Yeah... I Don't Think So Keith

In the continuing debate going on over who will be Canada's next minister of foreign affairs, I have heard some excellent choices mentioned. Some of those named include current cabinet ministers David Emerson, Lawrence Cannon and Jim Prentice. Other possible candidates are Jason Kenney (my choice) and Deepak Obhrai. Each of these candidates have their positives and their negatives, and I believe all would bring something desirable to the position.

The people I don't believe have any chance of being appointed are Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff. I read today in an article detailing the opinions of current parliamentarians and prominent academics, Liberal CIDA critic Keith Martin state his opinion that,

"it should be either Bob Rae or Michael Ignatieff because they would be outstanding foreign ministers for Canada. They have experience. They have knowledge. They're articulate. They would bring a lot to the position of foreign affairs minister."

Umm... yeah... I don't think so Keith!

While both Mr. Rae and Mr. Ignatieff have the credentials and/or experience to play prominent roles in Canada's foreign affairs, there is noooooo way either of them will be the foreign affairs minister for the current government. Mr Martin should take a step back and take another look at the parliament he is a member of. I believe very much that Prime Minister Harper would never risk weakening his government's ability to enact legislation by including a member -- and a leading member-- of the official opposition into the cabinet. Whether it was Rae or Ignatieff, the member would be privy to information that as a member of the opposing party he is not entitled to. Furthermore, how would Harper place a member from another party in a critical role like foreign affairs because of the obvious question: how committed would this person be to furthering the Conservative agenda and not the agenda of his own party?

And then there is the issue of whether or not these people would accept the position. Given the intense scrutiny and short leash they would be given, it would be terribly uncomfortable having everyone looking over his shoulder to see what he is doing and how would that member be able to function in the House of Commons? An elected Liberal sitting on the wrong side of the House doesn't bode well for them. Then come election time, the individual would face great difficulty explaining to their constituents their decision to work for the "enemy." I don't care how much one may talk about the greater good or working for the best interests of Canada, there will, no doubt, be repercussions come election time. Both of these men would realize this and I don't think they would be willing to risk their re-election on that claim.

While there are examples of this occurring elsewhere in the world (like in Chad and Mauritania), I don't believe there has been a Canadian government where this has occurred. I may be wrong, but from what I have found/remembered, there appears to be no evidence to say otherwise.

So, my advice to Mr Martin is to wipe the Liberal magic dust out of his eyes and take another look at the realities of the House he sits in.

- blenCOWe