Paul Jackson, whose analyses here of Canada's election and the cabinet picks of new Conservative PM Harper have proven prescient, writes a hard—hitting column today in the Calgary Sun, one that Americans ought to read with great interest. It seems that Canada may be in for a long term Conservative—led government. And that is extremely good news for bilateral relations, as well as for Canadians.

The deep corruption of the Liberal Party (colloquially known as the Grits) has only begun to come to light. But everyone in the know in Canadian politics realizes that the depth of the political decay will shock the public up north when it is exposed. In addition, PM Harper is proving to be as shrewd as Paul told us he is, and there is a very good prospect of a good number of Liberals switching parties.

The entire article is a must—read, but here are a couple of highlights:

Liberal leaders Jean Chretien and Paul Martin took their parties and governments first into the gutters and then into the sewers in absolutely unconscionable and shameless ways.

The corruption of the Liberal machine was not only the corruption of financial fraud, but corruption of the very soul of our nation. The tarnishing of our traditions, and the besmirching of our allies. [....]

 Former prime minister Lester Pearson —— high—minded in every respect —— would be appalled at what has become of his party.

Yet there is seemingly no Pearson in the wings about to come forward and cleanse and rebuild the disgraced party.

My betting is no one of any consequence —— certainly no one of conscience —— will want to take the steering wheel of the Grit vehicle for some time to come.

It's too harrowing an undertaking —— and, aside from the scandals, there are rumours 10 or 12 Liberal MPs on the party's right may follow B.C. MP David Emerson and cross the floor and join Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives when Parliament reopens.

That would be a shattering event: Harper would gain 10 or 12 new votes, and the Liberals would lose 10 or 12 votes. In reality, that's a difference of 20 or 24 extra votes in the Commons.

Already, the supposed saviours —— former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna, former Newfoundland premier Brian Tobin and former deputy PM John Manley have all edged away. [....]

To the nervousness of potential candidates over revelations of new scandals, potential contenders must know Harper and his Conservatives are certainly going to be in power for the next six years, and likely the next 10—12 years.

Our American antique media are going to take a long time to wake up to the significance of these changes in Canada, in part because they hate bad news for liberals, and in part because they simply don't pay enough attention to Canada. But the turnaround in Canadian politics is one of the major foreign affairs stories affecting Americans, and is extremely good news.

We will keep you informed.

Thomas Lifson  2 12 06