Prime Minister Harper Announces New Ministry And Reaffirms Government Prioritie

A good news message from Canada's new Liberal government!

So, I put on my tinfoil hat for a minute, and ask "Why Micheal Fortier? Who the heck is this guy, and why does he fit Harpers Cabinet?" <br />
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<a href="http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=n297cu8qnirs?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=Michael+Fortier&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1&sbid=lc03b">http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=n297cu8qnirs?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=Michael+Fortier&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1&sbid=lc03b</a><br />
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"He was President of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada for a time in the 1990s. He ran for the leadership of the party in 1998 but came in last with 4% of the vote. Fortier was a Progressive Conservative candidate in the Montreal riding of Laval West during the 2000 federal election placing fourth. In 2003, he was co-chair of Stephen Harper's campaign to lead the new Conservative Party of Canada. "<br />
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Holy patronage appointments Batman! The first day too!<br />
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Alas, this guy also shares the same name as the next door neighbour of the Oklahoma City bomber, so finding any other details about him will take some time.<br />
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If anyone comes across answers to the question of 'Why?' this guy is important to have in the Senate, rather than elected, I'd like to see it.<br />
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'Didn't want to run' in election, Fortier says<br />
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<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060207.wfortier0207/BNStory/National/home">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060207.wfortier0207/BNStory/National/home</a><br />
<p>---<br>"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden<br />

<<Holy patronage appointments Batman! The first day too!>>

The entire Senate is a patronage appointment, as is the cabinet. But don't worry, Harper will move towards an elected senate eventually (something Libs said was impossible without opening up the constitution - which is a lie). Maybe even during his first term.


<<If anyone comes across answers to the question of 'Why?' this guy is important to have in the Senate, rather than elected, I'd like to see it.>>

Good question. Maybe because, pants-shitting, urbane Montrealers didn't elect any conservatives? Or, perhaps because 5 minutes ago all of the learned, erudite, cosmopolitan chattering classes were whining that Harper didn't have any support from "big cities"?

Harpers 2004 agenda<br />
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Offer new federally administered pharmacies plan to lower the cost of expensive prescription drugs. Press for faster processing of drug approvals. Support health research and innovation. Ban embryonic research for at least three years, and encourage granting agencies to focus on more promising adult (post-natal) stem cell research.<br />
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Redirect industrial subsidies toward lower taxes and increased research and development. Relax foreign ownership rules on Canadian industry in the telecommunications, broadcast distribution and airline industry. Refocus regional development agencies on attracting new private sector investments. Promote the viability of private businesses by removing interprovincial trade barriers and lobbying for a reduction of international trade barriers and tariffs.<br />
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Reduce federal gas taxes if provinces agree to use this tax room to fund infrastructure in provincial and municipal jurisdictions.<br />
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Participate in exploring a North American Missile Defence system in conjunction with the United States, perhaps with NATO in charge.<br />
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Imitate inequities between single and dual income families and introduce a deduction for dependent children. Support the creation of a matrimonial property code to protect spouses and children in cases of marriage breakdown.<br />
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Workplace policy; No stated policy found.<br />
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Establish a Perimeter Security Agency by combining the Customs Agency with a revitalized Coast Guard, Ports Police and Air Transport Security Agency to ensure efficient and effective sharing of information with Canada's North American partners.<br />
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Oppose the decriminalization of marijuana.<br />
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Uphold the freedom of individuals and families to nurture aspects of culture that are important to them. Make French in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada a national priority. Affirm a federal role in the preservation of Canada's natural and historical heritage. Resolve outstanding redress issues of the Ukrainian-Canadian and Chinese-Canadian community. Restructure the CRTC, reducing its mandate to registration and/or marketing of bandwidth and to dealing with international communications negotiations. Negotiate a reciprocity agreement with the United States to create an open market in the licensing of television satellite distribution.<br />
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Develop a national alternative energy strategy to increase the use of renewable energy and support innovative research and development. <br />
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Foreign affairs; No stated policy found.<br />
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Consider changes to electoral systems, including proportional representation; the single transferable ballot; fixed election dates; and the use of referendums. Bring in a system of voluntary party registration that will establish a permanent party membership list, so that only those registered in advance of fixed deadlines will be eligible to vote in nomination or leadership races.<br />
<br />
Consider changes to electoral systems, including proportional representation; the single transferable ballot; fixed election dates; and the use of referendums. Bring in a system of voluntary party registration that will establish a permanent party membership list, so that only those registered in advance of fixed deadlines will be eligible to vote in nomination or leadership races.<br />
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Use safety net programs to assist producers struggling with conditions outside of their control.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes2004/index.html">http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes2004/index.html</a><p>---<br>Perception is two thirds of what we perceive reality to be.<br />
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Difficult decisions are a privilege of rank.<br />

“Our mission is clear,” said the Prime Minister. “We will restore faith and trust in our public institutions as we keep Canada strong and united.”

Yeah sure Mr. Harper, your first day in government suggests otherwise. Faith as in a riding voted overwhelmingly for a Liberal candidate only to see him walk across the floor to represent the party that came in third in said riding? Or was it the faith that your party might stand by their long established rhetoric around Senate Reform - namely they are actually ELECTED!

The Mulroney party is back in action, stand back and watch them implode.

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If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.

"Or, perhaps because 5 minutes ago all of the learned, erudite, cosmopolitan chattering classes were whining that Harper didn't have any support from "big cities"?"

Followed by a loud Western chorus of "They you should have voted for some!"

Harper shouldn't take it out on the ROC in the name of 'nation building'. Work with the Parlament Canadians have elected. And by his own admonishment, Micheal Fortier did not want to be elected to parlament. Yet, there he is.

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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden

Now we hear Fortier didn't want to run in the election... I guess not since he would have to then face the voters and media instead of being given a job outright with a big fat salary.

Ethics - they have some nerve to have even trotted that out. Back to two seats with these clowns.

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If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.

Dr. Caleb,

I think the evidence as to why Fortier didn't want to run was because he knows he would never have stood a chance of winning!!! In other words, loser every time.

The "Why him" question may also be hidden in why Public Works? And then why Senate appointment that will keep Fortier out of the HOC for question period?

Actually, I'm surprised Harper didn't appoint himself to the Senate as well as being PM so he could avoid questions too. On Politics today CBC showed him running away from the cameras as he was arriving to Parliament today. His cavalcade stopped, waited, went down the block, camera following, then they went around the block, seemingly to lose the cameras, and came back to the door where he finally got out. Another Why question. Why Harper as leader of the Cons? Why Harper as PM of Canada? He clearly dislikes the attention and accountability factor.

I will be enjoying watching him get his what goes around comes around except no one could ever be as relentless as him and some of the other attack dogs in the party, i.e. Peter MacKay, Jason Kenny, sometimes Monty Solberg and anyone doing political interviews for them. (Geoff Norquay andTim Powers come to mind). Maybe Harper knows that like some of his other MPs that need to be silenced he too has to stick a sock in it for fear of letting the questions about his "Hidden Agenda" get too close for comfort.

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"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." Friedrich Nietzsche

What is the Ministry of Public Safety?? Isn't this something new,
like [choke, cough, gag] Homeland Security??

Yes, that ministry was created after 9/11. But it was Anne McLennand's Ministry, along with her being Deputy PM. Since Harper eliminated the position of Deputy PM, Public Safety is a ministry by itself.


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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden

Let the implotion begin:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060208.wxtories08/BNStory/National/home">http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060208.wxtories08/BNStory/National/home</a><br />
<p>---<br>"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden<br />

Thanks for the link!

A rookie MP said: "I'm not sure how I'm going to explain these appointments to my constituents. It's bewildering."

That about says it all. Will voters remember this come next election though...

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If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.