That rarest of species — a fluently bilingual westerner (courtesy of Manitoba roots) — is the first national president from anywhere west of Toronto. He and wife Margaret, regulars at 24 Sussex Drive, have found Ot- tawa more politically accommo- dating than his former constituen- cy, now known as Mission-Port Moody. During a recent afternoon together, St. Germain said the 152,000 travel points he has ac- cumulated should convince critics where home and heart reside. Their home is in Langley. The Ottawa address is an apartment, and the adventurous side of their nature is displayed on a ranch near Pemberton where they raise cutting horses. Gerry St. Germain spent many years as a police officer in both Manitoba and British Columbia before entering a career in the food business, predominantly with marketing boards. When he ran for public office his candidacy was a surprise, followed by a federal seat and only the briefest of parliamentary tutelage before joining the cabinet. A journalist could use the weary metaphor ‘meteoric’ to describe the way he passed long serving and neighboring Tory MPs Benno Friesen and Bob Wenman en route to the cabinet chamber. St. Germain first became ‘junior’ Transport Minister (of- ficially, Assoctate Minister of Transport). Just as he was becom- ing knewledgeable about the job and helpful to the west in pursuing the Polar 8 contract, he was moved to become the first national! For- estry Minister. That job lasted no longer than the wink of an eye. As suddenly as he burst into prominence, political defeat on the 1990 Jetias are better vaiue this year at Capilano VW We've now priced them from 13,400 (plus freight and delivery) or lease from only $329"). Based on 48 months See them at: ~ Capilano VW 1151 Marine Dr. y North Vancouver 985-0694 * open lines « ALONG THE lines of a prophet being without honor in his home country, little fanfare has erected the elevation of Gerry St. Germain to become president of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. home front was expected to deliver a period of exile on the ashpile of wounded ego. Without much time to assess the damage, the unemployed ‘Honor- able’ (Privy Councillors retain the Hon. for life), with a regiment of friends in high places, joined the political Mandrake, L. Patrick Kinsella, and associates at Pro- gressive Strategies. “We are timber wolves,’” St. Germain said of the arrangements. “We share the overhead, but our business as a consultant is our own.”* . But the rookie consultant found himself severely restricted by the conflict of interests guidelines gov- erning former cabinet ministers. For two years after leaving active politics, an ex-minister is not sup- posed to do business in any field touching upon federai government. The definition seems to narrow the iob market. Literally inter- preted, one seems to be left only with delivering newspapers, as long as the editor signs a declaration vowing never to report political news. The letter of the law is one thing. But St. Germain points out that appearances and perceptions are important to him in the event that the future holds a return to active politics. The elected post of national president carries with it a cabinet- level salary, benefits and a gener- ous travel allowance. More impor- tantly, as the custodian of the par- ty treasury, he is vital to every member of the most powerful in- ner circles in Ottawa. A suggestion to you quick-think- ing, self-styled lobbyists and exec- utives winging your way to Ot- tawa: as you wait for the crucial meeting with the Assistant Deputy : ieredibly versatile high performance ski for ___ long and short radius turns at high speed. It does everything you ask with such ease and confidence tose believe it’s a world class rac- ing ski! RX12 MAGNESIUM EXCLUSIVE aceon" a eT Racing performance with comfort. Magnesium Exclusives’ top surface and sidewalls are protected from day to day damage with Kastle’s seamless DIGITAL ORD Tech Covering. “at 569 Seymour, Van. 669-6333 7 —_