Party Pics: Laureen Harper replaces Stephen, and Bill Blair wants to arm wrestle at the True Patriot Love gala

Stephen Harper missed Thursday night’s True Patriot Love Dinner at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, but his wife Laureen managed just fine by herself. Canada’s first lady even picked-up a new suitor. “She’s my date tonight,” Lloyd Robertson proclaimed at the start of the evening, which honours and helps members of the Canadian Military and their families. (In addition to business heavyweights like Paul Godfrey, Robert Deluce and Ivan Fecan, the room was so full of military men that Mrs. Harper didn’t need a security detail.) Of course, our mayor’s antics were the topic of much of the chatter, and Police Chief Bill Blair had the pleasure of hearing many theories and opinions on the subject from attendees. Which isn’t to say Blair didn’t have fun—the chief even mock-challenged a friend to an arm wrestling match. How very Rob Ford of him.