The Stel Salaried
Pensioners Organization wishes to thank The Hamilton Spectator for permission
to post the following article by Reporter Robert Howard published in the
February 21, 2004 edition
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Feb. 21, 2004. 12:37 AM |
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Martin leaves Stelco adrift |
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By Robert Howard |
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The prime minister of this country cannot take part -- will actually have to leave the room -- if his cabinet talks about Stelco Inc., Canada's largest-by-volume steelmaker and one of its major industrial companies. That's according to Hamilton West MP and National Revenue Minister Stan Keyes, who told The Spectator's Joan Walters that Paul Martin would have to steer clear of any discussions involving Stelco because family-owned Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) is a creditor -- and apparently a major one -- of the financially troubled company. There's something inherently wrong there, not the least of which is the fact that Paul Martin hasn't addressed the issue, or its wider implications, himself. It's difficult to believe that the normally cautious Keyes would simply speculate or speak out of turn on an issue central to his boss's effectiveness and credibility. If this is a trial balloon originating with the prime minister, it's a shoddy tactic. It's bad enough that Stelco employees and retirees -- and, indeed, the company -- lose the support and counsel of the country's head of government. Adding insult to injury, they find out through Keyes. It seems a cowardly way for a prime minister to say, "Sorry, can't help you." If Keyes is right about Martin's intention to acknowledge potential conflict of interest because of financial linkages between Stelco and CSL, which he sold to his sons last year, the question arises: Where does the conflict stop? CSL is a massive global transportation company, doing business around the world, across Canada and especially on the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes. There can be few industries or port authorities in Canada that do not rely on CSL for supply or business in one way or another. What discussions will Martin have to absent himself from, and by doing so perhaps signal they are not as high on his agenda? The lack of clarity from Martin on his understanding of the conflict of interest (or lack of it) is worrisome, particularly since it was only last month the government said federal contracts and grants to CSL between 1993 and 2002 were not $137,000 as it had reported, but $161 million. Should Ottawa be acting in a more proactive way to support Stelco's restructuring and survival? Do international trade and tariff agreements allow Ottawa to help in any concrete way? Those discussions need to happen. But if so, it will apparently be without input or leadership of the country's first minister. That's more than a pity. That's a shame |