Day Two

30 Replies to “Day Two”

1. ahhh news.
   Someone should tell CBC & teh rest of the COTU media that it is Tuesday.
   Tomorrow is Wednesday and there will more news.

2. It looks like Jason Kenny made out alright after all. As PS to the PM for multiculturalism, he has been given a file that formerly was a ministerial position, also it’s not half bad to have somewhat regular one-on-one access to the boss (a rare commodity on Parliament Hill in my experience).

3. If you’re tsalking about “Marie Antoinette” as the demotion, its not. That’s a MAJOR portfolio she’s going to. Unless, of course, Harper has the wisdom to trash the whole Service Canada package. Mind you, if he doesn’t bring it down, she will. She would have been better sent to Afghanistan as a consular greeter…

4. Nice to see Diane Ablonczy receive some consolation as she gets the best of the Secretary positions. That being said, she still should have gotten a good cabinet position. One more Calgarian wouldn’t have been sufficient enough to scare the rest of the country.

5. Funny all of the concern on the CBC over poor Diane and Jason all of a sudden. I don’t recall that sort of concern about their welfare any time before.

6. Where’s Gary Brietkreuz, MP Yorkton-Melville? He has done more on fighting the gun registry over the last 7-8 years than anyone else. A great guy, no slouch, and handles the media well.

7. The original take on the Flumian thing I read was that of a demotion. Will wait and see.

8. Skip: Flumian went from Deputy Minister to Associate Deputy Minister. No way to spin that one; it’s a demotion.
   The return of ministerial responibility (and a super hostile media) means cabinet ministers will drop like flies; it’s not the worst thing for the Steven Fletchers and Diane Ablonczy to be riding the pine if it means they can come in as relief pitchers when things get rough. As coach John Thompson of Georgetown used to say, “My team has no starters, only finishers.”

9. Yep, looks like PM SH is saving some first class pinch hitters when the going gets rough.
   And you know it will!

10. I guess the aboriginal guy ain’t so aboriginal if he doesn’t toe the ‘correct’ party line – that’s just too funny, liberal/lefties are such hypocrites. Oh, and Condi Rice ain’t black either – unless Rev Jackson or Al Sharpton feel like getting some press for making racist Uncle Tom type remarks.
    How can genuine liberal/lefty politicos of colour stand being patronized by the lefty bunch? It’s so racist and does more to perpetuate racism than any KKK loony could do.

11. Still nothing for Myron Thompson. Shame.

12. Well, there is certainly no damn justice. I don’t begrudge David Emerson his Cabinet position, the perqs attached thereto, the salary, the pension, etc. But they appointed the aptly named Helen Guergis as his Parliamentary Secretary. Rod Stewart knew it: some guys have all the luck.

13. Wow, AiryFairy, nice handle.
    PM’s choices for government duties and the armchair quarterbacking of the MSM and a lot of readers here reminds me of a quote from a Democrat believe it or not, although back in days of old, they weren’t raving lefies. Something about pleasing some of the people some of the time…
    Only time will tell and to tell you the truth, these names aren’t carved in stone. So things can and probably will change as this new government gets going. Hopefully, PM Harper and the gang can stay away from any naive Joe Who errors and get an honest accountable government working.
    Anyone ever figure out just how much money per Canadian Citizen the Lieberals wasted in kickbacks, boondoggles and patronage? I think that if the average Joe Shmuck knew that he could have had $X,XXX.xx in his pocket with an honest government, the Anyone-But-Cons movement would have never been an issue.

14. Myron Thompson… didn’t he have a few heart attacks? I can’t speak for his health now, but I think it’s good for him just to show up Alive with his big white cowboy hat, without the added pressure of being in cabinet.
    I think he’s cool and if you look at the numbers in his constituency, so did 73 % ? of others in Wild Rose Country.
    Ha! The Greens took second place here ahead of both Liberal and NDP. The Liberal candidate was complaining in the Airdie Echo how so many people here took a huge dislike to her. (or to the liberals…)
    …. and somebody “mooned” her. (not me)

15. Prime Minister Harper flushes the Librano$/Chretien/Martin down, down, down … \/.
    .. and let’s not forget that Harper also had to create a “war” cabinet because he only has a tenuous minority govt that can be defeated at any time … and Martin is still lurking in the bushes and probably ready to run again tring to convince Canadian that his “values” are superior .. because his ambition is insatiable.
    Harper has effectively recruited Emerson and Fortier to stop any Liberal-NDP-BQ attempt to overthrow him and have another election ….. or attempt to form a dubious coalition govt with a PM Paul Martin and honourary Minister of Finance Layton.
    There is much more to this political positioning than meets the eye .. and Harper is the master of intrigue at this game … believe it … !!! >>
    http://www.voy.com/178771/131026.html
    Author: Anonymeme.

16. What notable civil service demotion?

17. Harper needs a ‘war’ cabinet yes but I really can’t see this minority government falling for another 3 years. The Liberals are leaderless and are in debt and were very fortunate to get the 100+ seats they did. Plus they need Harper to falter first which would take a couple of years. The NDP is in debt too and since both husband and wife are in with 29 seats (pretty much the NDP peak) they wont be in any hurry and the Bloc are lucky to keep 50 seats. If the election had been a week longer, they might have been down to less than 40. None of the opposition want to or are in position to call another election. The new government will last.

18. Now I know …Flumian.
    Who’s head of Service Canada? And what’s that all about?
    Maybe demotion or not. Answer requires too much inside the Queensway knowledge. Who needs it?

19. OT Monte’s shut’er down. RIP Mr. Solberg’s blog
    http://wakinguponplanetx.blogspot.com/2006/02/pin-dropped.html

20. Yesterdays news…
    More on David Emmerson from All Things Canadian…
    Didn’t realize Emerson’s resume was so impressive:
    David Emerson … Bachelor of Economics degree … Master of Economics degree … Ph.D. in Economics.
    … researcher for the Economic Council of Canada … became Deputy Minister of Finance.
    … President and Chief Executive Officer of the Western and Pacific Bank of Canada … Deputy Minister to the Premier and President of the British Columbia Trade Development Corporation.
    … President and Chief Executive Officer of the newly created Vancouver International Airport Authority
    … President and Chief Executive Officer of Canfor Corporation
    …. directorships included: Terasen Inc; Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada; Vice-Chairman of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives; Chair, British
    Columbia Ferry Services Inc.; and Chairman and Director of Genus Resource Management Technologies Inc.
    What you trade in principal with this guy you get back in experience, which methinks may be a little lacking in the ranks.
    Still holding my nose, but with my eyes open.
    Maranatha

21. In closing…it was so good to see Stephen Fletcher helping out in health as Parliamentary Secretary. I am sure that he will bring a welcome perspective when it comes to dealing with wait times in this country, Go Stephen!
    Maranatha

22. I think Greg Weston’s Ottawa Sun article is worth reading:
    http://ottsun.canoe. ca/News/Columnists/Weston_Greg/2006/02/06/1428845.html
    “It is not by accident that Harper has given the three most lucrative spending pots to Quebec ministers � public works, industry, and transport and infrastructure.”
    Hmmm, interesting point, nothing like having the fox watch the henhouse.
    But I think Greg Weston hits the nail on the head with his final line:
    “Whatever Harper may have won with his cabinet manoeuvres, he has taken a hit in respect.”

23. The appointment of Rob Moore of Fundy Royal, the riding beside mine, is an excellent choice. He’s a lawyer by training, previously served as advisor to Day and Harper on justice and legal issues. He’s sharp, smart as a whip. I’d watch him in the long run. Might seem low-profile, but, hey, Harper himself has always been underestimated, right?

24. Reader tip..sort of…more like asking if anyone else has heard this?
    Some old fool told me that Emerson wasn’t the only one being courted to cross the floor. The bovine scatology being promulgated suggests that some other very high profile libs are being consulted on whether they would like to be a government MP….maybe Dion???
    If this is true…its most likely empty speculation, but I’d be interested if anyone else heard this…not that I would want to start any nasty rumours.

25. It is probable that anyone from the Libs that earned a seat in the last election with the exception of Martin, Graham, Straunach and Brison would be welcome to come and help warm the caucus bench. One more vote is crucial right now. Perhaps some pressure on some Block members too. Not only with invites from the home team but many may feel pressure from their own contituents as they see the winds of change stating to blow.
    The size of the tent has been alluded to many times lately. Unless invites had been sent out and accepted in the past few years everybody would still be in several pup tents…Reform, Alliance, PCs etc. It is good to see the tent enlarged and room made for all who can work together and share a common vision in building this great nation. I look forward to the day when the Block lays down the silly ideology of isolation and exclusion and we can get past ‘gun to the head’ politics and move on to a more civil discourse about antion ‘building’ rather than tearing it down as has been the discussion for so many years.
    Come, let us enlarge the tent!
    Maranatha

26. “Some old fool told me that Emerson wasn’t the only one being courted to cross the floor.”
    “Come, let us enlarge the tent!”
    How about Paul Martin as Finance Minister? The man has proven ability and a WEALTH of contacts.

27. “Infamous” Canadian Press, aka Liberals, are foaming at their word-processors at the mention of Meech Mulroney.
    Prime Minister Harper is a brilliant strategist; driving the stake further, or is it farther, or is it deeper, into the corrupt Chretien/Martin/Librano$ vampire. The Liberal vampire sucked the tax-blood from Canadians too long. The Liberals are in deep agony/mourning. >>>>
    Harper, cabinet meet at Meech Lake
    OTTAWA (CP) – Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his cabinet are meeting at the infamous site on Meech Lake where Brian Mulroney tried and failed to negotiate a constitutional accord with the provinces. >> cnews

28. Education + work experience; a contrast/comparison: Stronach vs. Emerson; Harper vs. Martin: Easy decision: Harper/Emerson.
    Clear western air from Alberta; blowing the fetid, corrupt b-o out of Ottawa. Long live clear, clean western air & blue eyes/skies Prime Minister Harper. Now, one knows why Mrs. Laureen Harper smiles easily.>>>>
    Real Women of Canada – Newsletters – BELINDA STRONACH CREATES DOUBTS
    The media have been full of news about Belinda Stronach, … either to husbands (two former ones) or to education (she left university after one year), …
    http://www.realwomenca.com/newsletter/2004_jan_feb/article_14.html – 22k –

29. It’s just TOO FUNNY that Helen Guergis, the most outspoken proponent of the private member’s bill to force MPs who switched parties to face by-elections before returning to work, is appointed as parliamentary secretary to David Emerson.

30. I see there is some more dirt on fomer Prime minister
    Brian Mulroney. More talk about bribes. I read a book that claims he took $25,000,000.00 in gifts and bribes. Oh ya the new government is taking tips from the last tories………deja vu all over again.