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| NOW IT'S TIME TO BUCKLE DOWN - Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 15:28 |
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PUBLICATION: The London Free Press ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jean Chretien's decision to retire as prime minister on Dec. 12 -- two months ahead of his own schedule -- is a good one on three fronts. - He gets to leave on a high note while the tribute at last week's Liberal leadership convention is still in people's minds. - New Liberal Leader Paul Martin's staff got a look at the government briefing books yesterday, giving the incoming prime minister a head start in the transition of power. It will also help him maintain the momentum from the convention. - House of Commons business can now proceed, after being stalled in the power game between the "parallel governments" of Martin and Chretien. An earlier transition would have been even better, of course, but with Chretien, one has to be thankful for small mercies. Now, the real test begins for Martin, who indicated his first job will be to choose a cabinet, a challenge in itself. That he has committed to a smaller cabinet is complicated by his groundswell of support from MPs expecting ministry portfolios. Many of them will be disappointed. Secondly, while his demotion from finance minister to the backbenches by Chretien last year shielded him from the sniping of opposition leaders during question period, he can be sure the guns will now be aimed his way. Then there's the long-gun registry, a $2-million idea that became a $2-billion sinkhole. The solution is simple. Cut taxpayers' losses and scrap it. Also awaiting Martin are three tough, but potentially rewarding, issues The immediate challenge on health care will be to find budgetary savings to enable him to live up to his commitment to honour Chretien's promised $2-billion boost in transfer payments. On Kyoto, the new prime minister will need to be more specific than Chretien and aggressively pursue new economies from "green" industry. His promise to give cities a share of the gasoline tax is a can't-miss "slam dunk," probably the only one on Parliament Hill. |