Clear Full Forecast

Stronach Crosses the Floor!

By Elaine Macdonald

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 08:00 AM

In a shocker of a move, former Conservative leader hopeful Belinda Stronach, has crossed the floor and joined ranks with Paul Martin and the Liberals!

The Prime Minister met with Stronach last night,  and made the announcement early today.  The Prime Minister says basically, Stronach believes she can be more effective, and beleives in the Gomery  inquiry.

The move may not give the Liberals enough seats to survive, but it certainly is expected to shake the  mood  among  the Conservatives.

Paul Martin's newest Liberal will sit in Cabinet as the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

Her defection gives the Liberals ( with the Liberal-NDP coalition and the Speaker of the House) 152 votes , tying the number of votes held by the Conservatives and the Bloc Quebecois.  The survival of the government now depends on three independants, Carolyn Parrish who has been committed to the Liberals, Chuck Cadman and David Kilgour who have yet to say  which  side they will take.


Previous Story - Next Story

Email Email | Print Print | Share on Facebook Facebook | Tweet! Twitter | Digg Digg | Del.icio.us Del.icio.us

Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 08:00 AM in News by Elaine Macdonald

Return to Home
NetBistro

Comments

Comment Posted by: Jake on May 17 2005 8:36 AM
Having listened to Ms Stronach on Global this morning, I would think this is as close to blackmail as one could get. Stronach stated that the infrastructure in her riding would be in jeopardy should Martin's budget go down with a vote of no confidence.

This is just another Liberal attempt to hang on to power no matter how they must do it.
Comment Posted by: Del Archer on May 18 2005 5:31 PM
From the Edmonton Sun.. Graham Hicks column .. May 18th, 2005..
BELINDA STRONACH, WESTERN REACTION #1
>
> You're by the North Saskatchewan River.
>
> There is great chaos, flooding and storms.
>
> You're trying to shoot photos that capture the tragedy.
>
> Suddenly, you see a woman in the murky torrents.
>
> She looks familiar. It's former Conservative leadership candidate, now
> Liberal cabinet minister, Belinda Stronach.
>
> She's going under.
>
> Either you can save her, or you can take the best photo of your life.
>
> The question, and please give an honest answer.
>
> Would you shoot in colour, or go with black and white?