OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper returns today to Quebec, a province where his party hopes to make major gains in this fall's election.
And he's being honoured by a community which holds considerable sway over whether those gains will include a seat in Montreal.
The riding of Mount Royal is up for grabs this fall with Liberal MP Irwin Cotler stepping down. About 30 per cent of the riding identified as Jewish in the last census — making the electoral district one of only a handful in the country where that community can swing an election if it votes en masse. The Liberals have held the seat since 1940, but Montreal's influential Jewish Community Council appears set to give its stamp of approval to Harper.
The council is a religious organization, primarily concerned with certifying whether products are kosher and on Thursday's evening it will give the prime minister its King David Award.
"The King David Award is presented to an individual who is a light unto the world," reads a description of the honour on the event's Facebook page. "One whose courage, strength, intelligence and faithfulness are examples and inspirations for us all.
Should have read blight. A blight unto the world
"This year’s honouree has gone over and above the call of duty in every one of those attributes."
Suuure. If we're talkin' blight then yes Stephen Harper has gone over and above the call of duty
Harper's vocal support for Israel has drawn consistent praise from many segments of the Jewish community, who traditionally voted for the Liberals.
Identity politics in action- Too bad for ordinary run of the mill Canadians. See:Gilad Atzmon: From A to Zion and the despicable Identity Politics