Chief of Staff to former prime minister Brian Mulroney (1989 to 1990)

Craig Chivers/MacLean's

What surprised you the most about your time in government?

How different the bureaucracy was from the political side. When I was deputy minister of finance, I had 700 professionals all trying to make me look good. In the Prime Minister's Office, the small "p" politics mirrors the larger elbowing for window space that one sees in political parties or in contested elections.

What are you most proud of in terms of your contributions there?

We dealt with huge issues – free trade, national unity, major tax reform initiatives, international relationships – all with indelible success that still benefits the country today.

What issue/situation do you wish you could have had another crack at?

Meech Lake, of course. I still believe that if we could have ensured a snapshot in history with Robert Bourassa proudly and honourably signing on to the constitutionalization of Quebec's modest requests for changes to the Constitution Act, repatriated in 1982 without Quebec's agreement, we would never have had the second Quebec Referendum and come within 50,000 votes of a major crisis threatening to split the country.

Who is your political hero?

Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher.

What did you admire the most about the Prime Minister you worked with?

He was relentless in pursuing the good of the country even when all of his advisers were warning him of the unpopularity of the measures he was undertaking.

What do you say to people who are cynical about politicians and their motivations?

They are right, some of the time. There are politicians in office and seeking office right now who would rather be elected and leave their city, province or country worse off, particularly if they thought they could get away with it because the consequences wouldn't be apparent for a long time. On the other hand, not all politicians are like that, and Brian Mulroney is Exhibit "A" in my case that some, the best and most admirable, do actually work for the benefit of their electors even at the risk of unpopularity.

What is your favourite movie/TV show about politics? What's the worst?

Primary Colors was the best movie because it was entirely realistic. JFK and Sicko are among the worst because they are populist balderdash with a left-wing point of view that can't stand up to critical scrutiny.

What current issue do you think politicians should spend more time focusing on?

Global security. No one likes wars, but peaceniks do not in fact ensure peace. They make it more likely that people with evil intentions see us as pushovers. We need to be intelligent about how we conduct counter-terrorism, but we cannot pretend the need does not exist.

Did your time at McGill prepare you in any way for life in government?

McGill prepared me for life, full stop.

Stanley Hartt is the chairman of Citigroup Global Markets Canada.