PM and Truth -- Paul Martin Needs Peace with Nfld., NS, & PQ -- Can be Squeezed -- to Win Next Election

Paul Martin and Truth

I just heard Paul Martin claiming he raised human rights with the Chinese President. Like Jason Kenney, I think the PM is lying. What a disappointment he has been. Whenever he turns red, and huffs and puffs, you know . . . . . . . It is especially evident when he claims some issue is a "priority". He can be pressured by some Premiers -- to stop dissension before an election -- votes needed.



Shadows of the past stalking the PM -- Gomery, same-sex, missiles, scandal -- Critics say he's trapped by old problems

Shadows of the past stalking the PM -- Gomery, same-sex, missiles, scandal -- Critics say he's trapped by old problems Susan Delacourt, Ottawa Bureau Chief, Jan. 31, 05

[. . . . ] Parliament resumes today after the extended Christmas break, putting Martin back on the firing line on the same list of issues that have plagued his tenure over the last year: same-sex marriage, the proposed U.S. missile-defence plan, military under-financing, concessions to the provinces, and the ubiquitous opposition search for Liberal scandal.

[. . . . ] Critics say Martin is trapped in this Groundhog-Day-style repetition because he just doesn't have the leadership skills to make his problems go away. [. . . . ]

Under the deal reached late Friday, Newfoundland gets an immediate $2 billion, Nova Scotia gets $830 million, and an arrangement that puts 100 per cent of oil revenues back in the provincial coffers for the next eight years. Ottawa has promised not to claw back any of these riches by reducing payments on the equalization system, at least until — or if — these provinces are no longer the "have-nots" in the federation.

[. . . . ] Martin's critics will be sniffing for signs of weakness and overaccommodation.

Though Ottawa maintains that it hasn't given away the store, this is yet another Martin deal that offers special treatment to selected provinces. The Prime Minister faced the same sort of attacks after he allowed Quebec Premier Jean Charest to sign his own "side deal" on health care in last September's $41-billion agreement between Ottawa and the provinces. [. . . . ]

Go to News Junkie Canada Update Jan. 31, 05 & Comppilation-3: Tory-Immigration, AG-Gomery, China-Oil-Mourner Beaten, McLeod-Sidewinder-Peoples’ Rep-CA, Volcker-Desmarais, Cda-Russia Route, RCMP -- There are several other compilations, also.