Former prime minister Joe Clark discusses his new book, How We Lead: Canada in a Century of Change (Random House, 2013), his view of Stephen Harper and his government, and more, with Joseph Planta.

How We Lead: Canada in a Century of Change by Joe Clark (Random House, 2013). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: How We Lead

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

In his new book, former prime minister Joe Clark makes the argument that Canada needs to reassert itself internationally, and once again take up its position in the world as an agent of change, diplomacy and peace. The book is called How We Lead: Canada in a Century of Change. In it, Mr. Clark, who joins me now, provides a narrative that includes our past successes and histories that have provided the world much benefit, as well as an increase in our reputation abroad. He castigates Stephen Harper and his government for hastening this decline, and offers solutions. I’ll get Mr. Clark to tell us about the ideas in the book, the lamentations, and the possible solutions he has. Joe Clark was first elected to the House of Commons in 1972, and became leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1976. He was elected prime minister in 1979. He served as Canada’s minister of external affairs from 1984 to 1991, in the Mulroney government, and in 1991 to 1993, was president of the Privy Council and minister responsible for constitutional affairs. He returned to the House of Commons in 2000, before retiring from politics in 2004. His website is at www.rthonjoeclark.ca. That’s also his Twitter handle: @rthonjoeclark. Incidentally, Mr. Clark will be appearing at Capilano University later this month, Monday, 25 November 2013 at 7.30pm. For tickets and information go to www.capilanou.ca. This new book is published by Random House. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, the sixteenth prime minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Joe Clark; Mr. Clark, good morning.

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