Check out this article on CTV.
It makes sense that PM Harper starts the day care negotiations with Premier Charest. If he can come to an agreement with Premier Charest then the program would be "in Quebec's interests". Furthermore, Quebec could afford their daycare program before they had federal funding, they should be able to afford it even the federal taps are cut off. If they can't afford it that means we as a nation can't afford it.
But all this must have Sinister Greg smiling.
Comments (14)
Not smiling. More like pulling my hair out at the craziness of this whole exercise. This is a tar baby.
Posted by Greg | February 7, 2006 4:55 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 16:55
I have to comment on the last line of the article because this is what is driving me insane.
“Conservative officials say their intentions were clear, and that Harper is simply doing what was promised.”
Ok, they get marks for consistency, but the CPC did not win a majority government. You don’t get to be dictator when you have a minority. Pretending you have a majority will piss people off really fast. Please, please face reality before it is too late.
Posted by Greg | February 7, 2006 6:00 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 18:00
Care there Sinister Greg…. that line of thinking leads down the same path that Conservatives take when they chastize Jack Layton for forcing his policies on Canadians via Paul Martin. The NDP have even less seats, yet feel entitled to trying to get as much of their platform rammed down Canadians’ throats as possible.
Posted by Andrew | February 7, 2006 6:16 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 18:16
And the CPC got elected on their key 5. They have a duty to try to get them past. They may need to compromise on them later but they should do what they can for now.
The Canadian public already dumped a Mr. Dithers. We don’t need PM Harper to start dithering on his first day.
The solution to yesterday is not to cave in on what they said they would do - it is to do what they said they would. Bailing this early on choice in childcare would be the worst thing he could do right now.
Posted by Greg Staples | February 7, 2006 6:20 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 18:20
The difference between the CPC and the NDP is at least they negotiate with other parties to get their programme passed.
Posted by Greg | February 7, 2006 6:37 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 18:37
The problem with Harper is he is working backwards. He should be firm on ethics and flexible on policy, not the other way round.
Posted by Greg | February 7, 2006 6:38 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 18:38
You inspired me to create the next post.
Posted by Greg Staples | February 7, 2006 7:20 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 19:20
Can’t you wait til Sunday to yell at me? ;)
Posted by Greg | February 7, 2006 7:25 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 19:25
Apparently not. ;)
Posted by Greg Staples | February 7, 2006 7:29 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 19:29
“The difference between the CPC and the NDP is at least they negotiate with other parties to get their programme passed”
Or hole up in a hotel room with Buzz. You really think there was much “negotiation” there, Sinister Greg?
Posted by DCardno | February 7, 2006 7:45 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 19:45
Jeepers, guys, negotiation 101: if you reach an impasse, then add more things to the negotiation. Is it really really true that no other party wants anything at all except to stop the Child Care Allowance? Puh-leese. Harper can find the way.
Posted by MarkC | February 7, 2006 8:34 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 20:34
Just looking at all those headlines at CTV is scarry. No doubt they will be dragging the mud out on the CPC gov’t. Much like the red Star. What makes matters worse is Harper will be tarred and feathered for tearing up these agreements with the provinces and if he doesn’t and decides to honor even one of these child-care agreements, he’ll be tarnished for breaking his promise of child-care. Damned if you do and…you get the picture. Talk about media bias.
Posted by Allan | February 7, 2006 11:39 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 23:39
Certainly should focus the hearts and minds of the Premiers when they sit down with Harper over the fiscal imbalance and provincial-federal responsibilities. Combined with today’s announcements that most provinces aren’t living up to their own commitments (e.g., health accords), it should be a fun time in the old music hall!
Posted by Erik Sorenson | February 7, 2006 11:51 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 23:51
Harper has always been clear, I think you will admit Greg (both), that his child care programme would replace the one the Liberals had. I don’t see any way out of a signed agreement, provided the province(s) have upheld their end of it.
I suspect the agreements are somewhat solid on Year One or whatnot, and much fluffier downstream.
Anyway, we all know that Harper will roll this and other provincial-federal jurisdiction/funding issues into his negotiations with the premiers over the fiscal imbalances and responsibilities, so it’s just foreplay now.
As usual, the CCAAC and others of the rent-a-coalition “Think Twice” coalition are ramping up the hysteria. The prospect of trough emptying usually induces such behaviour.
http://www.thiscanada.com/2006/01/15/think-twice-coalition/
The federal government holds most, if not all, of the cards on this issue, since Harper can simply get the feds out of provincial fields entirely by lowering taxes to Canadians directly. Then provinces would have to explicitly raise taxes, and it would be extremely clear that they would no longer have the feds to bash. I suspect they would prefer a transfer of tax points so as to “hide” the transition.
The NDP won’t be of any help on this. Perhaps some assistance from the Bloc. Dunno about the Libs.
Interesting how Dalton is mouthing the “fiscal imbalance” phrase again, eh? The weasel.
Posted by Erik Sorenson | February 8, 2006 12:08 AM
Posted on February 8, 2006 00:08