Ottawa

Justin Trudeau releases an ad

Tease the day: The Liberal leader responds to his Conservative detractors

Trudeau’s other opponent

Photograph by Adam Scotti

Justin Trudeau, a man who hopes not to be defined by his enemies’ political advertising, has released an ad all his own. It’s a positive ad where Trudeau, the brand new Liberal leader, is sitting in a classroom and talking about talking. He has pledged to not resort to gutter politics. His chief political foes in the advertising world, the Conservatives, are well known to thrive in the gutter. That’s the line in the sand, at least for now. Cue the online bickering, the sniping, the analysis, the speculation.

Where are these ads, you ask? You’ll have to go elsewhere to find them. Those savvy folks on both sides, masterminds who know how easily their ads will proliferate online at virtually no cost to their pocketbooks, won’t find any free advertising on this particular post.


What’s above the fold this morning?

The Globe and Mail leads with a third man questioned by FBI officials in connection with the foiled Via Rail terrorist plot. The National Post fronts a previous pardon granted to accused terror plotter Raed Jaser after he uttered death threats in 2001. The Toronto Star goes above the fold with denials and silence by the suspected plotters during their first court appearances. The Ottawa Citizen also leads with the suspects’ first court appearances. iPolitics fronts human rights advocates’ attempts to convince the federal government to implement forthcoming UN recommendations on how the country can improve its human-rights record. CBC.ca leads with the RCMP’s surveillance of suspected terror plotter Chiheb Esseghaier for over a year. National Newswatch showcases the Toronto Star‘s blow-by-blow of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau’s first advertisement.


Stories that will be (mostly) missed

1. Call centre. A marketing company used by the Conservative Party to raise money has asked for creditor protection, a move that leaves a number of charities waiting for outstanding payment. 2. Smuggling. A Quebec soldier based at Ontario’s CFB Borden, David Theriault, faces over 30 charges related to weapons smuggling that involved hundreds of firearms and parts.
3. Gender equality. A new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the proportion of women on corporate boards has only risen by 2.3 per cent in the last two decades. 4. Charbonneau. Former Montreal mayor Gérald Tremblay will likely testify at the ongoing inquiry into corruption in Montreal’s corruption industry, several months after resigning his post.

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.