Premiers Meet Without PM

Smoky Lake Signal Article No. 247 (November 28, 2012)

Whispering in the Wind

Three important “political” events occurred in the past week with at least one of them indicating that the prime minister’s inter-governmental relationships are not working out as he planned.  In my view, the country’s governance systems have become very confused and at times dysfunctional, largely because of the political leadership in the country – I see trouble brewing, particularly for the prime minister.  The genesis of the Prime Minister Harper’s problems can be traced back to; his management style and his approach to consultation with the general public and the provincial premiers.  I think Prime Minister Harper has forgotten that the public wants transparency and wants to understand the working of the federal government at a time of international uncertainty.  As well, the premiers of the provinces want to be true partners in confederation – after all, the provinces are in partnership with the parliament of Canada under the constitution – and want to work with the federal government in moving the country forward.  For me there only one solution for the prime minister and his government, Mr. Harper has to start a dialogue with Canadians and the premiers and re-ignite a long standing tradition; start having First Minister’s Meetings, they are difficult but they work.

Premiers Meet on Canadian Issues, Without the PM

Last week’s two day meeting of Canada’s premiers in Halifax can / should be described as one of the most important economic strategy discussions the country has had in the last ten years – and it occurred without Prime Minister Harper’s input and attendance, even through he was invited to attend and contribute.  More formally called the Council of the Federation; the premiers discussed the need for a national energy strategy, the feasibility of moving Alberta oil to eastern Canada and the need for immigration reform.  Mark Carney from the Bank of Canada attended to make his contribution, but the federal government was remiss in not making a contribution.  The real star at the premier’s conference was Alison Redford who has been pushing for a national energy strategy for many, many months (even before she became premier) and her objective moved one step closer to reality, and she seems to be doing it without any reaction from the prime minister.       

Justin Trudeau’s Gaffe

Two years ago, Liberal leadership contender Justin Trudeau apparently said in French:  “Canada’s not doing well right now because it’s Albertans who control our community and socio-economic agenda.  It doesn’t work.”  Last week Mr. Trudeau apologized for the comment and suggested that what he meant to say was: Canada is not doing well right now because Stephen Harper is in control of our community and socio-economic agenda.  It doesn’t work.  I think Mr. Trudeau’s apology was a mistake (a political leadership contender should never admit a mistake that is two years old). What he should have explained in political terms; the economic center of gravity is shifting to western Canada and that means eastern Canada needs help to adjust to the new reality, it’s important, if not a necessity.  So good for Alberta, good for western Canada, but the rest of Canada needs help, Justin Trudeau wants some help to do some NATION BUILDING.

Federal By-elections – The Message from Calgary

Monday’s three federal by-elections proved to be interesting for Canadians and hopefully telling for Prime Minister Harper.  The Conservatives easily won the Ontario riding of Durham with Erin O’Toole reclaiming the federal seat vacated by former cabinet minister Bev Oda.  The Victoria riding was a very tight race between the New Democratic Party and the Greens, in the end NDPer Murray Rankin won the seat.  The most interesting contest was the battle between the Conservative, Joan Crockatt (she won 37 per cent of the vote) and the Liberal candidate Harvey Locke (he won about 33 per cent of the vote) in the Calgary Centre riding.  In the end Joan Crockatt won over Harvey Locke by a thousand votes.  The vote in Calgary was close enough to offer a view on to the possibility of a Liberal win – what went wrong?   The answer is easy – Justin Trudeau’s gaffe was mishandled and his so called apology was an even bigger mistake – Mr. Locke’s loss was not his fault, it was the fault of Liberal organizers and Trudeau advisors.  For the prime minister there was a message, the progressive conservatives within the Conservative Party of Canada are uneasy with PM’s approach to government and some of PM decisions – it’s that simple.