as Canadians were ushering in 2006 and the second half of the federal election campaign it seems like the mainstream media, much of it pro-Liberal Party, is beginning to turn on the party that is commonly referred to as the Natural Governing Party. Paul Martin and the Liberals have run a poor campaign to date that has seen Martin's director of communications refer to Canadians as unable to raise their children because they spend too much time drinking beer and eating popcorn. When that episode began to die down entries in the blog of high ranking executive with the Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario) and Martin crony, Mike Klanders, made their way from the blogosphere to the mainstream media. Klanders had compared Olivia Chow, wife of NDP leader Jack Layton and NDP candidate in Toronto's Trinity-Spadina riding to a dog and had made other remarks of a racist and sexist nature. The constant defense that was raised; that these views did not reflect the "views of the Liberal Party" became boringly repetitive and unbelievable.
What seems to have become a defining moment in the campaign thus far was the announcement that the RCMP was investigating the circumstances surrounding Finance Minister Ralph Goodale's November announcement about income trusts. There had been a flurry of activity on the market prior to the announcement that led to allegations that the substance of Goodale's announcement had been leaked. There were the expected calls from the opposition that Goodale stand down until the investigation concluded and Martin defended his finance minister by saying that he has known him for a long time and he is trustworthy (in other words, Ralph is my buddy and friends don't let friends resign).
In the wake of this announcement, for the first time since the writ was dropped, the nightly SES/CPaC tracking poll (up to December 29) showed the Conservatives in a statistical tie with the Liberals. and indications began to appear that showed that the mainstream media were less than happy with the Liberals and their boy Paul.
In the wake of what will forever be known as "the Boxing Day shootings" in Toronto, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty wrote to Paul Martin and suggested that bail provisions be changed so that anyone who is charged with a gun crime faces a reverse onus. In most cases the prosecution has to show cause why an accused should be detained; in reverse onus situations, the accused is detained unless he or she can show cause why they should be released.
The 3 M's that govern Toronto (Martin, McGuinty and Toronto Mayor David Miller) held a conference call on December 31 and it was agreed that gun crimes should be subject of reverse onus provisions in bail hearings.
Local policing that includes the deployment of officers comes under the jurisdiction of the municipality and the administration of justice is a provincial matter. But the Criminal Code where the bail provisions are found is a federal statute and if the Liberals had any real intent of taking action against crime you would think that they would suggest amendments to their own legislation. But no. What has transpired since December 26 clearly shows that Paul Martin is not a leader; he is a follower regarding his own legislation and even while the squeamish David Miller was calling for tougher laws, Martin was content to simply make the shooters out to be the victims, blaming "exclusion" as the reason why the little dears went down to Yonge Street on Boxing Day and shot and killed 15-year-old Jane Creba. Martin's role as a hanger-on in what is becoming a major election issue is being reflected in the media.
With few exceptions, the headlines on January 1 that reported on the Martin/McGuinty/Miller conference call clearly showed that Martin is simply a follower. The Toronto Star and the CBC, neither of which has ever been accused as being anti-Liberal or anti Martin, used headlines that clearly showed Martin in a secondary role in an attempt to stem the violent crime that is all to prominent in Canadian cities.
The Toronto Star — PM joins bid to keep accused gunmen in jail
CBC (Website) — Martin endorses bid to keep gun suspects in jail.
Other newspapers that are not so pro-Liberal also portrayed the PM as a joiner or follower and not a leader.
Toronto Sun — PM supports new bail rules for gunmen
Edmonton Sun — Martin backs Ontario plan
The federal government should be showing leadership on this issue when much of the problem and possible solutions lie within their jurisdiction. But they aren't. The media are almost unanimous in their view, whether or not they are intentionally expressing it, that the Liberals are playing a passive role in what has become a hot button issue.
If last Sunday is any indication, Martin and his Liberals may have lost the support of the mainline media that has rooted for the Liberal Party for so long.
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