Inside Politics

UPDATED - Orders of the Day - HRDC Minister Diane Finley (finally) lifts the curtain on planned EI reforms

by Kady O'Malley Posted: May 24, 2012 7:51 AM Last Updated: May 24, 2012 9:14 AM
After days of playing coy on how it plans to reform the employment insurance system, the government, it appears, is finally ready to share the details with Canadians.

Later this morning, Human Resources Minister Diane Finley is set to hit the stage at the National Press Theatre for an "important announcement," and although the official advisory is maddeningly vague on the topic du jour, the government has made it clear, albeit via back channel communications with media, that she will unveil at least part of the Conservative vision for a more efficient regime, thus putting to rest, at least in theory, the increasingly dire, if wildly contradictory stream of speculation, informed and otherwise, that has dominated the discussion thus far.

Then again, if the recent slow-motion reveal on Old Age Security changes is anything to go by, if the government harbours hopes of regaining control over the conversation, it already has its work cut out for it. It turns out that giving notice -- via leak or unexpected prime ministerial musings in Davos -- of one's intention to move forward on a particular file with no accompanying context on what one intends to actually do almost always results in apocalyptic worst-case-scenario-izing by an apprehensive public, which immediately seized upon and lovingly nurtured by one's political opponents. 

The resulting damage, it seems, can be devilishly difficult to undo. To paraphrase Mark Twain, a leak can travel halfway around the world before the official release with backgrounder has its boots on.  

In any case, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair will likely have something to say about the announcement at his press conference in La Baie later today, where he will appear alongside local NDP MP Dany Morin. 

UPDATE: According to the gallery listserv, both opposition parties are sending over MPs to provide on-the-spot EI reaction, with Peggy Nash holding court at the NPT on behalf of the New Democrats, and Cape Bretoner Rodger Cuzner doing the same for the Liberals. 

Meanwhile, back in Ottawa, former Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj is -- well, back in Ottawa, although not, at least as yet, as a duly, if belatedly, elected Member of Parliament, although that does seem to be his ultimate goal.

Later this afternoon, he will make himself available to the media at Liberal Party headquarters, where he will provide an update on the court challenge that culminated -- at least so far -- in last week's decision by an Ontario judge to declare the results of the 2011 election in Etobicoke Centre null and void.

According to the advisory, he also plans to call on the PM to "announce the date of a by-election immediately" and "commit to a fair fight that follows the letter and spirit of the Canada Elections Act." 

(At this point, it's worth noting that the sitting MP for that riding, Conservative Ted Opitz, who was Wrzesnewsky's opponent both on the hustings and in court, still has five days to launch an appeal of that ruling. Given that, the demand for a by-election seems a wee bit premature.)

On the ministerial circuit:

Treasury Board President Tony Clement makes his way home to Parry Sound, where an "important funding announcement" will be made at the Fireside Cafe.

Back in Toronto, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson will be in attendance as the Canadian Centre for Child Protection launches a new child search service, and Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney convenes a "consultation roundtable" on "business travel between the United States and Canada."

Also in Toronto: Minister of State Steven Fletcher, who will attend the "official opening" of Via Rail's new Panorama Lounge before heading to Manitoba for an "important announcement" at Winnipeg's Union Station.

Elsewhere in Ontario, Minister of State for Science and Technology Gary Goodyear will reveal a new initiative to "boost economic growth and jobs" in a speech to the London Chamber of Commerce, and Minister of State for Sport Bal Gosal drops by Mississauga-based Eat-In Foods Inc. to show support for food processors.

Veterans Affairs Minister Steve Blaney heads to Dorval with good news for four local projects, as elsewhere in La Belle Province, Transport Minister Denis Lebel holds a news conference on the Cooperative de solidarite Valoribois.

On the east coast, the show of federal support continues apace, with New Brunswick once again hosting ACOA Minister Bernard Valcourt as he delivers more funding for local projects, with still more glad tidings set to be heralded in Saint John and Miramichi by local Conservative MPs Rodney Weston and Tilly O'Neill Gordon, respectively.

In St. John's, Senator Norman Doyle will serve as surrogate for the transport minister at the Fortune Fire Hall, and back on the Island, Revenue Minister Gail Shea unveils "major" new investment in Charlottetown Metal Products under the Atlantic Innovation Fund.

Finally, in Nova Scotia, Defence Minister Peter MacKay is in Wolfville with "financial support" for the local college -- Acadia -- and the provincial wine industry, while Scott Armstrong hits the West Colchester Consolidated School in Bass River. (With money, presumably. Just assume that's the case for all ministerial appearances, really, unless otherwise explicitly stated.) 

For up to the minute dispatches from the precinct and beyond, keep your eye on the Parliament Hill Ticker below -- or, alternatively, bookmark it and check back throughout the day. 

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