Goodale reflects on serving two generations of Trudeaus
Liberal deputy leader and MP for Wascana Ralph Goodale was first elected in 1974, and has worked with both prime minister Pierre Trudeau and now Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. Goodale is also a former finance minister. This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Q: Justin Trudeau was a child when you were first elected to the House of Commons in 1974. What role do you now play and does he come to you for advice? A: It’s a combination of functions and one of them is to try to bring the experience that has been accumulated since 1974, in both federal and provincial politics over that span of time, into our caucus and into the leadership decision-making process. Quite frequently he asks about this or about that, and I’m happy to always give a perspective that is rooted in those years of parliamentary presence and activity. Q: You are the only MP to have served under both Pierre and Justin Trudeau. What are your thoughts on that? A: I remember when I first met Justin and I was a young member of Parliament. I had been elected for a few weeks in the summer of 1974 and his dad was bringing him up to Parliament Hill. As in that famous photograph, sort of carrying him under his arm, one-handed. ... He (Justin) doesn’t seem to remember the encounter. ... And it is a kind of interesting bridge, having been there as a member of Pierre Trudeau’s caucus and now as a member of Justin’s caucus. It’s interesting to see both the continuity over that period of time and also the distinctions and the differences over that period of time. Q: How does the leadership style of Pierre compare to Justin? A: There are many comparisons and many distinctions. His ability to animate people, to motivate, to engage, to get people off the couch and into the game of political activity is a strength that his father had and it’s also a strength that Justin has. ... As for the differences or the distinctions, I think of two where Justin has taken qualitatively different positions from his father. One is a very passionate commitment to Western Canada, and I think that comes from the fact that he has spent a good deal of time in Western Canada: his education in British Columbia, starting his teaching career there, the roots of the Sinclair (his mother’s) family. I think that gives him a leg up in terms of dealing with western issues and western Canadian personalities that were always problematic for Pierre.
Justin has a very sincere interest in and commitment to the economy, a strong economy, getting the big things right, in terms of trade, for example, in terms of infrastructure, in terms of tax policy, those things that are absolutely fundamental to the proper running of the Canadian economy. Q: Jason Kenney (now a senior Conservative minister) was your executive assistant a long time ago when you were the Saskatchewan Liberal leader. Do you bug him a little bit that he was a Liberal at one time? A: (Laughter) Oh, every now and then, yes, I draw that to his attention. He would claim that he’s made progress; I would claim that he’s fallen off the wagon. Q: Justin Trudeau announced that new Liberal candidates must be pro-choice. Do you think it’s the right move? A: This has been, for at least some Liberals in the process, an ambiguous area, in party platforms over the years. ... And that is a position that the leader has now made absolutely clear, eliminating the ambiguity so that when and if the issue ever arises in a future Parliament, it will be clear what the Liberal caucus will vote ... I think it’s good to clarify it. Q: You’re the only Liberal MP for a few thousand square kilometres, for Saskatchewan, Alberta and a good chunk of Manitoba. What has it been like being that sort of lone man in the wilderness for an extended period time, and what’s your key to survival? A: It is certainly a time-consuming, energy-consuming endeavour to be the sole Liberal spokesman elected at the present moment over such a vast territory. Liberals have done better in the past. ... One thing you need to do in this sort of solitary role, but I think it probably applies to every member of Parliament, is always remember to get your priorities in the right order, and you are always the representative of your constituency in Ottawa; you are not Ottawa’s representative in your constituency. Q: You plan on running again the next election? A: That’s the plan, if Wascana will be kind enough to oblige, I would look forward to it.