If you’ve watched This Hour Has 22 Minutes or The Rick Mercer Report on CBC, or have even heard his name, then you’ll know that Rick Mercer is a mogul of Canadian comedy.
Mercer is best known for his satirical political comedy. For decades he has built his career on quick-witted commentary about Canadian politics and our culturally distinct way of life. He’s travelled around Canada, talking to people from coast to coast, and he’s walked that same graffitied alley over and over again during his two minute “rants,” a recurring segment on The Rick Mercer Report where he rambled about everything from texting and driving, to former premier Jason Kenney’s opposition to Bill 24 (an act to support Gay-Straight Alliances).
Since The Rick Mercer Report ended in 2018, he’s been busy writing books and touring across Canada doing stand-up. Now he’s back on the road, and as usual he’s got lots to say about Canada — and our southern neighbours.
Starting on September 11, Mercer will travel across the country with comedians Sophie Buddle, Mayce Galoni and Julie Kim for the Stand-Up For Canada Comedy tour. Ahead of his Edmonton performance on September 13, Edify spoke with the Newfoundland-born legend to talk about politics, his act and what to expect for the show.
Edify: What are you looking forward to with the tour and what can people expect to see?
Rick Mercer: I’m really looking forward to getting out on the road again. For 16 years while I hosted the Mercer Report, I feel like I travelled more than anyone in the country. I just didn’t stop and it was a great privilege. But when it came to an end, it was a bit of a shock to the system. So now, nothing makes me happier than going to 21 cities and doing 27 shows. With the Mercer Report, I decided I was going to take a lane that was all about celebrating the country, the people and what unifies us, not what divides us. So my act hasn’t changed, because Canadians are hungry for that and they’re on the same page.
Edify: There’s a lot going on with the political situation between Canada and the U.S. right now. What are your thoughts on this and the “elbows up” movement?
Mercer: I often talk about Canada-U.S. relations, and I’ll continue to do that. And obviously that’s changed in a dramatic way in the last number of years, in terms of the “elbows up” movement. When I stand in the middle of the supermarket I find I’m googling, “Is there a Canadian version of this?” I’m choosing not to go see Glengarry Glen Ross in New York City with Bill Burr. But that’s just me. I’m not telling anyone else what to do.
You know, the United States are always going to be our neighbours and they’re going to be our friends again. I think that for most people, this is not about trade war, it’s not about tariffs, it’s not about any of those things. It’s about a president floating the idea that we’ll become the 51st state, and it’s about the reaction of many Americans who don’t understand why that’s a third rail for us. It’s not something that any of us want.
Edify: In Alberta there’s been increasing talk about separatism; what are your thoughts on that?
Mercer: In Newfoundland, there’s always been a strong nationalist movement. In 1949 when Newfoundland joined Canada, 49 per cent of Newfoundlanders said, ‘No, we don’t want to join Canada.’ 51 per cent said, ‘Yes.’ Those feelings don’t just disappear overnight. There have always been people in Newfoundland who felt that we should have stuck it out on our own. And so there’s always been that sentiment, not quite to the extent that it exists in Quebec, but it’s always been here, and I’ve always sensed it in Alberta. So it doesn’t surprise me in the least. I had to choose a long time ago whether I was a Newfoundlander first, or a Canadian first. And I decided I was a Canadian first. But I had to think long and hard about that. I understand Albertans have to do the same thing, but I hope it doesn’t ever come to that. One of the problems in this country, with it being so big, is most people in Alberta haven’t been to Quebec or The Maritimes and vice versa. So the country would be better if people could walk in each other’s shoes and spend time in each other’s provinces. But I realize that’s very difficult.
Edify: The Mercer Report ended in 2018, how have you been keeping busy?
Mercer: I never regretted a day doing the Mercer Report, but I knew it couldn’t last forever, and I think we pulled the plug at a good time. Then COVID happened anyway, so I wouldn’t have been able to continue. I really enjoyed writing books and working on projects like this tour. I’m very lucky I can work on what I want to work on. During the pandemic I went to my shed and wrote a book, and that was the perfect place to be during that entire madness.
Edify: You’ll be touring with three other Canadian comedians, what is it like to have that opportunity?
Mercer: Sophie Buttle is a superstar in comedy right now, so I’m so lucky to have Sophie. I didn’t think we would get her, because she’s in incredible demand all over North America. Mayce Galoni is just a really funny guy who makes me laugh. And Julie Kim is a road warrior, she’s a rock star and she’s everywhere in the world of comedy. So these are three comics that are gonna totally bring their A-game. They’re young, but they’re A-game material.
Rick Mercer will be performing in Edmonton on September 13 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. Tickets range from $63 to $98.
This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.
