So much to do, so little PM.

Understand that I am no Steven Harper fan. I was a very vocal anti-Harper enthusiast during the last federal elections (but not necessarily anti-Conservative mind you). Since his election he hasn't been doing too bad so I know that soon I may have to eat some crow regarding my predictions. That is not however the point of this missive.

Our Prime Minister has been getting slammed in the editorials for not being at the International AIDS conference currently being held in Toronto, and for Canada not living up to it's commitment (read previous governments commitment) for funding/medication. So what's up with that? Where was the PM?

He was not on vacation as Tony Blair was and remained on during the recent British security scare. Our boy Steve was up north. Very north. He visited CFS Alert (Canadian Forces Station) which is so far north that to see the Northern Lights you have to look south (not kidding either). He was also visiting other parts of the Canadian north to re-assert Canadian sovereignty over the land and waters.

This is relevant because with global warming and the gradual melt of the polar ice caps, the Northwest Passage is not going to stay as desolate as it has been. The international community has to know that it's Canadian territory up there and it will be patrolled and defended if need be by our Armed Forces. The PM's visit was also to "show the flag" to the Arctic peoples and remind them that they are not forgotten. All very useful stuff and if you are going to visit the Arctic, of course you are going to do it during the summer. Nobody "visits" during the winter.

But what about the international AIDS convention? Was our government represented? Yes it was, in the form of Mr. Tony Clement, who is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Perry Sound-Muskoka. Oh yeah, he is also the Minister of Health.

Call me crazy, but I think the PM has it right here. It is the Minister of Health's job to represent Canada at an international AIDS conference and the PM's job to assert Canadian sovereignty. There is nothing wrong with these priorities.

The PM can't be everywhere doing everything. That's why he has others, like ministers maybe, to be there for him. Particularly if it is that ministers baliwick.

So to wrap up. I'm giving big Steve a tentative B plus so far. As much as it pains me to say it, he's doing OK, certainly better than the previous.

Thanks for reading.