Every year, prime ministers and other political leaders send their season’s greeting to constituents, journalists and other members of the political community with a traditional holiday cards. Check out some of the best political holiday cards, past and present.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau, late 1970s
Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s holiday cards often featured him posing with his three sons: Justin and Sacha – both born on Christmas Day and their young brother, Michel.
Federal leaders, 1999
In 1999, a holiday card from Jean Chretien featured the then-prime minister with his wife Aline and four of their grandchildren posing at the Harrington Lake, Que., the prime minister’s official summer residence. That year, then-Reform Party leader Preston Manning and his wife Sandra opted for a formal pose at Stornoway, the official residence of the Opposition leader. And Joe Clark, his daughter Catherine and wife Maureen can be seen in the then-Conservative Leader’s holiday greeting. And that apple with “Merry Christmas” ripened into it – an apparent holiday gift from then-agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief.
Justin Trudeau, 2010
It wasn’t all cheer in 2010, when Quebec MP Justin Trudeau sent his Papineau constituents a holiday card featuring him and his family posing in parkas with thick fur-lined hoods and huddled under a fur blanket. The card drew controversy from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who blasted the Trudeau family for wearing coyote fur. Trudeau’s spokesman at the time said the family was clad in parkas made by Canada Goose, a Canadian company which has a “sustainable way” of collecting fur.
Stephen Harper, 2013
Stephen Harper’s holiday cards from 24 Sussex Dr. always featured his family, including wife Laureen, son Ben and daughter Rachel. Their 2013 holiday card was particularly memorable, as animal-lover Laureen is seen holding Charlie, her pet chinchilla.
Justin Trudeau 2015
Since first being elected to public office in 2008, Justin Trudeau’s holiday cards feature he and wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau’s growing brood, including sons Xavier and Hadrien, and daughter Ella-Grace. The family opted for the same collage design in their first holiday card as “first family” of Canada: The collage even features of a photo of Trudeau stealing a kiss from his wife onstage during his victory speech on election night.
Party leaders, 2015
Newly installed interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose also opted for a collage with images that feature her family posing for a Christmas portrait, skiing and horseback riding. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, in a suit and tie, posed with wife Catherine Pinhas.
