Inkless Wells

Paul Wells on all the latest out of Ottawa—along with the occasional post about jazz. Follow Paul on Twitter: @InklessPW

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Get back to work! I mean, get back to Parliament!

by Paul Wells on Monday, January 11, 2010 1:33pm - 63 Comments

It’s just easier for a prime minister, any prime minister, to stay in the headlines than for an opposition leader, any opposition leader. Stephen Harper sat for an interview with BNN today — we’ll see the results later — and will be in Rivière du Loup (Mario Dumont’s old riding) tomorrow for a joint announcement with Jean Charest and, I’m told, Charest’s environment minister. There will be several more weeks like this before March.

Tags: Jean Charest, perogies, Stephen Harper

More by Paul Wells

http://intensedebate.com/people/Ricard_S_Argent Richard_S_Argent

Something I'm sure the Liberals are aware of, the timing of Ignatieff's cross-country speaking tour certainly isn't coincidental.
wilson

That's how Dion started get to know me' tour, if I remember correctly.
Something about the West being a cow……

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

At least Dion tried and had some principle positions. We may not agree with them but he stood for something.

http://intensedebate.com/people/BCerInToronto Jeff Jedras

I'm told CTV Newsnet went live to Ignatieff's townhall today, so that's not nothing. But your wider point is valid. Keeping momentum and attention will be the opposition challenge. As it always is.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Crit_Reasoning Crit_Reasoning

I'm told CTV Newsnet went live to Ignatieff's townhall today, so that's not nothing.

It's not nothing, but it's pretty close to nothing.

CTV Newsnet: "We now bring you live coverage of Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff's latest town hall meeting with Canadian voters!"

Viewers (several dozen): "Zzzzzzzzz"

Anon

*yawn*
http://intensedebate.com/people/BCerInToronto Jeff Jedras

I only regret that I have but one "dislike this comment" to click for my country…
Jan

CTV will be airing bits on on the News over and over again. The continuopus loop is sometimes of benefit. Note the CBc played the Liberal commercial and because they repeat the same thing every half hour anyone watching today for even a short period of time has no doubt seen it.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Tceh Tceh

I can just imagine what the type of soft-ball questions BNN tossed at Harper. Meanwhile over at the CBC they have a segment going called:

Your Question Period: What would you ask our politicians?

Guess what the first 7 out of 339 question revolve around?

Not afghan detainees! Canadians are still angry about how this Conservative government kneecapped their retirement income when Flaherty decided to double tax Income Trusts in October 2006.

Wells will poo-poo this as unimportant and irrelevant but by doing so he ignores how this undemocratic Conservative government works and how we have come to this point 4 years later.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/2010/01/your-ques…

Click on "agreed" to sort the comments in order of importance.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Canadians are so angry they sent 17 more in October 2008 (General Election) and it disgust they 2 more in November by elections 2009.

Let's hope Canadians continue that anger!

Anon

If the media frames this as an election campaign, then equal-time rules will apply.

Btw, where is Jack?

Plain Old Anon

Jack who?
http://intensedebate.com/people/VinceClortho VinceClortho

Likely trying to decide if he wants to take on Smitherman
Iccyh

At a town hall at the U of A in two days, apparently. I may poke my head in depending on when exactly it is.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Crit_Reasoning Crit_Reasoning

That's exactly why I thought the Liberals' "Harper gave himself a vacation" line was bound to flop. It's always easy for a PM to look busy and stay in the headlines.

http://intensedebate.com/people/VinceClortho VinceClortho

All recent opposition criticisms have had significantly short expiry dates on them….all easily disproved through experience.

The opposition is fumbling near a button, ie a point that past and continued experience reinforces, when they talk about arrogance….but it needs to be more than that. They need to string things together on competence…all criticisms are done discretely and not as a story. But that problem takes more than a couple of months to fix.

I will say again, Liberals should target fall 2010 as their moment, script out their attack lines and build toward it. Once again they are going to get suckered into looking either indecisive or over eager.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

The Liberals voted to keep the Government to implement their solution. The Plan was a multi-year plan with deficit spending and requiring Report Cards.
Instead of working or adding to the debate they went negative, used the Senate to delay and block and hoped the Economic recession 'anger' would create a groundswell behind the LPOC.
They spent all of 2009 refusing to hold any adult conversation with alternative solutions. (They promised to release their platform 5 days prior to the writ is their position and Harper may steal their "good" ideas.)
Twelve months at the helm and the alleged smart guy has been overhandled and muzzled by his own party. Some believe in six weeks of they can out campaign the CPC machine.

Sea Otter

The one effect that the fuss over prorogation will have is to force Harper and his Ministers, and likely even the backbenchers, to be far busier and more visible than they might have been otherwise. Before prorogation, most MPs could have looked forward to a pretty sleepy January, but that's all over with now. You can guarantee that word has gone out from the centre that NO Conservative MPs are to show up in the House on March 3rd with a sun tan…
http://intensedebate.com/people/tedbetts tedbetts

It is hard to tell with Harper. He so likes making big splashy announcements (with or without big splashy Conservative logo-ed cheques) that I can well see him choosing do this while on his vacation. Heck, I'm sure Laureen and the kids suggested it. It is his way to relax.

So unfortunate for the Prime Minister that he has Conservative MPs though who confirm for Canadians that they think they are entitled to their Harper Holiday.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Ted the problem is yours, and for people like you who can't count days in a calendar, your hatred for Harper borders on the clinical.

Math Quiz
How many days has parliament been delayed? How many days in total prorogued?

burlivespipe

Don't be a hypocrite, CS. Your hatred is just as relevant to the topic at hand…

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Really,

How many days is parliament prorogued? It is no a difficult math question. Did the official script not add up with the holidays and agreed scheduled 2 weekbreak for the Olympics?

Iggy has been very supportive of the CPC Agenda and without the senators blocking anymore the MP in the opposition will finally be doing their job.

http://intensedebate.com/people/tedbetts tedbetts

Parliament has effectively been shut down since the middle of December when the session ended and Conservatives refused to attend committees. That would make the Harper Holiday 83 days altogether I believe, or nearly 3 months of prorogation with no committee work, no ability to receive reports, no ability to pass legislation.

Strictly speaking, prorogation commenced when it was proclaimed effective on December 30. So December 31 to March 3 is 63 days altogether so just over 2 months of prorogation with no committee work, no ability to receive reports, no ability to pass legislation.

Thoughtfulwords

Quelle surprise – Flaherty did his pre-consultation photo-op earlier today, I'm sure the Harper-Flaherty-Baird trio will do plenty of these.

Thoughtfulwords

and radio tomorrow. Gosh he's busy, radio interview too.

http://intensedebate.com/people/PolJunkie PolJunkie

I'd say that the burden then falls on reporters to keep Harper's feet to the fire with questions about the prorogation. I'm reminded of the bitchslapping the gallery gave to Van Loan when he tried to scrum on the gun control study that he had witheld from the Commons.

Of course, if Harper doesn't allow questions to be asked… well…

http://intensedebate.com/people/Tceh Tceh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0i-yS4oItI

Canadian Reporters doing their job. It was heartening to see.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU0-7jP6LpA&fe…

Impressive almost 20 views on Iggy so far!
http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU0-7jP6LpA&fe…

Impressive almost 20 views on Iggy so far!

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

ROFL,

The Christmas Holidays were NOT cancelled or the Olympic Break already agreed and negotiated.

http://intensedebate.com/people/tedbetts tedbetts

The moment the prorogation was proclaimed CS, prorogation was effective. 63 days when government reports, like the upcoming AG report, cannot be received by Parliament. Emergency legislation, like ending a Vancouver railworkers strike just before the Olympics (should one occur), cannot be passed. Formal budget meetings with the public cannot take place (instead we have these Conservative "roundtables" where they get to decide who attends, they get to decide what participation the opposition parties have, etc.).

That is to say nothing about the committee work that could have recommenced in January and been ongoing throughout January, February and March, or the laws – including the crime laws that Harper claims he thinks are crucial – that could have been passed in January and now will only come into force at the earliest by end of summer, if at all.

You asked me how long total Parliament was prorogued and I answered CS. Too bad for you that reality has an anti-Conservative bias.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Ted,

You prove my point, you can't be honest. You simply can't admit a truth. You can't add on a calendar. The haters (Liberals) are not returning until Jan 25, 2010 (their Christmas break)

The two week Olympic Shutdown was agreed by all parties. You have included weekends and Fridays in your math in your hatred.

I have ZERO problems admitting this current government is making a mistake (EAP too big, too fast, Auto bailout etc) . You can't.

http://intensedebate.com/people/tedbetts tedbetts

You have a very strange definition of the word "honest" and "truth" CS. You asked me how long Parliament had been prorogued. I said December 30 to March 3: 63 days.

I'm sorry if facts and reality are not to your liking but, as they say, you are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.

As for being honest, why don't you try it. There is an enormous legal, political, accountable and governance difference between prorogation and taking a scheduled holiday and not having the House of Common meet. Just as it is wrong to claim that "government" has been shut down during prorogation, as some have mistakenly done, it is just as wrong to claim that prorogation only shuts down the House.

Clearly in the polling, Canadians get that. Why don't you?

CS, it is one thing to hate the other side as you do, but don't let your opinion get in the way of your analysis and understanding of facts. It will always render your opinion rather meaningless if not laughable.
http://intensedebate.com/people/DerekPearce DerekPearce

The thing you're ignoring though CS is that it's not merely an extension of a break– all legislation and committee work that was in progress is now null/void/cancelled and has be started from square one again.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Your source or proof?

It is simply NOT true.
Please brush up the how Parliament works.
http://canadiansense.blogspot.com/2009/12/perogie…

If the opposition want to derail and FORCE the Bills to go back to the beginning as Bob Rae has indicated as per the minority they can.

If the opposition parties want to put the Bills back they can. Can you guess what the opposition will do? (This time without the senate blocking)
http://intensedebate.com/people/DerekPearce DerekPearce

Well, my bad, I do indeed stand corrected and admit my error, the House can agree to re-instate bills. But does that mean even if no amendments are to be made that even if they've gone through more than one reading (or even three but not signed by the GG), that they have to go back to first reading again? Or can they just be passed once in the new session and count that as the third reading? If it's the former, great. If it's the latter, then my original point still stands.
http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

[youtube F-vsnw7QdhY&feature=player_embedded http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-vsnw7QdhY&fe... youtube]

http://climbingoutofthedark.blogspot.com/2010/01/…

Jan

You obviously do not understand what prorogue means. You're not by a Conservative MP by any chance?

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

I would bet not only do I know more about how parliament works but also would hold every party accountable.

http://canadiansense.blogspot.com/2009/12/perogie…

http://intensedebate.com/people/DerekPearce DerekPearce

and no offense, I know you quoted directly from the House of Commons website because I checked, but you might want to credit that that's where you got your info on your own site from, as in the heat of this debate some people ahem, might not just take your word for it on your site.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

I linked (cited it) on earlier blog posting. Thank you for the reminder to fix the second post.

http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

ROFL – you think it's only about the number of days?

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

OT,
No, it is has NOTHING to do with number of days at all. The Liberals have serious problems and refuse to fix their party and provide a government-waiting.

The Liberals have wasted 2009 and refused any adult conversation with Canadians on what they would do differently after voting for the government.

Please link the Liberal Platform and Liberal solutions including the use of opposition days in bring forward alternatives.(as government-in-waiting)

KRB

The thing is that Ignatieff and the Libs will have to have SOMETHING … some policy, some idea besides just knee-jerk opposition to the government, to show for their two months “off” when Parliament reconvenes on March 3rd. Otherwise the Conservatives and likely the media as well will ask “what were YOU doing all that time?”

It’s Harper’s way of getting the Liberals to flush out some of their policy ideas, to then contrast against. Or to badger them for being nothing more than partisan loudmouths.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Style Style

Michael Ignatieff will come to your university, though. Sure, Harper has the big events locked up, but the Liberal leader is willing to meet with each Canadian in informal settings – like when a successful band from a few years back decides to get back in touch with its fans by touring small clubs and bowling alleys.
wilson

It's his comfort zone,
standing at a pulpit bending minds……making mind bending statements he will later, no doubt, retrack

http://intensedebate.com/people/sea_n_mountains sea_n_mountains

unlike the PM. and isn't the word retract?
catherine

Let us know when Harper will allow non-Conservative Canadians to publicly ask him any questions we want.

Harper staging a one or two hour open mike session, open to all, independent of political leanings, is about as likely as wilson making it to Mars this year.

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Do you have a recipe for Foot in mouth?

Iggy's in town today. Will he come packing a punch? Federal Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, fresh off his holidays vacation in southern France, makes two stops in Metro Halifax today. The Dartmouth waterfront campus of the Nova Scotia Community College will be first on his agenda, followed by a visit to Dalhouse University. It's the launch of a cross-Canada tour to get to know Canadians. However, Ignatieff has turned down repeated invitations to appear on the News 95.7 talk shows and Friday, CTV's Steve Murphy pointed out Ignatieff has rebuffed his requests for a sit-down interview on the supper hour news. What's up with that? If he wants to get to know Canadians, what better opportunities? Word is, Iggy's handlers have him a tight leash and don't want him to stray far from the party message.

The federal Liberals have decided to take a page out of Stephen Harper's playbook. The Grits are rolling out a print, radio and internet attack ad campaign accusing the Conservatives of covering up the Afghan detainee issue with the decision to prorogue Parliament until early March. No television ads however, which might be more effective at driving home the Liberal message. Nevertheless, the Libs appear to have finally shaken off the holiday season cobwebs and are ready to do battle with the Harperites. It could earn them points with Canadian voters. Surveys indicate a majority of Canadians, Conservative supporters included, are not impressed with the prorogation decision.
http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/index.cfm?sid=317115…

Liberals Do Stupid Like No other political party.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Mike514 Mike514

Robert Fife was on CTV News this morning, discussing the new Liberal attack ads. He took a small jab at Ignatieff, saying that while he'd be touring universities, he turned down an opportunity to be interviewed by CTV that same morning.

Where's the logic? Why not get your message across on national TV, rather than limiting yourself to an auditorium at Dalhousie?

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Why has the media not attacked the Liberals for the use of an "attack" ad outside a writ period?

Some of the media are ommitting the word "attack" in describing the ad by the Liberals.

Doublestandard?

MI is being overhandled from day one. Let Iggy be Iggy. If he can't handle the scrums and interviews do you want to discover that during a campaign or before?
http://intensedebate.com/people/VinceClortho VinceClortho

Iggy doesnt have the confidence to go on CTV yet. They are rebuilding him brick by brick
http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

Oh, ya – CTV – there's a reliable news source for you. Too bad there Fife. When your political shows have on only right wing talk show hosts and right wing panels with ONE token left leaning member of the panel and Tom Ego Clark talks about his good friends on the right……uh, huh, CTV can be trusted? Remember Duffy? Remember Dion?

http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

Ah, yes, education and further learning is just so bad. Can't manipulate educated minds as well as you can others.

Why is it Cons hate education and intelligence – what are they afraid of?

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Actually it was the Liberals who gutted Education, Health, Socials Services in the 1990's. ($ 25 Billion)

http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

Actually, Canada was broke. We were on the verge of losing our credit rating and CPP was in crisis – you can't spend money you don't have and can't borrow. Duh

http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

So you agree with the Liberals in offloading 25 billion in education, health and social services to balance the books?
You agreed with Paul Martin who cut $ 400 million from the CBC?

You agree with Ralph Goodale who cut money for meat inspectors?

You agree with the Liberals decision to replace the Chalk River facility that was to be shut down in 2000 with the Maple 1,2,3 Reactors? You think it was a good idea when they stopped working on those?

You agree the Liberal Cabinet who reduced EI benefits, eligibility raised the payroll taxes (illegally) ?

You also agree shutting down the Somailia Inquiry by the Liberals?

Rounding up, strip searches, detaining Canadian students and pepper spraying them so as to NOT offend a dictator from Asia?
http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

CanadianSense – I'm not agreeing to anything or going to debate constantly. You have no new talking points, never had any new talking points – but what you are trying to do is blame Liberals for Harper mistakes.

By the way – the Somalia issue happened under Mulroney's watch – the inquiry under the Libs.

Click button
http://intensedebate.com/people/CanadianSense CanadianSense

Cutting and running a liberal trait.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l0xYc8zXvw
http://intensedebate.com/people/OntarioTown OntarioTown

Nope – I just find your old, old taliking points a total BORE.

LOL – Rick Mercer's twitter:

ive never seen so many tories twitter about Chretien. Kids he was PM before twitter was invented.
Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:04:59

http://intensedebate.com/people/VinceClortho VinceClortho

Its his training wheels. Its pretty clear they have to rebuild him, a la Col Steve Austin, and the place to start is a place he is comfortable and low risk.

If he blows it there….well I still think there is a significant chance that the elders will have a talk with him. And even if he succeeds, well its a matter of degrees. Its a long term project that is both leader and party.

Per Paul's point though. But the Liberal Party's numbers went up while Iggy was out of site the last 4 weeks.