MP's job 'isn't worth anything any more,' ex-prime minister says

In a wide-ranging discussion, John Turner, 82, spoke candidly about the people and issues that marked his tenure in politics from the 1960s through the 1980s. Notably, it was on the subject of how politics has changed - for the worse - that Turner was most emphatic. Mark Kennedy reports

The Canadian political system needs a fundamental "renewal" to restore public faith in politicians and encourage young people to run for office, says former prime minister John Turner.

"We've got to get a revival, a renewal, of the whole political process," Turner told Postmedia News. "We need a whole new generation in there. We need a restoration of parliamentary decorum, and a dedication to making public life more important."

Turner's comments come as a new book about his political career is about to hit the book stores later this week.

The book, Elusive Destiny, is written by Carleton University historian Paul Litt.

Exhaustively detailed and based on interviews with key people, including Turner himself, the book provides the first complete account of a man whose rise and fall still stands as one of Canada's most intriguing political stories.

"There was more respect in the House of Commons, and as a result those of us in the House in the '60s and '70s across party lines worked more collaboratively and more friendly. We had meals and drinks together and the mood was good. It was not as caustic as it is today."

The effect on Canadians, watching from the outside, has been alarming. "It turns them off. It discourages young men and women from running for Parliament.

"Who wants to be a member of Parliament when the job isn't worth anything any more?" said Turner, insisting that the time for wholesale change is now.

Turner did not shy away from blunt assessments of his career and achievements:

- As justice minister, he was very "cautious" about the War Measures Act that Trudeau's cabinet imposed to stop FLQ separatists in Quebec in October, 1970. "I was disturbed about the evidence I was receiving and I didn't want to interfere with civil liberties. So I only agreed to the War Measures Act for a six-month term.

- As finance minister, he was the government's link with the U.S. because Trudeau and U.S. President Richard Nixon didn't get along. Turner regularly travelled to Washington, where he would play tennis with his counterpart, George Shultz, on the White House courts and then have dinner with Nixon. At those sessions, they would "work out" any bilateral issues.

- He admitted that when he ran for the leadership in 1984, he was "rusty" after eight years out of politics. Still, he insists he was swimming against a Tory tide.

- He didn't publicly express personal regrets or animosity, insisting that he believes in public service as a form of duty.

- The closest he came to personal criticism is when he answered a question about his years in opposition. "I didn't have loyalty from some quarters. That was very tough. You expect that when you win, that the loser will back you up."

Would that be Chrétien, who came second in the 1984 leadership contest?

"You got it."

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