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There are other players it’s happened to. I played in the west, in Edmonton, for nine years, and I played in the east, so I’m well-known across Canada. And I don’t talk like a politician. When I talk, I think people trust me, because all of my career, I’ve endorsed a lot of great causes that people know that they can trust.

Q

You’re up front about the fact that you’re being used for your celebrity. Does that bother you?

A

Why would it bother me? At the end of the day, what is the reason for it?

To spread my cause.

It’s to try to help the environment so we can live in better conditions in Canada. I’m all about trying to help and make a difference. I’m doing this for free, by the way.

Q

It’s safe to say that this comes a surprise. Your philanthropy is quite well known, but you were beating people up for a living 18 months ago.

A

Yes, but you can’t say what I did on the ice defines me as a human being. It’s not something that I liked. I’ve always liked to do other stuff to show my real personality, but that was my job. Because of that job, it gave me the notoriety to do what I’m doing today, and to have an impact on the causes that I’m supporting. This is how I came to be well known in society, and this is what gave me a chance to show everybody the type of person that I really was.

Q

What power does a deputy leader have? Will you get to set policy?

A

No. I’m not going to run, and I’m not going to set policy. I’m going to go across Canada to help all the other Green leaders to win their part. I’m going to go everywhere and be available to them.