McGuinty in the crosshairs again

Uh oh. Ottawa and Ontario are at odds again — this time over China. We just received a press release from the federal Conservatives, slamming Premier McGuinty because Trade Minister Sandra Pupatello is planning a trade trip to China. "McGuinty should Stand Up for Human Rights," says the release.

But there's an interesting chronology to this, according to our Queen's Park people.

This morning, the provincial Tories were denouncing the trip because it was an economic waste of time.

"She should be home here where the real heat is on and the real pressure is, and that’s trying to salvage this economy under this government’s tax and spend policies," Conservative MPP John Yakabuski said.

Then Canadian Press sent out a story, saying that the provincial Conservatives were basing their objections on the economy, not rights.

Presto, Conservative leader John Tory emerged at a press conference to play up the human-rights angle. And then, a few hours later, the federal Conservatives got in on the act with their own news release.

We here in Ottawa look forward to what names McGuinty will be called this week in Ottawa — the small man of the planet, perhaps? Today in the Commons, Speaker Peter Milliken issued a rare rebuke when Government House Leader Peter Van Loan, a fan of name-calling and author of the "small man" remarks, kept describing Liberal leader Stéphane Dion as "the pouting professor."

 

Comments

[Wascally Wabbit]

Alas - where are the Rat Pack when you need them?
Stephane Dion definitely needs someone behind him to yell over the aisle to Van Loan - Hey - Chipmunk Cheeks - answer the question - for once!!