David Kilgour says the findings of the Gomery inquiry were more than he could stomach, but he doesn't regret devoting 26 years to federal politics.

"I have enjoyed almost every minute of it," he told the Sun. "Every time I speak to young people, I urge them to run for office."

"I think it's a wonderful way of helping people. I have nothing but respect for democracy."

But he fully expects to enjoy his retirement from Parliament and the leash of party caucus discipline.

"It feels wonderful," he said in an interview. "I can say whatever I want."

Some would say that's what he always did.

He was branded a maverick for voting against Brian Mulroney's GST when he was a Tory and being a pain in the side of Paul Martin over foreign aid when he was a Liberal, but Kilgour says he just let his conscience be his guide.

He still believes that Canada should do more to help Third World countries in turmoil. He's appalled Canada didn't do more to help people in Africa.

"We could have shown leadership, but Mr. Martin indicated again that Canada, quote, doesn't do Africa, unquote."

Kilgour voted in the advance polls so he could head off to Africa for a month to climb a couple of mountains.

The barrister has difficult Mount Kenya and Africa's highest peak, 5,895-metre Mount Kilimanjaro, in his sights and plans to climb them both before his 65th birthday on Feb. 20.

He hopes in his absence Canadians will go to the polls in record numbers and vote out the Liberal government.

"I think the people of Canada have their number this time," he said. "It's time for a change. Any party that's been in office for 13 or 14 years should be tossed out."

But regardless of who Edmontonians vote for, he just wants them to exercise their right to vote, Kilgour said.

"I had a young person tell me, 'What's the point of voting? They're all the same. Nothing changes.' That kind of cynicism has been brought on by the actions of the members of Parliament over the last number of years.

"I just hope people will get out and vote."

Kilgour lamented that there was only a 60% turnout in the riding of Edmonton-Mill Woods-Beaumont last time - about the same turnout as in the election in Iraq, where voters risked their lives to cast their ballots.

"If we can only get 60%, that's a very sad comment on the state of democracy."

 

 

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