The former federal cabinet minister and ambassador the Hon. Sergio Marchi discusses his new book Pursuing a Public Life: How to Succeed in the Political Arena (Dundurn Press, 2025), with Joseph Planta.
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Pursuing a Public Life: How to Succeed in the Political Arena by Hon. Sergio Marchi (Dundurn Press, 2025).
Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Pursuing a Public Life |
Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:
I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.
There’s a new book out now that’s more than just a memoir, but one that provides fascinating insights into public service and politics. Pursuing a Public Life: How to Succeed in the Political Arena presents seventy-eight lessons, each illustrated with insider anecdotes or useful examples from the writer, Sergio Marchi, who has in a thirty-year career served as a city councillor, member of Parliament, Cabinet minister, and ambassador. Mr. Marchi joins me now to talk about how he sees the world of politics here in Canada and abroad, and this book which gives us a look at how decisions at the highest level are made, or arrived at, or negotiated. He addresses how the public generally sees our political system, it’s often cynically, what with declining voter turnout and general low participation. The book is replete with practical advice, and ideas as to what voters might seek from the political leaders that they elect. I’ll ask Sergio about the work of the MP, as well as the rigours of campaigning. I’ll ask about the role of the opposition and later what it’s like being called to join the cabinet, as Mr. Marchi was first elected to the House of Commons in 1984, and appointed to the cabinet of Jean Chretien, when the Liberals were returned to power in 1993. He served as the minister for international trade, the environment, and citizenship and immigration. He later left political life when he was appointed ambassador to the World Trade Organization and UN Agencies in Geneva. This new book is published by Dundurn Press and is part of the new The Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman Series on Canada and the World. We taped this interview last Thursday, with Mr. Marchi joining me from Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, the Honourable Sergio Marchi; Mr. Marchi, good morning.
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