Friday, May 04, 2007

Conservative Damage Control

People will remember the Conservatives criticizing the former Martin regime for it's inconsistent approach to federal/provincial transfers. At the heart of the criticism, all the side deals that Martin made, which resulted in an uneven process, motivated by political consideration, rather than principle. Stephen Harper pledged to change federal/provincial relations and create a fair system that was clear.

The federal budget brought the solution, only problem, it has created nothing but bitterness in certain regions. Faced with the prospect of losing seats, how does the Harper government react? It endorses the same approach it once vilified, all in the name of political consideration:
Jim Flaherty, the Finance Minister, indulged in some Henry Kissinger-style shuttle diplomacy this week, travelling to Halifax to defuse a potential revolt on his backbenches over the Atlantic Accords and to persuade the Nova Scotia government not to follow Newfoundland and Labrador's Danny Williams in declaring all-out war on Ottawa.

All signs point to a new -- and expensive -- side deal in the works. Mr. Flaherty hinted as much before he left Halifax. But precise details are hard to come by and participants in the revolt are reluctant to talk.

The fear seems to be that too much talk could upset negotiations with the government of Nova Scotia over a new sweetheart deal the province is being offered to ensure Premier Rodney MacDonald does not join Mr. Williams in campaigning against Stephen Harper during the next election.

Forget all the humbug about this being about a principle -- it is about hard cash. It might have appeared that Mr. Flaherty was taking the hard line during a news conference at Halifax Airport, where he was firm in his assertion that Nova Scotia cannot keep its offshore wealth and the new equalization formula. But sources in Nova Scotia believe Ottawa will commit to a financial package for such other government priorities as the Atlantic Gateway project that will connect ports of entry in the region to the hinterland. Mr. Flaherty signalled as much when he said he and Mr. MacIsaac had also talked about "infrastructure issues ... gateway issues that are important in Atlantic Canada."

A new expensive "side deal", where have I heard that before? Another vote buy, which demonstrates damage control and an admission that Harper hasn't solved anything. Do Conservatives recognize these people anymore?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Perhaps ALL provinces should whine - appears that Harper can be bought.

So much for integrity.

Steve V said...

The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

susansmith said...

Except in Ontario, Sask., where on the one hand, you have lib govt, and on the other, you have NDP govt. Signal to voters in these provinces - if you goodies vote con govts in, it's good for your bottom line. Now is there a problem with this approach? If so, PP push in both libs and NDP, with choras by Greens would be good here. We will never get free of this 'vote for us' as we bear gifts - for short-term game seats - unless there is a strong unified force for electorial change.

Incidently, this real electorial change is a non-starter with - we will explore... till the cows come home!

Scotian said...

Martin at least had a track record of understanding economics and fiscal matters when he was doing all this; Harper has not shown any similar competence. Now, if the deals Martin put together were as bad as they were despite his actual demonstrated expertise, does anyone believe that the Harper version will be even as ell made as Martin's or worse? My money is on the latter, and if our Premier accepts this he may find himself unable to win reelection when his minority is toppled. As it is he only won by spending like a drunken sailor.

This is leaving aside that Harper has proven himself to be a say anything, promise anything, and even sign anything politician if it gains him power and then once there promptly ignores his given/written word. Just ask Danny Williams about that one, the Income Trust investors, etc. This is why I say the Premier had better be careful in what he agrees to, otherwise it *will* come back to defeat him. He is already on thin enough ice for the way he spent the surpluses to buy his minority in the last election.

Mark Dowling said...

Hold on there - there's a difference between building infrastructure of national importance (especially given Canada's reliance on trade) and giving provinces money without strings attached.

If the Tories could start moving provinces away from a dependence on equalisation and towards federal infrastructure contributions this would be a good thing - maybe one day we will join the rest of the G8 in having a national transit strategy, for instance.

A Liberal government could then parley this into stuff like Alberta and Ontario high speed rail, national east west power grid and so on.

Bryan said...

I am from Nova Scotia and I can say that we have not heard anything like this being mentioned. In fact our Premier Rodney MacDonald is speaking out over Stephen Harper and demanding both deals be honored.
The problem is not that we want things both ways, but that Nova Scotia and Newfoundland are being singled out. We signed this deal in good faith with the Prime Minister and we expect it to be honored and not be punished for it.
If you are interested in what was reported in this area you can visit my blog at: http://bryan-henry.blogspot.com/2007/05/atlantic-accord-or-equilization.html

Anonymous said...

harper lied to some provinces. guys like danny williams made him out to be a liar and now harper is dropping in the polls.each little niche at his armor slows him a little.