TORONTO

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty believes controversial-yet-patriotic hockey commentator Don Cherry would make a "great candidate" for the Order of Canada.

Flaherty's comment on Monday came four days after former NHL coach William 'Scotty' Bowman made the trip to Ottawa's Rideau Hall to receive the Order of Canada, a privilege many Cherry fans feel the outspoken TV commentator has long deserved.

"Don Cherry is a great Canadian who has served Canada very well," Flaherty said during a stop at Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame.

Flaherty made the visit to put the spotlight on how the federal government provided $250,000 to help renovate the Hockey Hall of Fame building.

"Politicians aren't responsible for influencing Order of Canada awards, but he would make a great candidate," Flaherty said.

Cherry fans have been calling for the no-holds-barred broadcaster to be made an officer of the Order of Canada, citing his patriotism and contributions to amateur and professional hockey. Cherry detractors, however, see him as too controversial a figure for such a privilege.

Flaherty also took a run at federal NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair's recent comments that oil exports by the western provinces is driving the dollar up and harming the economy in the rest of the country.

"It is wrongheaded and divisive to pit (one) part of the country against another," Flaherty said.

He insisted Mulcair's comments were "mistaken" and accused him of "pursuing a train of thought that has been dismissed by economists."

terry.davidson@sunmedia.ca