For Anyone Who Thinks Martin Is Different...

[sir_springer]

333,000 Votes for Bert Brown is “Provincial Patronage”??

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 20, 2003

Martin’s Western deputy dismisses Alberta Senate Election

OTTAWA - It’s been five long years of waiting for Bert Brown, who was elected by Albertans in 1998 with nearly 333,000 votes to represent the province in the Senate. But Paul Martin’s Western Canadian talking head, Ralph Goodale, made it clear yesterday that Bert Brown will be waiting a lot longer with Martin at the helm.

Goodale was asked yesterday if he expects Martin to appoint either Bert Brown or Ted Morton, the second-place finisher in 1998. It’s a good question, given that one Alberta Senate seat sits empty today, and another is opening in the New Year. Goodale’s response? “On the question of provincial versus federal appointments, I’m not sure the situation is dramatically improved by replacing federal patronage with provincial patronage.”

Excuse us, Mr. Goodale, but Bert Brown’s 333,000 votes are not “provincial patronage”. Ted Morton’s 274,000 votes aren’t either. They are democratic mandates from the people. They are, in fact, bigger democratic mandates than your entire party received in Alberta in the 2000 election, when the Liberals garnered only 263,000 votes for all its candidates combined.

Would Mr. Martin hesitate to appoint an elected Alberta Senator if that person had run under the Liberal banner? Would that democratic mandate be so cavalierly dismissed as “provincial patronage”?

For decades, the Liberal Party has been dismissing real Senate reform as too complicated. It didn’t matter who the leader was - Trudeau, Turner, Chrétien - none were interested in making the Senate more representative of Canada’s regions, more effective, and most importantly, more democratic. It looks like Martin’s joining the club.

http://www.canadianalliance.ca/english/new...D=2583&C=4&D=34

Anyone who believes Martin ain't your typical Liberal waste of skin is dreaming in technicolour.

[Craig Read]

Martin has made a million promises including; tax cuts, more spending, more power for the cities, indian land overhaul [about time], HRDC deconstruction [about time], more mature relationship with the US and democratic improvements. Have to see what he does, but without question his troops are already controlling the press and the agenda. No matter what Martin does he will receive favourable reviews from the press. I am not convinced he is a fiscal conservative. No evidence from the 90s supports that view. Spend and over tax/debt burdens went up not down.

[SirRiff]

Martin’s Western deputy dismisses Alberta Senate Election

thats a rather pathetic strech...his western deputy before he becomes PM said one thing and this means Martin is an alien?

this is why the liberals dominate, people dont want hysteria in the PMO

sirriff

[Craig Read]

The liberals dominate due to the closed political system, the buyoffs, the power of the PMO, the lack of a credible right of centre party, media support, the lack of voter interest [50 % only vote], and the greased up corporate donations that keep flowing. The Libs don't need the West - except as a cash cow.