John Manley, Brian Tobin, Allan Rock and Frank McKenna say no to leadership of the federal Liberal Party. McKenna was a shoo-in but chose family over the probability of prime ministership.

The federal Liberal caucus endorsed Stephen Harper’s leadership by appointing Bill Graham as its talking face and “Leader of the Opposition”.

Justice Gomery set the stage for Harper’s “Accountability Act” by bringing down a Report and recommendations that would institutionalize the federal Public Service’s relationship with its political masters.

Stephen Harper promised that his Accountability Act will be the first order of business for his new government while people wait in line for healthcare services.

NB Power applied for another 13% increase in its power rates, likely to offset its Orimulsion losses. Alvie Robichaud announced his retirement after shutting down hundreds of New Brunswick hospital beds.

Premier Lord promises New Brunswick will have the highest increase in workers with post-secondary education in Canada, even as he ignores the fact we have the lowest rate of literacy in the Country. He also promises New Bruswickers the lowest tax burdens east of Alberta while ignoring the fact that his provincial government depends on federal equalization transfers for nearly 40% of its revenue. In other words, Canadians from outside the Province will be asked to subsidize the Premier’s tax base.

George W. Bush read his tele-prompted State of the Union speech. He regurgitated his defense of the Iraqi occupation and threatened (war with) Iran if it doesn’t close down its nuclear (military) program. He also promised to solve North America’s oil dependency, this time with new technology.

Cindy Sheehan (U.S. war protester whose son was killed in Iraq) was dragged out of the gallery immediately before Bush began his delivery. She was a guest of California Congress Representative, Lynn C. Woolsey. Sheehan was tossed in jail because she unzipped her jacket and exposed a T-shirt with the message "2245 Dead. How many more?” 2,245 is the number of Americans who have died in Iraq since the U.S. invasion.

AT&T was named a defendant in a class action lawsuit that claims the telecommunications company illegally cooperated with the U.S. National Security Agency's secret eavesdropping program authorized by George Bush.

So what does it all mean for New Brunswick?

In the first instance, it means that New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada will not soon have one of its own in the Prime Minister’s office.

• It means that New Brunswick will not be at the centre of national power. It means that Canada will be deprived of some high-level policy debate by experienced political leaders. That should concern us all.
  
• It sends a signal that Liberals are resigned to life on the outside for the next few years. It indicts the media for creating a fish bowel atmosphere around political leadership that would scare away the most respectable individuals.
  
• It also suggests that the media has succeeded in painting the job of Prime Minister and/or Leader of the Opposition as something less than desirable for one who has enjoyed success in another world. If that is really the case, Canada will be worse for the result. .
  
• It means that Stephen Harper will likely be Prime Minister for at least the next six years unless he and his western-based, conservative policy agenda implode.
  
• It means that the federal Liberal Party will thrash around for the next year or two searching for a combination of policies and saviours to make it credible in the next election.
  
• It means that NB Power could be allowed to destroy the economy of New Brunswick because it blew hundreds of millions of dollars refitting the Coleson Cove generating plant for Orimulsion.
  
• It could also mean that the Provincial Government will have to find a tax alternative to NB Power’s profit mandate.
  
• In international terms, it means that George Bush has learned nothing from his Iraqi adventure. It means that Vice President Dick Chaney and Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld continue to dominate U.S. foreign policy. It means that threat of another Middle-East invasion by the U.S. is real.
  
• It means that human rights and personal liberties in the United States have been and will continue to be trampled in the name of a “war on terrorism”. It means that trillion dollar deficits will continue to be a reality in the United States.
  
• It means that American jobs will continue to be exported to India and China. It means that Canadians should be concerned because they are vulnerable to U.S. economic performance and in particular to a downsizing and restructuring of the U.S. auto industry.
  
• It means that right wing Conservative policies are no less frightening today than they were during the federal election.
  
• Quebec has served notice that it is willing to do business with Conservatives who would weaken the federal government, who would transfer powers and monies to the provinces and who would give the provinces an international role that could undermine the influence of a strong and united Canada. That is a recipe for national disintegration.

Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec, a Conservative in Liberal clothing has indicated his willingness to support Harper’s view of Canada as a “community of communities” Joe Clarke’s euphemism for decentralization and the notion of every man fending for himself.

The issue for New Brunswick is survival.

How will we gain control of our energy costs?
How will we improve our healthcare services?
How will we educate a populace for new age jobs when more than 60% of us are functionally illiterate?
How will we shield ourselves from the fallout of U.S. foreign and domestic policies while increasing trade with the Americans?
How will we resolve the economic disparities that exist between regions of Canada?
How do we convince Quebec to take its rightful position as a full partner in Canada?

These are some of the questions that our leaders might want to consider.