A selection of quotes from Conservative leadership candidate Kevin O’Leary

OTTAWA – Some recent and past statements by Conservative leadership contestant Kevin O’Leary:

On politics:

Jan. 18, 2017: “Canadians are looking for a prime minister who is not a career politician; a prime minister who will fight for them, and is not afraid to tell them how it is. They also want a prime minister who will be inclusive and not lower themselves to use divisive politics.”

Jan. 11, 2016: “I mean no disrespect when I say this, but here’s my offer: I’ll invest $1 million in Canadian energy companies if, out of grace and for the absolute good of Canada, the premier of Alberta resigns.” — interview with NewsTalk 1010.

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On Senate reform:

Jan. 15, 2017: “I don’t know why we can’t have a hundred thousand or a couple of hundred thousand committed each year per senator…. Instead of it being a cost centre to Canada, why can’t it be a profit centre?” — interview on CTV’s “Question Period” in which O’Leary sarcastically suggests selling off Senate seats.

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On health care:

October 2016: “Why should a dog in this country get an MRI before an elderly person with a fractured hip?” — CTV’s “Question Period” on whether he supports two-tier health care.

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On bilingualism and his own lack of French:

Jan. 12, 2017: “Out of respect for Quebec and French Canadians, I feel it makes more sense to abstain from the French debate until I am more proficient.”

May 26, 2016: “The world doesn’t care anymore what language you speak, unless it’s the language of job creation and economic growth.” — Maclean’s magazine.

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On the military:

Dec. 16, 2016: “There is nothing proud about being a warrior.” — interview with CFRA radio station in Ottawa.

Jan 14, 2016: “I would like Canada to be very involved in peace initiatives, not war.” — interview with The Canadian Press.

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On Trudeau vs. Trump:

Nov. 24, 2016: “I think Trump versus Trudeau is Godzilla versus Bambi. It’s going to end very badly.” — interview with CBC.

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On O’Leary vs Trump:

Jan 14, 2016: “I understand what he is doing with the media, and you can certainly claim I am trying to do the same, but I am not Donald Trump.”

Jan. 18, 2017: “I’ve spent my whole life as an investor, I know what Trump does, he knows what I do. I think we’ll be very good together getting deals done because that’s what matters.”

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On apologizing:

March 2011: “I’ve never made a mistake like that before, and because it was a mistake, I did apologize. But I believe what I say. I don’t say things without thinking about them. You may not agree with me, but … as far as I’m concerned we need a lot more Kevin O’Learys in Canada.” — interview with The Globe and Mail after he was rebuked by the CBC ombudsman for using the term “Indian giver.”

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On climate change:

January 2014: “I know the difference between hot and cold and we are not getting warm.” — CBC, “The Lang and O’Leary Exchange.”

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On income inequality:

Jan. 20, 2014:“It’s fantastic. This is a great thing because it inspires everybody — gets the motivation to look up to the 1 per cent and say, ‘I want to become one of those people. I’m going to fight hard to get up to the top.’” — CBC, “The Lang and O’Leary Exchange.”

Jan. 27, 2014: “No, I don’t think poverty is fantastic. I don’t think income disparity is fantastic. What I think is how successful capitalism has been over the last 100 years reducing poverty and reducing income disparity.” — CBC, “The Lang and O’Leary Exchange.”