Q: Did you try to get tickets?
A: No, I didn’t try . . . My relationship with the Olympics has always been a positive one. I grew up watching them and looked up to Olympic athletes, and I still hold the same respect for them as I did back then. But having gone through the Olympic machine, and come out the other end, it’s like a been-there, done-that sort of thing. I will definitely be in Vancouver enjoying the festivities and the Olympic spirit; it will be an amazing time.
Q: But VANOC or the Canadian Olympic Committee aren’t setting our former gold medal winners up with tickets?
A: I have no idea.
Q: A few weeks ago, Canadian luger Regan Lauscher was in the news for a blog she wrote criticizing the lack of Olympic spirit in Whistler. You lived there for a long time. Could you understand what she was talking about?
A: I think the negative message is easier to put out than the positive one, especially in the media. The voices of the anti-Olympic people have been heard a lot more. But there is a lot of positive energy from Whistler and its residents.
Q: Let’s go back to the issue that put you on the international stage in Nagano—marijuana use. Are you in favour of legalization?
A: I’m not really going to go there right now. I think the media obviously has a big opportunity to corner me as a one-issue guy, but I don’t want to be that guy. What I see myself doing is standing in the middle of the room, and having a clear view of all the issues, including the legalization of marijuana. But that’s not going to be the platform that I launch my campaign from whatsoever. It’s an important issue, and I look forward to grappling with it in the future.
Q: There’s another inevitable question—do you still use marijuana?
A: I don’t really think supporting it one way or the other, at this point, is something I’m interested in doing. Quite frankly, the numbers suggest that one way or the other I’d be letting down half of my constituents.
Q: But that question is going to keep coming up.
A: When the time comes, I’ll address it. I just don’t think now is the right time. My message will basically be to keep kids off of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
Q: That’s what you hope to teach your newborn son?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Last question. What’s your campaign theme song going to be?
A: I like the Bob Marley song Get Up, Stand Up. There’s a lot of positive messages in Bob Marley’s music, about getting young people involved in the political process. I think that song in particular will resonate.
