Liberals take back bar!

A Liberal group called “The League of Former Hill Staffers” recently organized a “take back D’arcy McGee’s night.” Darcy’s is the Ottawa pub that was once packed with politicos on Wednesday nights. When the Conservatives first took power, the crowd was mixed for a while. Then the Liberals bailed and the Conservative presence fizzled. The “Take Back” was packed. (Left to right) Cape Breton MP Mark Eyking, Montreal MP Justin Trudeau and Liberal Party Whip Rodger Cuzner.

La Presse reporter Hugo De Grandpré (left) and Quebec Liberal MP Alexandra Mendès.

Iggy’s Toronto speech played live in the background.

Jay Paxton, Defence Minister Peter MacKay’s press secretary, found the place a little too packed.

Iggy staffer Trevor Harrison.

Former Jean Chrétien-era cabinet minister Don Boudria.

Young Liberal Scott Bedard.

The event was organized by former Hill staffers. Greg MacEachern of Summa Strategies (and Belinda Stronach’s former aide) was one of the them.

MacEachern with (clockwise) the other organizers: Karine Cousineau (Summa Strategies), Meagan Rapley (Grey, Clark, Shih and Associates) and Greg MacNeil (Fleishman-Hillard).

Adam Miron, a young Liberal mover and shaker.

Jay Strauss, former Electronic Information Director for Paul Martin, now with Sustainable Technology Development Canada.

Louis-Alexandre Lanthier, Justin Trudeau’s aide, with Renée Filiatrault.

Environmentalist Jeff Beyer.