Ever wonder what in the world Canada’s top politicians are thinking? Well we have, plenty of times. So we decided to go straight to the source to find out … well, sort of.
Alan Park, who plays Liberal Party leader Stéphane Dion for laughs on Air Farce Live, chatted with us in character about Canadian politics, television, and of course Prime Minister Stephen Harper. (Oh, and Gilles Duceppe had better watch his back.)
TVGuide.ca: What do you think are Stephen Harper’s strengths and weaknesses?
Stephane Dion: Well, eh, the Harper, he has a long list of the way he makes his cabinet with the mean and bad ideas – he makes them not to talk, so, you know – you cannot catch them with the wrong talking, and so he has good control. This makes him good and bad to stay in the Sussex for too long that is good for Canada.
TVG: Why do you think you’re the better leader?
SD: The leadership campaign to get to be the next Liberal leader was they way I won that in 2006. If I were not the good type of leader, then I could not have won that. So, here I am, and the next step for me to have is the Canada Prime Minister, so that I can show the whole country, what it is to be as good as I was back then for that.
TVG: Do you and Harper have anything in common?
SD: I was at a place before in Calgary where the cowboys do a stampede for cows and people, one time many summers ago. And Harper was in a picture once with a cowboy hat – so I’m sure he knows about the Calgary party that I saw.
TVG: What do you think of Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe?
SD: A nice man for as far as he can go, but if he wants to still break up Canada and the rest of Quebec, for that I say, you cannot do this because it is wrong. Luckily, we have enjoyed a long time not hearing too much about him for this idea, so, it is pretty good at the moment.
TVG: Have you been following the U.S. election? Any favourites to win?
SD: I like the U.S., so to have a new winner for them will be a good, exciting time for Americans to see. I cannot say who I like to have in the White House because if I win, then if the one I like in America doesn’t win, then the one who does win there thinks I don’t like them, and our talks will slow down if I am Prime Minister by that time.
TVG: If you weren’t in politics, what would you be doing?
SD: Breakfast is fun, I could use more time for that. For me I like to stay in the office to see what I can do for other things to happen. My dog, Kyoto, is a good dog and so we like to walk together with my wife, Janine.
TVG: What kind of TV shows do you watch?
SD: I like the Rick Mercers, and George Strombolopoulos and the 22 Minutes, as they have all had me be a guest and to get my word out to voters. Air Farce Live is good too, but when they have me on it is a different me who is another person acting like me. Still, my platform is, they talk about it.
TVG: Do you have any advice for people who are considering going into politics?
SD: Always believe that what you are doing it for, is to be good for the country and the people inside of your riding. But if you have charisma and ability to hold the interest of your party – could you either join the Conservatives, or NDP? Because I don’t need any more competition out here.
Air Farce Live airs Fridays, 8 p.m. ET on CBC
melissa@tvguide.ca
