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3. Speaking of Mr. Harper — now that he is, effectively, no longer prime minister, who or what shall fill the void? He was the lightning rod of our every discontent. He was a monster bent on destroying our democracy, a fascist who worked on a secret agenda for a full nine years in office and of which even now, with his leaving office, we remain still in darkness, innocent of its terrors. For you see it was far more important to keep it secret than to execute it.

He was the Sauron of Mount Doom-on-the-Rideau waving his terrible arms from the towers of fear and hate

He was, variously Machiavelli, Mussolini, Mao and Hitler. Harper Canada’s image in the forums of the world, and purged all our “Canadian values” here at home. He was the Sauron of Mount Doom-on-the-Rideau waving his terrible arms from the towers of fear and hate. He was tepid on global warming and down on selfies. He liked hockey.

Well, who can fill that vital role? Who can be the magnet of our great discontent now that he is going and soon to be gone? Can we abide a country that is now all sunshine and butterflies, all summer holidays and hootenanys? I predict a Canada invective-deprived, all honey and harmony. Post-Harper, all is calm, all is bright. Can we live with that? Can Twitter survive? Will Raffi hang up the mandolin?

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4. It was reassuring in a night of so much drama and upset to note that the formidable Elizabeth May Party of Saanich-Gulf Islands (a.k.a. the Stomp Out Fort McMurray Party) once more managed to elect their candidate for a second successive time. This is an extremely encouraging development. With such a record of success this may be the signal that perhaps — perhaps — to take the Elizabeth May Saanich-Gulf Islands juggernaut to the national stage, to found a national party dedicated to the propositions that (a) Alberta should be exiled from the Confederation and (b) going to a gas station any more than once a month without a federal permit will result in the loss of your franchise and some serious re-education. It could be called the Green Party. Just a thought.

5. I will miss Peter Stoffer. So will our veterans.

National Post