You have to spend your political capital on great causes for your country.

I think the government has to reposition environment on top of their national and international priorities.

And look, I was a big, brassy guy who won and won big. I did what I wanted.

You can't be chasing 15 rabbits. Otherwise, the public mind cannot follow you.

For example, the Prime Minister earlier this year talked about the importance of the Arctic to our future. He's right. A hundred years from now, the strength of Canada is going to be coming from our resources in the Arctic.

If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to be popular but you will be known as the Prime Minister who achieved nothing.

There are so many demands on your time, on your resources, and on the prestige of the government.