Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Maxime Bernier's stay in a monastery, and Brian Mulroney's advice

Some very interesting revelations and observations today in Joël-Denis Bellavance’s La Presse feature interview with former Conservative cabinet minister Maxime Bernier. Yes, he of Julie Couillard fame. Who now writes a blog.

For example, (via Google translation) he spent time in a monastery to take stock following his resignation:

But after having spent five days in the monastery of Saint-Benoît-du-Lac, alone, without phone and BlackBerry, to digest all that had happened to him before breaking his resignation of the cabinet as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Bernier has decided to continue his work as MP for Beauce in Ottawa.
And what helped clinch his determination to stay in the political game? Some advice from everyone’s favourite Conservative for life, Brian Mulroney:
The former prime minister Brian Mulroney who was convinced to undertake a period of reflection, far from the spotlight, when the political storm raging here and abroad, to avoid precipitate things about his political career.

"The Perfect Storm, Brian Mulroney called me. He said, 'Maxime, I'm sure you see only black at the moment, you do not see the sun at the end of the tunnel. Take your time The sun will reappear. Va reflect and think about your business and when you're ready to talk, you talk to your people, those who made you elected. That's what I did. "
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PS. Check-out my entry for the YLC's positive politics ad challenge, "Is this your Canada?"

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5 comments:

deBeauxOs said...

St Benoît du Lac. The monks produce lovely artisanal cheese. Bernier stayed at the monastery for 5 days? Did he have the run of the grounds, including the area where the goats are kept? Be afraid. Be very afraid.

RuralSandi said...

Something like celebrities going to rehab to get out of trouble and jail?

David said...

I know it's a small point but it's important to us poor ink-stained wretches: My friend and former colleague Joel-Denis writes for La Presse, not Le Devoir.

David said...

Small point but an important one for us ink-stained wretches: My friend and former colleague Joel-Denis, who interviwed Bernier, is the Ottawa bureau chief for La Presse, not Le Droit. Merci!

Jeff said...

Thanks David, fixed.