John Baird: Attack Dog or Thoughtful Negotiator?

The Conservatives' new house leader can play both sides of the political game equally well.

There has been much chatter about the prime minister’s decision to appoint John Baird as the government house leader. Speculation goes back and forth as to whether or not it will increase the likelihood of a fall election and what it means for the passage of Conservative legislation. But there is much more to this move than that.

Baird’s appointment is a pretty astute move by the prime minister. Baird is held in high regard by the PMO and cabinet. He has been Harper’s “go to” man to fix tough portfolios, notably Environment and then Transport where his real task was to get the infrastructure program on track and money out the door.

Baird’s appointment also sends a signal to the opposition parties that their political games and partisanship will not be tolerated, especially their use of House committees to repeatedly try to embarrass the government. If they continue to play such games, they will be faced with Baird in his vocal attack-dog role. But if they put partisanship aside, they will see another side to Baird. He is a highly skilled negotiator who is quite capable of working with the other House leaders to get needed legislation passed.

One should also keep in mind that the Conservatives use the house leader for a variety of roles. For instance, the house leader runs question period, not only designating which minister will answer a question, but often stepping in to respond themselves. Generally, if a question is of the muck-raking variety or about staff, ministerial expenses, or personal questions such as the ones about Jaffer, it is the house leader who replies.

Harper does not have a deputy prime minister, and in question period, it will be Baird who will answer when the prime minister is not in the House. If opposition questions directed at Harper are of the mudslinging variety, the prime minister will remain seated and the house leader will normally answer them. This is when Baird’s attack-dog function will be front and centre. Baird had already partially stepped into this role while he was transport minister.

Baird will also be in charge of the daily ministerial practice session where they prep for question period. The strategy on how to deal with issues expected to be raised during question period is decided in this meeting. It will be Baird who will largely be responsible for setting the tone of government responses.

The Conservative house leader is also responsible for the government side of House committees. This has been a weak spot for them as in most committees they are often outvoted by the combined opposition. Embarrassing motions get passed, committees go off on partisan witch hunts, and the government is always on the defensive. One of Baird’s tasks will be to deal with these committees. As he demonstrated this spring when he showed up to replace a staff witness that a committee wanted to question, Baird knows the rules of procedure. As house leader, it will further legitimize his role before committees and serves notice to the opposition that if all they want to do is play partisan games, he is ready and willing to mix it up with them. Play by the rules and they will find Baird quite cooperative and sensible to deal with.

Baird’s appointment does not mean an election is any closer than before, but it does signal that this government is prepared to play hardball with the opposition. If the opposition want a fight, the prime minister will unleash the attack dog in Baird. If they don’t want an election and want to act responsibly with legislation and in committees, then Baird’s negotiating skills come to the forefront. Either way, placing Baird in the House Leaders role is a win for the prime minister.

The ball is now in the opposition’s court. They will have to decide which John Baird they want to face.