Former Premier of Ontario Bill Davis

[briarhillgeoff]

For all you Canadians - and especially ones from Ontario, may remember Bill Davis, former Premier of Ontario from 1971 to 1984. Last of the great politician pipe smokers in Canada. This is a documentary of him in 1978, pipe in his mouth the whole film, and many members of his cabinet smoking pipes. Best part is when they are discussing the provincial budget and raising taxes on alcohol and tobacco - and he comments "As long as you don't raise pipe tobacco taxes!"
It's a good watch especially into political history.
The Art of the Possible-Bill Davis in 1978

 

[sw0snuff3r]

Thanks for the link, I'll have to watch that later on tonight. I do remember Bill Davis but he finished his last term a couple of years before I could vote. Can you imagine a politician saying "As long as you don't raise pipe tobacco taxes!" these days? It would be political suicide unfortunately.

 

[briarhillgeoff]

It's certainly adds to the stereotype of smokey back room politics as there are scenes with the "Big Blue Machine" members - all men, all white, all smoking - either cigs or a pipe.