Would somebody in BC PLEASE wake up those still working in BC politics and BC media! (I’m retired.)
They should all be screaming like hell … so loudly that Mark Carney and the other self-absorbed Eastern egotists in charge of the federal Liberal Party hear BC’s anger and outrage at how our province was just insulted and demeaned by the Liberals’ Prime-Minister designate.
On Friday, Carney appointed 23 MPs to join him in the “new’ Liberal election-ready Cabinet … but named only ONE Minister from BC … and only TWO from all of Western Canada.
What an insult!
New Brunswick, with its population of 850,000 was handed TWO Cabinet posts … compared to only ONE allocated BC, despite our population of 5,720,000.
Outrageous!!
In fact, Carney also appointed two additional MPs to his Cabinet from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia … giving the Maritimes FOUR Cabinet seats, compared to only the total of TWO for BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
And numbers count in Ottawa!
Cabinet presence brings power! Cabinet membership influences policies! And, Cabinet posts bestow federal spending dollars … millions of them!
Just ask the ELEVEN Ontario MPs who Carney rewarded with Cabinet posts! EIGHT of them in the Greater Toronto Area alone!!!
Or the SIX Quebec MPs named Cabinet Ministers by Carney.
BC got screwed!!
Carney’s Cabinet appointments are a revival of the old Liberal tradition as enunciated in a surprisingly frank admission by Liberal Senator Keith Davey in the 1980 election: “Screw the West; we’ll take the rest.”
It was a remark that insulted every Western Canadian … and, let’s keep it real: if Davey had disparaged Quebec or Ontario like that, he would have disappeared from the Liberals’ back corridors.
But No … Davey remained highly influential inside the Liberal Party and went on to be named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999.
After all, it was just Western Canadians he had demeaned, insulted and suggested didn’t count.
Now a new Liberal Leader has revived the tradition.
So where are BC’s “federal” politicians? I’ll tell you where: they are too cowardly to advocate on behalf of BC or the West … because giving us a fair share would give Central and Eastern Canada a lesser share than they now hold.
Our MPs should be screaming loudly to reflect the outrage of Western Canadians at Carney’s open side-lining of our proper place at the federal Cabinet table.
And where are our media? I’ll tell you where: British Columbians are paying the price for having “political reporters” now too tired/lazy/incompetent to report more than press releases or too largely controlled/managed by corporate bosses back in Toronto, who I’d bet are quite happy with Carney’s decision to over-represent Ontario and Quebec in his Cabinet!
So once again, Western Canadians … and especially British Columbians … are getting screwed!
Carney should not even show his face … or his finger … in Western Canada … to peddle Liberal campaign propaganda that “his” government respects or values Westerners’ role in his government … blah, blah, blah.
And if he dares to show up, hopefully SOMEONE in BC’s “working” media and politicians will wake up … and let Carney know British Columbians expect … no, DEMAND … Cabinet NUMBERS and POWER that our population deserves in return for the BILLIONS and BILLIONS in contributions we pay into federal bank accounts.
Harv Oberfeld
(Follow @harveyoberfeld.ca on “X” for FREE First Alerts of new postings on this BC blog.)
I am going to sneak this in before you move on to another topic tomorrow.
Your topic is the under representation of BC in the current stripped down, most likely temporary cabinet of Mark Carney. And as often happens, we veered to other topics like tariffs and elections issues etc. I will try to balance your topic with another that came up.
Carney’s cabinet has also been criticized because it is not gender equal. It has also been criticized for dropping some cabinet positions that were specific to gender equity and other marginalized groups.
At this point, I am giving Carney the benefit of the doubt. The gender balance in the cabinet is 13 to 11. Could he have dropped one male and added a female. Sure. But the Liberal caucus is made up of 65% males and 35% females. 11/24 cabinet positions is
45% so hardly an imbalance.
But that’s not my main point. DEI has been mentioned. In your comment to DMJ you said that a lot more went into cabinet building than just picking the best people.
Regional factors have to be considered among others. Say what? Not the best people!
One of the things that bothers me about DEI is that it is so misunderstood and the fault lies with its supporters who have not done the greatest job of explaining it. This is how I view DEI. DEI does not mean picking any person, qualified or not, who checks a particular box. DEI is an awareness of the under representation of people from marginalized groups and the value it is to have various people from various backgrounds in a workplace or organization.
Personal example. I taught in a high school in a community that is 35+% First Nations. When I started, way back when, every teacher was white. That is no longer the case. There are several Indigenous teachers. And that benefits not just First Nations students but non First Nations students and the non Indigenous teachers as well.
Did one of those Indigenous teachers get lower university marks than a white teacher that wasn’t hired. Maybe, but so what if the outcome is going to be more positive in the long term.
But but but what about doctors or air traffic controllers etc where life and death are at stake. Of course we pick the most qualified. But if an airport or hospital does not have a reasonable balance of air traffic controllers or doctors that represents the make up of the general population then I wonder if they are trying hard enough.
I am not saying DEI is perfect. The backlash is easy to understand. Some companies have been sued for what I suppose we could call reverse discrimination. One white woman was overlooked for two different promotions in favour of a gay man and a woman of colour who were not more qualified than she was. Those situations are unfortunate, not just for the people involved, but for DEI in general.
DEI is a reasonable policy just horribly explained and misunderstood.
(Response: I personally support DEI … to a point. I’m happy to see greater diversity in the area I am most familiar with: television. But with one proviso: those advantaged by such considerations must also be competent. I’ve seen too many cases where there are people on-air clearly because they tick other boxes than knowledge, journalistic skills, or even honesty/integrity in reporting (pushing instead their own Islamic/Asian/East Indian interests/biases). That’s terrible! Meanwhile, I discovered a perfect example today of how BC is getting screwed by Carney/Liberals beyond just the Cabinet makeup. Read tomorrow’s blog. Maybe that will help you understand how poorly BC is treated. H.o)
That’s good to hear about DEI being brought up and how it is so misunderstood and how that let’s the ignorance flourish which in turn helps bigotry and discrimination grow and wrong ignorant headed thinking against DEI gets all blown out of proportion in relation to thier role in the the workforce. Thank God we aren’t living under the cold blooded bigotry and rascist mongering Trump Administration. We do have too much of it the ignorance and bigotry here also, but Trumps bunch raises the bar exponentially. It really saddens me and hurts my heart to see this so much still in this so called modern era of education progress.
It’s painful to watch the Conservatives stuck in the “Carbon Tax Carney” rut.
Whoever is in charge of the election campaign should be fired.
Carney is popular. He’s different. He will win.
Focus on the LIBERALS and ignore the popular guy.
Remind voters of what the LIBERALS have done to us and the country over the last 10 years.
Crime and no punishment.
Healthcare insanity.
Insane people walking the streets.
Colonialism is your fault.
Undiscovered “mass graves”.
Burning churches.
Billion and billions and billions of taxpayer dollars wasted.
We Charity.
SNC Lavalin.
Attorney General fired.
$1.2 TRILLION in debt.
Carbon Tax rescinded.
DEI, Woke, gender fluid policies.
Military procurement and cancellations.
NOTHING will change.
Forget Carney, focus on their horrible record.
(Response: I’ve reminded readers many times that voters have short memories … especially as the “new” election promises begin to flow and sparkle. Now there’s even a new leader who’s sparkling as well … but the question is: for how long? H.o)
Just a note: The mass graves as mentioned were not and I fact they were forgotten graves at residential schools. The media sensationalized this to gain more advertising revenue.
The Liberals had nothing to do with burning churches.
The courts met out sentencing for crime not the government, the issues is with judges.
What healthcare insanity. The problem has more to do with people expecting far more what our healthcare really does.
The Carbon tax, as perfected by Gordon Campbell was a stealth tax to replace tax giveaways for the wealthy in BC. The Carbon Tax has become a placebo, for government which does nothing to mitigate global warming/Climate Change, pretending it is.
The trouble with military procurement is that what is high tech today is old/dated tech tomorrow, as we see in the Ukraine conflict. Added to this, supply chains are in jeopardy as alliances are shifting.
As for the rest, yes but for much of the rest the Conservatives under Harper were just as guilty, especially where it concerns SNC Lavalin!
But again, Trump has turned this upside down and do we really want a Trumpian acolyte, the “Wee P” and the conservatives running the show?
That will be the only debate in Canada, Trump and his planned annexation of Canada!
The Liberal PM ordered Canadian flags at “half mast” for a ridiculous amount of time.
Govt appeasement policies whipped the anarchists into a frenzy
Burnt Churches, vandalized churches, and was there ANY investigations of reserves for arson?
Nope.
Judges are appointed, not elected, and dare I suggest Liberal judicial candidates were pushed to the front of the line for at least a decade?
Our Courts, our prisons, our sentencing… are a joke,
Military Procurement and Liberal govts has been an international joke for decades. Helicopters, planes, ships, subs, on and on and on.
It amazes me that so many people are willing to forget and forgive the SAME people in power ….because , they have a new leader.
What an absolute farce of a Party.
Mark Carney isn’t very honest. He needs the cooperation of parliament to eliminate the carbon tax. He set the rate to zero, so who can say he doesn’t want to adjust it again in the future? He did that for the consumer carbon tax, but not for the industrial carbon tax. He has no authority to eliminate the carbon tax on his own.
Mark Carney cares little about western Ca ada. Though he wasn’t born in Toronto, he knows where the votes are. Many of the country’s elites are behind him.
Canadians were told the carbon tax was very important for saving the planet, but maybe winning power is more important. Since saving the planet is so important, maybe Canada shouldn’t export coal to China. The former prime minister called Canada the world’s first post-national state. I doubt Mark Carney will dare to say the same.
This question is for the liberal/NDP supporters here. How can you possibly trust a party that spent years destroying Canada with their ideology and then does a complete 180 come election time re the carbon tax? Don’t you find that astounding? Don’t you think there is something wrong, especially when the people running the party are still Butts and Telford.
All Carney has shown is that he simply understands how easy it is to fool Canadians like EAF here for sure. And the sick thing is watching how it works on the blind Liberal sheep who follow along aimlessly with the program instead of actually thinking for themselves! I am simply disgusted with how fickle and stupid the Canadian populace is. We need a government that looks after Canadian first and not everybody else on the planet. We need a government that’s not committed to giving billions away to Palestinians while our military and seniors go hungry. We need a government that is not scandal ridden or have we forgotten all the Liberal stuff that went on the past ten years or so?
Carney is Trudeau without the nice hair and socks. He is a known associate of Jeffrey Epstein’s girl friend, he has lied repeatedly in front of the camera to Canadians, he is a very wealthy man who doesn’t give a damn about the ordinary Canadian. He has not come clean about his investments. He doesn’t care about the West whatsoever and we will all suffer consequently. I can’t get the obsession with the NDP in BC when it is not warranted. What has sell out Singh done for you EAF? Carney is well schooled in conning the public. Sad to see how many fools have fallen for his rhetoric.
(Response: I still believe the trade issues with the US will be worked out within weeks or, at worst, three or four months. However, whoever becomes PM/government will be in power for years …so the election should be about more than Trump/tariffs. I’ll blog about that on Monday. H.o)
Marge, your rant reads like a Poilievre attack ad. At no point do you offer a reason to vote Conservative beyond the other side is really bad. I have voted Harper, Trudeau, and Singh at one time or another. I’m not boxed in an ideology. Carney is experienced and qualified to manage an economic crisis. We need to be convinced Poilievre could do the same. I’m not convinced.
If the trade issues are worked out as suggested by Harv, and I think he is right, what will the cost to our sovereignty be. What are we willing to negotiate away. Is it further integration of our economies, like the EU with a common currency, mutual citizenship, free flow of people and combined immigration system.
We have to remember not so long ago the business community was calling for common currency. It should be an election issue, what are we will to trade away for trade peace.
(Response: That’s one issue the voters will have to decide in this election: which leader/government will get the best deal with Trump/US? But there should e other issues considered as well. Check out tomorrow’s blog. H.o)
And the “Wee P’s” Trumpian philosophy is good for Canada? Trump is destroying Canada and just look how the BC conservatives are devouring themselves after the election.
The last Person to be PM would be the “Wee P” and the Conservatives at this point in time because they are not trustworthy.
The federal Liberals are scrambling for warm bodies to run in this Federal election.
they have to fill about 45% of their ridings….
Gregor Robertson and Christy Clark picked as Lib contenders in BC…?
Painful.
(Response: Canada needs new people in power, with new ideas and solutions … to repair the damage done by the old ones we sent packing. H.o)
Quote: “Gregor Robertson and Christy Clark picked as Lib contenders in BC…?”
Good god, does Carney want to snatch defeat from the jaws of Victory having these two run for the Liberals? Bad smells follow both of these people and Clark is not a Liberal as the BC Liberals were Liberal in name only, in reality they were very conservative, with policies predating Trump, such as “pay to play”.
The pair of them would be a poison pill for Carney!
(Response: Christy Clark, no; but Gregor Robertson, I think could succeed in the right riding, depending on who makes up the competition. H.o)
Christy and her close at hand ex, are both capital L liberals. The BC Liberal party was a coalition party of center & right leaning voters which flourished thanks to the NDP of the 90’s.
You are correct on one account, both Christy & Gregor are millstones who have alienated many voters.
Behind the mask
KINSELLA: No more Mr. Nice Guy, Carney reveals his true personality | Toronto Sun
Besides having the same old Trudeaus recycled loyalists ready to continue the destruction of all things good and decent as has been discussed by way of your high standard of investigative style of journalism, there’s this need for everyone who are deeply concerned to to read what Trudeau and unelected disrespectful UBC professor Paul Kershaw CEO of Generation Squeeze have said about what the plan should be for hardworking contributing people and seniors regarding their home ownership and the complete disgusting disrespectful attitude towards them by suggesting and wanting to take huge gobs of taxes from them to hand out to what. To their entitled part of society they think should get handouts. Paul Kershaw has stated in the Globe and Mail, “Our kids have rigged the system against them”. Seriously… Who and how many says that. No younger people in our family and friends kids are saying that. All about such lying and ginning things up like its most saying that. This guy is causing division where none is to push his artistic garbage against seniors and hard working people who have gotten where they are through hard work. It’s not their fault their houses gained value. Many older people are actually helping their kids with money especially by downsizing and giving some profit to their kids to help them and help themselves for retirement funding.
Trudeau has stated in the National Post with Michael Higgins this. Canadians who “scrimped and saved” to own homes don’t understand the hardships of a younger generation who can’t get a foot hold on the housing ladder. I almost did a full flip when I heard that shameful disrespectful divisive causing garbage they want to gin up to get things up and cause divisions between younger and older people and trying to turn kids against their parent. People should outraged at this and those two.
Sorry I had problems putting the sites up for people to see. Guess I’m not very computer savvy. I’m older retired if that’s a good excuse. Just check out The National Post and Globe and Mail and other places I may not have checked. National Post; Michael Higgins: Does Trudeau plan to put squeeze on older homeowners
The Globe and Mail; Our kids think we’re rigging the system against them
I believe these unsettling and outrageous and thoroughly disgusting things will be pushed again if Carney gets in among other other bad things Canadians will end up wearing.
(Response: I get the impression the latest polls simply reflect the belief by many voters that Carney has a better look, a better business background and would be a better match for Trump in the current tariff war. However, there’s much more that should be considered. Read my blog next Monday. 🙂 H.o)
Yes lots to consider. It sounds like he just threw women under the bus, just when their trying to stay out from under the bus. Apparently he scrapped WAGE. Women and Gender Eqaulity Canada that has been doing frontline services especially on the fight against violence against women. Steven Guilbeualt is now to handle this like a little corner problem now. When I heard this and that name Guilbeault, I couldn’t believe it. Now that is a really bad. I’m afraid it’s just money with him and not people. Once again women are being treated like garbage. I’m sick of this continously never ending inequality. To many men always getting the main leadership jobs. Some never get it. Carney must have grown up in that one sided bubble and was never able to shed that immaturity. Now it shows. Big time. And I really don’t think he’s ready to fight on the big world stage given the bad actors out there. In other words. No spine when things start going south. Kicking women to the curb though speaks volumes about this guy. It actually says it all.
Inherent women and gender equality bashing seems to be in full systemic play in Canada. I’m appalled.
DEI job placements.
Didn’t Earn It.
Do you want the best pilot, doctor, fireman in charge of your life…or a person who filled a Human Resources hiring slot in a gender equality chart?
Has nothing to do with it. Sounds just a little to Trumpy to me.
No. Just the painful reality of having 50% gender equality…in all jobs….whether a person is capable or not.
Didn’t Earn It.
Well that sure us blown out of proportion. Talk about raw bigotry and predjudice. On extreme right wing Trump conspiracy medication are we. You should take the ones that cure it. But sadly it sounds to late.
Sorry correction. Paul Kershaw of Generation Squeeze in the Globe and Mail says Our kids think we have rigged the system against them. That’s better. Much apologies.
Apparently the writ will drop on Saturday.
The most incredulous group of political handmaidens (Jagmeet’s gang) will be obliterated, such only proves what I’ve always known about lesser lights trying to brighten a minority govt. NDP MPs will soon mirror the number of eggs in a standard carton at the food store.
I rather doubt the choices Carney made for his fleeting cabinet1.0 matter at all as they’ll achieve bupkis before the election. What should really alarm folks is Butts & Telford still running the backroom of the LPC. The same hacks which ran Trudeau’s gang are still operating and after the past 10 years of scandals should be sent packing if Carney is really new, different or actually offers any fresh takes on the plethora of issues festering today. I’m sure we’ll all get acquainted with Mr.Carney soon, the sizeable Conservative election war chest will be searching for wedge issues. A few past British PMs will approach the media podium with some true takes on Mr.Carney’s past record.
Let the games, promises, taxpayer funded honey dipped soothers begin, it’s BS season for awhile again!
(Response: I doubt Carney, if he becomes PM, would immediately drop any of those he just named to his Cabinet. What he might do, if he gets a majority government (and if Westerners finally stand up for themselves and make their anger known during the campaign) is EXPAND the cabinet and add a a couple more from Ontario, Quebec and, yes, from the West. H.o.)
Had a look at the list of Liberal M.P.s for B.C. and really there are only about 3 or 4 who I can recall saying anything of note. Sajjan isn’t in the new cabinet, but was, most likely was dropped because of past events. If the other Liberal M.P.s are just warming seats I wouldn’t want them in cabinet either. If the other cabinet members are going to a better job, then I’m fine with fewer B.C. cabinet ministers. Perhaps Leblanc recommended the other M.P.s from the Maritimes . Given where he has always stood when they are doing a photo op with Trudeau it is clear to me, he has some weight in Cabinet, more than any one else. Expect that to continue with Carney.
Having a small Cabinet looks better, not wasting money.
voting Conservative for some in B.C. is never going happen. Recalled some who stopped being Conservatives and went to the Liberals. They weren’t keen on the conservatives position on gay/lesbian rights, etc.
Currently B.C. has an NDP government and Carney most likely knows a lot of them won’t ever vote Conservative and may well hold their noses and vote Liberal if they think it would help. as I recall when Trudeau/Liberals were elected many decided any one but harper. I’d vote Rhino.
PP talks tough on his latest commercial. With his speech pattern and the music you’d think the messiah was coming. The Conservatives are not going to do anything for this country. I’m not forgetting PP was part of Harper;s reign and the first thing they did was defund Women’s groups. Then they moved on to passing 9 pieces of Leg. they were advised contravened the Constitution, then all 9 were over turned by the Supreme Court of Canada because they violated the Constitution.
Many are outraged that Trump is talking about revoking citizenship of those who were not born in the U.S.A. if they offend his “ideals”. Do recall Harper and his floated the same idea. Two classes of citizens, not a good thing. PP is a nasty piece of business. He doesn’t have the experience. Doesn’t have the required international experience, would not be able to deal with Trump and gang, when he has to deal with Europe, he is simply going to be out of his league.
(Response: If being bright lights or having exceptional abilities were really a prerequisite for Cabinet, it would likely be even smaller than it is now! Cabinet posts are supposed to reflect regional political votes/interests and are important when it comes to establishing policies and, frankly, dividing up the financial spoils. Absolutely no doubt under the current Carney Cabinet, BC and the West in general will have only minor voice in formulating policies/programs and establishing priorities and be shortchanged … literally, to the point of hundreds of millions of dollars, …in annual federal spending. Boggles my mind that some here are ok with that! H.o)
I tend to agree with Ijust don’tknowanymore. Poilievre sort of scares me but at least he’s from western Canada, not that this is a great way to choose a prime minister.
My spidey senses tell me there is more to Carney than meets the eye, and not in a good way. He certainly is hesitant to declare his finances. Why not come clean and be done with it instead of steadfastly “following the rules”. This reminds me of how our previous prime minister got away with such ethically questionable gaffes and scandals as beautifully outlined by Nonconfidencevote. Plus, as you stated Harvey many of his cabinet appointees were also in Trudeau’s cabinet. Just more of the same.
Time to call an election and get Canada back on track. The sooner the better.
(Response: The word out there is that Carney WILL call an election for either April 28 or May 3. Hope so! H.o)
Not blowing smoke or trying to spin. Just trying to help.
This is what you said to DMJ when he complained that he couldn’t find a list of Liberal MPs from BC.
“I’m supposedly retired, but what I had to do was old-fashioned journalism: I wrote down EVERY Cabinet Minister’s name and then researched their riding/province”
I will apologize for the CBC article as it was less than what I thought. It did include the ridings of the old and new cabinet members but not the ministers who were in Trudeau’s cabinet. I will try to do better. Like now. Here is a list of the cabinet and the ridings they represent. It could have saved you all that time doing the research you did.
https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/ministries
And for DMJ, here is a list of the BC Liberal MPs. I hope it shows the BC page but if not the filter at the top left will help you get to the BC page.
https://liberal.ca/your-liberal-mps/
I know this stuff is a bit late. And I know it can be frustrating searching for something. But it took me no time at all to find those two sites.
Now here is a thought. DMJ said
“The West gets screwed because we elect Liberal “dolts” and we elect Liberal “dolts” because we are not interested in politics.”
Maybe that’s the reason Carney only selected John Wilkinson. The other 13 are dolts. I am joking of course but maybe with a stripped down, short term cabinet, Carney picked the best people instead of trying to follow some equity rules. Any of those 14 Liberals jump out at you?
Here is something else to consider. You have been very critical of the press. Here is the CBC again with an article about Carney’s cabinet and the lack of a member from PEI.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-no-mps-in-cabinet-1.7483796
Looks like the Maritime bureau is doing its job. If you read the article you will note that the Conservatives nominated in the next election issued a joint press release
which said in part “Mark Carney’s newly unveiled Liberal cabinet has made one thing clear: he doesn’t care about P.E.I.” If the Conservatives or the NDP in BC are as outraged as you are or the Conservatives in PEI seem to be, where are their voices. (By the way, I think the PEI Conservatives are just politicking. They don’t actually believe that Carney doesn’t care but they will do whatever it takes to sow doubt.)
And as we get closer to an election call. How do you feel about Carney and his transparency of all his assets and blind trusts etc. The press seem to be pushing at him. Is this an election issue? Or just more distraction. And how about Poilievre and the Conservative decision to not have the press travel on campaign buses and planes.
Or how about this? Trump says he doesn’t like Poilievre because he isn’t a MAGA guy and that he would much rather negotiate with a Liberal. In a three dimensional chess kind of way, it sounds like Trump is actually endorsing Poilievre. or is just riffing off the top of his empty head.
Finally, while I don’t share your optimism that Trump/tariffs will be over in a matter of weeks or months, I do agree with you when you said “there are other critical issues that have a much longer history and bear larger consequences for Canada’s future.”
It will be interesting to see if any of the leaders actually get around to clarifying those issues and what they plan to do.
(Response: I’m suspicious of anything Trump says …so perhaps he believes his criticism of Poilievre will lead more Canadians to vote for him … and Trump really believes Poilievre would be easier to manipulate than Carney? Meanwhile, Carney has other problems, not just his screw-the-West Cabinet, and I’ll outline them next week.As for Carney’s holdings, I feel the public has a right to know what they are, to see if there are any really radical or sleazy investments, but if there are not and they are placed in a blind trust, I don’t get excited about the issue.
Note to readers: Some may notice, depending on Browser (?) ,the site was hacked ..and replaced with Russian crud. My tech savvy friend and server company are working on the issue. I suspect someone didn’t like my blog(s) on Trump/Putin/Ukraine. 🙂 Slava Ukraine!!) H.o)
In reply, if the Liberals are so enamored with their elected MP’s from BC, why not post members by province.
Here is the deal, except for our MP, I don’t know the name of any other Liberal MP in BC, as it is all quiet on the BC front. for politicians, this is a death sentence.
I have the firm belief that cabinet is made up of the best candidates and not made up from just any MP from a province. Again I stress, it is up to us to ensure the proper candidatures run and not politcal creatures who stacked a meeting or two to be elected to get on the politcal gravy train.
I am related (by marriage) to a former BC Liberal cabinet ministers under the Trudeau the Elder’s politcal regime and may have a bit more shape on the party than most.
Politicians must be seen to be doing something or the locals get antsy. The Americans have “Town Halls” on a regular basis and as we see, the locals are extremely antsy with the Republican members folding like a cheap deck chair in favour of Trump.
Canada, our MP’s hide from the public and only appear for well orchestrated media events or other positive news that will equate into positive photo-ops and the all important 10 second sound byte!
The recent $1.5 billion give away to TransLink, which is good news for those Liberal Candidates running in metro Vancouver, but not so good news for the taxpayer.
The big problem with this election is that it will be pivotal in Canadian History, with a bellicose Trump wanting to annex Canada and it has compelled me to vote Liberal as Carney is pushing the right buttons for me at this point in time.
I was going to hold my nose and vote Conservative, until that is the “Wee P” took a month to come up with a sane reply to Trumps’s nonsense and damn, the Conservatives are still running “Axe the tax” politcal adverts, when that train left the station weeks ago.
The utterly childish attack add “Sneaky Carney” tells me that the Conservatives are turning a blind eye to Trumps excesses and instead think that “flag Wrapping” politcal ads by a a chap who has an uncanny doppelganger with American Republican House Leader Mike Johnston (is that why the “Wee P” is now wearing contacts?) will win the day?
Sorry, my X is going on the Liberal candidate in the next election, with one exception, if Robertson or Clark run in Delta South, and if those names appear on the ballot, I am taking a long walk off a short pier!
(Response: With your degree of political interest, I was surprised you wrote “cabinet is made up of the best candidates and not made up from just any MP from a province”. Surely, you jest. Yes, any PM tries to get good people in Cabinet, but only “the best”? Nah! All kinds of other factors are also involved: regional and even urban representation (except for the West); language, race, religion, sex, political promises etc. etc. That’s why we so often end up with Cabinet members who prove themselves so incompetent …and embarrassing. H.o)
You are correct, what in theory should happen, does not happen in cabinet.
The problem with government in Canada today is that the leader tries to be all things to all people and thus appoints to cabinet what is politically acceptable by the public and to a lesser extent, the media. Optics rule the day.
Most people running for politics today haven’t a clue about the average person and most don’t care. That’s why I like independent candidates, they actually listen to you!
Back in the say, the previous mentioned relative held an annual event at his expense for his constituents (I worked there awarding silver dollar prizes) and was largely attended, it was a “meet and greet” affair and it was successful. Today politcans only show themselves at well choreographed events, paid for by the government (Canada Day is a good example) and most ignore the public and disappear fast after the cake cutting or similiar event.
I take your point Harvey but I’m not getting bent out of shape on this one.
This is a cabinet that won’t be in the house, has an unelected prime minister without a seat with election coming in 8 weeks tops, as well as having to deal with the gong show below us. The libs. have to win Ontario and Quebec and if this is the formula on such short timelines then so be it.
However, I will be P. Od. if the libs. win with seats in B.C. and there is no substantial representation for us, and the west if they can get a seat in Alta. and Sask.
(Response: It’s precisely because people here (especially the media) don’t get “bent out of shape” that BC and the West keep getting less than our fair share in Ottawa: appointments bring influence, power and big bucks! Remember, the squeaking wheel gets the grease. Kudos to the media in Quebec and Ontario who vigorously defend their provinces’ interests!! Sad that most of thy media here don’t get that …so BC keeps getting the short end of federal power. H.o)
Well I guess I got fed up faster than I thought. This is the last draw and straw for choosing who to vote for as Prime Minister. It’s set in stone for Polliviere now. I thought it would be a more exciting race with the old back and forth politics but it’s a Rollercoaster ride now and I’ve had enough. The rollercoaster stays down at the bottom for me now. No more being taken for a ride. No more I say, No more. Carney just made my mind up with that huge screw he turned into our back.
I just want to see change, and pray it’s for the better. Staying this stale old course, especially when politicians like Carney think some of Canada isn’t important doesn’t jibe with me anymore. No team Canada there. What an egotistical elitist hypocrite. Hopefully Carney’s Carnival has a short stay in town. So, I’m thanking Carney for at least showing his colors early so I don’t have to hurt my brain on deciding who to choose. He did it for me. I just have show up and mark the ballot. Easy peasy now.
(Response: Another concern is that so many of Carney’s Cabinet appointees are recycled Trudeau Cabinet faithful. Read my blog next week. H.o) 🙂
According to Canada 338 the Western provinces are the only ones still blue. And there’s no hope of flipping any except Manitoba. The man is a banker. He knows how to invest to win.
https://338canada.com/
(Response: Exactly! The rule … screw the West, we’ll take the rest …has a proven track record. And it will remain tis way until Western Canadian politicians, political activists and especially the media get as mad as I do when I see the Eastern politicians carry out the policy …and start raising hell about it. H.o)
Thanks Stu. I’m still kicking. I couldn’t comment on the Harvey’s Trump posts because I was too outraged with Trump to be coherent. lol
Harvey and DMJ, here is an article from the CBC detailing all the people who are in the cabinet and those who are not.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/who-is-in-mark-carney-cabinet-1.7484013
If I am counting correctly BC had three cabinet ministers under Trudeau. These two were dropped. Harjit Sajjan who has already announced that he won’t be running again and Terry Beech who joined the cabinet in 2023 as minister of citizen services whatever that means. John Wilkinson remains.
And here’s a Global report pointing out that Alberta has zero cabinet members despite having a whopping two to chose from. Both have been involved with scandals so what’s Carney to do? Saskatchewan has zero Liberal MPs. And the article points out the possible reasons for Carney’s choices.
https://globalnews.ca/news/11083146/no-alberta-representation-in-prime-minister-mark-carneys-new-cabinet/
Stories are there. I had already read them and it didn’t take any time to find them just now.
Harvey, this has always been a pet peeve with you. And I am not saying it isn’t important. But as Stu pointed out people just bounce from one outrage to the next. Ukraine. Gaza. The tariff war. The coming election. My minor hip injury from pickleball. The number of ministers from BC in a stripped down cabinet that will be different in a couple of months just doesn’t register with me.
And speaking of the election. Did anybody notice the ads on the hockey game the other night. I was never sure which party was paying for the ad because Trump was all over both as the Conservatives and Liberals were painting the other of being Trump’s guy. So much for Team Canada.
(Response: I’m “not sure” if you’re deliberately trying to blow smoke or spin, but everyone should read the CBC article you cite: Yes, it names the new Cabinet, and quotes Carney in totally unquestioning CBC pro-Liberal/NDP press release style … but NO, it does not delineate at all how the West was reduced to far less fair representation than our population numbers or regional status warrant! Nothing! Zilch! The Global report …out of Alberta …was right on, but that is just not enough. The whole Western media should be screaming outrage … like the Quebec/Ontario media would justifiably be doing if they were so badly treated by any federal government! H.o)
Hi Harvey, one of the things that bothers me in this so-called Tariff War, is why we keep the 100% tariff on Chinese EVs, which, of course protects our auto industry in Ontario, but leaves the West’s struggling farm sector to pay the price. It is obvious the Liberals could care less about anything that cripples the West, as long as the Upper and Lower Canada voters and businesses are protected. I also note that none the MSM even mention how tough it is for farmers, or wonder why Team Canada stops at the Ontario-Manitoba border. It’s not because of Premiers Smith or Moe, it is because of neglect, and I am sure that Carney will only be too happy to continue this tradition. Hell, we don’t even know if he cares about Canada!
(Response: The 100% tariff on Chinese EVs was introduced in conjunction with the US to limit China’s cheap labour and subsidized production costs and protect the “North American” auto industry/jobs. However, if Trump/US proceed with ending Canada’s portion of auto production, I think you’ll see that tariff on Chinese vehicles reduced and maybe even eliminated. But I’m getting the impression there are things happening behind the scenes and the dispute with Canada will soon be over … by April 2! H.o)
I think this (Chinese EV tax) was more of cozying to US. Now there is no point for it.
(Response: Well, we don’t want to make Trump even more mad at us!! LOL! But if our trade dispute is not solved within a few weeks, I too would like to see it removed. H.o)
It’s a sad state of affairs when western Canada is completely ignored especially with the size of BC’s population. Do Global and CTV Vancouver even have any political reporters on staff these days?
Both local news outlets never delve into politics or ask serious questions like you used to, Harvey. All they do is read the news, period. Is it because they have budget constraints to pay serious journalists or are they just afraid of losing ratings because they asked a politician a hard question or wanted to discuss a controversial subject that people are concerned about?
I’m wondering if people today are more apathetic. Too much bad news these days? Everyone has their own personal problems and challenges in life today to worry about.
I’ve noticed that eight to ten minutes of the final news casts are always filled with a “fluff story” of some kind along with commercials. That’s more than 15% of an hour broadcast and almost 30% of the half hour of news. That’s not why I look at the news but maybe that’s just me. (I do realise there has to be commercials, however…)
Maybe people just don’t care nowadays or they are just too busy looking at their phones or taking photos of themselves and their friends.
Sometimes I wish I was more like that. Ignorance is bliss I guess.
(Response: History has shown TV stations don’t ” lose ratings because they asked a politician a hard question or wanted to discuss a controversial subject that people are concerned about”. That’s when BCTV’s ratings were highest! They have lost hundreds of thousands of viewers over the past decade, despite BC’s huge population growth …and although available of alternative sources is partly to blame, I attribute a lot of the damage to tired old reporting, loss of “edge’, hiring for youth/ethnicity instead of seasoned old experienced journalists and just bad management. Very sad … and we now see quite often that politicians are every level are aware of most of the current media’s loss of aggressiveness and take advantage of it. H.o.)
Correct me if I am wrong. Word I heard from “experts” on tv programs that Sing would not support the Conservatives until he had assurance of his pension. So be it. Then when he can do it, the House is not sitting This is where I think the Liberals planned what is happening now. House not sitting, Trudeau announces his resignation of the leader of the Liberals and as Prime Minister. This gets all kinds of “ink”. That means a Liberal leadership race. More publicity. Then the four that are running gets lots of coverage on what they stand for. Then the leadership convention on CTV sand CBC. Much more publicity. This has to be planned by the Liberals in the “back rooms”. The winner is announced. More publicity with the swearing in ceremony. Meanwhile with all the publicity people note that there is no more fight with Trudeau., Take a survey and it would seem the polls reflect that the people are not worried about Trudeau anymore. Liberal fortunes start to rise. They could take a chance on this guy they know nothing about. My guess … Liberals back in with a minority… damn it.
(Response: I really doubt Singh would ever admit “he would not support the Conservatives until he had assurance of his pension”. However, I’m sure the Liberals took the issue into consideration, among lots of other things, in plotting the turnover to a new leader. All parties would do that … and Trump also made a big difference, I’m sure. In my blog next week, I plan to remind voters of what they should really think about despite all the hype being directed our way. H.o)
Upon reading your post, I tried to google “Liberal BC MPs” and got nowhere, except for a list of all MP’s, etc.
Except for our retiring MP, Carla Qualtrough , I haven’t a clue who the others are.
As the Carney government will go to the polls sooner than later (May?), what government he forms will have little effect on things.
The West gets screwed because we elect Liberal “dolts” and we elect Liberal “dolts” because we are not interested in politics. What few good MP’s like Jody Wilson-Raybould were tossed by Trudeau because she had ethical standards and he did not.
Carney has about 60 days to lay a foundation for a mandate and by choosing, what he thinks, are suitable candidates, is more of a reflection who the Liberals allow to run in BC and sadly most, were 2nd rate at best.
This election is unlike any other, as it is about the survival of Canada and if our BC MP’s are not up to the task to defend the country, so be it as it is up to us to ensure quality candidates.
The question of BC voters are being screwed, well yes we are because we allowed ourselves to be screwed.
The Canadian media? Still sipping wine and eating canapes with the politcal parties and generally report nothing. Like their American cousins, Canadian journalists basically are only allowed to write what they are told to write.
In North America, the mainstream media has gone from being the “Fourth Estate” to fish wrap. The electronic media has been reduced to a “dollar a holler” Fox News North.
(Response; You raise an interesting point. When i heard about the new Cabinet, I did several searches for detailed content to see how BC did in relation to other provinces. It was impossible! I did find stories on how Toronto did, or Quebec or how many women etc …but not much detail showing how BC (and the West) were denied our fair share, basically screwed by Carney. I’m supposedly retired, but what I had to do was old-fashioned journalism: I wrote down EVERY Cabinet Minister’s name and then researched their riding/province …to get the details I delivered to my readers …and the “working’ media. Ridiculous that I had to do that manually … sad testimony to the state of journalism in Canada, and especially BC. H.o.)
Well, I am relieved to see Not Sure resurface. When one becomes used to or even expectant of a presence, when it disappears for an extended period, it is grounds for concern.
How dare anyone on here takie personal time or go on sabbatical. Welcome back NS.
I understand Harvey’s rant, it’s a habitual one. The western representation issue has been an unchanged hot topic since 1870-2005 when the western provinces joined confederation.
But I agree with Not Sure about wasting powder on it, at right now. Indeed, Trump is probably happy to see the diversion.
We cannot let up on the US. It doesn’t take the public long to get used to something and move on. There was global outrage when Putin invaded the Ukraine. Six months into it people moved on and here we are three years later, with few people paying any attention.
Right now, we need to pressure our leaders, whoever they may be, to keep us safe from the US. I’m more interested in Carney’s plan for than I am about a cabinet or senate seat.
(Response: I’m sure the Liberals and their supporters, including many NDPers, would love to see the coming election fought on the basis of trade/Trump. However I still believe those issues will be solved within weeks or a few months … but there are other critical issues that have a much longer history and bear larger consequences for Canada’s future. H.o)
Pierre Poilievre will be much better for western Canada. Mark Carney is focussed on Ontario and Quebec, but with his funny French, I’m not so sure he’ll do well in Quebec. He needs to explain what his principles are since he was so happy to kill the carbon tax. I don’t trust him.
(Response: Carney needs to explain his complete “dissing” of BC and all the Western provinces with his Cabinet appointments. But that will only happen if the BC media wakes up and starts to speak for ordinary citizens … not just governments. h.o)
I know this bugs you Harvey and you have made the point against the Conservatives as well. I believe you were upset at O’Toole’s shadow cabinet way back when. But in this case, I really don’t care. .
BC has 14 Liberal MPs of the 153 Liberals in Parliament. That’s less than 10%. A cabinet of 23 means we should get at most 2. The fact that we only got one … Sorry not worth the outrage I would have to steal from my outrage at Trump and his trade war.
Besides, this is the most temporary of cabinets. The election might be called shortly and Carney may end up having the shortest tenure as PM in Canadian history. Charles Tupper was PM for only 68 days.
Until Carney or Poilievre announce their cabinet after the next election, I am not too worried about the make up of this one. Trump and his lunacy is the main focus.
(Response; Your lack of outrage, if typical among British Columbians, is exactly why BC keeps getting screwed. Your excuse, that with only 14 Liberal MPs, less than 10% of total 153 Liberals in the Commons, BC only deserves 2 cabinet seats at most. Well, using your logic, with only 6 Liberal MPs, New Brunswick deserves only 3.9% of Cabinet seats … ie less than one! Yet Carney rewarded that province with two!! British Columbians must stop making excuses for and defending those in Ottawa who give us les than our FAIR share of everything!!! And that includes the stature, influence, power and spending abilities that goes with FAIR representation in Cabinet. H.o)
Don’t count on Carney’s cabinet being all that temporary, I highly suspect that Carney wants to be sitting in at the G7 summit in Kananaskis in mid June, especially now that Carney just personally invited Zelenskyy to the summit.
(Response: If Carney wins …and current polls look like he just might … the lack of presence of BC and other Western provinces at the Cabinet level will cost us dearly … in forming policy …and getting federal spending. Surely no one here is naive enough to suggest a Toronto or Quebec City Cabinet member is going to argue for any new government facility (worth billions)_ should be spent in Winnipeg or Nanaimo!! H.o)
God bless our compliant, advertisement revenue driven…main stream media.
They deserve the drubbing in readers/ viewers.
The Liberals…..different leader, same people behind the scenes.
338.com
The East Coast polls have swung wildly from Con back to Libs.
So I’m not surprised Carney is trying to “lock in” those gains with Cabinet appointments.
He’s anything but stupid.
It also didnt help that one Liberal MP in North Burnaby pledged his allegiance to …Freeland….?
What amazes me is :
A) How quickly the Canadian population is willing to forgive and forget 10 YEARS of Liberal hypocrisy.
B) The Conservatives ads and voice haven’t changed. “Carbon Tax Carney” is yesterdays message and the Cons better pivot fast to a new message or they are done.
Forget the Carbon Tax. Its done. Yesterdays news.
Hammer home ALL the scandals and garbage the Liberals have done in the last 10 years.
A National debt over $1 TRILLION dollars.
A debt plunged deeper in 10 years than all other Canadian govts before them…combined.
Crime, lack of punishment, Covid decision paralysis, Truckers Protest, seizing bank accounts, Free speech hobnailed, Health care (6 million Canadians without a doctor), fentanyl deaths, taxes, unaffordable housing, homelessness, inflation, CERB fraud, WE Charity, SNC Lavalin, Jody Wilson Raybould, Butts, Freeland, on and on and on.
And the Conservatives keep spewing “Carbon Tax Carney”.
Painful.
I can be sure of one thing.
The money earned from the now defunct “Carbon Tax” will be recouped in another tax….after the election.
The Carbon Tax had absolutely nothing to do with Global Warming/Climate change, rather it was a “Stealth Tax” where the income went into general revenue. Perfected by Gordon Campbell to offset the generous tax reductions for the wealthy in BC. The bonus was he could bribe voters with rebates.
The Carbon Tax was merely a placebo for government to pretend it was doing something about Global Warming/Climate Change, when they were not.
What should have been done has not been done and the Carbon Tax federally was nothing more than a slush fund for Trudeau’s fiscal extravagances.
As a general revenue tax it must be off sett by new taxes or issue of updated “Victory bonds” because, when all is said and done, we are at war with the USA, with Trump’s bellicose statements making Canada the 51st state!
Mr. Non………. I will try to reply to you about your post and yes, the Conservatives still bang on and on about the Carbon Tax, which is no longer an issue.
With the Parliamentary government we have, a change of Prime Minister, means a change of government philosophy.
Trudeau was desperately trying to be anything other than a historical footnote and squandered hundreds of billions of dollars trying to remake Canada into his own image, with his utterly daft “Post National Country” shtick.
It did not resonate with Canadians and the Liberals under Trudeau were tanking big time, with some pundits musing that the party could be wiped out in the next federal election.
The election of Donald Trump and the resignation of Trudeau, combined with a growing comfortableness of the Conservatives, many with close ties to MAGA; the evangelical right; the anti science/anti vax crowd and the Canada is broken, were beginning to worry a lot of voters.
Trumps attack on Canada and an almost declaration of war (making Canada the 51st State is a declaration of war) coupled with Trudeau’s statesman’s like defense of Canada has turned the tide for the Liberals Party.
Many Canadians were voting against Trudeau and jumped on the Conservative bandwagon and now they are jumping off in droves.
In BC, we now see Rustad’s Conservative party implode, with all sorts of issues and many are now asking the same questions about the federal Conservatives, receiving lukewarm answers that do not amount to much.
This election is about Trump and Trump’s actions towards Canada and the Conservatives have been more than weak, with the Maple MAGA faction still running the show. In Canada “flag wrappers” are seen as gouche and opportunistic, not to be trusted, a message that has not reached the Conservatives.
No comment on a Canadian women held in chains almost in incommunicado over a simple error. No comment from the Conservatives.
(As a side note, I am aware of more than a few acquaintances cancelling trips to the USA, due to the uncertainly of the border. With one chap not going to a long planned for family reunion in Bellingham because his neighbour was treated roughly by American border types because he was not white.)
What has caught everyone by surprise is the mass display of patriotism by Canadians and from what I have read, it has shocked the cozy and inbred Canadian establishment.
Will it last? I think so, as we see daily the America excesses of a dictatorial authoritarian government on the news. Thank god we live north of the 49th, is the common sentiment I hear.
Now, talking about cards, I have voted Green except once for the Conservatives, in the past 25 years (not Harper), simply because I did not like the Liberals, but with this election, I am holding my nose and voting Liberal, simply because I have absolutely no faith in the Conservative Party to fight for Canada’s interest. Their lack of addressing Trump’s attacks for over a month is very telling.
The “Wee P” is a professional politician, which leads a party of malcontents, untried in power and that is just NOT what Canada needs at the moment, far from it and I hate to say it, Canada needs all the stealth and dirty tricks of the federal Liberal party to keep Canada, Canada.
Sorry but I think Alberta should shut the oil off to the East, never mind Trumps area.
Getting screwed becomes second nature to us out West. And when the Easterners want to retire, where do they head … the West!
I saw a cartoon with the headline Canada will build a wall between out two countries, and it showed a Beaver dragging a piece of a tree across the road … perhaps on the eastern side of Manitoba, lets begin the wall …nothing seems to reach the Liberals .. and Carney says he is from Alberta … give me a break .. and yes, where the hell is the media in all this …..
(Response: Hoping now that I sounded the alarm (I should NOT have to!) Western media and politicians will wake up, speak up and DEMAND equal respect, power that Carney has bestowed on Ontario, Quebec and even the Maritimes! Disgraceful! H.o)