The Life

It was a treat to listen to Steve Paikin's interview with Frank McKenna and his multiple public lives. McKenna was the premier of New Brunswick and the ambassador to the United States and is now a vice-chair of the TD Bank, where, among other things, he gets to moderate panels like this. Paikin, a great interviewer, is a certified political junkie and the author of two great books on the highs and lows of politics. Together, they make for a great conversation.

McKenna talks openly about many things, including his upbringing, his views on Catholicism, why Canada is "a really tough country" to govern, Canada's role in the world, how he feels about George Bush and Dick Cheney, the rebuilding of a political party and a policy platform and why Opposition is "horrible, [unsatisfying]... like a cousin's kiss!"

Any anglophone who's struggled to learn the language will appreciate his comments about French (fun fact: New Brunswick is the only bilingual province in Canada), and if you came of age during Canada's constitutional struggles you may appreciate his honest reflections on the Meech Lake Accord, where he and his colleagues felt the weight of the country on their shoulders.

Paikin pushes him pretty hard on his intention to run again, but he said no as firmly as one could (although you sorta felt Paikin hoped for a different answer!). Watch/listen to it here.