitled to spend $64,954. The local candidates were also allowed to spend between $89,016 and $101,793, depending on the race.

Even if the mailings were valued at $0.65 each, the standard cost for letter mail, it would be a substantial expense.

Mulcair rejected a suggestion that the NDP repay the postage fee attached to the delivery of the flyers in the period leading up to the writ. The NDP pamphlets were printed and stuffed using an outside supplier rather than the House of Commons, HuffPost learned.

“We would never send out one of these mailings during an election period... [But] governments decide the dates of byelections, and we did not send these out once the byelection was called,” Mulcair said.

The byelections were called on Oct. 20, but in all three cases – in Toronto Centre where Liberal MP Bob Rae announced his intention to step down on June 19, in Bourassa where Liberal MP Denis Coderre announced in May that he would quit on June 2, and in Provencher where Conservative Minister Vic Toews announced on July 8 that he was leaving politics – the vacancy was known for months ahead of time.

Bloc Québécois MP Jean-François Fortin told HuffPost that Mulcair’s flyers in Bourassa all made reference to the upcoming byelection.

“So [Mulcair] is clearly contradicting himself,” Fortin said.

It was the Bloc’s complaint that prompted the Board’s investigation.

One copy of a mailing by NDP MP Guy Caron sent to a Bourassa address between Oct. 16 and 18, obtained by The Huffington Post Canada, tells residents that “For decades, Conservative and Liberal governments have done nothing for transport, nothing for public housing, nothing against climate change, and nothing to protect workers in Bourassa. Except maybe make things worse.”

The one-page flyer invites residents to share their contact information and identify which party they support.

Fortin said that the NDP was using a loophole in the rules that bars MPs from sending so-called 10 per centers to constituents outside their ridings, but allows bulk mailings if they are sent in envelopes and labelled to individual electors. The Liberals also used a similar tactic several years ago in his riding, Fortin said.

Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner told HuffPost that the allegations against the NDP are serious and that the rules are clear but they may need to be tightened to avoid a political party’s flooding a riding before a byelection call.

“There is a spirit around the rules...and if you’re intent on trying to gain an advantage by ignoring, bending or stretching rules [and] it is being exploited for political gain, by all means it should be looked at and addressed.”

Cuzner also noted that the NDP is being investigated for using taxpayer resources to pay for party offices in Montreal and Quebec City and an outreach position in Saskatchewan, where the party has no MPs. The NDP has acknowledged using parliamentary resources to fund the satellite offices in Quebec but says staff there offer support services to its MPs.

“The other parties use field workers, and it is not uncommon,” Cuzner told HuffPost. “But it is done on party expenses. To do it on the taxpayers’ dime is just wrong.”

The Board of Internal Economy will discuss the matter next week.

Also on HuffPost

What Mulcair's Really Saying
SURPRISE!(01 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Oh Puh-Lease!(02 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry..(03 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Hide And Seek.. GO! 1.. 2.. 3.. 4..(04 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Bring It!(05 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
No Seriously. Bring It!(06 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Laser Focus(07 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
The World's Tiniest Violins(08 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Check Yourself(09 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Touchdown(10 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Relax!(11 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Something Isn't Sitting Right..(12 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
There's The Door(13 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
YES!(14 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
Who Loves Ya?(15 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(16 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP/The Globe and Mail)
(17 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP/The Globe and Mail)
(18 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP/The Globe and Mail)
(19 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
(20 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
(21 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(22 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(23 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
(24 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:YouTube)
(25 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(26 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(27 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(28 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(29 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Getty)
(30 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(31 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:CP)
(32 of121)
Open Image Modal
(credit:YouTube)
Come At Me, Bro(33 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau trains at Pan Am Boxing Club in Winnipeg on Friday Feb. 1, 2013. (credit:Winnipeg Free Press-Joe Bryksa/CP)
Peekaboo!(34 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau & co. making faces. (credit:justinptrudeau, Instagram)
Riiiiip!(35 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau splits his pants while pushing the "scrum machine" in support of Prostate Cancer Canada in Toronto Thursday, July 21, 2011. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese)
Don't Shoot!(36 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau gets his geek on at Montreal Comiccon in September 2012. (credit:@JustinTrudeau, Twitter)
So Long 'Stache(37 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau has his moustache shaved off to raise money for the Judy LaMarsh Fund, that supports female candidates, at the Liberal Party convention in Ottawa on Saturday, January 14, 2012. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle)
Coming For MacKay(38 of121)
Open Image Modal
Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay (left) is chased by Liberal MP Justin Trudeau in a motorized wheelchair during a wheelchair race relay on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. Twenty-five MPs and senators used a wheelchair for the day in support of the Canadian Paraplegic Association's Spinal Cord Injury and CPA awareness month. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Pawel Dwulit)
All For One, One For All(39 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau all dressed up for the Montreal Movember Gala in 2010.
Get Him!(40 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau's sons, Sacha, left, and Justin, tackle their mother's paperboy in Ottawa in this undated photo. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Ottawa Citizen - Dave Buston)
'Family... And A Cow.'(41 of121)
Open Image Modal
'Nuff said. (credit:justinptrudeau, Instagram)
He Can Certainly Take A Punch(42 of121)
Open Image Modal
Alexandre (Sacha) Trudeau delivers a right hook to his older brother Justin during a play fight in 1980 at Ottawa airport as the boys await a flight with the return of their father, then-prime minister, Pierre Trudeau. (credit:Peter Bregg/CP)
Be Honest With Me, Who's Cuter?(43 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau strikes a pose with an adorable baby. (credit:justinptrudeau, Instagram)
A Very Furry Christmas(44 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau poses with his family on his 2010 Christmas card. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Jean-Marc Carisse)
Game On!(45 of121)
Open Image Modal
Former Liberal MP Ken Dryden, left, and Justin Trudeau play table hockey as they visit Sun Youth, a community organization, Monday, Jan. 14, 2008 in Montreal. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)
Yanking Their Chain(46 of121)
Open Image Modal
Then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau, left, watches as his 11-year-old son Justin swings on a chain during a tour of an old fort in the Omani town of Nizwa Dec. 2, 1983. Trudeau and Justin spent the day visiting the towns of Jebel and Nizwa 165 kilometres south of Muscat. (credit:Andy Clark/CP Photo)
Rocking Out(47 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau in Muskoka, Ont. (credit:justinptrudeau, Instagram)
YeeHaw!(48 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau, centre, has his cowbay taken by his son Xavier, 4 years-old, while his wife Sophie Gregoire, second from left, holds daughet Ella-Grace, 3 years-old, while they attend the party's annual Stampede breakfast in Calgary, Saturday, July 7, 2012. This is the 100th anniversary of the Stampede. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)
Like Mother, Like Son(49 of121)
Open Image Modal
Eleven-month-old Justin Trudeau, urged on by his mother Margaret Trudeau, crawls up the steps of an aircraft in Ottawa on Dec. 5, 1972 to meet his father, then-prime minister, Pierre Trudeau on his return from Britain. (credit:Russell Mant, CP)
Cutting A Rug(50 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau dances with wife Sophie Grégoire before his speech at the Liberal showcase on April 6, 2013. (credit:@JustinTrudeau, Twitter)
Magician?(51 of121)
Open Image Modal
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, wearing what someone called his "Mandrake the Magician outfit," walks down the grandstand steps to present the Grey Cup trophy to the victorious Montreal Alouettes in this Nov. 28, 1970 photo. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
Hey, It Was The '70s(52 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau leans over to kiss an unidentified young lady to the seeming surprise of his recent bride Margaret. Trudeau and Margaret spent Saturday March 27, 1971 at maple tree farm here near Montreal at a sugaring out party. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
Fur Wasn't Always Controversial(53 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau accompanies Margaret Sinclair, at the annual Governor General's skating party for members of Parliament in Ottawa Jan. 14, 1970. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
Ditto For Seal Hunting(54 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau looks through the scope of his rifle while on a seal hunting trip in Baffin Island's Clear Water Fjord, July 29, 1968. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
A Leg Up(55 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau shoes off his frisbee catching style while waiting to board his plane in Vancouver May 16, 1979. (credit:CP/Rod MacIvor)
Calisthenics Were Still Cool(56 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau had no trouble keeping himself occupied during a break from a boat trip down the Northwest Territories, Nahanni River, Monday Aug. 4, 1970. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
The Outfit...(57 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau takes a wary look at an ice crevice, decides to chance it and makes the leap successfully during a midnight seal- hunting expedition at Clearwater Fjord in Canada's Arctic, July 29, 1968. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
When in France...(58 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau receives a kiss from his wife Margaret during a tour of St. Pierre, France, Aug. 1971. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
Running Man(59 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau in Guayana 1974. (credit:CP/Fred Chartrand)
Friendlier With Reporters Than You Know Who(60 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau sticks his tongue out to Canadian Press Photographer Peter Bregg during the 1972 election campaign. This photo was taken aboard the campaign plane where such antics were considered off the record. The photo was not made available until after the death of the prime minister (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
Disco Stu(61 of121)
Open Image Modal
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau dances in Montreal Oct. 21, 1979. (credit:CP/Doug Ball)
Acting like a Beatle(62 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau sprints away from a crowd of female admirers in Ottawa April 22, 1968. They surrounded him outside the Parliament Buildings on his third day in office. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
Posing with a Beatle(63 of121)
Open Image Modal
John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, meet with Pierre Trudeau Dec. 24, 1969 in Ottawa. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
'I See Cigars And Rum In Our Future'(64 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau looks on as Cuban President Fidel Castro gestures during a visit to a Havana housing project in this Jan. 27, 1976 photo. (credit:CP/Fred Chartrand)
Acting Out A Tory Fantasy?(65 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau pretending to strangle himself with a tie given to him as he was presented with honorary membership in the National Press Club in Ottawa Sept. 17, 1968. (credit:CP PHOTO/Peter Bregg)
Unfortunate Hat(66 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau amuses a group of people in Fortune while on tour through Newfoundland, Aug. 3, 1971. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
Oh Captain! My Captain!(67 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau takes a ride on the Bluenose, Aug. 1972. (credit:CP/Chuck Mitchell)
Nice Form Pierre(68 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau works out at an Oshawa health club during a break in his 1968 election campaign. (credit:CP)
Are The Flowers Too Much?(69 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau, with a garland around his neck and a Hindu greeting symbol in paste on his forhead, rides a camel Jan 12, 1971 in the village of Benares, India, where he dedicated a water well. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
I Do Love Flowers(70 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau kids around with a carnation while waiting for voting results at the Liberal convention in this April 7, 1968 photo. (credit:CP/Chuck Mitchell)
Indiana Jones Of The Great White North(71 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau tries cracking a dog sled whip while visiting Baker Lake in the Arctic, March 10, 1970. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
Never Afraid To Dance(72 of121)
Open Image Modal
Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Sheik Yamani, left, and Pierre Trudeau, right, dance a traditional Arabian dance while camping out in the desert in Madein Saleh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 18, 1980. (credit:CP/Fred Chartrand)
Or Rock A Skirt(73 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau, seen here taking part in Maori ceremonial dance in Wellington, New Zealand May 13, 1970. (credit:CP/Charles Mitchell)
Got The Moves(74 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau does a dance after his campaign bus broke down in Montreal June 6, 1968. (credit:CP/Chuck Mitchell)
Feather In The Cap(75 of121)
Open Image Modal
Wearing a "feather in his cap," Pierre Trudeau attended the official opening May 20, 1983, of an archaeological excavation in Hull, Que. (credit:CP/Andy Clark)
Ballet: Act 1(76 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau, shown performing his famous pirouette during a May 7, 1977, picture session at Buckingham Palace in London, England. (credit:CP/Doug Ball)
Ballet: Act 2(77 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau, in a moment of joy over patriation of Canada's constitution, preformed his now famous pirouette at Uplands Airport on April 18, 1982 following the Queens's departure for London after the 4-day state visit which climaxed with the proclamation of the Constitution Act. (credit:CP/Andy Clark)
He Got It From His Father(78 of121)
Open Image Modal
Pierre Trudeau is saluted by RCMP Officer as he carries son Justin to Rideau Hall in 1973. (credit:CP/Peter Bregg)
(79 of121)
Open Image Modal
Prime Minister Trudeau and his then-wife Margaret leave the city's Notre Dame Basilica Sunday afternoon after the christening of their 22-day old infant Justin Pierre James, Jan. 16, 1972. Tasseled shawls kept the baby hidden from photographers and the 10-degree-below-zero weather. (credit:CP/RCM)
(80 of121)
Open Image Modal
March 1979 photo of the Trudeau children: Michel (front), Alexandre (Sacha) and Justin (rear). (credit:CP)
(81 of121)
Open Image Modal
It was a big day for Dad, but a long day for the three Trudeau children. Left to right, Justin, Michel and Alexandre (Sacha) Trudeau attended the swearing in ceremonies of their father Pierre Elliott Trudeau as Prime Minister March 3, 1980 at Government House. (credit:Ron Poling/CP)
(82 of121)
Open Image Modal
Then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau and 10 year-old son Justin walk toward a plane at CFB Ottawa on Nov. 7, 1982. (credit:Chris Schwarz/CP)
(83 of121)
Open Image Modal
Then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau's 11-year-old son Justin jumps off an old cannon while visiting a fort along with his father in the Omani town of Nizwa and Jebel. (credit:Andy Clark/CP)
(84 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau and friend Mathieu Walker in the Sahara desert in October, 1994. (credit:Mathieu Walker)
(85 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau and friend Mathieu Walker in the Sahara desert in October, 1994. (credit:Mathieu Walker)
(86 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau with friends Mathieu Walker and Allen Steverman in Shanghai in 1994. (credit:Mathieu Walker)
(87 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau with friends Mathieu Walker (left) and Allen Steverman (centre) at the Great Wall of China in 1994. (credit:Mathieu Walker)
(88 of121)
Open Image Modal
Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau (L), his son, Alexandre (Sacha), ex-wife Margaret Kemper and son Justin weep as they leave a memorial service for their son Michel in Montreal in 1998. Michel Trudeau drowned after being swept into a lake during an avalanche in British Columbia. (credit:CP)
(89 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin (left) and Alexandre (Sacha) Trudeau lean out of the funeral train to show appreciation to mourners who turned out to pay their respects to former prime minister Pierre Trudeau in Dorval, Que., Monday Oct. 2, 2000. Trudeau's casket was moved from Ottawa to Montreal for a state funeral. () (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
(90 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau is consoled by his mother Margaret after reading the eulogy for his father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau during his state funeral in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
(91 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau delivers a eulogy for his late father Pierre Trudeau during the state funeral for the former prime minister at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000. Trudeau first caught the public heartstrings in October 2000, when he delivered a moving, deeply felt eulogy for his legendary father, weaving an emotional spell from inside the cavernous Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
(92 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau breaks down on his father's casket after reading the eulogy during the state funeral for former prime minister Pierre Trudeau Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2000 in Montreal. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
(93 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau gives a rose to a young girl, one of thousands of mourners who stood outside Notre-Dame Basillica in Montreal Tuesday, October 3, 2000 during a state funeral for his father, former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. (credit:Andre Forget/CP)
(94 of121)
Open Image Modal
An enthusiastic Justin Trudeau talks to reporters during a news conference to promote avalanche awareness in West Vancouver Thursday Jan. 25, 2001. (credit:Chuck Stoody/CP)
(95 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau stands at the base of a mountain near the evidence of a controlled avalanche at Lake Louise, Alberta, Friday January 12, 2002. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
(96 of121)
Open Image Modal
Trudeau with adviser and friend Gerald Butts in July 2003 at Virginia Falls, Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories. (credit:Gerald Butts)
(97 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau carves through a gate during a celebrity slalom race in Mont Tremblant, Que. Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Trudeau was taking part in a 24-hour ski-a-thon for charity organized by Jacques Villeneuve and Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/CP)
(98 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau spoke to students as Sisler High School about the benefits of joining the Katimavik Project on March 9, 2004 (credit:Wayne Glowaki/Winnipeg Free Press/CP)
(99 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau, son of the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau, leaves with his new bride Sophie Gregoire in his father's 1959 Mercedes 300 SEL after their marriage ceremony in Montreal Saturday, May 28, 2005. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/CP)
(100 of121)
Open Image Modal
Sophie Gregoire waves to the crowd as she arrives for her wedding to Justin Trudeau, son of the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau, in Montreal Saturday, May 28, 2005. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/CP)
(101 of121)
Open Image Modal
Then-leadership candidate Stéphane Dion crosses paths with Justin Trudeau, a supporter of Gerard Kennedy, at the Liberal Leadership Convention on Nov. 30, 2006 in Montreal. The day after he won the leadership, Dion told Trudeau he needed his help and urged him to run. (credit:CP PHOTO/Ryan Remiorz)
(102 of121)
Open Image Modal
Former prime minister Jean Chretien meets Justin Trudeau at the Liberal leadership convention, Friday, Dec. 1, 2006, in Montreal. (credit:Tom Hanson/CP)
(103 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau poses in London, Ont., on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 with a group of youth who participated in the Katimavik national youth service program that he has been actively involved in. The funny faces came from a request by a parent taking a photograph. (credit:Dave Chidley/CP)
(104 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau raises his arms in victory after being voted in as the Liberal representative in Montreal's Papineau riding, on April 29, 2007. (credit:Robert J. Galbraith/CP)
(105 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau, then Liberal candidate for the riding of Papineau, on the campaign trail with his mother, Margaret, in Montreal on Sept. 23, 2008. Trudeau snatched the riding from the Bloc Québécois by 1,189 votes. (credit:CP/ Graham Hughes)
(106 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal Justin Trudeau, then a candidate in the riding of Papineau, on the campaign trail in Montreal, Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008 with his mother, Margaret. (credit:Graham Hughe/CP)
(107 of121)
Open Image Modal
Then-Liberal Leader Stephane Dion chats with Justin Trudeau in Vancouver before boarding the campaign plane to fly to Ontario, Oct. 7, 2008. (credit:CP/Adrian Wyld)
(108 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau apologizes for swearing at Environment Minister Peter Kent in the House of Commons Dec. 14, 2011. (credit:CP/Sean Kilpatrick)
(109 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau poses in this official photo for his boxing match with Senator Patrick Brazeau. (credit:Media Ball)
(110 of121)
Open Image Modal
Senator Patrick Brazeau, right, and Liberal MP Justin Trudeau take part in a weigh-in for a upcoming boxing match Wednesday March 28, 2012. (credit:Fred Chartrand/CP)
(111 of121)
Open Image Modal
Senator Patrick Brazeau, right, and Liberal MP Justin Trudeau take part in a weigh-in for a upcoming boxing match Wednesday March 28, 2012, in Ottawa. (credit:Fred Chartrand/CP)
(112 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau, left, fights Senator Patrick Brazeau during charity boxing match for cancer research Saturday, March 31, 2012 in Ottawa. (credit:Fred Chartrand/CP)
(113 of121)
Open Image Modal
Senator Patrick Brazeau, right, and Liberal MP Justin Trudeau take part in a charity boxing match for cancer research Saturday, March 31, 2012 in Ottawa . (credit:Fred Chartrand/CP)
(114 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau celebrates after he defeated Senator Patrick Brazeau during charity boxing match for cancer research Saturday, March 31, 2012 in Ottawa . (credit:Fred Chartrand/CP )
(115 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau kisses his wife Sophie Grégoire after winning a boxing match against Senator Patrick Brazeau on Saturday, March 31, 2012 in Ottawa. (credit:Fred Chartrand/CP)
(116 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal MPs, including Justin Trudeau, look on as Senator Patrick Brazeau holds a Liberal hockey sweater on Parliament Hill Ottawa, Monday April 2, 2012. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
(117 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau trims the end of Senator Patrick Brazeau's pony tail out of respect in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill Ottawa, Monday April 2, 2012. (credit:Adrian Wyld/CP)
(118 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau announces he will seek the leadership of the party at a news conference, Tuesday, October 2, 2012 in Montreal. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
(119 of121)
Open Image Modal
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau waves to the crowd of supporters as he holds his son Xavier and his wife Sophie Gregoire holds their daughter Ella-Grace after announcing he will seek the leadership of the party Tuesday, October 2, 2012 in Montreal. (credit:Paul Chiasson/CP)
(120 of121)
Open Image Modal
Justin Trudeau, right, chats to his chief advisor Gerald Butts after taking part in the the Liberal leadership debate in Mississauga, Ont., on Saturday, February 16, 2013. (credit:CP/Chris Young)
(121 of121)
Open Image Modal
Marc Garneau, left, and Justin Trudeau take part in the Liberal leadership debate in Mississauga, Ont., on Feb. 16, 2013. (credit:CP/Chris Young)

-- This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.