More weekend observations on Canadian politics

The Canadian news media were almost unanimous in their criticism of Prime Minister Harper's government after he made two bold appointments to the federal cabinet. There were persistent calls or descriptions that the new government would enjoy the shortest "honeymoon" possible after winning the election a month ago. Well, I disagree. I have already commented on international affairs in my last post and on cabinet appointments previously. Now, late February, we see that it is the media who cried foul when reporters did not get "the scoop" on the controversial ministers from Vancouver and Montreal. If one looks at how provincial premiers and ministers, the City of Toronto and foreign countries reacted, it is clear that the Harper government is enjoying a "honeymoon" or "grace period." Yesterday Friday night was the first time almost all provincial premiers sat down for dinner with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. All news reports so far had premiers and provincial ministers recognizing the mandate the new government won on its declared five priorities. GST cut to 6%, $1200/year child care supplement on any family with children age six and under, hospital wait time guarantee, tougher measures on crime, and finally, the first piece of legislation to be introduced will be a Federal Accountability Act. Premier Charest of Quebec is on side on federal changes in child care funding and in wait time guarantees. Premiers McGuinty and Doer of Ontario and Manitoba, the only two provincial governments to sign federal-provincial funding agreements on child care, made conciliatory statements because they recognized the Harper mandate won in January 2006 and they knew that the funding agreements contained abrogation clauses allowing the federal government to cancel them with proper notice. Even the City of Toronto has remained subdued. Mayor Miller is unhappy with the anticipated loss of funding of child care spaces before he met Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, also responsible for the Greater Toronto Area. News reports so far all quoted Flaherty and nothing from Miller; Minister Flaherty recognized that vibrancy in Toronto was important and that the GTA needs federal funding to repair infrastructure such as roads and highways. All in all, Prime Minister Harper is having his honeymoon, has withstood media criticism on his cabinet appointments and is governing in such a successful way that the provinces and the City of Toronto are willing to wait for further proceeding instead of antagonizing the new government.