Michael Bolen
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Michael Bolen is news editor at The Huffington Post Canada and previously worked as politics editor. Before moving to HuffPost, he edited and wrote on everything from quantum physics to reality TV to Parliamentary procedure for Yahoo! Canada and the National Post. He can be found on Twitter under @MichaelBolen.

Blog Entries by Michael Bolen

Chill To Win Is Tim Hortons' New (Lamer) Roll Up The Rim To Win

(23) Comments | Posted May 7, 2013 | 6:22 PM

Move over Roll Up The Rim, there is a new Tim Hortons contest in town.

Chill to Win appears to be Timmies' answer to shoring up revenue this summer season. Instead of coffee, the new contest pushes Ice Cappuccinos.

I can see the meeting now.

"People...

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'Any Race Except Caucasian' Posting For CBC Job Raises Eyebrows

(426) Comments | Posted April 29, 2013 | 5:16 PM

A posting for a job at CBC calling for "any race except Caucasian" is prompting shocked reactions online.

The posting appeared on the website for Larissa Mair Casting & Associates and on Craigslist, but has since been changed or pulled down completely. You can see a...

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Stephen Harper Marijuana Clip Shows What PM Really Thinks (VIDEO)

(182) Comments | Posted April 17, 2013 | 1:15 PM

Stephen Harper's stance on marijuana is well known, but the legal status of pot isn't exactly a subject the prime minister makes a point of talking about.

In 2010, however, Harper gave a very detailed explanation of why he's against liberalizing Canada's marijuana laws. The...

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Anonymous Says It Has Rehtaeh Parsons Rape 'Confession'

(450) Comments | Posted April 12, 2013 | 12:16 PM

The hacking collective Anonymous says it has obtained a "confession" from one of the boys it says was involved in the alleged rape of Nova Scotia teen Rehtaeh Parsons.

In a statement released Friday, Anonymous says it has seen "several public statements" from...

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Canadian Kids Smoke Most Marijuana In Western World: UNICEF

(331) Comments | Posted April 11, 2013 | 3:19 PM

A new survey from UNICEF has found that more Canadian kids smoke marijuana than anywhere else in the western world.

The study on the well-being of children ranked Canada first out of 29 countries on the percentage of young people smoking pot.

Fully 28 per cent...

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Olivia Chow For Toronto Mayor? MP Says She's Considering Run

(107) Comments | Posted March 7, 2013 | 2:39 PM

Olivia Chow said she is "considering" a run for mayor of Toronto on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight on Wednesday night.

The NDP MP referenced her late husband Jack Layton's unsuccessful run for the city's mayoralty.

"Jack wanted to be a mayor, maybe I want to be a mayor,...

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Tom Flanagan's 2009 Child Porn Comments Led To 2013 Uproar (AUDIO)

(98) Comments | Posted March 6, 2013 | 7:34 AM

It took only one day for Tom Flanagan's career to unravel last week, but the process began back in 2009.

Flanagan's statement last Wednesday during a lecture at the University of Lethbridge that he has "grave doubts" about incarcerating viewers of child pornography because they do "not harm...

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Funniest Google Searches Trudeau, Mulcair And Harper Never Made

(1) Comments | Posted February 26, 2013 | 4:59 AM

When Facebook recently introduced new search features, many users were alarmed to discover the website is already recording every search they make.

Those searches remain private, but just imagine if they became public. Now imagine they were your Google searches. Now imagine they were the Google searches of...

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Stephen Harper's Hockey Book Had A Ghostwriter? Globe Prints Correction

(84) Comments | Posted February 8, 2013 | 6:53 PM

The Globe and Mail issued a correction Friday after reporting that Stephen Harper's forthcoming book about the history of hockey had a ghostwriter.

The story originally described The Globe's Roy MacGregor as "ghostwriter" on the book. A correction was soon issued.

Editor’s note: Roy MacGregor acted as an...
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Can Patrick Brazeau Be Removed From The Senate?

(254) Comments | Posted February 8, 2013 | 10:41 AM

Now that Patrick Brazeau has been charged with assault and sexual assault, the question on the lips of many is whether he can be removed from the Senate.

Currently, a senator's job is usually safe until he or she turns 75, but there are some conditions...

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Generation Y's Legislative Agenda: What Millennials Will Do When They Get Power

(175) Comments | Posted February 7, 2013 | 4:08 AM

Members of Generation Y may not be particularly interested in conventional politics, but sooner or later they're going to end up in power anyway.

When they do, millennials, loosely defined as adults born after 1980, will put their own stamp on Canada. When they're done,...

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Bob Rae Questions John Baird's 'Courage' During Mali Debate (VIDEO)

(124) Comments | Posted February 6, 2013 | 2:47 PM

Bob Rae questioned John Baird's courage Tuesday night during a debate in the House of Commons on Canada's role in the conflict in Mali.

And say what you will about the interim Liberal leader, but he certainly has a way with words.

After a lengthy speech,...

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The 7 Most Overused Conservative Talking Points Of 2012 (PHOTOS)

(120) Comments | Posted December 21, 2012 | 2:33 PM

Say what you will about the Tories, at least they're predictable.

Got a question? The Conservatives have a well-worn talking point just for you.

In 2012, some responses became a little too tired. Check out the most overused examples in the slideshow below and share the talking points that annoy...

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Least Popular Premiers Poll Sees Support Drop For Most Leaders

(65) Comments | Posted December 17, 2012 | 12:34 PM

The latest poll numbers on Canada's premiers are in and they don't paint a pretty picture.

Only two premiers have a net positive rating in the new poll from Angus Reid and many provincial leaders have seen their ratings plummet since August.

Saskatchewan's Brad Wall remains...

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Maygan Sensenberger's Movie 'First Ladies' Hits The Web (VIDEO)

(74) Comments | Posted December 12, 2012 | 3:29 PM

Maygan Sensenberger's acting debut in the movie "First Ladies" has hit the web.

Sensenberger, who shot to national prominence for causing a disturbance on an Air Canada flight with her husband Senator Rod Zimmer, stars as the leader of North America in a future in which...

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Stephen Harper's Hidden Agenda: Canadians Still Think He Has One, Poll Finds

(484) Comments | Posted December 6, 2012 | 11:50 AM

Stephen Harper has been Prime Minister for nearly seven years, but the majority of Canadians still believe he has a hidden agenda.

A new poll from Angus Reid has found 68 per cent of Canadians think Harper definitely or probably holds secret plans for Canada's future.

Citizens of...

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Think Canadian Baby Boomers More Political Than Generation Y? Think Again

(88) Comments | Posted December 5, 2012 | 6:00 AM

It’s the first day of October and the leaves are turning colour on Ryerson University’s downtown Toronto campus. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, 22, one of the most visible figures to emerge from Quebec’s student protests, is visiting as part of a cross-country tour to share the lessons of his province’s...

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Liberal Leadership Online Voting Could Lead To Major Pwnage

(100) Comments | Posted November 20, 2012 | 1:55 PM

Just imagine: It's April 2013 and the Liberal Party has gathered in Ottawa to hear that their new leader is... Chuck Norris.

While that outcome may seem far-fetched, if the Liberals follow through with their plan to combine a new category of party membership with online voting, they may end...

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Abortion In Canada: Poll Shows Spike In Support For Unrestricted Access

(505) Comments | Posted November 19, 2012 | 8:24 AM

Support for unrestricted abortion is up significantly in the wake of a renewed debate over the issue in Canada and the United States, according to a new poll.

The survey from Forum Research found 60 per cent of Canadians 18 years and older believe abortion should...

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Justin Trudeau May Be Harper's New Best Friend, Polls Suggest

(285) Comments | Posted November 16, 2012 | 8:41 AM

You would think Justin Trudeau would be on Stephen Harper's enemies list, but two new polls suggest the Liberal leadership front-runner may actually be the PM's new best friend.

A new survey from Ipsos Reid for Postmedia News and Global Television, has...

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