Outrage! Hedy Fry's mad as H-E-double-hockey-sticks that some items in the Hudson's Bay Co. clothing line for Canada's Olympians have a 'C' on them with a Maple Leaf, and, darnit, so does the Conservative Party's logo! In the Commons today, she accused the Conservatives of "trying to politicize" the Vancouver-Whistler Games.

Politicizing the Olympics. Imagine! (Cause that's never happened before, no siree...)

Gary Lunn, the minister for amateur sport, told the House the government was "not involved in any way, shape or form" with the HBC design.

And that may be true. But if it is a coincidence, what a happy one it is for his party. No wonder the Liberals aren't amused.

Already pundits have speculated that an election next spring on the heels of a feel-good Olympic Games would be smart strategy for the Tories.

If all those athletes on the podium (fingers crossed) and marching into the stadium behind our flag are wearing Conservative-ish logos, well, you just can't buy that kind of publicity can you?

Not to mention all those Canadians who will plunk down their money to sport the HBC Olympic gear -- which could be only too suitable to double as party wear the next time campaigners hit the streets.

For years, Conservatives have argued that the Liberal Party has benefited from expropriating Canada's red-and-white colour scheme as their own. Indeed Stephen Harper's government has worked hard to introduce more blue into official government marketing materials to try to adjust the branding, even a little.

Has the Olympic team helped them out here, still further? Black may be back this fall, but it's hard to think of Canadian Olympic wear in recent memory that emphasized the color red less than the Vancouver gear for this latest round.

Compare the two logos, and judge for yourself.