Dianavan, IMO what this does demonstrate is that Harper has about as much understanding of Canadian parliamentary democracy as my dog has of calculus.

He was quoted today as saying that, as Prime Minister (perhaps he was thinking king or president), he has the authority to select and appoint anyone he wishes to a Cabinet post. Obviously being a democratically elected candidate by the Canadian voter is not a prerequisite in his mind. I guess we could be thankful that he didn't publically appoint the whole of the Fraser Institute as cabinet ministers and thereby further circumvent the electoral process.

Aside from his Americanized outlook regarding the power of the office of the Prime Minister, what strikes me also, is his contempt for his fellow Conservatives. His appointments seem to indicate, that of all his duly elected fellow Conservatives, from which he could select, none of them were competent enough to hold a Cabinet post. Perhaps he's right. LOL