Funny ways: The year in weird politics

When it comes to politics, 2016 was the year of the weird there wereunexpected votes,upset wins,tight red cardigansand lots of shirtless photos.

And there were some weird moments.

The year in weird politics

8 years ago

Duration 1:32

When it comes to politics, 2016 was the year of the strange. From a grim reaper at the Conservative Party's policy convention to debates about farts in the House of Commons, here's when things got weird.

Some were trivial, others more significant but theseoffbeat moments in the House of Commons, on the U.S. campaign trail and in everyday political life provided amuch-needed respite from the divisiveness.

Here's a look at when things got politically weird.

Weird words

Michelle Rempel, Elizabeth May spar over the word 'fart'

8 years ago

Duration 1:09

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel was criticizing the government this week for not doing enough to address job losses in Alberta - but Green MP Elizabeth May took issue with one small word.

Plenty of salty language has been thrown around in the House of Commons, but it was ConservativeMP Michelle Rempel'suse of the word "f-a-r-t" when lamenting Alberta's job lossesthat caused a particular stink in November.

Green Party MP Elizabeth May rose to point out the word was "distinctly unparliamentary" and askedRempel toconsider withdrawing it. Rempelrefused, calling it "the craziest, most useless, out of touch intervention from another MP" she had ever experienced.

The mood was decidedly more jovial inside the Houseearlier this year when LiberalEnvironment MinisterCatherine McKenna accidently said she shared "sunny ways" with Conservative MP Ed Fast at theUNclimate talksinParis.

'Sunny ways' - or funny ways?

9 years ago

Duration 2:07

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna's response to a question from Conservative MP Ed Fast led to some question period giggles Friday.

Giggles erupted from both sides of the aisle and earned aclever quip from Speaker of the House Geoff Regan "It's so nice to see members getting along so well."

Perhaps the weirdest political words of the year belonged to incoming first lady Melania Trump. But that's only because they were partiallycribbed from her predecessor, Michelle Obama.

There were striking similarities between Melania Trump's speech at July'sRepublican National Convention and Michelle Obama's address eight years earlier at theDemocratic National Convention.

Striking similarities: Michelle Obama's speech vs Melania Trump's speech

8 years ago

Duration 0:37

Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention bears striking similarities to Michelle Obama's 2008 speech.

The plagiarism was pointed out by eagle-eyed social media users, who poked fun using the hashtag #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes, citing other well-known quotes and attributing them to her.

Honourable mention:"You're not getting the cubs. Even if you want them, you can't get them; they're going back to China in 2018."TorontoCoun. Georgio Mammoliti, who mistakenly toldCalgary that the pandas born last year at the Toronto Zoo weren't making the move west.

Weird body movements

Whether it was tossing a handful of pumpkin seedsin protest at Justin Trudeau, or George W. Bush bopping during a memorial for the Dallas shooting, the year was packed withstrange body motions.

A trilateral meeting between Canada, the U.S. and Mexicoturned awkward when Trudeau tried to facilitate a three-way handshake between fellow leadersBarackObamaandEnrique Pena Nieto.

PenaNietoended up shaking to no one while Obamaclasped awkwardly onto Trudeau's hand. So instead of calling them the Three Amigos, the internet mockingly dubbed themthe Three Stooges.

A few weeks earlier, Trudeau threw the House of Commons into an uproar when he strode across the aisle and grabbed the Conservative party whip by the arm to hustle him to his seat so a vote could take place.

How the 'elbow incident' in the House of Commons unfolded

8 years ago

Duration 3:39

CBCs Catherine Cullen walks through what happened on Parliament Hill and how people are reacting.

Touching an MP in the House is a no-no on its own.

But it is what happened next that caused much upset and provoked four public apologies by the prime minister and gave rise to a new scandal moniker: elbowgate.

South of the border, Ted Cruz accidently gave his wife, Heidi, a one-two punch, then an elbow to the face while dropping out of the presidential race. His wife, whowas on the edge of thegroup hug, kept her coolasit happened. The Cruz familyareno strangers to oddity, after all.

But thatwasn't the most awkward movement of the U.S. election campaign: that distinction belongs to Ben Carson, who didn't move much at all he simply stood still when his name was called to come on stage during a Republican Party debate in February.

As other candidates' names were called, they breezedpastCarson. Heeven ignoreda stage manager, who was trying to wave him on stage. Donald Trump ended up standing beside Carson, patting him on the back while theymuggedfor the camera.

The pair finally made it to their podiums when the moderators re-announced their names. Carson said the snafu wasn't planned he just couldn't hear his name.

Honourable mention: Former Texas governorRick Perry's moves on Dancing with the Stars.He is Trump's pick for energy secretary.

Weird guests

The Conservatives hosted their first post-defeat policy convention in May and the grim reaper showed up. Hidden under the veil was MP Marilyn Gladu, who joked of "gloom and doom" before breaking out the dance moves.

SophieGrgoire-Trudeauwasn't an unexpected guest at an Ottawa tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. but her singing definitely was. She spontaneously decided to performa song she wrote for her daughter called Smile Back at Me.

Remixesstarted circulating online, with bass-heavy beats backing up Grgoire-Trudeau's genuinelyrics, which she said she penned during "a difficult time."

Lots of weird guests also showedup on the U.S. campaign trail Happy Days actor Scott Baio, a bird at a Bernie Sanders rally and "shuckyducky"Herman Cain to name a few.

But it was undecided voter Ken Bonethat captivated the masses when he stood up and asked a question about energy policy during one of the presidential debates, decked out in a red sweater and sporting adisposable camera.

And just as fast as Bone became a meme, he caused controversy andfadedfrom the public spotlight.

The year 2016 was weird that way.