David Emerson: Media Watch
Media Highlights for Wednesday March 29 through Thursday March 30
With some catch-up here and there
March 30 (Mike Howell, Vancouver Courier) Protesters walking democracy talk
Another day, another David Emerson protest.
But this Sunday’s ‘Walk for democracy’ in the Conservative MP’s riding will be more poignant, organizers believe, because it comes the day before the House of Commons begins its new session.
(Photo-Dan Toulgoet)
The new session will be the first time Emerson will face all MPs in a public venue since he defected Feb. 6 from the Liberals.
Hundreds of people are expected at Sunday’s march, which begins at 12:30 p.m. at Kingcrest Park (26th and Knight). Protesters will march along Kingsway, past Emerson’s constituency office to Norquay Park, just east of Slocan Street.
Constituent Shannon Steele, who voted for Emerson, will help emcee the event. Steele was one of four people arrested last month after she participated in a peaceful sit-in at Emerson’s office.
“It’s the day before the House of Commons opens, so we want to send a strong message to Ottawa about how we feel out here on the West Coast about our democratic rights,” said Steele, a 46-year-old volunteer coordinator at Vancouver Museum.
Despite criticism levelled at the “de-elect” campaign, Steele believes their effort is gaining momentum. She noted about half of the 1,000 professionally made lawn signs have gone up around the riding.
Sunday’s event is going to be terrific – family friendly (we’ll have face painting and perhaps a stilt-walker too) – it’ll be humorous, uplifting, and our voices together will send a powerful message. Join us!
March 29 (Joe Hueglin, Embassy) Why Negotiate?
How come we’re considering “a return to the negotiating table?” (Re: “Emerson’s Priority” Talking Points, March 22)
Trade Minister David Emerson is quoted as saying that “if all goes well, the two leaders are expected to announce a return to the negotiating table to try and resolve the long-running dispute” over Canada’s subsidizing softwood lumber. He said further “But both sides will need to see some sign from the other that the work won’t be in vain.”
As of now, the reality going into the Canadian and American leaders’ meeting is: “the court battles are cold victories because they can run on indefinitely,” said Emerson. “The reality is, you win some; you lose some; but even when you win, there’s nothing to stop another lumber action as soon as this one has been dispensed with.”
Apparently Mr. Emerson hasn’t the pull on the file that he was touted to have, but that simply doesn’t matter. Harper and Emerson didn’t have to subvert democracy to get Emerson’s input on trade matters – he could have been named Deputy Minister in the civil service. Harper gets what he wants, if he truly wants just the expertise and not a political score (and at what a cost its been). Emerson doesn’t quite get the perks and fame, but he’s used to being in the civil service and would have been effective. Vancouver Kingsway gets what they want – a by-election.
PS: Joe Hueglin is a former Progressive Conservative MP and I consider him a good friend and a guardian of Canada. We’ve fought on the same side of a number of battles.
March 30 (Ben Meisner, Opinion 250) Talking Tequilla and Two x Fours
Settlement as a result of the latest [NAFTA] ruling? Not in your wildest dreams.
March 29 (Editorial, 100 Mile Free Press) Speak up
People may not realize that despite non-stop controversy since the Harper government was elected in January, the government hasnt even started sitting yet. Anticipation as to what will happen when Harpers government takes the helm of the country is high.
And lest we forget the floor crosser, David Emerson. That may have been the shortest honeymoon period in Canadian politics. (Normally governments get a couple of months reprieve when first elected.)
Harper, when there was heat from the Emerson matter, gagged his MPs from speaking to the media (and by extension, the electorate). Their tight-lips remain in place, and now Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Betty Hinton left a message for the media noting that she is taking time away from the office and is unavailable.
For a government that was very vocal when its MPs were in the opposition, the Harper contingent dont seem to have much to say now that they are in power.
My party is going to find considerable backlash from voters if they continue to support undemocratic actions. Its now seven weeks since the voters of Vancouver-Kingsway had their votes stolen, and people from across Canada are continuing to sound the alarm. Micro-managed “spin” out of the Prime Minister’s office won’t defeat us, for we are on the right side of the issue.
March 30 (Bruce Cheadle, CP) Tory support edging upward: poll
“We know what we have to do, we know what we want to achieve,” Harper said in a campaign-style public address to his national caucus this week in Ottawa. “And friends, make no doubt about it, Canadians are with us.”
The government spin machine is running at full tilt and one needed only to come out to 12th and Cambie yesterday to witness the huge public support for our campaign of opposition to the Harper-Emerson affair. Harper’s comments also do not square with public opinion polling done in BC which shows that even in staunchly Conservative areas of the province, support for Emerson’s resignation and a by-election is running at 75%.
March 29 (Editorial, The London Free Press) Governing in a closet
The prime minister’s policies on handling the media are proving to be so restrictive that one might be led to fear his next act will be the creation of a ministry of propaganda.
Harper got off to a bad start as PM by appointing to his cabinet David Emerson and Michael Fortier—the former a Liberal turncoat and the latter unelected. Now, it appears to be getting worse—and he has yet to face a howling opposition in Parliament.
Just wait until Parliament resumes sitting. There’ll be more sailing through the air than a 120 foot banner.
March 30 (Letters, Toronto Star) Voices: PM’s Performance
Stephen Harper’s performance has been abysmal. We’ve had the David Emerson and Michel Fortier affair, the refusal of any debate about Canadian troops in Afghanistan, he has blocked media access to his government and he has forbade anyone from his caucus to speaking with public about anything that hasnt been pre-approved by him. For someone who campaigned on transparency and integrity, where is it? Robin Kelly, Toronto, March 29
Hard to tell, there’s so much secrecy with this government. What we do know is the promise of a new ethical standard was quickly thrown by the wayside (David Emerson affair). What we do know is he’s on his way to becoming the most invisible and inaccessible leader Canada has ever (not) seen. What we don’t know is staggering. That’s not how government in a modern democratic society is meant to work. Harvey Bushell, Toronto, March 28
March 9 (Michael Watkins, Ensign) Harper’s Eleven in Macleans – errors
John Geddes article “Harper’s Eleven” in MACLEAN‘S, March 8, 2006 EDITION writes: “polls showing Canadians weren’t really outraged by the Emerson defection vindicate Harper’s instinct to largely ignore the media frenzy.” John Geddes errors: Canadians are outraged, British Columbians are outraged, and Vancouverites are especially apoplectic in their response. Even many Conservatives, more privately than openly, are mad as hell.
An article I penned earlier in March was picked up by Ensign in Saskatchewan. Macleans has shown an unnatural bias in favour of my party. All people ought to ask for is honest reporting, not opinion dressed up as facts… when they aren’t factual. That same article was also picked up as a letter to the editor on March 10th in The Interlake Spectator Apoplectic about Emerson