Martin Liberal Defects to Conservatives

[Kliege]

SENATOR ANNE COOLS LEAVES LIBERAL FOLD TO JOIN CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA

OTTAWA - Senator Anne Cools announced today that she will no longer be sitting as a Liberal senator and will be joining the Conservative caucus in the Senate. Senator Cools described her decision as being driven by her inability to defend repeated Liberal spending scandals, particularly the billions wasted on the sponsorship scandal and the billions on the gun registry.

"I can no longer defend the Liberal record. Like so many Canadians, I had been hopeful that Mr. Martin would initiate a new era, a genesis and renewal in the Liberal government. I had hoped for an affirmation of responsible government, diligent stewardship of public moneys and renewed leadership, accountable to elected members and the public, not its paid advisors," said Senator Cools. "But we have seen the opposite. We now know that Mr. Martin's promised review of the gun registry was posturing and optics."

Senator Cools came to her decision after months of contemplation and introspection. Her decision to become a Conservative Senator, rather than an independent, was prompted by her personal respect for Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper. She described Harper as "Canada's hope for change. He understands that elected members are Parliament's eyes and ears in our communities. He welcomes Members from all cultures and backgrounds, and has a keen intellect and respects debate."

Mr. Harper said, "Senator Cools has an impressive record of public service to this country. Before being named to the Senate, she established Canada's first women's shelters at a time when speaking publicly about domestic violence was taboo. In the Senate, she has elevated the level of debate. In the face of scorn and derision by some, she has persisted in holding the government accountable. She has long earned my respect, and now my support, in joining the Conservative caucus in the Senate."

Senator Cools has long held many non-partisan friendships on Parliament Hill, including Deputy Conservative Leader Peter MacKay. "Senator Cools is a person of deep spiritual conviction and a valued friend. Her office is open to those who value honesty and debate, and it has certainly been open to me when I have needed advice and guidance," said MacKay. "It would be impossible for her to rise any further in my esteem."

Senator Cools, in recalling Mr. Trudeau's request for her to join the Senate, said, "Mr. Trudeau asked me to promise him that I would continue my work with troubled families. Most Canadian families live paycheque to paycheque, a fact that is often forgotten by Liberal Government elites. Misdirected spending and failed management has cast a pall on everything government does, and discourages taxpayers."

Appointed to the Senate in January 1984 on the recommendation of then Prime Minister Elliott Trudeau, Senator Cools became the first black senator in Canada. Before the Senate, Senator Cools had been the front-runner and innovator on the question of domestic violence, establishing two women's shelters in Toronto, and assisting in the establishment of many others across Ontario.

Senator Cools has been named to the Conservative Party's Bridge-Building Committee, dedicated to forging links and understanding between the party and Canada's ethnic and cultural communities. Chair Deepak Obhrai (MP, Calgary East) said, "It is a distinct pleasure and a privilege to add Senator Cools to our team. She brings a wealth of experience and strong links with Canada's communities."

[maplesyrup]

what is the URL?

[Goldie]

Strange that an unelected official would turncoat. Must be worse than anyone thought. Why not sit as an NDPer?

[Alliance Fanatic]

Its good to see that the senator has decided to move to the Conservative fold. Especially considering the fact that the Liberal's want to end all free votes of abortion, gay rights, and social issues.

[August1991]

Here's one link: CTV on Cools

Anne Cools was a radical activist in the 1960s (one of those) then she was active in the Liberal Party and then Trudeau appointed her to the Senate. She was young at the time so it amounted to a lottery winning.

The appointment was highly controversial and I think she may have been among those appointments Mulroney criticised Turner about. I think the appointment reflected Trudeau's quirky sense of humour. He wanted to abolish the Senate by making such appointments.

Gawd knows what this change of allegiance means, if anything.

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KLIEGE: DO NOT CUT AND PASTE THE WHOLE ARTICLE. QUOTE AND LINK.

[Kliege]

Just watched Colls on Countdown.

She was scathing of Martin and the Liberals.

Said Pierre Trudeau would never approve of the Liberals have become.

Said she could no longer defend the Liberals because of the $2 billion gun registry, as well as Adscam.

Duffy went into a spiel about how some women's right leader said Harper is scary, and will outlaw abortion.

Cools shot right back regarding all this minorities stuff, saying that she is a black woman, and that she thinks Stephen Harper is very bright young lad, and that she intends to support him. Added that everyone else should consider him, too.

Shiela Copps was almost speechless!

It was awesome!!!

And if you're a Liberal, it was devistating!!!

[August1991]

Said Pierre Trudeau would never approve of the Liberals have become.

I think there were rumours that she had an affair with Trudeau .