Opportunities Lost –Martin’s Lost Hope

As Chrétien coasted to his retirement there was or could have been, hope that he would govern Canada by introducing policies and laws because they were right for Canada, and not just right for his or the Liberal Party’s political future hopes.

That was a lost opportunity due to ego and spit.

We then got Martin telling us it was time for Canada to look past the horizon for Canada’s future, yet he too has lost the opportunity by either dithering, showing no leadership, or just plain inertia.

As a Calgarian, and a Liberal, it is lonely at the best of times. To hear great things from Martin during his leadership campaign, and that of the period leading up to the call of the election, one would have assumed Calgary could rightfully gamble on having at least one M.P., sitting at the government caucus table for the Liberals, if not three.

A problem we would love the Prime Minister to have: which MP to select from Calgary to be in the Cabinet.

Instead we get an ill-advised campaign strategy that said it would be smart to bash Ralph Klein.

This from a leadership campaign team that pulled every dirty trick out of the book, from a campaign team that had no idea of what they were doing in Alberta, but would stop at nothing to ensure Martin assented to the throne of Prime Minister. Something he has lusted after for so long.

Despite what Martin says about having put the Canadian economy on a firm footing, and negotiating a new deal with the provinces for health care, a recent poll shows that a majority of 1,811 people surveyed weren't aware of some of Martin's key fiscal initiatives which were designed to show voters that his government is a careful custodian of the public purse.

In Calgary we would have been hopeful for a message that showed some sort of opening of the door to Ottawa’s power structure with the upcoming Senate appointments.

Instead we get slapped not only on one cheek but both.

First we get a list of senate appointments no one wants.

Then on March 30, 2005, one day after the Justice Minister visits Calgary, we get Senator Tommy Banks announcing a collaboration among the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and a number of Canadian companies to build and operate the first community in North America to use solar heating on a large-scale.

Yet to the west of us we see The Honourable Bill Graham, Minister of National Defence and the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Industry will make an announcement about Contracted Flying Training and Support services for the Canadian Forces.

Have the Prime Minister and his brain trust written Calgary off, or is it just another way to show he really did not, and does not believe what he says to Western Canada?

We in Alberta cannot even converse with our Liberal Party executive without going through Deputy Dithers’ office in Edmonton.
The Martin Liberal Party has obliviously written off Alberta.