Dont know why he would want to do it but he did it! It should be more interesting to see what else happens
3 Firings in a week who‘s next?
PM names John Manley as new finance minister
http://www.ctvnews.com/content/publish/slim/Story869431.htm
6/2/2002 5:59:49 PM
John Manley now holds two posts within the Liberal government. Prime Minister Jean Chretien has sworn in his deputy prime minister as the new finance minister, replacing Paul Martin Sunday in the second cabinet shuffle in seven days.
There is some confusion over whether Martin resigned, or was fired. Chretien told a press conference following the swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa that he didn‘t sack his finance minister.
"This afternoon, Mr. Martin and I, we agreed, that for the good of the government, of the country, that it was better he not be the minister of finance," Chretien told reporters following the swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
CTV‘s Roger Smith adds that a news release from the Prime Minister‘s Office says Chretien accepted Martin‘s resignation. However, in a letter from Chretien to Martin distributed to media at the swearing-in ceremony, the PM says "it is with sadness that I confirm that you are leaving the cabinet."
It goes on to say: "We‘ve worked well together but unfortunately matters unrelated to governing have gotten in the way of our working together on government policy.
"As such, we both understand, with real regret, that it is in the best interest of the government and the country that you step down from the cabinet."
Smith says Martin wants it to look like he was pushed out of cabinet, whereas Chretien wants it to look like Martin left.
The shuffle comes shortly after Martin threatened to quit. The finance minister was upset Friday after a feisty Chretien threw down the gauntlet over a flurry of embarrassing media leaks which alleged widespread corruption and unethical conduct within the Liberal Party.
"They will have plenty of time to organize because they will not be ministers anymore," Chretien threatened.
Chretien believes the media leaks, which have already forced two MPs from cabinet, originated from his would-be successors and has begged journalists to hand over the names of sources.
Martin was widely believed to be the leading contender to succeed Chretien as the leader of the Liberal Party, and possibly become the next prime minister. His departure threatens to split the Liberal Party.
Earlier Sunday, Martin cancelled a key speech scheduled at the International Monetary Conference in Montreal for Monday, which only added to speculation that he was preparing to quit. Chretien is still scheduled to speak at the conference.
Martin‘s departure is expected to send shock waves through Canadian financial markets.
"This is another sign of the beginning of the end," said CTV‘s Mike Duffy.
Manley said he has a big challenge ahead of him in his new portfolio.
"It‘s also, of course, a challenge coming in when the economy is performing so exceedingly well because if it doesn‘t continue it will look like I‘m responsible," he said.
With Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson out of the country for the Queen‘s Jubilee, Chretien will have to call on Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin to preside over the swearing-in of new ministers.
At a press gallery dinner in Ottawa on Saturday night, Chretien played down the controversy by joking he had banished Martin to Afghanistan.
"Late last night I asked Paul Martin to go in my place," Chretien said. But he was quick to change the subject and brushed off questions about the tiff.
As the second most powerful person in the Liberal cabinet, Martin is credited by most economists and analysts with taming Canada‘s deficits and setting the new financial course for the country.
His departure will almost certainly throw Canada‘s business sector into a tailspin and send the Canadian dollar lower once overseas markets open late Sunday and early Monday.
Reaction to Martin‘s departure
Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper said Martin‘s departure makes the Liberal government much weaker and gives the opposition some opportunity to advance.
"The government is not only directionless, but in some disarray," Harper told reporters Sunday night.
"So it provides an opportunity for us to take advantage of that, politically and electorally. But I keep telling my party we have a lot of work to do ourselves."
Tory leader Joe Clark echoed those comments shortly after, telling a press conference: "It certainly increases our obligation to provide an alternative to the country."
He added that Martin‘s departure couldn‘t come at a worse time for Canada, which is set to host the G-8 Kananaskis summit in Alberta in June. Clark says it is mainly a financial summit and that "Canada was counting on Martin to perform."
"Instead of striding with confidence into that summit, we‘re limping," he said. "It sends the worst possible signal to the world, and it isn‘t over. The world knows it isn‘t over."
