Just Who Is In Charge Here? from Waking Up On Planet X
Silly me. I thought Canadians elected Stephen Harper & his crew to run the country. Apparently, we hired the Ottawa press and they are angry. [Read More]

Tracked on February 27, 2006 12:02 PM

Tuesday Morning Links from Maggie's Farm
Earth's human population reaches 6.5 billion. 3.25 billion gals - so how come I can't get a date?Bill Clinton still looking for interns. Would you let your daughter?Admin. wants to sell off public lands. I disagree. Hope congress does too. It belongs to a [Read More]

Tracked on February 27, 2006 6:31 PM

Cold front moves on Parliament Hill from BumfOnline
Kate touches on something upon which I commented just a few days ago, that being the media's sudden turn from being the best friend of the government into its arch-nemesis in a matter of a few months and a federal election past. [Read More]

Tracked on February 28, 2006 12:45 AM

I also couldn't disagree with Rex Murphy more.
I've found the cabinet ministers with something to say have been very available to the press and haven't been evasive during their interviews.

I'll do a shameless cut & paste of something I posted today in a thread further down the page as it fits in this thread a little better than the thread where I posted it.
One interesting branch I can see growing off the Harper Media Policy tree is a new demand on the ministers. The media likes to picture Mr. Harper as a control freak micromanaging his cabinet ministers and the minutiae of government but I see the opposite playing out.
If you look at the handling of the Emerson and Fortier fallout in the press; the Prime Minister’s message to cabinet, not to mention all involved in government, is that a dump-truck full of bull-…spin won’t be rolled out by the PMO for any little misstep. The PMO is not interested in cleaning up, spinning or managing your messes so you’d better be smart, honest and effective.
We’ve already seen Peter MacKay doing a little twisting in the wind. You can bet he’ll be more careful in the future with what he says in public. I can imagine that Garth Turner is gonna be a little more careful with what he says in the future considering how much rope the PMO gave him to hang himself with.
Already I’ve seen more of his cabinet ministers in the media eye doing their jobs, carrying out their mandates and being careful and measured with whatever they say. It is a disciplined cabinet that obviously has marching orders, but they give the impression that they are empowered and they are responsible.
It’s nice for them that the PMO is sticking to it’s role and staying out of it’s ministers way and out of their limelight. I don't see that Mr. Harper is hiding from the media. He is just respecting some boundaries regarding what his turf is.

In addition, it's a new government, most of them have _just_ located the closest bathroom to their new office, and are still trying to recall the names of the people who work there.

Were I in their place, I'd be shutting up and trying to learn stuff too, before I shot my mouth off.

I've often thought politicians talked TOO much to the press. It's a good sign, in my book, when they are more concerned with their actual job than with making nice with press-bots.

So Kate, how is Harper 'communicating'? Where can I go, mainstream or non-mainstream media, to hear his opinions, his ideas, his thoughts? Or is he communicating telepathetically (my spelling) somehow with the Canadian people?

A lack of communication is not communication.

The Ottawa Press Gallery, the Globe and Mail, the CBC and the CP agency believe they, and only they, are entitled to dictate the terms of engagement in the guerilla war they are conducting against the Tories. Harper knew from the start that the media conglomerates and the Liberal Party would develop a public narrative that his government was somehow illegitimate, would be short-lived, and would go back on all its promises---that is, would act like Liberals: and why, they are implying, have a substitute when you can have the real thing back?

Harper has an absolute right to determine the rules of engagement, not the Press. The election put him in charge, not Tony Berman et al. I believe that thinking Canadians are rapidly recognising we have a grown-up as Prime Minister, that we have level-headed Ministers who are currently researching and questioning prior to putting action plans in place, and we have a parliamentary caucus that is on balance more committed to the interests of the counrty than to the interests of the party.

It is depressing that the media should, four weeks' after the election, excoriate a new government for not having solved all the problems in the country, paid down the national debt, and brought a paradise on earth into being. The media needs to grow up and show some maturity, assuming, that is, it has any.

Perhaps there's no conspiracy, though: maybe what we are seeing is lazy pack journalism from people so self-obsessed that they can't see or think their own hot little world.

I concur with you Kate. It isn't often I disagree with Murph but on the Ottawa press slugs whining about Harper's alleged hermatage, I'll put it down to MSM sloth coming home to burn the lazy butts of a lot of overly snug 4th estate freeloaders.

Given that the MO for these media slugs the past decades has been to interface with some PMO or Liberal party spin thingie and get a daily dose of party-fed misinformation that they want printed with no overly embarassing questions or investigation....in return the news slugs get daily copy to keep the free lunches and bonuses coming from their happy editors and liberal communications officers,... the process for media interface with the PMO and party has certainly changed.

No more guaranteed daily dribbles of disinfo to lazy scribblers to fill the pages of their publications with meaningless partisan pap in return for publishing this shit with an unquestioning non-curiosity.

Structured media press scrums...only when there is actually any news to relate about government that cannot be learned by read hansard or sitting in question period.

In short; it's time to go to work instead of having partisan spinners write your copy for you boys....and we can see by the reaction that there are a lot of Ottawa media gallery with popcorn and beer swollen rumps that make Duffy's look miniscule.

Stop your damn sniveling and act like effective journalists.

Todd,

Just as communicating to hear the sound of your voice is nought but the flapping of two liberal gums.

There's an old saying in the business world, "he who talks first at the boardroom table... just shit the bed".

Why would Harper say anything unless he actually has something to say... conversely, why should he say anything when the press is cheerfully yakking their heads off about what??

If I were an editor, I'd get convulsively more and more worried that I'd guessed wrong about what's up the longer I keep allowing speculation to be spewed.

Editors might find themselves discovering how long the rope is when Harper finally does speak, and that might mean they are discovered for being even more profoundly out to lunch than the average guy on the street thinks now.

Seems to me that the simpliest way to overcome the press in the next election is to show them for the syncophantic twits they are now.

Todd . . we just had an election, were you not listening to what Mr. Harper said then ?? If you didn't hear his opinions, ideas and thoughts during the many, many weeks of the campaign, just use your computer skills and find the CPC website - lotsa reading for you there buddy.

His CM's are all over TV - this morning alone I saw Day, Emerson and Mackay on the tube news on various channels - not bad for the slowest news day of the week.

Kate:

How is he wrong? Your point is that communication need not be through the Ottawa press gallery, and I agree. But how is he communicating within the Ottawa press gallery or outside of it? I like to consider myself fairly attuned to non-Ottawa press contingent, and certainly have been keen to hunt down information online coming from the new government, but I'm not finding it.
Even the PMO press releases which come into my inbox are not giving me a lot of information.

Maybe Rex meant the Ottawa press gallery or maybe not, but I read his point to be that the government must communicate with the population, however they might choose to do so. Surely you aren't saying he's wrong about that?

Ted
Cerberus

If they aren't spoon fed "leaks" from the government, how will they report? Are we suggesting that they should actually have to CHASE stories and report FACTS? Preposterous!

I tend to agree with Adam Radwanski. They can draw straws. The winner will dream up a storyline that suits his own particular agenda and release that. Then, the rest can simply file variations on the theme. Gathering facts from elected politicians would just overly complicate things

Todd - try the PMO's email alerts.

Kate et al - how long do you think it will take them to figure this out????

Yesterday's Question Period was interesting - Oliver Craig asked Minister O'Connor what his "personal opinion" was on something controversial - and got the response "I have no personal opinion, I'm a Minister of the Government of Canada" or words to that effect. Beautiful.

Uhh one question/clarification on your summations here Kate: If the 4th estate installed themselves as the official opposition in a Tory majority what where they in the Liberal majority?....defacto government?

Great post Kate, and dead on!
I wonder if Canadian journalists are paying close attention to your posts.
If they are not, they should be. In my view you are one Canadian whose assessment of the connection between MSM and past Canadian governance is absolutely correct.
Sadly the beat appears to continue.
However the internet and clear thinkers like yourself using the tool will eventually (if not already) force MSM media from the position of mouthpiece to the place of neutral news disseminators.

That was Martins problem Ted, all he did was talk to the press... would have been nice to see him do a little real work instead... you know, on things like the commitments he made.

For far too long now, the likes of Craig Oliver and Robert Fife need to be taken down a peg or two.

The press can try all they want, but, as they say, Stephen Harper wouldn't say "shit" even if he had a mouth full of it. It must drive those scrum scums crazy that Harper is largely unflappable.

Just look to the south at the crap Bush has to put up with during press briefings. Reporters with egos of Titanic proportions thinking they can get a scoop and advance their careers by childishly trying to annoy the leader of their country. Is that what they learned in "journalist school"? Probably.

Sorry Canadace, I must've missed the e-mail alert saying that Harpo would only be communicating via e-mail alerts.

MSM seem to think they need to provide us with 'Analysis'. CBC's self-promoting commercials do nothing but emphasize that while all I want is just the facts. I'll come to my own conclusions thank-you!

Hey I know! They all could get a precorded phone message of what PMSH had for breakfast/lunch/Dinner, followed by a snack summary. That's news isn't it?

Hey Todd,
It seems to me that Stephen Harper communicated with you and the rest of Canada for 8 weeks straight what his "opinions, his ideas, his thoughts" were. If you are in need of clarification, go back and read the speeches. The man has work to do and he is doing it! Leave him alone. He said that when he has something to announce, he will announce it.
As for the MSM, it is nice to see them out there twisting in the wind. I wonder if it will inspire them to get off their collective butts and dig into some research on real stories since they have so much time on their hands. How about finding out where billions have gone in the gun registry or tracking down the billions spent in the brewing "relocation fiasco" over at Public Works while it was under the former regime of "Ali Baba (Paul Martin) and the forty thieves!
Scott Brison, Alfonso and others still have questions that they need to answer. Get the MSM go ask them. I am sure that they have time on their hands to answer some questions and the MSM seems to have plenty of column space needing to be filled.
As for Prime Minister Stephen Harper every day that goes by, I appreciate him more. I was getting sick and tired of Ali Baba or any one of his forty thieves coming out and spinning the stories any which way they wanted and the MSM lapping it up and regurgitating it back out to the public without any investigation or further questioning. The silence coming from Ottawa right now is sweet music to my ears!
Daniel

A careful measured approach towards the media? Horrors!! What was wrong with the constant spewing of spin, lies, deception, and deflection the Liberals were so adept at? :)

All the information they want is on the public record, either through the election platform, the cabinet ministers through local media or national media or via new releases from the PMO.
If it isn't new it isn't news and the PM knows it.

For example, the gun registery.
MSM reporting after 1 month in office that the Tories have lost the will to scrap the registery.
In spite of that, BC papers had Day on record saying the thing was even more bloated than thought and they were gonna kill it. Briekretz was on record, I believe in a Manitoba paper, saying that he and the two ministers involved were gonna kill it.
So we had party platform and election promises and two ministers and a deputy minister speaking after the election that the gun registery was going down, but the MSM for some reason seized on spoken worries of conservative supporters and the fact that a civil servant invloved in the registery was 'promoted' as grounds for saying the Tories were about to scrap the plan to scrap.

But I suppose this is the PM's fault for not sitting down with the Ottawa Press Gallery every day for an hour to reassure them of his current thoughts on the matter.

The press better get used to the concepts of: 'if it's not new it's not news', and 'you'll hear about it from the minister closest to the action'.

PARTICIPACTION for journos? They're gonna have to hustle, eh, get gum on their shoes, what!

Todd: what is to learn when government is not sitting?
We also note the silence from the opposition is deafening as well....and they just love producing reams of mindless "press releases" on everything from the color of the toilet paper in their leader's loo to how they feel about the olympic athelete's costumes...but damn little that is pertenent to the governing of the nation

If you feel the need for a steady stream of rumors, non news and misleading partisan misdirect, and some how confuse this with being "informed", by all means bemoan the imminent demise of a superfluous Ottawa nattering class and their constant stream of redundant philistine pap.

My guess is that you could cover all pertinent governmental news coming from parliament with 3-4 reporters....the MSM make work project which the Ottawa press gallery has become is just whining about the inevitable downsizing that will result when government is done openly in the house and not the hallways, restaurants, press buffets or studios of CTV or CBC.

The mainstream press including CBC and CTV are largely ignored in my home or viewed/read for amusement only. There is very little new and even less of great importance produced by them.

Most of what they purvey is designed to convince that Liberalism, multicuturalsims, socialism are all good and the American way of life is bad.

Piss on them. Thankfully there is often enough information privided by the new gathering agency to work with and have some clue about what is happening. Just give me the facts and I can think for myself and draw my own conclusions.

I find that I get better and more varied new and information from a handful of reputable blogs, such as this one.

I am enjoying their losses. Sold my Quebcor stock long ago.

It does appear to me that Harper is quite content to let the Minister of which ever portfolio to take the lead on his or hers domain... quite rightly I might add.

It's rather novel to see a Prime Minister who perhaps puts a bit of faith in his people, as opposed to one who sets his against each other.

Most famous qu0te from a Chretien/Martin cabinet... "I didn't do it, he/she did".

Or was it "I don't know, you'll have to refer that question to the RCMP".

Oh wait, it was "Of course we are concerned, that's why we have repeatedly committed to committing to doing something about committing to the problem, and we've made this commitment in every election in the last 12 years, and this time we are really gonna get a handle on the issue of making any commitments to "place problem here".

I think you may wish to have a look at Jay Rosen's posting here:

http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2004/04/25/bush_muscle.html

I mention this link because it occurs to me that Stephen Harper, for good or ill, is adapting the Bush position vis-a-vis the media, to wit: Reporters do not represent the interests of a broader public. They aren’t a pipeline to the people, because people see through the game of Gotcha. The press has forfeited, if it ever had, its quasi-official role in the checks and balances of government.

Todd - I live in a small town in Alberta and I know what the conservative plan is - I didn't even have to leave the big comfy couch in my living room - it was all over the the TV, radio and if I wanted to find out more, I just had to get up off the couch and go to my computer - google Conservative Party of Canada and voila in a second (now that we finally have high speed out here in the boonies) up would come the whole platform for my reading pleasure.

So - get up off your fanny - go to your computer and follow my instructions and I am sure you will find the answers to your questions.

Unfortunately, you sound like the majority of leftist voters - you want to be spoon fed your views and opinions through newspaper headlines and 30 second sound bites on the TV.

Just as the MSM is proving too lazy to actually work to research a story and have been relying on "leaks" for so long they don't know how to do anything else - it is obvious that a vast number of voters are also too lazy to actually find out what a party stands for before they put the x in the box!! (Just so you don't have to work at it Todd - this means you!)

It is hearting to know that the PM isn't just running off at the mouth for the sake of making noise for the media. I suspect they will speak when they have something to say.

The media should be patient when Prime Minister Harper does finally speak it will have substance and the government will be moving. The media will actually have something important to discuss rather than the usual non-information that came from the liberals to fill up the news day.

Murphy seems to me a bit like those small wind driven fir trees on the coast. They keep flinging out branches in weird directions but the wind whips them into a mares' nest and the result is one disorderly tree. But then on this post we see Murpy accused of declaiming from on high, when he has enough to contend with just flinging out a thought to meet a deadline. And then the poster takes the further liberty of stomping on the helpless critter.
Can this be one more sign of incipient Conservative hysteria? Their man has not appeared to change in 20 years. He is secretive, full of undeveloped notions that some have taken to be a sign of deep thought. And if you tell him he has the power to push some button, he will push it without hesitation, and possibly without any good reason at all. There is no concealment of deep plans because he has not got any. Perhaps his acolytes are uneasily beginning too see that.
Maybe Calgary is still a hick town and one of their own is loose in Ottawa.

While you're all twiddling your thumbs about Canada's new PM (who is obviously a brilliant tactician) the rest of the (sane) world still has it's mind in the right place:

David Warren: Oncoming

I'm surprised the Ottawa Press Gallery hasn't come out with a new joke about Groundhog Day. as in:
" That's when Stephen Harper comes out of his office, sees his shadow and goes back into his office for another six weeks."

Kate:
This is one of the best comments you have made, and there have been many excellent ones with which to compare.
One of your biggest fans, I find your comments always have the aim and accuracy of a Robin Hood arrow!
I have taken exception to several comments of Rex Murphy's lately. His articles are mainly well uttered but in them can be found sentences that betray his own bent and leanings regarding the 'inherent right' of the press.
And here you have nailed him with pin point accuracy.
And that of all the 'media' who have exhibited their own bias with petulant and pouty impatience with the way the PMO is handling things.
They DEMAND access and feel entitled to DEMAND of an elected leader answers from an unelected and most often uninformed but critically biased media. They see themselves as an entity to which accountability is assumed. Instead, THEY are in the way of the message from an Elected Prime Minister and his cabinet to those who elected them.
More often than not, the media act on behalf of the liberals and as their toadys, can be assumed to have a bias that precludes their assumed right to a response to their demands.
Bravo, once again, Kate for zeroing in with a sharp eye and pen to these foibles that will, in the end be the downfall of the 'legacy media'..their maladay perfectly matching that of their cousins in the US.

Another load of socialist bull from the Leader-Post.

Third place in the medal crop brought to you by Canadian Olympic Marketing Board (COMB)?

Socialism hates excellence; hates being a winner. Touting a 3rd rate performance? Canadian maple syrup as third place prize?

Why, even the USA finished in Numero Duo place with 25 firsts. Canada put its foot down... into a third rate performance.

The Olympic Games: another culture of entitlememnt. +

The Games where we Stopped being Average

Russia? Austria? Norway? In the rear-view mirror, this time

After a lifetime of looking ever-so-slightly uncomfortable about flexing its muscles in the Games of ice and snow, Canada put its foot down in Turin, and stopped being average. +
http://www.rapp.org/url/?96USHTQ9

"Can this be one more sign of incipient Conservative hysteria? Their man has not appeared to change in 20 years. He is secretive, full of undeveloped notions that some have taken to be a sign of deep thought. And if you tell him he has the power to push some button, he will push it without hesitation, and possibly without any good reason at all."

What the hell are you talking about? Why don't you speak english? You speak like some whiney little liberal speaking like the jesuits with doublespeak and false prose; go hug a tree.

The MSM can't be trusted anymore in Canada to report the facts.
Harper knows that they are out to advance their own made-for-TV-movie, and as an economist could'nt give a flying f if the MSM like it or not.
Good on him.
I hope he says it outloud!
Rex missed the point!

Has anyone noticed how boring the columns in the press are lately. When the House is back in session and the throne speech is delivered, then ministers and the PM can be questioned. As for the head of the gun registry being promoted, this was probably cheaper than giving her a huge severance pkg aka Dingwall. What is she doing now, and what useless position does she have. Will we ever hear from her again. Lets start a petition to get rid of all the old foggies at the CBC and CTV. I am sure there are much younger men out there that could do the job. I think most of these anchors etc are stuck in the sixties and haven't changed their opinion on anything since then. I am still waiting for them to admit their errors in false reporting the true facts about PET. and getting him elected for years to ruin Canada with his socialist ideas. Hey, I read that Buzz Hargrove is a possible replacement for martin. Another thing the press has ignored is that the leftists were reduced by over 20 seats in the election. Add the total lib and ndp before and now. That is a good start to bringing Canada back to a democratic country. Any truth that Emmerson will be a flag bearer in 2010 or will light the flame. Wouldn't that be a kick in the face for V-K voters.

Snowbunnie: Er, your Kate's aim is "like a Robin Hood arrow", may not have been your finest simile, considering what RH was most famous for.

You said it, Kate. The reporters and commentariat in Ottawa think it's up to them to write our national political narrative on behalf of all Canadians, and to decide the success of a government.

They don't realize that their criteria are completely different from that of the rest of us.
The capitol press corp are primarily concerned with their own incestuous web of connections and inside information. Now that they are finally being positioned appropriately -- as a separate entity from government -- they are desperately attempting a communications-based form of extortions.

But inasmuch as their previous job description was "Liberal PR wonks", they have been reassigned. That's why we get to watch them go through the various stages of mourning -- grief, anger, Boag-face, rage, denial, Van Dusen hair, and finally, acceptance.

They're not at the "acceptance" stage yet, but judging by the tenor of their blatantly self-serving and self-pitying sob-stories, surely they must be getting close.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but how many times can a reporter whine about his/her own sudden irrelevence before readers/viewers start noticing the irrelevence of former Liberal toadies to the governing of this country?

'sir rex' simply doesn't understand silence can speak louder than words!!

EBD - thanks for the laugh!!

I would have loved to see Julie(get a haircut) Van Duesen when PMSH dismissed her question with- when I have something to say I will say it - her hair must have been standing on end with the steam rising from between her ears!! I love it!!

Harper's approach with the press reminds me of a law school demonstration I attended, given by an accompished lawyer. He pointed out the wisdom of not questioning witnesses more than was necessary - that way when you speak, the jury figures you have something important to say and they listen.
And that press conference thing - why do so many pundits think the PM holds press conferences to inform them? In my experience, they hold them to tell the press what they want them to know and keep them occupied.

Well Said, Kate.

"Mr. Harper doesn't like the media, and he doesn't think he needs them either, the columnist said........ Harper thinks he's very capable and doesn't need the media to carry out his agenda."

PM Harper is a smart guy.
The MSM overwhelmingly spins to the left, so how could they help deliver his message?

The old hacks are just trying to protect their investments ( ie-careers).
I believe that there was a similar perplexity among the buggy whip makers, about 100 years ago.

But unlike the buggy whip makers, they've brought this upon themselves.
They long ago stopped reporting the news and began to deliver their interpretation of the "news".

Hear Hear!...good post Kate.

D

i love PMSH's idea of having scrums in the house instead of over in the press gallery. my only wish is that he call them on a saturday or sunday as the news business is a 9-5 mon-friday industry. that might shake them up a bit in their thirst for recognition. keep it up PM.

Right again Kate.

It's a red letter day when I disagree with Rex, but he really has reads this wrong. The purpose of government is clean, efficient running of public affairs. It is not there to generate headlines for lazy hacks. The stories are out there, and the first one they can write up is the sea change from the politics of sound bites to the politics of plans.

garhaneg

If ignorance is bliss, you must be very happy as well as totally incoherent

OT: Where is "Angry"?

jlc...

he's having problems with his site for the last few days. its up then down. not really sure what the problem is.

Thanks, Spike.

I'll try again later

See the whine-fest illustrated by "Reporters strike war-footing with PMO, but Harper won't be dictated by national media" via Nealenews from the Hill Times. Ironically enough, the "Comment" link at the page bottom doesn't work.

And I seem to recall from many years ago Stockwell Day being mercilessly hammered by the MSM for wanting to force the PM to do as Day had begun doing and hold set-piece press conferences, sort of like the White House press briefings but where the PM, like the Leader of HM Loyal Opposition was trying to do, would answer questions directly. It looks like the MSM should have been careful of what it wished for.

It looks like I disagree with the majority. Regardless of anything else, the Prime Minister needs to "manage the message" and specifically in regards to the David Emerson affair, he failed miserably. What's troubling is that the decision was right. We cannot afford a new minister taking over negotiations with the Americans re: Softwood. Keeping the same guy who knows the file keeps the pressure on. All he needed to do is hold a mid-evening press conference, talk about the softwood issue in detail and then introduce Mr Emerson, and everyone would've patted him on the back. In short, the failed communications plan, not the decision, is what caused the media storm.

"In short, the failed communications plan, not the decision, is what caused the media storm."

Actually, I think the media caused the media storm. If you were watching the swearing in ceremony, the media was initially very excited about the appointment of Mr. Emerson.
It wasn't until the next day that they put their spin of affront to democracy on it.

MolarMauler - you are absolutely right about the initial reaction - I saw that too and by the next day it was a total about face. I think it is a real "popularity" club and when one of the "popular" (read old boys) says it is a bad decision for whatever reason - everyone jumps on that bandwagon for fear of having the unpopular opinion. That is why some reporters like Chantal Hebert, who I believe doesn't follow the pack per se, is respected by me (and I think most other conservatives, most of the time).

I agree Molarmauler. I can't remember if it was Rosemary Thompson who was covering the swearing in on the ground, But she almost squealed with delight when she saw Emerson. It wasn't until some conservative blogs erupted in questionable, righteous indignation, that the MSM ran with it. The blog led this and then the MSM followed right along. Like I said below, those hacks are reading this thread right now trying to figure out what's going on.

Pess Release: (COMB) Canadian Olympic Marketing Board Award for the most vacuous, a*s-kissing, sycophantic prose ever published in a Canadian MSM(?) rag:

Award For Leadership: Lurid Tales of Prurient Smiles & Perfumed Prose:

There is just one university in Canada, too... remember that, dummies. See ex-PM-in-waiting, PM, Jr., (don't miss his light-hearted comments)& 'ello, 'ello, there is Moe Strong & AIDS point-citizen S. Lewis, fresh from his post in Gabon, perhaps? No, make that Zimbabwe/Mugabe.

"The inaugural leadership awards were graced by the presence of prime-minister-in-waiting Paul Martin, who spent a few minutes addressing the guests. His light-hearted comments revealed a deep admiration for all the award recipients."

"Guests were ushered to the Water Court Foyer where cocktails were served under the otherworldly shimmer of natural light, filtered through a pool of water." Get the glow, free. Read more...

Barf alert +

Left to right, the three recipients of the Distinguished Canadian Leadership Award: Stephen Lewis, Maurice Strong and Hilary Weston, with Paul Martin and Meritas-Tabaret Award winner Paul Tellier

Gilles Patry, rector of the University of Ottawa, best explained the purpose of the awards in his opening remarks:“As Canada’s university, we feel an obligation to recognize and celebrate Canadians who have demonstrated national and world leadership, and few Canadians have had more impact on their nation and the world than those we honour tonight.”

The venue was the National Gallery of Canada. Guests were ushered to the Water Court Foyer where cocktails were served under the otherworldly shimmer of natural light, filtered through a pool of water. The inaugural leadership awards were graced by the presence of prime-minister-in-waiting Paul Martin, who spent a few minutes addressing the guests. His light-hearted comments revealed a deep admiration for all the award recipients.

The dying light of day was replaced by the warm glow of candles that dotted the majestic concourse leading to the Great Hall, stunning at night where soaring windows capture the Parliament Buildings, the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills in vertical frames. The imposing architecture mirrored the grandeur of the occasion. Following dinner the Great Hall was filled with the Ancient Airs and Dances of Respighi, interpreted by the University of Ottawa String Orchestra under the baton of conductor David Currie.

The inaugural recipients of the leadership awards: Maurice Strong, Hilary Weston and Stephen Lewis and the recipient of the Meritas-Tabaret Award, Paul Tellier, are individuals who, to a great extent, define leadership in Canada. Each one has developed clear goals and values. Each one has uncompromising adherence to principle. Each one exemplifies integrity and confidence. Each one has a vision for a more decent, humane and civilized community. They have taken that vision and transformed it into action. And in so doing, they have shaped the definition of leadership in this country.

Although individual Canadians have been honoured for their accomplishments or their commitment, not many are honoured for their leadership. It seemed only fitting that Canada’s university should celebrate Canadian leadership in a formal and enduring way. Institutions of higher learning, by their very nature, mould the people that will become the leaders of tomorrow. The University of Ottawa, in the heart of Canada’s capital, is strategically placed to recognize leadership and shape the leaders of the future.+
http://www.gazette.uottawa.ca/archivearticle_e_87.html

Excellent post Kate.

I usually like Rex to but lately, I can't distinguish him from other writers at the CBC. Theres been lots of stories to report, but no stories to discredit PMSH or show him in a negative light and I think that is the MSM's concern. It must frusterate them that all they can do is rerun the Emerson floor crossing, because PMSH and the conservative party are actually doing what they said they would, be accountable to the people, not to the media.

I am so tired of the Canadian press in general.Instead of collecting and informing on facts and happenings for us to digest they first put there own spin on how and what is presented.
Also,they may receive better reception from politicians if they were not constantly on the hunt for a sound-bite to create a good marketable headline.To hell with accuracy and fairness,we have papers/ads to sell.

The troof from ? at voy.com. As McLuhan said, the media, or is it medium, is the massage, stupid. Massage of the Moonbats. +

Harper has no substance nor competance except what he believes in his thick head.

Media is the connection to the people. They ask the questions the people want asked unlike partisan rants in the house of commons. Sheesh! +
voy.com

Murphy continues to subscribe to the idea that the best lie is mostly truth.

He impresses a lot of people with his wordiness that, when analyzed, says very little.

But... but... but.., if Harper doesn't speak to the media, how will he pick the next GG?

I don't think Harper intends to keep the media at arms length out of anything other than necessity. If the guy has just gone through 3 communications directors in a year (what's up with that?) then that function may very well be in complete chaos at the moment. And in our age of instant gratification punditry communications is mission critical.

Harper isn't communicating very well. The more rabid elements of his base have already yelped at him twice. That's very bad sign during the honeymoon. What's even more worrying is that they didn't even do it over anything overly important.

I don't care personaly. I don't need a daily or even a weekly piece of spin from glorious leader. But a lot of people do and Harper's base is no exception.

Jose -
Some of PM Harper's base, only some of it. Most of us couldn't care less, we'll settle for good government. I think it's more of the opposition that needs their chats with a "glorious leader".

After all wasn't it his critics that were often commenting on his: "lack of warmth", "lack of charisma", "poor people skills"? As if most Canadians would be sitting down to dinner (or even care to) with any Prime Minister.

This post is such sweet music.

I wonder if all of those CBC employees think their job is secure, simply due to the fact they are union members... :)
Sirius 137(CBC Radio One) is probably competing in the ratings with Sirius 157(Phoenix traffic). CBC is "car-crash radio" in every sense of the term, and has no chance of competing with the best of American radio.

The circulation numbers of the Globe & Mail are a joke. They sell an average of 280,000 papers per day, while they give away many more.

If these were poll numbers, something like 99+% of Canadians do not see value in a Globe & Mail newspaper. 30+ million people in the country and "Canada's National Newspaper" can only sell 280,000 copies?

No wonder Steven Harper sees no need to talk to the Globe & Mail.

[snip]... The Star sold an average of 351,479 papers in the prized category of weekday circulation sold at 50 per cent or more of the cover price, while the Globe sold an average of 276,922 papers. The Post sold 147,449 and the Sun 144,735 in that category...[snip]

Globe & Mail Circulation Numbers

Great post. I to thought Rex was being a bit self serving on this particular dubject and is the one time I totally disagree with his commentary.

Well the Olympics are over. What is the Corpse going fill all that dead air time with? Maybe some re-runs of "Leave it to Beaver" or, and I am dating myself here, "Razzle Dazzle".

W. Verwey

W. Verwey
If the CBC were serious about its mandate to support our National Culture, the re-runs would be of the "Forest Rangers" or "D'Iberville".

But then that would be an improvement over current fare.

Cheers
JMH

Most of Canada's MSM is owned by Liberal-friendly oligarchs who have been well rewarded by the Liberals in their corporate "convergence". Most of Canada's reporters are the product of Liberal-controlled Schools of Journalism and these reporters quickly learn to report that which pleased their oligarch bosses. Most of Canada's reporters do no investigative reporting because that's too expensive and might embarass the Liberal governments in power. Most of Canada's reporters are kept whores who enjoy their privileged and lazy lifestyles .. toeing the line.

"Boag-Face Lie"
Could that describe our MSM?

Too funny EBD, Thanks!

Re: Press gallery snivelling over Harper's "press hostility".

"It's not a stretch to declare that the movers and shakers in Canadian media regard themselves as part of a ruling establishment

The Liberal culture of entitlement has long and generous fingers. A Harper government is indeed "scary" - the prospect of being on the outside looking in frightens the bejesus out of long time journalists and media pundits who understand that with a Conservative victory, the sweet little Liberal patronage pot at the end of their career rainbow is unlikely to be claimed - or offered.?" (Tom Korski, Sun Media)

Says it all

CBS Pulls Another Dan Rather?

Left unmentioned: How the poll-takers questioned many more Democrats than Republicans. A PDF posting of poll results lists 409 Democratic respondents versus 272 Republican respondents. CBS “weighted” the results to effectively count 289 Republicans versus 381 Democrats. And while in a couple of minutes of network air time you can hardly be expected to recite every poll finding, CBS managed to skip over several numbers which demonstrated the disconnect between the public and the national press corps. On “media coverage of Cheney hunting accident,” for instance, the public overwhelmingly rejected -- by three-to-one -- the media's obsession: 66 percent said the media devoted “too much time” compared to a piddling 22 percent who thought the press allocated the “right amount of time.” Another nine percent, most likely a lot of journalists and the “angry left,” believed it got “too little time.” Also, by 51 to 47 percent, most “approve of Bush authorizing wiretaps to fight terrorism.”

http://newsbusters.org/node/4206
http://www.voy.com/178771/138548575.html

I have to agree with Ted of Cerberus. Rex was trying to say that Harper has an obligation as PM to communicate more with the population. It doesn't really matter which channel he chooses, but he should be maintaining a level of transparency between the government and the people.

Wasn't this a major point in Harper's campaign anyway?!

Even if there is a Liberal bias in the mainstream media, all politicians regardless of their colours, must subject themselves to it as part of their jobs. It isn't optional. Assuming that these politicians are operating on the up-and-up, there shouldn't be a problem. However, if Harper and his cabinet continue to be so distant, they will come under increased scrutiny and the people (and the media) will begin to wonder what secrets they may be keeping.

Hey Mackenzie - that's my quote. What does this (Tom Korski, Sun Media) mean?

Hey Charles J
The president of the company I work for does not tell me what is going on in his office everyday. When something big happens we are all informed. I don't think we all need to know how amny times PMSH took a piss a day.
If the MSM thinks there is a story they should get off there lazy asses and investigate.
Great job Kate.

So the MSM types are having a temper tantrum over the PM's refusal to play their game. It's about time those snivelling whiners are shown that they are not owed anything from the government, be it a story, a government grant or a preferred seat in the press gallery.

For years we Reform/Conservatice supporters have told our MPs to ignore all the advise coming from members from Ont, (especially the media) re get a new leader and we will vote for you, do this or do that we will like you. We have said, no matter what you do, the press will attack you. This was proven with Manning and Day. Harper withstood it durin 2004, but stayed on as leader, so the attacks sort of backfired. It doesn't matter what he or his govt does, the press will attack, and try to form public opinion. Harper and his MPs have finally figured this out and are staying away. To fill their time perhaps they should have a fund raiser, with money going to unemployed media people, and we could all contribute to this. Of course to raise money, Van Dusen (sp) and Rebick would have to agree to get their hair cut on Politics with Don Newman. Poor Susan Murray, she has no chance to be the next GG. Where is she now. I see Newman is really digging for guests. Today he had on Peter L. to discuss the NEP, and Alberta's wealth today and the Heritage Trust Fund.

Should not post this? But...

Bourque has this up? What is it? Gossip? Bourque needs attention? Who is Louis? More hits? +

Q: Did the Martin Gvt secretly settle a
potential lawsuit with Porter Air's Robert Deluce
for a cool $20 million at Transport Canada's recommendation,
adding $10M for good measure to the Toronto Port Authority ?
If true, what's to smile about, Louis ? +
bourque.org

Hey Ron.

What does your office have to do with the Prime Minister's? And who said anything about pissing? I noticed you've got some issues with journalists too, how come?

Thanks for the comment. I'm not sure what point you're trying to make though.

i just watched harpers news conference where he adressed several issues , quite bloody clearly , i thought, including ralphus' new health care plan. i especially apprecited his stand on his position on afghanistan.
then lo and behold there was craig oliver telling me what harper just said about ralphus' health care plan . now i'm confused . who should i believe? oliver ? or my lieing ---king eyes and ears?
john demerais