Thursday, April 6, 2006

mayes back to the corner, qualifications 'zero' ...

some reporter must have had way too much time on his hands to interview mayes; or in such a pinch that an empty space in a paper had to be filled; ... in all reality, i thought harper would have placed a fool oops, full proof muzzle on him ... and as usual he is still spewling at the mouth wanting these committees; wonder which joker will take him on ... !

MP promises to foster 'spirit of co-operation'
David Wylie, Wednesday, April 5, 2006, 12:01 AM

{'This week Mayes, along with every other MP, will be assigned to two federal committees. He said he's requested transportation, foreign aid and aboriginal affairs. However, there is no guarantee he'll be placed on those assignments.'}

Colin Mayes says there's an air of cooperation in the House, as the governing Conservatives, and opposing Liberals sat opposite each other in Parliament for the first time since the January federal election.

Mayes, the Okanagan-Shuswap MP, said he's been noticing "a feeling of cooperation" as politicians go about their business in the country's capital.

"Maybe it's a naive statement. Only time will tell," he said in a phone interview after yesterday's throne speech.

The speech promised action on five priorities, including making the government more accountable to people, lowering the GST, setting patient wait-time guarantees and giving families $1,200 for each child under six-years-old.

Like the previous Liberal minority government, the Conservatives will have to negotiate with the opposition to push their agenda through.

"At least there's some doors open," said NDP Leader Jack Layton, who welcomed Tory attention to the environment and promises of more child-care spaces.

He said he was pleased that the speech acknowledged the government's minority status and that "there would have to be an effort to find common ground."

Sue Barnes, the Liberal justice critic, said the speech was "pretty short on details."


"We're going to be looking at each piece of legislation," she said.

She said the Conservatives seemed to be careful not to antagonize the opposition. "This is designed not to say anything offensive."

Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe also said the proposals were vague. On fiscal imbalance, for instance: "We don't know completely what they are proposing."

He said the vagueness will allow the opposition to support the program in general, while opposing some particulars.

"We'll proceed issue by issue."

With all MPs present in the 308-seat House of Commons, the Tories would need the support of at least one other party to pass legislation.

"I promise my constituents, I will do everything possible to bring forward a spirit of co-operation," said Mayes. "Let's get working together."

Still, Mayes said the opposition parties are saying the throne speech wasn't broad enough. But the MP argued sticking to the five pillars of the Conservative policy is "positive" and allows the government to complete those tasks immediately "then move on to other priorities that Canadians have."

Vernon residents are still most concerned with accountability and transparency in government, said Mayes; even though Vernon has been represented for 12 years by former Conservative MP Darrel Stinson - "a person of character . . . who did not breach the public trust," he added.

"I think for B.C., tackling crime was another (important) issue, attacking the drug culture we have in some of the cities in B.C.," he added.

Both the Liberals and NDP have been coy about whether they'll support the speech, but no party wants to bring the government down this early, so the speech is expected to pass.

Mayes said there are always a few opposition MPs who are bent on bringing the government down. But he's met with several Liberals who are interested in working together.

"I was really impressed with their commitment to cooperation; mind you, they were rookie MPs like myself," he added.

This week Mayes, along with every other MP, will be assigned to two federal committees. He said he's requested transportation, foreign aid and aboriginal affairs. However, there is no guarantee he'll be placed on those assignments.
- With the Canadian Press

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