No, no one asked me to do anything. Michael Chong is a young man whom I have known for some time. He was one of my supporters when I was in office. I heard a rumour from someone outside, I believe, that Michael was preparing to step down as minister. I thought that was a senseless decision on his part.
I simply called him, as a friend, to tell him that I had been around the block a few times. Of course, there are circumstances when a minister may resign. But resigning because of a motion from the House recognizing Quebec as a nation supported by almost all members made no sense whatsoever. I called him in that context. I suggested that he reconsider. I even suggested that he speak to his spouse before making the decision, but it was in vain.