Wow, Canada’s really back on the world stage, eh:
Harper makes donut run
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, traveling in the United States this week, will be a no-show during U.S. President Barack Obama’s address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday morning. The White House press office says Mr. Obama’s speech starts at 9:15 a.m., but the Prime Minister’s Office says Mr. Harper is scheduled to be back in Canada for an event in Oakville, Ont, at 11:30 a.m. The reason? Mr. Harper’s making a stop at something called the Tim Hortons Innovation Centre. That’s right. The coffee-and-donut heavyweight apparently has a research and development arm. Presumably they’re responsible for such breakthroughs as the Smile Cookie.
No word on when Mr. Harper will visit the Bud Light Institute.
Tim Horton’s was more important to the Prime Minister then Barack Obama making his first major address to the UN General Assembly and challenging the world leaders on several important issues. This follows yesterday’s antics where he decided to skip out on the Climate Change meetings that many world leaders – including Obama and the President of China – attended and actually spoke, but Harper decided meeting the mayor of New York was a bigger deal (He did make the climate change dinner however that night).
His decided lack of interest on the environmental front is pointed out rather prominently by these quotes today from UN officials, media editorials, and environmental groups.
Apparently, Stephen Harper was “just visiting” New York for a holiday, and nothing remotely serious on the policy front.
UPDATE @ 1:16 pm: The Liberals response in a press release:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s absence today from a special meeting of world leaders at the United Nations in favour of a doughnut factory tour highlights Canada’s faltering world voice under the Conservatives – especially in the global fight against climate change. “I love my double-double as much as the next guy,” said Liberal Energy and Environment Critic David McGuinty. “But examining the latest in doughnut technology while the rest of the world’s leaders gather to confront the challenge of climate change is like Nero’s fiddling while Rome burns…Only weeks ago, Stephen Harper slammed the United Nations behind closed doors, in marked contrast to leaders like Pearson, Trudeau and Mulroney, who knew that Canadian values could make the world a better place – and used their positions of leadership to do so,” said Mr. McGuinty.
That’s a very good point – Harper did in fact slam the UN in that taped speech that leaked out. This apparent snub of climate change talks and the General Assembly addresses would indeed show Harper’s disdain for the UN. I’ve no doubt that his core base of supporters thinks it’s a great idea to be looking inward and screw the rest of the world (in particular with climate change talks) , but I have my doubts the rest of Canadians do.
Scott, somehow this surprises me. Why would the PM miss this speech. Somethings are required of the job. Visiting TIM Horton’s could happen anytime. I did not think that even Harper could do something like this. I am astonished.
OMG, he’s standing in a Tim’s as I write this. I think this gives us a pretty good idea of what Harper’s foreign policy is all about.
“what Harper’s foreign policy is all about”:
Tim-bits will save the world!
“…just don’t call me late for dinner.”
Doesn’t Harper’s absence from Obama’s speech smack of complacency? He did however make a comment that Canada would be following what ever the US decided to do since we are so very closely tied to the US. Boooooooooh!! Harper doesn’t have a clue what he is doing regarding climate change. We are the babies following poppa.
I think the environment minister may be in trouble. Harper is r-r-r-olling up the Jim Prentice and tossin’ his waste along the highway.
Perhaps Harper is only being shrewd and realizes not just how important the donut lovers vote may be to his party’s election success, but also the huge amount of dough that Timmy’s has available to offer his election campaign.
I love the title….never mind
Harper can always read the speech Obama read off the teleprompter for himself.
He just met with President Obama privately. A chance to talk and listen to the President, without the teleprompter telling Obama what to say.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/05/27/biden_jokes_about_breaking_obamas_teleprompter_.html
@Roll Tide, Boy, now you’re repeating Republican right-wing talking points on Obama? What a shocker.
@Scott Tribe,
Joe Biden’s talking point
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/05/teleprompter-fa.html
Stew is right (although he was joking). This is called playing to the base, folks. The Conservative base thinks the U.N. is filled with Islamofascists and Communists. Tim Horton’s on the other hand has become almost totemic to the party faithful. By snubbing the U.N. and going to Tim’s, Harper is getting a twofer. It all makes sense if you remember that Harper does not give two flying figs about any Canadian, save for those 34% who vote Conservative. And believe me, they love him right back.
I work right beside the Tim Horton’s and it seemed more like a bomb threat or lock down was happening. Police stopping traffic and dressed in all their gear. Secret service in suits all around the outside and police on the rooftops of buildings. This is how he spends our tax dollars? Next time use the drive through