The return of Bob Rae

It was Rae’s day as he easily swept to victory in the by-election held in Toronto Centre. Stéphane Dion and his wife Janine Krieber arrived for the celebration. The word Outremont was forbidden from being uttered in the staid room at the Courtyard Marriott.

Liberal spokeswoman Leslie Swartman checks the results.

Doing the wave: (left to right) Arlene Perly Rae, Krieber and Bill Graham.

Scott Brison hangs out with Enza “Supermodel” Anderson, who is the grand marshal for Toronto’s 2008 Pride day.

Defeated Tory candidate Don Meredith wished Rae well.

Meredith walks by Mark Warner (left), the former Tory candidate for the riding who got turfed by the party.

Warner is now a Liberal.

Liberal youth mover and shaker: Milton Chan.

Another Liberal youth mover and shaker: Brian Clow.

Clow poses with fellow Liberal youth Seth Jutzi.

Rae poses with supporters.

Rae organizer Craig Knowles was beaming that night.

Rae’s media man Fred Kuhr.

Two Tory youths decided to crash Rae’s victory party. Craig Stevens (left) and Shane Barnes provided some much needed emo trendiness at the bash.

Liberal diva Denise Brunsdon accessorized by Geoff Hunnisett, a member of the Liberal lawyer student group at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.

Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman said he knocked on more doors for Rae than he’s done for himself.

Down the street from the Rae bash, the NDP candidate for Toronto Centre, El-Farouk Khaki partied with his partner Troy Jackson (right) and supporters. The NDP party was at the bar George’s Play in the heart of Toronto’s gay village and had much better music than the Rae event. The DJ spun songs by Amy Winehouse, Rihanna and Jully Black. Note to Liberals: invest in good DJs! Or at least have a DJ.

The food was foiled at Khaki’s party.