Canadian Conservative contender Michael Chong confirms columnist’s bizarre breastfeeding confession

Canadian Conservative leadership contender Michael Chong has responded to a bizarre incident described by a national newspaper columnist, who recounted trying to breastfeed the MP’s infant son without consent, before Chong stumbled upon the disturbing scene at a Toronto house party.

The incident, which Chong confirmed took place more than a decade ago, involved the Globe and Mail’s Leah McLaren, who wrote about it in a column titled “The joy (and politics) of breastfeeding someone else’s baby”. The column was initially published online on March 22, but was swiftly deleted; however, it has been preserved in online archives.

McLaren described how she encountered the infant alone in a portable car seat in a room, next to an audio baby monitor. When the baby smiled at her, she said she felt an instant “connection”, despite not knowing who the child’s parents were. 

“I leaned over and gingerly picked him up and then sat down in a chair to give him a cuddle. He felt gorgeous in my arms, all warm and lumpy and milky-smelling in the way small babies are,” wrote McLaren.

“Somehow, my pinky finger ended up in his mouth and I was astonished at [the] strength of his sucking reflex. ‘C’mon lady,’ said his eyes. And I suddenly knew what he wanted.”