It happened after a Stephen Harper rally west of Montreal on Friday. The event featured a crowd of loud — and seemingly well-organized demonstrators trying to disrupt it beforehand — and a camera crew from a Quebec comedy program suspiciously lingering around afterward. Afterwards, RCMP officers couldn't help but notice a young woman meandering about the parking lot awaiting the Prime Minister's departure.

Paul Hunter

After all, she was a) wearing semi-revealing clothing, b) repeatedly shouting out Stephen Harper's name, and c) also saying things like 'It's okay, I'm not going to do anything weird - I like him! I'm from Alberta!'

That, of course, made everyone think this can only be trouble.

Then again, that's the problem police assigned to prime ministers face all the time: how to identify friends from foes. No one wants to go over the top against those who are simply gregarious. Yet, no one wants a pie tossed at a PM on their watch either.

Eventually, as Harper's convoy slowly crept toward where the woman was standing, she seemed to be readying herself for something. Police were on alert but kept their distance (as reporters wondered whether it would be a flash of body parts or simply a carefully chosen finger).

Then it happened.

The friendly Albertan looked up, smiled, and gave a little wave to Harper's passing bus before she happily turned and walked away.

Not a weirdo at all.

And the RCMP — having done its job, in effect, by not doing anything — breathed a little sigh of relief.

— Paul Hunter