Former Saint John Liberal MP Paul Zed remembers Greg Thompson for his sense of humour and his ability to work with anyone.
Thompson, the MLA for Saint Croix and a former six-term MP, died this week at the age of 72.
Zed says they worked together on several projects over the years.
“One of the things that always struck me about Greg is that he wasn’t partisan. It was ‘what was the issue, how can we collectively come together regardless of party?’ Greg was always about how to solve it,” Zed said in an interview from his Toronto office.
Greg was a wonderful colleague who had great sense of duty&humour. We served&worked together on dozens of projects Greg always put NB&our community first. His style of working with everyone regardless of partisanship is a lesson in building Canada @BlaineHiggs @TJProvincial https://t.co/wau6siKjoA
— Paul Zed (@paulzed) September 11, 2019
When they were both serving MPs, Thompson suggested they fly to Ottawa with other Maritime politicians to save the taxpayers some money.
“I remember a time when there was a minority government and I said, ‘Well, Greg, if this plane goes down there could be a general election, but you and I won’t care,'” Zed said.
They found common ground on passion projects like Harbour Cleanup.
“When Greg became the minister in 2006, he basically helped pull that through and push it over the edge in a positive direction. He was not so partisan that he acknowledged to the community that when that project went forward that I was very much part of the helping to be part of the solution,” Zed said.
Deeply saddened by news of my friend + college Ex NB MP, MLA Greg Thompson's passing. A passionate family man who always defended interests of NB, Vets +those in need. A ferocious friend + formidable foe in politics who always acted w principal. Condolences to Linda +loved ones.
— Peter MacKay (@PeterMacKay) September 11, 2019
