Martin picks new cabinet

[Are Be]

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp

Enjoy full access to this nationalpost.com story during our trial period. After January 24th, 2004, complete access will be limited to registered 6-day National Post print subscribers.
West wins with 2 top Cabinet positions
Goodale gets Finance, McLellan Deputy PM

Robert Fife, Ottawa Bureau Chief, with files from David Vienneau, Ian Jack, Don Martin and Mark Kennedy
CanWest News Service

Friday, December 12, 2003
Anne McLellan will become the new Deputy Prime Minister.
CREDIT: Jonathan Hayward, The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Paul Martin will undertake a massive overhaul of the Cabinet frontbench today, sweeping aside most Chretien ministers and radically restructuring government when he is sworn in as Canada's 21st prime minister.

Mr. Martin, who spent almost a decade as Canada's most influential finance minister and Jean Chretien's heir apparent, will give prominent roles to two Western Canadians in a bid to appeal to the country's fastest growing region in the next general election.

Ralph Goodale, the Public Works Minister from Saskatchewan, becomes Finance Minister and Edmonton's Anne McLellan, currently the Health Minister, will be Deputy Prime Minister and head a new Public Safety Ministry similar to the U.S. Homeland Security Department. The new portfolio will include Emergencies Canada, the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Customs and military intelligence.

Officials say Manitoba MP Reg Alcock, the tough-talking chairman of the Commons government operations committee who exposed the George Radwanski scandal, will be elevated to Treasury Board President, in charge of managing the public service, while Ottawa MP David Pratt is the new Defence Minister. A junior defence minister is also expected to be appointed.

Quebec, where the Liberals hope to win many of the 75 seats in the next election, will also be a big winner in today's Cabinet, as will voter-rich Ontario.

Some portfolios will be scaled down as Mr. Martin attempts to demonstrate some fiscal restraint.

Pierre Pettigrew, the International Trade Minister and a Quebec nationalist known as a conciliator and bridge-builder, gets a major promotion under the Martin government.

Insiders say Mr. Pettigrew becomes Health Minister and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister and will also chair a new Cabinet committee on domestic affairs. He also becomes Mr. Martin's Quebec lieutenant and will be in charge of official languages.

Government insiders say Mr. Martin plans to split Human Resources, which has a reputation for mismanagement and was the subject of a damning audit in 2000 that exposed $1-billion in misspending.

Joe Volpe, a Toronto MP, becomes the new Minister of Labour and Learning, while Quebec MP Liza Frulla is in line to handle other responsibilities in what was the massive Human Resources department. Mr. Volpe will also become Ontario political minister.

Lucienne Robillard, current head of the Treasury Board, moves to Industry, and there is speculation that Toronto MP Jim Peterson will become the new minister in charge of an expanded International Trade and Investment portfolio and Ottawa MP Mauril Belanger takes over Heritage Canada.

In other moves, Ontario MP Bob Speller is expected to be the new Agriculture Minister, replacing Lyle Vanclief; Gars Knutson, Secretary of State for the Middle East, is moved up to head the Canadian International Development Agency; and Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State for northern development, gets a major promotion to Indian and Northern Affairs.

Hamilton MP Stan Keyes is Revenue Minister and Tony Valeri, from Stoney Creek, is promoted from the backbenches to Transport.

Toronto MP Judy Sgro or John Godfrey could be named to the role of Environment Minister to replace David Anderson, expected to become Immigration Minister, though Ms. Sgro may only be named a parliamentary secretary to Mr. Martin on urban affairs.

Prince Edward Island MP Joe McGuire, who supported Mr. Martin in the 1990 leadership, squeezes out fellow islander Wayne Easter, the Solicitor-General, and gets the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and possibly Fisheries, sources say.

Mr. Martin has decided the size of the Cabinet will remain roughly the same as the current body, which has 27 ministers and 11 secretaries of state. However, there will be a structural change that will be significant. Within the full Cabinet, there will be a powerful new core of 12 ministers -- assigned the priorities and planning committee -- that will shape all government policy.

Parliamentary secretaries will also be sworn in as privy councillors and given major responsibilities to develop and promote legislation as part of Mr. Martin's promise of renewing Parliament.

The Cabinet changes have left a lot of bad blood. Junior finance minister Maurizio Bevilacqua was told he was out and was offered a parliamentary secretaryship by Mr. Martin but he turned it down. Mr. Bevilacqua was punished for cozying up to Mr. Chretien during the leadership squabbles in 2002, well-placed sources say.

Toronto MP Tony Ianno and London, Ont., MP Joe Fontana were also disappointed to learn they weren't in Cabinet. John McCallum, currently the Defence Minister, will be demoted to Veterans Affairs.

In other changes, B.C. Senator Jack Austin becomes Government leader in the unelected upper chamber, Bill Graham stays at Foreign Affairs, B.C. MP Stephen Owen could be elevated from secretary of state for Indian Affairs to Public Works, Montreal MP Irwin Cotler could be in line for Justice, and Quebec MP Jacques Saada is Quebec regional economic development minister.

Nova Scotia MP Geoff Regan is the new House leader and Sarnia MP Roger Gallaway is to be the new Government Whip.

Denis Coderre, the Immigration Minister, will also move but will remain in Cabinet in a senior post.

Mr. Martin also plans to give a number of important jobs to women, including Carolyn Bennett, Albina Guarnieri, Judy Longfield, Karen Redman and possibly Brenda Chamberlain.

Conservative defector Scott Brison will also get a job as Mr. Martin's parliamentary secretary, sources say, as will Joe Comuzzi from northern Ontario, who will handle Canada-U.S. relations.
© National Post 2003




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[nicetommy2002]

"Enjoy full access to this nationalpost.com story during our trial period. After January 24th, 2004, complete access will be limited to registered 6-day National Post print subscribers."

So the National Post is gonna start charging to read it's online edition?? I hope they fail miserably.

 

[Are Be]

Look who Paul Martin rubs shoulders with..
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Dec. 12, 2003. 01:00 AM
Unfortunate prologue to power

CAROL GOAR

In the world that Gerry Schwartz inhabits, organizing a $2.7 million Liberal fundraiser to launch Paul Martin on his career as prime minister ranks as a good deed.

In the world that most voters inhabit, a $700-a-plate gathering of the corporate elite to pad the coffers of an incoming government amounts to an unseemly spectacle.

Martin will have to decide which world he wants to live in.

He has the wealth, background and connections to remain in the upper stratum of Canadian society, where multi-millionaires such as Schwartz, his wife Heather Reisman and their friends trade favours and engage in acts of noblesse oblige.

But he has the instincts of a democrat. He mixes easily with ordinary people. He cares about their views. He is as comfortable in a church basement as a five-star restaurant.

Until about a year ago, it looked as if Martin could straddle the two worlds.

But lately, some of the choices he has made — or allowed others to make in his name — have cast doubt on his ability to mix privilege and populism.

Canadians want to believe Martin's vision is big enough to include everybody. But nagging questions keep popping up.

Take Tuesday's Confederation dinner at the Metro Convention Centre:

It came less than a month after Martin wrapped up his $11.9 million leadership campaign. Never has any politician collected so much money to run in such a lopsided race.

Yet the Liberals felt the need to turn to their well-heeled friends again to bankroll an election they'd have to botch up spectacularly to lose. It is hard to understand how jacking up the price of campaigns, at a time when Canadians are cynical about politics, serves the public interest.

It came just 23 days before legislation banning corporate donations to political parties takes effect. Under the Liberal government's new election financing rules, businesses will no longer be able to buy tables at events like the Confederation dinner.

The aim of Bill C-24, which comes into force on Jan. 1, is to erase the perception that big money buys access and influence in Ottawa. By squeezing in one last mammoth fundraiser before the deadline, Martin's leadership team sent a message that expediency outranks ethical leadership in the new government's scheme of things.

It came just three days before Martin's swearing-in as prime minister. At a time when Canadians were primed for positive change, they got one last dose of old-style fundraising.

In his eagerness to fill up the party's war chest, Martin squandered an opportunity to set a new tone in national politics.

It came just 16 days before Christmas, in a city where volunteers are struggling to scrape together enough money to buy toys for needy children and put food on the tables of families that can't afford to celebrate.

It is hard to reconcile Tuesday's lavish dinner with Martin's pledge, in his leadership acceptance speech last month, to "build a society based on equality, not privilege."

In fairness to the incoming prime minister, his actions were no different from those of Jean Chrétien six months ago.

The outgoing Prime Minister shamelessly raked in $500 per person at the Liberals' Maple Leaf dinner in Ottawa, while boasting about his initiative to prohibit corporate campaign donations.

But a prime minister heading toward retirement can afford to look hypocritical. A prime minister poised to take office has to be able to see himself through voters' eyes.

In Martin's case, this is particularly relevant. A couple of recent incidents have raised questions about his judgment and loyalties.

Last week, when it came to light that he had taken several trips on private jets owned by business leaders during his years as finance minister, Martin told reporters: "These are friends of mine and I intend, as would all of you, to take holidays with my friends."

Actually, most Canadians pay for the vacations they take with their friends. Moreover, they aren't in a position to set government policy.

Last spring, when it came to light that Martin had received briefings from officials at Canada Steamship Lines, the company he owns, while in government, he denied that any conflict of interest existed.

He was adamant that he could remain a multinational ship owner while serving as prime minister.

Weeks later, under mounting criticism, he transferred control of the company to this three sons.

Martin remains an extremely wealthy man with friends in nearly every major boardroom and backers who have poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into his quest for the leadership.

No one expects him to snub his friends or change his lifestyle. In fact, Martin deserves a good deal of credit for his down-to-earth manner and his genuine interest in other people, no matter what their social status or income level.

But he can't be a prime minister for all Canadians, while keeping one foot in a world where affluence is assumed and insensitivity to the hoi polloi is allowed.

It's time to choose.

Carol Goar's column appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Additional articles by Carol Goar

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[ganjavih]

"So the National Post is gonna start charging to read it's online edition?? I hope they fail miserably."

This will be the final nail in the coffin of the National Pest. Why would anyone pay for this garbage when you can get quality media from around the world for free?

 

[Are Be]

Post is garbage?
One of the 2 best papers in the city.
You know which the other one is.

Regrdless, the issue is that Paul Martin is giving Toronto the cold shoulder.

 

[boiler2000]

AreBe: You mean... you don't mind the post?
Who'da thunk it?

 

[cacruden]

I don't understand about Toronto being Out.... as far as
I can see there are 5 cabinet ministers from Toronto (new Toronto area).....
Joe Volpe - Minster of Human Resources and Skills Development
Bill Graham - Minister of Foreign Affairs
Jim Peterson - Minister of International Trade
Judy Sgro - Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Jean Augustine - Minister of State (Multiculturalism and Status of Women):

 

[ganjavih]

"Regrdless, the issue is that Paul Martin is giving Toronto the cold shoulder."

Please explain why you think this... Toronto is well-represented in the cabinet.

It is quite interesting that Martin appointed himself Minister of Municipal Affairs... I think that's clear evidence that he is serious about this 'new deal for cities'.

Are Be, you've got a strange way of looking at the world. oke:

 

[nicetommy2002]

Martin's excellent rapport with Miller is also another good thing going for Toronto.

 

[ganjavih]

I'm not sure if this was posted here but Miller was at Martin's $700/plate fundraiser the other night. Hmmm... NDP no more?

 

[Are Be]

ganjavih
said

"Regrdless, the issue is that Paul Martin is giving Toronto the cold shoulder." (Are Be)

Please explain why you think this... Toronto is well-represented in the cabinet.

It is quite interesting that Martin appointed himself Minister of Municipal Affairs... I think that's clear evidence that he is serious about this 'new deal for cities'.

POINTZ:
1.Can somone list the 416 cabinet ministers?
2. Any in key financial postings?

Notice that the Industry Mininster is also the minister reasponisble for economic development in Quebec ( that is to say he's wearing 2 conflicting hats, 1 hat he has a national view- Inustry. With the other hat,he has a provincial one, promote economic growth in Quebec. If I can connect the dots, you can.)

 

[Are Be]

Ministerial choices will make or break PM

By JOHN IBBITSON

UPDATED AT 1:18 PM EST &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003

Advertisement

A new deal for natives. A new deal for cities. A new deal for defence. A new deal for Parliament. A new deal in education. A new deal with the Americans.

Paul Martin laid out this daunting national agenda through his cabinet choices yesterday. They will determine whether he succeeds or fails as Prime Minister.

While there were surprise winners and losers in yesterday's cabinet selection, what matters is the extent to which Mr. Martin's choices reflect his new government's priorities. And some of those choices were fascinating.

Andy Mitchell is regarded as an intelligent and capable (if rather imperious) MP who was underused by Jean Chrétien. He is arguably the biggest winner in this new cabinet, moving into the crucial file of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. In an interview yesterday, he identified his priorities as improving the quality and autonomy of aboriginal government and reducing disparities in health, housing and education services for natives both on and off reserve. In other words, succeeding where everyone before him has failed.

David Pratt, as chair of the House defence committee, often criticized his own government's beggaring of the armed forces and its antagonist attitude to American foreign and defence policy. With his ascension to Defence Minister, expect Canada to quickly join the United States in a continental missile defence system. And although Mr. Martin signalled that any defence increases must await a foreign policy review, we can only assume both the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence intend to rescue the Canadian military from its current doldrums. Otherwise, Mr. Pratt would be forced to resign in protest.

There is no minister of urban affairs (that would be too great a provocation to the provinces), but there is a new parliamentary secretary who reports to Mr. Martin on the issue, a new secretariat in the Privy Council Office and a new special adviser: Mike Harcourt, the former NDP premier of British Columbia. Expect a new funding agreement for municipalities to dominate federal-provincial relations in the new year.

The elevation of Reg Alcock to President of the Treasury Board shows just how serious the new Prime Minister is about democratic reform. Mr. Alcock is passionate about (some would say obsessed with) improving the decision-making process within Parliament. It goes beyond simply increasing the power of parliamentary committees and holding more free votes in the House. For Mr. Alcock, the federal government can resolve the divisions within the country only if all MPs work together to improve the calibre of legislation.

Mr. Alcock has already contacted the opposition parties to ask for their help. He admits the odds of genuine change are less than even, but the fact that such a fervent apostle of parliamentary reform is in such a senior portfolio suggests Mr. Martin is equally determined to give change a chance.

Placing his loyal lieutenant Joe Volpe in the rejigged Department of Human Resources and Skills Development signals Mr. Martin's resolve to make the federal government a major player in fashioning a system of learning that trains and retrains workers from the time they leave school until the time they retire.

Above and beyond all this, however, Mr. Martin seeks to address the issue of Canada-U.S. relations. A full foreign policy review. A new Department of Public Safety (a rather Orwellian name) headed by Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan. A new border security agency. (Customs officials were rejoicing yesterday at being liberated from the overlordship of the Revenue Department.) A cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations chaired by the Prime Minister.

The message is clear: The Paul Martin government shares American concern that the border is not as secure as it could be and is prepared to work, both on its own and in concert with the United States, to improve the situation.

So then: In a successful Paul Martin government, the quality of life for native people, the quality of life in cities, the quality of adult education, the quality of governance, the calibre of the armed forces and the state of Canada-U.S. relations will all improve. To the extent any or all of them don't, the new government will be judged a failure.

And you'll be the one who decides.

jibbitson@globeandmail.ca


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