My friend Mike

Someone asked me if I was okay. I said yes. Why, I asked?

They said Mike Sloan was gone.

Now I’m not okay anymore.

I was with him just a few days ago at his apartment in London. I brought him a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and we laughed and talked and posed with his cat Chub. We talked about getting together in Toronto.

And now he’s gone.

Why did he become famous, and so admired? Because he faced death with unrelenting courage and ferocity. He laughed at it. He never blinked.

I am so, so sad that my friend is gone. He was a huge source of strength for me during 2019, when it felt like nothing would ever get better.

I was so grateful to him, for that, and for his bravery.

Remember Mike. I will.



Peter MacKay: he’s in

Does this mean Jean Charest is in or out?  Does this mean Team Mulroney is going elsewhere?  Does this mean Stephen Harper will not support anyone in the race, because none of them are him?

Who knows.  But he’s in, he says. Here’s a quickie take on MacKay, pro and con.

PRO

  • Was a senior Minister, seen as competent 
  • Helped unify the warring factions of the Right
  • Nice-looking family, nice guy
  • Crown prosecutor, smart lawyer
  • Knows how to raise dough
  • Knows the Atlantic region probably the best

CON

  • Seen as too Red Tory by New Conservatives
  • Seen possibly as yesterday’s man
  • Seen as sometimes enjoying the high life a bit too much
  • Not seen as having a stand-out big achievement as Minister
  • Can be remarkably unremarkable sometimes
  • Why is he running?