Leadership...First Night Review

Like a Broadway play, the first night results produced some jitters no doubt and some euphoria for sure. Will it all last? Who knows? Will the media focus on results or turnout? My guess is that the clever method of providing results will help to bring focus on the actual results rather than other elements of the process...that is a good thing, as Martha (Stewart, that is) would say.
A review of the results so far reveals some interesting potential early trends.
1. NL: Rae edged Iggy with Dryden a decent third. There are still a couple of meetings to report at the time of writing. Note that Iggy had elected Caucus support on the Rock, while Rae had only Senate backers from Newf. Is this a bad harbinger for Iggy's oft-cited Caucus support levels? Truth is that Caucus support is but one of many measures of support and in this particular process likely of less weight than in the past. Winner-take-all was more of a playground for MPs.
2. NS: With 10/25 meetings Brison showed in Friday meetings that apparently "all politics continues to be local" in the home of Allan J. Once again, the high level Caucus support of Iggy may not be having the desired impact. It also appears that Senator Terry Mercer might bot have much heft to provide his Kennedy horse.
3. NB: Only 6/33 DSMs reporting. Iggy looks to be very comfortable. But it's a bit early to begin the gloating.
4. PE: Nothing till tomorrow.
5. QC: Quebec has reported only 10/97 DSMs. Looks like a dog fight as predicted by just about everybody. This race will also be the measure the future strength of Messrs. Coderre, Cauchon, and others. The province will also prove to be Kennedy's Achilles heel based on early results...something that many have suspected for some time.
6. ON: Still early here too with only 36/160. I have suggested that Kennedy could surprise overall this weekend. It will happen here if at all and the early numbers are encouraging for the former Ontario Minister. Equally, the Rae machine must be apprehensive after these first night results. Iggy's campaign did trumpet their victory in "almost half" of campus delegate selections. Tactically, they should have kept quiet about that and just let people assume that it was a general strength emerging from the first day. Everyone knows that they played the "old style" on campus organisation. Dryden and Hall-Findlay may also provide a haven for some who can't yet make a final decision based on first night results. Dion could also surprise here based on last night.
7. MB: Nothing yesterday.
8. SK: Dion might show that having David Orchard on board was a good move. But with only 2/18 DSMs in probably the only first night "surprise" is the Brison showing.
9. AB: Only 6/38 reporting but Kennedy is flexing some muscle early. Looks like potential for another problem for Rae, but too early to write off the efforts of teh Raj Chahal's of the world.
10. BC: Only 2/48 so way to early and a dog's breakfast.
11. North: Nothing yesterday.
Other tings to consider are:
1. Iggy and Rae are both lower than the expectations their camps have created.
2. Dion is exceeding the expectations surrounding his campaign.
3. There are some 50+ DSMs (representing about 750 delegates) that are using mail-in ballots. The results from these ridings will not be complete and reported until later next week.
4. The first night showed 2.3% "undeclared" delegates chosen. That is quite remarkable in such a hotly contested race.
5. The Party should be commended for the tracking tool that they have on their web site.
6. At the same time (and remember I do not support Volpe), the Party should be criticised for the ludicrous timing of the ruling handed down yesterday. The matter has been under review for several weeks. The stupid timing merely allows Mr. Volpe to play the wounded soul. And it gives the media something other than the actual results to cover. Dumb!
7. Headlines that today's voting Grits will wake up to: Party fines Volpe $20K; Ignatieff supports Afghan mission; Ignatieff accuser a Volpe supporter; Is Kennedy glass half full or half empty?
8. My prediction yesterday of the "order of finish" is not yet dead.

Leadership...VOTE! ...and a prediction of sorts

Everyone talks a big game about "taking back the Party" and grassroots this and grassroots that. Well, now is the time to DO something other than just talk (or write).
There will be problems with voters lists this weekend (just like any other election at any level). It is always a pain to set aside some time for one's democratic duty (when there are lawns to rake and meals to make). Maybe no one has dealt with your personal "pet peeve" during the race to date (nobody ever seems to anyway). These are "givens" of the process. But they are not reasons to not show up...they are excuses.
So let's all go get it done...so that we can get on to the next phase...the chase for the second ballot...and third and maybe fourth or fifth.
Predictions? Everybody else is taking a stab...I will offer only order...here's my ranking after this first phase: 1. Michael Ignatieff; 2. Gerard Kennedy; 3. Stephane Dion; 4. Bob Rae; 5. Ken Dryden; 6. Scott Brison; 7. Joe Volpe; 8. Martha Hall-Findlay.
The top four are close so it's a crapshoot. I do believe that Ignatieff still has some light between him and the next three. We'll see how whacked I and others are sometime next week (there are ridings with mail-in votes) after the Party does a final analysis of results.

Tory patronage rolls on

On September 15th the Tories appointed Kerry-Lynne Findlay to the Human Rights Tribunal. This is her in her political context.
Boss Harp's good friend John Reynolds will get him in trouble yet!

Friday morning...photo-op flops...Rusty drops

This week's prize for gall goes to Laureen Harper and her nu best firend Rusty Baird. The Tresury Board Miser dipslayed some true political dust by taking the former Ms. Teskey (and current PM's wife) out to hand out newspapers in support of national literacy programs.
Enterprising reporters (not of the CanWest stripe) were interested to know how Mrs. Harper thought her hubbies cuts to literacy program funding fit into her belief that "You can't succeed in life unless you read." Ms. Teskey demurred in providing comment.
The omnipresent Mr. Baird leaped into the fray and opined that money spent on adult literacy is a waste. Hence, scrap the program funding. The same thinking that emerged on gun control following the recent Montreal shootings...the gun registry didn't prevent the shootings so that is all the more reason to shut it down. We can expect that shortly the Tories will scrap the need to register automobiles since it clearly does not prevent hit-and-runs. And surely there will be no need to register births or deaths following a Stephen Harper majority election...since there will be no social programs remaining that require proof of existence.
Reports say that Boss Harp wants to have a word with Rusty when he gets home...

CP Wire on Tory leaks...and Leadership

Worth a look see...from Joan Bryden. The leaking is becoming Niagara Falls...which flows which direction?

Tories try to influence Liberal leadership race on eve of delegate elections

JOAN BRYDEN

OTTAWA (CP) - The ruling Tories indulged in some mischief Thursday in an apparent bid to influence the outcome of the Liberal leadership race.

On the eve of the Liberals' super weekend, when some 4,300 delegates will be chosen to attend the party's Dec. 2 leadership convention, a confidential memo from Conservative national campaign chief Doug Finley was conveniently leaked to two newspapers, one French, one English.

Offering his assessment of the top four contenders in the Liberal contest, Finley confides that rookie Toronto MP and acclaimed scholar Michael Ignatieff would be the most formidable foe for the Conservatives.

Bob Rae, on the other hand, would have trouble overcoming his turbulent, recession-ravaged record as Ontario NDP premier during the early 1990s.

Finley also says that focus groups have dismissed former Ontario education minister Gerard Kennedy as "minor league," and sole Quebec contender Stephane Dion as "the most boring" of the lot.

Rae said in interview he found the timing of the leak "odd" and was skeptical that it reflects a genuine Tory assessment of the contenders.

"I don't buy it," he said.

Privately, Rae strategists suggested Finley was attempting to use "reverse pyschology" on Liberals, that Tories really most fear Rae and his ability to marginalize the NDP, whose strength in last winter's election helped ensure a Conservative victory.

Ignatieff operations director Sachin Aggarwal, however, said the Tories do seem to genuinely fear Ignatieff. He pointed out that Ignatieff has received a "disproportionate number of attacks" from Tories throughout the contest, including a stream of "talking points" for MPs to use in slagging the presumed Liberal frontrunner.

A Tory MP was at it again Thursday, managing to get in a nationally televised dig at Ignatieff during the grilling of RCMP Commissioner Giuliano Zaccardelli about the Maher Arar affair.

Dave MacKenzie, Conservative MP for the Ontario riding of Oxford, cited a 2004 newspaper article in which then-Harvard professor Ignatieff suggested that the war on terrorism may require "coercion, secrecy, deception and even violations of rights."

MacKenzie wondered whether similar sentiments permeated Canada's security services in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

Perish the thought, responded Zaccardelli, positioning the police force as a more ardent defender of rights than the would-be leader of the party that brought in the Charter of Rights.

"Never, never can the charter be disregarded in any type of investigation," Zaccardelli declared.

Meanwhile, supporters of the sole Quebec leadership contender, Stephane Dion, were suspicious about Thursday's report from the country's environment commissioner, who blasted the Liberal climate change plan introduced while Dion was environment minister.

While they doubted the government could control the timing of the report, a Dion strategist noted that the contents were selectively leaked several weeks ago and that Tories have been "spinning (it) like hell" ever since.

That has fuelled suspicions that the Tories are attempting to embarrass the candidate who could yet triumph at the Liberal convention in December.

The Conservative mischief appears designed to cover the bases, taking aim at the three contenders identified in recent polls as most likely to win the Liberal crown.

However, polls aren't necessarily a good indicator of the way the race will look following this weekend's delegate selections. It's a complex process, the outcome of which will depend on the organizational strength of the various camps and their ability to get their supporters out to vote.

"There's no chance the polls can pick up the dynamic of what's happening," said Kennedy. "It's very regional and riding-based."

Insiders in various camps predict that Kennedy, who has an energetic, youthful organization, and Scott Brison, whose support is heavily concentrated in the Atlantic region, will do better than polls suggest.

Ignatieff's camp is predicting their candidate will emerge with the support of about 25 per cent of the delegates, although other camps predict it will be more like 30 per cent.

Polls suggest Rae should wind up virtually tied with Ignatieff. But other camps suspect he'll be further back and Rae himself said he'll be satisfied just to be "in the hunt" when the weekend is over. He agreed that a candidate need not be in the top three to remain in the hunt.

Some 200,000 Liberal party members are entitled to vote but party officials concede less than half will likely turn out.

Starting Friday and concluding Sunday, members in each of the country's 308 ridings will be able to cast a two-part ballot, indicating their choice for leader and for the 14 delegates who will attend the Montreal convention.

Tories on environment

As predicted the Tories huff and puff about the Liberals...they don't have the guts to send out either their Environment Minister or the NRCAN Mini-Min. Just John Baird...
Given that Rusty (as his friends call him) was an integral part of the last Tory regime in Ontario...the Energy Minister...who did such a great job of screwing up Ontario's energy market, while also not noticing the extravagant spending over at Hydro One...I guess he was Harper's logical choice.
A good choice it is...a lap dog of Boss Harp to play pit bull.
Baird is soooo witty...take his line "The Liberal record is great for events planners and travel agents...". An interesting thing to mention when the two Ministers who have responsibility for the environemental issues under review are where? Ah yes...CONSULTING in the oil patch. What a hoot. Baird apparently never heard of organisations like the International Energy Agency which said, in its 2004 Canada Country Report, "The federal government is to be commended for its efforts and achievements in formulating the National Climate Change Plan for Canada in November 2002." And, "Canada should be commended for the levels of effort made by the government to pursue energy R&D."
Baird proved again today that Harper is nothing more than Harris in drag and he prefers style over substance!

Tories fear Iggy

There is a piece by Linda Diebel today that centres on yet another Tory "leak". The document claims that the Tories fear Michael Ignatieff and would most like to run against Bob Rae.
There can't be a soul alive who actually believes this came from the Tories. It IS the Iggy campaign strategy that has been evident from the start. But, desperate times beget desperate measures.

Service Canada...Tory Style

Here is a project for anyone who has a few minutes on their hands as the sit in front of their computer. Try to download a Social Insurance Number application fee. You start at Service Canada. Once you get frustrated trying to get the document, try to find a bureaucratic email address to send a question to.
If someone can manage to accomplish this please do leave me a message.

Ignatieff...web tidbit

Wow...I guess I missed the launch, but the Ignatieff Campaign has done a great job on their new web site.

Ignatieff on Rae

CanWest has a piece titled: Rae will be in my Cabinet
Hard to believe that rank-and-file Liberals will be impressed with the presumptive tone. The Egonatieff Campaign should have advised the candidate that it is best to let the membership cast their votes before pre-supposing the result.

Auditor General...climate change...Tory plan backfires

The Tory plan to smear Liberals through selective leaks seems to be backfiring a tad. Even the Tory buddies at CanWest are running a story headlined with a derserved slap at Boss Harp's government: Environment commissioner chides Tories for lack of climate-change plan. You will note in the first sentence that the Enviro Commissioner of the AG's Office is reported to claim that "...federal work on a national adaptation strategy has stalled." Canada's Former Government policy was fuelling adaptation research. This will be only one example of areas in which the Tories have hit the brakes when it comes to Climate Change. Others, like scrapping Energuide will also be noted as thhis report gets dissected.
The disingenuous use of the "leak" by Harp's Hooligans is being called to task as well. It is one thing to leak a political document, but it is entiely another matter to leak a report from an Officer of Parliament. Surely everyone will remember the incessant bleatings about "respect for Parliament" from the "old" Stephen Harper in Opposition.
Make no mistake, the Liberal government did not accomplish enough on GHG reductions. But the Tories have regressed. They are now starting to "leak" out details of what tehy might be doing. This week the TO Star had such information. The report notes that half their projected money will go to things the Liberal government had already started...programs for alternative energy source development and ethanol expansion. They will reportedly even recognise (not likely...being Boss Harp is never having to say you are wrong!) that they were crazy to cancel Energuide and will "re-invent" a similar program. In doing so they will provide graphic evidence that their earlier moves were purely partisan in origin. I also recall Ministers saying (in the House and elsewhere) that Energuide was cancelled because it was not an efficient use of government resources. THEY MIS-LED THE HOUSE and should be called to task within 24 hours of release of the AG Report.

AG report...

Tomorrow the Office of the Auditor General is scheduled issue a report on Canada's climate change efforts. Apart from the substance...which will likely say government in the past did not do enough, nor measure what was done well enough and in the future government must re-double its efforts...it will be interesting to contrast the Tory reaction with how they handled the recent surplus announcement.
On fiscal and economic matters they are most willing and even eager to take credit and responsibility for PAST performance, in spite of their own claim to be "Canada's NEW Government". I'd be willing to bet you won't see anybody doing the same on the climate change file.
To the contrary, it will all be those big bad Liberals at fault for any downsides mentioned by the AG.

Leadership today

Be warned that this is an opinion posting...
I note in today's news that yesterday the Iggy campaign trotted out a group of "high profile" Ontario Liberals to buttress their cause. The folks involved (Lyn McLeod, Howard Brown, Michael Brown, etc.) provided endorsements of Ignatieff's bid. But, they didn't stop there. They also went on (abetted by a Peterson) to make the case that "Rae just can't win seats in Ontario". A refrain that they will no doubt echo frequently in the coming weeks. That is unfortunate.
I commend people for making a choice and providing "positive" support to whatever campaign they choose. But, why add the "negative" shot at another candidate, particularly when much of it could be seen as "sour grapes" over the Peterson debacle in the 1990 election loss in Ontario? It smacks of desperation and, more importantly, takes the contest away from a clash of ideas into the realm of a clash of cults of personality.
That is what happened to the Liberal Party during the 1990 leadership when, at the Montreal debate, one campaign organised the hurling of the "vendu" epithet at the candidate who already had enough delegates elected to win the race. It was wrong and harmful to the Party to "go negative" in 1990 and it is doubly wrong to do so in the process that we now use in 2006.
I do not support Bob Rae. Nor do I support Michael Ignatieff. But, I will not attack them. Either could end up as Leader. On December 4th we damn well all have to be in the same boat, pulling in the same direction...and that will only be made more difficult in direct proportion to the negativity that infects the final phases of the contest.
I implore all Liberals to think about that in the coming weeks.

As It Happens

John Baird the former Mike Harris Minister who now serves Stephen Harper is now on As It Happens discussing his cuts. He lies through his teeth. Politicians just made the cuts.
He maintains that there was a surplus that means nothing. He is doing math that means his buddy, another former Harris Minister, Jim Flaherty will be putting Canada into a deficit. Canadians should simply make a mental note of how Baird "explains" his cuts.

Oh my God...ANOTHER Ghost!

Conrad Black wants his citizenship back!
Quick...Boss Harp get moving on your desire to get rid of dual citizenship!
That would help Grits win more seats...AND...keep away those who view citizenship as merely a matter of "convenience". Like Black!

More ghosts in Ottawa...this IS scary...Harris

Duffer Harris is alive and well and living vicariously in the Harper Cabinet. A replay of the Mike Harris years is well underway on the federal scene.
Duffer would have been proud of his students, as yesterday Rusty Baird and Jim Flaherty combined to blindside groups and programs that receive government funding. They even had the old Harris prop on hand...over-sized cheque to represent the amount of debt to be paid down. Even more telling, they referred to coming cuts as "a common sense approach". Words that still haunt Ontarians to this day.
Using the another worn-out Harris mantra that "an election is a consultation" they announced the first step in their "slash and burn" of programs which is purely ideologically based. Hmmmm...well if they are so intent upon following their Election Platform promises how about this one? Platform: "Governments cannot be held to account if Parliament does not know the accurate state of public finances." This is from the Budget: "For 2005–06, the federal surplus is currently estimated at $8 billion." Yesterday: Federal surplus = $13.2 Billion.
They released a list of the spending cuts. When you read it you should also substitute the words "job cuts" for each time you see the word "efficiency". When you read it perhaps you could also consider how the Tourism Industry will feel about the slash of GST rebates to tourists. Or you might wonder why they would cut the Court Challenges Program. Or Health Canada's Policy Research Program. Or why they would take money away from crime prevention. To name but a few.
The whole thing makes you wonder if Stephen Harper has an original thought in his head. He mimics George Bush on international and law and order matters. He mimics Mike Harris and Ralph Klein on domestic and social issues.

Ghosts in Ottawa...Volopey-Jalopy down to one wheel

Hallowe'en came early to Ottawa this year. Yesterday, to be precise.
An ashen-faced Joe Volpe tried to quell rumours swirling that he was about to quit the leadership race. Volpe gamely, and subtly, tried to shift any "blame" for "errors or anomalies" in his campaign's recruitment efforts onto "staff". He repeatedly pointed out that the Party has a "process and rules" do deal with complaints. He stuck to a tight script and totally frustrated the media...who tried gamely to induce Volpe into a tit-for-tat against other campaigns. Volpe would have none of that. Probably because he knew his loyal minions in the Volopey- Jalopy Campaign were already out there gossiping at full tilt.
Volpe is a lost cause. Rumours abound that the Liberal Party has been "investigating" the complaints against Volpe for several weeks or more. Yesterday was supposedly the deadline for a response from the Volopey-Jalopy. Instead the Party got a stalling move. He is trying to hang on in one last hope that the Party membership provides him the ammunition to silence critics during delegate selections.
The Hallowe'en early arrival of the whole charade occurred outside the press theatre. Two less-kindly folks had dressed up like ghosts..and had neat little sayings inscribed on their flowing sheets. Clever things like "Volpe has spirits".
Liberals who would waste their time with such antics are truly stupid. The public will think so too.

Volpe today

Joe Volpe will stay in the race according to Bob Fife at CTV. I bet he will too. He might even blame Jimmy "Special K" Karygiannis for any recruitment problems that ocurred during the sign up period. Makes sense...in both style and substance, in fact.
Interesting in the Fife piece is a comment from Scott Reid yesterday on NewsNet. Reid said the big question is whether Volpe is going to speak Monday "with grace or with guile. I'm a little worried that he's going to start attacking other camps."
As the utterer of "beer and popcorn" I am not sure Reid is qualified to provide advice of this nature.

GritShip 06...another poll

It seems that the Ignatieff campaign is hitting a bit of a wall. Another poll today in the TO Star has essentially the same results as last week's Mop and Pail effort. This time it was EKOS research who did the survey.
A couple of interesting elements of the poll are that that it shows that Kennedy could surprise and that Dion has previously un-identified strength in Quebec. Please note that I support Dion...so take my comments as you please. Notwithstanding my own leanings, both of these elements point to a very exciting convention. I have said before that this will be good for our Party and for politics in general in Canada.
All of the front runners identified in this survey carry an albatross of some sort. It just depends when and where it comes to roost that is really important. Dion has his English language challenges and the fact that he is potentially "another" Quebec leader; Ignatieff has his past writings and musings, including some of recent vintage; Kennedy has his early campaign over-selling of his French abilities and his reported difficulties in relating to people on a personal level (news which comes from "inside" this and his past leadership campaigns); and Rae has his record as an NDP Premier and his Bobby-come-lately affiliation to the Liberal Party. You could also add Ken Dryden to this list because a Party in Convention sometimes is forced to seek out a true compromise...but his plodding style and French language challenges still exist.
I personally believe that Michael Ignatieff's "lean to the right" stand on a number of issues could prove to be fatal. It certainly appears that it has helped in turning what was a commanding lead into a close race. It has also been exacerbated by a campaign that has continually raised, instead of controlling, expectations for the candidate. It also could turn out that Rae's late-happening road to Damascus Liberal conversion may be his true Achilles heel. It is not yet clear how the negatives of each campaign will impact Dion or Kennedy. To date both have been able to rise above them to some extent and that is why they are both doing better than expected.
At least now every one is realising that who ends up last is as important as who leads (or claims to lead) at each stage of this leadership process. "Second choices" were the focus of each of the two aforementioned polls. It will also be the focus of the leadership campaigns from October thru December. It will also help to maintain a civil atmosphere as the campaign continues to unfold.

Harp in Control Again..Zack muzzled..CN audit hidden...Arar still waiting

Even the Harper-loving Globe and Mail today has a piece by Jeff Sallot on the muzzling of top Mountie Zaccardelli. This follows on the heels of Toronto Star reportage on the same topic last Saturday by Susan Delacourt. The difference between the Globe and Star is that Ms. Delacourt didn't rely on a bunch of "unnamed sources" on which to base her work. But, then we all know that the Globe is the "vehicle of choice" for the control freakish and leak-happy Harper style of government.
Someone should point out to Sallot that a "muzzle" is only as effective as the person wearing it allows it to be. If Zaccardelli's position is more important to him than effective policing...then the government should just get rid of him. Unless, of course, the current government has something to hide in it's relationship with Zack.
Further on the issue of Boss Harp and control...the story of CN rail and the government hiding the safety audit and orders it issued in June is also in this morning's CBC news (sorry no link at this time). It seems that CN's Hunter Harrison has considerable "pull" with Harp. Not entirely unsuspected given Harp's love of the US and the American style, which is the style and substance of good ole boy Hunter.
Finally, Maher Arar is still waiting for an apology from Boss Harp. You have to wonder what is holding Boss Harp back. Maybe he just doesn't want to focus on the Tory stance back at the time the Arar issue first hit the fan. An apology would also carry implicit criticism of his friend south of the border.

Greenspon's brave move

Nice to see Globe Editor-in-Chief Edward Greespon putting his foot in it with his piece yesterday in the Globe commenting on the Jan Wong article. In essence he says that the piece was improperly edited. He assumes only passing responsibility, apparently not recognising the degree of responsibility his title confers, at the last moment.
He blames Wong's alleged errors on the failed "editorial process". In doing so he seems to conveniently ignore the fact that he also said that the paper had sent the native Montrealer Wong to do a "special" piece on the Dawson killings. It strikes me that since this was a "special" on a major current news item that it would have been pretty high on the list of "editing priorities" for last weekend's Globe. Maybe even to the extent that the Editor-in-Chief would have reviewed it Himself???
At least we can take solace in the fact that Greenspon accepted some responsibility. He was not as willing in 2005 when another Globe hack, Margaret Wente, slagged all Newfoundland and Labrador as "...the most vast and scenic welfare ghetto in the world." Back then a simple "she didn't mean do to it" sufficed, as I recall.

Tie a yellow ribbon round...er...Stronach

Is there any one in the whole world...other than in the media of course...who give's a rat's ass about the private life of Tie Domi or Belinda Stronach?

Arar aftermath..Harper protects his friend

Nobody can claim any high ground in the Arar Affair. The Liberal government failed. The Opposition at the time failed. The RCMP failed in proportions that would normally have already seen heads roll. CSIS was AWOL. And, of course, the US government failed.
Politicians in Canada, judging by most comments this week, seem to at least grasp the notion of the failures. The US is another matter.
Events in both countries actually collided this past week in a way that we don't often see. At precisely the time the Arar report was resounding across this land the Americans were absorbed with debate and typical Congressional deal-making over the issue of interrogation techniques and terror investigation.
While most Canadian leaders were cognizant of their failings for Mr. Arar and his family, the American Attorney General Robert Gonzales denied any American culpability. This apparent disconnect puts into question the never-ending Stephen Harper claim of "new and improved" relations with the US. It also explains why Harp himself is loathe to issue a formal apology to Arar. He would not want to offend his friend George who's in such a mess on all these issues just now. Harp would be well-advised to take some advice from Eric Margolis in today's Sun. It's a good right-leaning rag Steve...go ahead and read it.

Latest Tory patronage

Just hope everyone noticed some of the latest Tory patronage appointments.
Monte Solberg bhas joined the game over at Citizenship and Immigration with his September 15th announcements of new Citizenship Judges. You should note former Ontario Tory Minister Brian Coburn. That's a fairly obvious partisan leap and at least they acknowledged it. But dont' overlook the appointment of Philip Gaynor, who is described as "...a distinguished member of his community in Whitby". Could he be the same Phil Gaynor listed on the Jim Flaherty Whitby-Oshawa Conservative Association? Then there is Patricia Phenix. Who may not have a direct partisan connection. But she does know how to impress the right people.
Finally, there was Chuck Strahl's appointment of Ken Motiuk to the Canadian Wheat Board. A policy partisan if ever there was one!

Harper sounds more like Bush every day

"We don't start fights, but we finish them and we won't leave until they're done." (Stephen Harper, September 22, 2006) He shouted those words on Parliament Hill yesterday.
Canadians (including all politicians) do indeed support the women and men of the Canadian Forces. I have no doubt that the Canadians who started the Canadian Chapter of Red Fridays did so with nothing but the best intentions.
But Canadians do not support chest-beating, Bush-like political opportunism and manipulation as a way of governing. That is precisely why Stephen Harper's attempt to use a natural sentiment amongst Canadians for his own partisan political purposes will backfire.
This whole "Red Fridays" movement needs a little more investigation. First of all...contrary to the Canadian media claims today...it did NOT start in Canada in April. It is a product of the Karl Rove/George Bush school of politics. Read this posting from DemocraticUnderground on April 11, 2005 which discusses the American version of Red Fridays. Granted the Democratic Underground can be pretty excessive. Here is a milder reaction from another blogger who has been spammed.
Even Canadian politicians who should know better are getting caught up in the mind-control and media manipulation games being played. In August, Garth Turner ran a piece on his blog about a "chain letter" he had received about Red Fridays. While he questioned the "chain letter" concept...he did not criticise the tactics being used to "influence" debate, but instead pointed out how "potent" they could be. Compare the text of the "chain letter"received from the person who was in Trenton with the text from mitchellwife in this one purporting to be in Atlanta.
Red Fridays are a George Bush/US right-wing creation for purely political purposes...it is a shame that Canadians have got caught up in the "chain letter" efforts of the religious and political right efforts to help out Bush in the US.
It raises some serious questions. Why is the potential US connection not reported in the Canadian media? If it is a fear of offending the good-intentioned folks who started up the Red Friday effort here that is not good enough. If it is a fear of offending the military that is likewise not enough. Is it a fear of offending Harper?...not good enough. The media should be digging and reporting facts. How did Red Fridays get started up here? Who finances it's costs? Why is the Department of National Defence using public funds to further an effort that the Prime Minister then uses for partisan advantage? And make no mistake about it his speech was partisan with lines like "Let me tell you that this government is committed to rebuilding the Armed Forces of Canada..." Taken directly from his last campaign stump speech. And his whole effort is backed by his partisans across the land, including some of his blogging Tory friends.
Boss Harp should enjoy the false adulation and bravado that he is concocting. It will not last in Canada any more than it has lasted for Bush in the US...and every Tory in the land will have one person to blame...the man who had to be just like Bush.
And you know the cruel irony...it appears from this post from 2004 (...and others) that Red Fridays had a totally different conotation to begin with!

Harper in New York

The Globe and Mail comments intently today on Boss Harp's New Yourk adventure.
A word of caution...many were writing similar pieces in December of 2003.

Tory climate change plans...follow the US...again

The Globe's front page is replete with Tory leaks on their upcoming Green Plan II...son of Mulroney...for the environment. Today's topic...regulations are the way to go for the auto sector. In fact, the GPII will be nothing approaching either Mulroney's plan of almost two decades ago. Not in substance. Not in monies attached. The desire to head off on a regulatory bent is nothing more than an attempt to "change the channel" of political discourse in Canada, from the Afghan crisis to domestic issues.
They will also face intense pressure from the automotive manufacturing sector on this latest environment gambit. The sector...and the 42 ridings directly affected in the Province of Ontario...are reeling from weakness in the industry at this time. There are also significant elements of the sector still centred in Quebec and suppliers across the country. How will Boss Harp square that with his overriding desire to have a majority?
Make no mistake. None of this is a green "plan". It is government "by the seat of their pants" because they arbitrarily cancelled many successful government programs based only on the whims of a man who MUST be in control and a man who likes to imitate the US...Stephen Harper.
Harper and his Environment and NRCAN ministers have repeatedly indicated that they intend to follow the US lead on Climate Change. Witness their desire to engage the "voluntary" efforts of the Asia Pacific Partnership...at the expense of the much broader Kyoto coalition. To think that they will adopt a "strict regulatory" approach in Canada, while opting for a voluntary approach as a nation is laughable. Almost as laughable as following George Bush on anything at all...let alone the climate change file. Hell! Even the Brits have given up on Dubya on that. They are already looking to the NEXT President according to Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett.
In recent weeks the Tories have talked about a Clean Air Act. Period. They have also leaked "suggestions" of "new programs" for the energy and transportation sectors. We will see just how "innovative" those "new" programs are when they hit the shelf. We should expect some selective "leaks" in the coming days in this realm too.
It's all about communications...it's all about trying to "look" moderate. It is a desperate attempt to escape focus on their Afghanistan errors.

Canada's New Government...NRCAN turmoil continues

As incredible as it may seem...this article below from today's Victoria Times Colonist raises new questions around NRCAN MiniMin Lunn and his "influence" over hiring and firing in his ministry...Lunn continues to claim he is not involved in personnel matters in one breath and then tries to take credit for personnel matters in another. So...does he also get "credit" for this "early retirement"? And how or why did Mr. Itzkovitch decide to send the email in the first place? You might think there might have at least been a "suggestion" from someone in Lunn's office.

Bureaucrat to retire after e-mail tempest: Attempt to fire scientist backfires

The federal civil servant at the centre of a firestorm over the e-mail firing of Saltspring Island scientist Andrew Okulitch is taking early retirement, sources say.
Irwin Itzkovitch, assistant deputy minister in the earth sciences sector of Natural Resources Canada, is travelling overseas and was not available for comment yesterday.
However, sources said he was due to retire late this year, with accumulated leave, and decided this week to retire early.
Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn said human resources matters are the responsibility of the deputy minister, "This is not something I can comment on."
Lunn said the only time he got involved in ministry personnel matters was this week when he heard about the firing of Okulitch, a scientist emeritus, who has worked for 35 years for the Geological Survey of Canada. "When I heard about that, I immediately spoke to the deputy minister and she agreed it shouldn't have happened and fixed it. I put my toes in the water on that," Lunn said.
Okulitch, who was reinstated to his research post, said he had heard that Itzkovitch was due to retire shortly, but he was unaware of the early retirement.
"It would seem a reasonable thing to do," he said. "But as far as I am concerned, the matter is closed."
Furious e-mails flew between the two men this month after Okulitch refused to obey a directive to refer to "Canada's New Government" instead of the government of Canada.
It was later clarified that civil servants were expected to use the phrase "Canada's New Government" only when documents were being prepared for the minister's office.
By that time, Okulitch had been fired from his unpaid position by Itzkovitch, who, in one e-mail said: "The privilege to serve Canada and the people elected by Canadians is earned and is not something you are entitled to."

Iggy update...the plot thickens

Last night I noted a "rumour" concerning Tom Allison's involvement in the Ignatieff campaign. (I also incorrectly identified Allison as "national" Campaign Director instead of "Ontario" Campaign Director...sorry).
Some "clarification" with respect to the rumour was provided in the comments. Check them out.
My original "rumour" was that there might be some unrest within the Iggy camp. That actually would have been only a minor problem. The last two anonymous comments seem to indicate that there is a larger problem at play here. A question of "conflict of interest".
It should be noted that form "contesting" is no different than form "submission" in terms of importance. It appears that an appeal has been filed with respect to Iggy Campaign form "submission".

Steve's adventure in New York

True to form, Boss Harp continued his re-branding of Canada as an "energy superpower" last night in his speech to the Economic Club of New York. In order to buttress this effort, he spent considerable time beating the anti-terroist drums, a la Dubya (a surefire winner for his crowd). And he spent some time lecturing Americans on the virtue of the strong Canadian economy and the inter-relationship of North American nations. He seemed oblivious to the fact that all the economic stats he tossed about were a pure reflection of the last 13 years of Liberal rule and at least he didn't make the mistake of bragging about our trade surplus with the US. Expect more of the same today in his appearance before the UN.
It wasn't a bad speech...it was Harper. But the whole tone makes you think that the Canadian public might soon be wondering just what drives a PM who continually seems to feel a need to beat his chest in military terms. In fact, people will likely recognise that even the cadence of Harper's speeches evoke the image of Dubya. Perhaps that explains why the Tories chose yesterday to leak out word of their "three strikes" law and order legislation for domestic consumption.

Harper ethics under fire

The ethics...or lack thereof...of the Harper government are under fire again on two fronts today. First there is the question of just how and why PMO Communications Director Sandra Buckler has been receiving specific information as to who files Access to Information requests. It is strictly forbidden for political staff (or departmental staff other than teh Access officers) to know precisely who files requests. The reason for this element of the Act are obvious. Rather, they should be obvious. A reporter found that his name was being bandied about with respect to his access requests. The story first appeared in yesterday's Montreal Gazette and was raised in the House during QP.
Another case of Boss Harp in control.
The second ethical question today revolves around yet another example of Boss Harp exerting his control. It is being reported that Canada's New Government has recalled Alvin Curling from his ambassadorial posting to the Dominican Republic.
Let me be clear. It is within Harper's perview to change the Ambassador and I do not question the act itself. However...it certainly puts a lie to Harper's attempt to project that image of a "moderate" that he so much needs as he strives for his majority. Alvin Curling was indeed a political appointment. But he was also a symbolic appointment of how far both he and our country have come in our race relations.
The whole matter is a reflection of the true definition of "Canada's New Government". A petty, vindictive, doctrinaire group who want to turn back the clock...just for the sake of turning it back.

Iggy shuffle...

Rumour about that Tom Allison has quit as National Campaign Director of the Ignatieff campaign. If true it is s big blow. Also maybe a sign of panic within Iggyland.

Canada's New Government...Lunn's urge spreads

Yesterday the NRCAN MiniMin Lunn said it was just him who wanted to have Canada's New Government on his documents. His brainwave continues to spread...
Yesterday was a big day for CNG at HRSD, AgCan, AgCan, AgCan, and...one more...AgCan....then Peter MacKay got into the act (with capitalisation no less) over at ACOA, but his colleague Dull Knife Emerson couldn't quite decide and he only capitalised two of the letters on his Ways and Means announcement. Lunn should know it will take a little effort to get through to Dull Knife. Tony Clement got the message...you get the picture.
I am not so sure that MiniMin Lunn came up with this all on his own...You would think some enterprising reporter would ask if this branding was ever discussed at Cabinet or Cabinet Committee.

New slogan for Toryland...appointments R us...

Over at Toryland they have a new slogan. Apparently deciding that Standing Up for Canada may be losing some of its lustre, the Boss Harp's have opted to tell us that they are "getting Things Done for all of us".
It is not immediately clear as to whether the "all of us" refers strictly to their fellow Tories. Like the latest Tory appointment...Tory PEI warhorse Patricia Mella. You may recall that she was the only Tory left standing after the 1993 PEI provincial election. And she was PEI Opposition Leader until 1996. Now that's loyalty!
That's loyalty...rewarded!

Boss Harp hits the road

Just to New York though...he gives a big speech to the Economic Club tonight and then debuts at the United Nations tomorrow.
Betcha he talks about Canada as an energy superpower in at least one, if not both, of these appearances. It's just his style...even if it is wrong-headed at this time in the history of nations.

Leadership question...for all campaigns

So...to all the campaigns...why have you not posted your lists of Party members who are running for Delegate staus on your behalf? That would be a logical thing to do now...it would be the most extensive display of "endorsements" fo any campaign.
Just thought I would ask.

The RCMP...the RCMP

There is a song by an old comedy singing group of 4 ex-cops from Windsor, The Brothers-in-Law perhaps, titled The RCMP The RCMP. As I recall one of the lines was: the RCMP, the RCMP...we all put our faith in the RCMP. This week's Arar report brings it to mind.
Ah the RCMP. Now everyone is waiting to see how the Tories "fix the RCMP", as they said yesterday.
They are pretty much certain to do one thing. Fire Commissioner Zaccardelli. To do anything less given the information and condemnation contained in the report would open up Boss Harp to another line of criticism. Specifically, if Zack survives, people might wonder about the RCMP intervention on income trusts during the last election campaign.

Grit leadership...lists

The Globe runs a poll today on the leadership. It is a reflection of interviews of Liberals only. The lists used to perform the poll were provided to the Strategic Counsel by the Brison, Dryden and Dion campaigns.
The detail of the poll showing a tight race is interesting. Particularly interesting if you have been believing all the previous claims that Michael Ignatieff is a "clear front runner". The fact is that this process mitigates against a "clear front runner". It does encourage all camps to "get along". Second and third choices ARE important.
The poll is also interesting from another perspective. What are permitted uses of the Party membership lists?

Flash: Bureaucrat re-hired

Beating a hasty retreat yesterday, the Tories ordered the re-hiring of previously disgraced scientist emeritus Andrew Okulitch. But in doing so the Mini-ster of NRCAN, Gary Lunn, has set himself up for a few more questions. "I'm proud to use it,'' he said in Ottawa. "We're proud to be the new government of Canada. This is not something that we expect department officials or bureaucrats to use at all.''
The slogan/motto is on the masthead of Boss Harp's very own web site...a search for the slogan at Ag Canada returns many documents; same at Heritage; same at DFO; heck even at supposed arm's length agencies like CMHC and the CRA are working the words into their public communications. You will see the extent of the usage if you Google the term.
So...why is Lunn not just coming clean. It was/is a communications strategy of the government to re-brand in their own image. I would bet that Lunn's office was more involved in all of this than he is willing to admit.

Loose-lip Cannon appoints Tory lawyer

Tory patronage pro Lawrence Cannon has done it again. Today he appointed one Arthur Hamilton to the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited. The presser highlights the career of Mr. Hamilton. Of course, it does not mention his legal work for the Conservative Party of Canada. He appeared before Gomery...and also handled the David Orchard file. I bet he also donates...
Another case of do as I say...

Rumour confirmed...Tories make political firing of civil servant

On September 6th I noted that there was a rumour about that an employee at NRCAN had been fired for refusing to use the Tory tag line "Canada's New Government".
Today we have confirmation...nice work Steve!
This should cause a real uproar...we'll see.

NB election

Don"t miss this angle...Lord also reminded voters that he enjoys a close, personal friendship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, suggesting that those ties will translate into greater federal largesse for New Brunswick.

NB Election....Bourque

How long will it take for Bourque to post?

New Brunswick

Congratulations Shawn... iguess the voters remembered.

Leadership delegate estimates at Democratic Space

Interesting little project (and hypothesis) under way over at Democratic Space. Not sure I agree with the logic being used. For instance, big donors rarely even attend party (any party) conventions. Let alone get out to vote at lowly delegate meetings.
In any case, however, I think the estimates of % should give Linda Diebel and "most" others something to think about.

Media is catching on...

The Nat Post's John Ivison reports today that the Tories are spoiling for a Spring election. Last Spring the media were reporting the Tories were spoiling for a Fall election.
What do you suppose it is that causes journalists to reproduce every bit of spin they hear?

Cordiano quits...no one saw this coming

Ontario Minster of Economic Development Joe Cordiano has resigned. He will be replaced by Sandra Pupatello, who in turn will be replaced by Kathleen Wynne.
Coridano has been in politics since his first election in 1985. He is the cousin of former federal MP Tony Ianno.

Eeeek-os Poll

That clearly anti-Harper organ of public assent...The Toronto Star...has paid Ekos research to do a poll on current affairs. No...not Peter MacKay!
The results show a 10 point lead and pollster Frank Graves lauds PM Harper...mostly. But, of course there are those pesky little problems. Like"...the comfort with the direction of the government is lower than the comfort with the direction of the country." Graves doesn't want to be too critical, of course. His firm does a lot of government business. SO much so that one might think there is a bit of a conflict of interest to be doing political polls for the media at the same time. Also, it was Graves who used the word Harpermania during the last election campaign...somewhat prematruely, as it turned out.
But, I digress. The underlying numbers in this poll are the same as all others of recent vintage taking into account margins of error. The Tories have stalled (and Afghanistan IS a challenge)...the leaderless Grits have held their own...the Bloc and NDP have slipped and teh Green Party is up. Actually, the Green change is proportionally the biggest of all.

Over there...Labour's love losing

There has been some Canadian comment of late on the situation faced by British PM Tony Blair. First there was Peter Donolo comparing Brit Labour in-fighting to the last decade of turmoil within the Liberal Party of Canada. Then Tim Murphy responded. Some have suggested that the exchange was entirely "true to form" and actually proved the original Donolo thesis.
Canadianizing Blair's problems is great sport...but it misses the real action over there. The Independent reports today that a Hung Parliament Beckons. The usefulness of polls when one party (the incumbent at that) does not have its leader in place for the election is questionable. But, one thing for sure...they are in for interesting times "over there" as Blair heads for the exit. He intends to invoke a "reform agenda" before he leaves.

Softwood and Parliamentary sham

Steve Harper and David Emerson spent the summer threatening all sorts of things with respect to the softwood lumber deal. Not the least of which was that the deal would require a House of Commons vote and it would be a confidence matter. Many thought this was all bluster. It seems they were right.
Apparently Harp has decided he did not need to go to the House after all. How else to explain last week's "official signing"? How else to explain that they have commenced the "refund" process? How else to explain that they have demanded that provinces get on board?
To go to all this trouble and then risk a House vote just does not make sense...particularly since you already have passed the Order-in-Council on September 8, 2006.
The Opposition parties should simply abstain from any sham vote.

Leadership...time to make a choice

You might enjoy reading this article from a small town Ontario newspaper Friday...it provides a remarkably succinct summary of why...
I believe that Stéphane Dion is the best choice to lead the Liberal Party and Canada into the future. He represents, in my view, the very best that politics can be in this country.
M. Dion came to Parliament in 1996 with his backpack over his shoulder and his sleeves rolled up...NOT for personal acclaim...but because his Prime Minister and his country needed him. His deep understanding of, and passion for, the modern Canadian mosaic made him the right person for that job…and it sets him apart from his contemporaries today.
The same dedication, intelligence and vision have been evident in his actions as Environment Minister and as an Opposition critic. Indeed, his grasp of the environment file may very well be one of the key elements in the next election campaign.
During this leadership campaign, Stéphane has also shown that he is a mature political leader capable of dealing with a myriad of issues. His personality is shining through and his self-deprecating sense of humour brings a much needed tone of civility to public life.
As I offer this endorsement, I also encourage all Liberals to remember that our leadership is not the "big" battle...that will come in the next general election. We must maintain respect and civility for each other as we complete the leadership process. Canadians deserve no less.
Vive le Canada!

Harper and Afghanistan...REAL debate

The British commander of NATO Afghanistan forces says it will take 3 to 5 years to defeat the Taliban. The news is not shocking. Lt-Gen. Richards could also have pointed out that allied forces have already been there for almost 5 years.
The real question is "why" it will take a decade to subdue the "insurgents"? Eric Margolis has a good piece in today's Sun Media that provides a little more substance to the discussion and looks at one topic that has been taboo...drug trade. His main point of reference is the Senlis Council, an international think tank. The organisation has just released a report titled Five Years Later: The Return of the Taliban. This follows on the heels of their June missive: Canada in Kandahar: No Peace to Keep.
The drug trade is THE major contributing factor to the growing quagmire that is Afghanistan and something the Allies have been studiously avoiding discussing. Senlis makes this point in spades and has been for some time. The drug trade is not even on the radar for Canadian Forces. Have a look...nary a word. It is something that has not even been a part of the debate here. To his dis-credit that debate was rendered sterile earlier this year by Stephen Harper's political gamesmanship. In his rush to capitalise politically on public support for the men and women of the Forces, it looks increasingly as though Harp may well have sowed the seeds of his own destruction.
There may well be a need for another debate...a true debate...in the House of Commons this Fall. Not a gamesmanship debate as envisioned by Layton or his pal Harper though. Rather, a true debate about the "conduct" of the mission for Forces posted to Afghanistan. Such a reasoned discussion might just provide the PublishMinisters of Foreign Affairs and National Defence with some Parliamentary direction on the messages to take to NATO. That might be truly useful.

Saturday bits and bites...

Boss Harp and his government minions continue to doublespeak on most every issue. In yesterday's papers we read Harp's very own solemn comment that now is not the time for a gun control debate...then today we read (and apparently will hear later on CBC) that the time has now arrived. Nice doubletalk indeed!
Then there was Harp's Chief of Defence Staff spinning that tanks are needed for the "reconstruction effort" in Afghanistan. Notice on the DND web site that Boss Harpo and Hillier have renamed the department. Right wing readers should note that I am not criticising the deployment of the tanks as a tactical need...I just think its about time Harp quit trying to be too cute by half on the communications.
Speaking of Harper communications...next week Harp goes to the New York and the UN. Remember his last foreign trip? Will he give the "superpower" same stump speech?

McGuinty and the auto sector

Today Ford has announced a massive restructuring that will impact Ontario's auto sector significantly. There will be about 2100 job losses in Windsor, Essex and St. Thomas. Additionally there will be an undetermined number of white collar jobs cut.
This is clearly not good news for the individual workers or for Ontario in general. Each primary job loss also has a ripple effect through the sector. No doubt, some may try to hang this around the neck of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. That would be patently unfair.
In fact, the McGuinty government has taken many steps to mitigate the negative effects of the poorly managed North American auto manufacturers. He has forged a pretty good working relationship with the CAW. This allowed the government and workers to leverage government money to get increased investment by all manufacturers including Ford. Part of today's announcement by Ford included their commitment to put a new line into their Oakville facility. The McGuinty government has also worked hard to attract new auto sector investment. Asian manufacturing investment has increased exponentially in the last few years as a result.
It will be the true test of the government to now accelerate efforts to attract more new investment...in the auto and other sectors. The slowing US economy will not make this easy. But it does make it absolutely essential.

McGuinty byelection loss...negative

The Ontario Liberals lost the byelection in Gerard Kennedy's riding yesterday. The entrails of this one will make for interesting reading over the next while, no doubt. The Grits went negative in the final week in an attempt to hold onto the Parkdale-High Park enclave that Kennedy had called home.
In this day and age it is difficult to view any riding is a Party bastion. More often, ridings become fiefdoms for individuals, as with Kennedy in Parkdale. The riding went NDP in the last federal election. Incumbent government parties lose more byelections than they win.
So why does the media now want to ramp this up into the category of "key" loss?
The answer may just lie in another question...Why did McGuinty and his campaign officials make this such a litmus test? They put a lot of political capital on the line in the riding by sending in a long line of Ministers to campaign, including McGuinty. And in a final desperate thrust they adopted a negative approach in the final week.
It is difficult to understand why that route was taken. It is clear, however, that once they decided to adopt the negative approach they also committed to staying the course. That is the classic definition of negative politics.

A multi-partisan effort required...

In the aftermath of the Montreal shootings it is clear that there is an opportunity for all political parties to work together, constructively, to tackle problems associated with such acts. This could apply to gun control measures and Criminal Code updates, but should also be extended to include measures to reduce societal factors which also have been proven to play a role.
This will require all parties to put some water in their wine. On the right...they should review the notion of gun registries without the idological bias that has been applied in the past. On the left...there must be a recognition that stiffer penalties and sentencing may have a partial role to play. For all...underlying issues like poverty, peer bullying, gang-related activiites and the role of technology in modern life must be looked at if a truly integrated response is to be developed.
There are no doubt many other areas that warrant review. The main point is simply that all politicians should park their partisanship at the door.

NB Election...Lordy, Lordy

Another poll, the second in as many days, has the Liberals and Shawn Graham in the lead in the NB election race. This poll done for CTV has the spread at a thin 45% to 43% margin. It mirrors the 44% to 42% that Corporate Research revealed a day earlier.
Tory Lord says he is not worried...but his actions say otherwise. True to his form he has been using taxpayer dollars to buttress his position in recent days by announcing that he will deliver a "big tax cut" if re-elected. He has also fallen back on that age-old preserve of losers to claim that his "internal polls" are strong.
It is clear that Shawn Graham has run the better campaign and has momentum heading towards election day on Monday.

CBC Leadership poll

Canadian Publius is reporting on a CBC Grit leadership poll...proving that Dryden does have name recognition. Maybe this will give him a boost he needs.
The interesting part of the poll? It comes from The Gandalf Group. Who is that? David Herle.
Are his numbers better now than when he was handling PM Jr.'s polling?

Don't you just love the blue background

Sometime in the last 24 hours (maybe even today...can't remember if I checked this morning) the Tories went live with the new GoC web look. Don't you just love the blue background...and the political tone? Looks just like Boss Harp's own site...

Peter MacKay

OK...just cannot help commenting. Actually, just a question for Boss Harp. How long is he going to put up with this teenage-like performance of our Foreign Affairs Minister? It really is getting ridiculous.

Tory environment plan...

Government by "leak" continues today. We can assume that the Harperites are worried about Stéphane Dion judging by the tone of this Globe and Mail report.
At the same time the article has a dearth of comment on Green Plan II. Rather, the whole piece appears to be "setting the table" with an excuse for the Tories to NOT proceed with GPII this Fall.
The journalist, Bill Curry, should also have done a little research on the spin he was pitching. He fell into a trap by using information that had been leaked by the Paul Martin PMO in 2005. He failed to remember that Martin's government tried, just like Harper's, to govern by leak and photo-op (yes...Liberals are criticised when warranted).
Specifically, today's article refers to information "obtained...by the Globe" in 2005 that stated "...encouraging voluntary action through advertising and brochures had produced poor and sometimes "terribly disappointing" results." By contrast, Curry could have pointed to a PWGSC audit of one of those very advertising programs...the One Tonne Challenge. Part of that report states: "...One-Tonne Challenge advertising campaign was the "most noticed" and "most liked" national television advertising in February 2005 (Marketing magazine, 03/14/05)."
All of this just goes to show that after spending the summer spinning about how the environment would be number one on the Fall agenda for Boss Harp, the Tories are now in full retreat. Talk now revolves around Rona Ambrose introducing a Clean Air Act and not doing much on the GHG side of the equation.
I would bet there will be no "big bang" Green Plan II this Fall. Early next year, closer to an election, is a more likely timing. The Tories will spend the last quarter of this year trying to "look" like they are active on the environment. Much of this will be re-packaging and re-announcing initiatives and spending already under way. Examples of this will be found when they "act" on toxic chemicals (a process that has been on-going) and when they re-package energy efficiency programs. This government also likes using long weekends and House break weeks to tackle major issues...like softwood on July 1, DND procurement just before July 1 and again in August, Wajid Khan for the August break and child care for Easter...just to name a few. So check your calendars for likely dates!

Montreal shootings

There has been ample comment on the Montreal shootings. My thoughts are with the family of the deceased and those close to the injured. All the appropriate people, including the Prime Minister, have provided responses that fit the tragic circumstances of the day.

Softwood haze lifting...update

UPDATE: To the anon commenter who wondered where the "word" came from that was mentioned in the post from Monday below.
Check out CBC archive for As It Happens on Monday, September 11, 2006. Item title Softwood Lawyer: http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20060911.shtml.
Now, of course, we can add the coercion being applied to firms who don't like the Harper approach to the list of problems with the "deal". And anyone who believed the US Trade Envoy's claim that US interests won't disrupt the deal...should read this late breaker. At least now we know why Susan Schwab came to Canada to sign the deal! She would have faced protests at home.
Harp's deal gets muddier by the day...and he and Emerson don't even have the guts to say how many companies actually supported them prior to their recent heavy-handedness.
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Original Post:
Word today that the Government of Canada will "float" the softwood industry the monies due back from the US. That explains in simple terms for all Canadians precisely HOW Boss Harp got his "substantial" agreement for the deal from industry. In short Harp used Canadian tax dollars to "buy" the support. It also shows that Trade Minister, Dull Knife Emerson, has proved to be even duller than he admits. But he did take care of his old industry buddies. You can probably listen to the As It Happens report on-line later this evening. They interviewed a lobbyist lawyer for the industry...who toed the Tory line nicely. it would not be a shock if no Tory Minister was available to try to defend this.
This makes the Sponsorship fiasco look like penny ante poker!
Another example of Boss Harp's duplicitous leadership. Nice work Steve...George will be pleased!

New Brunswick...new poll...Grits lead

Well, well...imagine this...New Brunswick papers are reporting (It should be noted that the name of the polling firm is not revealed).
Tthe pic opposite from the Tele front page and this headline from the Times-Transcript and .
New poll gives Liberals slight lead for first time; Graham claims momentum; Lord dismisses results
At a pivotal point in the election, the Liberals have eked out their first lead in the campaign, according to a new poll. Shawn Graham's Liberals now hold 44 per cent of popular support compared to 42 per cent for Bernard Lord's Conservatives and 10 per cent for Allison Brewer's New Democratic Party. The two-point lead is within the margin of error but it also serves as a potential momentum shift with less than a week before the Sept. 18 election. The Liberal leader said the survey reflects the movement in voter support that he has been sensing on the ground. "I'm excited by the momentum that we're gathering in this race," Graham said. "There's six days left, we're not taking any vote for granted, we're going to be actively working in the last six days of the campaign to connect with all New Brunswickers." The poll by a Halifax-based research company, surveyed 653 people between Sept. 7 and 10, giving the survey a 3.8 per cent margin of error, 95 times out of 100. The number of undecided has dropped to 13 per cent.

Ignatieff today

The Mop and Pail has a couple of interesting pieces today.
First is Jeff Simpson pointing out the futility of Bush's Iraq Gambit in his column titled The tragic consequences of 'getting Iraq'. He notes the fact that the planning of the Iraq initiative began in the George Bush White House just hours after the attacks of 9/11. The main protagonist (along with Bush himself) is Paul Wolfowitz. Mr. Wolfowitz is the main architect of the Bush Doctrine and is now the head of the World Bank.
Simpson also makes a link in is piece to Michael Ignatieff. But his connection to Mi is miniscule compared to the John Ibbitson review of a book by political scientist Denis Smith. The book is titled Ignatieff's World: A Liberal Leader for the 21st Century? The Ibbitson column runs under the headline, A hatchet aimed squarely at Ignatieff. (unfortunately the column is not generally available from the Globe)
Readers will be left to make their own judgements as to Ibbitson's analysis and conclusion. He writes pretty much true to his recent form...as a booster of the Ignatieff campaign.

Ontario byelection...reptillian counter attack??

Tomorrow is byelection day in the Ontario riding formerly held by Gerard Kennedy. Things have been heating up in recent days in the Parkdale-High Park constituency that Kennedy won by 42% in the last election.
Unfortunately for all Liberals the campaign has turned nasty...bad for all Liberals because it is the Ontario Liberal Party that has "gone negative". The whole schmozzle is nicely laid out in today's TO Star and in another piece too.
Like columnist Urquhart, I suspect that this will be a matter for further review post-election.

Tory staffing follies...

The Hill Times reports regularly on political staffing. In this week's edition, they disucss some of the comings and goings that ocurred in Minister's offices over the summer.
One of the more interesting changes has come about in the office of NRCAN Mini-ster Gary Lunn. Emma Welford, his Director of Communications, left the shop in recent weeks. This exchange is included in the article:
Blair Dickerson, chief of staff to Minister Lunn, in a voicemail message left with Hill Climbers last Wednesday night, said that Ms. Welford’s decision to leave her job was a mutual one made between Ms. Welford and Mr. Lunn.
“In our office, following the spring session, and over the summer, I reorganized the office and made several changes. In the case of the director of communications position, the decision to make a change was mutual between the incumbent and the minister and that’s all that I have to say about that matter from our office,” said Ms. Dickerson.
Setting aside the dubious judgement exhibited by Dickerson in discussing confidential personnel matters and in a voicemail no less...the language she used certainly sounds like Ms. Bickerson and Mini-ster Lunn concluded that Ms. Welford was not capable of performing mouthpiece functions for the mini-mouth of Cabinet.
In a further twist to this story, however, it would appear that the PMO does not agree with the Mini-ster and his CoS. See this quote from the Globe and Mail of September 8th: "Mr. Harper meets many people at public events," says Emma Welford, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office.
It should also be noted that, unlike the classless Dickerson, Ms. Welford refused to comment for the Hill Times article.

Rice advice...physician heal thyself

Condi Rice offered some advice to the world yesterday. It is running around the globe in headlines like the BBC's West 'must not fail Afghanistan' or Ireland Online's World cannot afford to abandon Afghanistan - Rice.
She should have provided Dubya the same guidance prior to the US gambit in Iraq.

Common look and feel

On September 8th the Treasury Board of Canada published its new "common look and feel" standards for the internet.
You will not find the words "Canada's New Government" in the standards. Boss Harp will have to whip them bureaucrats into shape on that one...maybe he would enjoy this Ottawa Business Journal piece.

Tories embrace Canada's Old, Old Government program...

It is difficult not to notice the plethora of funding announcements for the the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. Ministers Cannon, Prentice, Strahl, Bernier and Baird have been out and about touting this year's funding. They all speak in glowing terms about the program and its positive impact on research sector activities in Canada. They never mention the origins of this program (not Canada's New Government).
Curiously, none of them bother talking about the fact that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is undertaking a review of the "...the accountability and value for money of the granting councils’ activities." (pg. 85, The Budget Plan)

Tory environment plan...lies...and subterfuge

The press has been regularly reporting that the Tories are preparing for a "big bang" approach to environmental issues. Speculation has been rampant that what has been dubbed Green Plan II (following Brian Mulroney's Green Plan I of about 2 decades ago) will be launched shortly after the House returns. The Toronto Star had a particularly detailed set of prognostications on September 2nd.
But that was then...since that time, there have been little warning signs that all may not be well with the birthing of GPII. Actually, the warning signs came even before the Star piece when CBC noted that certain critic groups had been excluded from this summer's "consultations". Then subsequent to the Star exposé we heard that it could "take years" for GPII with the intervening time been absorbed with consultation.
Hmmm...it is starting to sound very typical of this Harper government. Leaks upon leaks upon leaks as they try to "set up" whatever they may or may not finally do.
Today we also see a "new development" in the whole picture. The Halifax Chronicle-Herald is reporting that "There are rumours the federal and provincial governments are about to announce a variation of the EnerGuide retrofit grant program."
This raises some questions. What was the sense of cancelling a successful program? Why did a Minister seemingly mis-lead Members of Parliament by saying that EnerGuide was an inefficient program? What will the re-packaging of a former program cost?
It also might cause some to wonder what the name of the newly re-packaged program might be. That mis-leading the House problem is of particular interest...the Opposition should be reviewing Standing Order 48.

Language flap yapping...look deeper

Lots of sanctimonious tittering comment from the media today about the calibre of French at the Grit debate on the weekend. Not one of the many unilingual journalistic elite would ever expose themselves to such enquiry...but they don't mind commenting. More accurately, they don't mind pontificating. Not the good journalists..like Chantal Hebert or Jeff Simpson...they stick mostly to substance. And from them Canadians (and Liberals) can garner the knowledge that there is a real race under way.
But for the Susan O'Reilly's of the world, just for a moment, let's think back. In 2004, I do not recall the Tories even trying a debate toute en français...and if they did I am sure that none of the three who actually made it to the post in that grim campaign got rave reviews. Come to think of it there were a lot more who didn't run for that leadership than did.
Liberals have a good crop of candidates and the debate is heating up. This is going to be a great ride before it is over!

Hindsight is...

The Liberal Party has released a number (though not all) of its renewal documents. The one on Ethics is particularly noted in the media today, as its rhetoric outweighs its substance.
At the outset, let me declare my bias...My own humble opinion is that "ethics" can be defined...but only in the broadest of clinical terms (something the report tries). It is nearly impossible to teach something that is, by nature, intrinsic. It can rarely be measured...except in hindsight (and we all know that is 20/20). And it never resides in any one individual (or small elite) to judge others. In the political sphere that is why we have elections. I would also add that I think the Renewal Report on Values is about 1000% more applicable to the topic of ethics than the clinical Ethics Report.
Having said this, let me deal with some specifics of the Report.
The re-hashing of Gomery is not useful. The fact that it is done with little recognition of the some of the more pertinent testimony is even more hurtful. Jean Chrétien, for instance, took repsonsibility (Pg. 12512, line 14) for the sponsorship mess when he was before Gomery. He recognised that as the PM he was in the seat to which the responsibility fell for everything that happened in his government. The Liberal Ethics report does not even acknowledge this. Nor does it acknowledge that Chrétien took further steps to address the sponsorship problem. Things like, the Auditor General was asked to investigate; the RCMP were called in (the only charges and convictions to date resulted from that decision); Ralph Goodale was put in charge of PWGSC and began implementing management change (his testimony at Gomery was likewise ignored); and, new fundraising legislation was put through the House of Commons (which many Liberals continue to bitch about years later).
The Ethics report also cites, for instance, the political tax credit as something that harms the "image" of the political structure and class. It completely incorrectly compares it to the charitable tax credit. Political donations are not treated "much more favourably" as the report contends. They are treated differently. Differently because the purpose of the charitable tax credit is to encourage large donations...that is why there is no limit to them. The political tax credit is designed to encourage smaller donations from more people. Argue that it is time for a re-think, if charities have decided it is time to alter the approach (and many of the big beneficiaries and donors will not), but don't lay this as an ethical problem at the feet of politicians.
The Ethics paper also quotes Thomas Axworthy, like many of the Renewal Reports. It is nice that Saint Thomas has "seen the light" in his old age. Frankly, it is also surprising. This is the same Thomas Axworthy who, as Principal Secretary to PET, used to travel the country to lecture Liberals on how to win elections. One of his main prescriptions was to "drive turnout down". His thesis being that high voter turnout was harmful to incumbents. Of course, he was correct. He also never bothered to mention just how cynical that approach was and how much cynicism it would breed into our system.
This whole report breeches its own ethical advice almost from the outset. Quotes are rarely attributed (except for the St. Thomas, of course). Nowhere is there any mention of who and how many people were "consulted". Which leads to the media being able to make the broad accusation that "federal Liberals have almost no credibility left with the Canadian public". That would likely come as a surprise to the 100+ ridings which still have Liberal representation.
It is a shame that the Party bright lights cannot just get on with the job. You will note that Steve MacKinnon points out to the media that we have been working on an ethics package for some time. Although I am not clear as to why it would not apply to MPs and Senators!

Naming federal buildings

Recently there were some press reports about the fact that more federal government buildings are named after Liberals than Conservatives. The articles conveniently forgot to mention that Grits have been in power about 66% of the time. But facts are not a big deal for the Ottawa Petfinder (the source). The stories were clearly part of the Harper style of "leaking" to set up their moves.
Today, the Unelected Chicken Minister Fortier named a federal building after former Minister Howard Green. Clever naming a "green" building after a man named Green.
You would have thought Harp and his crybabies could have found a Tory name that people under the age of 80 might recall. But, Green was a bright light...a disarmament crusader...in an otherwise dim Diefenbaker era. You have to wonder what "one of the greatest leaders in the field of disarmament and world peace" would think of Boss Harp's militaristic chest-beating. Oh...that quote is from Dief himself...nice of the Unelected Minister to provide it too!
Have a good weekend.

More NB election shenanigans

Last week Bernard Lord claimed that NB auto insurance rates had dropped 40% in recent years. Naturally, there was skepticism about this claim. It sounded more like desperation than fact.
So what better way to counter any doubt than to have the head of the New Brunswick Insurance Board provide details. Never mind that political appointees should be seen and never heard during an election campaign. And while you are at it, long time Tory organizer Paul D'Aoust, just stir in some conjecture. To "prove" the Premier was not lying, of course. The fact that Lord was apparently citing "fact" that was not publicly available seems lost on Tory appointee D'Astous.
Today's Moncton T-S has the front page story. The headline asserts that rates will be down by 36.5% by the end of 2007. Tory organizer and appointee D'Astous is quoted throughout. he even says that there will be an 11.5% cut when rates are reviewed after industry filings in December. Given his knowledge, hell why do they even bother to have the industry file? The result is a foregone conclusion.
Shawn Graham and the Grits should have some fun tearing this one apart. It appears as though: 1. The actual rate decreases so far are way lower than the 40% boast of Lyin' Lord. 2. A political appointee and former Tory organiser is intruding on the election campaign. 3. All of which shows even more desperation on the part of Lord.
New Brunswick is a fun political playing field to watch!

Boss Harp goes to Senate

The PMO press office shipped out a "check against delivery" email of Boss Harp's senate lecture today. If the following segment is any indication, it should have been a "check against redundancy" version.
You can't help but notice the hectoring tone and George Bush one-thought-at-a-time style...even in print.

"But once they are elected, Senate reform quickly falls to the bottom of the Government's agenda.
Nothing ever gets done.
And the status quo goes on.
Honourable Senators, this has got to stop.
For the Senate must change.
And we will be the ones to make it happen.
The Government is not looking for a report.
We are seeking action.
Honourable Senators, years of delay on Senate reform must come to an end.
And it will.
For the Senate must change.
And we intend to make change happen.
The Government is not looking for another report.
We are seeking action."

In case anyone missed the point the PMO then sent out a presser on the momentous event. It said in part..."The Government is not looking for another report. We are seeking action. Action that responds to the commitments we made to Canadians during the recent federal election." said the Prime Minister. "The Senate is changing, and we will be the ones to make it happen."
Good grief! Boss Harp needs new speech writers. Quickly!
Which raises a good question. Who DOES write Harp's stuff? Perhaps a seasoned Bush writer like David Frum?

Harper hyper-control PMO

On September 6th at 11:00 AM subscribers to CCN Matthews news service were notified that Unelected and Chicken Minister of PWGSC, Michel Fortier, would be opening a new federal building in Regina at 11:30 AM on September 7, 2006. This was a follow up to a media advisory from last week.
At 12:10 PM today subscribers were notified that the Regina event time had changed to 1:15 PM. That would mean that the change of time notice was issued about 1 hour and 20 minutes before the scheduled starting time in Sask where they don't follow daylight savings. Not a good way to impress the media. However, they were not done yet.
Lo and behold...at 1:54 PM (EDT) ANOTHER media advisory popped out from CCN. The event has been postponed! http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/search_comp2.jsp?compid=11062&pagesize=25&interval=

What do you suppose caused the cancellation?
Perhaps someone in PMO decided that they didn't want any extraneous noise at the time Boss Harp provides his Senate photo-op??
Or maybe the Chicken Minister just didn't want to take questions about his back-tracking on "reverse auctions" as a procurement tool...a presser on that arrived from CCN at 2:15.
You be the judge...

Harp goes to Senate

Lots of conjecture today as to the motive behind Boss Harp's Senate appearance. Some say it is so that he can issue a "warning" regarding his much-maligned FAA. Others say that "senate reform" is a topic that plays well with his own base. Still more say he will lay out his "non-constitutional" senate reform package. A cynic might even suggest that his appearance actually validates the Senate as we know it!
They are probably all correct to some degree. However, make no mistake, there is only one real reason. Harper wants to "change the channel". His decision earlier this year to focus on foreign affairs is proving more than a tad problematic. He now desperately needs to get the focus back onto domestic issues.
His problem is that he doesn't really have a "safe" domestic issue to tackle either. He has raised the bar too high to go after the fiscal imbalance given that there is no easy solution. Earlier neglect and under-estimation of the environment file has left it toxic to his touch. Health wait times has been effectively put on hold by his hapless Health Minister. Few outside of his base constituency are moved by Tory "law and order" bleatings like the arming of border guards. His vaunted 5Ps are, according to the Tories, all but done...and the polls show no big affection or reward from the voting public.
All that is left is to stage a photo-op appearance before the Senate. Not terribly imaginative. But entirely predictable from a government that lives and breathes by photo-op and press release.
The real mystery today is how did Liberal Senators get duped into participating in this charade?

New Brunswick Flanagan Shenanigans!

In today's NB Telegraph Journal is a front page story claiming that Bernie Lord's "....political friendship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper might produce more for New Brunswick than electing Shawn Graham would." This according to "politcal scientist" Tom Bateman of St. Thomas University.
The hypothesis is nonsense. Even Lord admits that a Prime Minister must work with any Premier. Indeed, in most provinces history would indicate that voters prefer having "opposite stripes" in each jurisdiction. It helps keep each level honest.
So I was wondering why Professor Bateman would make himself a poster boy for Lord's campaign. One little search provided some compelling evidence...

http://www.stthomasu.ca/academic/pols/bateman/index.htm

It seems that Mr. Bateman spent a good deal of time at the University of Calgary. The home of the "Calgary School" and Boss Harp's eminence grise Tom Flanagan.
Coincidence? You be the judge.
One thing for sure...a Lord defeat in NB would not be useful to Boss Harp just now!

New title for Fortier

Michel Fortier is already carries the titles "Senator" and Minister (Unelected) of Public Works and Government Services. These in addition to his previous "National Campaign Co-chair" nomenclature.
Now, according to the National Post, we can add another...Lyin' Chicken. This based upon his indication that he will not run in a by-election in the vacant Quebec riding of Repentigny. This flies in the face of indications provided at the time of his controversial appointment to the Senate and Cabinet by Boss Harp.
Once again, that was then and this now...how like Harper.

Cadario resurfaces

Michele Cadario (AKA Deputy-deputy-deputy Chief of Staff to Paul Martin) has resurfaced in British Columbia according to TDH Strategies Johnathan Ross. Apparently she has been hired by LPC(BC) to run the Delegate Selection process.
Mr. Ross will suggest that this is a nefarious play by the BC Dion forces. Ha ha!
It is not.
All it really shows is:
1. How far the might have fallen, if Party handouts are all that are available.
2. How bereft of homegrown talent the BC wing of the party is.
Everyone should note that with the process being used the old game of the Party office controlling DSMs is a thing of the past. No jigging of dates can occur. And it is even likely at this late date that most Chairs (absolute functionaries only in this process) are already lined up for the meetings.

Rumours...Canada's New Government

As for the previous post...the Ottawa Citizen has reported on part of the story today. Sorry I am on the road and did not have this link earlier:
http://www.infomedia.gc.ca/allcontent/default.asp?query=Glen+McGregor+and+Kathryn+May%2c+The+Ottawa+Citizen
Harp continues his government by photo-op, polls and communication strategy.

Civil service firing

Rumour has it that a bureaucrat at Natural Resources Canada was fired yesterday.
The crime? Apparently refusing to sign a presser with the words "Canada's new government...".
If true, this will be interesting to watch unfold and it will no doubt make MSM (and Frank e-zine) news.

Boss Harp under fire

Chantal Hebert returns to the TO Star today after her summer of re-charging. She comes back with a front page bang: "Harper has Botched Afghan Issue" reads the headline.
As if that is not bad enough, Boss Harp's old buddy Don Martin over at CanWest writes below a headline that orders Harper to "Drop the Rhetoric, become more Human".
Both journalists point out the folly of Harper's approach to the Afghan effort and foreign policy. In recounting his investigative effort, Martin notes that he receives a "futile shrug" when asking how Harp can escape the mounting death toll..."Either that or, the more Machiavellian suggest, the Conservatives need a strike against Canada...". Unfreaking believable! That line should become the focus of much more anger towards the Tories. Harper should root out and publicly fire the source...except of course that he runs a government based on the photo-op and communications control.
For her part, Chantal Hebert comes back loaded for bear. Or should I say butt? Precisely Stephen Harper's butt...which she kicks mercilessly.
She deftly notes that, while Quebec may be the biggest problem, "...unease over the gist of Conservative foreign policy is running rampant across the country." And in classic Hebert analytical fashion she notes that the rushed Parliamentary vote last Spring can now be seen for what it was, namely a PM who has "outsmarted himself." In so doing she contends "...the way Harper has gone about taking ownership of the file has done a disservice to it."
These analyses and opinions do not come from journalists who have had a hate on for Stephen Harper. Quite the contrary, both were willing to give him wide latitude. That they have become so critical is a story in itself.
A few weeks back at the time of the Toronto terror arrests Lawrence Martin at the Globe wrote: "Harper has been dealt the fear card and he will play it." So far it appears that Boss Harp is heading for a bust.
If anyone would like to see just how divisive this terror paradigm can be...check this out: http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1169

Lord runs against Harper child care approach

New Brunswick papers today proclaim that Tory leader Bernard Lord is set to announce his very own child care program. Guess what the plan does NOT contain according to the rteports? Direct subsidies to parents! Desperate times warrant desperate measures one must conclude.
In a stunning departure from the Boss Harp approach to early learning and child care, Lord is targeting his plan directly at the "profesionals" in the field. He promises to "to work with licenced daycare centre operators to open more spaces for infants..." According to the Moncton Times Transcript. The same report even audaciously qoutes Lord himself saying (before the event please note), "We have a good network of daycares in the province of New Brunswick and we will continue to work with them to ensure parents and children get the services they need..."
Readers will no doubt be struck by the use of the word "services" in that projected quote. If it was Boss Harp speaking, that would be "choice".
One small word...and one world of difference in approach to ELCC between Bernard Lord and Stephen Harper. Which leaves New Brunswickers to wonder...where was Lord when the federal Tories were shutting down precisely the "service oriented" approach at the federal level?
The answer: that was then and this is now. Just like Boss Harp on so many issues.
We also know from the thoroughness of the stories this morning that Lord shares one more trait with Harper...his entourage "leaks" real well!

Harper's high horse is bucking...

Jennifer Ditchburn of CP Wire has a story running about lawsuits flying within Boss Harp's not-so-OK Corral. In part the story says:
"The federal Conservative party is facing a lawsuit from grassroots members over its nomination process, while officials continue to reject would-be candidates with no explanation.
The latest snub is to Doug Campbell, an international agricultural economist and one-time adviser to Tory cabinet ministers who wanted to run against MP Myron Thompson for the nomination in Alberta's Wild Rose riding.
As happened in at least three other ridings, Campbell was not given any reasons for his rejection. Instead, he was told he could submit additional documentation in an effort to appeal the party's decision."
The story goes on to point out that: "The party, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, publicly announced over the summer that no incumbent MP would be protected from challenges to his or her nomination in the interest of an open and democratic process."
Once again Sneaky Steve has been caught saying one thing and doing another. Remember (as Greg Weston recounted the other day) with Boss Harp..."Everything -- absolutely everything -- was (is) about winning a majority government in the next election."
By the way, all this internal Tory unrest is the only true reason why Harp might want an election this Fall. He can only keep up the moderate image for so long.

Dion and the environment

Much ado afoot over Stephane Dion's Clean Air plan. Some right-wing bloggers are claiming plagiarism!! Some lefties are fighting back.
They should all take a deep breath.
The facts contained in the Suzuki study are hardly the target of copyright anyway. Dr. Suzuki would likely applaud the widest possible dissemination of them.
The AITGWN case for "copycatism" is possible and he has noted that Dion's staff are now acknowledging that the Suzuki report was part of their consideration. A Harper backer would know that being able to "copy" others' approaches is not a hanging offense. In fact it is yet another trademark of the Harper regime. How else to explain all the recent references to the upcoming Tory "Green Plan II"?
It's being called GP II for a reason...it is a crib from the Brian Mulroney efforts of 20 or so years ago. Something not missed by at least one current Tory Minister who said earlier this year, "...I recognize that some of the tools that we are using today to advance Canada’s clean air, clean water and clean soil agenda were developed under former Prime Minister Mulroney."
It just may be that Angry has succeeeded in setting the "fine tooth comb" bar pretty high for Rona Ambrose, Harper, et al this Fall. In fact, the bar may already be plenty high if today's CBC report is any indication.

Harper and polls...more high horsemanship

As I relax on a nice late summer morning, just could not help noticing that CanWest writes today about the Boss Harp penchant for polling.
It seems that HIS department (Privy Council Office) engaged Decima to do some research on how the public viewed the 5Ps. Tsk...tsk...surely Saint Stephen of Harper would not so blatantly politicize the bureaucracy?
Of course he would! Of course he IS.
Recall the recent work by the Strategic Counsel on the environment as a "wedge" issue. Recall also that herein I recently provided links (after about 10 seconds of search) to any number of other "research" projects during the Harptimes.
Make no mistake about it...every time Harper and his minions say they don't govern by polls they are outright lying. In the finest tradition of Harper's first mentor, Lyin' Brian. And for that matter, just like his second fave mentor George Bush.
Here's hoping the public makes excessive use of polling a "wedgie" issue for the Tories.

Ipsos-Reid and AIDS

Ipsos-Reid has done a poll for their friends at CanWest. Today's papers have a little piece from the survey to spice up Boss Harp's holiday Monday. You can see the piece here: http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=99f2d792-a03e-4ab7-b7ae-8fbe63812a92&k=55646

Sorry about the link...filing from the road.
You will see that Ipsos VP John Wright does backflips to try to put a positive Harp-spin on bad numbers.
He doesn't succeed...unless you WANT to believe that Harper should have avoided the recent AIDS Conference in Toronto.
Wright makes the point that Harper's base agreed with his decision. Yessss...everyone knows that. He then goes on to claim that others who would support AIDS funding don't like to see leaders booed at events. Which begs the question (unmentioned by Wright or CanWest)...if Harp could have generated sympathy amongst non-core voters by going...why didn't he go?
The most interesting element of the scanty numbers given (and something also not commented on by Mr. Wright) lies in the gender and age gaps revealed. Something for the Opposition to build on there!!!
Have a good Labour Day.

O'Connor...you be the judge

From Saturday's Globe and Mail story on Defence Minister O'Connor's trip to Pakistan: "Among other things, I suggested that some Pakistan officers be stationed with our troops in Kandahar and Canadian troops be stationed on the Pakistan side," Mr. O'Connor said afterward, in an interview with Associated Press of Pakistan. "This will assist in information gathering and intelligence sharing on both sides of the border."
O'Connor's clarification as reported by CTV: "Media reports today have misreported comments I made while visiting with the government of Pakistan," said O'Connor in a press release issued Saturday.
"At no time did I advocate, suggest or imply I favoured stand-alone Canadian troop deployment in Pakistan."
As you decide whether O'Connor deserves some slack consider two things. Why was the Defence Minister giving an interview about this in the first instance? And why did he rebut the first interpretation with a press release only?
My conclusion...he got his knuckles severly rapped by Boss Harp for the first interview. PMO press thingies made sure only a written response would ensue.

Time away...

Posting will be irregular for the next while...time off before the Fall silly season starts. Posting will be irregular.
But when back I guess it will be time to decide which of the Grits will be best to lead the Party...it's down to four...with a fifth having a real outside chance.
Have a great week...

NB Election

A few nuggetts to be found in a Chronicle Herald piece on the NB election today. Titled, Backrooms filled with familar faces, the Billings article mentions that Chisholm Pothier is back as Bernard Lord's media guru.
Say what?
Liberals and anyone else with even a passing interest in politics will recall Pothier's resignation from Lord's inner circle last April. He had broken privacy guidelines in an overzealous attempt to help his Boss Lord. At the time Lord said, "Unfortunately, I am losing a very competent press secretary who made a mistake..."
Shawn Graham might just have some fun with this one.

Sun media contortions

It really is fun to watch Sun Media headline contortionism...if there is such a word. Which always seems to be done so as not to not to tick off Boss Harp too much. Today is a real treat.
You can read Greg Weston and hear that the latest SES poll shows that Steve Harper has been too close to George Bush, that people don't like his "my way or the highway" approach and that people don't trust him. Weston mentions that the Tory horse race numbers are back to where they were in January and so Harp better stick to domestic affairs. Or...in the same paper...you can read Alan Findlay say...um...Harp does the job well at home. Findlay lays out pretty much the same scenario as Weston.
The only real difference in the two articles (since both were based on intereviews or press releases from Nik Nanos of SES) is the Sun headlines.
Weston's: Steve, it's time to wake up
Findlay's: Harper can do the job - at home (the one Harp's staff can show him)
One would think that in a chain that has been spewing red ink for so long...not to mention firing some good people...they would want two of their highly paid hacks doing different things for a single edition??? For that matter Weston himself wrote about the same damn poll way back on August 27th!
The Sun would be further ahead to pay journalists to go out and dig up real stories...rather than re-hash expensive polling numbers.

High finance question(s)

All government departments are required to post their purchases valued at more than $10,000 on a quarterly basis. Canada's new government has now completed their first postings from the first quarter of fiscal 2006-07 (April thru June).
A question or two for the Finance Minister Jim Flaherty arises from a quick glance at Finance Department contracts for the period in question. What "advertising" was done by the department of Finance that would require $5,113,522.69? Why did the "advertising services" budget seemingly increase by an astounding 59% over the same quarter last year? What was the apparent extra $995,108.03 to Cossette Communications used to purchase (they also got another contract for $4,066,000.00)? (ED NOTE: These questions are not asked to invite comparisons to the past Liberal government. However, there is no doubt that anonymous Tory bloggers will do so. To save you some time, you should note that in the same quarter last year the Liberal government spent $3,210,000.00 on "advertising services".)
An even more interesting set of questions comes from another entry in the filing. One David Curtin is listed as the benefactor of a $24,877.50 contract for "Services Not Elsewhere Specified". Notice that the value is conveniently just below the tendering threshold of $25,000.
Perhaps Mr. Flaherty could let us know if this is the same "David Curtin" who donated $60,000.00 to the 2004 Flaherty Ontario Leadership Campaign? Or, is it the David Curtin who was the Managing Editor for a publication known as The Interim? The Interim is a part of the Campaign Life Coalition and its communications efforts.

Saturday bits and bites

Saturday bits and bites...
Latest Decima poll...gets broad coverage.
Nova Scotia Premier MacDonald slipping in popularity...perhaps it is the angle of his halo, as he fights Sunday shopping in the name of "family values".
Peter MacKay employee to run for Senate in PEI...hmmm...nice for MacAdam to be able to run ACOA (a funding agency) and give out money hand over fist and THEN just happen to run for elected federal office. AT least the whole thing will kep the ambitious MacAdam out of Pat Binns' hair!
Rona Ambrose likes her entourage...and it only cost $14,000+ to bring them along to a Vancouver conference...ooops there is that high horse bucking again!
And finally...Boss Harp reaps the rewards of creating the longest "defended border"...the US knows that in George Bush's friend Steve they have an ally and will be able to "fire at will" on the Great Lakes.

Cynical Tory times

So yesterday the Tory Health Minister announced his "decison" on the safe injection site in Vancouver. In a government of photo-op and press release, Tony Clement chose the press release format to say "I am unable to approve the current request to extend the Vancouver site for another three and a half years."
He then went on to say that actually he has "...deferred the decision on the Vancouver application to December 31st, 2007". All in the interest of collecting more information to determine if "...safe injection sites contribute to lowering drug use and fighting addiction...". Very laudable indeed. And very cynical.
First, the Vancouver safe injection site (SIS) was mainly intended to lower the risk of HIV/AIDS and Hep C infection rates among drug users.It was also envisioned that the SIS would be part of a broader integrated care system for drug users. It was not created to specifically lower drug usage and fight addiction. So Clement's review is destined to provide negative results if that is the sole mandate.
Second and most cynical of all is Boss Harp's decision to "defer" a final decision until December 31, 2007. No doubt conveniently after the next election in the Tory estimation of the universe.
Boss Harp loves to criticise the "dithering" of the last government. He is finding it easier to mount the "high horse" than it is to ride it.

Tory side-spin and gutless Harp

Public Works advisers sent packing reads the Mop and Pail headline from Laghi and LeBlanc. Of course, they should have been sent packing given the "facts" of the case.
However, the journalists should be criticised for the "framing" they gave the story. Right up front they make a point of noting that the two in question "...were hired this winter by the previous Liberal government". What crap! Actually, undoubetedly Tory crap dished out at the same time as the "leak" that is the basis of the story. You would think Globe and Mail journalists should be smart enough to see spin when they hear it! Compare their story to the one in today's Citizen by Kathryn May who apparently didn't buy the "spin". She also did a lot more work and put out a much better story.
Civil servants hire civil servants. Period. The political arm of government does not hire civil servants. Period.
The whole episode does illuminate another Harper trait that is becoming clearer each day. Boss Harp doesn't have the guts to take responsibility for anything. Not even decisions of his Ministers. Look at his weasel words in backing Minister MacKay's "decision" in the Khadr issue. It IS a government of Canada decision Steve! You head that government Steve.

Flash: Ignatieff not apologizing for remarks on Quebec

According tothe Michael Ignatieff boy wonder campaign director Ian Davey...Ignatieff is not apologizing for his remarks on Quebec made yesterday.
We'll see...
Keith Davey Commandment #2:
Remember a leader is never cooked until people start to laugh at him.

More Igg-larification

Fresh off of his Toronto Star editorial board our friend Paul Wells has a new post "From the Desk Of..." the Iggy campaign. This one "clarifies" what Iggy meant with his reference to "civil war" in a La Presse interview.
The clarification actually verifies the candidate's ludicrous reference to "civil war" vis-a-vis the need for clarity in any future referendum. Surely Professor Ignatieff would understand that use of such charged rhetoric is dangerous.
It is heartening to note, however, that Politician Ignatieff "...will not panic".
I doubt the same can be said for his campaign team in recent days. Backfilling can be difficult.