‘Plane Talk’ with Scott Brison: On being gay in Canadian politics and maybe becoming a country singer

WATCH: Liberal finance critic and Nova Scotia MP Scott Brison shares his future political plans and his love of country music.

Being a politician can get in the way of holding a regular schedule, maintaining relationships outside the political sphere and, apparently, voicing your honest opinion on the quality of food when dining out.

During the latest instalement of Plane Talk, Liberal finance critic and Nova Scotia MP Scott Brison told Tom Clark said one circumstance under which he may tell a lie is when he’s served food that’s not exactly to his taste.

“It’s no use telling them that it’s not so good or that you’re not that impressed or that the food sucked. You may as well just sort of say it was lovely and pay your bill,” he said. “You know, you don’t complain. I mean, you can’t in politics.”

Brison has had a very long career in federal politics. Over 18 years, he’s sat both as a Progressive Conservative and then as a Liberal. He’s also got a reputation as being one of the wittier personalities on Parliament Hill. What we didn’t know though was that he’s got a musical strain to him as well.

Here are some highlights from the flight, followed by an extended version of the segment and a transcript.

On being an openly gay politician: “I feel really lucky Tom because I’m part of a generation that has seen such advancement in social progress in Canada.”

His biggest living hero: His husband, Maxime St. Pierre. “He’s made me a better person in so many ways and he is the most honest person and the most direct person I know.”

What he’ll take up when he leaves politics: Either go back into the world of business, or launch a career in country music singing.

WATCH: and extended version of Plane Talk with Scott Brison.

Transcript of aired Plane Talk with Scott Brison:

Tom Clark:

In Plane Talk, I ask a series of very personal questions and we get to know you a little bit. So the first question I have for you is under what circumstances do you lie?

Scott Brison:

Well, sometimes in like a restaurant when you’re being served something’s that’s not so good and you’re asked what do you think of it and it’s no use telling them that it’s not so good or that you’re not that impressed or that the food sucked. You may as well just sort of say it was lovely and pay your bill. You know, you don’t complain. I mean you can’t in politics. You can’t, you know—

Tom Clark:

Do you not complain because you’re a politician and you’re afraid everybody’s going to say that Scott Brison is one miserable guy?

Scott Brison:

That’s exactly it. That’s exactly it.

Tom Clark:

Okay, so you’re not sparing the feelings of the chef, you’re protecting yourself.

Scott Brison:

Yeah, it’s totally self-interest for that. Total self-interest and when I’m out of politics someday, I tell you, I am going to blast these. I’m keeping a list of bad meals and I’m going to go back to those restaurants.

Tom Clark:

If you had a time machine, what period in history would you go back to or forward to?

Scott Brison:

I think going back; I think that the ‘20s and ‘30s would have been remarkable, if you go back to the roaring ‘20s and sort of that whole Gatsby-esque period and what a place like New York must have been like.

Tom Clark:

You’re living as an openly gay MP, how tough was that for you in elected politics to come out and live that way?

Scott Brison:

I think for me, it was tougher staying in, in a sense. I mean I never hid it and I just didn’t talk about it. If anybody asked, I would tell them. I feel really lucky Tom because I’m part of a generation that has seen such advancement in social progress in Canada.

Tom Clark:

Do you think that being gay matters any more in Canadian politics?

Scott Brison:

I don’t know. I think it matters to some but it’s pretty impressive when you think that we have two premiers now. I think one of the things about politicians who are openly gay is I think there is a sense that there’s an honesty there that if you’re able to be as direct and honest about that, that that speaks a certain amount to your capacity to be honest and direct in other areas.

Tom Clark:

Who’s your biggest hero in real life?

Scott Brison:

Living hero today?

Tom Clark:

Yeah.

Scott Brison:

I’d have to say my partner, Maxime St. Pierre. He’s made me a better person in so many ways and he is the most honest person and the most direct person I know.

Tom Clark:

On the very off chance that sometime in the future, you end up being the minister of transport, you’re in charge of aviation. Do you want to fly the plane?

Scott Brison:

Right now?

Tom Clark:

Sort of you know, learning on the job, but yeah. But you’ve got to put your feet on the pedals.

Scott Brison:

Really. Really, so I can give it a little gas.

Tom Clark:

No. No, I didn’t say that. You can put—these pedals aren’t gas pedals.

Scott Brison:

Oh. Oh.

Tom Clark:

Okay, so you’re now flying the plane. As a matter of fact, here, I’ll show you a few little tricks here.

Scott Brison:

Holy cow, I feel like Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. I’m a very good driver. Okay, this is cool. This is cool. Holy cow, I’m steering. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay, now why are we going up so high?

Tom Clark:
Well, I’ll show you something now. If you want to go up… No. No. Come with me. You go up like that.

Scott Brison:

Okay.

Tom Clark:

Then if you want to go down.

Scott Brison:

Tom Clark:

You see?

Scott Brison:

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Tom Clark:

So that’s how it works.

Scott Brison:

Tom Clark:

Politics doesn’t last forever, so when it is over for you, whenever that day arrives, what do you want to do next?

Scott Brison:

A bush pilot.

Tom Clark:

Yeah, well next on the list?

Scott Brison:

I’d probably go back to business. I might also go into country music singing. That’s another—

Tom Clark:

Thanks for the warning.

Scott Brison:

Tom Clark:

You’re doing this while I’m trying to land the plane?

Scott Brison:

You like Conway Twitty?

Tom Clark:
Well, sure. At this stage, I’m going to say yes to everything.

Scott Brison:

Impressive.

Tom Clark:

One piece. We are back in one piece.

Scott Brison:

That was great. That was terrific and no ice cold Camembert.

Tom Clark:

Scott Brison:

I’m always in awe of you. That was great, Tom. I enjoyed that immensely. Why don’t we just skip Question Period and go again?

Tom Clark:

I’m good for that.

Scott Brison:

Yeah. Great.

Tom Clark:

I’m good for that.