Le Blogue Broadbent


Top 10 "They said whaaat?" quotes of 2013

It's tough to keep the list to just 10 (thanks, Rob Ford), but here are some of the most memorable "They said whaaat?" moments from politicos in 2013.
 
  • "It is a real issue of personal liberty, to what extent we put people in jail for doing something in which they do not harm another person." Political scientist Tom Flanagan, a former top advisor to Stephen Harper, responding to a question about child pornography. (February 27, 2013)
 
  • "Grace, you’re a great cook. You’re going to make a wonderful wife for somebody." Conservative MP Keith Ashfield to a teenage girl after sampling some of her baked goods at a media event promoting the federal budget. (March 22, 2013)
 
  • "Then there is this evil Liberal name that haunts us still and wants to hand out drugs to our kids. This ghost of the NDP wants to acquire heroin with taxpayer money and inject it into the veins of Canada’s children." Conservative MP Rob Anders delivering a speech in the House of Commons. (October 21, 2013)
 
  • "You know, there’s a level of admiration I actually have for China because their basic dictatorship is allowing them to actually turn their economy around on a dime." Liberal leader Justin Trudeau when asked which nation he most admired, after Canada. (November 7, 2013)
 
  • "It says I wanted to eat her pussy... I never said that in my life to her. I would never do that. I’m happily married. I’ve got more than enough to eat at home." Toronto Mayor Rob Ford telling reporters that allegations of sexual harassment found in court records are false. (November 14, 2013)
 
  • "Just wrapped up a meeting with several staffers, at midnight. Good thing they're not unionized!" Employment Minister Jason Kenney tweeting about his #beststaffever. (November 19, 2013)
 
  • "I want to wish everyone a really Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah. All you infidel atheists out there, I want to wish you the very best also. I don't know what you celebrate during the holiday season. I myself celebrate the birth of Christ, but it's your choice and I respect your choice. If you wish to celebrate nothing and just get together with friends, that's good too." Manitoba Tory leader Brian Pallister delivering a holiday greeting. (November 29, 2013)
 
  • "Is it my job to feed my neighbour’s child? I don’t think so." Industry Minister James Moore responding to a reporter's question about child poverty rates. (December 15, 2013
 
  • "There are even within some prisons the ability for prisoners to be paid. And sometimes they might even have to, God forbid, sell a bit of property to pay and make compensation to their victim." Justice Minister Peter MacKay responding to criticism from judges about why homeless people can't pay mandatory court fines. (December 17, 2013)
 
  • "Just money. Women love money. Give them a couple of thousand bucks and they're happy. Get some treats on the side obviously for her. At the end of the day, she wants her cash. So I give her a nice cheque and we're all happy." Toronto Mayor Rob Ford responding to a question from the host of a sport's radio show about what he was getting his wife for Christmas. (December 19, 2013)
Photo: westannexnews. Used under a Creative Commons BY-ND 2.0 licence.