This just in from the Globe:
'Didn't want to run' in election, Fortier says
TERRY WEBER
Globe and Mail Update
Public Works Minister Michael Fortier — who stepped into a key cabinet post despite not seeking election — told reporters Tuesday that he did not run for office last month because it "wasn't the right situation."
"I didn't run in the election because I didn't want to run in the election," Mr. Fortier said, exiting the first meeting of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's caucus in Ottawa.
"I had a great career, five young kids, and so it wasn't the right situation for me to run when the election came around. That's just the simple truth."
On Monday, Mr. Harper stirred controversy almost immediately after taking office by appointing Mr. Fortier — a key party organizer in Quebec — and former Liberal David Emerson to posts in his 26-member cabinet.
Mr. Fortier was also appointed to the Senate to allow him to hold the cabinet position, even though Mr. Harper has frequently said he favours an elected senate.
The appointment was made on the condition that Mr. Fortier give up the Senate posting when the next federal election is called.
Asked about his reasons for accepting the post despite his reluctance to seek officer, Mr. Fortier said: "Well, because the prime minister phoned me and there was this gaping hole in the Montreal-area."
Although the Conservatives made gains in many regions of Canada last month on the road to forming a minority government, the party was shut out of the country's three biggest centres, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
Following Monday's swearing-in ceremony, Mr. Harper said he chose to bring both Mr. Fortier and Mr. Emerson into his cabinet to bolster regional representation. In addition to concern over Mr. Fortier's appointment, critics also blasted the decision to draft Mr. Emerson, who had been elected as a Liberal.
By Tuesday morning, at least one Internet petition was circulating, calling for Mr. Emerson's immediate resignation.
"We also call on Prime Minister Harper to keep his election campaign promise to respect the will of Canadians and request that he call a by-election and allow the voters of Vancouver Kingsway to elect to Parliament a member who represents their political beliefs and principles," the petition, circulated by a group calling itself Canadians for Ethical Political Behaviour, said.
Advocacy group Democracy Watch has also said it will complain to the federal ethics commissioner about Mr. Emerson's decision to accept a cabinet position in the Harper government even though he was still technically Liberal industry minister until the transition of power took place this week.
Exiting the caucus meeting, Mr. Harper's MPs stood behind his decision.
"I want to say personally that I have always gotten along with Mr. Emerson," newly appointed Justice Minister Vic Toews said. "I found him to be a non-partisan individual. I would have never necessarily considered him a member of our party, but he was non-partisan, he was motivated in terms of his policy on a principled basis and I think that's why there was this coming together of Mr. Emerson and our party."
On election night, Mr. Emerson had told supporters that the return of "a stronger, more vibrant, healthier winning Liberal Party" and told reporters he would like to be Mr. Harper's "worst nightmare" in the coming session.
The Conservatives placed a distant third in the Vancouver Kingsway riding in the Jan. 23 election, taking 18 per cent of the vote. By comparison, Mr. Emerson, running as a Liberal, took 43 per cent of the vote, followed by the NDP, with 33 per cent.
At the outset of Tuesday's caucus meeting, Mr. Harper was given polite applause when he introduced the two new cabinet ministers.
The guarded ovation matched the careful comments of MPs on the choice of Mr. Fortier and Mr. Emerson. But Mr. Harper also made efforts to assure each member of his caucus of their importance.
"Every elected member of this caucus has equal power," he said.
"This is where the real power will be."
Albertan Myron Thompson predicts that constituents will give him an earful over Mr. Fortier's appointment to the Senate to gain a cabinet job plus Mr. Emerson's switch in parties to get his job.
Mr. Thompson said he has never supported appointing senators or MPs' switching parties without benefit of by-elections but says he is willing to trust that Mr. Harper knows what is best.
Meanwhile, Mr. Harper on Tuesday named long-time MP Jay Hill, 53, the chief government whip.
The whip is in charge of party discipline; one of his key roles is to ensure MPs vote the party line.
With a report from Canadian Press
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Hmm, I am sure being a Minister won't be terribly distracting to the family.
AoD
