Kathleen Wynne snubs Toronto Sun columnist Christina Blizzard
Toronto - First Bob Rae — now Kathleen Wynne.
They’re the only two premiers I’ve covered who’ve turned me down for a personal interview.
Rae led an embattled NDP government heading in to the 1995 election. I never did get the interview with him.
Wynne not only turned me down for my “tea with Christina,” series with the party leaders.
She wouldn’t even come in to the Toronto Sun for an editorial board — as the other two leaders did.
So much for her “consulting.” Clearly she doesn’t want to talk with people who might want to hold her to account.
She was only too happy to sit down for tea during the Liberal leadership campaign, when she needed some profile.
It leaves me no choice. In the absence of a one-on-one interview, I’ll have to imagine how it might have gone.
Me: “So, premier, what do you like to do in your spare time?”
Wynne: “Well, I like to run. Surely, you’ve seen me running every day since I became premier.
“I’ve run from the gas plant scandal. I’ve run from the scandal in which e-mails were deleted by former staffers in Dalton McGuinty’s office in an alleged attempt to cover that up.
“And, of course, I’ve been running from Ornge, where we wasted millions of dollars and caused people to die in the horrific failed air ambulance privatization scheme.
“And I’m running from two criminal OPP investigations. So I do keep in shape.”
Me: Why um, yes, premier. You’re certainly a moving target.
“Here’s a safe question: What’s your favourite movie?
Wynne: “Oh, that’s easy. Thelma and Louise. It reminds me of my relationship with Andrea Horwath over the last couple of years as she propped up my corrupt government.
“Two broads on the lam with a trunkload of cash. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Me: “Why yes, premier. I do see the similarity. But they end up driving off a cliff together ... If you lose this election, can you commit to that?”
Wynne: “I’ll have to consult — but one black hole is very much like another when it comes to tax dollars.”
Me: “Thank you premier.”
Me: “Any other movies?”
Wynne: ”Yes, I like the Marx Brothers.”
Me: “Oh, you mean like Groucho and Harpo?’
Wynne: “No, I mean like Karl.”
Me: “Yes, I’ve noticed you’ve taken the party to the left. So what else do you do in your spare time, premier?”
Wynne: “I like to cancel power plants. I did that during the last campaign, you know. It cost a lot of money but I got enormous satisfaction from doing so. I love the smell of burning tax dollars in the morning.”
Me: “Er, yes, well thank you for that. More tea?”
Wynne: “Thank you.”
Me: “Moving right along, Kathleen. What’s your favourite book?”
Wynne: “Well, I’ve always been very partial to Grimm’s Fairy Tales. I’ve found it extraordinarily helpful explaining scandals. And you’d be surprised how much of it I can incorporate into a budget. And people still believe you. Go figure. There’s a sucker born every minute, you know. And I think I can get all of them to vote Liberal.”
Me: “I notice you’ve changed your style lately. Softer colours, more skirts. Have you found a new designer?”
Wynne: “Why, yes I did. Thank you for noticing. I needed bigger back pockets. I had to accommodate all those union leaders who are putting their members’ dues into this campaign.”
Me: “Anything else I haven’t asked, Premier?”
Wynne: “Well, I’d like to apologize for not scrapping any gas plants this election. I know it’s breaking with tradition. I had thought of scrapping one of our nukes, but the OPP insisted I had to keep my hands off until they’ve finished their probe of the last scandal. Party poopers!”
ME: “Um, thank you premier.
“I do so much appreciate your time today — or not
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