"An Ekos Research poll published this week shows the Liberals seven points ahead of the Conservatives nationally.
"With an election almost certain in the next 18 months, Canadians are beginning to envision [Liberal Leader Michael] Ignatieff as their prime minister," The Globe's Michael Valpy wrote Saturday in his Focus cover story Portrait of a Patriot
But what kind of prime minister would he be?
In his new book, True Patriot Love: Four Generations in Search of Canada, Mr. Ignatieff talks about his famous family's history, his mother's famous family history and how their different visions of the country have evolved over time. You can read selected excerpts here from that new book.
Mr. Valpy, who wrote a classic profile of Mr. Ignatieff in 2006 when he was running for the Liberal leadership, wrote Saturday:
"Two years ago, when he lost his first leadership race to Stéphane Dion, he was an outsider to his party and an unknown to the public. Now, he and his team are working hard to erase that notion.
"On the Web, he Twitters, Flickrs, blogs, Facebooks, YouTubes, IggyTubes (on his site) and Diggs. You want to know his musical taste, what books he reads, his favourite movie (The Godfather, Part 1) and what he looks for from others (friendship)? It's all there.
"He travels the country to give speeches, meet Liberals and be in front of television cameras. Since moving into Stornoway, the opposition leader's residence, he and wife, Zsuzsanna Zsohar, have entertained vigorously — inviting members of the parliamentary press corps, among others, for canapés and tête-à-têtes.
"And although political observer Peter C. Newman wrote recently that the media lie in wait ("Ottawa-based reporters resent him … he has been too successful too fast"), favourable stories about him have blossomed. He appears on the cover of magazines for everyone from seniors (Zoomer) to students (University of Toronto's Hart House publication), while Maclean's features a long interview, and another news organization has been promised exclusive photos of his new kitten.
"This week marks the launch of his latest book . . . part of the choreography leading up to his drum-roll unveiling at the Liberal Party convention in Vancouver at the end of the month."
The book is not just about the Grants, his mother's family, Mr. Valpy adds.
"It's also a detailed look at his own beliefs about his country, its government and his political ideology.
"When we meet to talk about the book, he tells me he wants Canadians to see him as a patriot. That's the word he uses."
Mr. Ignatieff has certainly sparked a lot of debate since his return to Canada and his entry into Liberal party politics, and few journalists in the country know him better than Mr. Valpy. That's why we at globeandmail.com were pleased to welcome Mr. Valpy online Monday to take your questions.
Your questions and Mr. Valpy's answers appear at the bottom of this page when the discussion begins.
Mr. Valpy is a senior writer for The Globe and Mail.
He began his journalistic career on The Vancouver Sun and became that newspaper's associate editor and national political columnist. For The Globe and Mail, he has been a member of the editorial board, Ottawa political columnist, Africa correspondent, deputy managing editor and columnist on social and political issues.
He has produced public affairs documentaries for CBC Radio, written for Maclean's, Elm Street, Policy Options and Time (Canada) magazines, won three national newspaper awards, co-authored two books on Canada's Constitution -- The National Deal (1982) and To Match A Dream (1998) -- and one on Canada's emerging generation of adults, New Canada (2003). Trent University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1997.
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