December 4, 2001

Where's the Debate?

One of the reasons the "open cabinet" meetings are really staged meetings is that there is no debate.

Behind closed doors, do you suppose that Minister Linda Reid really shouts and tells Campbell, Collins and Hogg that cutting 30% out of the Ministry of Children and Families is unacceptable? If not, what changed her so much in just six months? Do you suppose that Minister Sindi Hawkins who has had her deputy "removed" passively sits by as Minister Hansen really runs the show? If so, why is she paid a Ministerial salary? Do you suppose that Minister Judith Reid says nothing behind closed doors about the loss of roads and bridges throughout the province as she is unable to sustain basic maintenance with 35% cuts to her budget?

The closest any staged cabinet meeting has come to even starting a debate was on November 7th when Ministers J. Reid, Cheema and van Dongen all gently questioned Minster Coell so as to help him understand that in the real word it is not so simple to categorize people as either employable or unemployable.

The credibility test for the expensive exercise in propaganda, monthly four hour staged cabinet meetings, will be when a real debate breaks out that shows real differences of opinion. Don't hold your breath as you wait!