Justin Trudeau wins Day 1 of election campaign in fight with Tom Mulcair

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      Yesterday, I wrote a commentary suggesting that Prime Minister Stephen Harper would call an election on the same day as the Vancouver Pride parade.

      This would leave his two main opponents, the NDP's Tom Mulcair and the Liberals' Justin Trudeau, having to decide if they would still join the celebration or change their plans.

      Today, I spent a fair amount of time on Thurlow Street, where New Democrats were gathered.

      Mulcair never showed up. Instead, he adjusted his schedule so he could launch the NDP election campaign in Eastern Canada. Mulcair also attended former Progressive Conservative cabinet minister Flora MacDonald's funeral.

      Trudeau, on the other hand, was in Vancouver to walk in the Pride parade.

      He launched his campaign in Vancouver, surrounded by local candidates.

      Over Twitter, the Liberal leader declared: "Proud to be a vocal supporter of equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer Canadians!"

      Mulcair has many political assets. He's smart, tough-minded, and an outstanding debater.

      But he's also, on occasion, shown a degree of caution that might cause some anti-Harper voters to question how he might govern.

      Unlike Trudeau, Mulcair has not shown nearly as much eagerness to end the war on drugs by legalizing and regulating marijuana.

      Unlike Trudeau, Mulcair also hasn't declared that he'll cut off payments of the child-care benefit to rich parents and make this allowance tax-free.

      And Mulcair's tax proposals haven't been as bold as Trudeau's.

      Of course, Trudeau must live with the albatross of Bill C-51 around his neck. His party supported this dreadful legislation in what many see as an act of political expediency.

      But on the first day of the federal election campaign, I would declare Trudeau the winner over Mulcair.

      The Liberal leader gave a very visible demonstration of his support for equality.

      He's also done this in the past by visiting mosques in response to Conservative government Islamophobia.

      There's something endearing about Trudeau's willingness to take political risks.

      Comments

      54 Comments

      Art Snow

      Aug 2, 2015 at 9:57pm

      Trudeau will need a skull cap to defeat the Harper hair ads.

      Anonymous

      Aug 2, 2015 at 10:04pm

      Nope.

      William Taylor

      Aug 3, 2015 at 1:42am

      It's nice that Justin showed up to get some votes, but the Vancouver riding is about Constance Barnes replacing the outdated Hedy Fry - all of which this partisan article has ignored. Mulclair was in full stride at the Toronto parade, his tact may actually be quite valuable in consideration of the power of Harper. I do agree with the likability of Trudea's risqué swag, but not enough to forget that the Liberal party is a Conservative wing - the wing that has protected big business and corporate interests in Canada for a hundred years. Time
      for change pls. NDP or Green for Vancouver center 2015!

      kas

      Aug 3, 2015 at 2:26am

      Siding with Harper on C51, it will surely impact hard fought for rights and freedoms. This is the only reason I need to question Justin's ability to lead, let alone do the right thing for Canada at home or abroad.

      Edward Bernays

      Aug 3, 2015 at 2:54am

      Every dog has his day.

      Yup.

      Aug 3, 2015 at 4:37am

      I'm still voting NDP because Liberal is the party of the entitled and corrupt (Adscam), but I have to admit that Mulcair blew that round.

      I agree

      Aug 3, 2015 at 4:48am

      With Anonymous...Nope.

      Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau

      Aug 3, 2015 at 4:59am

      Justin Trudeau betrayed Canada by helping Stephen Harper take away our Charter of Rights and Freedoms passing C-51. Tom Mulcair and the NDP get their first Federal win ... For Sure ... no matter how long or short the campaign.

      Gordarnit Johnstone

      Aug 3, 2015 at 6:32am

      Trudeau and Harper hit the campaign trail. Mulcair chose to show his respects to Flora MacDonald. Just like Bill C-51 Mulcair chose to do the right thing versus what looked like the thing to grab more votes at that moment. This is what it looks like when you are guided by your principles versus oh I don't know whatever it is that guides Harper and Trudeau.

      Can45

      Aug 3, 2015 at 7:20am

      goal should be to beat Harper liberals need to refocus