A rchive Date
[ 20-01-2002 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Canada ]
|
[http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/weston.html
Hot potatoes for Manley
The prime minister has given John Manley a great deal of power, a lot of responsibility - and a major challenge
By GREG WESTON - Sun Media
January 20, 2002 Anyone reading all the glowing headlines this past week about the ascension of John Manley to deputy prime minister might well have concluded they were witnessing the political second coming.
In a show of media enthusiasm rarely accorded any federal politician, journalists and other pundits virtually thundered applause for the promotion of the Liberal government's resident Mister Nice Guy from foreign affairs to a newly supercharged role as the right hand of the prime minister.
Manley was summoned to the PM's residence shortly after noon Monday, and left not an hour later wearing more hats than a Hydra has heads. Make no mistake: Jean Chretien has deliberately and instantly transformed Manley into the second most powerful politician in the Liberal government.
At a news conference, Chretien painted a picture of Manley as the government's chief operating officer, assuming a huge load of the responsibility for running the country.
"I was working a bit too hard ... and I wanted to take some (weight) off my shoulder," the PM told reporters (who immediately began joking that Chretien must be having trouble with his golf swing.) "I hope Mr. Manley, with his experience, will deal with full authority on the files that, unless he feels he has to talk to me, I will not have to look (at) myself."
Chretien has armed Manley mightily.
In addition to his role as acting PM during Chretien's many foreign trips this year, Manley has also been handed responsibility for four major crown corporations and the recently announced $2 billion federal "infrastructure" program.
Politically, he assumes the role as the Liberal godfather for Ontario, and will head both the powerful social and economic union committees of cabinet, through which every piece of federal legislation must pass before approval.
So much clout in one politician's hands naturally led pundits to conclude Chretien was trying to choose his own successor, arming Manley for an assault on the Liberal leadership.
But a senior Liberal insider says that while boosting Manley's leadership aspirations may be one result of the promotion, it was not the driving force in the PM's decision.
"Over the past year or so, (Manley) has increasingly become a trusted sounding board for the prime minister on various policy issues. The one thing about John is he says what he believes ... So, I think his role is to provide the prime minister with straight advice, not what he (Chretien) wants to hear."
Whatever the motivation for Manley's appointment, his new job description is as politically dangerous as it is powerful, packed with all the potential to turn the prime minister's apparent laying on of hands into the kiss of death.
- Crown corporations: One of Manley's first chores will be to manoeuvre into place a new set of ethics guidelines for all federal crown corporations. That will put him directly in the line of fire over the incident that sparked the change of ethical rules in the first place - namely, Chretien's calls to pressure the federal Business Development Bank - a Crown corporation - into approving a controversial loan for a Shawinigan inn.
- Canada Lands Corp: Manley picks up responsibility for the controversial federal agency at the heart of all the recent allegations of ministerial meddling and shady dealings while under Alfonso Gagliano, minister of public works until last week.
- As the layers of that onion are peeled away by the media and opposition over the coming weeks and months, some of the smell could stick to Manley.
- National security: Manley continues to head the powerful cabinet committee on security, responsible for co-ordinating and approving all of Canada's anti-terrorist activities. Equally important, he will continue to be Canada's voice on international terrorism issues, and counterpart to U.S. Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge. If there's a public backlash against the tough anti-terrorism laws passed last fall, Manley could end up being the prime target of the wrath.
- Minister for Ontario: Manley becomes the political godfather of the Ontario caucus, the largest provincial group of MPs and ministers in the Liberal government. While winning their favour could be the key to Manley's leadership, how he wins it risks tarring him with the image of patronage prince.
- Indian residential schools: Manley assumes responsibility for negotiating an almost impossible settlement for native victims of past abuse at now-defunct residential schools. "Success" on this file means nailing either the churches or taxpayers - or both - for potentially billions in damages, a no-win.
Helicopters: Manley now has control of the secret cabinet committee accused of trying to rig the bidding for the $2 billion of new military helicopters. Another political no-win.
PORK BARREL
Infrastructure: One of Manley's biggest challenges will be managing the $2 billion national infrastructure program announced in last fall's federal budget. This one has all the makings of a giant Liberal pork barrel, and may force the future Liberal leadership contender to choose between propriety and patronage, between public and party popularity.
Our money bets that a year from now, John Manley will either be draining the Liberal swamp, or drowning in it.
Greg Weston is Sun Media's national political columnist, his columns appear Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Letters to the editor should be sent to editor@sunpub.com.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
|