It was minus way too many degrees when I walked up to Centre Block this morning for another caucus meeting. My face was still frozen and my glasses fogging over when I walked into a wall of reporters. The issue: the newly minted minister from Vancouver, David Emerson, and my comments on this blog posted last night.
Do you guys actually read my blog, I asked naively. The chorus was yes, and that set the scene for what clever reporters do best – find news. In this case the news would be Garth Turner, MP, disagreeing with the prime minister, and dumping on the decision to sanction a floor-crossing Liberal only months after Belinda Stronach came in for Conservative ire for doing something similar.
Did this mean I thought Emerson should be thrown overboard? Was I demanding the new minister resign? What was I planning to do about it? Would I stand up in caucus and insist Stephen Harper reverse himself? How could I campaign for months to get elected as a Tory in a tough race, and then accept this?
Fair questions and, I thought, respectfully asked. As I blogged here a few hours ago, constituents had the same ones.
So, here is what I am telling them back home:
I am a democrat who believes everyone in the House of Commons, including the cabinet members who make up the government, should be elected. They should sit in Parliament as they were elected. If they decide to change parties, they should go and get re-elected.
It would be a great idea for Mr. Emerson to do that, and hopefully he will decide that’s the right course of action. Given his new high-profile and powerful position, one would expect voters would be impressed enough to elect him as a Conservative. But maybe not. That’s their choice.
I am not demanding the guy resign today, given the fact he has just been handed huge duties and Harper surely had sound reasons for his decision. But it would look very good indeed on David Emerson to say something like this: Yeah, I understand the feeling of those people who are disturbed that I switched parties. I have decided my real home is with the Conservatives, and I am honoured to serve the PM, but I also realize it’s not all my choice. So after I’ve proven my worth in this job, and when the time is appropriate, I will go back to the voters.
End of story. Canadians are reasonable, even forgiving. Just be reasonable back.
What am I going to do about? Lobby for Parliamentary reform of the kind the prime minister promised and the Gomery Report recommended. More free votes. More powerful MP committees. An elected Senate. And more accountability, which should include legislation that, as Brian Mulroney used to say, means you dance with the one that brung ya.
61 comments ↓
The thing of it is that ridding has had one Tory elected in the last 50 years. I think it was foolish and very short sighted of Emerson to do what he did, doubly so in the context of this rather unique election. He has hung a very heavy and smelly albatross around his neck that every opponent will be able to use against him for the rest of his career. He’d better be a damn good representative of his constituents because they will shred him next election or sooner if they figure out a way to get a recall going.
PM Harper I don’t blame, sure it’s the kind of stunt that he’d roast the other guys for pulling but I’m not so naïve. This is politics, Canadian and polite but still a blood-sport, that is you never let a chance go by to give the opposition a shot and he’ll need all the seats he can get.
I was right with you, Garth – until you said “So after I’ve proven my worth in this job, and when the time is appropriate, I will go back to the voters.” i.e. till after the dust settles? Other MPs do not get the luxury of seeing they can “prove themselves on the job” before going to the voters. I think Emerson would do a great job in that portfolio – and I agree with you – he should be elected, but not when it is convenient for him or Mr. Harper. Resign immediately and face your consituents.
Good on ya. I’m still gonna puke in that bucket over there….
Bloorrgh
Nope. still feel like hell………..
Well put Garth…
However, until the rules are changed why should Mr. Emerson force a bye-election?
Would the Liberals? NO.
Conservatives are held to a higher standard than the Liberals? Says who?
The media? Conservatives themselves?
Ridiculous…the higher standards should be simply be to not break the laws of the land.
While I don’t agree with Mr. Emerson crossing over to become a Conservative – why could he not have step down as a Liberal and become an Independant and then still be a Cabinet minister? And another thing, I thought that the MP may be voted by a polical stripe, but, that MP is suppose to be an MP for ALL of his constituents. So if Mr Emerson stayed as a Liberal he still represents his conservative constituents. Right?
Garth
Don’t eat your young.
Optics..bad
Montreal and Vancouver now represented..good.
Stay the course. If it gets bad in 6 months,bail.
I think we have to cut Harper some slack. Keep your principles.
Garth, you’re the man. I’m glad there someone who has the courage to the truth. I found the following for you:
There’s a lot of issues, lots to be done
Best to call me, I’m the hired gun
Party label, it’s pas de necessaire
Call me a traitor, see if I care
You see, it’s about public service, representation
Even if my constituents have serious reservations
In January, Stephen Harper was evil, a very bad man
In February, he has what it takes, I’ll do what I can
Even though I gave speeches attacking the Tory vision
All that time I was a-cabinet-post-wishin’
To help this great leader, he’s now my boss
I didn’t have a choice, I gave those Liberal volunteers the toss
It’s not a matter of principles, I am here to serve
If Jack Layton was PM, I’d even have the nerve
Heck, even the Communists, and the Rhinos too
I would stop at nothing to stay in power, that’s what I do
Opposition? That’s for losers. I’m too good for that.
Forgot the backbenches, I would rather be a dirty rat.
There’s hundreds of Liberals that would like to look me in the eye
That’s why for the past week, I went dark, to run and hide
You know me, I’m not political, that’s for others
I would curtail this democratic thing more, if I had my druthers
Bring on the limos, bring on the glory
Me, in cabinet, as a Tory
Heard your interviews on CBC and CTV tonight and sent you encouraging vibes. But now I know politics is a dirty game that sullies its players. But Mr. Harper is our father; he will tell us what is good for Canadians. Not!
No, Garth. This guy’s just right for going back out the door before he even sits down in his new office. He doesn’t get to be Minister of International Trade, or Minister making deals with Gordon Campbell for 2010, he gets himself properly elected first.
Then, maybe, he gets a cushy appointment in Cabinet. And if he’s not elected, well, the people of Vancouver-Kingsway have spoken and doggone it, THEY’re the boss.
As for Michael Fortier, same thing. How dare Stephen Harper plant a guy inside the Parliament Buildings in such a way that he holds power over the Ministry of Public Works and Government Services but is answerable to NO constituents because NOBODY elected him as anything at all, not even as a re-tread Socred, nothing!! But he gets to sit in the Senate Chambers, where Stephen Harper said NOBODY would sit unless elected!
And suppose he stands for election and loses? Does this horrible situation just drag on into infinity?
You guys want to start a REBELLION or something??
I saw you on both CTV and CBC and liked what you said. I doubt Mr Harper is going to be patting you on the back for your honest opinion Garth. Please encourage your Mr Emmerson to resign and try to win his seat as a Conservative. Mr Emmerson knows he will be defeated so we will never see this happen.
It looks to me he is trying to pad his pension. He will not be back again after this goverment runs it’s course. Unfortunatly Mr. Emmerson is an opportunist that does not believe in Democracy and thinks he knows best and will ignore anyone else’s opinions including the people who elected him.
I agree reform is needed on this issue, but not simply a by-election. With that as the only option, the choices of an MP are very restricted. I think a better balance would be to offer a by-election in 30/60/90 days, whatever is decided or the chance to sit as an independent for one year.
According to How’d they Vote website Emerson voted against Liberal party instructions to support Conservative Bill C-248:
After reviewing his voting record – He never voted against his own party but voted against his party’s instruction to suppor Bill C-248 (Conservative bill) – An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (trafficking in a controlled drug or substance within five hundred metres of an elementary school or a high school)
Therefore, Emerson could not even vote for a Conservative bill when his party order him to do so – 59 Liberals , all of the Bloc & NDP & Independents supported this bill but not Emerson.
Click here to hold Conservative accountable.
Thank you! We need more MP’s asking Mr Emerson to step down and have a by-election. The Conservatives only had 18.8% of the votes in this riding, this is not democracy!
Garth is the only one who had the balls to be consistent with his beliefs. I don’t agree with his statement about give Emerson a bit of time to prove himself and then face the voters. but lets be honest here, Garth doesn’t really believe that but probably threw that out as a well intentioned but feable attempt to soften his firm position.
So if the worst thing Garth did was say a delay but stuck to his guns when everyone else hid or toed the party line, then I say THANK YOU GARTH for having the guts to stick to your beliefs. Maybe if even a few of his caucus members had some guts to have done the same thing and stood together, then maybe he wouldn’t have felt the pressure try to bend a little. The heat must have been quite high today. Maybe Garth does really believe in givng a bit of time, but nah… I don’t believe it.
Rock on Garth!
Are you serious with your suggestion for Emerson’s talking points? “..after I’ve had a chance to prove myself on the job…I’ll go back to the electorate…”
What is that? Probationary democracy?
All these efforts to distract from the main source of grievance will only make the thing worse.
Harper has undermined the democratic process. Emerson has disenfranchised the voters in Vancouver-Kingsway. There is only ONE issue here!
My elected representative is talking for me! Right now, in Halton, politics is working!
Allow me to preface my remarks by stating that I am a die-hard Liberal Party supporter and member. I too believe in accountability but not generalizations. While some are content to point at Liberals and say simply that Liberals are corrupt is insulting to me and every honest member of our party. Likewise, for me to say all Conservatives are hypocrites or that they — in fact — are corrupt, would be wrong. I won’t say that because I know how it feels and Garth’s position on Mr. Harper’s errors in judgment shows that we can’t paint all party members with the same brush.
Garth, good work! I’m glad to see you speaking your mind and standing up for what is right. It may not land you in patronage-central (aka Cabinet) but you have my respect and that of many others who come from all parties. I am proud of you and despite the bad week our new government just had, I can find renewed hope in your personal honesty and integrity. Who can say Garth for CPC Leader? I’d still be a Liberal, but I’d respect your party’s leadership!
Nathan Hewitson
Thunder Bay, ON
Garth,
Backstabbing does not look good on anybody, not even one as principled as you(according to you….)
Garth, a very Prime Ministerial (???) interview on Global National tonight. I am so happy to finally see my MP stick to what he campaigned on rather than tow the party line. I think a strategic error was made by the PM appointing a Liberal opportunist floor crosser to a cabinet position. Mr. Emerson is doomed at this point and the PM should cut bait, no matter how good a candidate for the role the spin doctors say he may be. Mr. Harper undermined you, his entire government and supporters like me by pulling a stunt like this which, for such an intelligent man, I cannot believe he could not have anticipated the outcome of.
Integrity is what will make this government great and I hope Mr. Harper will come to see that the example set by his MP from Halton is one that should be emulated going forward.
Keep fighting the good fight Garth, even if it is with your own Party.
Garth, stick to your principles, our country and its democratic foundation are stronger for it. I’m from Vancouver, 24 years old, and though Emerson was not in my riding, I went to sleep angry and completely dissilussioned with politics in our country…his move was a complete betrayal of his consituents and supporters.
God forbid you or your family are taking heat for telling the TRUTH. Keep up your rare and noble work. “I fear nothing when I am in the right!”
Thank you for saying what needs to be said.
Ever hear the saying about shitting in your bedroom? 4 days in government and it probably is wise to leave thiis one alone.
But hey, you are the MP.
Mr Harper must think he is doing the right thing for Canada in asking Mr Emmerson to sit in cabinet. I’d say that takes a lot of guts. He and David
must of known the fire storm would follow. I know the voters in his riding are pissed off at the moment especially the Dippers who would have won if it had not been David running against them.
David’s statement that he ran for Paul
Martin and Martin left so he did as well shows what he thinks of the Liberals.I say I can’t blame him &
stay the course David your a brave man also.
Garth,
I was in the military during the time when the Somolia Affair broke. It got to the point where, even tho I was Air Force, wearing my uniform in public was pretty much a hassle. The “baby killer” looks I got, the snide remarks made behind my back in a store line, really hurt and at the same time p!$$’d me off at times.
But I kept my mouth shut, minded my p’s & q’s, knowing that it was all done in ignorance, not knowing the full story, but I felt that it was an honour to serve this country despite the public negativity.
It is easy to be tempted to say “Screw them” but it wouldn’t be right for a greater calling has to be heeded, and that calling is the nation. Not a party, not a local riding, but a nation.
If Mr. Harper needs to get a job done and believes that there are some good members of Parliament and believes their talents and services are valuable for the country, not the party, then he’s got to be doing something right.
Take care.
ONe of the Liberal trolls writes “tow” the line on a lot of Blogs – just changes his/her name.
Garth- I think you should take many of these congratulatory comments with a grain of salt- you are a hero , all right – to the opposition.
I respect your right to have your own opinions but if you want to be a one man band maybe you should have stayed writing a one man’s opinion column rather than joining a team where in a democracy concensus trumps- and where concensus is arrived at by respecting all points of view.
Not quite so fast!
There are thousands of people in B.C., and other provinces- perhaps even yours- who have lost their income, their homes and communities, and in some cases their families, because of the stress of the softwood lumber layoffs.
While you are ponitifcating about the ills of finding an Emerson, who is already fully briefed on the softwood file, these folks lose again.
There is some damage to be rectified, no doubt; Emerson will face the music with his contituents.
Be sure to tell us why a political party’s inner conflict is the ugliest of ways to lose a government, won’t you;)
Leaders lead. If you cannot do so, ask everyone for their advice and take a poll of their suggestions. If you cannot lead, get out of the way. If you cannot follow, shut up. Either way, you are in a pickle because you seem to do neither well.
When we vote for our MP, it is most of the time because we are able to identify with his values. I see it as a contract between him and me. If, for reasons like Mr. Emerson states, he can do better for Vancouver, then it should be the voters who decide. We don’t go to court with our laywer to find out that he has now swith side at the beginning of the trial. How can he shave in the morning????
I agree with what you have said Garth.
I have just written my local M.P. on the same issue.
I dont care what the reasons are for allowing Mr. Emerson to cross over to the Conservatives, this is NOT Democracy and to allow it to continue unchallenged is an insult to the Canada we all know.
It’s nice to see that conservatives and the media keep this issue alive to the delight and encouragement of the Liberals. It’s a non-issue in Quebec regarding Fortier and the Emerson deal is applauded by the BC premier, the BC unions and the BC business leaders.
This would have died under the Liberals in a day. That’s why they have ruled this country so long. Stephen Dion was appointed to cabinet when he wasn’t even an MP or a senator. Now they are trying to parade him as a future leader of the party.
Your leader did what he thought was best for the country. Support this leader and you’ll be in power longer than you were with your last one you served under. No rules were broken, nothing illegal was done.
Hello Mr Turner. I don’t live in your riding, and I didn’t vote Conservative. But Im glad a man like you is part of the government. I hope you continue to stand up for what you beleave in, you may not get a cabinet apointment but I bet it will keep getting you re-elected. Wich is more than I can say for Mr Emmerson.
I knew that by voting for you I was voting for someone with strong beliefs and ethics. As a resident of your riding I was proud to see that you were one of the few to actually say what your true opinion is, despite the silence from the rest of the party. Thanks for not compounding the negative view of politicians and by showing true conviction.
Congratulations on sticking with your principals Garth!! After convincing many of my family and friends to vote Conservative, I’ve been eating crow all week.
Garth,
I am a long time NDP voter, but I have a deep respect for what you have said on this issue and I will praise you in conversation in the future. It’s good to see someone who actually looks at events and issues using reason and consistency rather than simply towing the party line. There are too few men or women like yourself in any party.
Isn’t it incredible that there are still people that think an elected official must genuflect to the party demagogues once he is elected. This past campaign was based on open and honest government. Accountability and a “new beginning” I voted for you Garth, keep saying it. As I wrote Mr. Harper a year or so ago and said “Why do you continue to make it so damn hard for me to vote for you!” I did, and one day later his size tens are in his big yap. It was pathetic watching the newly elected suck ups try to justify the exact actions they vilified the liberals about. I’d rather have an MP that says what he believes. That way I can decide for myself. Go Turner!stothgarthb
You are, of course, absolutely correct in stating there should be a by-election in Emsersons’ riding. Good for you! I am a BC voter and find this quite disgusting. The voters in his riding did NOT vote for a Conservative and, apparently, haven’t since the mid-fifties. So he knows he does not have his constituents best interests at heart — but rather, his own. The man cannot be trusted and he WILL pay….
Refreshing to see you maintain your original position. I am a most unhappy conservative considering the 2 contoversial Cabinet appointments made by Harper. And we wonder why so many people choose not to vote on election day. This would certainly change if in fact all polititions truly believed in real democratic processes rather that what we have seen here.
Please hang in there and make your cocerns heard.
The issue is NOT Mr. Emerson crossing the floor. That was the result. The issue IS, the PM invited Mr. Emerson into the government. This is totally different than Belinda Stronach. Mr. Dithers did not have the courage or gumption to invite Stronach directly. There were clandestine meetings with different Liberal power brokers that set it up for Mr. Dithers. The current PM had the courage to contact Mr. Emerson directly, and offer him a position in the government. This is the lesser of two evils.
Although I too believe everyone in government should have been elected, in both chambers, and for that matter the selection of Supreme Court justices should have a proces to go through, than be selected at the whim of the PM, I believe in cases like this, where the Canadian people in three urban centres did not elect a single Conservative MP, then the PM, who wanted a broad coalition and strong representation, had no choice in the matter.
Mr. Harper chose to select two people to represent these regions at the decision table. He removed the issue of partisanship in the case of Mr. Emerson. If anyone is being partisan here it is the Liberals and NDP, and all in the name of protecting the electors in the riding. Forgive the cynicism here, but the pot is calling the kettle black! Neither the Liberals, nor the NDP care one whit about the electors, as long as they are elected. It is all smoke and mirrors to look good.
Mr. Harper wants to govern and have all regions represented. Nothing more and nothing less. He chose a man already disallusioned, and offered a place where he could better represent that urban centre.
If people are going to castigate, then it should be Mr. Harper to bear the brunt, and not Mr. Emerson. Even so, people need to give the PM a break. He did nothing wrong. He invited an outsider to join and form a government. People should just get over it.
As far as crossing the floor. The elected MPs should not have to face the electorate until the next election, and then they can run on their record which will be scrutinized after switching parties.
It is time for people to lay off. We have had enough elections already. Let the government govern. Then you can all pass judgement, on the next election.
Cheers,
Samthemacman
Dear Garth.
I applaud your courage around taking a stand on the Emerson crossing. Even though I have never voted Tory I was not happy with the ever escalting cynicism that has been so charactoristic in the last few decades of politics. It is refreshing to see a politician speak their mind in spite of the party pressures.
The three contoversial cabinet appointments do not send a message that there is a new ethics, just a new party who does what it thinks is right for the people and does not have to keep to its values on representing the riding, having an elected senate, lobbyists, and sticking in an old crony(and of all places Quebec after the sponsership scandel!!!). I understand Harpers arguement around representation and best people. Optics is imortant for one thing. But not being honest about failing to act on claimed principles is a real credibility problem. Is it enough to say the Tories are no worse than the Liberals? As the Who sang, “same boss as the old boss.”
I hope your voice is listened to. I hate the partisanship in all the major parties. It would be refreshing to see a leader own their mistakes, listen to people, and do the right thing even if they got some flack. I would hope Harper would understand about repentance and forgiveness.
Best wishes for you and your future. Keith Fennell
Does Harper have different advisors now than the ones advisors on the election Campaign? If not then some very bright people got stupid overnight.
Nelson
Mr. Turner,
If you think that floor crossers are bad news, I
think that MP’s who turn against their own leaders,
especially in public, are worse.
Mr. Harper was trying to HELP BC’ers, not hurt them.
He wants to resolve the soft wood dispute and the best
man for the job would be Mr. Emerson. Comparing
Emerson to Stronach is like comparing apples to
oranges. The situations are completely different, as
are their respective levels of intelligence and
experience. If the voters in Vancouver are so partisan
that they don’t want help on the Olympics or soft wood
because it’s coming from a Conservative, then so be
it. This is a minority parliament and they can go to
the polls in the next year or so and vote Emerson out.
To spend my tax dollars on a by-election would be a
waste of money. Getting rid of Emerson now would be
the equivalent of cutting your nose off to spite your
face. Blinded by their own extreme ideology, this is a
city that rejected the first of its kind ‘green’
Walmart only because it’s a Walmart and it’s American!
Their own mayor even quit in disgust.
As for Fortier, the guy left a job that paid him a
cool million a year to sit as a senator making only a
fraction of that. He will represent the constituents
of Montreal well. The voters in Quebec don’t seem to
have a big problem with Fortier’s appointment. Unlike
Vancouver, Quebeckers are smarter and savvy enough to
recognise a good thing when they see it.
I contributed to your party to help you win. And I
don’t have a lot of money. I don’t appreciate you
helping the Bloc, the NDP and the crooks in the
Liberal party by grandstanding and openly trashing
your own leader’s decisions. I have absolute faith in
Mr. Harper. If you don’t like the leader of the CP
party or his decisions, do me a favour and go join the
Liberals.
Stand by your man, or get out!
Sharon
Hi Garth,
I live in Vancouver-Kingway. Today, I attended the forum to listen to the views of my community. The auditorium was packed; we estimated over 500 people. There were 50 speakers. Of those, 49 want to see Emerson resign. The people of Vancouver-Kingsway feel deceived, betrayed and very angry that we are now being represented by a party for which only 18% of us voted. The moral of the story? If you live in Vancouver-Kingsway, your vote doesn’t count.
Thanks for posting your comments and standing up for what you believe in. There should be more MPs willing to speak their minds, even if it’s to disagree with their leaders.
Lisa
Try and introduce the bill from now on that “those elected for a party,cannot cross the floor,but have to sit as an independent”.
Bur please Mr. Turner,have patience,and leave the David Emerson issue behind. And get on with governing the country.
The Liberals must be loving this disention within the PC party.
Bill Morgan
david emersom stole all the liberal votes right out of the ballot box and should be charged with theft or RESIGN.YOU ARE CORRECT ON THIS SUBJECT.
Garth: Thank you for your stance on Mr. Emerson and Mr. Fortier. I support the idea that they both should be required to run in a by-Election and be voted into parlament by the people. I am very disappointed in what Stephen Harper has done here. I voted Conservative and am very happy to see them in power. But we Canadians had hoped that things would improve from the Liberals. These two incidents only make it appear that nothing has improved, that the Conservatives are just as power hungry and corrupt as the Liberals. This only serves to create more voter apathy…that All politicians are corrupt…
Garth, just shows a little tit for tat on Harpers part I think, and the tone that he not likely gonna practice what he was preaching about cleaning things up.
Also must be a supreme insult to all elected conservatives, that there wasn’t someone in the group who could tack a position in Cabinet and the nice post
My wife and I are (were?) Winnipeg conservative supporters, going back to our modest contributions to the National Citizens’ Coalition. In his Vancouver and Montreal decisions the Prime Minister has given up the moral highground which, in large part, resulted in the election victory. How can he proceed with his accountability legislation now? What a disappointment! How hypocritical!!
Harper says Emerson belongs in cabinet? It is NOT his decision to make! Harper is working for US — and we have spoken. Disgusting! And Fortier? WE Unbelievable…..
Harper had no business inviting Emerson to join cabinet. Harper had no business inviting Fortier to join cabinet. These were NOT his decisions to make. Disgusting. Unbelievable. Vancouver/Kingsway riding must have a by-election. This isn’t going away….
Dear Garth: What a novel concept, representing those that voted for you! Understandable but nonetheless unbelievable anyone should suffer for espousing this fundamental democratic principle. Millions support you, keep slugging!
Ian Hignell
West Vancouver
The latest rumour is that 10 to 12 right leaning Liberals may cross the floor in April when Parliament resumes. Perhaps they, along with now shy leadership hopefuls Manley, Tobin, and McKenna, are worried that Harper, with Sheila Fraser’s help, is going to shine a light on and expose exactly what the Liberals have been up to for that last 13 years.
Scary!
So my question to you Garth, is this: Are you going to call for 11 to 13 byelections?
Just wondering…
Sharon
Toronto
Emerson has badly hurt democratic principles and his arrogance is amazing. I do not care how many strengths he has he has shown a blatant disregard for Canadian politics. He no longer has any integrity to be a leader. Go back to business or run for re-election Emerson.
Where is Germant Grewhal and his tape recorder when you,really, need him ?
Garth,
You are a breath of fresh air– how refreshing. Finally a politician unafraid to speak the truth. Keep it up!
after tell me that the liberal are coropted harper turn to liberal to help him run this contry it is a joke thank you Garht your one good men because ov you my vote was not wasted i know now wy ontarien werre scare to vote for Harper we werre proven right he say one thing and does another Emerson will not resing POWER IS WHAT IS AFTER HARPER SMILLE SAYS IT ALL
Though I am not a conservative and not in support of stephen Harper, i was a progressive conservative, and i respect your ethics and what you stand for. IF you ran in my riding i would indeed vote for you as you are the kind of rep that we need in ottowa. This issue with Emerson is scandalous and even more so as it is such a blatent act of hypocracy. It is a mockery of democracy, and a sad day for canadian politics, for engaging young voters and creating belief in our politcal system. All of these things are eroding right before our eyes in these two acts of dictatorship that stephen harper has displayed. He must call a bi-election or face defeat at the next election, and i do think this government will not last long, as it has lost the support of those that were wooed to join the “ethical” conservatives. Thanks for being like chuck cadman, we need more of you!
I’m a New Democrat but I think you’re right on Garth. We have a system in which Canadians vote for the party and for a candidate to switch parties immediately after the election is ridiculous. For Harper to have supported this is ridiculous too. We thought we were getting something different, new and honest but its the same old baloney.
Emerson must go (and unelected Fortier too).
Congratulations, Mr. Turner, on taking a principled stand on the Emerson matter. I’m astonished at the number of commentators on this site and elsewhere who have criticized you on partisan grounds. The integrity of our electoral system is not a fit subject for partisan gamesmanship. Nor is it appropriate to say that Emerson’s undoubted abilities excuse his fraudulent behaviour. Such reasoning amounts to saying that the ends justify the means: the universal excuse of despots.
Stand your ground, Mr. Turner. Fair-minded citizens are squarely behind you!
For all of those piping up about how Emerson is the only man for the softwood job, how he knows the file, etc., Emerson recused himself from that file because he is in a conflict of interest in dealing with it. If he does get involved with it – those precious Conservative words about cleaning up Gov’t are even more meaningless.
Emerson was the CEO of Canfor, and has (had?) millions of dollars in Canfor shares (reportedly). Really not much different than Martin and his Canada Steamship Lines. Further, the money from any returned duties will not go to the forestry workers who lost their jobs (thousands – including me), the money will go back to the shareholders of the companies – including Mr. Emerson.
Emerson also made huge money in the privatization of BC Gas, and the subsequent sale of Terasen (formerly BC Gas) to Kinder-Morgan (read Enron).
The ignorance of the facts by some posters is why we keep ending up with dysfunctional, corrupt Governments. Research your candidates before you cast your votes. The media has it’s own interests, and manipulates the thinking of those who lap up it’s every word, to achieve those interests.
Wake up people!
The people that were defrauded of their vote by David Emerson should at least be able to launch a class action lawsuit to recover the $1.75 that each vote would earn thru the federal political funding formula. It may not amount to much but a official court ruling would still be a moral victory for the people who thought that their vote counted.
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