So much for the festive season.
Suspicious Conservatives are vetting guests to their annual caucus Christmas party in Ottawa Wednesday night, ensuring there are no spies or interlopers in the crowd. Anyone, who is not a bona fide member of Stephen Harper’s team (lobbyists and journalists, for example) must be in a committed relationship with one in order to gain entry.
Even with a majority, there is no love lost between Tories, the national media and lobbyists.
The invitation is very clear about who is – and who is not – allowed to come and tip a glass of Christmas cheer: “If you choose to bring a guest,” it reads, “please ensure that he or she is a close personal acquaintance, unless he or she is your partner, is not a lobbyist, consultant, or journalist, or employed in a similar capacity, and is not there is any commercial capacity.”
About 1,000 people are expected to attend the Christmas party, held at a downtown Ottawa hotel. But one senior Tory noted the guidelines “read like the rules for a Grade 9 prom: Keep a safe distance. No touching. Chaperons will be watching. Sidewalks roll up at midnight.”
Lobbyists and consultants are none too pleased.
Under previous Liberal governments, for example, Christmas parties were teeming with lobbyists wanting to rub shoulders and grab a chat with the prime minister and cabinet ministers. And at some other functions, deputy ministers have remarked about the inappropriateness and awkwardness of sitting at a table with lobbyists related to their portfolios.
Mr. Harper’s Tories have tried to put a stop to the infiltration of lobbyists in Ottawa through their Accountability Act, among other measures. The recent awarding of $33-billion in shipbuilding contracts to shipyards in Nova Scotia and British Columbia, for example, was purposely designed to keep lobbyists at bay. It was so successful that it is now considered a template for future government procurement contracts.
As for journalists, well, they are just not high on Mr. Harper’s Christmas list either.
The Prime Minister is in Washington Wednesday talking about the economy and unveil a new border deal with U.S. President Barack Obama. However, he is expected back for the soiree Wednesday night.
Last year, he performed a five-song set with his garage band, Herringbone, playing Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and the Guess Who’s Share the Land. Given success of his recent performances – he also wowed a gala crowd at the National Arts Centre with a Beatles tune the year before – it would be no surprise if he takes to the stage again.
And polling data in a pear tree...
The Prime Minister will walk into Wednesday’s Christmas bash with much to celebrate. A new poll out Tuesday night confirms another from earlier this week showing Canadians support Stephen Harper and the direction in which his Conservative government is taking the country.
However, the Abacus Data poll – an online survey of 1,004 Canadians – does show a slight downturn for the Tories. Although 44 per cent of respondents believe the Conservatives are going in the right direction, 39 per cent believe they are heading the wrong way, up eight points since August.
Regardless, Mr. Harper’s team remains strong. The Abacus survey gives the Tories 40 per cent support nationally compared to 31 per cent for the NDP and 18 per cent for the Liberals. But like a Nanos Research poll released Monday, the survey confirms the Tories are being helped by the leaderless opposition parties.
Abacus pollster David Coletto observes in notes accompanying the survey that the voter intention numbers have remained stable since the May election. “And this is not surprising since the NDP, the BQ and the Liberal Party lack permanent leaders and the Conservatives have not done anything to upset its coalition of supporters,” he wrote.
On the issue of the economy, Abacus found that 38 per cent “either strongly or somewhat approved” of Mr. Harper’s handling of it. This compares to 33 per cent who “either strongly or somewhat disapproved.” The government’s handling of the economy is down eight points since August.
“One of the Harper government’s strengths has been the perception and belief that it can effectively manage the Canadian economy,” Mr. Coletto writes. “Our latest numbers offer some evidence that suggests this may be in doubt as more Canadians believe the country is headed in the wrong direction today than they did back in August.”
