Hell or High Water

by Paul Martin

  The second is to launch into the project right away. This is the option I have chosen. I knew that if I did not put pen to paper — or, more graphically, my backside on a chair in front of a desk — now, it would never happen. Even more important for me, however, is that by writing soon after the events described in this book I hoped to stimulate further discussion of the issues that were of my greatest concern, discussion that might help others finish the job.

  I have had a full business career and a full political career. In the course of these lives, I have been blessed with the most extraordinary support and friendship from literally thousands of people without whom none of it would have been possible. If you are one of these people and I have not told of our story together, please forgive me, the limitations of space and time are unrelenting — but I know the story, and I will never forget you.

  When I first entered the business world, I knew little of its excitement. In the book, I mention some of those who let me learn from them, but there were so many more.

  Canada Steamship Lines has gone on to fulfill all the hopes I had for it. But I was away for most of that period and the credit goes to others.

  When I first entered government, I had much to learn. When I left government, I still had a long way to go. But where I succeeded I did so by working alongside many outstanding public servants, from whom I learned more than I can say. Where the narrative called for it I was able to name some of them. Let me just say here how fortunate we are that so many of Canada’s finest men and women have dedicated themselves to serving their fellow citizens; I believe we should say that more often.

  My father used to say that it was to the people of Essex East that he owed his political career. I know what he meant, and I feel what he felt. Whether it was walking in Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, serving spaghetti at Le Parc Terrasse des Rapides by the St. Lawrence River on Canada Day, or commemorating Armistice Day at Branch 212 of the Canadian Legion, I was and am very proud to have represented the people of LaSalle-Émard, and am privileged that they elected and re-elected me six times in a row. Would this have happened without a strong riding association or without a dedicated riding executive and an election team made up of hundreds and hundreds of volunteers? No, of course not.

  The Liberal Party is like family to me. I have run in two leadership races. I think of those in every riding across the country who were part of that ragtag but determined band that formed my 1990 campaign. I think of those same people augmented by so many others who were described as the Juggernaut of 2003. I think of the tens of thousands of Canadians who joined the Liberal Party to support my leadership. I think of my devoted, selfless, and long-suffering political staffs at Finance and in the PMO, all of whom had unlimited options before them, all of who chose the public service. I think of those who put their careers at risk for me in 2002.

  I think of my caucus colleagues who informed so much of what we did, in Opposition, when I was in Finance, and when I led our country. I think of those who voluntarily entwined their fortunes with mine and stood as candidates under my prime ministership in two election campaigns.

  Each and every one of those who recognize themselves in what I have just written cannot be recognized individually in this book. As I sit here, and the names and faces roll through my mind, I know that would be impossible, for how can I mention one without mentioning everyone. Every one of you played a unique and critical role in the story played out here. We both know what it was; you must know how grateful I am.

  When I first conceived of this book, a few weeks after stepping down as prime minister, I thought I might be able to write it in a year. My publisher and editor, Doug Gibson (he of the merciless edit, graceful pen, and lack of tolerance for last-minute changes), wisely suggested I take two. I am glad I took his advice. Even two years, it turns out, is not such a long time for a project of this size. I thank him for his experience and his understanding. I forgive him for his insistence on meeting deadlines.

  The core of the research was the oral history suggested by Canada’s chief archivist, Ian Wilson. He recruited Sean Conway, the distinguished former Ontario MPP and minister, now at Queen’s University, to lead and manage the project. Sean is extraordinarily well read, particularly with regard to Canadian history and politics, of which of course he was a successful practitioner. Not only has he devoured almost everything ever written on these subjects, but he remembers most of it in amazing detail. Add that to a voluminous personal memory of many of the political figures and events of recent decades, a very acute mind, a wicked sense of humour, and you have a man with a lot of sharp and well-informed questions. On the other hand, the modern tape recorder would appear not to be an instrument with which Sean has much familiarity. My sons allege that I was born before the quill pen was invented. Let me say that compared to Sean Conway, I am the inventor of the BlackBerry.

  Sean led an interview process assisted by Ryan Zade and Nigel Smith that soon sprawled to hundreds of hours over the summer and fall of 2006, and continued through 2007. Along with Paul Adams, the former journalist now teaching at Carleton University, they took me through every phase of my life and career — often refusing to accept my first response, always digging for more. On the tapes, the contents of which become public after my passing, I am allowed to let fly. In this book, Paul Adams forced on me an unwelcome but necessary objectivity. His is a wonderful pen. His ability to take the most complex subject and make it intelligible is something to behold. He is not the most patient person I have worked with. He might say the same about me, but that would be unfair. Over many drafts he helped me shape my words, and although he inexplicably lost his composure at times, he kept coming back for more. Quite simply, his hand touched every element of the final product. I thank him for the time, effort, and soul he put into my life. Paul also has the ability to cut to the heart of the matter. If at times the book seems to wander off into back yards and back alleys that is because I could not bear to deprive the reader of the trip.

  At my suggestion, Sean organized a series of roundtables with many of the political and bureaucratic figures who played a major role in my career. These discussions were organized by themes: the early budgets, pension reform, international finance, the environment, the North, foreign affairs, federalism, and Aboriginal issues, to pick a few examples.

  Along with many other documents, the transcripts provided the basis for this book. In addition, Dr. James Fergusson of the University of Manitoba described to me a portion of his forthcoming book dealing with ballistic missile defense. Separate discussions with John McCallum on defence and Bill Graham and Gene Lang on Afghanistan were very helpful.

  I usually began the roundtable discussions with Sean and Paul by giving a resumé of my memory of events, and then invited the others around the table to challenge and correct me, which they did with gusto. Among those who participated in these roundtables were: Terrie O’Leary, whose memory extended back to before I entered politics, through my political and government careers; Elly Alboim, who contributed to many phases of my career after I took ministerial office; Tim Murphy, who had been part of my first leadership bid and then led my staff in the latter part of the Finance years and at the PMO; and Peter Nicholson, whose intellect contributed to my career as well as to this book.

  Others who shared their recollections, particularly from the Finance years, included: David Dodge, Scott Clark, Ian Bennett, Pete DeVries, and Don Drummond, who played key roles in many of my budgets; and Susan Peterson, Réal Bouchard, and Charlie Seeto, who were a crucial part of the process of pension reform. Gordon Thiessen, who became a great friend despite being a central bank governor, also contributed greatly to this book.

  Ruth Thorkelson contributed her knowledge of social issues, both in the Finance and ministerial years, particularly with regard to child care, as did Yaprak Baltacioglu. Brian Guest lent his enthusiasm and knowledge on the cities file and the environment. Johanna Leffler most certainly brought passion and expertis
e to the issue of the environment.

  Many of my parliamentary colleagues participated in this process. They included Ralph Goodale, Dennis Dawson, John English, Francis Fox, John Godfrey, Jean Lapierre, Anne McLennan, Allan Rock, Andy Mitchell, Jim Peterson, Lucienne Robillard, Andy Scott, Reg Alcock, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Nancy Karetak Lindell, and Doug Young. Some of them even had similar memories of the unfolding of similar events.

  In addition to those I have already mentioned, David Herle and Scott Reid — each of whom played pivotal roles in my political and governmental careers — contributed many memories and corrected some of mine.

  Alex Himelfarb and Jonathan Fried, who were the public servants with whom I worked most closely in my time as prime minister, and who now both have demanding posts abroad, nonetheless gave generously of their time. Simon Kennedy, who was at the Privy Council Office when I was prime minister, also contributed his recollections, as did Louis Lévesque. Barbara Anderson on equalization and Janice Charette on health care were invaluable.

  I want to thank Jim Pimblett, who in between trips to the Congo, to North Africa, and places in between was not only the final fact checker of record but also read the manuscript so many times looking for errors, omissions, and the occasional bit of exaggeration that if he ever wants to teach ancient history I am sure he has a solid base.

  I want to thank the indefatigable Thérèse Horvath, who organized Sean’s round tables, sifted through thousands of pictures, including those provided to me by my cousin Michael Maloney (for which I am most appreciative), and did this while at the same time ensuring that I got to wherever I was supposed to get to on time.

  I want to thank Veronique de Passillé, who worked hard to ensure that the French and English versions of the text provided an accurate reflection of each other.

  I want to thank Diane Johnson, who eased my return to normal life, and Lucie Santoro, who did the same while plunging headlong into the world of Aboriginal education.

  I want to thank Ann Luu, Cheryl Mayhew, and Kaylann Knickle, who made sure my parliamentary office continued to run smoothly through all the distractions, and Suzanne Ranger, Lorraine Poissant, and Sylvain Savard, who did the same in my riding office.

  There are many others who contributed in various ways to the preparation of this book, helping check a fact, find a document, or remind me of a forgotten incident. Please accept my thanks — and my apologies if I have not mentioned you here.

  To my family and the next generation, you have made it all worthwhile.

  To Sheila, who contributed her memories and looked over my shoulder as I changed each word for the hundredth time, nothing I could say here would express the gratitude I owe you over a lifetime of companionship, love, and support. Much of this was your life too, and mine would have been utterly incomplete without you.

  This book has been the labour of many minds, but the text is mine, and I take full responsibility for everything here.

  Paul Martin

  At the farm

  July 2008

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  Copyright © 2008 by Paul Martin

  Cloth edition published 2008

  Emblem edition published 2009

  Emblem is an imprint of McClelland & Stewart Ltd.

  Emblem and colophon are registered trademarks of McClelland & Stewart Ltd.

  All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or stored in a retrieval system, without the prior written consent of the publisher – or, in case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, a licence from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency – is an infringement of the copyright law.

  Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

  Martin, Paul, 1938–

  Hell or high waterwater : my life in and out of politics / Paul Martin.

  eISBN: 978-1-55199-332-4

  1. Martin, Paul, 1938-. 2. Canada––Politics and government–1993-.

  3. Prime ministers–Canada–Biography. 4. Cabinet ministers–Canada–

  Biography. 5. Politicians–Canada–Biography. 6. Businessmen–Canada–

  Biography. I. Title.

  FC636.M37A3 2009 971.07′2092 C2009-901672-9

  We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Book Publishing Industry Development Program and that of the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Media Development Corporation’s Ontario Book Initiative. We further acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for our publishing program.

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