Pubdate: Wed, 29 Nov 2000
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2000 Southam Inc.
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Author: Robert Benzie, National Post

HOW ABOUT A URINE SAMPLE, MR. HARRIS?

Marg Delahunty Ambushes Premier On Mandatory Drug Testing

Mike Harris received an early Christmas present from Marg Delahunty 
yesterday but the Premier declined to reciprocate the TV character's 
generosity with the gift she sought from him.

Clad in her trademark warrior princess garb, Mary Walsh, who plays the 
irrepressible Marg on CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes, ambushed Mr. Harris 
as he made his way to a morning caucus meeting at Queen's Park.

"I brought you up a little Christmas box. Now I know Mr. Silly is your 
favourite book and I went everywhere lookin' for it. My God, I had my feet 
wore down to my ankle bones, but I finally found it. Look, Mr. Silly's 
Christmas Carol. Oh read it, Mr. Harris, it's going to do you a world of 
good," she told the Premier.

"I love it," he replied with a grin.

Ms. Walsh then soldiered ahead with her pitch.

"Scrooge ... in there ... is somewhat like you -- or he was, anyway -- like 
a little bit cold-hearted, just a tiny bit uncaring about the people who 
weren't as well off as himself.

"Of course, even Scrooge didn't insist that Corrections and them have 
mandatory drug testing," she said, wielding a small plastic laboratory cup.

"Listen, I gave you a little something. How about a little something for 
me? A urine sample! Oh I know, not that anybody's thinkin' that you're 
hopped up on the strongest kind of drugs the way you get on. But you're 
working for the government and people have a right to know where that 
money's going."

While Mr. Harris did not race to the men's room, he guffawed.

"I knew you were after me," he told her.

"All the girls are after you, Mike," she shot back.

Clearly charmed, the Premier did what few politicians across Canada have 
been able to do and got in the last word with Marg Delahunty.

"Marg, when are you going to run? The Alliance could use you!"
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