Language debate

With the federal Liberal leadership race wide open, all it takes is French lessons to raise suspicions about political ambitions.

Such was the case with Ontario Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Marie Bountrogianni, who admitted she's being tutored.

"This is a joke, right?" she replied when asked if she's boning up for a leadership run. "No, I'm not ... The last time I took French was 30 years ago in Grade 13."

  Bountrogianni said she simply feels compelled to become fluent in Canada's other official language, hopefully within a year.

  Her cabinet colleague, the bilingual Education Minister Gerard Kennedy, is seriously considering a leadership bid.