Thomas Mulcair touts himself as Stephen Harper’s fiscally responsible nightmare.

Some of the criticism of Mulcair’s federalist credentials has come from Conservatives, although he has not departed from official NDP policy or said anything markedly different than his rival leadership contenders on issues involving Quebec. Mulcair takes that as a sign he’s the leadership contender most feared by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “The last person the Conservatives want facing Stephen Harper in the House is me and so, for them to be singling me out and trying to attack me on that, showed that I make them nervous.”

By his own estimation, Mulcair believes he’s best equipped to take on Harper. An avid hockey player and Nordiques fan, his approach to the game sounds like it could be his political calling card: “Let’s just say I’ve never been shy about going into the corners and I usually come out with the puck.”