Nova Scotians heard this week confirmation of some great news – along with a reminder of some ruffled political feathers late last year.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Defence Minister Peter MacKay visited Halifax Thursday to announce Ottawa’s agreement-in-principle with Irving Shipbuilding to build warships. That’s the great news, which Irving Shipbuilding and all Nova Scotians celebrated upon the initial announcement three months ago.
Later, Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter was asked whether he felt snubbed that he hadn’t been asked to attend. The question was in reference, of course, to curt comments from MacKay last October that the province’s Ships Start Here campaign was a waste of money. The money could just as well have been dumped in the harbour because the process was based on merits of the proposals and the winner picked entirely without political interference.
It was a Grinch-like moment from MacKay amid joyous celebration, but the Central Nova MP did have a point. Some could be fooled into thinking the province’s lobbying made the difference.
In the grand old tradition of ‘if it bleeds, it leads,’ leave it to some pesky reporter to try to open a wound – one that might not have bled in the first place.
But Dexter, prodded about a possible snub, took the high road. No, it didn’t bother him. He’s not always invited to events involving the feds. The BC. premier wasn’t invited either to a similar announcement in that province. Dexter was pleased the project is proceeding and said the rest is irrelevant.
He handled the questions with decorum.
But Dexter did elaborate a bit and clarified for Nova Scotians what he maintains were the benefits of the ‘Ships Start Here’ campaign. It wasn’t just lobbying, but also included conferences to bring together all elements of the industry supply chain.
It’s good to know that, after all, it wasn’t entirely money that could just as well have been dumped in the harbour.
