Canada’s Trusted News Source Exclusive — the PM
Posted on July 28, 2006
Filed Under Politics |
Man With a Plan - Stephen Harper
Since cutting off almost all access to the journalists that are tasked with covering the ongoings of parliament, in favour of staged press events, the current Canadian government has learned from the methods of other message controlling administrations.
Globeandmail.com - PM fires another salvo at the press.
Then who should fill the void of asking the tough question of our government? From “Canada’s most read, most trusted magazine” no less….. Reader’s Digest.
So lets take a look at some of those tough questions and answers.
RD: Did you ever think you?d be the Prime Minister of Canada?
Harper: Yes, I did. … I felt it was possible. In fact, before the election I had no doubt we were going to win.
Exudes confidence? or arrogance? What you want in your leader, or what you dont. I guess it depends on your perspective, be it from the left or right.
RD: In July Canadian families should have gotten their first child-care allowance. Critics say this plan isn?t as comprehensive as the Liberals? proposal to fund daycare spaces.
Harper: First of all, our plan has as an objective the explicit creation of daycare spaces. And, of course, we?re spending more on child care than the Liberals were planning to. Look at what happened when we left the choice with that government. They didn?t spend any of the money on parents: It went to the great support network of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Let’s see, my followup question would be: “But you cancelled a $5 Billion childcare program that has left thousands of childcare spaces partially completed and in limbo without funding, replacing it with $100 a month before taxes. For parents that are lucky enough to find a childcare placement, how far will that post-tax amount go when it costs upto $800/month”?
How does RD followup?
RD: My daughter asked me what happens if someone takes the money to go out and buy breast implants instead of using it to nurture their children?
Harper: There are parents who neglect and don?t spend money on their children when they have it. In cases of true neglect, there?s state intervention. But our program is based on the assumption that parents are responsible and that they are more likely to know what?s better for their children than bureaucrats.
Beast implants… why didn’t Scott Reid use that instead of beer and popcorn. The press conference with Jason and Rona would have been that much funnier, piles of silicone boobs everywhere… but I wonder what they did with all that beer and popcorn after the cameras went off.
RD: You?ve been compared to Bush for his style as president, yet you?re also known to be into policy and a micro-manager, which is more along the lines of a Bill Clinton or a Jean Chr?tien.
Harper: I don?t think I am a micro-manager. I?m a guy who is aware of, or is trying to make himself aware of, the most important portfolios in government. Does that mean I?m trying to run them all? No. I largely let my ministers carry the ball on the individual projects. At my level, if you try to do everything yourself, you won?t get anything done. On the other hand, if the leader is not engaged and knowledgeable on issues, nothing happens, because prime ministerial authority is necessary to move bureaucracies. I didn?t sit around negotiating the softwood lumber agreement myself. I certainly didn?t write the budget. But obviously I provided the appropriate direction and authority for those who did.
No, no micro-management at all, let the lackies do what you tell them. But they must make sure everything goes through the PMO, and comes from the PMO. The mixed messages about coverage of the repatriation ceremonies made that obvious.
Then there was some more “tough” questions about Quebec, Kyoto, and the press gallery…
Then about “the handshake”:
RD: Does it bother you, and your family a bit, when things like the way you said goodbye to your son as he went off to his first day of Grade 4 [in Ottawa] just after the election suddenly make the national news?
Harper: We got a big laugh out of that. The shaking hands thing is kind of a family tradition. We laughed because my son had said to me, ?Oh, geez, Dad, don?t hug me in the schoolyard. You?ll really get me in trouble.? [Laughs.]
Well that explains it…
And to close out…
RD: You are Prime Minister of Canada. Do you ever pinch yourself?
Harper: There are days when it all seems a bit surreal, but I?ve been having the time of my life. This is the job for me. I think I?ll try and keep it for a while.
Serious tough questions RD, now we know so much more about the leader of the country. Seriously.
Comments
3 Responses to “Canada’s Trusted News Source Exclusive — the PM”
Leave a Reply
[…] Yet another example why mergers in the MainStream Media is bad news. Seems like today’s MSM is becoming an Orwellian Ministry of Truth, especially those with “embedded” reporters in the US, or ties to Christian fundamentalists in both Canada and the US. […]
[…] Seems like our government has learned a lot from the Bush administration. As i’ve previously mentioned the lack of access to the parliamentary press gallary, “Canada’s New Government” (not my branding, its theirs) is now doing the same with respect to the environment. […]
[…] Seems like our government has learned a lot from the Bush administration. As i’ve previously mentioned the lack of access to the parliamentary press gallary, “Canada’s New Government” (not my branding, its theirs) is now doing the same with respect to the environment. […]