The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Paul Martin and the news Fred Shero, famous coach of the 1970s Philadelphia Flyers (Bobby Clarke et al) said it best: "People can be divided into three types: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened." In which category are you? Fred was speaking at another time and place but the question could be applied to our new prime minister, Paul Martin, and the cabinet he appointed on December 12th. Martin appointed 38 ministers and 26 parliamentary secretaries (sort of cabinet ministers) for a total of 64 leaders of bureaucracies. There were a few surprises as he kept some of Chretien's people (some who watched things happen) even elevating a few to more important positions, particularly some westerners. Ralph Goodale from Saskatoon becomes Finance Minister while Edmonton's Anne McLellan, Chretien's former Justice and Health Minister (critics claimed she wondered what happened) was elevated to Deputy Prime Minister, an obvious attempt to save her seat from the new Conservative Party. There were more surprises like keeping Pierre Pettigrew as Health Minister, Dennis Coderre as president of the Privy Council and re-cycling John McCallum as Minister of Veteran's Affairs. McCallum had been one of those Chretien ministers forced to resign because of financial scandals. A couple of other scandal-tainted Liberals were left in their old positions. B.C.'s David Anderson remains as Environment Minister and Claudette Bradshaw as Minister of Labor. Both were house guests of the Maritime tycoons, the Irving family, who own a large chunk of the New Brunswick economy. Also guesting were Allan Rock (remember him?) and Robert Thibeaut who Martin dropped. Bradshaw "fessed up" and repaid the Irvings for her free flight and is now also responsible for homelessness. Anderson apologized to parliament for his ethical lapse, but has never been a deep threat in government. He is the gentleman who was appointed to a board by Trudeau, dumped by Mulroney, then sued the government for his "unfair" firing. By the time his case worked its way through the courts he was in Chretien's cabinet and was in effect suing himself. He dropped the case. As B.C. elected few Liberals, Martin had slim pickings from the west coast. In Manitoba, Martin kept the largely ineffective Rey Pagtakhan in the minor post of Minister of Economic Diversification while giving fellow Winnipegger Reg Alcock the important post of Treasury Board president and Minister of the Wheat Board. One Winnipeg councilor told the Corner it would mean the city would get the much needed Kenaston underpass, promised then cashiered by Chretien, as Alcock now has the clout to get the millions required. As mentioned, 26 parliamentary secretaries, sort of expensive would-be cabinet ministers, were appointed. They are attached to the Prime Minister's Office or to a cabinet minister with specific duties, such as Winnipeg's John Harvard who is attached to the Minister of International Trade. Harvard's appointment is an obvious attempt to help keep the seat which the new Conservatives are convinced they can take, especially if they nominate provincial heavyweight Jim Downey, who will be seeking the nomination. One appointment that surprised many was that of Scott Brison from Nova Scotia as Parliamentary Secretary to Martin with special emphasis on Canada-U.S. relations. Days before, Brison had left the Conservatives to join the Liberals, prompting the criticism that he was bought and paid for. Brison, after his election in 1997, declared himself gay, ran for the P.C. leadership against Peter Mckay, then voted for the merger with the Alliance. Are you surprised at the lack of honour and honesty? This is why many people are turned off politicians or even voting. One aspect of the changes in which Martin is trying to distance himself from the unpopularity of Chretien, is the great cost and immense bureaucracy that will result from this 64 person administration. Everyone knows he could do the job with half the numbers, but he had a lot of supporters to satisfy. Too bad there wasn't any consideration of the poor beleaguered taxpayer. Martin is attempting to put a fresh face on a tired government in preparation for what many suspect will be a May election. Will he succeed?
