Andre Arthur

[August1991]

Andre Arthur, erstwhile talk show host and the independent MP from the Quebec City region, recently gave a French TV interview. Here's a French link to summarize.

Here's a Google tarnslation.

He says he'll work with whomever but he'll leave the House during any vote on gay marriage. (He says he was married and believes marriage doesn't work.) He claims that Jean Pelletier had the CRTC force his removal from radio. He says MPs are overpaid.

He says, "no one has the right to a private life if that person has the power to put my children into debt." [i agree wholeheartedly.]

He also said that he would have no problem working under the table and avoiding taxes.

What a character. Arthur deserves to be better known in English Canada. His spoken English is accented but very good.

[Hicksey]

Andre Arthur, erstwhile talk show host and the independent MP from the Quebec City region, recently gave a French TV interview. Here's a French link to summarize.

Here's a Google tarnslation.

He says he'll work with whomever but he'll leave the House during any vote on gay marriage. (He says he was married and believes marriage doesn't work.) He claims that Jean Pelletier had the CRTC force his removal from radio. He says MPs are overpaid.

He says, "no one has the right to a private life if that person has the power to put my children into debt." [i agree wholeheartedly.]

He also said that he would have no problem working under the table and avoiding taxes.

What a character. Arthur deserves to be better known in English Canada. His spoken English is accented but very good.

I think the average Canadian is a little more like this guy than any of us would like to admit.

That Google Translation was pretty rough. I could only force myself to scan the article as actually reading every word and translating the Google Translation to English was giving me a headache.

[Michael Hardner]

He says, "no one has the right to a private life if that person has the power to put my children into debt."

He sounds pretty high and mighty for somebody who would willingly cheat on his taxes.

Personally, I think people need to get less information from "characters" such as this guy, Don Cherry and the like, and get more information directly from statistics and facts.

What are the hospital waiting lists like this month ? Why can't I read that in my newspaper every day when I can easily read the pre-season ball scores ?

The public needs to take responsibility, and demand good information instead of trusting whatever colourful advocate happens to be entertaining them this week.

[August1991]

He says, "no one has the right to a private life if that person has the power to put my children into debt."

Michael, I think the point is that if a person assumes the right to spend alot of your money on your behalf (usually without your direct permission), then that person cannot hide behind claims of a right to privacy (think of what that would imply).

I like US libel laws. If someone chooses to get into the public arena, then that person must accept the risks of being misinterpreted and maligned.

[Michael Hardner]

Michael, I think the point is that if a person assumes the right to spend alot of your money on your behalf (usually without your direct permission), then that person cannot hide behind claims of a right to privacy (think of what that would imply).

But what kind of privacy are we talking about ?

Should I expect an answer if I ask my investment advisor if he's gay ?

I like US libel laws. If someone chooses to get into the public arena, then that person must accept the risks of being misinterpreted and maligned.

Sounds good to me, too. Are you referring to lawsuits by former PMs here ?

And my point about Mr. Arthur's willingness to cheat seems to have stood. That's good.

[August1991]

Should I expect an answer if I ask my investment advisor if he's gay?

Expect an answer, I don't know. A non-answer would be an answer too. (Would the investment advisor put you in front of a human rights tribunal for discrimination because you refused her/his services based on her/his sexual orientation?)

If you are entrusting your retirement savings to someone, and you think their sexual orientation is relevant, then of course you should ask.

But your example is weak. Our relationship with government is better compared to a marriage. And in that case, I would hope you ask a potential partner whether he or she is gay. (Could a potential spouse put you in front of a human rights tribunal for discrimination because you refused her/his advances based on her/his sexual orientation?)

And my point about Mr. Arthur's willingness to cheat seems to have stood. That's good.

This is an Internet forum, not formal litigation.

I think Arthur's comment about taxes was closer to Thoreau's civil disobedience than to criminal cheating. Quebec City is a one-company (government) town and the people who avoid taxes are usually the waiters and baby sitters serving the civil servants. But I won't condone Arthur's remark in part because I don't know what he meant exactly.

[JerrySeinfeld]

He says, "no one has the right to a private life if that person has the power to put my children into debt."

Michael, I think the point is that if a person assumes the right to spend alot of your money on your behalf (usually without your direct permission), then that person cannot hide behind claims of a right to privacy (think of what that would imply).

I like US libel laws. If someone chooses to get into the public arena, then that person must accept the risks of being misinterpreted and maligned.

But the public servant can't legally spend your money in private.

His private life and his public service are two separate issues.

[August1991]

Ind. MP Arthur won't rule out joining Harper's Conservatives...

Mr. Arthur (Portneuf-Jacques-Cartier, Que.) told The Hill Times that he "wouldn't bet on it," joining the 125-member governing Conservative caucus, but he also said the possibility exists. "And I know this is kind of a hypocritical reaction on my part to your question, but that's the best I can do at this point. I will tell you that there are no contacts, no agreements, spoken or otherwise, yet. I must say that I'm quite impressed with the kind of government they've given Canada for the last months. Here's a guy, Harper, who does what he says and says what he does. That's a long time in Canada since we've seen that. It's marvelously refreshing, it gives confidence to the electors. The people I talk to, they all say you can agree you can disagree but you know where he's going."

Hill Times

Say what you will about Andre Arthur, he knows his public.