McGill University: Michelle Rempel

Justin Trudeau Dept: But it is the New Democrats who are leading the charge of the youth brigade. The last election brought a bunch of college kids to the chamber, including four NDPers from McGill University. They are about half the age of Justin Trudeau. They need time to make their presence felt. They need a tribune, according to Globe and Mail. A second-term MP from northern Manitoba, the kid-candidate speaks Greek, French and Spanish and a lot of Mandarin. She is studying Cree. A top student, she has degrees in political economy and international affairs and has much experience abroad. She s quick on her feet and has a voice, too hectoring at times, that can cut through glass and another young Conservative, Michelle Rempel, 31, awakened all of us in the press gallery last week. We were dozing off at the typically prescripted responses of veteran blowhards. She responded to questions on climate change with a zest and spontaneity seldom seen. That s where Niki Ashton comes in. The pent-up, highly talented 29-year-old has so much brass that at that tender age she s running for the leadership of the NDP. Thus far, it s not an also-ran performance. She could be an important player in the outcome. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.