Ariela Cotler

By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

As those who follow politics know, it’s not unusual for close family members to differ on who they support in elections, but that is usually expressed within the confines of a home or perhaps amongst close friends and relatives.

The most famous case of a very public family split, and a good-natured one, has been between James Carville, the folksy and sometimes wild campaign strategist for former President Bill Clinton; and his wife Mary Matalin, who served under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush and his son George W. Bush. They’ve appeared on TV together over the years to express their differing opinions.

The Mount Royal riding has its own prominent husband and wife who are voting different ways, and are expressing their choices publicly.

Former federal Justice Minister and former Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler has been quoted as supporting his successor, Anthony Housefather, for re-election. Housefather posted the quote and a picture of himself and Cotler on April 6.

The Irwin Cotler quote says, “Anthony Housefather has been an exemplary Member of Parliament. His business and legal career, as well as his time as a councillor and Mayor, prepared him to truly deliver for his constituents. He fights for the communities he represents and does so with commitment and integrity. It is my pleasure to work closely with him and to endorse his reelection.”

(Notably, Cotler made another personal – not party – endorsement of Bloc Québécois Lac Saint-Jean MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, saying he “has been an outstanding member of Parliament, a leading voice for the struggle for human rights domestically and internationally, and one who works across party lines in search of the common good. His candidacy warrants support regardless of party affiliation.”)

But on April 8, Conservative Mount Royal candidate Neil Oberman posted a video on Instagram featuring himself and Cotler’s wife Ariela, on her lawn, both holding an Oberman poster.

“So happy to be here on this snowy April day, on my lawn, and with you,” Ariela says.

“Today everybody, your voice, your choice, will be heard for Neil Oberman and Ariela Cotler,” Oberman says. “I want you to come out on April 28, I want to make sure we take our voice back, that we’re safe, secure and prosperous, because there are no more choices. Do not stay at home, come out and we will have a better country and a better community.”

Ariela then says, “I add my words and I urge you, come out and vote, it’s the future of our families, our children, our grandchildren, and about all of Canada.”

Oberman then says, “I guess it’s going to be voting for Neil Oberman, and voting for the Conservative Party!”

Ariela adds, “Of course it is! Vote, of course, for Neil Oberman and the Conservative Party, and I wish you luck!”

“Thank you,” Oberman replies.

On April 9, Oberman posted a picture of himself shaking hands with Irwin Cotler, posting, “thank you Irwin Cotler for taking the time to share your wisdom and guidance on humanitarian issues that do and should matter and to your dear wife Ariela for joining our Canada First Conservative voices for change.”

The political differences, since this story first appeared April 9, became national news. Irwin Cotler, in terms of his and his wife’s voting choices, says he lives in a “pluralistic household.” n