Tory blue through rose-coloured glasses
One realizes that Stephen Harper is reaching out to all areas of Canada whether it elected a Conservative or not. The Prime Minister is practising pragmatic politics and will end up gaining more from the two controversial cabinet appointments than he invested. If Emerson solves the softwood lumber trade dispute and if Michael Fortier, as a Quebecker, cleans up the ministry that so-enraged Quebeckers, Stephen Harper will take his minority and drive it towards offering a pan-Canadian majority to all Canadians. Pair success in these two portfolios with a 1% GST reduction, various income tax credits passed and the $1200 childcare credit, the Harper long-term majority government plan appears that it has been on track since day one.
So, by tempting Emerson across the floor he has in fact demonstrated that he is willing to reach out to all Canadians, regardless of their political stripe. How open of him, indeed! What was "opportunistic poaching" a year ago has become "pragmatic politics". I suppose I can't argue that point, actually, but it's kind of nice to see someone admit the Machiavellian nature of it upfront. As for the Fortier appointment, he has chosen a Quebecker to "clean up" the ministry that enraged them so. Indeed he has! He has in fact, interestingly chosen someone to "clean up" Public Works that cannot actually speak in the House. Odd, that.
Assuming success in these two portfolios, which in Taylor's mind is a certainty, we can't be but a short hop skip and a jump away from a Conservative majority government. First, there is certainly some debate as to Emerson's involvment in the softwood lumber resolution, as it appears that he might have scuttled a deal before the election and has in fact recused himself from dealing with any issues related to Canfor, a company he previously headed. How exactly he is supposed to involve himself in a trade dispute involving a company he previously ran is beyond me. But he's bound to be succesful!
He's also unlikely to get much agreement on his child care platform in its current form. With problems looming in the existing Quebec plan, the BQ are not going to let the government renege on previous federal commitment$. I have not read the official BQ line, but Jean Charest has already set the tone, a sentiment that has been relfected by other premiers and one that Duceppe will be loathe to ignore:
It is equally unlikely that the NDP would allow for massive cuts to the existing childcare plan, and in fact will very likely be asking for more funding, and as much as any Liberal is afraid of a snap election before they've selected a leader, any MP voting in favour of gutting a crucial Liberal plank is going to have to face an angry electorate next time around.We want the agreement reached with the former government to be respected
Oh yes, it's all roses for Harper from here on!
