Okay, so Linwood writes one of the most popular columns in the biggest newspaper in Canada. But he's also an acclaimed memoirist, a novelist, and one of the funniest speakers around. A journalist since 1977, Linwood Barclay has been a columnist at The Toronto Star for more than a decade, and a sampling of his fan mail reveals a cross-section of the population. Everyone from high school students to seniors enjoys reading what Linwood thinks about an issue. He's been called, by at least one critic, "the thinking man's Dave Barry."

More than just a humour columnist, though, he's a humour columnist with an agenda, often lampooning with a vengeance the antics of misguided politicians and other notorious public figures. And he's more than a humour columnist with an agenda. He's the author of several books; two very funny looks at family life called Father Knows Zilch: A Guide for Dumbfounded Dads and This House is Nuts!; a satirical look at Ontario's most infamous premier, Mike Harris Made Me Eat My Dog (definitely not a recipe collection); and a critically acclaimed memoir, Last Resort: Coming of Age in Cottage Country. That book won an award of merit from the The Stephen Leacock Associates, and was shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour. Most recently, Linwood has become a novelist. His comic mystery thrillers, starring Zack Walker, are published by Bantam Books in New York: Bad Moves and Bad Guys were released to critical acclaim last year; and Lone Wolf is set for release in September 2006.

And last but not least, Linwood is one hilarious speaker. He could be talking about domestic foibles, like birds-and-bees discussions gone terribly wrong, or the horrors of being a parent volunteer on a school trip when you've had too much coffee. Whatever the topic, he's guaranteed to entertain. His anecdotes are the perfect antidote for an audience that's spent its day poring over charts and graphs and interpreting demographic analysis. If he doesn't make you forget your problems for an hour, he'll help you laugh at those you have.

Linwood Barclay's made some big mistakes in his time.

There was that time when Linwood, peering through the window of his cottage door late one night, started banging on it, thinking that was the perfect way to scare that skunk off his porch. Big mistake.

Or that time when he mistook a new mother's breast pump for an old-fashioned bicycle horn. Very big mistake. Awkward, too.

Or the time when, as a young editor on the city desk of the biggest newspaper in the country, he managed, in the course of rewriting a poorly constructed court story, to reverse the names of the accused and his defence lawyer. That was a very bad one.

And there was that time when he learned, during a desperate bid to find change for a parking meter, that he is definitely not cut out to be the country's finance minister. Linwood Barclay's made some big mistakes in his time. He also happens to be one of today's funniest and most celebrated storytellers. Bring these two elements together and you've got comedy perfect for anyone seeking a clean but hilarious experience. Let Linwood share his misadventures and comic exploits with your audience and they'll never forget how hard they laughed. And remember it's O.K to make mistakes. Unless you build bridges. If you build bridges, Linwood would like you to get it right the first time.

Linwood Barclay's a funny guy, a family guy, a regular guy, and like most people, he scratches his head in puzzlement at the antics of politicians. He's not big on political theory. He doesn't have a masters in political science. He's never worked behind the scenes on a political campaign to know why it is backroom strategists get their candidates to say such stupid things.

But Linwood Barclay knows this much: he wouldn't vote for any party that he wouldn't trust to finish off his rec room. And he can tell you what each party would do to his house if they had the chance. (Hint: If you don't mind paying major bonus for second-hand lumber, go with the Liberals.)

You know how, when you have to come down hard on your kids, it helps to say, "Your mother says you have to...."? Well, when you're a politician, "mother" is the Supreme Court. It's so great when someone else can make the big decisions for you.

And everything Linwood Barclay knows about being a finance minister he learned when he had to run to find change for the parking meter. You have to hear this story to believe it.

Plus, Linwood will share his insights into what really makes this country run based on 23 years at Canada's biggest newspaper, 11 as a top-read columnist (you'll want to hear about his involvement in the greatest typo in the history of Canadian journalism) and relate the role media and politics played during his visit to the doctor for the most personal of surgical procedures.

A strong advocate for teachers (and the husband of one) Linwood has developed this talk specifically to share some laughs with all those people who dedicate their lives to education. In it he praises the work they do, while also using his amazing storytelling skills to bring out both the humour and poignancy of life in the classroom. Educators across the country have found Linwood's talk the perfect pick-me-up for any conference or professional development session.