Good morning. Politicians at home and abroad are hitting the campaign circuit this summer – more on that below, along with National Indigenous Peoples Day and Donald Sutherland’s wide-ranging career. But first:
Today’s headlines
- The businessman killed in a Toronto triple shooting defrauded hundreds of victims and netted at least $100-million, records show
- Ottawa’s move to fine companies over deceptive green claims has triggered a wave of website disclaimers in the energy sector
- Lawyers representing the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Toronto argue for free speech in court
This paddleboard plummet didn't hurt British candidate Ed Davey (physically, or politically).Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
ELECTIONS
Oh, the places they’ll go
In the waning minutes of the House of Commons sitting on Wednesday afternoon, the Conservative caucus got a bit punchy, taunting Justin Trudeau with his tanking numbers. “You’re 20 points behind,” a few MPs scoffed. Another had an idea: “Call the election!”
Trudeau likely won’t do that – not till 2025, anyway. But he entered campaign mode this spring with a podcast blitz, and MPs across parties are following his lead on the barbecue circuit this summer. They’re hardly alone out there. More than half the world’s population goes to the polls this year, which means their leaders (who are fantastically, even historically unpopular) have a whole lot of handshaking and hot-dog scarfing to do. With the British election next month and the first U.S. presidential debate next week, we checked in on some recent appearances.
Pod save the PM?
In the past few months, Trudeau has run a full-court audio press, appearing on podcasts big (Vox’s Today, Explained) and small (Saskatoon’s YXE Underground) and stellar (The Globe’s City Space). A little news was made: He told my colleague Irene Galea that housing would become more affordable but retain its value, and insisted to Vox that he could fight populism with policy.
But it seems Trudeau also wants to remind Canadians that he’s just a guy – a “science nerd and geek” (the Hard Fork podcast), a “beer and bourbon guy” (Freakonomics), a guy who considered quitting when his marriage was ending (Rethinking) and really appreciates women’s sports (The GIST of It). A guy people used to like!
It’s a different approach from other politicians. Biden is campaigning with someone Americans like better, trotting out Barack Obama at fundraisers in L.A. and New York. Donald Trump’s hush-money convictions didn’t dent his favour with Republicans, so he can bank on applause at rallies and a UFC event. And British PM Rishi Sunak – projected to lose his seat in a record drubbing next month – has just given up entirely on the pretense that voters like him and he likes them back.
Taking the plunge
Then there’s Ed Davey, leader of Britain’s Liberal Democrats, who’s wholeheartedly embraced every questionable photo op his staff dreams up. Here he is tackling an obstacle course; losing his mind on a rollercoaster; building sandcastles and racing wheelbarrows; and falling repeatedly off a paddleboard to raise awareness about polluted lakes. (He said his first topple was for the benefit of cameras, but he “just kept falling in” after that.)
Oh, sure, he meant to do it.Phil Noble/Reuters
Every politician knows the rules for avoiding an iconic campaign gaffe. Don’t put anything on your head (a la Michael Dukakis). Don’t put anything in your mouth (bad call, Ed Miliband). And don’t do anything that even vaguely resembles an adventure sport (unless you’re Boris Johnson, and then, sure, go nuts on that zipline). But Davey’s stunts haven’t hurt his polling in the slightest. In fact, his party might just take second place behind a thumping Labour win.
Still, candidates – in Canada and elsewhere – should be very cautious about cribbing from Davey’s playbook. One moment everyone’s all smiles as you chuck around a frisbee. The next you’re getting tangled up with a kid in a charity soccer match, and the announcer’s call will haunt you forever: “Oh, he’s booted him in the face in an election year!”
The Shot
‘I work from the inside out.’
Donald Sutherland in 2007.The Globe and Mail
Donald Sutherland – who appeared in nearly 200 films and TV shows – has died at the age of 88. Read our appreciations here and here, and plot your next movie night here.
The Wrap
What else we’re following
At home: People are gathering around the country today to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, with ceremonies, music, dancing and food.
Abroad: Vladimir Putin left North Korea with a pair of Pungsan dogs and some strong words for South Korea, telling Seoul it would be a “big mistake” to supply weapons to Ukraine.
On the ice: Can the Oilers survive yet another elimination game? They suit up in Edmonton tonight.
On the page: Ian Brown has figured out how to get through a world gone mad: He’s microdosing novels (and the occasional diary entry).