TORONTO – Some quotes from former agriculture minister Eugene Whelan, who died Tuesday at the age of 88:
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“I don’t think there is any politician who is as well known in the world as I am.” (1984, when he declared his candidacy for Liberal leadership)
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“Some of us once thought we would go to hell if we didn’t eat fish on Fridays. But it was to help marketing. That’s what it was for.” (1984 speech in Halifax, after suggesting the Pope could declare two meatless days a week to help Atlantic fishery)
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“A man should always wear a hat. In summer, the sun’ll roast your brains if you don’t wear a hat. That’s one reason they have low IQs in Africa. They don’t wear hats.” (Comment during leadership campaign was criticized as a racial slur; Whelan said it was only a comment on the effects of the sun on a malnourished body)
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“Whelan had a pretty good record when he was there. A very outspoken person, never got into any, how do you say it, trouble. Run a good department. Run a good ministry. Never overspent.” (1993, self-appraisal when daughter Susan was nominated as Liberal candidate in her father’s old riding)<
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