Close X
Saturday, January 11, 2025
ADVT 
National

Bill Morneau Draws Laughs For Bringing Up His Quebec-Related Dating History

The Canadian Press, 13 May, 2016 11:37 AM
    MONTREAL — Bill Morneau told Quebec business leaders on Thursday he's always appreciated the province's open and friendly climate — but this time Canada's finance minister wasn't talking about investment.
     
    Instead, Morneau began a speech to the Montreal Board of Trade with a tongue-in-cheek anecdote about how, on his first visit, a woman who would go on to become a prominent Quebec politician allowed him to share a room with his then-girlfriend.
     
    "I'd like to start with a little story about my first experience with Quebec because I see Monique Jerome-Forget here today," Morneau began, referring to the province's finance minister between 2007 and 2009.
     
    He went on to tell the crowd he once dated Jerome-Forget's daughter, Elise, while he was studying at the London School of Economics.
     
    When his she invited him home to visit her family in Montreal, Morneau accepted, albeit nervously.
     
    "For those of you who don't know Monique's husband, Claude, he's a very well-presented man, he's very smart," Morneau said.
     
     
    "He's a little intimidating when you're a 23-year-old with his daughter. Madame Jerome-Forget was a little bit intimidating as well."
     
    After dinner, the Quebec couple stunned the young Torontonian by pointing out the sleeping arrangements: a shared room with Elise.
     
    "As a boy from Toronto, that wasn't what parents said to you," Morneau said. "They would send the boy that way and the girl that way."
     
    Morneau, who is now 53, described the experience as "terrifying."
     
    "I woke up the next morning worried how are they going to look at me," he said. "Are they going to look whether I'm well-rested or whether I look really tired?"
     
    That, Morneau said, was his introduction to Quebec.
     
    "I've loved Quebec ever since, as a result," he concluded to loud applause.
     
    The rest of Morneau's speech focused on promoting the Liberal party's budget and discussing the importance of partnerships and collaboration to ensure long-term economic growth.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Senate And P.E.I. Gear Up For Mike Duffy's Expected Return This Week

    Senate And P.E.I. Gear Up For Mike Duffy's Expected Return This Week
    Canadians could be forgiven for assuming P.E.I. residents are all feeling a sense of relief as Sen. Mike Duffy — the Island's most high-profile political export — prepares to return to the Senate

    Senate And P.E.I. Gear Up For Mike Duffy's Expected Return This Week

    Reena Virk Murder: Vancouver Teen Killer Kelly Ellard Seeks Day Parole After 18 Years

    Reena Virk Murder: Vancouver Teen Killer Kelly Ellard Seeks Day Parole After 18 Years
    Kelly Ellard was 15 years old in November 1997 when she smashed Virk's head against a tree and then held the Grade 9 student's head underwater until she stopped moving.

    Reena Virk Murder: Vancouver Teen Killer Kelly Ellard Seeks Day Parole After 18 Years

    Justin Trudeau Says Ottawa Continues To Negotiate With Bombardier

    Justin Trudeau Says Ottawa Continues To Negotiate With Bombardier
    Trudeau praised the aircraft manufacturer's CSeries jets today but did not provide any further details on whether Ottawa would grant the company's request for federal funding.

    Justin Trudeau Says Ottawa Continues To Negotiate With Bombardier

    B.C. Police Officer Accused Of Drinking On The Job Sues RCMP For Harassment, Intimidation

    B.C. Police Officer Accused Of Drinking On The Job Sues RCMP For Harassment, Intimidation
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — An Okanagan police officer is suing the RCMP over accusations that he drank on the job.

    B.C. Police Officer Accused Of Drinking On The Job Sues RCMP For Harassment, Intimidation

    Cost Of Domestic Flights Remains At A Six-year Low At $175.70: Statistics Canada

    Cost Of Domestic Flights Remains At A Six-year Low At $175.70: Statistics Canada
    One-way domestic flight cost on average $175.70 before fees and taxes, down from 187.60 a year earlier.

    Cost Of Domestic Flights Remains At A Six-year Low At $175.70: Statistics Canada

    Dutch Court Refuses Request For Delay From Accused In Amanda Todd Case

    Polly van Dijk of the Amsterdam court said in an interview that Aydin Coban's trial on child pornography and extortion charges will start Monday even though his lawyer officially quit the case Friday.

    Dutch Court Refuses Request For Delay From Accused In Amanda Todd Case