Quiet Acceptance

So I've spent the last couple of days in our nations capital trying to get a better perspective on where the Harper government is headed on some key issues including the environment, sustainability and infrastructure.

What I found most interesting is the quiet acceptance (bordering on quiet enthusiasm) from the same people who just months ago were heralding the liberal direction as the right thing to do.

Ottawa's a funny town with loyalty that seems to last about as long as it is convenient - but this latest environment seems to be born out of a deep desire for stability.

Sometimes we tend to forget that the civil service is made up of regular folks likes you and I who are looking for the same qualities of leadership.

While they may tend to be even more cynical than most because they literally see governments come and go, they are still searching for some consistent, sustainable government.

It's the "let's give these guys a genuine chance to do what they said they would do." It's just that no one is standing from the rooftops saying it.

It's a quiet wait and see attitude.

For the three opposition parties, it would be wise to understand this sentiment and not do too much to rock the boat.

For those three key strategists that have formed the transition team for Interim Leader Graham - get a good handle on the current environment before you make decisions. It's time to put the politics on the back burner.. for the sake of all Canadians.

The Liberals time will come again. In fact If I were a betting man I would say it will come sooner than later - but it has to happen because that is what Canadians want.

The Quiet Acceptance should not be ignored...

By saying nothing, the Ottawa hoard is actually saying a lot!

Leadership Test

So with the heat subsided to a low simmer, Prime Minister Harper and the new Conservative government now have to turn their attentions to governing, and perhaps more difficult, fulfilling the election promises they made during the campaign.

Cutting government spending, killing the national childcare deal and cutting the GST were all well received by many Canadians. The real issue is - are they achievable.

Cutting federal spending, while noble in its underlying sentiment, will be challenging as the Liberals adopted all the "quick fix" cuts over their 14 years in power.

Killing the national childcare deal seems to be opposed by at least as many people as support it and it's awfully difficult to win the sympathy vote battle against Canada's grossly underfunded day cares.

While the federal surplus helps to cut the GST, will it be enough?

Add to this the new pressures of Alberta's announcement yesterday that it intends to effectively kill medicare in Canada as we know it and the PM and his team have some very tough days ahead.

These are the days that great leaders triumph and others run the risk of failing.

These are the times that the Canadian public has become more critical and less understanding than any other time in our history.

Canadians are watching Prime Minister and the ball is in your court.

Doesn't it remind you of that old saying " Be careful what you wish for - it may come true!"

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Leadership Comes in Many Colours

The Torino Winter Olympics ended today much the same way it began 17 days ago - with the world's atheletes putting aside political, religious and territorial differences to celebrate competitive excellence.

From the "Woman of the Games" Cindy Classen to our own Russ Howard, Canada shined on the world stage thanks to hard work, dedication and a true love for what they were doing. And like our Canadian heros, athletes from around the world showed leadership in their respective sports - both in and out of the competition.

As the flag was passed to the Mayor of Vancouver who will host the 2010 Winter Olympics I shed a tear of pride for my country, our position in the world and the awesome way our olympic ambassadors represented each of us in Torin.

I urge all political leaders to take heed. It's that true love of what you do, that dedication, that heart, that Canadians would like to see replicated in our elected leaders as well.

However on this day - let's just be so damn proud to be Canadian.

Although Prime Minister Classen has a nice ring to it:)