The Real CKDJ wants a hairy PM

[jon]

College radio urges PM to grow a mo
Local broadcasting students post YouTube video calling for Harper to support Movember campaign
JOE LOFARO
METRO
Published: October 17, 2011 10:41 p.m.
Last modified: October 18, 2011 12:46 a.m.

OTTAWA - Algonquin College’s student-run radio station is trying to convince Prime Minister Stephen Harper to grow a moustache in support of next month’s Movember campaign.

The station might have to up the ante, though, after a government spokesperson said Harper’s upper lip will stay bare this November.

“While the Prime Minister will not be growing a moustache this year, he does wish the organizers of this year’s campaign every success in raising funds and in increasing awareness of prostate cancer,” read an email statement from Andrew MacDougall, the Prime Minister’s Office associate director of communications.

CKDJ 107.9 program manager Ryan Gibson is confident he’ll gather the 10,000 signatures he is seeking to convince the prime minister otherwise.

“I’ll keep pushing for him to grow one until the end,” said Gibson, who is also a radio broadcasting student. “He takes his role as a politician quite seriously and I think, just for bringing attention to Movember, there’s no other high profile person in the country than the prime minister.”

The station tried the same campaign last year, but was unsuccessful. Funds raised from the Canada-wide campaign will go to Prostate Cancer Canada.

Gibson’s uncle’s battle with prostate cancer is one of his motivations for restarting the campaign. He may have to focus his effort on Mrs. Harper, though, after she said last year she wouldn’t be very fond of a moustache on her hubby.

“The wife is usually always in charge, regardless if you sit in the top chair in the country,” said Gibson, with a laugh.

Last November, a number of MPs grew moustaches in support of the Canadian campaign, including Liberal Justin Trudeau and New Democrat Peter Stoffer.

Gibson said people can sign his petition at facebook.com/ckdjmovember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AtoVyfh_Pc