HAIR WARS ON THE HILL

Jagmeet Singh challenges Trudeau

I HAVE MORE HAIR, AND IT’S LONGER, AND IT’S NICER.

Newly minted NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh threw down the gauntlet in Quebec on Tuesday, suggesting he has the best head of hair in Canadian politics.

Singh was fielding a number of questions from reporters about his Sikh faith at an event in the Saguenay region ahead of a federal byelection later this month. At one point, he said many people have been asking him what’s under his turban. “A lot of hair,” he explained in French.

He went on to say he’s thinking of planning a public reveal of his hair, which is typically concealed by any one of a variety of colourful turbans.

Then came the fighting words.

Canada already has one leader who’s known for his hair, Singh said, without naming any names. But his crown isn’t safe anymore.

“I have more hair, and it’s longer, and it’s nicer,” he said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s hair has made a lot of headlines in its day. Its evolution has been captured in photos. Every trim has been noted and analyzed by journalists and stylists alike, particularly when Trudeau lopped off his curls ahead of winning the Liberal leadership in 2013.

Singh, who has said his hair hasn’t been cut since he was seven, may find it a challenge to compete with the man who once put a lock of his hair up for sale on eBay to raise money for pandas.

Then again, Trudeau can’t wear a man bun, which, as it turns out, Singh can — and does.

Back in March, before he’d officially entered the NDP leadership race, Singh appeared on CBC’s Rick Mercer Report and let down his hair to demonstrate how to put on a turban.

“Look at all that hair that goes up underneath that thing,” Mercer said in the video. “You’re like a romance novel cover or something.”

As Singh wound up his hair into a knot on top of his head, Mercer said: “Oh my God, you’ve got a man bun.”

“I’ve got a man bun,” Singh answered.

Game on.