So, Stephen Harper and the Conservatives ran on a platform of 'standing up for Canada' and ending the patronage by the Liberals. Then they go and appoint a Montreal senator to the cabinet? Not just any senator, but one who worked on Harper's leadership campaign and then on the Conservative's national campaigns. Right on! I feel good having an unelected party loyalist in a cabinet position, mostly based on the fact that he's from Montreal.

Add to that the defection of a former Liberal cabinet minister to Harper's cabinet, despite the fact that Harper and every other Conservative blasted Belinda Stronach for doing precisely the same thing and we're off to a rip-roaring start with this new government.