Friends, Businessmen, Politicians, Lend Me Your Ears

Well, that's a bit of a surprise. A welcome surprise; don't run across those too often. The Fraser Institute, that not-yet venerable but yet highly respected institute variously described as a Conservative tool and a haven for corporate issues isn't at all what the public had long suspected it to be? Hey, I'm just asking. Matter of fact, so should we all. They claim to be neutral, non-partisan, interested only in the well-being of the country. Our country, Canada.

And to that end they sweep into their ample (right-wing; we always equated that with conservatism, but just goes to show how wrong assumptions can be) boardroom-bosom the recent likes of Ralph Klein, Mike Harris, Preston Manning (conservative: who, me?) and Brian Tobin (Brian, what're you doing in there - you teeny-weeny conservative - lending an edge of respectability to the assembled righteous-of-corporate issues?)

So all right, they did some brain-storming (liberal types think that takes a whole lot of conservative-intelligence) and came up with a bright idea. Mind, it's an idea that has brought woe to other administrations in the recent past, most notably that of President Clinton's and more latterly, Prime Minister Tony Blair's. Did the Fraser Institute planning gurus think hauling in big-money corporate representatives for paid access to elite politicians wouldn't be noticed by naive Canadians?

Right-o! Business leaders with an itch to advance the cause of the unobstructed free market were invited to buy into a "unique excursion" to Ottawa. Registration, covering food and accommodation relatively modest at $1K, but look here, The Fraser Institute is a registered charitable enterprise (who knew - and whyfor?) and that registration is exclusive of a $10K "donation" toward said institute. The better to represent you with, my dear corporate luminaries.

The unique experience referred to was not a trip to Ottawa per se, a familiar-enough site for most, but the vaunted opportunity to meet with the political elite of this little town. Many were invited to attend, representing the star performers of the New Government of Canada's cabinet, the Governor of the Bank of Canada David Dodge, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and a handful of public policy leaders.

Up there where the air is rarified, The Fraser institute was all set and ready to go. They still are, touting the opportunities being presented to "a select group of 30 or so business leaders" as a splendid opportunity to make their issues heard and known, to have the ear of those whose actions impact so immediately and sometimes-inconveniently on the bottom line - irresistible.

Except. Except that the panel that The Fraser Institute counted on presenting will be somewhat leaner than anticipated. Now let's see, where to start...the prime minister has withdrawn his august presence. And given the tight rein he keeps on his ministers, it's highly unlikely that the invited such as the finance minister, the trade minister, the foreign affairs minister, the health minister and the intergovernmental affairs minister (all right, she might) will attend.

Oh, that's all right. It still leaves opposition leaders. Stephane Dion, Gilles Duceppe and Jack Layton have not yet pulled out, but they may be reconsidering their agreement to appear. They'll look pretty silly if they do attend, given the fact that Stephen Harper has declined. Conservative-bent or not, what an embarrassment for the governing party to be touted as being highly accessible through this medium.

And all it takes is money!