Ex-Liberal MP Cotler confirms support for local Liberal candidate after confusion

MONTREAL – There may be a Conservative lawn sign outside Irwin Cotler’s home, but the former Liberal justice minister and human rights lawyer says he will be voting Liberal in his Montreal riding on April 28.

Cotler confirmed in a phone interview that he’s endorsing Liberal incumbent Anthony Housefather in the riding of Mount Royal, while his wife Ariela is supporting Conservative candidate Neil Oberman.

Oberman posted a photo on social media Wednesday of himself shaking hands with Cotler. The photo was republished and described as an endorsement by the conservative group Canada Proud.

Oberman also posted a video of himself on the Cotler lawn alongside Ariela, with a caption thanking Irwin Cotler “for taking the time to share your wisdom and guidance on humanitarian issues that do and should matter and to your dear wife Ariela for joining our Canada First Conservative voices for change.”

Cotler said his is a “pluralistic family” that can accommodate different political leanings, and the endorsements haven’t caused any undue strain around the dinner table.

“I’m happy to endorse Anthony Housefather and she is happy to endorse Neil Oberman,” he said. “So that may account for some of the confusion, especially in this social media age, but there need not be, because they are separate endorsements, but as I said, with mutual respect.”

Housefather blasted Canada Proud’s post as “misinformation” and an “outright lie” and posted a picture of himself with Cotler along with a quote from the former minister endorsing him.

“The fact that this outright lie about who (Cotler) supports got this many likes, despite clear evidence to the contrary, should really make people remember they need to fact check before believing posts,” Housefather wrote on X.

The 84-year-old Cotler said he has “openly and publicly” supported Housefather, who succeeded him as the MP for Mount Royal. He describes Housefather as a respected former colleague and student.

But he also said he’s open to listening to members of different political parties and hasn’t yet decided who would make the best prime minister.

He previously confirmed that he is endorsing the Bloc Québécois incumbent in the Lac-Saint-Jean riding north of Quebec City, praising Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe’s commitment to fighting for human rights.

“Since I entered politics and Parliament, I’ve always felt one has to put principle above a party,” Cotler said. “And that’s why I endorse Alexis.”

Cotler represented Mount Royal between 1999 and 2015 and served as justice minister and attorney general under former prime minister Paul Martin.

He is also a respected human rights lawyer and advocate and currently serves as the international chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights.

Cotler said he hasn’t yet thrown his support behind any federal leader — including Liberal Leader Mark Carney — partly because he wants to hear more about their positions on foreign policy.

He said he’s particularly concerned about justice in Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the Iranian regime, which he describes as a “sevenfold threat to international peace and security.” The Globe and Mail first reported last year that Cotler was put under RCMP protection after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel due to an alleged Iranian assassination plot.

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“When you ask me about whom I’m endorsing for prime minister, for me the foreign policy issues will play an important role, along with the domestic issues,” Cotler said, referring to affordability, U.S. tariffs, health care and the environment.

Cotler said he has “high regard” for Carney, who has visited him at his home. He also said he speaks with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, whom he describes as a former colleague and friend. He also recently met with Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet.

So far, the Conservative sign is the only one in front of his house, though Cotler said that could change.

“Anthony is welcome to put his sign up,” he said in reference to Housefather. “And my wife has no problem with there being two signs as well.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 10, 2025.