The entire hearings are now scheduled for Wednesday afternoon and maybe Thursday morning. Most of the witnesses Orchard suggested have heard from no one. Even panel members have been kept in the dark re details. McKay agreed to let Orchard select two of the five panel members. One, a respected Ottawa GATT negotiator, now wants nothing to do with the charade.
On the other hand, you can expect much praise for the agreements from Mulroney witnesses, with the inevitable result that Casey will tell McKay that the review has been completed and with the exception of some minor points all is just dandy.
In short, Orchard has been betrayed by the Tories on the two key aspects of the agreement made at the leadership convention.
Isn't it now time for the talented, sincere, articulate David Orchard to move on to politics that can prove to be more meaningful?
Mel Hurtig
comments: mhurtig@telusplanet.net
Note: mhurtig@telusplanet.net
Stumble It!
Has anyone ever heard a free-trader give an explanation as to why the FTA/NAFTA has only helped us? They just say it loudly & confidently & we\'re supposed to believe it. Example: Tom Courchene or Wendy Dobson (can\'t remember who exactly, or that exact quote) said \"free trade has been the greatest achievement of any government in Canadian history\" period, end of discussion. It\'s self-evident, a higher truth, an axiom built into the fabric of the universe which is above any questioning lol. Anytime someone says something really confidently like that, stop & think \'wait a minute, is that true?\' (back on topic->) I don\'t know what Orchard could do in the (neo)Conservative party, there won\'t be a constitution so there\'s probably no way they\'d give him a chance to run for leader like with the PCs. I sort of agree with Mel here; he should move on. I\'ve still got my fingers crossed on that \'other\' merger that could be in the works.
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"So many right-wing christians, so few lions." - t-shirt I saw @ school
Wouldn\'t it be great to see the look on Paul Martin\'s face if we could pull that one off !!
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Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca