The untimate measure of a man - Gordon Brown is tested.

Britain's new prime minister Gordon Brown is about to start the second day of his government in office as gruesome discoveries of bombing plots are being made. Gordon Brown will need all the support he can get from the international community from this Islamic Fundamentalist inspired threat and pulling troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and denouncing George Bush will not make it go away.

The test now faced by Gordon Brown in not simply one of national security but that and beyond. A year ago when the Labour party was rallied against Tony Blair it was clear that Brown was not far removed from this coup and suspicions were abound regarding his role in it. It was never clear where he stood during this labour party crisis in mid 2006 which forced a resignation timetable from Blair. There are a few lession Prime Minister Brown should have learned by now and chief among them is that what goes around comes around. As Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stand in times of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of conflict and controversy". How did Gordon Brown measure up?

Tony Blair leaves office today...

Tony left office today after 10 years as British Prime Minister. As the debate heats up about what his legacy might be one remembers the bold initiatives he led which includes the G8 commitment to helping poor countries in Africa, peace in Northern Ireland and an era of economic growth and increased investment in Britain. Tony Blair did well, and maybe only those who have had to lead at some point in their lives can appreciate the fact that life is not perfect and peace and stability comes at a price. The debate will continue and Iraq will be seen as a failure as chief among the issues with the mission, was that it lacked the necessary support and had its fair share of sabotaging self interest.

The City Of Toronto has gone too far...

One would think the city has enough on its agenda however, the council now seem to be considering removing the "support our troops" ribbon shaped decals from the city's ambulances and fire trucks. Assuming they are aware of the sequence of events that led to the troops being deployed overseas on a mission to rebuild areas of war ravaged Afghanistan, one wonders what would be their criteria for supporting this United Nations mission.

The events in Afghanistan can be accurately described as an insurgence or a civil war brought about by the removal of the Taliban regime from office by the United States Army in the months following the events of September 11, 2001. The United Nations resolution to rebuild Afghanistan following the Taliban's demise is an honourable mission and the Canadian military has been deployed as part of Canada's commitment to the process. The sacrifice being made by the men and women in uniform is similar to that made during the most devastating wars of our time fought in Europe. We made the sacrifice then, now we answer the call once more. To forsake the Afghan people is the outcome favoured by the Taliban.

Let us continue to support and honour these brave men and women and their families.

Ontario's Environment Plan

The Ontario environment plan was released last Friday and promises some aggressive, however more realistic targets that those required under the Kyoto Protocol. The premier is proposing targets of 50% reduction in carbon emissions by year 2020. The challenge being brought to the premier now is to show that this is not simply election talk (elections are being held on October 10, 2007) and reconvene parliament to enact laws to implement the plan before the summer is out.

This might not be a bad idea for the premier as he could include it in his campaign as action taken instead of promise made (the usual).

All things being equal...

Strange how we forget the suffering brought on mankind by the warring nations of Europe, and the sacrifices made by the world in bringing it to and end. The death toll of over 50 million. It was the United States that implemented the Marshal Plan to ensure the rebuilding of the Western European economies and also led the charge to form the NATO alliance which kept peace in Europe. This plan also allowed these countries to develop the social security and health care systems they enjoy today. The verdict is still out as to what to do about states that defy basic human rights to their own citizenry and in addition provoke military response from the armies of countries they can only hope the defeat in a propaganda war. A number of European states would prefer to talk about the matter and use "diplomacy" for the foreseeable future, while there are those who will respond with military force often removing these regimes (usually not elected by popular vote) from office.

Whether one agrees that Saddam Hussein or the Taliban should have been removed from office, the need for help rebuilding these countries was discussed at the UN and unanimously agreed. Based on the responses from a number of these countries these days one wonders what the reason for lack of follow through on the committments made by this world body might be. One would think they knew the challenges involved with helping these countries. Where are they now?

Ontario Transit Plans - Will they deliver?

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced yesterday that the province of Ontario will spend $17 billion over the next 12 years on transit infrastructure development. These plans while ambitious are feasible and I suspect will be endorsed by all political parties with varying degrees given the election climate. Regrettably politics took priority and we missed out on an earlier opportunity to do more for the city's infrastructure development.

The World Expo, from my perspective was not simply about hosting a world exhibition but an opportunity to fast track vital infrastructure development for the city. Looking back at Montreal in the 1960s one could see why being selected as host for the 1976 Olympics was no big deal since the infrastructure was there. The detractors argued that the move was not profitable but when did public infrastructure development become a shot term "profit" venture?

Hope the next Premier of Ontario treats the McGuinty plan as a minimum going forward.