Cabinet Report Card
The NDP put together a report card of Harper's cabinet, so I thought I might as well myself.
So... without further ado:
Rona Ambrose - Environment: Overall C. This was always going to be a tough file. And while Ambrose isn't objectionable in anyway otherwise, her handling of this file has been confusing and has not inspired confidence in anyway. On a number of occasions, it's seemed as if she's actually supported emmissions credits, but then she says she doesn't and it goes back and forth, on and on. When it seems as if the minister herself doesn't know what she believes in, it's difficult for this file to be successful. The C also comes from the fact that many people (myself included) have always sort of wanted to see more Thatcher-like figures in high-profile public positions: strong, unbending, stubborn women who inspire both respect and fear. None of the women in the Conservative ranks have any of those qualities.
John Baird - Treasury Board: Overall B-. His grade would be higher, but his attacks on the Liberals are just way too ridiculous to be taken seriously. This guy is over-the-top partisan when he's on TV. The Liberals were never really that corrupt. They had several fatal flaws, but corruption was never as deeply ingrained in the system as Baird suggests. I mean, c'mon, we live in Canada, not some third-world country.
Maxime Bernier - Industry: Overall A-. Generally impressive in his willingness to take on the CRTC and actually implement his stated preferences for free-market solutions in the marketplace.
Jean-Pierre Blackburn - Labour/Economic Development Quebec: Overall C+. It's difficult to give a high grade to the guy who's responsible for dishing out pork to the province of Quebec. Though otherwise he's been fairly steady as it has related to the anti-scab legislation.
Lawrence Cannon - Transport, etc.: Overall B-. Of course, his performance during the nation debate was embarrassing, but otherwise he's a fairly coherent spokesperson for the party in Quebec.
Michael Chong: Overall B+. Resigned on actual principle, gave up lots of money and a personal chaffeur. All of that merits credit, even if he didn't handle the situation perfectly.
Tony Clement - Health: Overall B. The wait-times guarantee was an impossible task, so he gets no marks off on that front. Otherwise, the reason he doesn't get an A is because he's absolutely not led in any way when it comes to innovation in the healthcare field.
Stockwell Day - Public Security: Overall A. I think I might be unique in feeling this way, but to me, Stockwell Day just exudes competence and leadership on his file. It's still a tragedy that he couldn't get into Foreign Affairs (somewhat rectified byHarper himself take more of a lead on that file), but Day just seems very prepared and knowledgable about his file. The Arar situation was a bit messy, and Day would've gotten an A+ if he didn't express his confidence in the commissioner so close to the commissioner's resignation.
David Emerson - Trade: Overall B. It's difficult to really see what's going on in this file, though I assume that since Emerson's days in government are numbered, he's likely working away quite eagerly on drafting trade agreements with a number of countries. The Softwood file didn't work out perfectly, but in the end, it turned out alright.
Diane Finley - Human Resources: Overall B-. Hard to really judge her, though her performances infront of the camera have been a bit weak.
Jim Flaherty - Finance: Overall A-. Has seemed fairly steady and generally seems to inspire confidence. The GST cut still drives me insane, but that wasn't his fault. And to the extent to which circumstances allow, he seems fairly committed to cutting taxes.
Michael Fortier - Public Works: Overall B-. No real comment to make... Apparently he wasn't exactly successful in revamping the government procurement system.
Loyola Hearn - Fisheries: Overall B. Has seemed fairly competent. Not very flashy at all, but he seems fairly passionate as was shown in the fight against Paul McCartney.
Gary Lunn - Resources: Overall B. I want to see more action from Lunn when it comes to allowing oil and gas drilling off the coast of BC. There's been a number of mixed signals sent on this front, but if Lunn somehow contributed to creating a more dynamic oil and gas industry in BC, that'd be excellent.
Peter MacKay - Foreign Affairs: Overall C+. Has been caught in a few embarrassing situations when he's made premature pronouncements on a number of files, but otherwise, he's been fairly decent when he's been out and about in the international arena. Still though, he just doesn't get it in the same way that a Stockwell Day would.
Rob Nicholson - House Leader: Overall B. The house has been run reasonably well, it would seem.
Gordon O'Connor - Defence: Overall B. He seems like he knows his file and that he knows the mission well, however, he's just not very effective when he's communicating. For example, on a couple of occassions, he's explicitly said that the opposition wasn't "supporting the troops" by talking about the mission as they were. That was O'Connor speaking personally as a soldier, as a general, when instead, he needed to realize that he was in a political situation as a MINISTER and political comments from other parliamentarians shouldn't be dismissed in such a way. It's true that the opposition isn't supporting the troops by calling for a withdrawal from a mission that the troops overwhelmingly endorse and wish to see out, but a politician shouldn't speak in such terms.
Bev Oda - Heritage: Overall C. Just doesn't seem very effective in the house. Doesn't seem to have the strongest grasp on her file either.
Jim Prentice - Indian Affairs: Overall B. Seems to personify managerial competence, but he's still not someone I could imagine in a leadership role, since he seems to lack that common touch and an ability to relate to the conservative base.
Carol Skelton - Revenue: Overall Incomplete. I have not really heard or seen this minister since the swearing in. Of course, it was difficult to not include her in cabinet given the fact that she's a woman.... From what I've seen of her, she seems like an incredibly nice and easy going person, but I can't imagine her being an effective minister. She appears to be a strong Harper loyalist, and so it's no surprise that she was chosen ahead of a few other women to become a minister.
Monte Solberg - Immigration: Overall B+. Everyone seems to like Monte Solberg, but he hasn't been visible enough in his new role. He needs to unveil significant reforms and seriously grab a hold of his file and signal that he's in control.
Chuck Strahl - Agriculture: Overall B+. Good stuff on liberalizing the wheat and barley market.
Greg Thompson - Veteran's Affairs: Overall B. Veteran's issues seem to be in pretty solid hands with Thompson. They've unveiled a few initiatives and otherwise, there doesn't seem to be any problems.
Vic Toews - Justice: Overall B-. Sometimes he seems to talk a bit too much. Being a law student, sometimes I feel like maybe I'm just being brainwashed to be suspicious of Toews, but... there is certainly something to be said about being cautious when reforming the justice system on some issues. However, on some other issues, the system is certainly broken and is in need of major revamping and Minister Toews seems to be providing leadership on those files.
Josee Verner - International Cooperation: Overall B-. Does her best to convey the humanitarian victories in Afghanistan, but hasn't ultimately been successful.
So... without further ado:
Rona Ambrose - Environment: Overall C. This was always going to be a tough file. And while Ambrose isn't objectionable in anyway otherwise, her handling of this file has been confusing and has not inspired confidence in anyway. On a number of occasions, it's seemed as if she's actually supported emmissions credits, but then she says she doesn't and it goes back and forth, on and on. When it seems as if the minister herself doesn't know what she believes in, it's difficult for this file to be successful. The C also comes from the fact that many people (myself included) have always sort of wanted to see more Thatcher-like figures in high-profile public positions: strong, unbending, stubborn women who inspire both respect and fear. None of the women in the Conservative ranks have any of those qualities.
John Baird - Treasury Board: Overall B-. His grade would be higher, but his attacks on the Liberals are just way too ridiculous to be taken seriously. This guy is over-the-top partisan when he's on TV. The Liberals were never really that corrupt. They had several fatal flaws, but corruption was never as deeply ingrained in the system as Baird suggests. I mean, c'mon, we live in Canada, not some third-world country.
Maxime Bernier - Industry: Overall A-. Generally impressive in his willingness to take on the CRTC and actually implement his stated preferences for free-market solutions in the marketplace.
Jean-Pierre Blackburn - Labour/Economic Development Quebec: Overall C+. It's difficult to give a high grade to the guy who's responsible for dishing out pork to the province of Quebec. Though otherwise he's been fairly steady as it has related to the anti-scab legislation.
Lawrence Cannon - Transport, etc.: Overall B-. Of course, his performance during the nation debate was embarrassing, but otherwise he's a fairly coherent spokesperson for the party in Quebec.
Michael Chong: Overall B+. Resigned on actual principle, gave up lots of money and a personal chaffeur. All of that merits credit, even if he didn't handle the situation perfectly.
Tony Clement - Health: Overall B. The wait-times guarantee was an impossible task, so he gets no marks off on that front. Otherwise, the reason he doesn't get an A is because he's absolutely not led in any way when it comes to innovation in the healthcare field.
Stockwell Day - Public Security: Overall A. I think I might be unique in feeling this way, but to me, Stockwell Day just exudes competence and leadership on his file. It's still a tragedy that he couldn't get into Foreign Affairs (somewhat rectified byHarper himself take more of a lead on that file), but Day just seems very prepared and knowledgable about his file. The Arar situation was a bit messy, and Day would've gotten an A+ if he didn't express his confidence in the commissioner so close to the commissioner's resignation.
David Emerson - Trade: Overall B. It's difficult to really see what's going on in this file, though I assume that since Emerson's days in government are numbered, he's likely working away quite eagerly on drafting trade agreements with a number of countries. The Softwood file didn't work out perfectly, but in the end, it turned out alright.
Diane Finley - Human Resources: Overall B-. Hard to really judge her, though her performances infront of the camera have been a bit weak.
Jim Flaherty - Finance: Overall A-. Has seemed fairly steady and generally seems to inspire confidence. The GST cut still drives me insane, but that wasn't his fault. And to the extent to which circumstances allow, he seems fairly committed to cutting taxes.
Michael Fortier - Public Works: Overall B-. No real comment to make... Apparently he wasn't exactly successful in revamping the government procurement system.
Loyola Hearn - Fisheries: Overall B. Has seemed fairly competent. Not very flashy at all, but he seems fairly passionate as was shown in the fight against Paul McCartney.
Gary Lunn - Resources: Overall B. I want to see more action from Lunn when it comes to allowing oil and gas drilling off the coast of BC. There's been a number of mixed signals sent on this front, but if Lunn somehow contributed to creating a more dynamic oil and gas industry in BC, that'd be excellent.
Peter MacKay - Foreign Affairs: Overall C+. Has been caught in a few embarrassing situations when he's made premature pronouncements on a number of files, but otherwise, he's been fairly decent when he's been out and about in the international arena. Still though, he just doesn't get it in the same way that a Stockwell Day would.
Rob Nicholson - House Leader: Overall B. The house has been run reasonably well, it would seem.
Gordon O'Connor - Defence: Overall B. He seems like he knows his file and that he knows the mission well, however, he's just not very effective when he's communicating. For example, on a couple of occassions, he's explicitly said that the opposition wasn't "supporting the troops" by talking about the mission as they were. That was O'Connor speaking personally as a soldier, as a general, when instead, he needed to realize that he was in a political situation as a MINISTER and political comments from other parliamentarians shouldn't be dismissed in such a way. It's true that the opposition isn't supporting the troops by calling for a withdrawal from a mission that the troops overwhelmingly endorse and wish to see out, but a politician shouldn't speak in such terms.
Bev Oda - Heritage: Overall C. Just doesn't seem very effective in the house. Doesn't seem to have the strongest grasp on her file either.
Jim Prentice - Indian Affairs: Overall B. Seems to personify managerial competence, but he's still not someone I could imagine in a leadership role, since he seems to lack that common touch and an ability to relate to the conservative base.
Carol Skelton - Revenue: Overall Incomplete. I have not really heard or seen this minister since the swearing in. Of course, it was difficult to not include her in cabinet given the fact that she's a woman.... From what I've seen of her, she seems like an incredibly nice and easy going person, but I can't imagine her being an effective minister. She appears to be a strong Harper loyalist, and so it's no surprise that she was chosen ahead of a few other women to become a minister.
Monte Solberg - Immigration: Overall B+. Everyone seems to like Monte Solberg, but he hasn't been visible enough in his new role. He needs to unveil significant reforms and seriously grab a hold of his file and signal that he's in control.
Chuck Strahl - Agriculture: Overall B+. Good stuff on liberalizing the wheat and barley market.
Greg Thompson - Veteran's Affairs: Overall B. Veteran's issues seem to be in pretty solid hands with Thompson. They've unveiled a few initiatives and otherwise, there doesn't seem to be any problems.
Vic Toews - Justice: Overall B-. Sometimes he seems to talk a bit too much. Being a law student, sometimes I feel like maybe I'm just being brainwashed to be suspicious of Toews, but... there is certainly something to be said about being cautious when reforming the justice system on some issues. However, on some other issues, the system is certainly broken and is in need of major revamping and Minister Toews seems to be providing leadership on those files.
Josee Verner - International Cooperation: Overall B-. Does her best to convey the humanitarian victories in Afghanistan, but hasn't ultimately been successful.
posted by Japnaam Singh at
10:54 PM
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