I've learned that in the last hour and a half.
Being an elected member--and I was a provincial elected member--allows you to meet, greet, teach, and let others experience what our province, the city they are living in, and the country are about. It's much more than simply staying here in Ottawa, and that's it.
As you know, your busiest times of the week are Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday, where you basically are in their house, their organization or association's house, church, synagogue, mosque, whatever it is. You represent not simply a strict political point of view, but you represent your province, your city, or your country.
As Mr. Devolin said, he was a little ill at ease the first time he said he was representing Canada. I understand that, but that's what the people want to see.
I am very fortunate. I live on the west island of Montreal. Right beside me is an exceptional member of Parliament, and she is like me. She is a community member. I wasn't a House member; I was a community member. There's a tremendous difference, and every one of you knows what that difference is. That experience allowed me, along with the experience I earned in the police force and on television....
I'll put modesty aside. There are very few people who do not know me in my province from the past I've had. No one talks politics to me; they all talk football. I did politics for eleven years; I did five years of pro football. They talk about football because that's what interests them. But that allows me to come close. Yes, politics gets you into that and helps you make other people become better citizens. That's my view of the job.