Doer hoping for heavenly result from Harper-Bush chat on Devils Lake

OTTAWA (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper is promising to raise Manitoba's concerns over the controversial Devils Lake diversion project when he meets next week with U.S. President George W. Bush.

Premier Gary Doer won the promise during a one-hour meeting Wednesday with Harper, after which he praised the rookie Conservative prime minister for showing sensitivity to provincial concerns, particularly with respect to Quebec.

Although at odds with Harper on his planned cancellation of the previous Liberal government's child care agreements with the provinces, Doer said such "pan-Canadian" issues weren't discussed Wednesday. But the New Democrat premier was impressed by Harper's grasp of issues unique to Manitoba, which were the focus of the meeting.

Moreover, Doer even praised Harper for giving special attention to Quebec, dismissing suggestions that the prime minister may be giving short shrift to other provinces.

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/politics/news/shownews.jsp?content=n0322115A

Hargrove! Hargrove around anywhere?

...so he can't be ridiculously partisan.

ctv.ca

Not exactly from the Hargrove school of politics. A First Minister having kind words for a Prime Minister from whom he wants something isn't the same as campaigning for him.

reporting style than any implied endorsement of Harper. Premiers have to hold down their bile...will see if Doer is that 'quoteable' after Harper sells out Devil's Lake.

I suspect any the Americans will try to get Canada 'on side' as a way to undermine opposition to the diversion in Miss., Minn. and the various other groups fighting this. The biggest problem is that the Devil Lake will drain into the Hudson Bay eventually and this may have a huge environmental impact vis a vis species development, flora/fauna, fish, organisms of all kinds...