First Ministers Meeting Cancelled

[jdobbin]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070528/...harper_premiers

Stephen Harper's get-together with the premiers has been put off indefinitely, leaving at least one leader wondering if the prime minister ever intends to host a full-fledged first-ministers' conference.

Harper and the premiers had hoped to meet next Saturday in Ottawa, but it didn't work out.

I can't say I'm surprised.

[geoffrey]

So much for decentralisation.

[jdobbin]

So much for decentralisation.

Perhaps he doesn't want to face yet another Liberal premier in Prince Edward Island.

There are getting to be fewer conservative premiers and most seem to be no friend of Harper.

[Michael Bluth]

Perhaps he doesn't want to face yet another Liberal premier in Prince Edward Island.

There are getting to be fewer conservative premiers and most seem to be no friend of Harper.

Perhaps you'd like to explain how this announcement, being made before the results of the PEI election were announced could have been influenced by Ghiz Jr. winning?

The truth? Try it sometimes. Feels good.

[Topaz]

You know Harper is getting a history of not "meeting" other people who want to talk to the PM of Canada. He won't talk to David Suzuki, Buz Hargrove, who called on him twice and now the Ministers Meeting. Oh, hey , he has to go to Europe. He also does this alot too when he doesn't want to go somewhere. Now I know Harper had to take some meds for anxiety or panic attacks or depression, something like that when he first came to office. Perhaps his meds need adjusting then maybe he won't talk so UN PMable in Parliament.

[geoffrey]

I wouldn't talk to Hargrove or Suzuki either, nothing good can come out of dealing with either. I'd talk to the Premiers though... especially if I insisted I was Mr. Decentralisation.

[jdobbin]

I wouldn't talk to Hargrove or Suzuki either, nothing good can come out of dealing with either. I'd talk to the Premiers though... especially if I insisted I was Mr. Decentralisation.

If he is going to foist Senate elections on the provinces, the least he could do is talk to the premiers.

[margrace]

Come on people, Mr. Harper wants to be king, one with all the power. He would make a good Henry the eight don't you think. On Forum On TVO the other night one person expressed the belief that Mr. Harper has two aims in life. To destoy the Liberal party any way he can and get control of all media outlets.

Doesn't that sound suspicious to you? He doesn't like criticism in any form, he rules his caucus with an iron hand and he refuses to meet with people. Mike Harris tried that in Ontario but it didn't work.

[guyser]

. Mike Harris tried that in Ontario but it didn't work.

Worked for two elections and he was good for the province.

But I think Harper doesnt have much to discuss, or rather is not in a position to reveal or discuss whats coming up, primarily because I think the Cons have stalled on what to do.

Besides that, Saturday meeting, Harper knows there is a game on and will not miss it. He had a bunch of kids and a TSN guy there to watch the game on Wed night.

And since Harper is a Leaf fan thru and thru, I must say I do like him better for that. Yea he's rooting for the Sens, but we all know that is political. Hell even I would say the sam.....aww who am I kidding, even as PM I would say Go Anaheim. Not enough peeps in Ott to worry about.

[jdobbin]

Besides that, Saturday meeting, Harper knows there is a game on and will not miss it. He had a bunch of kids and a TSN guy there to watch the game on Wed night.

Hmm, in Harper's busy schedule, he has a enough time for the game and not enough time for the premiers.

[Leafless]

So much for decentralisation.

Perhaps he doesn't want to face yet another Liberal premier in Prince Edward Island.

There are getting to be fewer conservative premiers and most seem to be no friend of Harper.

Scary, scary to see so many provinces dependent on federal handouts.

Man, I wouldn't want to face this bunch of losers either!

[jdobbin]

Scary, scary to see so many provinces dependent on federal handouts.

Man, I wouldn't want to face this bunch of losers either!

And yet he so desperately needs them if he ever wants to make constitutional change or even get his Senate idea through.

Harper should face his fears rather hide in Ottawa.

[Canuck E Stan]

Hmm, in Harper's busy schedule, he has a enough time for the game and not enough time for the premiers.

Not this weekend, he's at this event

There are over 2,100 registered delegates, and 500 companions joining them . . . so when you look at that, it's the largest conference ever held by FCM in 75-plus years.

"We are expecting the Prime Minister will be here as one of our key speakers, as will members of the opposition and people who stress issues around the environment, around homelessness."

Harper is scheduled to speak Friday.

Other speakers include federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion; Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party; and, Gen. Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff.

Being a hockey fan,I'm sure Harper will also watch the game on Saturday night.

Unlike some, he has a life outside of having to talk politics 24/7.

[jdobbin]

Being a hockey fan,I'm sure Harper will also watch the game on Saturday night.

Unlike some, he has a life outside of having to talk politics 24/7.

He has a pretty light load to be appearing on a sports show and yet say he is too busy to meet with premiers....ever.

[fellowtraveller]

Besides that, Saturday meeting, Harper knows there is a game on and will not miss it. He had a bunch of kids and a TSN guy there to watch the game on Wed night.

Hmm, in Harper's busy schedule, he has a enough time for the game and not enough time for the premiers.

Nothing in the article suggests that it was Harper was unavailable.

Regarding Hargrove and Suzuki, I wouldn't cross the street to meet either. It is a sign of the overwhelming ego of both that they feel Harper should make time for them.

[jdobbin]

Nothing in the article suggests that it was Harper was unavailable.

Regarding Hargrove and Suzuki, I wouldn't cross the street to meet either. It is a sign of the overwhelming ego of both that they feel Harper should make time for them.

The premiers have been asking for a meeting for several months now. It isn't the premiers that have been holding up the meeting, it has been Harper's busy schedule.

It just isn't a priority for him like meeting TSN for a commentary on hockey.