Governing B.C. Liberals gird for election fight

Delegates from province’s governing Liberal party are spending weekend in Whistler, a key site for the 2010 Olympic Games, putting their own game plan together for next spring’s election

Governing B.C. Liberals gird for election fight

Harper team to focus on economic crisis

Prime Minister to bring a lean agenda to pre-holiday sitting of Parliament after unveiling a big cabinet this week

Harper team to focus on economic crisis

Rae to run for Liberal leadership

Former Ontario premier says he’s asked to be relieved of foreign affairs critic responsibilities so he can pursue the leadership full time

Rae to run for Liberal leadership

Anti-draft movement

Former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna says he received hundreds if not thousands of notes of encouragement to run for the Liberal leadership. Other Liberals say they too are considering pleas from party faithful. But there is a lesser known movement afoot. Call it, the “anti-draft” movement.

Some Liberals are encouraging would-be second and third tier candidates to think twice about entering the Liberal leadership contest, suggesting a smaller slate of candidates would be better for the party. The theory goes, the fewer candidates the less potential for a compromise candidate to come up the middle in victory as Stephane Dion did in 2006. With two or three candidates on the ballot, Liberals would be forced to make a choice: who they want to lead the party, not who they can live with.

For instance, one Ontario Liberal MP says he approached another Liberal from Ontario who is considering running as a lower tier candidate. The MP asked, “Why would you do this? To win?” The MP tried to make the case that a behind the scenes organizer who delivers delegates for a front runner can be as influential as a king maker candidate.

But not all Liberals are following the logic. As one Ontario organizer put it, no one will have an opportunity to come up the middle if front runners are impressive enough.

Anti-draft movement

New Cabinet charged with protecting Canada’s future in a time of global economic instability

 

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today appointed a new federal Cabinet charged with protecting Canadians in a time of increasing global economic instability.

“While the fundamentals of Canada’s economy remain stronger, more stable and more durable than those of many other nations, it is clear that we are not immune to what happens outside our borders,” said the Prime Minister. “That is why the central responsibility of our new mandate will be to ensure that Canada’s businesses and families have the security they need to weather any global economic storm.”

As part of the strong economic focus of the new Cabinet, the Prime Minister announced that key economic portfolios would remain in the hands of cabinet veterans, including Jim Flaherty, who will remain Minister of Finance. At the same time, the Prime Minister welcomed several first-time Cabinet ministers who will bring a broad range of experience to the Cabinet table.

“This will be an experienced, economically focused Ministry that is prepared to immediately get to work in the interests of Canadians,” said the Prime Minister. “This is the right team for these times. We will build a foundation of strength that will protect the earnings, savings and financial security of Canadians and ensure that Canada emerges from this time of global turmoil stronger than ever before.”

• The Canadian Ministry (PDF)
• Biographies
• Cabinet Committee Mandates and Membership (PDF)

New Cabinet charged with protecting Canada’s future in a time of global economic instability

Harper’s cabinet strategy

Lyle, Reid and Caplan on the messages sent by the Prime Minister’s choice of ministers

Harper’s cabinet strategy

B.C. loses a voice in cabinet, despite Tory surge

PM acknowledgeds demands of representing larger caucus required him to move minister of state jobs elsewhere

B.C. loses a voice in cabinet, despite Tory surge

Ottawa to limit equalization payments

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to discuss subject at a meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts in Toronto on Monday

Ottawa to limit equalization payments

Too many, but better

Stephen Harper has improved the talent around his cabinet table – even if it has a few too many chairs

Too many, but better

Harper’s improved cabinet: something old, something new …

Weak performers were demoted and better matches were found in key portfolios

Harper’s improved cabinet: something old, something new …

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