He’s the guy who came in to the cold. Not just literally—though author, academic and one-time Harvard prof Michael Ignatieff, like every other federal candidate this winter campaign, is doing his door-to-door-ing in frigid weather. He also had a bit of an icy reception figuratively—parachuted into Etobicoke-Lakeshore by the Liberal hierarchy, he had to fend off accusations that the nomination process had been unfair. The prolific writer and controversial commentator (he initially defended the Iraq war) was raised in Toronto (“in a house that looked a lot like the ones I’m seeing in Mimico,” he says), but since 1969 has lived and worked abroad. He recently accepted a post as visiting professor at U of T, and purchased a condo in the Yorkville area, where he lives with his wife, Zsuzsanna Zsohar.

What are the issues that keep coming up in the riding?

There’s nothing like going door to door to find out what’s on people’s minds. Community safety is a big concern. Environmental issues, too— the riding was a wonderful place to live in the ’40s and ’50s, but it’s a huge transportation corridor now, and there are air quality, noise and pollution concerns.

Some people have understood you to endorse some forms of torture in what gets called “ticking time-bomb cases.”

Every government has to protect its citizens, and that might mean rigorous interrogation of suspects—but only in accordance with Canadian and international law. I have never and will never endorse torture or “torture lite.” I have made my opposition to American practices very clear, and made it clear to American authorities.

If you win the election, how are you going to juggle being an MP and a teacher?

I don’t know. I’m a devoted classroom teacher, and I’m hoping that even as an MP I’ll be able to teach one course in the autumn ’06 semester. But if that’s impossible, I’ll have to resign the teaching job and maybe do some seminars or lectures.

Are you a cyclist?

I love cycling, but I think I’m carrying too much of a gut now to be convincing. I don’t own a car, though. My wife and I consider ourselves fanatical walkers and want to make this city friendly to cyclists and pedestrians.

Are you into sports?

I’m a passionate fan. Baseball I love most, then hockey, then the NFL. I like the Jays. In hockey, I’ve been a Montreal fan ever since I was a kid.

Some Canadian questions now. What’s your favourite beer?

I like some of the microbreweries…Sleeman?

Your favourite Tim Hortons doughnut?

Unglazed sour cream.

Do you know the words to “O Canada”?

O Canada, our home and native land, True patriot love, in all thy sons command…