Now that’s ironic. Was just reading an indepth profile of William Stairs a few hours ago and, poof, the guy’s gone. Stephen Harper’s communications guru certainly had some things to say about me last week, not entirely flattering, and now I risk never getting a chance to meet him – a famous son of Nova Scotia.
Seems the prime minister tonight has chosen to rearrange things in the PMO, dumping Stairs in a terse statement issued by a blunt man (his description of himself, not mine), chief of staff Ian Brodie. This is a surprise, of course, coming just two weeks to the day after the Harper administration was sworn in, and after Stairs came to wear a lot of the credit for the Conservative election win.
It goes to remind us all how tough a life it is in the fast lane at the Langevin Block, where the PMO lives. And the trip down for Stairs comes, also ironically, on the heels of a new national poll showing the Harper government actually survived its first couple of stormy weeks in office relatively unscathed and with the support of a majority of Canadians. Despite David Emerson, William Stairs and – some would quickly add – Garth Turner. Apparently my opinion that all cabinet ministers should be elected to represent the government they actually are part of did no damage at all to the prime minister.
Not that I thought it would. And not that I was trying. It was just an opinion. Honest, boss. In fact, there is a school of thought that a broad, national and governing party is actually stronger for having diverse voices within it and even the occasional whiff of self-criticism from time to time. It makes you look – what’s the word? – oh yeah, human.
I did try to make the point to whomever would listen, as I was being dragged to the woodshed, that dissenting opinions have a very valid place within great parties. They show debate, the clash of ideas, an open-mindedness and an acceptance, even if grudging, of other points of view. Families fight. Couples squabble. Teams have issues. So, how believable is a caucus where every single member comes out of a room saying exactly the same thing?
Of course, it isn’t. No amount of wishing will make it so. Not even the best spin doctor can spin that. The truth, as I learned when I was a reporter, has an uncanny way of coming out.
Hey, Sandra.
24 comments ↓
“Apparently my opinion that all cabinet ministers should be elected to represent the government they actually are part of”
Hmmmm… I didn’t think THAT was the opinion you expressed Garth… I mean the opinion that garnered such a “strong” reaction from PM Harper.
And I certainly know THAT was not the opinion that garnered the kind of support generated at your very ownFeedback From Voters & Taxpayers.
AND, as for doing “no damage at all to the prime minister” as you put it Garth…
HA!
That guy, PM Stephen Harper, in my eyes has done more to set back the cause of democracy by his FIRST, and I daresay DEFINIG, act as Prime Minister in which we all know he violated the trust of all Canadians by reconfiguring the House of Commons with his acceptance of Liberal MP David Emerson into the Conservative fold… A configuration that only two weeks earlier approximately 14 million Canadians voted for.
Talk about no respect for voting Canadians!
Sheesh.
And then you say that the controversy surrounding PM Stephen Harper’s FIRST and DEFINING moment… “did no damage at all to the prime minister”???
Get real Garth.
Or maybe the reaction of betrayal that he caused in ME… one single solitary Canadian… is not significant to you anymore Garth.
From your view on The Hill I mean Garth… And you were showing such promise Garth.
Oh well.
Nothing lasts forever I guess.
Good luck Garth. I’ll be checking in from time to time to see how you’re doing. You have my email if you ever need me.
I’m here for you Garth.
Sincerely,
Mark
P.S. Be sure to check out Deliberative Polling using the Breeze meeting software for a significant and cost-effective appraoch to your “digital democracy experiment”.
Mr. Turner, I admire the principled stand you took in regards to Mr. Emerson but you seem to not be able to go a blog entry without mentioning the incident and your role in it. You’re a good man but you seem to be attaching far too much significance to your name and the role you’ve played in the last few weeks. Let it go please, sir.
Mark Brown, I would like to make 2 points.
First, even Garth Turner agrees with this statement: An elected MP must represent ALL of his/her riding, no matter what their political stripe.
Two, 42% of total eligible electorate in Vancouver Kingsway, DID NOT bother to vote (Elections Canada results). And the Ian Waddell (NDP failed candidate) and Kevin Chalmers (a liberal organizer) say that democracy was subverted? Why? Only 25% of the riding voted for a liberal candidate, and less than 20% voted for a NDP candidate.
Are these people trying to tell us that if David Emerson stayed as a Liberal MP, that he would only represent “liberal” views? Or, if Ian Waddell won that Mr. Waddell would only represent “NDP” views in his riding? I would hope not!
I’ve watched William Stairs on several of the “strategists” panels. While he seems like a very nice person, he did seem awkward and not quick on the come backs when the others would attack.
While we don’t want someone arrogant like Scott Reid or John Duffy on the Conservative team, we need some one like Tim Powers. Quick and to the point.
Tim’s cool.
Catherine on: You are not very bright are you? Just because you keep repeating this statement over and over again in postings does mean anyone will be convinced “42% of total eligible electorate in Vancouver Kingsway, DID NOT bother to vote”. This is a self-defeating argument, if we follow your reasoning we only got 11% of the vote. So please stop saying this, you are embarrassing us! Thank you.
According to the latest poll (where do they get this stuff from anyway, no one ever calls me) you were more right than you realized on about how people would feel about the last 2 weeks. Too bad the MPS were not consulted before those big decisions were made. If you’d been able to give your advice, it would have saved a lot of trouble.
Don’t shoot the messenger!
Hi Catherine,
Are you the same Catherine who was involved in the Breeze meeting the on Sunday afternoon? Probably becausse you are the only Catherine who usually posts on Garth’s Blog… and it was probably you that was the 1 person out of 3 that voted NO in the “Did Garth do the right thing by speaking out?” question in the online poll during the Breeze session on Sunday… I know it wasn’t me… I say this because of all of the “trapping” questions you were asking Garth online during the Sunday meeting.
Anyhoo.
First Cahterine even I, Mark Brown, agree with the statement: An elected MP must represent ALL of his/her riding, no matter what their political stripe.
And, wouldn’t you know it Catherine, all MP’s DO represent ALL of their constituents by advocating on their behalf.
But when it comes to VOTING in the House of Commons… unless it is a free vote… an MP votes according to what their PARTY tells them to vote.
Simple.
Emerson was elected as a Liberal by ALL of the people of Vancouver Kingsway Catherine… according to the rules for electing an MP.
Because the people of Vancouver Kingsway voted in a Liberal they should expect that when a vote is cast in the House of Commons their riding will vote according to Liberal Directives!
Not NDP Directives… not Green Directives… not Bloc Directives… and not Conservative Directives.
The people of Vancouver Kingsway should reasonably expect that their representative will VOTE LIBERAL.
But thanks to Prime Minister Harper’s first, betraying, and I would say defining ACT of accepting the Vancouver Kingsway Liberal representative into the Conservative Party…
Prime Minister Harper shown great disrespect to the people of Vancouver Kingsway.
This disrespect of the people of Vancouver Kingsway by PM Stephen Harper, and Stephen Haper ALONE, is in direct violation several of the Founding Principles of the Conservative Party of Canada.
Principles Stephen Harper swore to abide by by joining the Conservative Party of Canada.
If Prime Minister Stephen Harper cannot set a shining example to the rest of us Conservatives by ACTING in accordance with the Founding Principles of the Conservative Party Canada then what hope is there for the rest of us???
Unlike you Catherine I am a person that feels that LEADERSHIP MATTERS.
And when you lead it is not only important to DO the right thing it is equally as important to be SEEN as doing the right thing.
Prime Minister Harper failed miserably on both points.
Prime Minister Harper slapped the people of Vancouver Kingsway in the face by turning a Liberal HoC Voter into a Conservative HoC Voter and that’s just plain wrong.
Leadership matters Catherine.
Can you please pass on that message to Prime Minister Harper for me if you happen to be talking with him Catherine?
Thanks in advance.
Sincerely,
Mark
As for Emerson, that was a lot of fun but now that all is history. Emerson will do what he feels is right for the betterment of BC, anly BC. PMSH did what he had to do and we will all be very grateful for that.
Garth, your blog is doing what was expected. It is slowly fading to a point that people reading the blog will be questioning; what blog? who? (as they are rolling their eyes.)
I must admit, your blog has done well, but only what appears to be the pumping of your own loyalists.
Getting back to the basic question asked by most Canadians; Why are the Canadian politicians a bunch of crooks, regardless of their political affiliation, looking after their own self-interest? Garth, when are you willing to answer that question?
If I were a crook, I could answer. But I’m at a loss for words (rolling my eyes….) — Garth
Emerson’s riding hasn’t gone Conservative in over 50 years. Derek Zeisman, a Conservative hopeful in scandal from running the border received more votes than the Conservative running against Emerson.
Perhaps its because they chose to run a minority in this riding. Do Conservative voters vote for minorities? Nope!
I’m curious which poll you quoted. One by the NCC bought National Post perhaps? Canfor? the Globe? We know were the money came from for the polls, dude.
Take a good long look at the NCC at http://www.morefreedom.org and remind yourself that Harper was their president from 97 to Dec. of 2001 (they never did replace him with another one). Remind yourself of the States born oil checks and church checks that support this lobby group front to integrate Canada with the US. Privatization of health care (so U.S. insurance can come in) privatization of the CBC, the RCMP, the wheatboard, union busting, decentralization of federal powers, all of this is U.S. driven by the sellout puppets who support them in Canada.
And when you remind yourself every morning about the boss you work for, ask yourself if you can fly that Canadian flag in your site and still represent it. I don’t believe you can without being a sellout yourself.
And if there is anyone who wishes to challenge me on this, check out the site, check campaigns, and take a good long look at Harpers appointments. Better yet, check out the National Citizens Coalition past. Its ugly, nothing more than a lobby front for U.S. corps that represent insurance, oil, Canadian division and the integration of the U.S. with Canada to increase their markets. With Harper in power, I’d say their winning.
3 out of 4 cabinet ministers are from communications. They are all schooled to keep their mouths shut. Lobbiests, patronage appointments, Harper reminds me of the Mulroney government we got rid of soundly in his last election. And where is that liar now? Can’t say I think much of a leader who would sue his own country for 50 million.
You’d better take a good long look at who and what you work for from here on in, Garth. Love you or hate you, it sucks to be on the side of a party that sells Canada out to the U.S. empire. People will remember. We aren’t fools.
Duh! Don’t get me wrong – purely on principles, I don’t agree with floor crossers – either to prop a failing government or for self betterment.
All we have heard from the outcry of the Liberals and NDP is that Stephen Harper has gone back on his accountability promise. Yet the NDP and Liberals have done the same thing. Floor crossing is legit under the current constutional and parliamentary rules.
Stephen Harper is not a stupid man and his decision was probably a very hard one to make, given that he was given a small minority – should he use only the conservative MPs and have no experienced cabinet reps from major cities or extend to some experienced people – in this case Emerson? Did the increase of one more “conservative” MP buy him an extra vote to keep his government in play? Probably not!
Duh! – the point is not self-defeating – it is simply a matter of fact! To me the 42% is quite significant from a purely non-partisan view.
One would want to consider the reasons why 42% don’t consider spending a few minutes to go out and exercise their democratic right. Is it because the candidates did not engage the electorate? Is it because people are weary of partisan rhetoric? Is it because the people don’t see a difference between the political parties? Is it time to consider another setup for electing our representatives – a PR system? And if a PR system is selected, how would the cabinet be composed? Or should we consider a different style of government – one where we elect the PM who is not a MP or is not a leader of a specific political party?
I will echo Duh! and add to his point regarding Catherine’s post.
Catherine – 42% of Van-Kingsway did not vote. Ever wonder why? Could it be that those people are so cynical that they don’t bother? Are they cynical because of people like Emerson, and Harper? I think so. The 42% that didn’t bother have nothing to say, and are not saying anything. The 58% that did vote have a lot to say. Should we just shut up? Should we still vote next time (hopefully very soon)? Why should we when the likes of Emerson don’t give a flying turtle what our wishes are?
What about the rest of Canada? Only roughly 61% voted. Does that mean that their votes mean nothing because 39% of the voters didn’t bother?
People like you with your hollow comments tire me out.
It has been my observation, that when someone doesn’t have a lot of strength in his argument, that he will turn to taking personal shots at his opponent.
One doesn’t raise oneself by tearing down others.
Please give the reference for this comment. — Garth
From the Founding Principles of the Conservative Party of Canada:
• A belief that good and responsible government is attentive to the people it represents and has representatives who at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner and display integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all;
Is Prime Minister Harper being “attentive” to the people of Vancouver Kingsway whose democratic choice he, and he alone, violated by accepting the floor crossing of Liberal MP Emerson?
Did Prime Minister Harper coduct himself with “integrity” when he, and he alone, violated the democratic choice of the people of Vancouver Kingsway?
I can tell you that the “interests of all” are “best served” when their leader respects their clearly stated democratic choices.
Prime Minister Harper did NOT do that.
Leadership matters.
Sincerely,
Mark Brown
PREDICTION: The Speaker of the House will be a BLOC or Independent MP.
Brain, “we aren’t fools”
well I didn’t vote for the liberals either, so who does that leave Brain-o?
Garth please write a juicy entry soon that is befitting of political discourse. The stream of comments generated today is rather tedious.
(rolling eyes and yawning)
So what is Sandra’s “wealth of communications experience”?
What’s up with the discussion forum? Tech-heads having probs?
I’m surprised Mr. Harper has replaced Mr. Stairs with a unilingual director of communciations. To my knowledge no unilingual person has held that post before. Good luck Ms. Buckler!
It has been my observation, that when someone doesn’t have a lot of strength in his argument, that he will turn to taking personal shots at his opponent.
One doesn’t raise oneself by tearing down others.
Please give the reference for this comment. — Garth
See Duh’s comment on Catherine: “You are not very bright are you?”
And then K. Smith echoes those thoughts with “People like you with your hollow comments tire me out.”
It is unfortunate that my remark on hollow comments was seen as tearing Catherine down. I had no intent to do so (and made no personal attack. I said “people like you”. that is a broad generalization, not tearing down an individual), and I have no need (nor did I attempt) to raise myself up in semi-anonymous fashion.
I saw Catherine’s comments about voter turnout in Vancouver-Kingsway as a vapid argument that democracy was not subverted because 42% did not vote. All eligible voters had a chance to vote, but only 58% did. That 58% believed that their votes would count as cast. They were not. That is a subversion of democracy. It adds to the cynicism of potential voters, who may not turn out to vote again – because someone can decide that they know better the intent of the voters.
If the whole Conservative caucus turned around tomorrow, and said that they were now Marxist-Leninist because they thought that they could do more for the poor mindless people of Canada as M-L’s would that not be a subversion of the voters’ intent, and thus, democracy?
I pointed out that voter turn-out was very similar in Vancouver-Kingsway (58%) as it was in the rest of Canada (approx. 61%). Catherine then went on to say that in fact, the Liberal vote was only about 25% of the aggregate in the riding. This seems to me to be saying that the Liberal, or NDP vote is illegitimate, and we have nothing to complain about, while ignoring the fact that the Consrvative vote was a fraction of that. The MAJORITY of the riding voted other than Conservative, and we now have a Conservative MP. So, the majority of the riding’s votes were subverted to the minority’s wishes. That is a subversion of democracy.
Catherines argument is hollow. That tires me out.
K. Smith:
Actually Canada’s voter rate was 65%…up from 2004.
I am not interested in partisan politics, as I see values which I respect in all three parties. I also see that all parties have their good politicians and not so good.
If Mr. Harper had overturned Vancouver Kingsway duly elected MP (Emerson) for the the conservative candidate, then I would have a very big problem. However, he took on a duly elected MP into his cabinet, then I need to ask why? Given Mr. Harper is not a stupid man and he must have known that the partisan rhetoric and outcry would happen, he must have decided to extend the invitation to address some issues he felt that needed addressing.
On the surface, the appearance of this floor crossing doesn’t sit with many of us. But, some do try to examine what lies under the surface.
Now, for my “harping” of the 42% – I would like us to maybe think outside the box and see how can the electorate become more engaged. I had suggested some questions that come to mind when I see the low turn outs in some areas. In my areas, we had over 75% turnout. So why the difference?
Anyway K.Smth you may attack me or we can engage in a dialogue – that’s entirely upto to you.
Mark Brown,
first maybe it’s time to stop party directives on matters other than money bills. So if an MP is representing his riding, then, he can truly represent his riding!
Second, I did not respect how Garth used the media to get his message out 2 days after the cabinet appointments – on the surface, it certainly looked like he wanted to become a one man show. Did Garth try to speak with Mr. Harper first? Did Garth speak with Mr. Emerson first? It appears not. So giving the media some “delicious” news bites, did not solve anything. Some curtesy and protocal should be followed or we will have total kaos (the liberals would be salivating on this).
I believe Canada needs people who try to what’s right for Canada and not for an “I”.
While I don’t fully understand all the workings of parliament and can’t begin to understand the PM’s duties and responsibilities, I can try to understand that building a cabinet is not to be taken from a purely partisan close circle approach. Mr. Harper could have just appointed all his close alies to his cabinet but he choose to lead and make very tough decisions. Maybe some will be very good and some not so good, but, he certainly did not chose the easy way!
And for that I do respect the man.
Catherine,
I still do not see where I attacked you, and I never used the term “harping”
I did say your argument was vapid, but that is a judgement of your argument, not you.
Thanks for the update on national voter participation. I have not seen the latest numbers. It is encouraging that it is up from 2004, but still makes little difference to your comments on how many voted in Van.-Kingsway, and the line that dismissed the election of a Liberal because only 25% of the riding backed him (as compared to about 6% of constituents who voted for the Conservative candidate).
I am curious as to what riding you reside in that had a 75% voter turnout. That is very good. I think that perhaps the turnout is related to socio-economic conditions, and perhaps ethnicity. Out of those two circumstances, we could look at education, and language.
How do we engage the electorate? I would think that working towards diminishing the cynicism regarding politicians would be a good start.How to do that? Mr. Turner is taking some very good steps to that. I have had more chance to confer with Mr. Turner than I have had with my M.P. – David Emerson. Mr. Emerson has been in hiding. He does not reply to e-mails, phone calls, demonstrations at his constituency office, requests from the media, etc. I am not cynical, I am outraged. Put yourself in the shoes of a Vancouver-Kingsway voter. I didn’t vote for any of the “Big 3″. My vote went to where I intended it. People of all political flavours are very ticked off about the Emerson and Fortier situations. Comments about voter turnout have absolutely no bearing on these situations, and using that argument is simply disingenuous.
If you want to talk about increasing voter turnout, talk about that, and not how only 25% of Van.-Kingsway eligible voters voted for a Liberal, so what difference does it make that we got a Conservative?
Most are being hoodwinked if they think that Harper coaxed Emerson because of the softwood lumber dispute with the U.S. Emerson recused himself from any dealings involving Canfor (he is the former CEO, and reportedly a large shareholder)in 2004. The softwood dispute very much involves Canfor – to the tune of a billion-odd dollars. Emerson will be in a conflict of interest as much as Martin was while being Finance Minister, and still being involved with Canada Steamship Lines.
Let’s let Mr. Turner decide if I have been attacking anyone. It is his blog after all, and you are personally involved in your own perception of what an attack on you is.
Hey kids, let’s play nice. — Garth
I’ve soaked my head Mr. Turner, and am feeling much more conciliatory.
I just enjoy a good debate.
Really, Catherine, I am interested in the discussion on how to engage the electorate.