The Canadian Federal Election will definitely be October 14th

[Wezil]

Fortier was Harper bending over backwards for Quebec? WTF?

Fortier is a long time Conservative bagman who is utterly incapable of winning an election (I challenge anyone to go take a look at his electoral history). Fortier's involvement in Quebec politics is about helping Fortier and Conservatives. Period.

[Ben Kenobi]

Fortier was Harper bending over backwards for Quebec? WTF?

For Montreal apparently. That's why he's running there and why he was appointed.

Do you think all us old-guard reformers wanted him to be appointed a senator? He certainly didn't do it for us. I'm happy he got his ass kicked and that it's another senate vacancy. I'm also happy that this means Harper's plan for the Senate continues.

Fortier is a long time Conservative bagman who is utterly incapable of winning an election (I challenge anyone to go take a look at his electoral history). Fortier's involvement in Quebec politics is about helping Fortier and Conservatives. Period.

Seems it backfired. It pissed off westerners, and it pissed off the folks in Montreal too. I'm not sure who benefitted from it other then Mr. Fortier.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


For Montreal apparently. That's why he's running there and why he was appointed.

It was a riding the Conservatives hoped to win and they thought Fortier was up to the task.

Do you think all us old-guard reformers wanted him to be appointed a senator? He certainly didn't do it for us. I'm happy he got his ass kicked and that it's another senate vacancy. I'm also happy that this means Harper's plan for the Senate continues.

It was about representation for Quebec. I wasn't pleased either but it was Harper's way of solving two problems at once (Quebec representation and help a party bagman). Harper is facing the same problem again so stay tuned to see what he does this time. He has already ruled out reappointing Fortier to the Senate.

Seems it backfired. It pissed off westerners, and it pissed off the folks in Montreal too. I'm not sure who benefitted from it other then Mr. Fortier.

I didn't say it was a wise plan.

[Ben Kenobi]

It was about representation for Quebec. I wasn't pleased either but it was Harper's way of solving two problems at once (Quebec representation and help a party bagman). Harper is facing the same problem again so stay tuned to see what he does this time. He has already ruled out reappointing Fortier to the Senate.

Harper should reward Quebec City over Montreal. If one in 5 mps is a cabinet minister that means Quebec gets two. BC should get 5, and AB should get 5 as well. Saskatchewan should get 3, Manitoba 3, 2 in Atlantic Canada and the rest to Ontario, 8. I'd love to see a cabinet where 16/28 are from the West.

[notyoueither]

I'm sure you would, but the Tories are giving a good try at not being a regional party.

[Ben Kenobi]

I'm sure you would, but the Tories are giving a good try at not being a regional party.

How is the majority of the seats a 'regional' party?

They have significant representation across the nation.

[notyoueither]

They don't have a majority of seats, Ben. They have a plurality.

They have significant representation across the nation in the Commons. They need to do a bit better in the cabinet (which is the actual government). You know, that whole thing about responsible government? The idea that the people will be represented? Ring a bell?

[Ben Kenobi]

They don't have a majority of seats, Ben. They have a plurality.

The majority of their seats are in the west.

They have significant representation across the nation in the Commons. They need to do a bit better in the cabinet (which is the actual government). You know, that whole thing about responsible government? The idea that the people will be represented? Ring a bell?

Why don't we see dippers and libs in his cabinet? I agree with you in principle, but that's not how the system works in Canada.

The cabinet should be representative of the folks who vote conservative. If Montreal doesn't want cabinet representation, then that's their decision.

I don't see why Harper should have disproportionate representation in his cabinet for Quebec and the maritimes, when they have shown that they aren't interested.

I sure don't see the Liberals rewarding the west with their representation by population. Why should the conservatives bend over for the east?

[notyoueither]

No, actually, Ben, the cabinet needs to be representative of the country. That's why governments that find themselves short MPs/MLAs/whatever will name non members of the legislature to the government to bring representation of regions. Federally, that is usually from the Senate if a fellow traveller can not be recruited from the opposition.

We don't see dippers and Liberals because they are the opposition, Ben. They already have a function. Unless, maybe one crosses the floor to do a better job for his/her region and constituents.

The House is representative of the folks who vote Conservative. The cabinet (government) needs to represent the country, all Canadians, including those who vote Conservative but do not get an MP of their choosing.

Assuming that the Liberals never did anything extraordinary to add representation for a place like Alberta to the government (cabinet) does that mean that the Conservatives need to be as big of ***** as PET's governments and flush their prospects for election in the East for generations?

Incidentally, I do recall even Trudeau making token efforts to add representation from some unrepresented parts of the West to his governments.

[Ben Kenobi]

No, actually, Ben, the cabinet needs to be representative of the country.

Ok. Assuming 30 cabinet portfolios, that would mean 8 ministers from Quebec.

I think that's not going to happen. I think 2 ministers from Quebec is reasonable given the choices that Quebec gave him to send to parliament.

Harper cannot nominate MPs to cabinet if Quebec refuses to send him any candidates.

Same with Ontario. They would get 10 cabinet positions out of 40 Mps. I think 8 is more reasonable, and there is no difference there.

2 from the maritimes is also representative of their population. Remember BC alone has twice the number of people as the Maritimes.

The only part of the country that is really disproportionate are the seats in Quebec. I really don't see 8 seats as reasonable given Harper only has 10 mps to choose.

You need to wake up and smell the coffee Wezil. The conservatives are not a regional party any more. The conservatives just by appointing in proportion to the votes that they received can adequately represent every region of the country.

[Fake Boris]

Indeed, Quebec truly feels rewarded for having Maxime Bernier and Josée Verner in the Cabinet.

Josée Verner: minister of Culture who doesn't even have a college degree.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


Ok. Assuming 30 cabinet portfolios, that would mean 8 ministers from Quebec.

I think that's not going to happen. I think 2 ministers from Quebec is reasonable given the choices that Quebec gave him to send to parliament.

Harper cannot nominate MPs to cabinet if Quebec refuses to send him any candidates.

Same with Ontario. They would get 10 cabinet positions out of 40 Mps. I think 8 is more reasonable, and there is no difference there.

2 from the maritimes is also representative of their population. Remember BC alone has twice the number of people as the Maritimes.

The only part of the country that is really disproportionate are the seats in Quebec. I really don't see 8 seats as reasonable given Harper only has 10 mps to choose.

You need to wake up and smell the coffee Wezil. The conservatives are not a regional party any more. The conservatives just by appointing in proportion to the votes that they received can adequately represent every region of the country.

Harper is obviously not going to be able to give Quebec a normal representation in his cabinet. However, he will go out of his way to find ways to add to their representation out of proportion to Tory seats there if he is smart.

Quebec is a large proportion of the citizens of Canada. You also find a disproportionate number of representatives of the French language there. Quebec should get more than 2 cabinet posts if at all possible.

It may not always be possible, but I'm sure efforts will be made.

BTW, I'm not Wezil.

[Ben Kenobi]

Harper is obviously not going to be able to give Quebec a normal representation in his cabinet. However, he will go out of his way to find ways to add to their representation out of proportion to Tory seats there if he is smart.

If that means promoting unqualified ministers to cabinet posts, I think the Quebeckers as Oncle Boris posted can smell pandering.

BTW, I'm not Wezil.

My apologies, NYE. I was replying to him and you and got myself mixed up.

[notyoueither]

Senators have been qualified for cabinet since about the beginning.

Are you thinking that only MPs should ever be named to cabinet?

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't think the word 'minister' is restricted, I could have used 'parliamentarian' to make my point clearer.

I'm not sure why you are reading into it that I meant member of parliament only.