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OTTAWA (PoliticsWatch posted January 15, 2003 @ 5:30 p.m.)
As
a candidate for the Tory leadership, Nova Scotia MP Peter
MacKay emphasized Thursday that he will not be promoting a
merger with the Canadian Alliance any time soon.
"I'll say it again: I'm not a merger candidate," he
told reporters in Ottawa following his official foray into the
PC leadership race. It is possible, though, to work with
conservative MPs on an individual basis, he said, adding that
there are "other ways to cooperate" than committing to
a full-on merger.
 Later,
the 37-year-old went even further to distinguish himself from
those who support a Tory-Alliance merger by saying he didn't
"ascribe" to the ideas and comments of Alliance Leader
Stephen Harper, especially the "provocative comments"
Harper made about Atlantic Canada. MacKay was referring to
Harper's comments last fall about Atlantic Canada having a
"culture of defeat."
When pressed on the merger question, MacKay said no alliance
would occur "in a mathematical way."
"Look, all I can tell you is that I would take an open
approach and, with all due respect, it won't be done through the
media" but behind closed doors, he said.
In outlining his platform, MacKay said his party needs an
"innovative approach" if it is to grow. Such an
approach, he said, means appealing to a wide cross-section of
Canadians, especially those who reside in Ontario. MacKay
referred to the province as "the battlefield," adding the Tories must concentrate its
efforts in this federal Liberal stronghold if it is to
successfully take seats away from the governing
party.
The mild-mannered MP managed to throw in a few jabs when talking
about the Liberals. And those jabs were aimed squarely at Paul
Martin. He likened the former finance minister to "that old
horror movie, The Blob."
"Lets not forget that he was sitting number two in command
when (the Liberals) decimated health care and when Canada lost
international respect," he said. "He signed the
cheques for ad contracts that went to his riding. He has a great
deal to answer for. But now he is trying to re-invent himself
and cloak himself in some new garb."
MacKay said he looks forward to debating with Martin on
"the issues and the facts." In the meantime, he will
focus on promoting his platform, which includes a call to reduce
the level of Parliamentary control apparently enjoyed by the
Prime Minister's Office. He also favours the Parliamentary
appointment of "a truly independent ethics commissioner
that responds to a Parliamentary committee." He says Canada
also needs to properly fund its military and "restore
honest and business-like Canada-U.S. relations.
Also declaring his candidacy Thursday was Calgary lawyer Jim
Prentice.
Read these related
PoliticsWatch stories:
MacKay
to announce leadership intentions
Tory
will not run for Conservative leadership (
November 1)
MacKay
serious about Tory leadership (
October 31)
Lord
won't seek Tory leadership (
October 23)
Clark
wants to remain at the helm of the PC Party
( April 15)
Harper
& Clark fail to reach deal( April 10)
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