1. Julian Fantino will be the Tory candidate in the upcoming Vaughan by election. As for when that will occur, Pundits Guide speculates that the 5 upcoming by elections will be called for a December 13th vote.

So how will the Vaughan by election go? Well, in my updated Seat Projections (to be posted tomorrow morning), I peg the riding at a 91% chance of going Liberal and 9% of going Tory if a general election were held today. But let’s remember, by elections have a life of their own, and Fantino is a legit star candidate, so you almost have to handicap the Tories as slight favourites in this one.

2. The Globe and Mail applauds Ignatieff’s Family Care policy (as do these people).

3. The Ontario PCs have launched pre-election ads.

4. Canada has lost its bid for a seat on the UN Security council. And the Tories have found a way to blame this one on Michael Ignatieff – huh. Let’s all be grateful Canada won Olympic hockey gold this year, or else I’m sure that loss would have been Ignatieff’s fault too.

Either way, I don’t see this as a big vote turner. Foreign policy rarely is. But it’s still an embarrassment for Harper, no matter how you spin it.

5. Speaking of embarrassments, a video of Rob Ford in action. (hat tip – Kinsella)