Conservatives Appoint Binns Ambassador

[jdobbin]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070830/...inns_ambassador

he federal Conservatives have named Pat Binns, the former Tory premier of Prince Edward Island who was drubbed by the Liberals in the May provincial election, as ambassador to Ireland.

ADVERTISEMENT

He will push out a veteran diplomat who has been in the job less than a year.

Labrador Liberal MP Todd Russell said the appointment demonstrates that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives are "the biggest hypocrites going."

"They've ridiculed the Liberals for patronage and they're the worst," Russell said. "They've made over 2,000, as I understand it, over 2,000 patronage appointments, the latest being a booted out premier who didn't have the favour of his province, who didn't have the favour of his people.

I'm not sure what the difference between the Tories appointing politicians to patronage jobs versus Liberals doing it.

[Michael Bluth]

The Conservatives have brought a different view to the role of ambassador.

They have realized the most important job of an ambassador is to build trade ties. Ireland is a great market for Canada.

Having Binns in the job is good for Canadians.

[M.Dancer]

The Conservatives have brought a different view to the role of ambassador.

They have realized the most important job of an ambassador is to build trade ties. Ireland is a great market for Canada.

Having Binns in the job is good for Canadians.

As oppose to having an ambassador who is well versed with the ins and outs of Irish politics and won't get lost in the hall of The Oireachtas ? You know what ambassadors do best? Promote trade.

[Michael Bluth]

You know what ambassadors do best? Promote trade.

I certainly hope so. Our economic future is dependent on trade. Without a strong economy we can't pay for running the country.

[M.Dancer]

I certainly hope so. Our economic future is dependent on trade. Without a strong economy we can't pay for running the country.

And it takes more than salesmen to promote trade....there's the fine art of dancing with the civil servants.

[Michael Bluth]

And it takes more than salesmen to promote trade....there's the fine art of dancing with the civil servants.

Binns served in P.E.I.’s Public Service from 1974 to 1978 and was a recipient of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal for Outstanding Public Service.

Served as an Assembleyman from 1978 to 1984.

Served as an MP from 1984 to 1988.

Served as a Premier for 11 years and is now in his 12th year as an MLA.

Yeah, something tells me Binns knows a little bit about dealing with civil servants.

[maldon_road]

The Conservatives have brought a different view to the role of ambassador.

They have realized the most important job of an ambassador is to build trade ties. Ireland is a great market for Canada.

Having Binns in the job is good for Canadians.

Worthy successor to Dennis McDermott.

[Shakeyhands]

The Conservatives have brought a different view to the role of ambassador.

They have realized the most important job of an ambassador is to build trade ties. Ireland is a great market for Canada.

Having Binns in the job is good for Canadians.

Talking points eh.... But what of accountability and I don't recall Binns being feted by the Public Appointments Commision... oh right, they ignore that silly accountability act when it doesn't serve their purposes.. pesky thing that.

[Michael Bluth]

Talking points eh.... But what of accountability and I don't recall Binns being feted by the Public Appointments Commision... oh right, they ignore that silly accountability act when it doesn't serve their purposes.. pesky thing that.

The Public Appointments Commission was scrapped over a year ago when the Liberals and NDP played partisan games over the Gwyn Morgan appointment.

Any actual concerns with the appointment of Binns?

[Shakeyhands]

The Public Appointments Commission was scrapped over a year ago when the Liberals and NDP played partisan games over the Gwyn Morgan appointment.

Any actual concerns with the appointment of Binns?

Don't know the man from Adam, though I do know that he was trounced in the last election in PEI and it had something to do with patronage.

As far as the rest goes, it further highlights the hypocrisy of this government. Any actual comment on that aspect Bluth?

[Michael Bluth]

As far as the rest goes, it further highlights the hypocrisy of this government. Any actual comment on that aspect Bluth?

The Conservatives tried to set up an appointments committee to vet quality candidates. Gwyn Morgan was definitely a quality candidate, but the NDP unearthed some out of context quote and the Libs and BQ piled on to rub the Conservatives nose in it.

A fairly and honestly run committee was a good thing for Canadians. The opposition couldn't avoid the opportunity to be mean-spirited and petty. So Canadians lost out in to the vindictiveness of the opposition.

[jdobbin]

Senior diplomats critical of Binns appointment.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics...617&k=46504

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, an Ottawa-based union that represents hundreds of Canadian diplomats, says Binns's appointment to what has traditionally been a non-political office is a serious mis-step for the Harper government.

Ron Cochrane, the group's executive director, says it's acceptable for only two of Canada's foreign heads-of-mission posts to be reserved for political appointees - the ambassador to Washington and the high commissioner to London.

"We can sometimes see a need for people with political experience there," he said Thursday.

While previous prime ministers have commonly appointed friends and allies to ambassadorships in comfortable foreign cities, Harper hasn't until now abused the foreign service in this way, Cochrane said.

"We normally haven't had much to criticize the Tories about in terms of appointments to heads of missions," he said, "but this is one we're very concerned about. Replacing a career diplomat after less than a year, with a political appointee, is overstepping the bounds of patronage appointments.

"We recognize the political reality of these appointments, but we'd like to see them kept to a minimum. There has to be a rationale for them other than patronage."

Could this be the first of many coming?

Edited August 31, 2007 by jdobbin

[Michael Bluth]

Senior diplomats critical of Binns appointment.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics...617&k=46504

Could this be the first of many coming?

There's only one union that represents Foreign Service Officers in Canada .... so the answer would be no!

[Shakeyhands]

The Conservatives tried to set up an appointments committee to vet quality candidates. Gwyn Morgan was definitely a quality candidate, but the NDP unearthed some out of context quote and the Libs and BQ piled on to rub the Conservatives nose in it.

A fairly and honestly run committee was a good thing for Canadians. The opposition couldn't avoid the opportunity to be mean-spirited and petty. So Canadians lost out in to the vindictiveness of the opposition.

thats bullshit Bluth, its just an excuse not to have to worry about that aspect of Harpers promise, in other words, a great way to weasel out of it.

If he was serious about it, he would nominate someone who doesn't have an issue with immigrants perhaps? Some one who the majority of Canadians, represented by their MP's, can have a tidge of respect for?

[Michael Bluth]

thats bullshit Bluth, its just an excuse not to have to worry about that aspect of Harpers promise, in other words, a great way to weasel out of it.

If he was serious about it, he would nominate someone who doesn't have an issue with immigrants perhaps? Some one who the majority of Canadians, represented by their MP's, can have a tidge of respect for?

Hmmm, nice language. It's been reported.

Morgan was a great candidate. The opposition 'stuck it' to Harper over this one.

There may have been reason to raise some questions about Morgan's candidacy. But to turn down his appointment? That went too far.

The opposition were probably thinking that Harper was going to be a pushover like Martin. He isn't. He was smart enough to see that he was in a no win situation so he didn't bother trying to appease the opposition.

I am not shocked at the way you interpreted this.

Morgan is the former President and CEO of one of Canada's largest oil companies. He has done many great things in business and philanthropy. Alas, he made some comments that haunted him.

[jdobbin]

Here is what the Conservatives said when the Liberals appointed a politician to ambassador to Ireland in 1998.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...PStory/National

The Liberals have also used Dublin as a patronage plum in the past, appointing former Liberal minister Ron Irwin to Ireland in 1998.

Conservative MP Rob Anders criticized the nomination at the time, saying the only criterion was being a "friend and loyalist" of then-prime-minister Jean Chrétien.

[Canuck E Stan]

It's too bad Liberal MP Todd Russell doesn't put his brain in gear before he begins to roar.But that can be expected by the Liberals who are trying so desperately to gain some kind of credibility but never will, with their record of patronage appointments in the past.

The media that didn't bother to question his babbling of false facts before presenting the story,should also be chastised for being caught up in a story that isn't factual.

Will Russell correct his errors? Somehow I don't think so.

Ex-ambassador says he wasn't forced out of Irish post

The announcement drew fire from Liberal MP Todd Russell, who said it was "horrible" that Prime Minister Stephen Harper pushed Westdal out to make room for Binns. Russell said the move was an act of patronage.

Grits slam appointment of ex-premier as ambassador to Ireland

"They've ridiculed the Liberals for patronage and they're the worst," Russell said. "They've made over 2,000, as I understand it, over 2,000 patronage appointments, the latest being a booted out premier who didn't have the favour of his province, who didn't have the favour of his people.

"I mean, Stephen Harper is the biggest hypocrite on the face of the planet as far as I'm concerned."

Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch said Russell was off the mark on the number of appointments.

He said the MP had confused the number of appointments which may be made by government with the actual number of appointments made by the Tories so far, which he said amounts to more than 800.

"He's confusing the figure of what the total is, versus what has been done," Conacher said.

[jdobbin]

It's too bad Liberal MP Todd Russell doesn't put his brain in gear before he begins to roar.But that can be expected by the Liberals who are trying so desperately to gain some kind of credibility but never will, with their record of patronage appointments in the past.

I certainly have no truck with Russell. As far as I'm concerned, he should have pointed out that conservatives criticized the appointment of a politician to ambassador back in 1998 and left it at that. The rest of his commentary is overstated or flat wrong.

The Tories have made a political appointment rather than going with a career diplomat. It is the very definition of a patronage appointment. Harper, among many on the Conservative benches, has criticized this in the past.

[geoffrey]

I certainly have no truck with Russell. As far as I'm concerned, he should have pointed out that conservatives criticized the appointment of a politician to ambassador back in 1998 and left it at that. The rest of his commentary is overstated or flat wrong.

The Tories have made a political appointment rather than going with a career diplomat. It is the very definition of a patronage appointment. Harper, among many on the Conservative benches, has criticized this in the past.

Do you really think Binn's is underqualified for the post? He seems to have been quite the political force previously, in both government and bureaucracy.

[jdobbin]

Do you really think Binn's is underqualified for the post? He seems to have been quite the political force previously, in both government and bureaucracy.

He could very well be qualified for the post. However, the Tories were brutal when they went after Liberal patronage appointments. I don't know how this appointment is any different than Ron Irwin's when he was appointed to the same position.

[Michael Bluth]

He could very well be qualified for the post. However, the Tories were brutal when they went after Liberal patronage appointments. I don't know how this appointment is any different than Ron Irwin's when he was appointed to the same position.

Probably because you didn't look.

Irwin had experience as an MP and a stint in Cabinet.

However, Premier's have a lot more experience dealing internationally than your run of the mill MP.

As for "well that's what the Tories did"? Do provide evidence of Conservative 'brutality' over the Irwin appointment...

[jdobbin]

Talking points eh.... But what of accountability and I don't recall Binns being feted by the Public Appointments Commision... oh right, they ignore that silly accountability act when it doesn't serve their purposes.. pesky thing that.

I don't know what international experience he has. Aside from being a friend of the prime minister, he appears to have nothing that would seem to make him the top choice for ambassador to Ireland.

He was premier of Prince Edward Island and I don't recall him having any dealings with foreign matters.

Rob Anders went after Ron Irwin when he was appointed to the same position. Like Binns, Irwin had no foreign experience.

This is a patronage appointment and has been rightly identified as such by the Foreign Service association.

Edited September 1, 2007 by jdobbin

[Michael Bluth]

I don't know what international experience he has. Aside from being a friend of the prime minister, he appears to have nothing that would seem to make him the top choice for ambassador to Ireland.

He was premier of Prince Edward Island and I don't recall him having any dealings with foreign matters.

Rob Anders went after Ron Irwin when he was appointed to the same position. Like Binns, Irwin had no foreign experience.

Premiers gain international experience in their roles that isn't open to backbenchers or most in Cabinet. Team Canada trade missions, trade issues, border issues PEI had a pretty big one in 2003 IIRC.

Ahhh Rob Anders. Anders statements are evidence of Tory 'brutality' over the Irwin appointment? Well at least Binns does have considerably more international experience than did Irwin at the time of his appointment.

This is a patronage appointment and has been rightly identified as such by the Foreign Service association.

Even though the supposed 'brother' they were defending didn't have an issue with the appointment.

Isn't that the group you said this about?

Senior diplomats critical of Binns appointment.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics...617&k=46504

Could this be the first of many coming?

Odd how it appears to be the first of .... one.

it's too bad you aren't responding to the posts of 'certain posters'. You'd actually learn something and post honestly. Oh wait, you aren't here to do that are you?

[jdobbin]

As far as the rest goes, it further highlights the hypocrisy of this government.

It is funny to see the argument that Binns is more qualified than Irwin for the position. According to who? Next, we see some trying to say that the man who was replaced approved of Binns as his appointment. Nope. All he said was that he stepped down for personal reasons, not that he approved of a political appointment. The Foreign Service officers said this:

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics...617&k=46504

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, an Ottawa-based union that represents hundreds of Canadian diplomats, says Binns's appointment to what has traditionally been a non-political office is a serious mis-step for the Harper government.

Ron Cochrane, the group's executive director, says it's acceptable for only two of Canada's foreign heads-of-mission posts to be reserved for political appointees - the ambassador to Washington and the high commissioner to London.

"We can sometimes see a need for people with political experience there," he said Thursday.

While previous prime ministers have commonly appointed friends and allies to ambassadorships in comfortable foreign cities, Harper hasn't until now abused the foreign service in this way, Cochrane said.

"We normally haven't had much to criticize the Tories about in terms of appointments to heads of missions," he said, "but this is one we're very concerned about. Replacing a career diplomat after less than a year, with a political appointee, is overstepping the bounds of patronage appointments.

"We recognize the political reality of these appointments, but we'd like to see them kept to a minimum. There has to be a rationale for them other than patronage."

I have not seen the rationale for this appointment. The government has not made a case that convinces anyone that this isn't a reward to a loyal Tory.

This appointment is no different than Irwin's appointment in that it is a pure patronage appointment.

Edited September 1, 2007 by jdobbin

[Shakeyhands]

Hmmm, nice language. It's been reported.

Morgan was a great candidate. The opposition 'stuck it' to Harper over this one.

There may have been reason to raise some questions about Morgan's candidacy. But to turn down his appointment? That went too far.

The opposition were probably thinking that Harper was going to be a pushover like Martin. He isn't. He was smart enough to see that he was in a no win situation so he didn't bother trying to appease the opposition.

I am not shocked at the way you interpreted this.

Morgan is the former President and CEO of one of Canada's largest oil companies. He has done many great things in business and philanthropy. Alas, he made some comments that haunted him.

You reporting me... rich.

Accountability, where is it? Was he the only person Steve could think to suggest for the job?