Two NDP MPs intend to nominate Italian lawyer Francesca Albanese for the Nobel Peace Prize in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to put forward United States President Donald Trump’s name for the prestigious award.

As United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Albanese “has travelled the world to share what she has witnessed on the ground in the occupied Palestinian territories and has urged us to take action in the name of justice and the rule of law,” said Alberta MP Heather McPherson in a July 11 press release. “Albanese should be the recipient of the Nobel Peace prize.”

The NDP release noted the U.S. government’s recent sanctions against Albanese. On July 9, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated.” In her latest report published last month, Albanese was critical of the war in Gaza, accusing American tech giants of helping Israel.

“This is a bad joke,” said Quebec MP Alexandre Boulerice in the release. “The world—including Canadians—was appalled to see the Prime Minister of Israel, who has arrest warrants issued against him for war crimes, nominating a convicted felon, Donald Trump, for a Nobel Peace Prize.” 

“She is the one who truly deserves the Nobel Peace Prize,” said Boulerice.

Albanese has been in her current role since 2022. According to the Nobel Peace Prize website, “All living persons and active organizations or institutions are eligible candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize. What is considered a valid nomination is defined by the Nobel Foundation’s statutes.” Submissions via an online form are due Jan. 31, 2026, with nominees whittled down to a short list over the year, and a final laureate announced at the start of October.

Ex-NDP MPs Caron, Green won’t run for leader

In other NDP news, the list of people opting out of the upcoming leadership race grew a bit longer last weekend, as former MPs Guy Caron and Matthew Green confirmed they won’t run to succeed Jagmeet Singh.

“I will not be in the running for the upcoming NDP leadership race, and I will not be involved,” Caron told The Globe and Mail on July 11, noting that he’s focusing his energy on his mayoral re-election campaign. Caron is currently at the end of his first four-year term as mayor of Rimouski, Que. He was an NDP MP for the riding of Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, Que., from 2011 to 2019.

The same article said Green—who was MP for Hamilton Centre, Ont., from 2019 until his defeat in the April 28 federal election—would not be running for leader, either. “I consider myself young relative to politics and still, with some things to learn, including a deep fluency in French, which I don’t have,” Green told The Globe. “I’m trying to demonstrate leadership in other ways by making sure there’s internal party democracy and accountability and more responsiveness and engagement with our rank-and-file members.”

Celebrity chef Guy Fieri praises Laureen Harper’s BBQ skills

Laureen Harper makes some tasty beef ribs, but don’t take my word for it. 

Heard on the Hill couldn’t make it to the Stampede this year, but luckily Food Network star Guy Fieri was in Cowtown last week to preside as judge at the sixth annual “Cowboys BBQ Cook-Off” on July 10.

The unelected “mayor of Flavortown” deemed the Cowboys Calgary team—which featured the wife of former prime minister Stephen Harper—to have the best beef ribs.

“My BBQ team @CowboysCalgary getting ready to head to Flavour Town,” Mrs. Harper posted on X that day. “My job for the team is to take the lid off the BBQ and put it back on when I am told.” 

According to the internet, Cowboys Calgary is a nightclub/dance hall whose motto is “The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Boots On!”

“And @GuyFieri  announced we won best beef ribs,” Harper posted later that day. “Lots of fun and we will be back next year.” 

This was the American celebrity chef’s second stint as barbecue judge at the Stampede, having first done the honours back in 2019. 

“As part of the event, BBQ grillmasters and pros will compete to impress Fieri with their best pork and beef rib recipes. They’ll also be judged on their unique flavours and team spirit,” reported Charlie Hart on dailyhive.com on July 9.

During his visit, Fieri reportedly also took in some iconic Stampede events including the chuckwagon and relay races, and visited some local Calgary restaurants.

Xavier Trudeau to perform in Ottawa on July 18

In other news about former prime ministers’ family members and nightclubs, Xavier Trudeau will be performing at The 27 Club in Ottawa’s ByWard Market on July 18.

The eldest son of former prime minister Justin Trudeau will take to the stage with 20-year-old Ottawa-based rapper Taz Bentii in an all-ages show titled “Xav + Taz” at the former Zaphod’s location on York Street.

Speaking with CTV Morning Live host Rosey Edeh on July 14, Xavier Trudeau explained that music is a way for him to ignore the haters and to carve out his own path. 

“I was always known as Justin Trudeau’s son. That’s something I’ve been dealing with my entire life,” he told Edeh. “I am super proud of what he’s done, but I want to be my own man, my own person.” 

The 17-year-old artist told Edeh that while his mother listens to Céline Dion and his dad to “rock stuff” like The Tragically Hip, he was drawn to rap as a child. 

“I was like a rebel kid. I wouldn’t break rules, but I would like to do my own thing. When I have my eye on something, when it’s set, I’m going to do it, I am going to achieve it.”

Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Doors open at 6 p.m. 

Theo Argitis lands senior role at Business Council of Canada

Theo Argitis has a new job. The former longtime Bloomberg reporter is now senior vice-president of policy at the Business Council of Canada.

“It’s an honour to join an organization that plays such an important role in shaping Canada’s economic future,” he posted on LinkedIn on July 14.

“That said, I’ll still be writing. I’ll continue as a regular contributor at The Hub, where I’ll keep digging into the issues at the intersection of business, policy, and government.

Looking forward to the work ahead at a pivotal moment for our country.”

Argitis has been The Hub’s editor-at-large since this past March, having started there after two-and-a-half years at Compass Rose Group. Prior to joining Compass Rose in November 2022, Argitis had reported for Bloomberg News for 23 years, according to his LinkedIn profile.

At the BCC, Argitis will lead the council’s policy team, “leveraging his substantial expertise in economic growth and fiscal policy,” reads a July 14 press release from the council. “Theo is one of Canada’s most respected thinkers and thought leaders in economic policy,” said Goldy Hyder, BCC’s president and CEO.

cleadlay@hilltimes.com

The Hill Times