The arrogance

It was breathtaking!  Watching Vassy Kapelos interview Tim Hodgson, minister of energy and natural resources, I was shocked -- but not surprised -- by his arrogance and rudeness!  He talked to her as if she were a child who needed scolding, saying at one point, "Let me educate you, Vassy."

He then launched into an obviously-rehearsed speech about how much Canada was diversifying its trade and investments outside the U.S.  After his fudged non-answer, Vassy said, "Thank you for the education, but you didn't answer my question."

He then went on to deny that Carney had said Canada's traditional relationship with the U.S. was over -- which Carney did say and which she quoted verbatim back to him.  He shrugged awkwardly and repeated his rehearsed drivel for the fifth time.

It almost looked as if he had been trained by my former colleague, Barry McLoughlin, who runs a very successful consulting business teaching politicians how to avoid answering questions.  Lesson learned, Mr. Hodgson.  Barry does his job brilliantly because Hodgson didn't answer a thing she asked him.

As I said, it was breathtaking, but Vassy got him.  It was stunning.

Captain Arrogance Tim Hodgson.