In the wake of my recent election as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, I’ve noticed that one or two media outlets have suggested that my success may somehow be related to my father’s legacy and enduring popularity in Canada. But let me state in no uncertain terms that nothing could be further from the truth. My separate and distinct rise to success is based on individual merit, not political or parental affiliation.
That being said, I do recognize that part of my appeal to voters may lie in the fact that I share so many traits and accomplishments with the great Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
My father and I both became experts on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He gained his expertise by creating the document, and I gained mine by substitute teaching an eighth grade history class.
My father faced down separatist terrorists and enforced the War Measures Act to bring them to justice after they murdered a public official. Similarly, I am also opposed to murder.
“Mon pere” as I always called him because I am fluently bilingual, was not afraid of controversy or political opposition, such as when he faced off with the Alberta provincial government over the nationalization of oil reserves. I too will not back down from a fight, especially if it is a staged charity boxing fight that takes place in very safe and controlled circumstances.
However, the truth is, in some ways, my accomplishments even surpass those of my father’s. For instance I once played Talbot Mercer Papineau in the CBC movie, The Great War. Did my dad pretend to dodge imaginary artillery shells and sacrifice his life in a movie for the love of his country? No. I did that. Also, I looked great while doing it and I’m way cuter than him.
So I hope people will stop suggesting I only got to be Liberal leader because of my last name. Because let’s face it: I’m a young white man with great hair who appeals to both Quebecers and western Canada. With the state of the Liberal Party today my dad could have been an egg farmer from rural Manitoba and I still would have won.
And hey, if anybody thinks I’m not every inch the man my father was, then they can just ask Kim Cattrall.
Oh, and one more similarity between me and my dad: We both banged Kim Cattrall.
