Cet article fait partie des archives en ligne du HuffPost Québec, qui a fermé ses portes en 2021.

Être un non-pays par la «canadianisation» du Québec

Être un non-pays signifie de refuser le défi de démontrer à la face du monde qu'on peut «être quelque chose, comme un grand peuple» comme aimait le dire René Lévesque.
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Le 19 octobre, les Québécois ont donné 40 députés au Parti libéral de Justin Trudeau et 10 seulement au Bloc québécois.

On explique cela par le vote stratégique visant à sortir Stephen Harper. La résultante est que des souverainistes, en assez grand nombre, ont voté libéral parce que, à l'évidence, ils tiennent à un certain Canada pour lequel ils ont un attachement. Nous avons donc des souverainistes «canadianistes» selon l'expression d'Antoine Robitaille, bien que non fédéralistes.

De plus, Philippe Couillard, notre premier ministre est bien en selle malgré ses politiques d'austérité. À la suite de ses victoires à l'élection partielle du 9 novembre, il se réjouit de l'arrivée des libéraux à Ottawa. Six Québécois sont aux conseil des ministres et ainsi, enfin, les Québécois participent à la gouverne du Canada.

Alors, nous avons ici non seulement le premier ministre mais beaucoup de Québécois libéraux qui se font de plus en plus «canadianistes», avant même d'être fédéralistes.

Le jour précédent cette élection, le 8 novembre, François Legault réorientait son parti, la CAQ, en annonçant que sa formation voulait, dorénavant, faire progresser le Québec dans le Canada en demandant au fédéral quelques pouvoirs supplémentaires mais au rythme du bon vouloir et de la générosité canadienne, donc sans condition. En adoptant ce nationalisme naïf, ce parti et son chef s'affichent franchement «canadianiste», mais ni souverainistes et ni fédéralistes.

Françoise David et son parti, Québec solidaire, sont tout à fait d'accord avec la vision multi-culturaliste de Justin Trudeau (on l'a remarqué lors du débat sur la Charte des valeurs ... et de la récente saga du niqab) et incidemment, avec celle aussi du Parti libéral de Philippe Couillard dont ils ne se distinguent que par leur idéologie de gauche.

Quant au souverainisme de ce parti, il s'agit d'un moyen parmi d'autres pour atteindre un idéal socialiste. En attendant ce grand jour, on a un parti plutôt «canadianiste» sur le fond (Amir vient de demander l'aide du fédéral pour stopper Gaétan Barrette sur la question des frais accessoires) quoique souverainiste dans la forme. Une sorte de trompe l'oeil politique.

Option national avec Sol Zanetti est un parti authentiquement souverainiste mais en l'absence de tout député donc de l'appui des Québécois, il demeure, au mieux, le gardien de la bonne conscience souverainiste, et d'un authentique projet d'indépendance nationale.

Être un non-pays

Si l'analyse précédente est juste, il est possible de conclure que les Québécois, en se «canadianisant» sans conditions, font de plus en plus le choix d'un non-pays pour le Québec qui se contentera d'être un appendice canadien. Plutôt triste!

Car, être un non-pays signifie d'abord, comme Québécois, d'avaler les yeux fermés la couleuvre constitutionnelle de 1982 et de jouer le jeu du fédéralisme «Trudeauiste», multi-culturaliste et centralisateur. Et puis, ce faisant, d'accepter de s'effacer comme nation pour ne devenir que des citoyens canadiens «made in Québec».

Être un non-pays signifie aussi refuser de faire parti du concert des nations et donc d'apporter notre contribution particulière à l'amélioration de l'humanité comme membre à part entière des Nations-Unies.

Être un non-pays signifie, surtout, de refuser le défi de démontrer à la face du monde qu'on peut «être quelque chose, comme un grand peuple» comme aimait le dire René Lévesque.

La question qui se pose maintenant est la suivante: le Parti québécois peut-il, raisonnablement et dans un avenir rapproché, inverser cette tendance mortifère sinon suicidaire pour le Québec et son identité et redonner aux Québécois le goût du pays ? Peut-être, mais à la condition que, rapidement, il crée un électrochoc politique majeur pour inverser cette tendance lourde vers le non-pays ou la «canadianisation» du Québec qui s'installe de plus en plus dans les mentalités.

Mais cet électrochoc, pour être efficace, positif et aux effets durables, ne peut se faire sans la complicité du patient. Or, le patient ne souhaite pas, dans un premier temps, de rupture avec le Canada. En effet, selon un sondage CROP récent dont faisait état Josée Legault, au moins 4 québécois sur 10 et, surtout, 52% des jeunes de 18 à 34 ans souhaitent une nouvelle entente avec le Canada plutôt que le statu quo ou l'indépendance.

En conséquence, le Parti québécois ne devrait-il pas demander, formellement, au premier ministre Philippe Couillard de proposer au fédéral et aux autres provinces une nouvelle entente qui devrait être constitutionnalisée avant les célébrations du 150ie anniversaire de la Confédération en 2017? Et de demander également au premier ministre que le contenu de cette entente, proposée aux Canadiens, recueille l'accord de tous les partis de l'Assemblée nationale? Et, finalement, aller jusqu'à suggérer un projet d'entente qui serait minimalement acceptable pour le Parti québécois?

Pour moi, en tant que souverainiste, ce projet pourrait être le suivant, c'est à dire l'inclusion dans la Constitution canadienne d'une Déclaration d'identité de la nation québécoise comprenant des pouvoirs souverains additionnels dans les domaines de la langue, de la culture et de l'immigration.

Si le Parti québécois prenait une telle initiative en s'emparant de ma proposition, cela créerait l'électrochoc nécessaire pour que le Québec se remette sérieusement à réfléchir à son avenir.

Et si cette nouvelle entente se concluait positivement, le PQ dirait lui aussi, bien sûr, Oui à une «canadianisation» effective du Québec pour 2017, mais dans l'honneur.

Note: à titre de suggestion, voici ma proposition de Déclaration d'identité:

«Depuis plus de 400 ans, à force d'espérance et de persévérance, le Québec s'est imposé au monde, non seulement comme une terre de paix et d'accueil, mais aussi de créativité et de productivité. Dans leur coeur et leur vie, depuis très longtemps, c'est la terre et la langue française qui les lient tous et toutes, et les lieront toujours ...ces gens du pays , de façon distincte sur ce continent de verdure et de glace.

Et par dessus tout, c'est la liberté qui nourrit leurs actions, la fidélité, leurs souvenirs, et le partage, leur avenir. Incidemment, par la présente déclaration, un nouveau partage est consenti avec le peuple du Canada.

Ce triple trésor de valeurs communes auquel s'ajoute la richesse de leurs valeurs fondamentales, en particulier, l'égalité de l'homme et de la femme, la laïcité... et la neutralité de l'État, obligent ce peuple du Québec, d'une rare humanité, tellement plein d'humour et, qui aime bien manger..., à défendre et à accroître autant que nécessaire les pouvoirs qui protègent et favorisent sa singularité au Canada et en Amérique du Nord, c'est-à-dire, ceux d'une nation souveraine.

Prenant à témoin la Constitution canadienne, ses premiers, ses anciens (francophones et anglophones) et ses nouveaux habitants s'unissent à nouveau, aujourd'hui et pour demain, afin de développer et faire fructifier cet héritage.

Le peuple du Québec, par la présente déclaration d'identité se veut fédérateur et reconnaissant envers le Canada de lui consentir, avec les outils financiers appropriés, des pouvoirs souverains additionnels et exclusifs, en matière de langue, de culture et d' immigration.»

VOIR AUSSI SUR LE HUFFPOST

Les élections 2015 en photos
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A supporter holds a poster referring to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's grandfather James Sinclair who was a Liberal member of Parliament in Vancouver North during a rally, Sunday, October 18, 2015 in North Vancouver. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper greets supporters during a campaign rally in Abbotsford, B.C. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015. Canadians will go to the polls in the Federal election Oct. 19. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Green Party leader Elizabeth May, speaks to supporters during a campaign rally on the final stop of her three-day Vancouver Island bus tour in Victoria, B.C., Sunday, October 18, 2015. (credit:Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, left, leave a campaign rally in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Canadians will go to the polls in the Federal election Oct. 19. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau holds up a baby during a rally, Sunday, October 18, 2015 in Edmonton. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair and his wife Catherine pose for photos with Olivia Chow, widow of Jack Layton, at a campaign rally, Sunday, October 18, 2015 in Toronto. Canadians will vote in the federal election on Oct.19. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper receives a kiss from wife Laureen at a campaign rally in Toronto on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Canadians will go to the polls in the Federal election Oct. 19. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair is introduced by Alberta Premier Rachel Notley at a campaign rally in Edmonton on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. Canadians will go to the polls in the 42nd federal election on Monday, October 19, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau hugs former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion during a campaign event in a senior's home Friday, October 16, 2015 in Mississauga, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper holds up a pile of money as he illustrates proposed Liberal tax hikes during a campaign event in Trois-Rivieres, Que., Oct. 15, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper's wife Laureen dances with Vinay Virmani as they attend a campaign event in Brampton, Ontario on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau makes a funny face with a young child during a campaign stop at a restaurant, Oct. 14, 2015 in Welland, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair and his wife, Catherine help their grandson, Raphael, onto a giant pumpkin while visiting a farm, Oct. 14, 2015 in L'Assomption, Quebec. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is photographed by a supporter as he attends a campaign event at the J.P. Bowman tool and die company in Brantford, Ont., Oct. 14, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau dusts sugar on a tray of cookies as local candidates Robert Planche, left, and Chris Biddle look on during a stop at a pastry shop, Oct. 14, 2015 in St. Catharines, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau gets ready to sign a vintage poster of his father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, during a campaign stop at a coffee shop Thursday, October 15, 2015 in Ste-Therese, Que. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper touches money laid out on a table to illustrate claimed losses to Canadian taxpayers as he addresses supporters at a campaign event in London, Ont., Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau shares a laugh with "Onkel Hans," the mascot, during an Oktoberfest celebration in Kitchener, Ont., on Tuesday, October 13, 2015. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Freed Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy speaks to reporters as NDP Leader Tom Mulcair looks on after their meeting, Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau delivers a plate of hamburgers he has just prepared during a campaign event at a bar Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair greets supporters at a rally in Brampton, Ont., on Tuesday, October 13, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper looks on as Nicole Ropp throws money on the counter as they illustrate how liberal tax hikes will affect Canadians during a Harper campaign event at an apple farm in Waterloo, Ont., Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair carves up a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, October 11, 2015 in Courtenay, B.C. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau picks pumpkins with his son Hadrien, Monday, October 12, 2015 in Gatineau, Que. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper along with wife Laureen, son Ben and daughter Rachel wave as they board their campaign plane in preparation to leave Ottawa, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair poses for a photo as he arrives at a rally in Saskatoon on Monday, October 12, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau throws his son Hadrien in the air along the shores of Frobisher Bay Saturday, October 10, 2015 in Iqaluit. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau holds his son Hadrien as he and his wife Sophie step off the plane Friday, October 9, 2015 in Yellowknike. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair boards the bus with his grandson, Raphael, Friday, October 9, 2015 in Montreal. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper holds a copy of his party's platform during a campaign stop in Richmond, B.C. Thursday, Oct. 9, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau delivers remarks during a campaign event at a grocery store Friday, October 9, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair speaks to supporters as he arrives at a town hall meeting Friday, October 9, 2015 in Montreal. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Members of the RCMP grab a protester during a campaign event by Conservative leader Stephen Harper in Surrey, B.C. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Members of the RCMP protect Conservative leader Stephen Harper as he is rushed by a protester during a campaign event in Surrey, B.C. Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau cradles a sleeping baby into his arms during a rally Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in Sussex, New Brunswick. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair poses for a photo with a Quebec Nordiques hockey fan after a town hall meeting Thursday, October 8, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, left, talks with mothers and their children after speaking during a campaign stop in Saskatoon, Sask, on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. (credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau reacts after nailing in a wall frame during a campaign event at a trade school Thursday, October 8, 2015 in Vaughan, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper, centre, speaks seniors at a seniors residence during a campaign stop in Saskatoon, Sask., Oct. 6, 2015. (credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau brings a basket of donations to a goodwill community store, Oct. 7, 2015 in London, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau boards the plane as he departs on way to Fredericton, Oct. 7, 2015 in London, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair speaks to the Assembly of First Nations in Enoch, Alta., on Oct. 7, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair takes a selfie with a supporter while campaigning, Oct. 6, 2015 in Surrey, B.C. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair poses for photos with supporters while campaigning, Oct. 6, 2015 in Surrey, B.C. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, holding his son Hadrien, makes his way through a crowd of supporters during a rally Oct. 4, 2015 in Brampton, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, holding his son Hadrien, with his wife Sophie and two children Xavier, left, and Ella-Grace wave to a crowd of supporters during a rally Oct. 4, 2015 in Brampton, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau addresses supporters during a rally Oct. 4, 2015 in Brampton, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair speaks to supporters at a nighttime outdoor rally Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Essex, Ont. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair autographs posters after a nighttime outdoor rally Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Essex, Ont. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair looks at a cow during a visit to a dairy farm Saturday, October 3, 2015 in Upton, Que. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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People protest as Conservative leader Stephen Harper arrives at a rally during a campaign stop in Bay Robert's, N.L., on Saturday, October 3, 2015. (credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, left, and her daughter Victoria Cate May Burton react during a campaign rally in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday October 3, 2015. (credit:Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair speaks to supporters at a rally Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Waterloo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe, left to right, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, journalist Pierre Bruneau, Conservative leader Stephen Harper and NDP leader Tom Mulcair poses for photos before the start of a French-language debate broadcast by Quebec's TVA network in Montreal on Oct. 2, 2015. (credit:Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, second from right, looks out over the Montreal skyline from the Mount Royal Park Observatory with local candidates, left to right, Marc Miller, Rachel Bendayan and Marwah Rizgy on Oct. 2, 2015. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Former prime minister Jean Chretien listens during a news conference with local Liberal Party candidates in Vancouver, B.C., on October 1, 2015. (credit:Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair kisses his wife, Catherine Pinhas, before he addresses supporters during a campaign stop in Montreal on Oct. 1, 2015. (credit:Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau signs a copy of his book for a supporter during a campaign stop at a forklift dealership in Montreal on Oct. 1, 2015. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper reacts to the crowed at a rally during a campaign stop in Quebec City on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. (credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, accompanied by a group of supporters, fields questions during a campaign stop in Apex, near Iqaluit, Nunavut on Sept. 30, 2015. (credit:Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
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Federal finance minister and Conservative candidate Joe Oliver speaks during a press conference in Toronto on Sept. 30, 2015. (credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau signs the cast of Olivier Moreira, 6, who broke his arm doing cartwheels Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper looks on beside a Chinese dragon costume during a campaign stop in Richmond Hill, Ont.on Sept. 29, 2015. (credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair drives an ATV at the Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park during a campaign stop in Iqaluit, Nunavut on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. (credit:Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper makes his own pizza during a campaign stop at a bakery in Vaughan Ont., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015. (credit:Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, left to right, Conservative Leader and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and New Democratic Party Leader Thomas Mulcair participate in the Munk Debate on Canada's foreign policy in Toronto on Sept. 28, 2015. (credit:Mark Blinch/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, left to right, Conservative Leader and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and New Democratic Party Leader Thomas Mulcair participate in the Munk Debate on Canada's foreign policy in Toronto, on Sept. 28, 2015. (credit:Mark Blinch/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, left to right, Conservative Leader and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and New Democratic Party Leader Thomas Mulcair grip hands on stage at the Munk Debate on Canada's foreign policy in Toronto, on Sept. 28, 2015. (credit:Mark Blinch/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, left to right, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair take part in the Munk Debate on foreign affairs, in Toronto on Sept. 28, 2015. (credit:Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau shows off a loaf of fresh bread just removed from an oven during a campaign stop at a general store Sept. 28, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and his wife Catherine interact with children during a campaign stop at the Toronto Botanical Gardens in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (credit:Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper greets supporters at a restaurant while campaigning in Riviere-du-Loup, Que., on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau greets supporters during a campaign stop at a general store Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair waves to supporters, reflected in his vehicle window, during a campaign stop in Quebec City on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (credit:Andrew Vaughan/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau holds up a maple leaf shape cut out of a sheet of metal prior to speaking at a campaign stop in Brampton, Friday Sept. 25, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Quebec Lieutenant Denis Lebel, left, and Laureen Harper laugh as Conservative Leader Stephen Harper sings a few bars of "Try to Remember," by Tom Jones, at a restaurant while campaigning in Riviere-du-Loup, Que., on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau disembarks from the campaign plane in Ottawa on Sept. 25, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, left to right, Conservative Leader and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, New Democratic Party Leader Thomas Mulcair, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau shake hands before the start of the French-language leaders' debate in Montreal on Sept. 24, 2015. (credit:Christinne Muschi/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper, lef, exchanges words with NDP leader Tom Mulcair during the french language leaders debate, Sept. 24, 2015 in Montreal. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, left, and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper take part in the French-language debate, Sept. 24, 2015 in Montreal. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, left, NDP leader Tom Mulcair listen to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau during the French-language debate Thursday, September 24, 2015 in Montreal. (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and wife, Sophie Gregoire arrive at the French-language leaders' debate in Montreal on Thursday, September 24, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and wife, Catherine Pinhas arrive at the French-language leaders' debate in Montreal on Thursday, September 24, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and wife, Laureen, arrive at the French-language leaders' debate in Montreal on Thursday, September 24, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May arrives for the French-language leaders' debate in Montreal on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015. (credit:Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
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A Liberal Party supporter smokes a cannabis cigarette amongst other supporters outside the French-language leaders' debate in Montreal on Thursday, September 24, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire help their son Hadrien walk across a bridge at a playground in Montreal, Thursday September 24, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair raises a glass as he visits Upstreet Craft Brewing during a campaign stop in Charlottetown on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ (credit:Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
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Former leader Stephane Dion looks on as Liberal leader Justin Trudeau embraces his wife Sophie Gregoire following a campaign speech in Montreal, Tuesday September 22, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair waves to the crowd on the upper levels of the atrium as he addresses a student audience during a campaign stop at the University of Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. (credit:Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
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Smoke and steam surround the media contingent of the Conservative Party's campaign convoy following a radiator hose mishap on the road, on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau waves to supporters as he takes the stage during a campaign stop in Orleans, Ont., on Monday, September 21, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper tries out some blue paint during a campaign stop at a hardware store in St. Jacobs, ON. Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau walks across the tarmac to the party's campaign plane in Enfield, N.S., on Sunday Sept. 20, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair shares a laugh with fisherman George Chafe, second from right, as MP Jack Harris, left, looks on as they fish near Petty Harbour, N.L., during a campaign stop on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. The large cod had been caught earlier in the day. (credit:Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
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Laureen Harper displays a ribbon she received for participating in the Terry Fox Run during a photo opportunity with local Conservative candidates in Port Moody, B.C., on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ (credit:Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper waves to supporters at a campaign rally, Sunday, September 20, 2015 in Windsor, Ont. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper shakes hands with Wayne Gretzky during a campaign event in Toronto on Sept. 18, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Former Conservative MPJames Moore, left, speaks as Laureen Harper listens during a photo opportunity on the training route Terry Fox used while preparing for his cross-country run, in Port Moody, B.C., on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (credit:Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
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Children look on as Conservative Leader Stephen Harper shakes hands with Wayne Gretzky before playing a table top hockey game during a campaign event in Toronto on Sept. 18, 2015. Mark Sokolski acts as the ref. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and wife Catherine Pinhas leave after making a campaign stop at the Regina Senior Citizens Centre in Regina, Sask., on Sept. 18, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair gestures during The Globe and Mail-hosted leaders' debate in Calgary on Sept. 17, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/CP)
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Harper, Trudeau, and Mulcair before The Globe and Mail-hosted leaders' debate in Calgary, on Sept, 17, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/CP)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper speaks during The Globe and Mail-hosted leaders' debate in Calgary on Sept, 17, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/CP)
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The three party leaders during The Globe and Mail-hosted leaders' debate in Calgary on Sept, 17, 2015. (credit:The Globe And Mail/YouTube)
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Moderator David Walmsley, far right, and the three party leaders during The Globe and Mail-hosted leaders' debate in Calgary, on Sept, 17, 2015. (credit:The Globe And Mail/YouTube)
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Trudeau during The Globe and Mail-hosted leaders' debate in Calgary, on Sept, 17, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/CP)
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Harper, Trudeau, and Mulcair before The Globe and Mail-hosted leaders' debate in Calgary on Sept, 17, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/CP)
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"Just arrived with Laureen at The Globe and Mail Leaders’ Debate on the Economy."Conservative Leader Stephen Harper waves to the crowd in Calgary on Sept. 17, 2015. (credit:Stephen Harper/Facebook)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau paddles a canoe down the Bow River in Calgary on Sept, 17, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Lac St-Jean Tory candidate Denis Lebel, right, calls on the NDP to refund taxpayers for money he claims was not deserved, at a news conference, Sept. 17, 2015 in Quebec City. Louis-Saint-Laurent candidate Gerard Deltell, left, looks on. (credit:Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair meets with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi at city hall in Calgary on Sept. 16, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau greets Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi at city hall in Calgary on Sept, 16, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper smiles as he looks out the window of his bus Sept. 15, 2015 in Abbotsford, BC. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May gives a thumbs up to passing by cars with supporters in Guelph on Sept. 15, 2015. (credit:Hannah Yoon/The Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau gives the thumbs up from the pilot's window of his campaign plane in Mississauga, Ont., prior to flying to Calgary, Sept, 15, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper takes a shot during a campaign stop at a company that makes hockey rink boards in Port Moody, B.C. on Sept.15, 2015. Cascadia Sports Systems owner Murdo Paterson (right) looks on. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair makes a campaign stop at the Sik-Ooh-Kotok Friendship Centre in Lethbridge, Alta. on Sept. 15, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair makes a campaign stop at the Sik-Ooh-Kotok Friendship Centre in Lethbridge, Alta. on Sept. 15, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper talks to a supporter at a campaign stop in North Vancouver, Sept.15, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper takes a selfie with a supporter at a campiagn stop in North Vancouver, Sept.15, 2015. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau tours a pipe fitting training facility during a campaign stop in Waterloo, Ont., Sept. 15, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau addresses the crowd as he tours a pipe fitting training facility during a campaign stop in Waterloo, Ont., Sept. 15, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau juggles bocce balls during campaign stop in Fred Hamilton Park in Toronto, Monday, Sept, 14, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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"Thank you, Vancouver. Together we can chart a new and better course for Canada" - Tom Mulcair on Twitter. (credit:Twitter:@ThomasMulcair)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and former prime minister Jean Chretien arrive at the Liberal campaign plane in Montreal, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper speaks to supporters, Sunday, September 13, 2015 in Stittsville, Ont. (credit:Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and wife Catherine Pinhas board the campaign plane in Ottawa on Sept.12, 2015, en route to Vancouver, B.C. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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A fundraising video featuring Mike Duffy is shown on a screen as Liberal candidates Adam Vaughan and Greg Fergus speak to reporters during a press conference in Ottawa on Sept. 12, 2015. (credit:Justin Tang/Canadian Press)
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Justin Trudeau tours Inventys Thermal Technologies Inc. during an election campaign stop in Burnaby, B.C. on Sept. 11, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau climbs the famous Grouse Grind during an election campaign stop in North Vancouver, B.C., Sept. 11, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau does a boxing workout with trainer Kevin Reynoles in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau does a boxing workout with trainer Kevin Reynoles in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair and wife Catherine Pinhas makes their way to city hall in downtown Edmonton on Sept. 11, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Tom Mulcair makes his way to deliver a speech at a rally in Edmonton, Alberta on Sept. 10, 2015 (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair talks to policy advisor Jordan Leichnitz, left, and Deputy Chief of Staff Chantale Turgeon while flying on the campaign plane from Winnipeg, Man., to Edmonton on Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen wave as they arrive in Saint John, N.B. on Sept. 10, 2015.. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper speaks to supporters during a campaign stop at the refinery in Saint John, N.B., Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper is given a hug by a supporter as he boards the campaign plane in Charlottetown on Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper pulls a lobster out of a trap in the waters off Borden-Carelton, P.E.I., on Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair shakes hands with a student during a campaign stop at The Operating Engineers Training Institute in Winnipeg, Man., on Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair speaks to the press and attendees during a campaign stop at The Operating Engineers Training Institute in Winnipeg, Man., on Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair speaks to attendees during a campaign stop at The Operating Engineers Training Institute in Winnipeg, Man., on Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper speaks with fisherman Randy Ahearn following a photo opportunity in the waters off Borden-Carleton, P.E.I., near the Confederation Bridge, on Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper walks past a pile of potatoes as he leaves a campaign stop in New Annan, P.E.I., on Sept. 10, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper takes a shot on goalie Myles Atwood, special assistant to the Prime Minister, as they play road hockey on the tarmac at the airport in Kitchener, Ont., Sept. 9, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau attends a rally in Edmonton on Sept. 9, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, right, is greeted by Edmonton Mayor Don Iverson at city hall in Edmonton on Sept. 9, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau arrives to meet Edmonton Mayor Don Iverson at city hall in Edmonton, Sept. 9, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau gives the thumbs up as he boards his campaign plane in Toronto, Sept. 9, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau boards his campaign plane in Toronto, Sept.9, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau makes an announcement in Toronto on Sept. 9, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, centre, is flanked by local candidates while speaking during a campaign event in Vancouver, B.C., on Sept.9. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and wife Catherine Pinhas walk past engine torque converters as they make a campaign stop at an auto parts manufacturing plant in Niagara Falls, Ont., on Sept. 9, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP leader Thomas Mulcair holds a rally downtown Toronto, Ontario on Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair boards his campaign plane in Montreal on Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in St.Catherines, Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in St.Catherines, Ontario on Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and his wife, Laureen, enjoy a break on the campaign bus on Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:>a hreef="https://www.facebook.com/MrsLaureenHarper/photos/a.380986052079259.1073741829.379044288940102/475451635966033/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">Laureen Harper)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper signs the wall at Facebook during a campaign stop in Toronto, Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen enter the room during a campaign stop in Mississauga, Ont., on Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper eats a piece of bread as he and wife Laureen take part in a traditional Polish bread and salt ceremony during a campaign stop in Toronto on Sept. 7, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair and wife Catherine Pinhas leave after making a campaign stop in Montreal on Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair makes a campaign stop in Montreal on Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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People of all ages find ways to stay entertained at a Unifor rally as NDP Leader Tom Mulcair greets union members before attending the Labour Day Parade in Toronto on Sept. 7, 2015. (credit:Michelle Siu/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau addresses a group during an event in Bouctouche, N.B., Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, right, walks with candidate Dominic LeBlanc to an event in Bouctouche, N.B., Sept. 8, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau balances his 18-month-old son, Hadrian, as he waits for the Toronto Blue Jays batting practice on Sept. 4, 2015, in Toronto. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau offers up a beer to a patron as he pours pints at a pub Sept. 4, 2015, in Toronto. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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ADR TV President Vincent Geracitano, left, looks on as Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe speaks to the media at the offices of the televison channel that searches for missing people during a federal election campaign stop in Montreal on Sept. 4. (credit:Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
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Laureen Harper helps husband, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, out of his personal flotation device as they dock following a boat ride on Schwatka Lake near Whitehorse, Y.T., on Sept. 4, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, right, alongside NDP candidate for the riding of Brossard-Saint Lambert, Hoang Mai, shucks corn during a federal election campaign stop at a seniors residence in Brossard, Que., on Sept. 4, 2015. (credit:Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper takes a sip of a pint of Yukon Gold beer that he poured himself during a visit to a local brewery in Whitehorse, Y.T., on Sept. 3, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper pours a pint of beer from a Yukon brewery after arriving in Whitehorse, Y.T., on Sept. 3, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair speaks to reporters during a federal election campaign stop at a seniors residence in Brossard, Que., on Sept. 4, 2015. (credit:Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau steps off a bus arriving at a campaign event at the VIVA Bus Terminal Sept. 4, 2015 in Richmond Hill, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, accompanied by Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca, right, addresses employees and supporters during a campaign event at the VIVA Bus Terminal, Sept. 4, 2015 in Richmond Hill, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, accompanied by Ontario Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca, rides a bus to a campaign event at the VIVA Bus Terminal Sept. 4, 2015 in Richmond Hill, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, right, alongside NDP candidate for the riding of Brossard-Saint Lambert, Hoang Mai, shucks corn during a federal election campaign stop at a seniors residence in Brossard, Que., on Sept. 4, 2015. (credit:Graham Hughes/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, right, waves to supporters as he arrives for his official nomination meeting and campaign stop at the Rialto Theatre in his home riding of Outremont, in Montreal, on Sept. 3, 2015. (credit:Dario Ayala/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau greets local candidates following a news conference, Sept. 3, 2015 in Brossard, Que. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau plays with a young child while in his mother's arms during a rally, Sept. 2, 2015 in Quebec City. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau marches up the stairs of Quebec City Hall to meet with Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume, Sept. 2, 2015 in Quebec City. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair makes a campaign stop at a cafe in Toronto on Sept. 3, 2015. (credit:Chris Young/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair reads from a prompter as he continues his campaigning at a cafe in Toronto on Sept. 3, 2015. (credit:Chris Young/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair plays street hockey during a federal election campaign stop in Kamloops, B.C., on Sept. 2, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper looks towards the media as his wife takes a photo of the cameras on hand for a photo op in North Bay, Ont., on Sept. 2, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen wave as they board the campaign plane following a stop in North Bay, Ont., on Sept. 2, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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A guest takes a photo of Conservative Leader Stephen Harper speaking during a campaign stop in North Bay, Ont., Sept. 2, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper speaks with Joe Guido, President of Premier Mining Products as he is shown drill bits during a campaign stop in North Bay, Ont., on Sept. 2, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair makes his way past a supporter holding a dog during a federal election campaign stop in Vernon, B.C., Sept. 1, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair tastes wine during a federal election campaign stop at Summerhill Winery in Kelowna, B.C., Sept.1, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau greets patrons during a campaign stop at a coffee shop, Sept. 1, 2015 in Gatineau, Que. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau takes a photograph with a supporter during a campaign stop at a coffee shop, Sept. 1, 2015 in Gatineau, Que. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper speaks during a campaign stop at a steel manufacturer in Burlington, Ont., on Sept.1, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper examines a roll of steel wiring during a campaign stop at a steel manufacturer in Burlington, Ont., on Sept. 1, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper serves coffee to Conservative supporters as he stops at a Tim Hortons in Gananoque, Ont., on Aug. 31, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper serves coffee to Conservative supporters as he stops at a Tim Hortons in Gananoque, Ont., on Aug. 31, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper serves walks behind the counter to serve coffee to supporters as he stops at a Tim Hortons in Gananoque, Ont., on Aug. 31, 2015. (credit:Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)
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Thomas Mulcair speaks to supporters during a rally in Halifax on Aug. 30, 2015. (credit:Darren Pittman/Canadian Press)
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Federal Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, right, makes kotthu roti at Tamil Fest during a campaign stop in Toronto on Aug. 29, 2015. (credit:Darren Calabrese/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper addresses guests at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at's Jalsa Salana Canada annual convention in Toronto on Aug. 28, 2015. (credit:Aaron Vincent Elkaim/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau shares a laugh with former prime minister Paul Martin as he works with a plasma torch as they tour a manufacture Aug. 28, 2015 in Montreal. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, and Green candidate Jo-Ann Roberts, listen during a Q & A about the future of the health care system in Canada during a town hall meeting at the Oak Bay United Church in Victoria, B.C., on Aug. 27, 2015. (credit:Chad Hipolito/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has his photo taken with supporters as he attends a gala in Toronto on Aug. 27. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair embraces a young supporter during a campaign stop in Brantford, Ont., on Aug. 27, 2015. (credit:Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau talks with one of two demonstrators on stage that interrupted his speech during a rally Aug. 28, 2015 in Montreal. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper makes a campaign stop at Algoma Orchards in Clarington, Ont., on Aug. 26, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau operates a crane while touring a crane operator training facility Aug. 27, 2015 in Oakville, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper makes a campaign stop at Algoma Orchards in Clarington, Ont., on Aug. 26, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and his wife Catherine discuss the next event as they depart London, Ont., on the campaign bus on Aug. 26, 2015. (credit:Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
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Former prime minister Paul Martin introduces Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau during a rally Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015 in Brampton, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper poses for a picture with the staff of Baguette & Chocolat cafe as he makes an impromptu campaign stop in Quebec City on Aug. 25, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, wife Laureen Harper, left, and son Ben Harper, right, walk past shops as they make an impromptu campaign stop in Quebec City on Aug. 25, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper shakes hands with members of the public as he makes an impromptu campaign stop in Quebec City, Quebec on Aug, 25, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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A protester, middle, yells and waves a sign as he is pulled from a rally after disrupting Conservative Leader Stephen Harper's campaign stop in Montreal on Aug. 25, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair looks through a tree trunk with Adam Bienenstock, left, at Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds in Dundas, Ont., on Aug. 25, 2015. (credit:Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
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Protesters rally outside a rally as Conservative Leader Stephen Harper makes a campaign stop in Montreal on Aug. 25, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is seen through a frosted glass window representing the Canadian Parliament as he heads for a rally Aug. 24, 2015 in Belleville, Ont. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and wife Laureen meet Ian and Bonnie West and their triplets Tessa, Abigail and Austin during a campaign stop in Rockland, Ont., on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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A Conservative supporter holds a note as Conservative Leader Stephen Harper speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in Trois-Rivieres, Que., on Aug. 24, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair assembles a xylophone at Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds in Dundas, Ont., on Aug. 25, 2015. (credit:Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair poses with a young supporter at a campaign event in Kitchener, Ont., on Aug. 25, 2015. (credit:Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau walks in downtown Toronto Aug. 25, 2015. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, left, and former prime minister Paul Martin, centre, pose for a picture with an employee as they leave a small manufacturer following an economic presentation on Aug. 25, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair autographs campaign signage as supporters look on during a campaign stop in Mississauga, Ont. on Aug. 24, 2015. (credit:Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau gestures as he addresses supporters during a rally on Aug. 24, 2015, in Peterborough, Ont. (credit:TPaul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper meets with members of Scouts Canada as they make a campaign stop on the shores of McIvor Lake in Campbell River, B.C. on Aug. 21, 2015.The organization said they didn't sanction the photo-op, and reminded members that the group is non-partisan. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Thomas Mulcair, left, greets 11-month-old Leonie Mendelsohn and her mom Ellen Friedrichs as he arrives for a campaign stop in the backyard of a home in Vancouver, B.C., on Aug. 20, 2015. (credit:Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
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The face of Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is seen on a Conservative campaign bus as it is parked at a rally in Black Creek, B.C. on Aug. 20, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Justin Trudeau meets with supporters after his speech at Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke candidate David Merner's campaign office during a stop in Victoria, B.C., on Aug. 20, 2015. (credit:The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito)
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Stephen Harper swings Beatrice as her father Conservative candidate Jeff Watson holds her other hand during a campaign stop in Newmarket, Ont. Aug. 20, 2015. They are joined by Watson's son Elijah and Laureen Harper. Watson adopted Beatrice from Iqaluit. (credit:The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair takes a selfie with a supporter in Winnipeg on Aug. 20, 2015.His speech in front of almost 1,000 NDP supporters was interrupted by environmental protesters chanting "Stop Energy East," referring to the proposed pipeline that would carry one million barrels of oil daily from Alberta to the East Coast."Listen, I'm more than willing to put up with your screaming but I'm talking about First Nations," he said to loud cheers from supporters. "Can you show a little bit of respect please?"
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Thomas Mulcair, centre, picks up a young boy during a campaign stop in Surrey, B.C., on Aug. 19, 2015. (credit:The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
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Justin Trudeau greets people while attending the 20th Annual Mela Gadri Babian Da cultural festival in Surrey, B.C. on Aug. 20, (credit:The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
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Protesters block a media bus emblazoned with Conservative logos as it arrives to Stephen Harper's rally in London, Ontario on Aug. 19. (credit:The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)
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Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe talks to reporters as he takes a lunch break after a press conference in Montreal on Aug. 19. (credit:The Canadian Press/Peter Ray)
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Justin Trudeau speaks to kids at Le Centre Culturel Franophone de Vancouver during a campaign stop on Aug. 19, 2015. (credit:The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair gets off a float plane in B.C. on Aug. 19, 2015. If his party is elected, he promised to create more than 100,000 child-care spaces for B.C.
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau takes a selfie with a supporter following a campaign stop in Mount Pearl, N.L., Sunday, September 20, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS (credit:Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper shakes hands with a boy at the the Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre in London, Ont. on Aug. 19, 2015. In a speech there, Harper took aim at the federal and Ontario Liberals over the province’s retirement pension plan, nicknaming it the “Justin-Wynne-Kathleen-Trudeau” tax hike.
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A Conservative supporter, who wouldn't divulge his name, expresses his frustrations to reporters before calling them "pieces of shit" in Toronto on Aug. 18, 2015. (credit:The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May campaigns in Sidney, B.C. on Aug. 18, 2015. (credit:Elizabeth May Facebook)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair speaks to a crowd in Courtenay, B.C. on Aug. 18. 2015. During a visit to Vancouver Island, he pledged $9 million in natural disaster prevention and relief.
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Green Leader Elizabeth May stops for a photo with Green Party candidates Jo-Ann Roberts (Victoria) and Claire Martin (North Vancouver) while on the campaign trail on Aug. 13, 2015. (credit:Elizabeth May Facebook)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau greets people in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. on Aug. 18. 2015. On a campaign swing through northern Ontario, he said a Liberal government would invest millions to support a clean technology initiative. (credit:Justin Trudeau Facebook)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper pledged to cut red tape for small businesses at an event in London, ONt. on Aug. 19, 2015.
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"Took some time with Ben today to have a little fun!" (Posted on Aug. 17, 2015)
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau gives a high-five to a young boy on his father's shoulders as he arrives for a rally Friday, August 28, 2015 in Montreal. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)
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"Thank you to the Royal Canadian Legion in Fredericton for hosting Laureen and me this morning, and thank you to all our Military Veterans for their service."Stephen Harper meets veterans in New Brunswick on Aug. 17, 2015.
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Thomas Mulcair enjoys a view of the Niagara Falls on Aug. 17, 2015.
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau sits for a photo-op about the Canada Child Benefit with the Vahidy family in Ajax, Ont. (credit:Justin Trudeau Facebook)
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Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe greets supporters during a campaign stop Aug. 18, 2015 in St-Jerome, Que. (credit:Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trueau, right, greets NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair during a federal election campaign stop at the annual gay pride parade in Montreal, Aug. 16, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair attends a Toronto Blue Jays game with his two sons on Aug. 14. (credit:Tom Mulcair/Facebook)
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"Such a pleasure to have the family join me on the campaign trail today!" (credit:Justin Trudeau/Facebook)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper kids around. (credit:Stephen Harper/Facebook)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper holds a rally in Winnipeg on Aug. 13, 2015. (credit:Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, left, holds baby Adalyn Hayes while Erika Golem, right, laughs during a campaign visit to the Regina Farmers' Market in Regina on Aug. 12, 2015. (credit:Michael Bell/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, left, announces during a press conference that former Saskatchewan finance minister Andrew Thomson, right, will run as an NDP candidate in the Toronto riding of Eglinton-Lawrence against Conservative incumbent Joe Oliver in Toronto on Aug. 14, 2015. (credit:Michelle Siu/Canadian Press)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair speaks to supporters at a campaign rally in Vancouver on Aug. 9, 2015. (credit:Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau addresses a Liberal rally in Ottawa on Aug. 9, 2015. (credit:Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau calls his wife after the first federal leaders debate in Toronto on Aug. 6, 2015. (credit:Justin Trudeau/Facebook)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair speaks to reporters during a press conference following the first federal leaders debate of the 2015 Canadian election campaign in Toronto. The often passionate orator kept "Angry Tom" at bay, but in so doing kept a near-constant smile on his face — a look some viewers on social media described as "creepy." (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May speaks to reporters during a press conference following the first federal leaders debate on August 6, 2015. Many viewers felt May stole the spotlight. (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau speaks to reporters. He admitted during the leaders' debate that his stance on Bill C-51 was perhaps "naive." But he also wasted little time going after his political opponents, keen to shed the charge that he’s not ready to lead the country. (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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"I am sure if you have teenagers you'll agree with me - these two are well-practiced debaters!" Stephen Harper posted a photo with his children on Facebook before the first federal leaders' debate in Toronto. (credit:Stephen Harper/Facebook)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen are greeted as they arrive for the first federal leaders debate of the 2015 Canadian election campaign in Toronto on Aug. 6. Harper was attacked on the economy, his environmental record, the Senate scandals, (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Here are the best 10 quotes from the leaders' debate. (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair arrives to meet reporters for a press conference in Toronto on August 6, 2015. (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair waves to supporters as he arrives for the first federal leaders debate. (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Green Party Leader Elizabeth May greets dignitaries as she arrives for the first federal leaders debate. During the televised event, she attacked Tory leader Stephen Harper on his economic record and pushed NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair on his pipelines position. (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau greets supporters as he arrives for the first federal leaders debate. (credit:GEOFF ROBINS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau warms up in the ring with Paul Brown during a photo op at Paul Brown Boxfit in Toronto on August 6, 2015 prior to the first election debate. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair Mulcair speaks at a press conference in Toronto on August 6, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim)
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Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau leaves a rally as he begins campaigns for the upcoming federal election in Mississauga, Ont., on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michelle Siu)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair delivers a speech during a campaign stop in Montreal on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)
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Conservative leader Stephen Harper picks up chicken wings while grocery shopping with his son Ben Tuesday, August 4, 2015 in Toronto. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)
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An anti-Stephen Harper protester blocks the party's campaign bus during a Conservative party federal election rally on Westbury Avenue in Montreal on Sunday, August 2, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
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Anti-Stephen Harper protesters block the party's campaign bus during a Conservative party federal election event on Westbury Avenue in Montreal on Sunday, August 2, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
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Anti-Stephen Harper protesters block the party's campaign bus during a Conservative party federal election event on Westbury Avenue in Montreal on Sunday, August 2, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
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An anti-Stephen Harper protester is detained by police prior to a Conservative party campaign event on Westbury Avenue in Montreal on Sunday, August 2, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
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NDP Leader Tom Mulcair launches his campaign at the Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., after Prime Minister Stephen Harper called an election on Sunday, August 2, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau speaks during his election campaign launch in Vancouver, B.C., on Sunday August 2, 2015. A federal election will be held on October 19. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits Governor General David Johnston, along with his wife Laureen, to dissolve parliament and trigger an election campaign at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Sunday, August 2, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang)
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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper gets instructions on how to operate a machine that puts the finishing touch to a radiator while touring a industrial parts manufacture Monday, August 3, 2015 in Laval, Que. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)
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Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, right, greets supporters during a campaign stop in Calgary, Alta., Monday, Aug. 3, 2015. (credit:THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)
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NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair has faced some criticism for reportedly talking to the Conservatives in 2007 about advising their team.Mulcair, a former Quebec Liberal, denies he ever intended to run for the Tories.However, several other prominent Canadian politicians have changed their political stripes.(Information courtesy of The Canadian Press' Stephanie Levitz) (credit:CP)
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According to several biographies of the current Conservative prime minister, when he was in high school in the 1970s, he ran in Liberal circles.The prime minister of the time was Pierre Trudeau, and Harper was recruited by one of his classmates to join his high school Liberal club.But soon after graduation, Harper moved west and as the story goes, lost respect for the elder Trudeau over the implementation of the national energy program, beginning his long road to leader of the Conservative party. (credit:CP)
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Trudeau also prompted Rae to get involved in politics, where he got his first taste of the life volunteering for the Liberals.After returning from studying in England, he joined the New Democrats, eventually being elected as an NDP MP before leaving Ottawa to lead the provincial NDP and becoming premier of Ontario.In 1998, he resigned from the NDP but didn't sever political ties with them until 2002.That year, he argued in an essay published by the National Post that he no longer supported the party's approach to the Middle East and its opposition to the World Trade Organization."This is not a vision of social democracy worthy of support,'' he wrote at the time.In 2006, he declared his allegiance to the Liberals, running for its leadership but losing.He became a Liberal MP in 2008 and the party's interim leader following the 2011 election. (credit:CP)
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Mulcair named former Conservative cabinet minister Lawrence Cannon as the one who approached him to join the Conservatives.The duo knew each other from their days with the Quebec Liberals; Cannon represented that party in the Quebec National Assembly for nearly 10 years before Mulcair joined their ranks.And Cannon backed Sheila Copps when she ran for leadership of the federal Liberals in 2000.But he then left the party for the private sector, reportedly disillusioned over Jean Chretien's handling of the 1995 Quebec referendum and the subsequent sponsorship scandal.He went back into municipal politics for a time and then joined the Conservatives."The decision of Lawrence Cannon to join the Conservative party will help us build a new, clean federalism in the province,'' Harper told a 2005 press conference announcing Cannon's candidacy.He was elected in 2006, serving in two cabinet posts before losing his seat in the 2011 election and being appointed ambassador to France. (credit:CP)
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The chance to represent Canada abroad also appeared to lure David Emerson across the aisle.The long-time businessman was wooed by the Liberals to join their party for the 2004 election and he was elected in a Vancouver riding that year, going on to become industry minister.In the 2006 election he ran for the Liberals again, repeatedly attacking the Tories, and won his seat. That campaign saw the Harper Conservatives eke out a minority government victory.When Harper and his team showed up at Rideau Hall to be sworn in, Emerson was with them and was named international trade minister.The Toronto Star had reported that while in the Liberal cabinet, Emerson had objected to a softwood lumber deal the government was close to disclosing. Emerson told reporters he made the partisan switch to serve his constituents better."I am pursuing the very agenda that I got involved to pursue when I was in the Liberal party supporting Paul Martin. I'm continuing to pursue it,'' he said in 2006.He did not stand for re-election in 2008. (credit:CP)
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The Nova Scotia MP was first elected in 1997 as a Progressive Conservative and in 2003 ran for the leadership of that party, losing to Peter MacKay.Though later that year he voted in favour of the PC's merging with the Canadian Alliance to form the new Conservative party, only days after the merger he announced he was going to sit as a Liberal.In later interviews, he said he was told by those in the Canadian Alliance, including Stephen Harper, that the fact he was gay wouldn't hold back his political career within the new party.But he said he was also told the Conservatives would continue to champion issues that were important with its socially conservative base."I could not run for a party that I did not want to win the election,'' Brison said in a 2006 interview. (credit:CP)
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The Toronto-area Tory sent a shock through political circles when she showed up alongside Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau at a news conference earlier this year and announced she was joining his team.Adams had long ties to the Conservatives dating back to the Mulroney days, and had been elected for the party as an MP in 2011, winning a coveted suburban riding away from the Liberals.Eventually, she became romantically linked with Dimitri Soudas, Harper's former director of communications who went on to become executive director of the party.He lost that position after being accused of meddling in her nomination campaign for the 2015 election, which eventually led to both of them being excommunicated from the party.When Adams announced her decision to join the Liberals, she said it was because she no longer supported the Conservatives' policy approach, specifically their income splitting policy."I cannot support mean-spirited measures that benefit only the richest few,'' she said.She has yet to be formally nominated as a Liberal candidate for the upcoming election. (credit:CP)
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