Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Who's More Qualified?

One would think that after having an old white guy and a billionairess sharing the Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development, that having someone from a more average background would be considered 'refreshing' despite her lack of political experience in these areas.

Today Carol Goar of the Toronto Star takes issue with Harper's choice of Diane Finley for that role. Apparently a male celebrity (Ken Dryden), and a woman who has achieved the only work experience she's known through nepotism and the political connections of her family (Belinda Stronach), are more qualified to represent the interests of the unemployed and ordinary women and families than-- well -- an ordinary woman.

Goar's column implies that Finley's background in agriculture and business do nothing to prepare her for her new role where she will handle tough issues like EI and daycare. The choice of a novice, Goar reasons, means either Harper intends to withdraw Ottawa from the policy making aspect of the department, allowing provinces to take over (how novel, a federal government allowing provinces to make policy within their jurisdiction) or that "no one in Harper's inner circle has given much thought to the social affairs ministry." Goar goes on to say that once the big five portfolios are filled, the rest is just "plugging the remaining candidates into available openings."

The real concern to Goar seems to be the announcement that the Choice for Childcare allowance would being on July 1st and Harper's affirmation that a Conservative government will withdraw from the childcare agreements. Goar says:
The rookie minister will be no impediment to Harper's plan to dismantle Canada's embryonic child-care system.
Impediment? I would think Diane Finley will be the implementer of the change. I doubt Harper would delegate such heavy responsibility to someone he believed incapable of the task. In a minority parliament, Harper doesn't want to be running Ministries. He wants Ministers who can manage on their own.

Both Dryden and Stronach were political neophytes when they assumed their roles as Minister. Neither had a background that would suggest an understanding of the needs of the average family, the ordinary woman, the unemployed. Neither speaks French, where Diane Finley is bilingual. It would seem if we're grading on potential, Finley equals or betters the previous novices by virtue of her simple background and her language skills.

Goar says:
the 48-year old businesswoman who represents the riding of Haldimand-Norfolk, has never displayed any interest in social issues.
And a 38 year-old business woman representing Aurora did? You have to wonder what criteria Goar used for determining that anything in Stronach's or Dryden's life experience, let alone their work experience or political experience would make them better as Ministers of HRSD than Finley -- unless it's simply the party affiliation that renders Diane less qualified.

canadianna

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

But, but, he's a hockey star !!
Apparently that qualifies him for anything.

Jim said...

except he was one of the Habs! I live or die with the Leafs so it was kind of natural to continue to root against Dryden, eh?

Anonymous said...

I would WELCOME such arguments! She's 'green', you're damn right she's green because she's CONSERVATIVE and conservatives are governing after more than a decade.

What ranckles me is that we give these people fodder. Clearly this argument doesn't hold up for many as one of the central reasons for nominating and accepting Fortier and Emerson is that 'they are best qualified'. In other words, the CPC has gone out of its way to select people unelected or from other parties. So clearly Ken Dryden or Stronach WOULD be the best choice since they have the most experience.

Unfortunately, arguing consistency has been shot in the foot thanks to the bonehead nominations of Emerson and Fortier. THe argument doesn't cut BOTH ways.

There are TONS of 'green' conservatives, that's who we voted for. The idea that green isn't good just ranckles me, and it applies to Emerson and Fortier as well. There are PLENTY of conservatives, and plenty close enough to vancouver and montreal to be regionally represented.

So either we defend Finlay, or defend Emerson, unfortunately, it's tough to do both.

Tarkwell Robotico said...

love it!

Sara said...

a hockey star that says "parents who stay at home with their children are like parents who won't take their kids to the dr!
" yah that makes sense

or we give it to a rich spoild skirt with no commitments in life, except to get more power uh huh the liberals sure are more qualified to take our kids away....

Canadianna said...

Anonymous -- your argument is only correct if we assume that the sole reason people are chosen for certain roles is experience or lack thereof. There are combinations of factors that go into choosing one person over another for a job. My post was to point out that Finley is at least as qualified or unqualified as both Dryden & Stronach were based on the criteria of 'experience' or 'aptitude'.
The Emerson & Fortier comparison is apples/oranges. Goar was using experience as the governing factor of her critique, whereas Harper would be drawing on his knowledge of and perceptions of all the potential candidates in order to make his decision.
Goar was being simplistic in her 'analysis' so she to take a swipe at a new Minister as inexperienced, rather than just saying right out that it wouldn't have mattered to her who Harper had appointed to that Ministry; Gore's real problem is that whoever it is, will be following the Conservative agenda.

bob said...

How's this: Dryden was a clear failure in his previous managerial experience (did the Leafs win any Cups in his tenure there?). Stronach was all but chased from any position of influence in her daddy's empire. And you're telling me that Finley, who has run a small business successfully, isn't at least as qualified as those two? Reality check, Ms. RedStar writer, please.
Well spoken, C.
Cheers.

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