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Some excerpts from a press conference held by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, yesterday, at the National Press Theatre. I have lightly edited the remarks, usually for clarity (The PM tends to use the word 'obviously' a lot, for example, in the same way some speakers us 'uh' as they pause in their speech.):

Brian Laghi, The Globe and Mail: Prime Minister, I just would like to ask you about some of the demands that have been made by the various opposition parties with respect to the Throne Speech. Mr. Duceppe has said that a number of these demands aren’t negotiable. He mentioned the elimination of the spending power for example . . . and I’m wondering if these are negotiable items for you?
Harper: Well, let me just say that I think it has been an unusual couple of weeks in Canadian politics. We had the by-election results in Quebec. I know I’m not supposed to be an analyst but as an analyst, I wouldn’t have predicted that the results of those by-elections would be a message to Mr. Duceppe and Mr. Dion to make non-negotiable demands and otherwise demand a general election. That would not have been my interpretation of the by-elections, but, you know, Mr. Duceppe is responsible for his own political party, his own interpretation of the results and that is his decision.
The opposition has made a number of suggestions ranging from suggestions to demands — all three parties. We always listen very carefully to what the opposition says and we will attempt, as far as the Throne Speech can, to address head-on the issues that they have raised. We may not be giving them the policy they want, but we will try and address the issues and we will be seeking a mandate to govern and that is, I think, what a Throne Speech is all about.
I know the opposition has all kinds of demands. I respect that they have the right to make demands. At the same time, let me just say that the government has some things it wants to get done in this Throne Speech in this upcoming session of parliament.
We want to continue to raise Canada’s place in the world, defend our sovereignty. We want to deal with the question of extension of the Afghan mission in a responsible way — look at the options, make sure they are fully considered, take a responsible decision.
We have important initiatives on the economy, on the environment and on crime.
I think our positions are well understood. They have been developed over the past year, in some cases in response to some opposition criticism, maybe not exactly what the opposition would like, but we have tried to adjust and come up with realistic and responsible policies, and we will be asking Parliament to give us a green light to proceed with our — with our initiatives in those areas.
That is what we will be asking from Parliament and we will be asking for a clear mandate from Parliament to do that. That is what a Throne Speech is supposed to be all about and you know, I think you have to remember, there is one other subject matter that is among the government’s priorities and that is strengthening the Canadian federation. We all know that Mr. Duceppe fundamentally disagrees with that objective. So you know, I think it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear that we will not be fully satisfying the demands of the Bloc Québécois but we will do our best to address the subject matter that they have put before us.

Susan Lunn, CBC Radio: Mr. Harper, I’m wondering after 19 months in government, what challenges do you see ahead for your government and your party and for yourself personally as you look ahead?
Harper: My preferred course of action will be to lay forward a Throne Speech and to govern on that Throne Speech and, as I think I have just said, the Throne Speech will lay out our priorities in the key areas: strengthening the federation, strengthening our position in the world including dealing with the Afghanistan next steps, crime, economy, environment. We are going to ask Parliament for a mandate. Once we have that mandate, we are going to consider that that basically gives us the right to consider those matters confidence going forward and to get results and get things done.
What we want to do in the next year is keep governing and keep implementing our platform, modified as I think it has been, to respond to opposition concerns and to public demands. Beyond that, obviously if we don’t get approval, the opposition will force an election. It is not my preferred course of action, but you know, if they force that, we will be ready for that.

Tonda MacCharles, The Toronto Star Prime Minister, you are talking about your Throne Speech as a mandate to govern. You consider all these matters henceforth confidence matters, but why wouldn’t you take advantage of the disarray on the left, your opponents, and go into an election? What is holding you back?
Harper: Well, first of all, we have been very clear from the beginning that we want this Parliament to work and we want to govern. We have passed a law — Bill C-16 to establish fixed election dates. We have set an election for October 2009. That may be optimistic.
I think the Canadian people want us to govern and I believe the things we are bringing forward are either popular or, with full information, entirely defensible to the Canadian public.
I think we are acting on what they want us to act on. So it seems to me we should get on with governing. That is what they want us to do.
At the same time, from our narrow partisan interests, I continue to believe that the longer the government governs, the more it gets done, the more it has to run on in terms of re-election, the better that is for the country and for us.
So I’m in no hurry, but as I say, ultimately, I have set the date, October 2009. I’m clear when I want an election. If the opposition wants one earlier, they are going to have to say so, but the choice is not an election or obstruction. The choice is an election or give the government a mandate to govern and I have said what those things are.
We are clear on the economy. I don’t think it is any secret this government is going to want to see some further tax reductions. I think we are clear where we need to go with our international partners on climate change in the environment, on crime.
We ran on some pretty important priorities. We put some of those before Parliament. They have been sitting there for a year. If we get approval of the Throne Speech, we are going to expect those things to be passed. If we are going to be here, we are going to govern and I think Canadians will expect us to get results out of Parliament.

Peter Harris, Global: Prime Minister, you say the mandate is to govern. I guess I’m just wondering how much flexibility is in the Throne Speech, because we all know that the Throne Speech involves negotiation behind the scene. Are you open to negotiations and will amendments to the Throne Speech possibly be supported and put through by your government?
Harper: I’m certainly willing to talk to the other parties. I have had chats with Mr. Duceppe, Mr. Layton. I won’t comment on those. They can make their own comments, but they certainly came to see me.
I haven’t had that chat with Mr. Dion, but I do have to remind you that Mr. Dion said in August that in all probability, he would vote against the Throne Speech. He said that in August. What was interesting about the statement is at that point, the government hadn’t even said it was holding a Throne Speech.
So you know, there have to be some point to having discussions, but we know what Mr. Dion’s conditions are as well. He has made those very clear.
I think in this case, opposition has largely chosen to communicate through the media. That is fine, that is their choice. We understand what their positions are.
In terms of the broad parameters, the government will have, as I said, an economic agenda that will involve tax reduction, a significant tax reduction and obviously we are going to be seeking a mandate for that and that is a confidence measure.
The government is determined that, in this second session of Parliament, that the major criminal justice initiatives we take can get passed. They are overwhelmingly supported by the public. The opposition claims to have supported them in the last election and the time for obstruction on those things is over. That is one of the things Parliament is here to do, it is to adopt some effective crime legislation.
On the environment, I think the government has been clear and will continue to be clear.
There will be items that fall on and off the agenda. We all know that, but on the big parameters, the government is looking for a mandate.
In terms of amendments to the Throne Speech, there have been minor amendments in the past, but the amendments have never gone at the core of the government’s agenda.
I can say we can have some flexibility [but] a Throne Speech is a fundamental matter of confidence and the government’s overall plan for the session in kind of broad terms is a matter of confidence.

Greg Weston, Sun Newspapers Prime Minister, you say that you are going to be looking for a clear mandate in the Throne Speech. If we take the opposition leaders at their words so far, the Bloc are going to vote against it, the NDP are going to vote against it and at least half the Liberals will vote against it, probably the other half will either abstain or be home with the flu. That doesn’t sound like much of a mandate and if that is what you get, are you willing to go down the road to the Governor General and say, “We don’t have a mandate”?
Harper: The Throne Speech will outline the major priorities of the government. The government’s message to the opposition is clear. We are looking for a mandate to proceed with those priorities. It is not a choice between, 'We obstruct you' or 'We have an election'. The choice is you either force us into election or give us this mandate.
We will be interpreting a positive result, a positive vote on the Speech from the Throne as a mandate to consider the major elements of the Throne Speech and the major elements of the government’s program to be matters of confidence going forward, because we must be able to govern. This is only a reasonable request.
So I think the opposition — it is not a matter of making threats. They have to fish or cut bait. I don’t believe that in politics you make threats unless you mean them. I don’t know whether they mean these threats or not.
I’m very clear: We have to be able to govern.
We are going to put forward a program that I think is not going to surprise a lot of people. I think it is what people would expect from us. I think they are positions that the Canadian public does support or we are confident they will support.
We have tried to listen and tried to adapt our program where it is realistic to do so and where it is responsible to do so, to address the demands of the opposition, but you know, there is a fish or cut bait on this. You can’t pass the Throne Speech one day and the next day say, well we didn’t actually mean to do it or we didn’t actually give you a mandate. We will take it as a mandate and we will take it as an ongoing question of confidence, to get those things done.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, at the National Press Theatre yesterday, responds to our report that the Chief of the Defence Staff, Rick Hillier, may see his turn at the top end next year.

Roger Smith, CTV : Prime Minister, welcome to the National Press Theatre. I want to ask you about Rick Hillier. There are reports that the government will not extend his term beyond early next year. Already soldiers are putting angry responses on the Internet. Some are organizing petitions to try and keep him on. Have you ruled out extending general Hillier’s term as chief, as chief of staff and if so, why?
Harper: First of all, the only thing true in these stories that I have seen today is that the Prime Minister does in fact appoint and designate the person who will be the chief of defence staff. That much is true.
But that said, the chief of defence staff is not appointed for a fixed term of office, not appointed for three years as some reports have said. There has been no discussion in my office or with me, with any senior officials about the possibility of changing the chief of defence staff and as a matter of fact, I think I just approved a pretty good rating for the chief of the defence staff.
I think he is an outstanding soldier who is bringing strong leadership to the Canadian Forces.

Stephen Harper just wrapped his first ever press conference as Prime Minister in the National Press Theatre. Other prime ministers, his own cabinet, and many politicians have used the NPT (located, as pictured on the left, on the first floor of the National Press Building on Wellington Street) but, upon taking office, Harper preferred to hold his press conferences in the foyer of the House of Commons with a podium in front of him. At those, he would stand. At the NPT, Harper sat at a desk.

And then there’s The List.

It’s gone. Kaput. No explanation and none needed. Everyone behaved themselves as Le Devoir reporter and Parliamentary Press Gallery executive member Hélène Buzzetti called out each journalist’s name who, in turn, stuck to the rules of one question each with no followup.

Harper himself looked as comfortable and upbeat as I’ve seen him in front of a packed house full of reporters. Dare I say it, but I think he might have been enjoying himself.

And, as I’ve said before, sometimes to Harper himself, answering questions is his strong suit. He’s very good at it. We heard him analyze the regional disparities of the New Brunswick economy; assess the military situation on the ground in Afghanistan; and joke about some major acquisitions some Canadian banks are making in the U.S.

Harper made lots of news today. For example, he is no longer looking for ‘consensus’ on extending the combat mission in Afghanistan. Instead, he’ll look for a simple majority of Parliament’s will. That is likely to drive a wedge in the Liberal Party as some MPs agree that there should be a role for the Canadian Forces, perhaps a combat one, beyond 2009. Liberal Leader Stephane Dion does not want a combat role although Dion will consider roles for Canadian troops in other parts of the country. 

Harper also said his next budget will have tax cuts — some big ones.

I’ll post up some transcripts of the 45–minute press conference as I’m able to.

This just crossed our desks. It will be the first time — so far as I know — that Stephen Harper will hold a press conference at the National Press Theatre — that's the facility managed by those 'hated' folks in the Parliamentary Press Gallery — since he's become Prime Minister.

As to the reason for the presser — there ain't one. It's a straight up Q&A.

Be sure to watch CTV Newsnet — we will be broadcasting this live at 3:45 pm (Ottawa time).

October 3, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Public event for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for today, October 3rd are:

3:45 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be available to take questions from the media.

Press Theatre
National Press Building
150 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario

*Open to media*

As my colleague Robert Fife reported last night, General Rick Hillier, the Chief of Canada's Defence Staff will finish his three-year appointment on schedule in February, 2008.

Hillier, it is widely believed, would have preferred to have his tenure extended at least through February 2009 when the mission in Afghanistan is scheduled to end but senior officials in the government believe that, at this point, Hillier is more of a liability than an asset.

Chiefs of Defence Staff normally serve for a three-year term so look for the governnment to spin this as a routine change of command. But it is not uncommon for governments to extend a CDS' term and certainly, the case could be made the Hillier has been an extraordinary CDS.

There are three potential replacements for Hillier: The Vice Chief of Defence Staff Walt Natynczyk (you pronounce that Na -tin-shuk, by the way and that's him in the beret in the picture on this page, a picture I took, by the way, outside the House of Commons on the day last fall when Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai visited); Chief of the Land Staff Lt. Gen Andrew Leslie, and the Chief of the Maritime Staff Drew Robertson. (The Air Force is out of this lottery as the top air force general, Angus Watt, just started his tenure in that spot in August. He may very well be CDS one day but that day is not in March, 2008.)

I've blogged before on this succession thing and, tonight, knowing what we know about the PMO's views about DND, I'd be putting my money on 'Smiling Walt'.

The PMO sees Leslie — a very capable officer — as being too much like Hillier, i.e., an empire builder who would be too popular with the troops because he would speak his mind. My defence sources say Robertson simply isn't of the same caliber a commander as the current crop of army guys. And, if there's a knock on Natynczyk, it's that he's too much the “company man”, which is exactly what the PMO and the new deputy minister of DND, Robert Fonber, is looking for right now.

Pollster Nik Nanos says, for the first time in the provincial election race in Ontario, that Premier Dalton McGuinty has edged into majority territory.
Nanos' firm SES Research has McGuinty's Liberals at at 44 per cent, 10 points up on John Tory's Conservatives. Howard Hampton's NDP are at 15 per cent and the Greens are at 7 per cent. The pollster was in the field Sept. 28-30 and says the results are accurate to within 4.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
In the meantime, John Tory, um, modifies his position on the issue of public funding of faith-based schools. Tory's fellow Tories are blaming his earlier position on this this issue for what now appears to the party's failure to break through against McGuinty.
The vote is on October 10.

My friend J.D. Bellavance tells readers of La Presse this morning that Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe is getting ready to depart the federal stage.

Bellavance wryly notes that, after spending 17 years in the House of Commons working for the breakup of Canada, Duceppe will be eligible to collect a pension from Canada's taxpayers of about $150,000   $115,000 a year:

Le chef du Bloc québécois, Gilles Duceppe, prépare son retrait de la politique. M. Duceppe a confié à certains proches collaborateurs qu’il dirigera les troupes bloquistes pour la dernière fois aux prochaines élections fédérales.

Élu pour la première fois à la Chambre des communes en 1990 à la faveur d’une élection partielle dans Laurier–Sainte-Marie, M. Duceppe a aussi confirmé son intention de quitter la barre du Bloc québécois après les prochaines élections fédérales à la chef du PQ, Pauline Marois, son alliée souverainiste à Québec, a appris La Presse. [Read the rest of the story]

Hmm. This ought to stir things up.

Radiohead, the internationally renowned band, has taken the unusual step of telling fans that they can pay as much or as little as they like for the band's new album, In Rainbows.
In a break from industry tradition the UK band… has told fans “it's up to you” what they pay to digitally download the album.
This isn't the first time that an artist has opted to charge nothing for an album, but the move is significant because Radiohead remains one of the biggest bands in the world.

Radiohead is free to sell its album directly from its official website because it is no longer tied to a record label. Guitarist Jonny Greenwood tells fans on the website that the album is only available to pre-order from the website, where it can be downloaded on release on October 10. [Read the whole story]

Gordon O'Connor may be gone but a key document he worked on for most of his tenure as Canada's Defence Minister comes before cabinet tomorrow, my defence industry sources tell me.
O'Connor, while he as an opposition MP, pretty much wrote up his party's first principles for a “Canada First” defence strategy and then went out and made sure the grassroots of his party adopted them at the party's first-ever policy convention in Montreal in 2005.

Peter MacKay is now defence minister so it'll be up to him to make the case for the “Canada First” defence strategy — an important 'master plan' of sorts that sets out the kinds of threats and dangers Canada's civilian leaders expect their military leaders to guard us against over the next 20 years or so. O'Connor, the former general is who is now our Minister of National Revenue, will get a chance to have his say just like everyone else around the cabinet table.
This document becomes the guide for recruitment, procurement, and training for Canada's Armed Forces.
The Conservatives call this document “Canada First”. The Liberals called their last such document, approved by cabinet in 2005 when Bill Graham was defence minister, the “Defence Policy Statement“. This document has made it to some committees of cabinet a few times but has been sent back for review and revision each time. Tomorrow, it looks like it might make it through full cabinet.
What's in it? Don't know but would love to.
The Ruxted Group — a kind of ad hoc group of current and former CF members with an interest in defence policy — believes that the Canada First strategy should come with a steep price tag — and that it should not be simply an exercise in shuffling the deck chairs:

We need to worry less and less about how headquarters are structured, and even whether or not we have too many underemployed admirals and generals, and focus on building, staffing and sustaining enough (many more than we have now) ships, and army and air force units – combat units and support units alike. Ruxted has posited that we will need much more than $20 billion by 2010 for the defence budget. It will have to grow by tens of billions and we will have to find that money year after year for decades to come if we are to pay a lead role in the long, arduous war which we face.
This needs to be presented to Canadians in a Throne Speech. A responsible Canadian government needs to be elected on a promise to make Canada a leader in the world and to give Canada the armed forces which will make that possible. Then it needs to keep that promise. Canada is a modern, sophisticated and, above all, a rich country. We can help the less fortunate in the world; we can lead the other middle powers in the quest to “do the right thing.” It takes will and it takes money.

Environmentalists I spoke to today were “pleasantly surprised” that Corporate Canada, including titans of the oil patch like Suncor's Rick George, endorsed a call for an “aggressive” plan to reduce the greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, that cause global warming.
What really seemed to raise some eyebrows was the assertion by the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) that Canada must commit itself to an absolute reduction of greenhouse gases. In other words, the total amount of greenhouse gases produced in Canada must, at some point in the future, be smaller in one year than in the previous year — even if economic output were to jump, say, 50 per cent from one year to the next.
That's quite a change from the Conservative government's widely criticized “intensity” targets in which the amount of greenhouse gases per unit of economic output must decrease. With intensity targets it is possible that greenhouse gases could rise if economic output continues to rise from year to year.
Now, mind you, Environment Minister John Baird asserts that his government's intensity targets are so severe that they essentially amount to an absolute target. You won't be surprised to hear, though, that climate change scientists, including some of who have, at times been seen as sympathetic to the government's view, generally disagree with him.
So here's the CCCE today:
“While intensity targets make sense as a means of encouraging Canadian firms to become more efficient without being penalized for growing, the ultimate goal must be to achieve a substantial absolute reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases, in Canada and globally.”
This statement is part of a document, one should add, that is not produced by a policy wonk in some industry association — this is a document signed by the chief executive officers of 33 of Canada's largest companies, including Rick George, the chief executive of the Suncor, the biggest producer in Alberta's oil sands.
Environmentalists were also encouraged by the chief executives reference to the fact that carbon needs to have a fair and appropriate price attached to it. The thinking there is that if carbon has a price on it, it will show up on a firm's balance sheet as an asset or a liability — just like a factory or a loan to be paid — and that means firms will make rational decisions that should tend, over time, to reduce their liabilities, i.e. reduce their creation of carbon. Here's what the CEOs said:
“The price signal is an important means to ensure that energy use reflects its environmental costs, and these signals can be strengthened through market-based mechanisms such as emissions trading and environmental taxation. However, any such tools must be designed so that industries and consumers are not merely penalized, but have positive reasons to act. Policies aimed at changing behaviour through price signals must deliver positive environmental outcomes in ways that foster an innovative economy and strengthen Canada's competitive advantage.”