The new government of Canada is beginning to look a whole lot like the old government of Canada. Stephen Harper's first 24 hours as prime minister have seen a couple of shenanigans that would make Belinda Stronach blush. Among the first acts taken by the shining white knight that campaigned on the basis of reforming government and making it more accountable was to appoint a political toady to cabinet. While Michael Fortier may well be very competent in the public works portfolio, the fact remains that he has not been elected, either to Parliament or the Senate. So much for a "Triple-E" Senate.
Next, he poached the Liberals' benches in an effort to find a Liberal scabby enough to cross the floor before the new Parliament even convened, and made him a cabinet minister in an effort to gain some sort of foothold in one of Canada's large urban areas. David Emerson, a former Liberal Industry minister in Paul Martin's government, who campaigned as a Liberal in Vancouver, cavalierly switched sides so that he could sit as Minister of Trade.
How cynical and valueless can you get? Three weeks ago Emerson was campaigning against the Conservatives, calling them "heartless" and implying that they were racists, and today he's one of them and all those unfortunate epithets are now forgotten.
I don't know who is more cynical, Harper or Emerson? In truth, Harper doesn't really need representation in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver (MTV). Matter of fact, it's likely a better scenario if he goes at it without MPs from these areas, as it would ensure that all those unprincipled tit-for-tat horse trades would cease. Besides, there are plenty of elected Conservatives with a lot less baggage from urban areas other than MTV who are untainted and who would function just as well.
Emerson, on the other hand, does not surprise me, as I've always thought it in the nature of Liberal politicians to do anything to stay in power. I suppose the voters in his riding of Vancouver Kingsway could make a case that Emerson is guilty of fraud, running as a Liberal, but then taking a seat in the Conservatives' front benches. It would be interesting how a class-action suit against him supported by the Liberal Party might play out.
There are a number of cabinet appointments that I applaud, chief among these Jim Flaherty's position as Minister of Finance and Tony Clement who was given the health portfolio. Knowing both of these men personally, I am assured that they are competent, honest and that they genuinely care about taxpayers. I am also pleased with Stockwell Day dealing with public safety and Peter MacKay as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
While I haven't pushed the panic button yet, I can't help but feel deeply disappointed in the PM's decision to bring in Emerson and Fortier. The election, as I see it was about making government accountable and following rules. I think that Harper has every right, legally to do what he did with respect to Emerson and Fortier, but if he wants the moral right to make these appointments, then he should have both men run in a by-election. Anything less is worthy of the old guard.
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