Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Avoiding the obvious Titanic reference...

With Coderre's resignation as defense critic, Ignatieff has taken the opportunity to shuffle around Liberal critic portfolios.

Back in January, I had a few critical comments on Ignatieff's initial lineup of critics - among them:

1. Dosanjh, Dion, and Cotler left out
2. Weak western representation
3. Trudeau and young stars left out
4. Coderre as Quebec lieutenant
5. Not enough women

Well, today's shuffle addresses most of these concerns. Dosanjh replaces Coderre at defence and, along with Joyce Murray, shores up the western front. Trudeau and Bains get junior roles. Half the new appointments are women.

So, all in all, not bad.

Ignatieff has yet to name a new Quebec lieutenant, but has said he will. Personally, I don't think he needs one. If you accept the view that Ignatieff has turned a deaf ear to Quebec (which I don't, but who am I to contradict the all powerful media narrative?), then letting one of his MPs run the province won't improve the situation. It would just leave him more detached from the goings-on in the province.

Plus, I think the events of the past fortnight illustrate some problems with the lieutenant system so obvious I don't need to recap them here.

posted by calgarygrit at 9:13 p.m.

12 Comments:

  • Good changes. As well, I agree with the lack of need for a Québec lieutenant. But saying that, appointing one is something that respects the province as being unique in the confederation that is Canada.

    By Blogger rgl, at 9:20 p.m.  

  • Ujjal Dosanjh as National Defence critic. That should prove rather amusing.

    And Ruby Dhalla, of stolen purse fame, is going to run the child poverty portfolia. Heh.

    I thought the Liberal side of QP was amusing before. This should prove down right entertaining. :)

    By Anonymous Grant, at 9:29 p.m.  

  • Dosanjh as defence critic!?!

    Yeah, that adds credibility....

    Sheesh.

    At least we won't have to worry about that dipper flake after the next election.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:32 p.m.  

  • Why not make Dion the QCLT? He's weak enough not to cause problems, but human enough to attach a title to, and call it a day

    By Blogger Unknown, at 11:14 p.m.  

  • Dosanjh actually speaks up on issues, not like our Conservative government which has let support for our military operations plummet by ignoring armed forces efforts in Afghanistan. Think about it for a moment: when the Liberals were in power, we constantly heard from Hillier; our defence and foreign affairs ministers were constantly discussing Canada's diplomacy, defence and development initiatives; and Canadians were constantly reminded of the valliant efforts of our troops and foreign service workers. Under Harper: Hillier was shut up; a new COD was appointed who we hear nothing from; McKay is never seen in the press discussing the Afghanistan mission. The Conservatives silence on the war in Afghanistan is deafening. Dosanjh has a record of getting publicity for important issues; he will make a great proxy for our silent Defence Minister.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:19 p.m.  

  • Hang on there Grit! I don't know if this is the right to do. If you count up his porfolios he's up to 40 Shadow Ministers out of a 76 person caucus.

    Thats WAY too big and bloated.

    I know, I know, you always want to include as many people as possible ... BUT 40 Shadow Ministers really?

    And whats the difference between Public Health and Health? Why do you need both Kirsty Duncan and Carolyn Bennett on virtually the same portfolio? Both are qualified for the job ... so give it to one and move the other to somewhere more useful.

    I don't know ... thats my 2 cents

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:08 a.m.  

  • Exactly what does Borys do in his new and exciting position, besides sharpen his knives for Iggy's back? Is Ukraine an "emerging democracy" or is he heading back to the Middle East?

    By Anonymous Hank, at 12:10 a.m.  

  • Ujjal Dosanjh as National Defence critic? Where's the experience? at that rate, they should have given it to Ken Dryden. At least he has has some experience with defence.

    By Blogger ridenrain, at 1:03 a.m.  

  • Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Dosanjh was the defence critic under Dion, at least for a bit.

    By Blogger calgarygrit, at 10:14 a.m.  

  • "not like our Conservative government which has let support for our military operations plummet by ignoring armed forces efforts in Afghanistan."

    It is the Liberal party that is responsible for most of our soldier's deaths in Afghanistan. We long ago reached the point where most of our fatalities were due to Liberals cancelling the helicopter deal, and not having the proper equipment to deal with IED's. Harper has spent the money to get new equipment.
    Bush was attacked for American soldiers being sent to Iraq without the best helmets, but much of our media is silent about Liberals not equpping our troops for the job.

    By Blogger nuna d. above, at 1:21 p.m.  

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