Liberal Khan to cross floor to Tory backbench

gc1765 · January 6, 2007

To repeat nobody really believes that.

I've already pointed out one person on this board who does believe that, and that is the post I originally quoted.

By the way, Harper said/implied that Dion forced Khan out, but you say no one (including Harper) believes it? Are you saying that Harper was saying something he doesn't believe to be true?

Canuck E Stan · January 6, 2007

Khan was a provincial Tory. Was the Liberal party privy to what advice was being given to the government? Was the Tory government privy to what the policy in Afghanistan/Pakistan was going to be through Khan?
Khan is a dual citizen. I have no reason to believe he isn't a Canadian. I do have questions about him being a Liberal. You think he was a hardcore Liberal? Do you think he was committed to the job of an Opposition MP? Or do you think he was more comfortable on the government side to begin with because he was a provincial Tory?

Dobbin,

Being a member of the natural governing party,you just don't get it.

You probably can't beleive it.

Khan is a CANADIAN FIRST.

Khan

"He has a lot of passion for Canada and for him Canada is more important than any party," said Khalid Sagheer, president of the Liberal riding association in Mississauga-Streetsville and a friend of the MP since before he immigrated to Canada in 1974. "He will always do anything for Canada regardless of party politics."

jdobbin · January 6, 2007

Dobbin,
Being a member of the natural governing party,you just don't get it.

You probably can't beleive it.

You just don't get it.

Dion has a party to run. He can't have someone he doesn't trust.

newbie · January 6, 2007

Khan is a CANADIAN FIRST.

Then let him sit as an Independent and prove it.

Canuck E Stan · January 6, 2007

Dion has a party to run. He can't have someone he doesn't trust.

Like I said for MOST Liberals, it the Liberal party first, then Canada.

Why would ONE MP who can make a positive difference for Canada, and I feel, score big optic points for the Liberal party be someone Dion can't trust?

Something is wrong with Dion's us vs. them game plan, when ONE patriotic MP has to bow the party leader's wishes, all because Dion doesn't think being a patroitic Canadian is good for the party.

kimmy · January 6, 2007

Would Khan have crossed the floor if Dion hadn't given him the ultimatim?

Personally, I thought it was neat when the Conservatives asked Khan to help them in an advisory role. I thought that extending a hand across party lines to ask for help was the sort of thing that we could use more of in our government, and I haven't heard any suggestion that Khan's enthusiasm for this advisory role is anything less than genuine. I suppose that cynics will say that luring Khan to cross the floor was the plan right from the start, but I am not yet convinced that Dion would have lost his MP if he hadn't given him an ultimatim regarding the advisory role.

-k

Canuck E Stan · January 6, 2007

but I am not yet convinced that Dion would have lost his MP if he hadn't given him an ultimatim regarding the advisory role.
-k

100% with you. Dion's move will give more ammunition to those that question his patriotism.

He should have left it alone.

Topaz · January 6, 2007

Well, today we know that Khan has always been a conservative at heart, when he back Tony Clements in his reign for Ontario. We also know he was in the Pakistan military and fought in the India-Pakistan war. We, also know that he was a car salesman, that made it big before turning to politics. It seems to me, that people who want to be politicans, start out as Liberals then cross over to the other side.

Wilber · January 6, 2007

One other thing: was Khan's work for the government secret or could it be shared with the Liberal caucus?

That which was secret was secret but anything shared with the Tory caucus should have been shared with the Liberal caucus.

White Doors · January 6, 2007

That's limited to mikedavid and not any others really. Maybe Argus, though I think that's another issue. There are plenty of conservatives and Conservatives here that support immigration (even from the middle-East!) such as myself.

I agree. But the perception is that there is more hostility to immigrants in the Conservatives. Several Conservative MPs have stepped in it a few times over this. Immigrants have a long memory.

I'mm probably a conservative and support immigration - albeit with tighter controls and more emphasis on becoming 'Canadian' with no -.

White Doors · January 6, 2007

Well, today we know that Khan has always been a conservative at heart, when he back Tony Clements in his reign for Ontario. We also know he was in the Pakistan military and fought in the India-Pakistan war. We, also know that he was a car salesman, that made it big before turning to politics. It seems to me, that people who want to be politicans, start out as Liberals then cross over to the other side.

The same could be said for young people who initially support the NDp then get in the real world and tend toward the conservative side. Ultimately it comes down to being more individualy responsible. Funny how that works eh? Move out of your parents home and have to do things for yourself and then they increasingly vote for the party that supports individualism than the others. The more independant you can be increases the chances that you can help other people that perhaps aren't as fortunate as yourself.

White Doors · January 6, 2007

Dobbin,

Being a member of the natural governing party,you just don't get it.

You probably can't beleive it.

You just don't get it.

Dion has a party to run. He can't have someone he doesn't trust.

I agree. Belinda as well.

jdobbin · January 6, 2007

That which was secret was secret but anything shared with the Tory caucus should have been shared with the Liberal caucus.

Who determined that? Is all the information available under the Freedom of Information Act? Was he being paid? Was his work being funded? Was he protected under ambassadorial status when he travelled rather than Parliamentary status?

These were but a few of the questions I wanted answered. It is one thing to give advice and another to be an adviser.

And now we are hearing from Conservatives that this was a long time coming.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/khan_newsmaker

The reason that is coming up is because there have been Conservatives calling radio talk shows today and saying they are mad that Khan doesn't sit as as independent first.

jdobbin · January 6, 2007

Like I said for MOST Liberals, it the Liberal party first, then Canada.
Why would ONE MP who can make a positive difference for Canada, and I feel, score big optic points for the Liberal party be someone Dion can't trust?

Something is wrong with Dion's us vs. them game plan, when ONE patriotic MP has to bow the party leader's wishes, all because Dion doesn't think being a patroitic Canadian is good for the party.

That argument is so bogus. We don't even know if the advice given was a positive influence for Canada. Do we know what advice was given? Why couldn't that advice come through the normal channels of Parliament such as committees?

This claim that Dion was unpatriotic is being made by only one person: you.

All Harper has done is make some Conservatives angry as they've been calling into radio stations today and asking why Khan didn't sit first as an independent.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/khan_newsmaker

To counter that, all day the Tories have been saying this move was a long time coming so as to not make this all look opportunistic.

jdobbin · January 6, 2007

I agree. Belinda as well.

And Martin was punished later on for taking her into cabinet as a Liberal. People saw it as a grab for power.

jdobbin · January 6, 2007

Would Khan have crossed the floor if Dion hadn't given him the ultimatim?
Personally, I thought it was neat when the Conservatives asked Khan to help them in an advisory role. I thought that extending a hand across party lines to ask for help was the sort of thing that we could use more of in our government, and I haven't heard any suggestion that Khan's enthusiasm for this advisory role is anything less than genuine. I suppose that cynics will say that luring Khan to cross the floor was the plan right from the start, but I am not yet convinced that Dion would have lost his MP if he hadn't given him an ultimatim regarding the advisory role.

For the last number of months, rumours have been flying that he was getting ready to make the move anyways.

Khan's role as a Liberal Official Opposition MP was seriously in question.

Quite simply, there is no role for an adviser to the government from the opposition benches. The Official Opposition gives advice and critiques but they don't taken an official role as an officer of the government.

mikedavid00 · January 6, 2007

That's limited to mikedavid and not any others really. Maybe Argus, though I think that's another issue. There are plenty of conservatives and Conservatives here that support immigration (even from the middle-East!) such as myself.

I support work permits. The common immigrant vote does not.

Immigrants already know that they are here not to work, but to enjoy free benefits within their own community. If they were here to work, they would have all moved to Calgary. They have not. There is a reason for this.

They know that the working tax payers (conservatives) do not support them coming here becuase they have to pay for them.

Immigrants are around my every day life and I am very close them. I have Christian Lebanese heritage. I've been around immigrants all my life and were raised by them. I should know them pretty well. They are not here to work and help out Canada.

They are mostly here becuase Canada is the only country that will let them in. End of story.

Immigrants help in other countries, just not in Canada due to our joke of a policy.

And no, I do not believe at this point in time that people of Islamic faith should be allowed enterance into Canada at all due to security reasons.

But your in the west where you take 4% of the immigrants. So what do you really know on the issue? The articles you read from newspapers by elites that also have no clue.

I am in the trenches here in my city and and grown up around this. People come here to better their lives at the expense of ours.

It's that simple.

We don't need to stop immigration, we just need a 'policy'. We need to stop people coming in here aimlessly to 'live'.

We need workers..

Kind of like how the Mexicans are in the US.

mikedavid00 · January 6, 2007

What we need is to allow these higly trained immigrants the ability to work in their field of study

If Canadians cannot do the same, then why should immigrants be able to?

You are laughable. That statement you made is like a quote out of the CBC.

They don't find jobs in their fields because THERE ARE NO JOBS!

mikedavid00 · January 6, 2007

The reason that is coming up is because there have been Conservatives calling radio talk shows today and saying they are mad that Khan doesn't sit as as independent first.

You mean 'Liberals'.

mikedavid00 · January 6, 2007

Well, today we know that Khan has always been a conservative at heart, when he back Tony Clements in his reign for Ontario. We also know he was in the Pakistan military and fought in the India-Pakistan war. We, also know that he was a car salesman, that made it big before turning to politics. It seems to me, that people who want to be politicans, start out as Liberals then cross over to the other side.

He supposedly owns a Mazda dealership in Toronto. He's a businessman. He was with Liberals for power. Nothing more. The CPC has power. Now he's with them.

It's typical.

Who's Doing What? · January 7, 2007

What we need is to allow these higly trained immigrants the ability to work in their field of study

If Canadians cannot do the same, then why should immigrants be able to?

You are laughable. That statement you made is like a quote out of the CBC.

They don't find jobs in their fields because THERE ARE NO JOBS!

I'm laughable? You ever read some of your own posts?

scribblet · January 7, 2007

Imagine switching parties like that - no one should be allowed to cross the floor, unless she is a liberal friendly auto parts heiress. Or better still, gets a decent cabinet seat in return. It's disgusting I say, disgusting.

jdobbin · January 7, 2007

Imagine switching parties like that - no one should be allowed to cross the floor, unless she is a liberal friendly auto parts heiress. Or better still, gets a decent cabinet seat in return. It's disgusting I say, disgusting.

I have no problem people switching parties. I think Dion wanted to know what party Khan was in.

Wilber · January 7, 2007

That which was secret was secret but anything shared with the Tory caucus should have been shared with the Liberal caucus.

Who determined that? Is all the information available under the Freedom of Information Act? Was he being paid? Was his work being funded? Was he protected under ambassadorial status when he travelled rather than Parliamentary status?

These were but a few of the questions I wanted answered. It is one thing to give advice and another to be an adviser.

And now we are hearing from Conservatives that this was a long time coming.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/khan_newsmaker

The reason that is coming up is because there have been Conservatives calling radio talk shows today and saying they are mad that Khan doesn't sit as as independent first.

Among other things we have troops fighting in that region. Their safety cannot be compromised so some things probably had to be kept confidential. I don't think any politician is required to make public all the advice they are given, whether by an official advisor or not. Whether Khan was transmitting confidential party information in either direction is another matter entirely and would be unethical.

My own feeling is that a person crossing the floor should sit as an independent. It doesn't stop them from voting with whomever they choose but I guess that is a matter between them and their conscience. With a minority government, I certainly don't blame Harper for taking him, he would be an idiot not to. At least he didn't give him a cabinet position as a reward. Not yet at least.

jdobbin · January 7, 2007

Among other things we have troops fighting in that region. Their safety cannot be compromised so some things probably had to be kept confidential. I don't think any politician is required to make public all the advice they are given, whether by an official advisor or not. Whether Khan was transmitting confidential party information in either direction is another matter entirely and would be unethical.
My own feeling is that a person crossing the floor should sit as an independent. It doesn't stop them from voting with whomever they choose but I guess that is a matter between them and their conscience. With a minority government, I certainly don't blame Harper for taking him, he would be an idiot not to. At least he didn't give him a cabinet position as a reward. Not yet at least.

I have no problem with him joining the Tories or even taking a cabinet position. I figure it is part of the Parliamentary system. What isn't part of the system is to have a key adviser from another party working for the government party.

Today, I was listening to some of the call in shows. It was people who identified themselves as Conservatives, not Liberals, who were upset that Khan was immediately taken into the caucus. Sounds like those people might be closer to what you view of this situation is.