Turner's joining the Grits brings mixed reaction from local MPs
By Bill Rea

Halton MP Garth Turner, who was bounced from the Conservative caucus in Ottawa in the fall, has found a new political home, in the Liberal benches of the House of Commons.

And the addition to the Grit numbers in the House was good news for Oak Ridges - Markham MP Lui Temelkovski.

"Up is good in the financial industry," he remarked. "Same thing in politics."

There's been some question as to whether Turner, a self-proclaimed life-long Tory, could embrace the Liberal fold.

"I'm sure he'll be able to manage," Temelkovski observed. "He's been a 'Progressive' Conservative, so he should be all right."

He also pointed out Turner had found it hard to operate under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

"Harper leads by fear and intimidation," Temelkovski said, adding Liberal leader Stephane Dion is different. "I don't see him in that light."

Turner has been critical of MPs crossing the floor of the House, especially to join the government benches and assume positions in the cabinet, like David Emerson (Vancouver - Kingsway) and Wajid Khan ( M i s s i s s a u g a - Streetsville), and in his first crack at his former party in Question Period, Turner called on Harper to call byelections in those two ridings, as well as his own, "so we three members can be accountable."

The question was fielded by York - Simcoe MP (and Government House Leader) Peter Van Loan, who assured Turner he was fee to resign right then.

"I think his 15 minutes of fame are over," Van loan added. "If he wishes to have a byelection, that is 100 per cent in his control."

Turner subsequently stated in his blog that he would not resign because Harper would have up to six months to call a byelection and his constituents would be without representation during that period.

Van Loan later said he was not formally assigned to deal with the questions from Turner, but he stepped in when no one else appeared anxious to answer. "But I quite enjoy doing that," he added.

"He's the one who has to explain why he's not holding his deeply held principles," Van Loan remarked, adding it's not up to the Prime Minister to make Turner happy.

Van Loan also expressed reservations on how well Turner would get along in his new caucus.

"It will be interesting to see how he fits in that party," he remarked. "I don't think it will be a comfortable mix or match politically."