Editorial - 16-9

You’d have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to realize that the governing Liberal party is threatening to come apart at the seams. Partisan politics have taken centre stage in the national consciousness, at the expense of virtually all other issues. That includes the innovation strategy, which had just begun its consultation phase leading up to a November summit and presumably a short list of action items.

Under the leadership of Industry minister Alan Rock, the strategy is purportedly a full government affair, with all ministers and caucus expected to climb on board. But with the musical chairs being played by the prime minister with key Cabinet positions, forging a coherent, unified front to forge the nation’s future will be far more difficult than necessary.

In short, the innovation strategy could easily fly apart at the seams, as Ottawa’s political power brokers jockey for advantage, leading up to the Liberal leadership review in February. If the strategy is not signed, sealed and delivered by then, it will join a growing pile of failed innovation strategies.

That puts the onus on Rock to suspend his leadership aspirations. He must actively promote the strategy, seek Cabinet partners and build a coalition to marshall it through the system.

Innovation had already been slipping on the list of government priorities, pushed off its mantle by September 11 and a non-stop barrage of political scandals.

Now is the time to turn it around, raise its profile and ensure it sees the light of day. But until Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin complete their fight to the political death, its fate hangs in the balance.