The PM’s wife is introducing a festival of cat videos at the TIFF Bell Lightbox

The PM’s wife is introducing a festival of cat videos at the TIFF Bell Lightbox

(Image: Laureen Harper: Brangwyn Jones)

The federal Tories have tipped their hand. The next election is going to about one thing and one thing only: kitties. Or maybe it will be about Stephen Harper’s wife, Laureen. Or maybe both. We’re not sure.

What else can one make of the news that Laureen Harper will be introducing the Toronto edition of Just for Cats, a film festival devoted to internet cat videos? Even the festival’s promotional materials don’t provide much in the way explanation, except to say that Ms. Harper is a “cat foster-mom and volunteer for Humane Societies across the country.”

We know the Harper family loves its furry pets, and the festival is a fundraiser for the Canadian Federation of Human Societies—both excellent reasons for a public figure to attach her name to an event. Even so, the notion of the spouse of a head of state sharing a stage with Lil Bub and Grumpy Cat is a lot to handle.

The Toronto edition of the festival takes place on April 17.