politicians-from-ottawa

"You have to have a real love of your sport to carry you through all the bad times."

"When I was a young man, my father told me not to get into politics, because it was dirty, and would destroy me."

"I think we already know they’re looking to get rid of Fridays. Now we see they don’t even take Monday mornings very seriously either."

"if the party was made aware of a sexual assault allegation today, the individual involved would be immediately removed as a candidate for the Conservative Party of Canada"

"I have a popcorn problem. I can't stop. I've been known to drive by the movie theater, walk in, just buy a bag of popcorn. It's so good."

"Tonight marks the beginning of Chanukah, the eight-day Festival of Lights. It tells the story of the Jewish people’s resilience and their victory over tyranny and religious intolerance. On behalf of Canada’s Conservatives, I would like to wish everyone a Chag Chanukah Sameach!"

"I certainly don’t owe my leadership victory to anybody … It’s a high quality drink, and it’s affordable too."

"Jewish people in Canada, Israel and around the world will begin celebrating Purim. I would like to extend my best wishes to the community as you celebrate with some of the happiest traditions of the holiday. Chag Purim Sameach! Happy Purim! Chag Sameach! This evening, Jewish people in Canada, Israel and around the world will begin celebrating Purim. This delightful holiday tells the story of Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai, who saved the Jewish community of ancient Persia from their persecutor, Haman. Purim celebrates their heroism and bravery, which led to the survival and victory of the Jewish people. For all Canadians, the story of Purim is a reminder of the freedoms we enjoy and our duty to stand against religious intolerance. I would like to extend my best wishes to Canada’s Jewish community as you celebrate with some of the happiest traditions of the holiday: the reading of the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther); the exchange of special gift baskets with family and friends (Mishloach Manot); and, of course, eating delicious Hamentashen pastries. Have a fun and festive celebration! Happy Purim! Freilichen Purim!"

"I think the party owes their membership an explanation. And furthermore, I think that the party owes Mr. Scheer an explanation … his potential credibility is damaged because of this. They should explain to him how this happened and how it will never happen again. He should be insisting upon a more thorough review of what happened."

"Canada's Conservatives have been, and always will be, a strong voice for Israel and the Canadian Jewish community, Israel is one of Canada's strongest allies and a beacon of pluralism and democratic principles in a turbulent part of the world, Canada’s Conservatives recognize the obvious fact that Israel, like every other sovereign nation, has a right to determine where its capital is located."

"To suggest that the global market-place of the twenty first century there will be no role for the state and the public sector is clearly nonsense."

"Governments steer better than they row."

"Like sailors, we cannot change the weather or the direction of the wind. But we change the direction of our sails."

"Change is the cliché of our time. It also happens to be the prevailing truth."

"The emergence of the market model in Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia is no accident. It is not the product of a corporate conspiracy. It is the consequence of hard lessons learned from cold experience."

"The idea of politics is in need of defence."

"If the rising tide fails to lift all boats, resentments will increase."

"Angry teachers can defeat governments,"

"Politics is about the persuasion required to move people to judgement."

"Hezbollah has hugely populated that area, not only with people, but also with underground tunnels, with all the other activities that we associate with them, and with rocket launching facilities, and so on. So I don’t think anybody thinks that the 21-day ceasefire line, if you like, is going to be the line that will ultimately be acceptable to Israel. But we do need to figure out how to get the parties to a table and to begin to get serious efforts at mediation underway,” Rae said."

"The major cuts in federal and provincial transfers to social service agencies, health care, education, and social housing over the past several years have not bee matched by an explosion in private giving. Nor will they ever be."

"We spend the vast bulk of money in the health, welfare, and education systems in the later years of life. Yet it is in the earliest years that life chances are moulded and set."

"We do not yet have a politics that is equal to the economics around us."

"As I grow older, I have had to discard some ideas and policies because they no longer make sense. This strikes me as entirely healthy. I would invite others to do the same."

"" many on the right confuse the "is" of globalization with the "ought" of simply accepting all its effects. They preach a political quietism that is really just a cloak for greed."

"History has only ended for those caught inside the Marxist hothouse. For the rest of us the argument is just getting interesting."

"Constitutions do not emerge perfectly formed from the brain of the philosopher king, as Mr. Trudeau himself discovered in 1980 and 1981. They are always messy processes that are easier to knock down or tear apart than they are to construct."

"Self-interest is a necessary but hardly a sufficient basis for a decent society."

"The premise of neo-conservatives is that markets left to their own devices will produce the best possible result, and that political interference is not required. This defies the human reality that people are not commodities, and simply refuse to behave as if they were."

"Canada is an opening and welcoming society, but let me be clear. We are also a country of laws."

"Every time there was a big transformation, whether it was the Industrial Revolution and the steam engine, there was this worry that there were going to be no more jobs. ... But I think at the same time, looking at a delay that might have happened 100 years ago or 200 years ago is different from understanding that the pace of change is so rapid that if we start, and we tool up our workforce to be more flexible, more open, more skilled in seeing where the opportunities are, we’re going to be better positioned than anyone else in the world. I’m not saying there’s not going to be disruption. [But] we’re doing well because we are back investing in the kinds of things that are making a difference in people’s lives."

"The Liberal Party believes that terrorists should get to keep their Canadian citizenship ... because I do, And I'm willing to take on anyone who disagrees with that."

"It's an old idea from the 19th century. It is something that is not relevant to the vibrant, extraordinary, culture that is Quebec as Quebec is an amazing part of Canada. Nationalism is based on a smallness of thought that closes in, that builds up barriers between people, and has nothing to do with the Canada we should be building. It stands against everything my father ever believed."

"To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada"

"To me, pluralism means diversity, and diversity is at the very heart of Canada. It is who we are and what we do. We do it better than anyone else on Earth. So well, in fact, that we often take it for granted. So let’s remind ourselves: Canada is the only country in the world that is strong, not in spite of our differences, but because of them."

"You're not going to hotbox my office, no way!"

"I’ve said many times that there isn’t a country in the world that would find billions of barrels of oil and leave it in the ground while there is a market for it."

"I think that everybody should be in the business of improving opportunities for women and girls. We need women and girls to succeed because that’s how we build stronger, more resilient communities. It’s how we grow a stronger economy. Encouraging the full participation of women and girls in public life and in the business world leads to better decision making all around. ... It’s not just about women’s issues, it’s about everyone’s issues. We know that if kids grow up in an equal world, it is a better world — more open, more prosperous, and more peaceful."

"I would agree that encyclopedias could teach me facts, but only a great story could transport me into the mind of another person. These stories taught me about empathy, about good and evil, about love and sorrow. My tastes covered many different genres, but the books I loved most proposed the idea that ordinary people (not to mention hobbits) are born with the capability to do extraordinary, even heroic things. The realization came as a sort of code to all the lessons my parents had taught me about looking beyond wealth and appearances, and appreciating the worth of everyone I met. ... It’s a lesson that sticks with me to this day. No real leader can see the people around them as static creatures. If you cannot see the potential in the people around you, it’s impossible to rouse them to great things. That may be one of the reasons why, even now, I always make time for a novel or two every month, amongst the mountains of serious works and briefing notes. Facts may fuel a leader’s intellect. But literature fuels the soul."

"We should be past tolerance in Canada .. In Canada, can we speak of acceptance, openness, friendship, understanding? It is about where we are going and what we are going through every day in our diverse and rich communities .. Tolerating someone means accepting their right to exist on the condition that they don’t disturb us too, too much."

"The North American idea that diversity is strength, is our great gift to the world. No matter where you are from, or the faith you profess, nor the colour of your skin, nor whom you love, you belong here. This is home."

"Tomorrow, millions of people will gather with loved ones across Canada and around the world to mark the Christmas holiday. On this day, Christians reflect on their faith and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This occasion inspires families and communities to come together, share what they have, and give back to those less fortunate. May we take this time to reflect on our many blessings, and remind our loved ones how much they mean to us. On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our entire Liberal Caucus, Sophie and I wish you all a most joyous holiday season. From my family to yours: merry Christmas."

"Honour killings shouldn't be called "barbaric""

"Everyone's got peer pressure at this age. I mean there's pressure to smoke, there's pressure to do all sorts of stuff. And, um, I've never been affected by peer pressure. Never."

"John Lewis was a fearless advocate for what he knew to be true, and he never stopped fighting for equality and justice. My thoughts are with his family and friends - and all who have been inspired by his work, words, lifetime of service and action, and the good trouble he caused."

"If countries around the world, including China, realize that by arbitrarily arresting Canadians, they can get what they want out of Canada politically, that would make an awful lot more Canadians who travel around the world vulnerable to that kind of pressure."

"Nelson Mandela was a voice for justice and a symbol for freedom - and his legacy reminds us that we all share a responsibility to continue building a just, sustainable, and equitable world for all. On this #MandelaDay and every day, let’s keep working together to make an impact."

"A quiet force, a strong mother, and a devoted partner, Aline Chrétien faithfully served Quebecers and all Canadians alongside her husband, Jean. She was authentic, tenacious, and championed multiculturalism and bilingualism - and she helped bring our country closer together. Never afraid to stand up for those she loved, Aline taught us to persevere even when things get tough. Sophie and I are sending our heartfelt condolences to Jean, their entire family, and all Canadians who are mourning her passing."

"A profound and fearless advocate for women, equality, and justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations. My thoughts are with her family, colleagues, and all who were inspired by her lifetime of service."

"Canadians are shocked by tonight's attack in Nice. Our sympathy is with the victims, and our solidarity with the French people."