PM missing in action

[Topaz]

The Premiers are holding they meeting in Halifax and they hoped that the PM would show up and fullfil his duty as PM and help come up with a economic plan for the provinces and for Canada as a whole but he can't going. I guess he can't handle the pressure of meeting with them as a group or he thinks its a waste of his time. Maybe if they had invited some US governors, Harper would have come or how about a conference call? http://ca.news.yahoo.com/harpers-absence-threatens-overshadow-premiers-meeting-economy-halifax-093008439.html

[cybercoma]

Harper was whining about it being unfair that the premiers could team up against him last year too. That's strong Conservative leadership for you.

[Fletch 27]

Why would he attend? Hos is this fulfilling his duty as PM? How could he come up with "a plan" for the provines when the PROVNCES manage ALL of the High ticket items??? HEalth-care, education etc.etc... We have Idiots like Dalton sumply crying for money and then wasting whatever he can... What about the fresh fool from Quebec? She and her demands are INSANE!

And no, Harper never complained about a gang-up.... He did state that they need to fix thier OWN financial Mess!

That IS strong conservative leadership.... LEAD by example!

[scribblet]

By the sounds of it, it's not Harper doing the whining

[wyly]

he can spend a million for a photo-op in India but actually take part in something politically relevant in our country, sorry there's no presidential photo op potential in that...

[Fletch 27]

he can spend a million for a photo-op in India but actually take part in something politically relevant in our country, sorry there's no presidential photo op potential in that...

Ahem Yes, Im A-OK with him over there...... Lets see... The premiers meeting is all about BEGGING for MORE money....

"Current bilateral trade between the two countries is about $5.2 billion, but both governments hope to increase that to $15 billion by 2015"

THAT IS LEADERSHIP FOR ALLL OF CANADA!

[Boges]

he can spend a million for a photo-op in India but actually take part in something politically relevant in our country, sorry there's no presidential photo op potential in that...

I'm sure you're equally as critical of President Obama going to Southeast Asia during the Fiscal Cliff talks right?

[wyly]

you're so naive, do actually think harper actually made any trade deals with india ...it's pure photo-op any trade agreements with india were made and finalized months ago between low level officials.... ..harpers "presidential".photo-ops are for gullible rubes to ingest...

[Boges]

you're so naive, do actually think harper actually made any trade deals with india ...it's pure photo-op any trade agreements with india were made and finalized months ago between low level officials.... ..harpers "presidential".photo-ops are for gullible rubes to ingest...

So let's be clear, you're opposed to all state visits then correct? All head of states should stay in their homes and quit wasting money.

[wyly]

I'm sure you're equally as critical of President Obama going to Southeast Asia during the Fiscal Cliff talks right?

obama is presidential he doesn't need a photo-op....going to burma was a photo op for the burma's benefit legitimizing their government and obama demonstrating public support for the opposition, his presence had a larger political purpose...harper/canada doesn't have the same political effect that the POTUS does...

[wyly]

So let's be clear, you're opposed to all state visits then correct? All head of states should stay in their homes and quit wasting money.

let's be clear you're twisting my initial post....harper can't be bothered to attend a difficult meeting of premiers concerning our country but has time to do expensive photo-ops elsewhere....I never said he shouldn't go on state visits...

[Fletch 27]

you're so naive, do actually think harper actually made any trade deals with india ...it's pure photo-op any trade agreements with india were made and finalized months ago between low level officials.... ..harpers "presidential".photo-ops are for gullible rubes to ingest...

Ahem... To silence those who simply seem to "miss" Steve Harper.... See below confirmed deals:: Its Ok Wyly... He will come back.... It will be ok....

7 new deals

• 
  Prairie Pulp & Paper Inc. of Winnipeg has finalized a technology research and transfer agreement with Central Pulp & Paper Inc. of Saharanpur, India, to build a wheat straw-based paper plant in Manitoba. This new investment of between $500 million and $600 million is expected to reduce the company's annual costs by about $5 million per year. At the moment, the Canadian company markets tree-free paper made in India.
  
• 
  Taraspan of Kanata, Ont., and Tulip Telecom from New Delhi, India, are launching internet-based voice and data communication services in more than 2,000 cities in India, using technology from Canada's Mitel Networks Corporation.
  
• 
  Electrovaya of Mississauga, Ont., and Bhaskar Solar from Kolkata, India, signed a memorandum of understanding to implement "renewable energy management solutions" across a proposed 15,000 telecom towers throughout India.
  
• 
  Electrovaya also will now provide Canadian-made lithium ion batteries for Hero Eco Ltd.’s electric bicycles in Europe and North America.
  
• 
  Maisliner of La Salle, Que., announced it will open a new manufacturing plant in India to produce up to 6,000 refrigerated trucks a year for transporting agricultural products, processed food and pharmaceuticals.
  
• 
  Canadian Technology and Business Facilitators Inc. of Hamilton, Ont., has signed a long-term partnership deal with British-owned economic development firm ETI Dynamics, allowing a Canadian consortium to contribute water technologies and training to the Ganga River cleanup. The river cleanup is a massive international project billed as a "$100-billion opportunity" – the Ontario Clean Water Agency and several community colleges from the province will now have a slice of the work.
  
• 
  Export Development Canada, a federal Crown corporation, is providing $50 million to India’s Reliance Industries Limited to "help Canadian exporters meet the Indian company’s ongoing and future procurement needs." Reliance Industries is the largest private-sector company in India and part of the Fortune Global 500. EDC's loan is part of a larger $1-billion loan from a consortium of international banks. On Monday, Fast characterized the Crown corporation's mandate as filling "gaps left behind by private-sector lenders."
  

[cybercoma]

Harper's visit had a purpose. He wanted to check and see how Canada's call centres are doing.

[Boges]

let's be clear you're twisting my initial post....harper can't be bothered to attend a difficult meeting of premiers concerning our country but has time to do expensive photo-ops elsewhere....I never said he shouldn't go on state visits...

Probably because, as Fletch opines, that all they'll do is shame Harper into increasing Transfer Payments. The Quebec PQ government is already screaming about all the transfer payments they've "missed out on". Which I find completely hilarious.

[Smallc]

obama is presidential he doesn't need a photo-op...

You're delusional. Prime Ministers have always made trips to other countries in order to foster trade and good relations.

[Boges]

You're delusional. Prime Ministers have always made trips to other countries in order to foster trade and good relations.

NO! wyly says that these agreements can be achieved by low-level bureaucrats.

[scribblet]

Looks like they are going to worry more about him not being there than worrying how to manage their economies.

[Keepitsimple]

Perhaps some people haven't noticed - but everytime the Premiers have a public get-together with the Prime Minister - no matter who that PM may be - the end result is the Provinces with their hands out for more money. Whether it's Healthcare, "Pharmacare", a "National Housing Plan" or renewing city infrastructure - all are provincial responsibilities - the provinces don't want to raise taxes to pay for it because there's a political price - so they constantly try to tap into this imaginary Federal pot of money - egged on by the CBC and Toronto Star. That's why it's so important for Ontario for one, to get their own house in order and reverse the cycle of irresponsible and corrupt government that has seen them sink to a have-not province. Enough already.

Edited November 22, 2012 by Keepitsimple

[Fletch 27]

From Dalton: We’ve now entered into a period of prolonged slow growth (Ontario) and I think we could do better by developing some broader policies, acting in concert with the federal government, whether that’s by way of stimulus or, I think, particularly investing in innovation and higher levels of skills and education would be very helpful to all of us.”

In other Words.. I messed up Ontario, I would like some stimulus... Stimulus for investing in my green Initiative (that the WTO killed last week) or more money for my teachers Union.. "It would be very helpful to us all"..

Dalton wont even face his own MP's! What an absurd call from Dalton....

Edited November 22, 2012 by Fletch 27

[wyly]

NO! wyly says that these agreements can be achieved by low-level bureaucrats.

and they are, discussion and agreements are done months in advance, govt ministers or PMs showing up for final signing of agreements is all done for show/photo-ops....

[punked]

Why is the PM not meeting with the Preimer's right now? This is crazy. No other country in the world works the way we do in Canada. The PM refusing to meet with the leaders of our provinces to figure out what is best for the country. Come on.

[wyly]

You're delusional. Prime Ministers have always made trips to other countries in order to foster trade and good relations.

delusion is all yours smallc....other than G8 meetings and such there is no real reason other than PR photo-ops for our PM to leave the country on state business...our PM does not have power of the POTUS where his actual physical presence is politically significant...the PM could get as much done by picking up the phone and calling the PM of India...

[Argus]

Why is the PM not meeting with the Preimer's right now? This is crazy. No other country in the world works the way we do in Canada. The PM refusing to meet with the leaders of our provinces to figure out what is best for the country. Come on.

Harper believes the premiers should handle their own problem while he handles the problems on the national level. For specific funding issues they should deal with the appropriate federal minister. All that happens in a general meeting with the provinces is they blame all their problems on the feds and demand more money. They sure don't want federal input or interference in what they do. So why would he go?

Edited November 22, 2012 by Argus

[login]

but canada created 800 000 new jobs what more do the provinces need *wink*

canada has a plan....

I'll save the pm the time

Premiers of canada tune into Canwest...

http://www.globalnews.ca/politics/6442755364/story.html

here is your solution

Edited November 22, 2012 by login

[punked]

Harper believes the premiers should handle their own problem while he handles the problems on the national level. For specific funding issues they should deal with the appropriate federal minister. All that happens in a general meeting with the provinces is they blame all their problems on the feds and demand more money. They sure don't want federal input or interference in what they do. So why would he go?

Yah yah yah. My point stands. No where in the world does the leader of a country not meet with those who run the provincial governments. We are stronger when we work together and support one another. I don't care if Harper is to much a baby to take some criticism of his government I expect my countries leaders to meet with other leaders in this country to make it stronger. If he can't stand the heat then he is in the wrong job.