Editor's Notebook
Wendy Peters
Stronach and friends greatly misjudged her alleged
star power
 “I’m ready to be Prime Minister of Canada.”
That’s a pretty heady statement especially
considering the words were uttered by a person without one second of
experience in the political arena — at any level. Nevertheless, back in
2004, the then 37-year-old Belinda Stronach, heiress to Magna
International Inc., stated unequivocally that she was ready to rule the
land. It was a huge headline in the Toronto Star and was referenced in
just about all the dailies. It was a really ludicrous idea then and has
been proven even more so today with Belinda ready to jump from her
politically-sinking ship back into the sturdier arms of her father’s
multibillion-dollar empire. Let’s back up a bit and put this entire
three-year political career into perspective.
In early 2004, Belinda decided to run for the
leadership of the newly-formed Conservative Party of Canada, having
played a key role (reportedly) in the creation of the party; the CPC was
a merger between the former Canadian Alliance (formerly Reform Party) and
the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. She ran against Stephen
Harper, now the current occupant of 24 Sussex Drive, and Tony Clement,
the current Federal Health Minister and former Ontario Health Minister.
It must be said that it was embarrassing back then to
watch her tortured performances in both English and French. An
intellectual she isn’t, and without political experience, some
intellect is paramount to be a successful leader (look south). Who can
forget her promising to “wing it” in her final speech before the
delegates voted, only to shuffle her way through several scraps of paper.
It was horrible to watch. There are many people who are unable to give
natural, engrossing off the cuff speeches, and Belinda is obviously one
of them.
Stronach and Harper did not like each other; he seemed
to be genuinely contemptuous that such a frivolous contender would run
against him, and she, naturally, resented his attitude toward her.
Harper’s opinion of Stronach never changed and she was left to flounder
in the background.
Then, the unthinkable happened. In May 2005, Belinda
crossed the parliamentary floor into the bosom of the Liberal Party, just
prior to a critical confidence vote that would have toppled the minority
Liberal government without her support. Then Prime Minister Paul Martin
immediately swore her in as Minister of Human Resources. This is even
more comical given Belinda’s comments just prior to the “I am ready
to be Prime Minister” episode.
“…Give me 40 days in the campaign trenches with
Paul Martin and I will give you the keys to 24 Sussex Drive.” (Source:
Andrew Coyne, the National Post, March 6, 2004.)
Stronach’s political star has not risen since that
time, though she did flirt with the idea of running for the recent
Liberal leadership. The only time she makes news is because of its
controversy; she dyed her hair dark brown (slow news day); she had an
affair with former hockey player Tie Domi and was named by his wife as
“the other woman.” Her one-time boyfriend, Foreign Affairs Minister
Peter McKay, allegedly referred to her as a “dog” in the House of
Commons; and on and on.
Although she was said to have worked hard for a number
of causes during her three-year tenure as MP, little was written about
it. She attracts the wrong kind of attention. Now, after the next
election, which could be very soon, she has announced that she does not
intend to run again as an MP. Family duty calls, she has said.
Here’s the irritant. Why has so much time and energy
been expended on this particular MP who, frankly, had very little to
offer politically? She has lots of money, friends in high places and she
is attractive. These are not qualities that enrich the political arena,
BUT they are the qualities that were used to endorse and promote her.
Former Ontario Premier David Peterson (who helped
broker her deal with Paul Martin) has referred to her as “a rock
star.” While he admitted that she was no Michael Ignatieff and had no
intention of writing “profound books on human rights” because that is
not her strength, he made this outrageous remark: “…With her, people
want to touch the robe.” Say what? An observation like that is utterly
absurd. “People listen when she speaks,” he added. That may be so,
but she certainly does not have the “it” that people hope for in
their political leaders. The content and delivery of her speeches are
thin and dry.
There is a tremendous need for great female
politicians who are lacking in all parties. There are several strong
candidates out there but they rarely make the news. Many women MPs have
toiled in the trenches for years, but without the looks (and lack of
talent) of a Rona Ambrose, they don’t seem to rise in the ranks. Why is
this not the case with their male counterparts? An attractive appearance
rarely plays a role in the success or not of male politicians; it’s
just considered a bonus if a man is handsome.
It is probable that many women don’t want any part
of the political game, especially the way it is being played nowadays
with such little respect, one party for the other.
That pitiful double standard remains to this day,
hence the saga of Belinda Stronach. If she looked like a troll, she would
never have uttered the insane “I am ready to be Prime Minister of
Canada” declaration. What is really upsetting is the number of people
who took her seriously — not just as an MP but also as a potential
leader.
Hopefully she does not plan another, sudden leadership
bid in the future when her family ties don’t feel so binding. Let’s
put this behind us and hope not. WP
wpeters@busexec.com
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