English | Français On the Bright Side

They’re a hard-working married couple with teenaged triplet boys, raising their family in small-town Ontario. We’re talking about Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and his wife Christine Elliott, Ontario MPP for Whitby-Oshawa. Often regarded as one of Canada’s foremost political power couples, Heather Seaman talks to them about keeping their marriage grounded in the mercurial sphere of politics.

We travel to the Nova Scotia riding of Sackville-Eastern Shore to follow New Democrat MP Peter Stoffer through the community for meetings with constituents and students.

At the end of each parliamentary week, Yukon MP Larry Bagnell spends 16 hours flying from Ottawa to Whitehorse (via Toronto and Vancouver). He embarks on the grueling return journey two days later. Bagnell and his wife discuss how they juggle work and family with a baby at home.

We visit a high-energy youth forum hosted by Governor General Michäelle Jean and the Vancouver Olympic Committee.

Puneet Birgi visits New Democrat MP Niki Ashton’s office as part of our continuing look at young people working on Parliament Hill. Ashton was just 26 when elected to represent Churchill, Man. The average age in her riding is 26. And one of her Hill staffers is how old? You guessed it.

Also this week:

Liberal MP Martha Hall Findlay holds her first major two hall meeting in the riding of Willowdale, Ont. since being elected to the House of Commons two years ago.

Conservative MP Peter Braid speaks with children at a Chinese New Year celebration and joins constituents at the annual UpTown Waterloo Ice Dogs Festival.

Conservative MP Shelly Glover visits a school in her riding of Saint Boniface, Man. for a reading session with children in both official languages. February is designated as I Love to Read Month across North America.

Ask the MPs: What are you reading right now?

Now You Know: Canada’s 308 electoral districts and Olympic athletes turned politicians