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The MEGA-POWERS Explode!
99 Plays1 month ago
This week on And Another Thing, Jodie Jenkins and Tony Clement are joined by MP Blake Richards, Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs. They dive into the pressing issues surrounding the Veterans file, discuss the current state of Canadian federal politics, and even share some fun banter about WWE legends Hulk Hogan and 'Macho Man' Randy Savage. You won’t want to miss this episode!
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Transcript
Introduction and Political Landscape
00:00:40
Speaker
Welcome to another episode of And Another Thing, the podcast that continues to set the bar in the world of podcasts. My name is Jody Jenkins. My name is Tony Clement. And we're back at it again. Yes, we are. Yes, we are. We're very excited. I know we're going to be talking politics a little bit later, but you had the by-election recently in your area, so congratulations to Tyler. Is that his name, Tyler? Yeah, Tyler Alsop. Alsop.
00:01:10
Speaker
He was a, uh, longer a counselor. He's no longer a city counselor. He's now a member of the progressive conservative party in, uh, here in, in the Bay of Quinney riding. It was an interesting race. The, um, the, you know, the liberals were definitely targeting to try and build up on their vote, share their provincial liberals. I should say Bonnie Crombie was in town quite a bit. And yeah, she was like, she was like staying overnight and stuff.
00:01:38
Speaker
Yeah. And there definitely was a, there definitely was some loss of support. Like Todd Smith, who had, you know, I won like three or four elections, was a popular minister, um, did very well. And I think the last time, the last election in 22, he won like, I don't know, almost 50% of the vote. Right. Um, it wasn't so easy to just go around, which I think is to be expected. Yeah. You know, you don't have a new candidate, but the interesting thing was the the liberal candidate who I know very well, and he's a popular radio personality.
00:02:08
Speaker
He went up they went up 15 points and moved from third to second. So yeah, it was it was that's a big job Yeah, he might be running again in the general. Well, it's funny you say that because I I again because I'm he was the he was a program director to the radio station He gave me like literally my for one of my first jobs when I was just getting into radio So we've I've known him for 24 years now and if we were chatting a little bit the other day and and I did say to him I go like I I mean I got I don't know how you don't run in the next one like yeah fact there's an early provincial election I mean they're gonna be all over you to run yeah so we'll see I mean I see we'll see yeah no you're absolutely right well anyway that's that's done and dusted and
00:02:54
Speaker
Here we are.
Sponsorship Acknowledgments
00:02:55
Speaker
Yeah. So each week, of course, this show is brought to you by the great crew at Municipal Solutions. John Mutton and the team have been with us since day one. and We're excited to continue to have their support. ah You can find them online at municipalsolutions.ca. Tony, do do you have some new info on them or are you still using them? Okay. no We've got the new the new info. John ah john ah in his sick bed because he's still recovering from that jiu-jitsu championship. He got the World Silver Medal, by the way. I get it all screwed up when you're talking about it. but anyway Congratulations to John and hopefully he'll be out and about with his rehab soon. But in the meantime, he did give us some more info to present to our listeners. Municipal Solutions is your project management team for rezonings and development approvals. They cut through the municipal red tape to bring your project to fruition. So go to municipalsolutions.ca
00:03:56
Speaker
where they can help you out. And then we also want to thank our other sponsor KWM Consulting. ah It is, of course, they've been in the lobbying and advocacy business for over 23 years. They support ah many companies, including small businesses to deal with governments. And the company believes in honest, ethical advice and the value of hard work contact Kelly Mitchell at any time, kwmconsulting.com, or just phone Kelly. He's available at 416-728-8287. We also want to thank our terrestrial radio sponsor. That, of course, is Hunter's Bay Radio.
00:04:32
Speaker
You can find them live streaming at hunters Bay radio.com and every Saturday morning, they will repeat this podcast as well as any other, many other, I should say podcasts that are certainly very interesting to listen to go to hunters Bay radio dot.com. Excellent. And, uh, yeah, we wish John mutton all the best in
Interview with Blake Richards
00:04:55
Speaker
his recovery. We got to get him on the show to talk about his experiences there.
00:05:00
Speaker
He's ready to come on, Jody. So maybe that's our next guest, perhaps. He's not moving too far these days. Usually a whirling dervish of activity and now he's just sort of sitting on his couch there. So I think we, I think we can, uh, we can get something going on there for sure. All right. Well, we have a, we have a guest today. Yes, we do. Yes. I'll let you introduce the guest.
00:05:23
Speaker
Well, a former colleague of mine. He is the Member of Parliament for Banff Air Drie and the Province of Alberta. Mr. Blake Richards returns to the show. Welcome Blake. Yeah, thanks for having me guys. Yeah, you've been on the show before. Yeah, think I think you had me on once before I was briefly. I think we did.
00:05:45
Speaker
We yeah we sat down during the Calgary Stampede and taped that one. I think that was that's how we did it. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. You know, it's great to have you on the show proper because those were kind of hurried interviews kind of on the sidelines of the stampede. That must have been like two or three years ago now. So Blake, great to have you back on. And we wanted to have you on specifically because you and I had bumped into each other. We were door knocking in New Market Aurora for a great conservative candidate there.
Public Sentiment and Trudeau's Government
00:06:14
Speaker
Sandra Cabina. ah And yeah, I just knew that the House of Commons was coming back into session. And yeah, it proved to be pretty wild. So give us ah first, first question is, you know over the summer, you've been talking to lots of people both in your riding and throughout the country. What are you hearing out there? Well, yeah, you're right. I managed to, I think, spend some time knocking on doors and various other things in, I think, five or six different provinces.
00:06:43
Speaker
And it doesn't seem to matter where you are in the country. The one thing that everyone has in common right now is you know they're they're seeing how much pain there is out there right now. They're seeing a lot of people, whether they are struggling themselves or they know people that are. um And there's a lot of ah people saying it's time for some change in this country. And they're saying it's time for Justin Trudeau to to be sent packing. That's the one thing that's in common and then from there, I guess they make their decisions about where how that change looks. I mean, obviously, obviously yeah i'm I'm a big believer and I think i think the polls show that to many people are looking at Pierre Poliev and in the common sense conservatives, but whatever it might be, um people are telling me that it's time for Justin Trudeau to hit the highway.
00:07:32
Speaker
and you know You've got a pretty succinct message to give to people.
Conservative Party's Priorities
00:07:36
Speaker
It's axe the tax, build the homes, fix the budget, stop the crime. you know that's the That's the mantra. and is that Is that cutting through? I think absolutely. i mean if you If you really think about those four points, i mean that speaks to exactly what what people are are feeling right now. right i mean there is lot of people who are struggling to get by. um There's a lot of people who look at their future, particularly the young people who look at their future and say, how how am I ever going to be able to afford to own my own home? I mean, um when you whenever you ah think about Canada and many people who come here for a better life or if you'rere or if you're born here, we all kind of know that the promise of Canada is that it doesn't matter who you are, right? It doesn't matter where you've come from. It doesn't matter your background or anything else.
00:08:23
Speaker
if you work hard, that you're supposed to be able to own that at home in a nice neighborhood where you can be you know not worried about crime and your safety. And right now, I don't think people are feeling that way. I mean, you we hear it all the time. I mean, I knock on doors and almost every time you're knocking on doors somewhere, somebody will tell you a story about someone's car being stolen down the street or you know so true or so are so someone they know that's had to visit the food bank. I mean,
00:08:51
Speaker
with 2 million Canadians kind of visiting the food bank, everyone everyone knows people and and and far too many Canadians are amongst those people themselves. So those points, you know, axing the tax, building the homes, fixing the budget and stopping the crime, speak to exactly what Canadians are feeling right now. and they're It's the answer. It's the hope that people are looking for, right? Yeah, that's the other thing too. It's it's not it's not just a message we have to boot Trudeau out, a time for a change, which is a time-honoured message in politics, obviously. It's the most powerful message you have, politics, time for a change.
00:09:25
Speaker
But it's also specifically saying these are our priorities. So, and and I want to give you, ah you know, commend you and and ah Pierre Pauliet for that for sure. ah Now, I'd love to just start talking about what it was like coming back to the House of Commons this
House of Commons and NDP-Liberal Coalition
00:09:41
Speaker
past week. You know, tell us, kind of give us your play by play of of what you thought was notable about that. Well, I think um you know I think we came back to the House of Commons on Monday with, I think there was some excitement um amongst Canadians because I think a lot of people were hearing, Jagmeet Singh had said that he was ripping up the coalition agreement with him and the Liberals. and I think a lot of people are saying, oh, we might finally get the election that we need so we can actually um you know see things start to improve in this country. you know and
00:10:17
Speaker
And so I think there was a lot of excitement out there. um You know, unfortunately, many people were very quickly disappointed when, you know, obviously we came forward this week and said we were going going to call that non-conference vote that so many people are seeking so they can get the change and they can see, um you know, their lives have an opportunity to turn around. And, and um you know, unfortunately, we had both the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP come forward and say,
00:10:45
Speaker
Nope. Maybe I ripped up the agreement, but ah kind of taping it all back together here. And yeah, and you know, just kidding. we're We're actually going to keep supporting Justin Trudeau. So a lot of disappointment kind of ending the week, obviously. Yeah, yeah. You know, we we just got to keep fighting, right? um You know, and that's, that's us as as common sense conservatives in the House of Commons, but it's also Canadians. We just got to keep pushing for for the change we need and and it will happen.
00:11:12
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, I found it very curious that both of that those parties would, you know, but look maybe strategically or from a financial point of view or organizational point of view, they don't want an election. But, you know, ah to be that quick about it, to say they're still supporting the liberals, I thought that was and especially the NDP, which allowed Pierre Poliev. People don't realize how unusual this was, but ah ah but Pierre stood up in the House of Commons, I think it was on Thursday, and directed kind of his ire, not at the Liberals, but at Jagmeet Singh, sort of on the same side of the aisle as as him and saying, look, you know, ah you know it was a theatrical ah performance by the NDP leader to win a by-election in Manitoba. And then as soon as the by-election was over,
00:12:04
Speaker
he was back supporting the liberals. So that that that created a bit of an uproar, didn't it? Yeah, it sure did. And, you know, I mean, i'm I've always been a big believer in, you know, you' know speaking in speaking the truth, speaking your mind, speaking the thing that maybe maybe sometimes it can be a little uncomfortable to do that. But it's important that we do that, right? And when someone, ah you know, you put it perfectly, it was it was all theatrics. It was a show of of kind of ripping up disagreements, supposedly, because he wanted to win a by-election.
00:12:34
Speaker
And then the second the by-election was over, he you know he goes back, essentially goes back on his word, right? Like he he really is supporting Justin True. Just kidding. you know I actually am still supporting him. And to me, that's you know when you start to play those kinds of cynical games with with voters um and it deserves to be called out. and And so yeah, it was a little bit of a, obviously typically questions in question period are directed at the government.
00:12:59
Speaker
but I think Pierre Paulie, that was a really smart move to to to take those opportunities to really call out and highlight that this guy was, a you know, he's a hypocrite, right? he said He said he wasn't going to support him. And then the second he gets ah ah someone voted in in a by-election, he turns around and does exactly what he said he wouldn't do. So.
00:13:17
Speaker
So where does it go from here? like For our listeners, maybe unfamiliar with ah how the House of Commons works and and what goes on in Ottawa, do you just keep doing your jobs at committee? and look for other opportunities to hold the government to account? how what What sort of things are you looking to do? Yeah, I mean, um obviously, we can also continue to still, ah you know, look for ah every opportunity we can to call non-conference votes in in the in the government and, and you know, ah but at the same time, yeah, we do have a job to do. I mean,
00:13:49
Speaker
We know Canadians want change. we're We're looking to give them that opportunity to so to to, you know, we talked about the four points, you know, accident attacks, building the homes, fixing the budget and stopping the crime. And in order to get the opportunity to do those things for Canadians, we we have to we have to have an election. But in the meantime, we have a job to do and that is to try and hold the government accountable. And frankly, there's been a lot of ethical scandals in this government. And so we can continue to to to try and prosecute those things in in the House of Commons so that people so that Canadians can see their government being held accountable for the things that it's doing or
Veterans' Issues and Government Criticism
00:14:25
Speaker
not doing. And that yeah that goes not just for the House of Commons, but certainly in committees. you know My role is is the the Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs. So um my job is to, where the failings are,
00:14:37
Speaker
you know, and there are many in in in that department um to point those out and to write and propose solutions. Because you know, that's the other part of that is it's you got to propose solutions too. And and so we're not we're not shy to do that either. So that is is the focus. And and whenever um you know, an election finally does come, we'll be ready to fight it, right?
00:15:01
Speaker
Yeah. what What are you hearing from our veterans? so that's That's a good point that you have that role and responsibility. Yeah. So veterans, you know, Some of the issues we've already talked about are certainly affecting veterans even right to a greater degree. um you know and i mean The cost of living crisis that we've seen because of of inflation, it's you know caused by all the government spending. um you know that That has a bigger impact on on on veterans when they're in ah you know in a vulnerable situation to begin with in some cases. um so that you know Those issues continue to be a thing. you and When we saw, for another example, the the crime. you know When you look at some of our our veterans that are aging, you know Korean War veterans, World War II veterans, we had ah had an 82-year-old a Legion president in Penticton, British Columbia was attacked on his way home. He was riding a scooter, like his motorized scooter on the way home from ah the Legion when ah you know when he was there to do some volunteer work. He comes on his way home and he's attacked by some some folks who were out on bail, frankly. and Good God.
00:16:05
Speaker
you know, that's, you know, that speaks to that crime. And how like, can you imagine attacking an 82 year old veteran on a scooter? ah But that's the kind of brazen kind of thugs we have in this country now, because they know that if they're arrested, they're just going to be right back out on the street again. So right we're dealing with those issues. But on top of that, veterans, you know, of course, there's some unique issues, because these are people that served our country. And, you know, when they come home, often they're there are injuries, whether they're physical injuries or whether they're you know ah mental stress injuries. um And we as Canadians and and and certainly as a government oh ah owe them ah to make sure that those injuries are taken care of and
00:16:48
Speaker
And when I talk to veterans, they typically talk, they talk about what they call a triple D policy. And what the triple D policy, what they mean by that is they're, they see things delayed, they are denied what they, what they, but the benefits they need. And then, you know, it's kind of a, we hope if we delay and delay and deny you long enough that you'll die and and or go away.
00:17:11
Speaker
And that's pretty sad when you hear that. It comes from veterans consistently. They feel like they're just, they're hoping that they think the government is just, you know, hoping that they'll, they'll go away, essentially. And these are people that serve their country, we owe it to them to make sure we take care of them. And so, you know, I'm continually fighting to make sure that veterans get what they're, the respect and the support that they need and deserve.
00:17:36
Speaker
that department, man, I got to say, you know, when I was around, it's always so screwed up. And say they just have this institutional bias that the veteran is trying to screw the government out of money or something like that, right? It's still a totally wrong attitude. Yeah, and you you hit right on. I mean, it's, you know, I often put it like this, you know, when when we as Canadians, when we pay our taxes, right, when we file our taxes,
00:18:03
Speaker
What actually happens is the government assumes that we're telling the truth. Now they do audit some of them, have a small percentage of them, but they assume we're telling the truth, which isn't an unreasonable thing to do. But when we comes when it comes to veterans who are applying for medical benefits that they've deserved because of injuries they've received,
00:18:20
Speaker
the government actually assumes they're lying and will require them to verify this stuff multiple times. They'll require them to fill out reams and reams of paperwork to prove that their injuries. Even so far as you have veterans who've come home, they've we've got a veteran I've heard from that has lost both his legs.
00:18:42
Speaker
And every year he's required to prove he still doesn't have legs. Oh my god gosh. Can you imagine, right? how were the and So far as we've actually had veterans who, I had a veteran in Quebec who she um was looking for a a wheelchair lift because she she's in a wheelchair from her injuries, right? She had a back injury when she was in the serving in the forces. She's in a wheelchair.
00:19:06
Speaker
And she needed a wheelchair lift in her home because most of the living quarters are on the second floor of the building. And ah and um when she she was fighting to get a wheelchair lift, eventually one of the Veterans Affairs employers told her, well, if it's so so difficult to live, you could consider medical assistance in dying. um And of course, her response immediately was, well, I'm not looking for assistance in dying. I'm looking for assistance in living.
00:19:31
Speaker
yeah um So it it's it gets that crazy that we're talking about that kind of thing. So ah we've got a big job to do there and in terms of making sure that we clean up that department. And it really comes down to it the the first step is a mindset change, right? it's ah yeah We've got to change the mindset from finding ways to not do this. It's almost like an insurance company in a way, right? um Instead of finding ways to deny people, let's let's find ways to say, yes, let's make sure we get veterans the support they need. Jodi, I'm going to pass it on to you in a sec, ma but I just have another sort of general question for Blake, just like wait observing this government. Let me put it my way first.
Critique of Liberal Government
00:20:14
Speaker
and then you can agree or disagree and chime in late. But when I look at this government, it looks like an old and tired government without any new ideas, ah just mouthing the same things and expecting a different result. Like, you know, it just looks like an old and tired government that has completely lost the script. I mean, now that's harsh. I get that. but That's based on my observation and based on my experience in politics. you know Every government has a cycle and has a best before date. And this this government, the Liberal government has ah far exceeded its best before date, in my opinion. I'd love to get your sense of things. Yeah. I mean, there's no question about that in my mind. I mean, I've often kind of thought of Justin Trudeau and his government as
00:21:03
Speaker
You know those those dolls we all had as a kid where you kind of pull the string and there's like three or four different sayings they have? yeah um and yeah This government's kind of like that. They have three or four different things that they keep repeating over and over again. ah and and And the funny thing is they never actually do any of them, right? they They just keep talking about them and they continue to talk about it over and over and over again. But there is one thing that they're really good at, which is spending a lot of money and getting no results.
00:21:31
Speaker
Um, you know, and so what do they say about the definition of insanity, right? If you keep, you know, I just keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Uh, you know, so yeah, it's, it's, ah it's clearly time when we keep hearing the same talking points, we keep hearing the same announcements over and over again. And all we really see is more of our money being spent. And, and I don't know about you, but I haven't seen, I haven't heard from very many Canadians that say they, they think they're getting better service from the government.
00:21:59
Speaker
No, quite the opposite. Yeah. jodi what's What's what's your take on things? Well, I was just going to say those that listen to the program often, they know that Tony always plays the straight edge role when it comes to interviews. And then, of course, my job is to ensure that the interview goes completely off the rails. So I know I want to go back to the the liberal NDP coalition for a second, because I know that I know that Blake's a big old school wrestling guy. And I know that you would remember this, Blake, but when Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage came together as a unit and they became the Mega Powers, if you're if you recall. and and And then of course that set up, ah you know they had a good tag team run and then I think the Mega platform Powers exploded.
00:22:44
Speaker
because, uh, Hulk Hogan, uh, or no, Randy Macho man, Savage thought that Hulk Hogan was falling in love with his, with Elizabeth and miss Elizabeth. So if we were to put ah Hogan and Macho man in the same level as like this liberal NDP coalition, who do you think plays Hogan who plays Macho man in that relationship? That's quite, that's a question I've i've never even considered. I can't even picture that.
00:23:12
Speaker
But of course, leave it to you to make it, make it about wrestling somehow, Jody. Um, you know, I've had lots of conversations about wrestling over the years. Yeah. I don't know who who plays. i I mean, I guess, I guess, uh, I don't know. I mean, all, all I can tell you is, uh, you know, it's, uh, seems to be one of those on again and off again things here. And so I guess that kind of fits perfectly with the script of wrestling, doesn't it? But I mean, I guess there's a new champion about to come to town and and that's, right.
00:23:41
Speaker
Well, I got it. And I got to tell Blake just a few months ago, I i was in Mexico City last February for ah for a wedding and I i went to a lucha libre. Uh, which is the Mexican style wrestling. That stuff's amazing. I was, at oh my god since when I was i but was in Mexico city once too. And we, and my, it was actually my mom and I, believe it or not, we went to watch the lucha, lucha doors and yeah, that's something else. Yeah. What did your mom think of it? You know, I wasn't too sure what she was going to do. I thought she was just humoring me, but she, she actually loved it. She, we ended up, uh, picking up, uh,
00:24:16
Speaker
luchador masks and capes and everything for my and nephew afterwards. So there you go. There you go. So maybe, maybe there'll be somebody, uh, some political leader flattened like a pancake after the next, uh, the next round. Who knows? I think there's a good chance it could be the case. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And, and Jody, I guess you, uh, you know, you must have some, because you're, you're, not you're near Trenton. So do you, do you interact with veterans at all, uh, in your neck of the woods?
00:24:44
Speaker
No, obviously, I mean, we, clearly we have tons in our community and and those that have served and obviously those that make their home here now and that have, you know, kind of come through and in their travels. But, but yeah, there's lots of, lots of veterans in the area and, and a lot of support for the veterans in yeah our area, especially again, because of having the base here. So I know that Quinnie West is home to a CFB Trenton. So they have a lot of programs there.
00:25:13
Speaker
a lot of supports and a lot of fundraisers and and different. And we have the Air Force Museum, which I like taking the kids to and sure and seeing seeing all those things from days gone by and and what they're up to these days. But yeah, it's it's it plays a big role in our community. there's no ah No doubt about that. Blake, i you know, I hate to put you on the spot again, but you mentioned Dornark. I wanted to just, I had a comment on what you just had to say there. I, you know, I love that yeah there are parts of this country where we have bases and where we have a lot of men and women who've served this country and, and, and how those communities show such great appreciation for those who've served.
00:25:57
Speaker
And one of the things I've really tried to do in this role as Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs is not just hold ah the government accountable. And there's certainly lots of reasons to do that. They've they've failed our men and women in the uniform. They've failed those who've served this country and their families.
00:26:11
Speaker
but I've also tried to make sure that I spread that message across the country of making sure that we as Canadians all do our part in showing that appreciation. and i mean I know you know the the area I live in, we used to have a base, but it's been we haven't had it for many years. ah and Sometimes I notice that that appreciation can slip a little bit. so I've done everything I can to try and encourage people right across this country and and in communities right across this country to in in In every little way that we can throughout our day, you know, our day-to-day lives, fundraisers and whatever it is that we can do to really just show that real appreciation for those who serve this country. Yeah, very, very well said. Well said. And ah my next question could be our final question. You mentioned earlier in the show, you and Tony were talking about how you connected.
Advocacy and Electoral Reform
00:27:02
Speaker
doing some door knocking for a wonderful candidate in the Aurora area. And I was just curious, Blake, you've door knocked with a lot of candidates in your and your time ah in parliament. I'm just wondering which candidate that wasn't successful from the Bay of Quinty writing had the biggest impact on your life and why?
00:27:25
Speaker
Well, you know, you you didn't have to get so specific. I was already going to say you anyway, Jody. So I mean, you could have let it, you could have let yourself sound even better by just leaving it open ended. He's incapable of shuttle subtlety is not one of his strong suits. I couldn't take a chance. I couldn't say Tony because, because, because I have never, I've, we've, we we never actually doorknob together on one of either my campaign or his, we've door knocked together for other campaigns. And then when he went on and was unsuccessful, well then clearly it couldn't be Tony. So like it was going to be it was going to be you for sure, Jody. So there we go. Yeah, that's we actually I remember, I don't know what the topic was. I have to go back. Maybe you remember this, Blake. But yeah, you came to the riding. We did a bunch of bunch of events during the federal campaign. But I think it was after the campaign
00:28:13
Speaker
you were back down because you were, I don't know if you were spearheading it or you were a big part of it, but there was a, you and I went door to door about a petition or something. Do you remember that at all? Or what what was that topic? Does that ring a bell at all or no? all my My guess is Jody that, and i um I can't remember for certain, but I would bet that it was one of two things and it was most likely, I was trying to get some some better support for for families that have had suffered an infant loss.
00:28:43
Speaker
Okay. you know There was some, I mean, it would be a long conversation to get into that one, but you know really what it boiled down to is families were were like, that set if they lost an infant or they had a miscarriage or you know a stillbirth, which is far too common in this country in such a sad and tragic situation when it happens. um what What I was hearing from people was that they were also getting their government benefits cut off instantly the day that that they would lose that child. And you know, parents need, give them at least a little time to grieve, have a funeral for the child.
00:29:19
Speaker
um So that was really what we were trying to push for and we've been able to at least kind of partially get that in place now might be still a little of work to do there but um you know that was that was something that I know you were helping us pushing and many many other people all across the country were and and you know we've been we've been able to you know it took a lot of effort but we were able to get all parties on board with that one eventually so.
00:29:42
Speaker
Yeah, and you're you're right. That was one of them, but then there was another one and I just looked it up and there's how I'm going to send you this. I'm going to text you this picture because yeah we actually got media coverage for this. It was August 24th, 2016 and you and I were also doing door knocking. Tori's asked local residents for support on electoral reform. warm yeah right ah That was about when Justin Trudeau was trying to rig the electoral system. yeah yeah sure you we You and I were going door to door and getting people to sign up We were calling for a referendum for any changes, right? Yeah. Canadians should always get the say, right? And things like that. And that was a simple message. And it was one that resonated with a lot of Canadians.
00:30:30
Speaker
yeah well Well, I'm glad that you've got those reminiscences, you two guys. You've been known each other for so many years and Blake, it was a pleasure to serve with you in caucus and I'm glad that you're still there, still fighting for Canadians and yeah, we've loved loved to have you on the program. It was great. Absolutely. Well, it's a pleasure to call you both friends and great to be able to join you.
00:30:55
Speaker
Well, let's thank our sponsors. Jodi again, John Mutton get well soon, but you can find him at municipal solutions.ca. And then Kelly Mitchell, of course, you can find him at KWM consulting dot.com. And finally, our terrestrial radio sponsor hunters Bay radio dot.com. Tony Blake, it's been a pleasure. We'll do this again in seven days. You got it.