Well, 3 cabinet Ministers won't be running again.

I'm not surprised about Emerson (the guy didn't have a change anyways), but Solberg wasn't expected.

Emerson, Hearn, Solberg won't run in next election
Last Updated: Thursday, September 4, 2008 | 6:09 PM ET Comments44Recommend34
CBC News
Federal cabinet ministers David Emerson, left, Loyola Hearn, centre, and Monte Solberg will not seek re-election, the Conservative party confirmed Thursday. (Sean Kilpatrick/Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)
Three cabinet ministers — David Emerson, Loyola Hearn and Monte Solberg — will not run in the next election, the Conservative Party of Canada announced Thursday afternoon.

"I have the utmost respect for all of these men and wish both them and their families all the best with whatever they choose to do outside of politics," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a news release.

All three will play key roles in the looming campaign, the release said.

Both Emerson, the Foreign Affairs minister, and Hearn, the Fisheries minister, were widely expected to step out of politics in the next electoral race, but Solberg's departure came as a surprise.

Solberg served as a Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat for the past 15 years, and spent the past two years in cabinet posts. He was Citizenship and Immigration minister before being appointed to the Human Resources portfolio in cabinet shuffle in early 2007.

"The decision to retire is the most difficult decision that I can remember making," Solberg wrote on his high-profile blog. He gave no indication what triggered his decision.

Emerson, who represents the Vancouver-Kingsway riding, made headlines when he defected to the Tories in February 2006, less than a month after winning a seat as a Liberal in the federal election.

His crossing of the floor gave the Conservatives an MP with strong business experience — Emerson once served as CEO of the softwood lumber giant Canfor Corp. and had been industry minister under Liberal prime minister Paul Martin.

Emerson was initially appointed the Conservatives' international trade minister, and he was praised for signing a softwood lumber agreement with the United States, ending a longstanding trade dispute.

Hearn represents the Newfoundland riding of St. John's South-Mount Pearl and has been an MP since 2000.

Since then, he has battled Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams over equalization and defended seal hunters in his province.

That's unfortunate, Monty Solberg is a very down to earth and decent politician ... I know that seems like an Oxy-Moron but its true.

well obviously he was just listening to the liberals try to link harper with bush...

He doesn't do anything.

Except if it has something to do with oil.

a couple accomplishments of the Harper Government.

Afghanistan mission extended to 2011

 Age of consent from 14 to 16 effective May 1, 2008 

 Agent Orange compensation package of $96 million –$20,000 to all veterans and civilians who lived within 5 kilometers of CFB Gagetown in N.B. between 1966 and 1967 with illnesses associated with exposure

Apology to Native people by Government of Canada on June 11, 2008 for residential school abuses 

Automative Innovation Fund of $250 million over five years (or $50 million a year) to developing greener, more fuel efficient vehicle

Border guards armed

Child Tax Credit ($2000 for every child under 18)

Chinese Head Tax — government apology on June 22, 2006

Chinese immigrant provision of $20,000 to every individual and/or surviving spouses who paid the head tax plus a $24 million towards an”historical recognition program”

Debt reduction of $10.2 billion in 07/08 budget

Food Labelling Initiative — to clarify and modernize labelling on food products, including “Product of Canada” and “Made in Canada” claims – to be fully in effect by December 31, 2008

GST — Goods & services tax cut from 7% to 6% and then to 5%

Land Claim Agreements — a total of 54 were settled up to and including 2008

Medical Alert Bracelets for Children — free of charge

Poland — Youth Mobility Agreement signed on July 14, 2008 that allows youth from either country to work and travel for up to one year

Quebecois as a nation  — a motion to confirm Quebec within a united Canada

Randle Reef Clean-up

“Save a Million Lives” international program for people affected by poverty

Students exempted from taxation for scholarships, bursaries and fellowships

Tackling Violent Crime Act

you know....i hadnt really seen it before...but since you mentioned it ...i can clearly see how evident it is that these are all connected by oil.   it seems so obvious that i cant believe i had missed it.....

Right ...

For a minority government the Conservatives have (actually) been very productive. Also what has he done FOR oil companies?

Due to the massive profits that record high energy prices was leading to resource, exploration and pipeline companies were converting to income trusts at record rates under Paul Martin and Jean Chretien's governments; the Conservatives closed this loop-hole even though they had to go against an election promise to do it. (The reason voters did not want this loop-hole closed is that income trusts are heavily used as retirement investments and, because oil companies were paying low taxes, these income-trusts were easily outperforming conventional investments).

At times I really start to get the impression that democracy can never work because you can never have the informed and educated voters which it (truely) requires.

i should have included this one as well

Prime Minister Stephen Harper received the prestigious B’nai Brith International President’s Gold Medallion in recognition of the government’s efforts to fight discrimination and uphold human rights in Canada and around the world

Nice list, Mr. Bubbles. I love the debt reduction, though I believe income tax should have been reduced rather than a tax on consumption.

@HappySqurriel
A pop quiz included on every ballot which would cast aside a failing voter would be interesting. If not throw it away, at least log it statistically. I'd love to see something like Party A has 44% of the popular vote, but 35% of the informed vote. Or maybe people should have to take a quiz that suggest which party actually meets their beliefs before they get to vote. They can take the advice or not, but at least they would know whether the party/candidate they are voting for is in tune with their values or not.

Tree planting communist... Rubang needs you in his anti Palin thread.

Age of consent from 14 to 16 effective May 1, 2008. I'm so happy to hear this, it was ridiculous to have it at 14 to ever begin with.