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Mark Cuban claims Kevin O'Leary said he likes Canada's 'carte blanche' system

Photo from The Canadian Press
Photo from The Canadian Press

Kevin O’Leary, a Conservative Party of Canada leadership hopeful, allegedly made some startling remarks to his billionaire friend regarding his quest for power.

While appearing on the U.S. television news network CNBC last weekend in Miami, the Canadian television personality was challenged by his Shark Tank co-host Mark Cuban to admit something on-air that he had confessed to him in private.

The two businessmen were debating their opposing views on U.S. President Donald Trump when the Dallas Mavericks owner interrupted O’Leary.

“Explain to all the viewers and everybody watching and listening what you love about the parliamentary system in Canada,” Cuban told O’Leary. “Just tell them what you told me.”

O’Leary begins to explain that the British parliamentary system, which Canada follows, is similar to the U.S. in that it still has its “checks and balances,” but before he can go further, Cuban interrupts.

“That’s not what you told me,” the NBA team owner says, pressing further before O’Leary begins to break it down.

“It’s a fact, the parliamentary system provides more power to the prime minister until the time comes when his own parliamentary caucus does not agree,” the Canadian explains.

Cuban interrupts again to recount what he claims O’Leary told him in private.

“What you liked about it is that you get carte blanche and that you really admire that system,” he says, just before O’Leary cuts in to deny it.

“That’s an unfair criticism in every way of the Canadian system,” O’Leary responds.

Since announcing his plans to run for the Tory leadership, O’Leary has faced strong criticism both within the party and outside of it.

Talk show host and newspaper columnist Anthony Furey recently wrote that O’Leary won’t confirm whether he would step away from his television shows and other commitments if he won the leadership race.

When it comes to his political agenda, O’Leary agrees with ending airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which is a stance shared by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s governing Liberals. The businessman has also vowed to scrap the controversial carbon tax if he were to become Canada’s next leader.

O’Leary’s biggest challenge may be his ability, or lack thereof, to speak French. In Canada, federal politicians are generally expected to be bilingual in the country’s two official languages English and French — and this is especially true for anyone with aspirations of becoming prime minister.