Personal politics: Five questions with each federal party leader
From what inspires them to their drink of choice, here are five questions with each federal party leader.
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Personal politics: Five questions with each federal party leader From what inspires them to their drink of choice, here are five questions with each federal party leader.
Five questions with Liberal Leader Mark Carney Liberal Leader Mark Carney is 60 years old and grew up in Edmonton. He’s a former Bank of Canada governor and served as governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020.
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
What has inspired you this year? Canadians standing together in support of our workers, being loud and proud about their patriotism - choosing to buy Canada. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)
What was the last book you’ve read? “Foster,” by Claire Keegan.
This photo shows the Irish author hold her book “Small Things Like These”, at the Booker Prize 2022 shortlist photocall. (Photo by David Levenson/Getty Images)
What is your drink of choice? “Dry cappuccino.”
In a photo from 2013, Mark Carney has a coffee as he prepares to appear before the House of Commons standing committee on Finance on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand)
What is your favourite made-in-Canada product? “Seal skin gloves gifted to me at the G7 in Nunavut (2010).” Mark Carney is seen taking a dog sled ride on the outskirts of Iqaluit, while in Nunavut for the G7 meeting during 2010. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand)
Who do you call first with good news? “My wife, Diana.” In this photo from on April 7, 2025, Mark Carney walks with his wife, Diana Fox Carney, prior to making an announcement in Saanichton, B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
Five questions with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Pierre Poilievre is 45 years old and born in Calgary, Alberta. As a career politician, he was raised by two schoolteachers who adopted him as an infant. He has served as the leader of the Official Opposition and the Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada since 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Laura Proctor)
What has inspired you this year? “I get inspired by people who know how to fix things and make things with their hands.” In this photo from April 21, 2025, Pierre Poilievre greets construction workers as he arrives at a campaign event in Toronto. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)
What was the last book you’ve read? “More from Less,” by Andrew McAfee. The author and MIT principal research scientist argues that to solve our ecological problems we don’t need to make radical changes. (andrewmcafee.org)
What is your drink of choice? “Really strong coffee.” In this photo from April 7, 2025, Pierre Poilievre speaks to and pours coffee for seniors at the Happy Gang Centre during a campaign stop in Terrace, B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Whitfield)
What is your favourite made-in-Canada product? “Canadian beef.” Pierre Poilievre is seen slicing ham during a campaign event at Wisla Delicatssen Polish Deli in this photo from March 24, 2025. (Arlyn McAdorey/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Who do you call first with good news? “My wife, Ana.” Pierre Poilievre and his wife Anaida dye Easter eggs with blue food colouring while visiting a Conservative supporter’s home in Langley, B.C., on April 20, 2025.
Five questions with NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Jagmeet Singh is 46 years old and was born in Scarborough, Ontario. He graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School and worked as a lawyer, before becoming an Ontario NDP MPP in 2011. Singh he threw his hat in the ring and went on to win the NDP leadership to replace Tom Mulcair on the first ballot in 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
What has inspired you this year? “The Canada Dental Care Program the NDP created really took off in the past year. About 3.5 million people have that dental care card in their wallet already. I got to visit a dentist’s office in Ottawa and I met Sue — I’ve talked about her before because she definitely made a mark on my heart. She is a strong cancer survivor, but chemo took her teeth. She showed the dentist and denturist a photo of herself with the great smile she lost, and asked if the card was really going to give her back her smile. The dentist said yes, and the tears of joy on Sue’s face have been living in my head rent-free. I think about Sue when I’m thinking about who I’m doing this for – it’s for Sue, and millions of everyday people like her that wouldn’t have a champion if it weren’t for the NDP.” (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
What was the last book you’ve read? I always have several books going at the same time. I just had a little guilty pleasure re-read of my favourite childhood fantasy series, “The Wheel of Time,” by Robert Jordan. I’m finishing up Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo” in French. And this week, I finished “Untethered Sky,” by Fonda Lee — she’s an amazing Canadian author writing about people who dedicate their lives to fighting monsters. (Fondalee.com/books)
What is your drink of choice? “Tonica, made by a women-owned business in Toronto.” (tonicakombucha.com)
What is your favourite made-in-Canada product? I’m buying 100 per cent Canadian as much as possible – we all are right now, right? I have to say my all-time favourite is a Canadian-made orange winter coat that Marlene from Nunavut embroidered with “NDP” and, in Inuktitut: working for the people. (Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre / Facebook)
Who do you call first with good news? My wife, Gurkiran, without a doubt. Whether we’re in the same city or on opposite coasts, we call each other several times a day to talk and to get and give that love and support that only comes from your beloved. I’m a phone call guy – not just texts – so I’m going to make follow-up calls, too. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by good friends and family so after I talk to Gurkiran, I probably call my brother, my parents, folks in my NDP family and MP team, and friends like my buddy Mo. (Photo by: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
Five questions with Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet Yves-François Blanchet is 60 years old and was born in Drummondville, Quebec. He graduated from the Université de Montreal and later worked as a teacher and in the music industry before running for political office where he was first elected in 2008 as a member of the Parti Quebecois. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)
What has inspired you this year? “When forest fires caused by climate change were raging in California, and Quebec deployed CL-415s and their crews. Seeing our pilots braving the flames to help a neighbor in need was inspiring. It made me proud.” Quebec fire crews are seen battling the Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Ethan Swope)
What was the last book you’ve read? “Le Duel culturel des nations,” by Emmanuel Lapierre. (editionsboreal.qc.ca)
What is your drink of choice? “Café latté with a strange but precise blend of a touch of maple, chocolate and cinnamon.” In this 2019 photo speaks to people at a restaurant during a campaign stop in Longueuil, Quebec. (Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
What is your favourite made-in-Canada product? Once every two weeks or so, a small glass of Côte-des-Saints whiskey from Ste-Scholastique, Quebec, a real gem that compares with the best in the world.
Who do you call first with good news? “My fiancée, Karine.” In this photo from April 17, 2025, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet and his partner Karine Rodrigue arrive for the English-language federal election leaders' debate, in Montreal. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)
Five questions with Green Party co-leaders Elizabeth May and Jonathan Pedneault Elizabeth May is 70 years old and was born in Hartford, Connecticuit. She has served as Green Party Leader from 2006 to 2019, before being re-elected in 2022. Jonathan Pedneault is 35 years old and was born in Longueuil, Quebec. He had previously served as the party's deputy leader from 2022 to 2024 before being elected co-leader in 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)
What has inspired you this year? Elizabeth May: My baby granddaughter Lily, born Oct. 30. My reason for everything. My moral obligation to accomplish more for our children and grandchildren - and faster!
Jonathan Pedneault: Canada’s response to Trump’s insanity. Our willingness to stand our grounds, proclaim our difference loudly and boldly and live up to our values by showing greater solidarity towards one another. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick)
What was the last book you’ve read? Elizabeth May: “Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart,” by Brian McLaren.
Jonathan Pedneault: “How Not to Be a Politician,” the memoirs of former British Conservative MP Rory Stewart and his shocking analysis of the state of parliamentary democracy.
What is your drink of choice? Elizabeth May: Water. As I get older, I realize I need to always have my water nearby! (My own water bottle and tap water, of course!)
Jonathan Pedneault: Coffee, preferably while playing chess or listening to Quebec folk music jams at La Petite Marche on Monday nights. On special occasions, Akvavit to remind myself of Norway, or good B.C. wines from Osoyoos to taste the incredible smokiness the Conservative-Liberals brought to the Canadian wine industry with their climate-induced wildfires. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi)
What is your favourite made-in-Canada product? Elizabeth May: Maple syrup! Amazing glaze with soy sauce on B.C. wild salmon.
Jonathan Pedneault: The Charter of Rights and Freedoms (minus that notwithstanding clause). That and Montreal bagels, of course. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld and Christinne Muschi)
Who do you call first with good news? Elizabeth May: I call my husband! John Kidder. We are coming up to our sixth anniversary!
Jonathan Pedneault: Good news? I was born in 1990. I text. Also, what good news?
In this March 30, 2025, Green Party co-leaders Jonathan Pedneault and Elizabeth May arrive for the Juno Awards, in Vancouver. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns)
