5 things you didn't know about Philippe Couillard

We've heard a lot about rookie Liberal Leader Philippe Couillard over the years.

He's 56, aformer university professor and a trained brain surgeon. Couillard served as Quebec's health minister for five years in Jean Charest's government.

He has also dropped a few personaldetails in campaign speeches: he used to play hockey (defence) and his wife calls him "Bear".

But what is the leader really like? And what is he doing to make it through this long electioncampaign? I joined him on his campaign bus for a few minutes to find out.

1. He's intomusic.

The Liberal leader has an extensive and diverse playlist on his iPad, everything ranging from opera and classical to rock and reggae even liturgical music bya 12th century mystic nun who had visions. Couillard often sings along to his favourites, such as this classic reggae tune:

0:22Campaign karaoke: Philippe Couillard

Philippe Couillard sings along to his favourite tune: Desmond Dekker's Israelites.

And here's what Couillard plays to get pumped up for a rally:

0:16What Couillard plays to get pumped up for a rally

Hint: it starts and ends with Led Zeppelin

2. He's not into light reading.

I asked Couillard if he had time for some light reading during the gruelling campaign.

His answer: "I don't do light reading, I'm afraid."

He refuses to peruse the morning newspapers on the campaign trailwhich helped himget through the campaignbut he does make time to read for pleasure.

His currentchoice: Le mythe de Napolon au Canada franais by Serge Joyal.Couillard told me hehad just polished off a history of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870.

3. He is a red wine lover, but only drinks orange juice and water on the campaign trail. Andcampaign or not, he goes to bed by 8:30 or 9 p.m. but wakes up very early. Training, hesays, from his days in the operating room.

4.Hishands are cold-resistant.

Over the campaign, I've noticed that Couillard does not wear gloves while makingannouncements outdoors despite the frigid March temperatures.

I asked him if therewere studies that showed a politician in gloves is not to be trusted.He laughed insurprise and said that he knew of none.

He says when he was young, he used to playhockey outside without gloves and all the neighbourhood kids would marvel at howwarm his hands stayed.

Couillard says he only gets cold ears and feet.

5. He's proud of his beard.

He has trimmed it for the campaign, but Couillard wears his beard proudly, despitesome suggesting beards and politics don't mix.

In fact, Couillard is convinced facial hairis back in fashion. I asked him for proof.He told me that before he ran for Liberal leader,he was approached numerous times by women asking for his autograph, thinking hewas the (bearded) actor who played GilGrissom on the popular TV show CSI.