Former prime minister Stephen Harper is planning a trip to the White House next week, and hasn’t notified the current Canadian government of his visit, CTV News has learned.
"Robair" said Self serving prick is just trying to get sales for his book I'm sure.
Trudeau has a book coming out? That's most unfortunate for all of Canada.
As far as Stephen Harper is concerned.....like him or hate him, he can do what he wants. He did his service to Canada by leading it for so long, so good on him for doing what he wants.
Private citizen, can do as he pleases, but he'd be smart to sit down with Trudeau and offer to try and bridge the gap and bring the orange dumbass coward to a sane line of thought again.
"Tricks" said Private citizen, can do as he pleases, but he'd be smart to sit down with Trudeau and offer to try and bridge the gap and bring the orange dumbass coward to a sane line of thought again.
Is there a precedent on this, though? As a former PM he will never be an ordinary private citizen again. I would expect retired PMs of any party to work with the Canadian government.
"Sunnyways" said Private citizen, can do as he pleases, but he'd be smart to sit down with Trudeau and offer to try and bridge the gap and bring the orange dumbass coward to a sane line of thought again.
Is there a precedent on this, though? As a former PM he will never be an ordinary private citizen again. I would expect retired PMs of any party to work with the Canadian government. Precedent and Donald Trump don't go well together
Meh. Clickbait headline from the distant second-place CTV because they need the attention. If anything it sounds like Harper is using his connections inside the US to see if there's anyway that the GOP characters he knows can get through to Trump to get him to knock it off with the silly bullshit. This is something a former PM can do to help that should be applauded not condemned.
Here's the much more responsible article from CBC:
Harper has not shied away from wading into the NAFTA talks, offering commentary on TV and at conferences. He has criticized some of the Liberal government's actions on the trade file while defending the NAFTA agreement itself.
Sources say that ahead of the meeting, Bolton phoned the Canadian embassy in Washington to make some arrangements — a call that caught Canadian officials off-guard as they were not expecting such a visit.
Adding to the confusion, say the sources, the White House did not specify which "prime minister" was expected for the meetings; the Americans often use political titles long after a politician has left office. That led some Canadian officials to believe a visit by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been planned in secret.
Trudeau's foreign policy adviser, John Hannaford, contacted his counterpart in the White House, who apologized and explained it was former prime minister Harper who would be visiting.
That prompted confusion on the part of Trudeau's inner circle, the sources say, as it's customary for past prime ministers to keep their successor in the loop on foreign travel plans of this magnitude.
This was also an issue when Harper himself was in office and he had to contend with former prime minister Jean Chrétien travelling to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin during the Crimean crisis. Harper had taken a tough stand against Putin and his incursion into
The do this often enough that it's not uncommon. If anything should be banned it should be what Denis Coderre did as a MP with his trip to Afghanistan while Canadian soldiers were stationed there with the specific goal in mind to undermine Canadian foreign and military policy.
Coderre won re-election to the House of Commons in 2006, but the Liberals lost the campaign and became the Official Opposition party. Coderre was the Liberal Defence Critic. In 2007 Coderre made allegations against the previous Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier (retired) of being a "prop". Hillier in return has accused Coderre of being more concerned with party image than in protecting Canadian Forces members. In October 2007, Coderre made a self-planned visit to Afghanistan to visit the war-torn country and the Canadian Forces in the Kandahar region. He criticized the Harper government — who did not invite him on an official tour of the country that was made by Ministers Bev Oda and Maxime Bernier a few days before him — and consequently, Coderre, as Liberal defense critic, had to travel by himself at his own expense, mentioned that the mission in Afghanistan must change in 2009. The government had accused him of staging a stunt while Coderre fired back that the Conservatives overestimated the success of the mission.
The easiest way to avoid confusion is to co-ordinate any such visit with the PMO. Why can't Harper do that? The US relationship is the most important we have and it's under unprecedented strain right now. The last thing we want is a mixed message from Canada.
Maybe, but Harper's not going to be talking to Trump or Pence. Kudlow and Bolton have important positions but it's not like this is some kind of state visit. And our own politics remain what they, unfortunately, even in the face of the American threat. It's not like Chretien or Coderre bothered to co-ordinate with the Harper government with their own excursions so Harper's not really obligated with that kind of precedent to keep Trudeau informed. Former heads of state apparently have the right to do these things as they see fit after their retirement.
It'll all mean nothing anyway. Even if Kudlow, Bolton, Kelly, Mattis, Pence, or the entire congressional GOP were willing to listen Trump still wouldn't be. Harper is really just wasting his time with this effort.
"Thanos" said Maybe, but Harper's not going to be talking to Trump or Pence. Kudlow and Bolton have important positions but it's not like this is some kind of state visit. And our own politics remain what they, unfortunately, even in the face of the American threat. It's not like Chretien or Coderre bothered to co-ordinate with the Harper government with their own excursions so Harper's not really obligated with that kind of precedent to keep Trudeau informed. Former heads of state apparently have the right to do these things as they see fit after their retirement.
It'll all mean nothing anyway. Even if Kudlow, Bolton, Kelly, Mattis, Pence, or the entire congressional GOP were willing to listen Trump still wouldn't be. Harper is really just wasting his time with this effort.
No former head of government should undertake a mission of this sort without talking to the PMO first. That's a reasonable rule in my opinion. Chrétien should not have done it either. Harper has already publicly opined, while abroad mind you, on the trade dispute in an oddly defeatist way:
Which could be interpreted as meaning we have to appease Trump. Lesser lights can say and do what they like but former Prime Ministers are a special case.
No former head of government should undertake a mission of this sort without talking to the PMO first. That's a reasonable rule in my opinion.
No, it's not a reasonable rule. He is a private citizen. What he used to be is irrelevant.
"Sunnyways" said Which could be interpreted as meaning we have to appease Trump.
Are you high? How can Harper make us appease him when he has zero power to cut deals with Trump regarding NAFTA, trade in general or anything else for that matter.
I mean golly gee Polly Anna, maybe we should make a big stink about Obama's lunch date with Trudeau. If you think it's inappropriate for a former head of govt to visit directly with another country's leader, then shouldn't the reverse apply? Was it proper for Trudeau to meet Obama even though we all know Obama didn't bother informing the White House of his intention to meet up with Trudeau?
By contrast, Brian Mulroney is working with the current administration. That’s what all former PMs should be doing. Harper is out of order here.
Sorry but given the complete lack of outrage from the Liberal side of the aisle when Chretien as a former PM went off visiting dictators the "out of order" complaint comes off as nothing more than the usual anti Harper rhetoric, albeit, a couple of years to late.
The West and Russia are locked in a tense and bitter stand-off, as if the Cold War has been revived. The Crimea Peninsula remains under Russian control and fighting continues in eastern Ukraine with pro-Russia rebels, while American, British and Canadian soldiers are training Ukrainian forces.
Into this moment of international drama and danger walks Jean Chrétien. The InterAction Council, an organization of former world leaders, has announced that the former prime minister will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the council’s upcoming meeting. The council is to discuss the state of relations between Russia and the West and Chrétien is to “report to the group on his discussions with the Russian president.”
Since leaving office a decade ago, Chrétien has periodically made news with his forays abroad. In 2004, along with the head of a Canadian oil company, he visited Turkmenistan to meet with Saparmurat Niyazov, that country’s late dictator. In 2013, Chrétien attended the funeral of Hugo Chavez, the controversial Venezuelan leader. He has also criticized the Harper government’s foreign policy.
"Sunnyways" said No former head of government should undertake a mission of this sort without talking to the PMO first. That's a reasonable rule in my opinion.
It's not a reasonable rule at all, it's sheer stupidity. What part of 'private citizen' don't you understand? Chretien did the same thing, and I had no problem with it, nor do I have a problem with Harper doing the same thing. If they want to keep busy as private citizens, who are we to interfere?
Are you trying to advocate new laws that prohibit private citizens from going about their lives, or is this just more talking from your rear end?
We are involved in extremely difficult negotiations - some of the most difficult ever. All I am asking for is some prudence from a former PM. Harper should have done the right and loyal thing and cleared this with the government first to clarify the official line. It's not hard to understand how his visit could be misconstrued.
And please, referring to Chrétien does not excuse Harper's actions. This should apply to every PM. It's basic common sense.
Self serving prick is just trying to get sales for his book I'm sure.
Trudeau has a book coming out? That's most unfortunate for all of Canada.
As far as Stephen Harper is concerned.....like him or hate him, he can do what he wants. He did his service to Canada by leading it for so long, so good on him for doing what he wants.
I guess some people are just jealous, is all.
-J.
Private citizen, can do as he pleases, but he'd be smart to sit down with Trudeau and offer to try and bridge the gap and bring the orange dumbass coward to a sane line of thought again.
Is there a precedent on this, though? As a former PM he will never be an ordinary private citizen again. I would expect retired PMs of any party to work with the Canadian government.
Private citizen, can do as he pleases, but he'd be smart to sit down with Trudeau and offer to try and bridge the gap and bring the orange dumbass coward to a sane line of thought again.
Is there a precedent on this, though? As a former PM he will never be an ordinary private citizen again. I would expect retired PMs of any party to work with the Canadian government.
Precedent and Donald Trump don't go well together
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/06/2 ... newsletter
By contrast, Brian Mulroney is working with the current administration. That’s what all former PMs should be doing. Harper is out of order here.
Here's the much more responsible article from CBC:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/harper- ... -1.4727170
Interesting nugget here:
Sources say that ahead of the meeting, Bolton phoned the Canadian embassy in Washington to make some arrangements — a call that caught Canadian officials off-guard as they were not expecting such a visit.
Adding to the confusion, say the sources, the White House did not specify which "prime minister" was expected for the meetings; the Americans often use political titles long after a politician has left office. That led some Canadian officials to believe a visit by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had been planned in secret.
Trudeau's foreign policy adviser, John Hannaford, contacted his counterpart in the White House, who apologized and explained it was former prime minister Harper who would be visiting.
That prompted confusion on the part of Trudeau's inner circle, the sources say, as it's customary for past prime ministers to keep their successor in the loop on foreign travel plans of this magnitude.
This was also an issue when Harper himself was in office and he had to contend with former prime minister Jean Chrétien travelling to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin during the Crimean crisis. Harper had taken a tough stand against Putin and his incursion into
The do this often enough that it's not uncommon. If anything should be banned it should be what Denis Coderre did as a MP with his trip to Afghanistan while Canadian soldiers were stationed there with the specific goal in mind to undermine Canadian foreign and military policy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Cod ... ion_Member
It'll all mean nothing anyway. Even if Kudlow, Bolton, Kelly, Mattis, Pence, or the entire congressional GOP were willing to listen Trump still wouldn't be. Harper is really just wasting his time with this effort.
Maybe, but Harper's not going to be talking to Trump or Pence. Kudlow and Bolton have important positions but it's not like this is some kind of state visit. And our own politics remain what they, unfortunately, even in the face of the American threat. It's not like Chretien or Coderre bothered to co-ordinate with the Harper government with their own excursions so Harper's not really obligated with that kind of precedent to keep Trudeau informed. Former heads of state apparently have the right to do these things as they see fit after their retirement.
It'll all mean nothing anyway. Even if Kudlow, Bolton, Kelly, Mattis, Pence, or the entire congressional GOP were willing to listen Trump still wouldn't be. Harper is really just wasting his time with this effort.
No former head of government should undertake a mission of this sort without talking to the PMO first. That's a reasonable rule in my opinion. Chrétien should not have done it either. Harper has already publicly opined, while abroad mind you, on the trade dispute in an oddly defeatist way:
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/06/2 ... _23469562/
Which could be interpreted as meaning we have to appease Trump. Lesser lights can say and do what they like but former Prime Ministers are a special case.
No former head of government should undertake a mission of this sort without talking to the PMO first. That's a reasonable rule in my opinion.
Which could be interpreted as meaning we have to appease Trump.
I mean golly gee Polly Anna, maybe we should make a big stink about Obama's lunch date with Trudeau.
If you think it's inappropriate for a former head of govt to visit directly with another country's leader, then shouldn't the reverse apply? Was it proper for Trudeau to meet Obama even though we all know Obama didn't bother informing the White House of his intention to meet up with Trudeau?
This does not sound good at all.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/06/2 ... newsletter
By contrast, Brian Mulroney is working with the current administration. That’s what all former PMs should be doing. Harper is out of order here.
Sorry but given the complete lack of outrage from the Liberal side of the aisle when Chretien as a former PM went off visiting dictators the "out of order" complaint comes off as nothing more than the usual anti Harper rhetoric, albeit, a couple of years to late.
Into this moment of international drama and danger walks Jean Chrétien. The InterAction Council, an organization of former world leaders, has announced that the former prime minister will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the council’s upcoming meeting. The council is to discuss the state of relations between Russia and the West and Chrétien is to “report to the group on his discussions with the Russian president.”
Since leaving office a decade ago, Chrétien has periodically made news with his forays abroad. In 2004, along with the head of a Canadian oil company, he visited Turkmenistan to meet with Saparmurat Niyazov, that country’s late dictator. In 2013, Chrétien attended the funeral of Hugo Chavez, the controversial Venezuelan leader. He has also criticized the Harper government’s foreign policy.
https://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa ... to-russia/
No former head of government should undertake a mission of this sort without talking to the PMO first. That's a reasonable rule in my opinion.
It's not a reasonable rule at all, it's sheer stupidity. What part of 'private citizen' don't you understand? Chretien did the same thing, and I had no problem with it, nor do I have a problem with Harper doing the same thing. If they want to keep busy as private citizens, who are we to interfere?
Are you trying to advocate new laws that prohibit private citizens from going about their lives, or is this just more talking from your rear end?
Give your head a shake.
-J.
And please, referring to Chrétien does not excuse Harper's actions. This should apply to every PM. It's basic common sense.