Cherry chuckles, declines offer to run for office

Don Cherry would prefer to keep his pulpit at Hockey Night in Canada rather than trade it for one on the floor of the Commons.

The co-host of Coach's Corner told The Globe and Mail yesterday that, although he appreciates the interest of Conservative Party deputy leader Peter MacKay in having him run for the party, Canada is not yet primed to see him in Parliament.

Mr. Cherry said yesterday he hopes to return to the segment next season, despite reports that he and the CBC may sever ties at the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Mr. MacKay tried, to no avail, to get together with Mr. Cherry on the weekend to see if he might consider running.

Mr. Cherry said yesterday he didn't get the message, which Mr. MacKay tried to pass on through a mutual acquaintance.

"I did not get the message from Mr. MacKay. The first time I heard about it was when I read it in The Globe and Mail. It's quite an honour," Mr. Cherry chuckled in a brief interview before leaving for San Jose for the series between that city's Sharks and the Calgary Flames.

"But, hopefully, I'm going to be back on Hockey Night in Canada. Besides, Canada is not quite ready for me yet."

Mr. MacKay's efforts caught Conservative Leader Stephen Harper by surprise, He said he learned of the idea when he picked up the newspaper yesterday morning.

"I think that's highly unlikely," Mr. Harper said when asked whether Mr. Cherry might be a candidate.

"I've never thought of Don as a politician and, from what I understand, I don't think he has either."

Mr. MacKay said many Canadians would appreciate Mr. Cherry's willingness to speak his mind. However, at least one member of Mr. Harper's campaign team said having Mr. Cherry as a candidate might not be a great idea in Quebec.

Michael Fortier said he probably would have told Mr. MacKay that recruiting Mr. Cherry would raise red flags in that province.

Mr. Cherry opposes the use of protective visors in the NHL and has been criticized for saying francophone players and those from Europe make up the bulk of those who wear them.