Tories appeal to base, and rake in cash

It's only money, but the governing Conservatives have plenty more than their rivals and to appeal to their base, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, his ministers and government have consistently tabled bills, made occasional bare knuckled right-wing statements and managed Parliamentary affairs in such a way that core supporters will be inspired to send off cheques over the past five years, the opposition says.

Pollster Nik Nanos told The Hill Times last week that the occasional positioning—witness the controversial decision to deep-six the mandatory long form of Canada's census last summer—is required to satisfy the party's hard core after the government takes moderate turns that would curdle the blood of Prime Minister Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) old Reform and Canadian Alliance colleagues.

"They have to feed the beast," Mr. Nanos said. "If periodically through every year they're doing something [moderate], that means there is pressure on them to continue to have kind of incremental issues for fundraising, which explains why things surface with a particular regularity."

Part of the story

MacKay's mini-revolt may signal Tories can't win stable government in next election

Defence Minister Peter MacKay likely floated the idea he may leave government for one of Bay Street's biggest law firms because he and other prominent Conservatives realize they have slim chances of forming a stable government after the next election, says pollster Frank Graves.

It would take a drastic change in voter opinion about both the Liberal and Conservative parties.

Other Parliament Hill insiders agree speculation about Mr. MacKay's possible departure, former environment minister Jim Prentice's resignation, a trial balloon from B.C. that touted Heritage Minister James Moore (Port Moody-Port Coquitlam, B.C.) as a possible contender for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party, and a trickle of Cabinet aides who have left the government are signals that all is not well under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) leadership.

"With these numbers, there is no way they can deliver a secure minority Parliament," Mr. Graves told The Hill Times. "I don't believe there is any way, if the Conservatives

MacKay's mini-revolt may signal Tories can't win stable government in next election

Defence Minister Peter MacKay likely floated the idea he may leave government for one of Bay Street's biggest law firms because he and other prominent Conservatives realize they have slim chances of forming a stable government after the next election, says pollster Frank Graves.

It would take a drastic change in voter opinion about both the Liberal and Conservative parties.

Other Parliament Hill insiders agree speculation about Mr. MacKay's possible departure, former environment minister Jim Prentice's resignation, a trial balloon from B.C. that touted Heritage Minister James Moore (Port Moody-Port Coquitlam, B.C.) as a possible contender for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party, and a trickle of Cabinet aides who have left the government are signals that all is not well under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) leadership.

"With these numbers, there is no way they can deliver a secure minority Parliament," Mr. Graves told The Hill Times. "I don't believe there is any way, if the Conservatives

MacKay's mini-revolt may signal Tories can't win stable government in next election

Defence Minister Peter MacKay likely floated the idea he may leave government for one of Bay Street's biggest law firms because he and other prominent Conservatives realize they have slim chances of forming a stable government after the next election, says pollster Frank Graves.

It would take a drastic change in voter opinion about both the Liberal and Conservative parties.

Other Parliament Hill insiders agree speculation about Mr. MacKay's possible departure, former environment minister Jim Prentice's resignation, a trial balloon from B.C. that touted Heritage Minister James Moore (Port Moody-Port Coquitlam, B.C.) as a possible contender for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party, and a trickle of Cabinet aides who have left the government are signals that all is not well under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) leadership.

"With these numbers, there is no way they can deliver a secure minority Parliament," Mr. Graves told The Hill Times. "I don't believe there is any way, if the Conservatives

MacKay's mini-revolt may signal Tories can't win stable government in next election

Defence Minister Peter MacKay likely floated the idea he may leave government for one of Bay Street's biggest law firms because he and other prominent Conservatives realize they have slim chances of forming a stable government after the next election, says pollster Frank Graves.

It would take a drastic change in voter opinion about both the Liberal and Conservative parties.

Other Parliament Hill insiders agree speculation about Mr. MacKay's possible departure, former environment minister Jim Prentice's resignation, a trial balloon from B.C. that touted Heritage Minister James Moore (Port Moody-Port Coquitlam, B.C.) as a possible contender for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party, and a trickle of Cabinet aides who have left the government are signals that all is not well under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) leadership.

"With these numbers, there is no way they can deliver a secure minority Parliament," Mr. Graves told The Hill Times. "I don't believe there is any way, if the Conservatives

MacKay's mini-revolt may signal Tories can't win stable government in next election

Defence Minister Peter MacKay likely floated the idea he may leave government for one of Bay Street's biggest law firms because he and other prominent Conservatives realize they have slim chances of forming a stable government after the next election, says pollster Frank Graves.

It would take a drastic change in voter opinion about both the Liberal and Conservative parties.

Other Parliament Hill insiders agree speculation about Mr. MacKay's possible departure, former environment minister Jim Prentice's resignation, a trial balloon from B.C. that touted Heritage Minister James Moore (Port Moody-Port Coquitlam, B.C.) as a possible contender for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party, and a trickle of Cabinet aides who have left the government are signals that all is not well under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) leadership.

"With these numbers, there is no way they can deliver a secure minority Parliament," Mr. Graves told The Hill Times. "I don't believe there is any way, if the Conservatives

MacKay's mini-revolt may signal Tories can't win stable government in next election

Defence Minister Peter MacKay likely floated the idea he may leave government for one of Bay Street's biggest law firms because he and other prominent Conservatives realize they have slim chances of forming a stable government after the next election, says pollster Frank Graves.

It would take a drastic change in voter opinion about both the Liberal and Conservative parties.

Other Parliament Hill insiders agree speculation about Mr. MacKay's possible departure, former environment minister Jim Prentice's resignation, a trial balloon from B.C. that touted Heritage Minister James Moore (Port Moody-Port Coquitlam, B.C.) as a possible contender for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party, and a trickle of Cabinet aides who have left the government are signals that all is not well under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) leadership.

"With these numbers, there is no way they can deliver a secure minority Parliament," Mr. Graves told The Hill Times. "I don't believe there is any way, if the Conservatives

MacKay's mini-revolt may signal Tories can't win stable government in next election

Defence Minister Peter MacKay likely floated the idea he may leave government for one of Bay Street's biggest law firms because he and other prominent Conservatives realize they have slim chances of forming a stable government after the next election, says pollster Frank Graves.

It would take a drastic change in voter opinion about both the Liberal and Conservative parties.

Other Parliament Hill insiders agree speculation about Mr. MacKay's possible departure, former environment minister Jim Prentice's resignation, a trial balloon from B.C. that touted Heritage Minister James Moore (Port Moody-Port Coquitlam, B.C.) as a possible contender for the leadership of the provincial Liberal party, and a trickle of Cabinet aides who have left the government are signals that all is not well under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) leadership.

"With these numbers, there is no way they can deliver a secure minority Parliament," Mr. Graves told The Hill Times. "I don't believe there is any way, if the Conservatives

Tories, Bloc could be in cahoots on House votes

The Bloc Québécois and the Harper government are rumoured to be engaged in a sensitive Pas de Deux that will likely see Québec City win federal funding for a new arena to host the NHL—with possible other victories for the Bloc—while the government wins unexpected support in crucial House votes.

The scenario could throw all current election speculation out the window and, combined with other events and timetables for next year, possibly set the stage for Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) not only surviving through another budget next spring, but possibly for another year at least.

"There's a rumour that's gaining traction, the Bloc have struck a deal with Stephen Harper," NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times. "They'll be their dancing partner until 2012."

Despite the contrast between a relationship involving the two sides and Prime Minister Harper's strident attacks against the Bloc Québécois only a year ago, prominent pollsters agree it could be possible. And, if an election is delayed that far into the future, the recent resignation of former environment minister Jim Prentice and reports Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) may also be looking elsewhere could hold wider meaning than previously thought.

The Bloc's support in a vote to send the government's second

Tories, Bloc could be in cahoots on House votes

The Bloc Québécois and the Harper government are rumoured to be engaged in a sensitive Pas de Deux that will likely see Québec City win federal funding for a new arena to host the NHL—with possible other victories for the Bloc—while the government wins unexpected support in crucial House votes.

The scenario could throw all current election speculation out the window and, combined with other events and timetables for next year, possibly set the stage for Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) not only surviving through another budget next spring, but possibly for another year at least.

"There's a rumour that's gaining traction, the Bloc have struck a deal with Stephen Harper," NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times. "They'll be their dancing partner until 2012."

Despite the contrast between a relationship involving the two sides and Prime Minister Harper's strident attacks against the Bloc Québécois only a year ago, prominent pollsters agree it could be possible. And, if an election is delayed that far into the future, the recent resignation of former environment minister Jim Prentice and reports Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) may also be looking elsewhere could hold wider meaning than previously thought.

The Bloc's support in a vote to send the government's second

Tories, Bloc could be in cahoots on House votes

The Bloc Québécois and the Harper government are rumoured to be engaged in a sensitive Pas de Deux that will likely see Québec City win federal funding for a new arena to host the NHL—with possible other victories for the Bloc—while the government wins unexpected support in crucial House votes.

The scenario could throw all current election speculation out the window and, combined with other events and timetables for next year, possibly set the stage for Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) not only surviving through another budget next spring, but possibly for another year at least.

"There's a rumour that's gaining traction, the Bloc have struck a deal with Stephen Harper," NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times. "They'll be their dancing partner until 2012."

Despite the contrast between a relationship involving the two sides and Prime Minister Harper's strident attacks against the Bloc Québécois only a year ago, prominent pollsters agree it could be possible. And, if an election is delayed that far into the future, the recent resignation of former environment minister Jim Prentice and reports Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) may also be looking elsewhere could hold wider meaning than previously thought.

The Bloc's support in a vote to send the government's second

Tories, Bloc could be in cahoots on House votes

The Bloc Québécois and the Harper government are rumoured to be engaged in a sensitive Pas de Deux that will likely see Québec City win federal funding for a new arena to host the NHL—with possible other victories for the Bloc—while the government wins unexpected support in crucial House votes.

The scenario could throw all current election speculation out the window and, combined with other events and timetables for next year, possibly set the stage for Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) not only surviving through another budget next spring, but possibly for another year at least.

"There's a rumour that's gaining traction, the Bloc have struck a deal with Stephen Harper," NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times. "They'll be their dancing partner until 2012."

Despite the contrast between a relationship involving the two sides and Prime Minister Harper's strident attacks against the Bloc Québécois only a year ago, prominent pollsters agree it could be possible. And, if an election is delayed that far into the future, the recent resignation of former environment minister Jim Prentice and reports Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) may also be looking elsewhere could hold wider meaning than previously thought.

The Bloc's support in a vote to send the government's second

Tories, Bloc could be in cahoots on House votes

The Bloc Québécois and the Harper government are rumoured to be engaged in a sensitive Pas de Deux that will likely see Québec City win federal funding for a new arena to host the NHL—with possible other victories for the Bloc—while the government wins unexpected support in crucial House votes.

The scenario could throw all current election speculation out the window and, combined with other events and timetables for next year, possibly set the stage for Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) not only surviving through another budget next spring, but possibly for another year at least.

"There's a rumour that's gaining traction, the Bloc have struck a deal with Stephen Harper," NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times. "They'll be their dancing partner until 2012."

Despite the contrast between a relationship involving the two sides and Prime Minister Harper's strident attacks against the Bloc Québécois only a year ago, prominent pollsters agree it could be possible. And, if an election is delayed that far into the future, the recent resignation of former environment minister Jim Prentice and reports Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) may also be looking elsewhere could hold wider meaning than previously thought.

The Bloc's support in a vote to send the government's second

Tories, Bloc could be in cahoots on House votes

The Bloc Québécois and the Harper government are rumoured to be engaged in a sensitive Pas de Deux that will likely see Québec City win federal funding for a new arena to host the NHL—with possible other victories for the Bloc—while the government wins unexpected support in crucial House votes.

The scenario could throw all current election speculation out the window and, combined with other events and timetables for next year, possibly set the stage for Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) not only surviving through another budget next spring, but possibly for another year at least.

"There's a rumour that's gaining traction, the Bloc have struck a deal with Stephen Harper," NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times. "They'll be their dancing partner until 2012."

Despite the contrast between a relationship involving the two sides and Prime Minister Harper's strident attacks against the Bloc Québécois only a year ago, prominent pollsters agree it could be possible. And, if an election is delayed that far into the future, the recent resignation of former environment minister Jim Prentice and reports Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) may also be looking elsewhere could hold wider meaning than previously thought.

The Bloc's support in a vote to send the government's second

Tories, Bloc could be in cahoots on House votes

The Bloc Québécois and the Harper government are rumoured to be engaged in a sensitive Pas de Deux that will likely see Québec City win federal funding for a new arena to host the NHL—with possible other victories for the Bloc—while the government wins unexpected support in crucial House votes.

The scenario could throw all current election speculation out the window and, combined with other events and timetables for next year, possibly set the stage for Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) not only surviving through another budget next spring, but possibly for another year at least.

"There's a rumour that's gaining traction, the Bloc have struck a deal with Stephen Harper," NDP MP Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, Man.) told The Hill Times. "They'll be their dancing partner until 2012."

Despite the contrast between a relationship involving the two sides and Prime Minister Harper's strident attacks against the Bloc Québécois only a year ago, prominent pollsters agree it could be possible. And, if an election is delayed that far into the future, the recent resignation of former environment minister Jim Prentice and reports Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.) may also be looking elsewhere could hold wider meaning than previously thought.

The Bloc's support in a vote to send the government's second

Pollsters sound unusual note of caution in Canadian politics, aftermath of U.S. midterms

Prime Minister Stephen Harper may not be immune to a Canadian version of the so-called Tea Party fury that devastated U.S. Democrats last week, and leading pollsters suggest he should be looking over his shoulder as the end of his fifth year in government nears.

Even though Canada's side of the populist anti-tax movement that swept through the U.S. midterms is threatening provincial governments rather than the federal Conservatives, and the core of federal Canadian conservative-minded voters is still behind Prime Minister Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.), a fragile economic recovery and a range of other issues that could turn

Pollsters sound unusual note of caution in Canadian politics, aftermath of U.S. midterms

Prime Minister Stephen Harper may not be immune to a Canadian version of the so-called Tea Party fury that devastated U.S. Democrats last week, and leading pollsters suggest he should be looking over his shoulder as the end of his fifth year in government nears.

Even though Canada's side of the populist anti-tax movement that swept through the U.S. midterms is threatening provincial governments rather than the federal Conservatives, and the core of federal Canadian conservative-minded voters is still behind Prime Minister Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.), a fragile economic recovery and a range of other issues that could turn

Pollsters sound unusual note of caution in Canadian politics, aftermath of U.S. midterms

Prime Minister Stephen Harper may not be immune to a Canadian version of the so-called Tea Party fury that devastated U.S. Democrats last week, and leading pollsters suggest he should be looking over his shoulder as the end of his fifth year in government nears.

Even though Canada's side of the populist anti-tax movement that swept through the U.S. midterms is threatening provincial governments rather than the federal Conservatives, and the core of federal Canadian conservative-minded voters is still behind Prime Minister Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.), a fragile economic recovery and a range of other issues that could turn

Pollsters sound unusual note of caution in Canadian politics, aftermath of U.S. midterms

Prime Minister Stephen Harper may not be immune to a Canadian version of the so-called Tea Party fury that devastated U.S. Democrats last week, and leading pollsters suggest he should be looking over his shoulder as the end of his fifth year in government nears.

Even though Canada's side of the populist anti-tax movement that swept through the U.S. midterms is threatening provincial governments rather than the federal Conservatives, and the core of federal Canadian conservative-minded voters is still behind Prime Minister Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.), a fragile economic recovery and a range of other issues that could turn

Pollsters sound unusual note of caution in Canadian politics, aftermath of U.S. midterms

Prime Minister Stephen Harper may not be immune to a Canadian version of the so-called Tea Party fury that devastated U.S. Democrats last week, and leading pollsters suggest he should be looking over his shoulder as the end of his fifth year in government nears.

Even though Canada's side of the populist anti-tax movement that swept through the U.S. midterms is threatening provincial governments rather than the federal Conservatives, and the core of federal Canadian conservative-minded voters is still behind Prime Minister Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.), a fragile economic recovery and a range of other issues that could turn

Federal Tories 'cut O'Brien' loose in last week's Ottawa elections

It was ironic the help Larry O'Brien had from top federal Conservatives for his Ottawa mayoral victory in 2006 may ultimately have led to his downfall in last week's municipal election, but insiders say even the federal party's grassroots abandoned him for the campaign.

"They cut O'Brien loose completely," a longtime federal and municipal Liberal activist in the city told The Hill Times, pinning much of the change in attitude on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) political king in the region—Government House Leader John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.). "He could see the writing on the wall, O'Brien's time was up, and he didn't want to be on the losing side."

Mr. O'Brien was defeated last week by Jim Watson, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet minister and MPP, who won 49 per cent of the vote, while Mr. O'Brien won 24 per cent. Clive Doucet won 15 per cent and Andy Haydon won seven per cent.

It was Mr. Baird whose intervention in the 2006 city elections, suspending federal funding for former mayor and Liberal MPP Bob Chiarelli's light rail plan, contributed significantly to

Federal Tories 'cut O'Brien' loose in last week's Ottawa elections

It was ironic the help Larry O'Brien had from top federal Conservatives for his Ottawa mayoral victory in 2006 may ultimately have led to his downfall in last week's municipal election, but insiders say even the federal party's grassroots abandoned him for the campaign.

"They cut O'Brien loose completely," a longtime federal and municipal Liberal activist in the city told The Hill Times, pinning much of the change in attitude on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) political king in the region—Government House Leader John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.). "He could see the writing on the wall, O'Brien's time was up, and he didn't want to be on the losing side."

Mr. O'Brien was defeated last week by Jim Watson, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet minister and MPP, who won 49 per cent of the vote, while Mr. O'Brien won 24 per cent. Clive Doucet won 15 per cent and Andy Haydon won seven per cent.

It was Mr. Baird whose intervention in the 2006 city elections, suspending federal funding for former mayor and Liberal MPP Bob Chiarelli's light rail plan, contributed significantly to

Federal Tories 'cut O'Brien' loose in last week's Ottawa elections

It was ironic the help Larry O'Brien had from top federal Conservatives for his Ottawa mayoral victory in 2006 may ultimately have led to his downfall in last week's municipal election, but insiders say even the federal party's grassroots abandoned him for the campaign.

"They cut O'Brien loose completely," a longtime federal and municipal Liberal activist in the city told The Hill Times, pinning much of the change in attitude on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) political king in the region—Government House Leader John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.). "He could see the writing on the wall, O'Brien's time was up, and he didn't want to be on the losing side."

Mr. O'Brien was defeated last week by Jim Watson, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet minister and MPP, who won 49 per cent of the vote, while Mr. O'Brien won 24 per cent. Clive Doucet won 15 per cent and Andy Haydon won seven per cent.

It was Mr. Baird whose intervention in the 2006 city elections, suspending federal funding for former mayor and Liberal MPP Bob Chiarelli's light rail plan, contributed significantly to

Federal Tories 'cut O'Brien' loose in last week's Ottawa elections

It was ironic the help Larry O'Brien had from top federal Conservatives for his Ottawa mayoral victory in 2006 may ultimately have led to his downfall in last week's municipal election, but insiders say even the federal party's grassroots abandoned him for the campaign.

"They cut O'Brien loose completely," a longtime federal and municipal Liberal activist in the city told The Hill Times, pinning much of the change in attitude on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) political king in the region—Government House Leader John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.). "He could see the writing on the wall, O'Brien's time was up, and he didn't want to be on the losing side."

Mr. O'Brien was defeated last week by Jim Watson, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet minister and MPP, who won 49 per cent of the vote, while Mr. O'Brien won 24 per cent. Clive Doucet won 15 per cent and Andy Haydon won seven per cent.

It was Mr. Baird whose intervention in the 2006 city elections, suspending federal funding for former mayor and Liberal MPP Bob Chiarelli's light rail plan, contributed significantly to

Federal Tories 'cut O'Brien' loose in last week's Ottawa elections

It was ironic the help Larry O'Brien had from top federal Conservatives for his Ottawa mayoral victory in 2006 may ultimately have led to his downfall in last week's municipal election, but insiders say even the federal party's grassroots abandoned him for the campaign.

"They cut O'Brien loose completely," a longtime federal and municipal Liberal activist in the city told The Hill Times, pinning much of the change in attitude on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) political king in the region—Government House Leader John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.). "He could see the writing on the wall, O'Brien's time was up, and he didn't want to be on the losing side."

Mr. O'Brien was defeated last week by Jim Watson, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet minister and MPP, who won 49 per cent of the vote, while Mr. O'Brien won 24 per cent. Clive Doucet won 15 per cent and Andy Haydon won seven per cent.

It was Mr. Baird whose intervention in the 2006 city elections, suspending federal funding for former mayor and Liberal MPP Bob Chiarelli's light rail plan, contributed significantly to

Federal Tories 'cut O'Brien' loose in last week's Ottawa elections

It was ironic the help Larry O'Brien had from top federal Conservatives for his Ottawa mayoral victory in 2006 may ultimately have led to his downfall in last week's municipal election, but insiders say even the federal party's grassroots abandoned him for the campaign.

"They cut O'Brien loose completely," a longtime federal and municipal Liberal activist in the city told The Hill Times, pinning much of the change in attitude on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) political king in the region—Government House Leader John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.). "He could see the writing on the wall, O'Brien's time was up, and he didn't want to be on the losing side."

Mr. O'Brien was defeated last week by Jim Watson, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet minister and MPP, who won 49 per cent of the vote, while Mr. O'Brien won 24 per cent. Clive Doucet won 15 per cent and Andy Haydon won seven per cent.

It was Mr. Baird whose intervention in the 2006 city elections, suspending federal funding for former mayor and Liberal MPP Bob Chiarelli's light rail plan, contributed significantly to

Federal Tories 'cut O'Brien' loose in last week's Ottawa elections

It was ironic the help Larry O'Brien had from top federal Conservatives for his Ottawa mayoral victory in 2006 may ultimately have led to his downfall in last week's municipal election, but insiders say even the federal party's grassroots abandoned him for the campaign.

"They cut O'Brien loose completely," a longtime federal and municipal Liberal activist in the city told The Hill Times, pinning much of the change in attitude on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) political king in the region—Government House Leader John Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.). "He could see the writing on the wall, O'Brien's time was up, and he didn't want to be on the losing side."

Mr. O'Brien was defeated last week by Jim Watson, former Ontario Liberal Cabinet minister and MPP, who won 49 per cent of the vote, while Mr. O'Brien won 24 per cent. Clive Doucet won 15 per cent and Andy Haydon won seven per cent.

It was Mr. Baird whose intervention in the 2006 city elections, suspending federal funding for former mayor and Liberal MPP Bob Chiarelli's light rail plan, contributed significantly to

Who's in charge of $1-billion West Block renos, ask MPs

MPs want to know who's in charge of the up to $1-billion dollar renovations to the West Block building on the Hill, and are asking questions about the entire $5-billion, 25-year Parliament building project.

The RCMP is investigating a $9-million West Block contract awarded to stonemasonry firm LM Sauvé that hired a Tory supporter to help in its dealings with the federal government.

In light of the news, the Government Operations Committee has initiated a study into the way construction contracts are tendered at Public Works.

"I expect that when we have senior officials before the committee to talk