Jim Coutts, an Appreciation FIRST in CLASS of POLITICAL ADVISERS

Home , Alberta Liberal Party, Allan MacEachen, Jim Coutts, Keith Davey, Ontario Liberal Party, Tom Axworthy

Jim Coutts with Sen Joyce Fairbairn and Pierre Trudeau at the Senate speaker’s dining room, on the former prime minister’s 75th birthday in 1994. Back row: Speaker of the Senate Roméo Leblanc, (soon-to-be-named governor general), Tom Axworthy, Sen. Keith Davey and Dominic Leblanc. Photo, Jean-Marc Carisse Jim Coutts, an Appreciation FIRST IN CLASS OF POLITICAL ADVISERS

Thomas S. Axworthy

Unlike their American coun- n January 1941, Wendell Willkie, well be sitting here where I am now terparts, political advisers the recently defeated Republi- as president of the United States,” I can presidential candidate, visited Roosevelt replied. “And when you are, and chiefs of staff to Ca- the White House to offer his support you’ll be looking at that door over nadian prime ministers are for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s there and knowing that practically ev- not widely known, but they foreign policy of assistance to Great erybody who walks through it wants Britain. In the course of their con- something out of you. You’ll learn are critical to the operation versation, Roosevelt advised Willkie what a lonely job this is, and you’ll of our political system. Jim to speak to his aide, Harry Hopkins, discover the need for somebody like Coutts, one of the best of who was then in secret negotiations Harry Hopkins, who asks for nothing with Winston Churchill. Willkie, who except to serve you.” that political class, passed was no fan of the controversial presi- Great leaders are still human beings. away recently. The lessons dential assistant, asked, “Why do you In describing the loneliness of high from his brilliant career are keep Hopkins so close to you? You office, Roosevelt was reflecting on the surely realize that people distrust him highlighted by one of his fact that power attracts a court, and and resent his influence.” a court has many interests, not all of closest colleagues. Roosevelt responded succinctly, in them aligned with the public good or what has become a classic descrip- even the good of the leader. To find tion of the reciprocal bond between someone who will give you the truth, leaders and staff: “Someday you may even if it hurts, who has your best

Policy 39 interests at heart, who is reliable and To find someone who will give you the truth, even if it hurts, skilled, is a rare gem in the usual polit- who has your best interests at heart, who is reliable and ical minefields. One such gem was Jim skilled, is a rare gem in the usual political minefields. One such Coutts, a senior adviser to both Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. gem was Jim Coutts, a senior adviser to both Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. olitical advisers are generally not well known in Canada. most senior advisers, Coutts, Ivan talent. He was a campaign manager at The anecdote about Willkie and P Head and Joyce Fairbairn were from age 15 for the local Liberal candidate. Roosevelt, in contrast, comes from a Alberta, where Liberal Party hopes go He became a Liberal prime minister at Pulitzer Prize winning biography of to die). Jim loved southwest Alberta— the University of Alberta model parlia- Harry Hopkins by Robert Sherwood. especially the Porcupine Hills: “When ment, and president of the Young Lib- President Kennedy’s senior adviser, you grow up someplace, part of you eral Federation. In 1962, he ran as the Ted Sorensen, wrote a memoir of his stays there and part of the place goes federal candidate in MacLeod. Judy time in the White House, as did Karl with you wherever you are,” he said, Lamarsh, campaigning for Liberals Rove, the senior adviser to George in describing his restoration of his W. Bush. Political advisers have long across the county, was optimistic in grandfather’s homestead east of Nan- reporting to Paul Martin, Sr. “If Coutts been recognized in the United States ton. “Home pain,” he wrote, “it is as a critical component of a presi- wins MacLeod,” the seasoned pro rea- more than home-sickness—it is the soned, “we’re going to win them all.” dent’s success or failure. profound and lasting longing in the He didn’t, but in 1963, Coutts became stranger to be home. Fortunately, I Not so in Canada. J.R. Mallory, a dis- campaign chair for Alberta in the have now been able to return home.” tinguished McGill professor, wrote in election that produced Pearson’s first 1967 that political advisers were “an Jim attended the University of Al- minority government. He was on his unreformed part of the public service berta, receiving a BA and law degree way. ... which have hitherto escaped the at- there (Joe Clark was one of his class- tention of scholars,” and by and large mates), and practised law in Calgary. As president of the Young the situation has not changed much Before his recent death, he gifted his Liberals, Coutts met Keith in the subsequent half century. homestead property and a significant Davey, the new national Yet the career of Jim Coutts illustrates portion of his art collection to the director of the Liberal the critical importance of that class of University of Lethbridge, which has since launched the Coutts Centre for Party, and the two formed men and women who, in the words a friendship that would of Mallory, “are political rather than Western Canadian Heritage. bureaucratic in their functions, ap- spark the Liberals for the pointed rather than elected, and who t was in Nanton, too, that Jim be- next quarter century. It was operate in an area which strict consti- gan his lifelong romance with the Davey who first suggested to tutional theory does not recognize as I Liberal Party. He liked to race his Pearson that Coutts would existing.” bicycle down the streets of his home- make a superior appointments town, and one day in 1952, at age 14, secretary. At age 25, Jim was The career of Jim Coutts as he was riding past a small gather- illustrates the critical ing, he stopped and was invited to get in the PMO, the man just importance of that class of off his bike and meet the leader of the outside the prime minister’s men and women who, in Alberta Liberal Party, J. Harper Prowse. inner sanctum. the words of J.R. Mallory, As Coutts told the story, Prowse spoke about the mission of Liberals to stand “are political rather than for the “little guy,” and Coutts was bureaucratic in their enthralled. functions, appointed rather As president of the Young Liberals, This accidental meeting changed Jim’s Coutts met Keith Davey, the new na- than elected, and who life. He never wavered in his belief operate in an area which strict that the mission of the Liberal Party tional director of the Liberal Party, constitutional theory does not was “to help the little guy.” In 1984, and the two formed a friendship that recognize as existing.” in his book A Canada that Works for would spark the Liberals for the next Everyone, his thesis continued to be quarter century. It was Davey who “Canadians must feel our system is first suggested to Pearson that Coutts fair in ensuring that the new wealth would make a superior appointments that is created is shared and that it is secretary. At age 25, Jim was in the Born in High River, Alberta, and raised partly used to help pay for the adjust- PMO, the man just outside the prime in Nanton, 80 kilometers south of Cal- ments that so many citizens will have minister’s inner sanctum. gary, Coutts remained a proud Alber- to make during changing times.” Coutts loved Lester B. Pearson. His tan his entire life, (it always surprised Coutts also discovered that the Liberal passion for politics originated in the observers that three of Pierre Trudeau’s Party (at least in Alberta) was open to Alberta of the 1950s, but the Pearson-

March/April 2014 40 polling results plummeting, Liberal Party drums still beat out the message, “Don’t worry, Coutts has a plan.” And he always did.

Coutts was perfect for the campaign plane – he kept his own spirits high by constantly winning at backgammon, while keeping Trudeau’s spirits high with wit, Liberal Party folklore and local information. After the success of that campaign, it surprised no one when Trudeau asked Coutts to become principal secretary in 1975.

Barely escaping electoral defeat in 1972, Pierre Trudeau brought back Keith Davey as his senior election strategist. As he had done in recom- mending Coutts to Mike Pearson, Dav- Jim Coutts and Pierre Trudeau at a private party at the Opposition Leader’s South Block office on ey recommended Coutts to Trudeau. December 22, 1979. There was more than holiday spirit in the air. Coutts had just the previous week orchestrated the fall of the Conservative minority government on its budget, and persuaded Trudeau In the 1974 election, Coutts was the to change his mind about retiring and to lead them in the campaign that would result in a Liberal “inside” man on the election plane restoration. Photo, Jean-Marc Carisse while Davey ran the campaign on the ground. It was the campaign plane led Liberal Party was his model of One of the secrets of his that cemented the Trudeau-Coutts re- what modern liberalism should be— success with Trudeau was that lationship. Outsiders have a hard time progressive, civilized, and fun. In his understanding the dynamics of the initial stint in Ottawa, Coutts met ev- however bad the news, Coutts also had a strategy to cope. In camaraderie (or tension) that builds eryone, and his talent for friendships in the pressure cooker atmosphere of a grew. Long before the word “network- the late 1970s, even with the campaign plane. You move daily from ing” took on its current meaning, economy in the doldrums and place to place with bad food, no sleep, Coutts’ range of contacts in business, polling results plummeting, and worries about luggage. While for- government and the arts was aston- Liberal Party drums still beat getting the names of the candidates ishing. If he didn’t have the answer, out the message, “Don’t and well-wishers who cling to the en- he knew exactly who to call. Prime worry, Coutts has a plan.” And tourage, the leader still has to project Minister Pearson, in turn, reciprocat- an animated spirit. Coutts was perfect ed Coutts’ affection: in 1964, when a he always did. for the campaign plane—he kept his film about Pearson’s office had a lot own spirits high by constantly win- on Coutts, but few favourable frames ning at backgammon, while keeping on the prime minister, the PM let it training and consulting experience Trudeau’s spirits high with wit, Liberal go with a laugh, saying “it looks as became a central facet of his operat- Party folklore and local information. though my grandson is running the ing style. The Harvard Business School After the success of that campaign, it country.” teaches you that the right strategy surprised no one when Trudeau asked and tactics can untangle any puzzle. Coutts to become principal secretary outts went to the Harvard When faced with a problem, Coutts in 1975. Business School after three would analyze it, find the central Jim’s qualifications as chief of staff C years with Pearson, then factor, then think through a way to were many: he was unflappable in joined the McKinsey Consulting firm overcome (or go around) the sticking dealing with a sometimes-irascible in New York, finally returning to To- point. One of the secrets of his success prime minister who, in addition to ronto, where he started the Canada with Trudeau was that however bad the normal stresses of the office, had Consulting Company with five part- the news, Coutts also had a strategy to face the agony of a disintegrating ners. I rarely heard Jim speak about his to cope. In the late 1970s, even with marriage. He always told the prime training as a lawyer, but his Harvard the economy in the doldrums and minister the truth about a situation

Policy 41 (the difference between a counselor Coutts had me prepare two speeches for the planned and a courtier) but his advice always December 17 press conference – a short one on why Trudeau carried with it a conviction that the problem could be solved. was not running, and a longer one outlining the themes of the campaign. That morning, Coutts saw Trudeau again, and He knew that one of the jobs of an it was not until I saw Trudeau pull out the three pages rather aide was to take the heat from the me- dia and the party rather than having than one, that I knew Coutts had succeeded. the inevitable anger of disappointed hopes aimed at the leader. He was cu- rious about the world, open to new influences and people, and always scind his resignation, and take the ing a strategy of diets and treatment, fun to be with. With a twinkle in his party into the election the budget de- and squeezing out several more good eye, for example, he once called me feat had precipitated. With the critical years before he finally succumbed on into his office and said that he had de- assistance of Allan MacEachen, this, December 31, 2013. cided that I should get to know Pierre too, was achieved. Then the Davey- Trudeau better. “You tell him the bad Coutts election team had to run a suc- polls,” he said, “and I’ll tell him the cessful campaign. Perhaps hardest of Leaders get the fame, but our good.” all, Coutts had to persuade Trudeau parties only endure because to stand again. Two months past I saw a lot of Trudeau in the ensuing of believers who trust that months. Most of all, he had a deep his 60th birthday, Trudeau was not they can change the direction understanding of the political cycle. If scheming to return, but had already of the country. Jim Coutts was the situation was bad, it would even- begun to plan the next phase of his life after his withdrawal from politics. such a believer and as such, tually improve. If the situation was became a legend to all those rosy, watch out, it would inevitably On December 16, 1979, Trudeau told decline. Roll with the punches and us he would go for a walk that night lucky enough to know him. have a plan for every contingency: to think things over. Coutts had me that was the Coutts modus operandi. prepare two speeches for the planned December 17 press conference—a If the situation was bad, it short one on why Trudeau was not would eventually improve. running, and a longer one outlining the themes of the campaign. That few months before Jim’s pass- If the situation was rosy, morning, Coutts saw Trudeau again, ing, I was speaking for a for- watch out, it would inevitably and it was not until I saw Trudeau pull A mer student who was contest- decline. Roll with the punches out the three pages rather than one, ing an Ontario Liberal Party nomina- and have a plan for every that I knew Coutts had succeeded. tion for a nearly unwinnable provin- contingency: that was the Thanks to Jim Coutts, Allan cial seat—hardly a high profile event. Coutts modus operandi. MacEachen and Keith Davey, Pierre But to my surprise, there in the back Trudeau had been given the rarest row, where he liked to sit, was Jim gift in politics—a second chance. He Coutts, sizing up the crowd and taking made good on that chance, winning the temperature of the Liberal Party. I in 1980, then repatriating the consti- introduced the prospective candidate ll of these talents were on dis- tution and establishing the Charter of to Coutts, who immediately outlined a . play in the fall of 1979 when Rights and Freedoms five-point plan on how best to win the A Coutts orchestrated both the After this virtuoso performance (think seat. Vintage Coutts! Leaders get the comeback of the Liberal Party and what might have happened to the fame, but our parties only endure be- the restoration of Pierre Trudeau. The Harper minority government in 2008 1979 election had been lost in May, cause of believers who trust that they if Coutts had been on hand), it is can change the direction of the coun- and Trudeau had resigned as leader one of life’s ironies that Coutts sub- try. Jim Coutts was such a believer and in November. But on December 11, sequently failed to get elected to the 1979, when Conservative Finance House of Commons in 1981 and 1984. as such, became a legend to all those Minister John Crosbie produced an He retired from any formal role with lucky enough to know him. unpopular budget in a minority Par- the Liberal Party and devoted his life Thomas S. Axworthy is a Senior liament, Coutts saw his opportunity. to establishing a successful business, First, he had to persuade the Liberal Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School Canada Investment Capital Ltd., and of Global Affairs and a Senior Fellow caucus to vote against the budget, working philanthropically with Pear- at Massey College. He was was senior which they did. son College, the Nature Conservancy, On December 13, 1979, the Clark and the University of Lethbridge. policy adviser to Prime Minister Pierre government was defeated, 139 votes After he discovered he was afflicted Trudeau under Jim Coutts, and later to 133. Next, the Liberal caucus and with prostate cancer, he responded principal secretary to the prime minister the party’s national executive had to in typical Coutts fashion, reading all from 1981-84. be persuaded to ask Trudeau to re- he could about the problem, creat- [email protected]

March/April 2014