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Isn't this just commonsense for the Leader of our nation to choose the best man for the job, transending any Party Politics?
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Liberal MP Wajid Khan defects to Conservatives 05/01/2007 10:49:35 AM
Former Liberal MP Wajid Khan has crossed the floor and joined the Conservatives, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Friday in Ottawa.
"We have built a party that welcomes all Canadians," said Harper. "That's why I'm proud to announce that Wajid Khan, the representative from Mississauga-Streetsville, is joining the Conservative caucus."
Harper said Khan put Canada before his party after the alleged terrorism arrests in Toronto last year when he offered to help the Conservatives.
Harper then named Khan, a former fighter pilot in the Pakistani military, as his adviser on the Middle East and Afghanistan.
"He will continue as my advisor on issues related to the Middle East and Central Asia," said Harper.
Khan said the Conservatives' commitment to new Canadians helped influence his decision. "I have noticed that more and more Canadians are excited about joining the Conservative party... I came to the conclusion that my ideals and priorities and those of my constituents would be better served in the Conservative party," Khan said Friday, alongside the Prime Minister.
"I was very pleased when Prime Minister Harper agreed that I should join Canada's new government."
Khan said the Liberals were at odds with his values.
"Quite frankly, the Liberal party has moved away from people like me -- people who believe in free enterprise, support for families and a stronger, more assertive Canada on the world stage."
Khan said he informed Liberal Leader Stephane Dion of his decision on Friday.
"I respect Mr. Dion but I feel that Canada needs a leader and that leader is Prime Minister Stephan Harper."
On Thursday, Dion told Khan to choose between his party and the Conservatives.
Dion said Khan could not continue serving as Harper's 'special adviser' and remain a Liberal.
"You can't have a foot in the government and a foot in the opposition," said Dion. "He needs to choose. I hope he will stay with us."
Khan said Dion's public ultimatum forced him to make a decision.
"When I'm given a choice to choose between a political party and my country, I will always choose Canada," said Khan.
Political impact
CTV's David Akin said the move is strategically important to the Conservatives and the NDP. "Any majority vote is 154 seats, the Conservatives have 124 so they need 30 votes on any issue in order to sustain the government," said Akin.
With Khan's defection, the Conservatives could achieve a majority.
"The combination of the Conservatives and the NDP (29 seats) gives you 154 seats -- a majority you need. This makes Jack Layton and the NDP much more important."
After Khan's appointment last summer, many Liberals viewed it as a Tory effort to exploit their party that was divided in a then-leaderless situation.
On Thursday, Harper unveiled a newly expanded cabinet and moved Rona Ambrose out of her environment portfolio in an attempt to recover political ground lost in the debate on climate change.
In all, five new junior cabinet positions were created and eight ministers took on new roles or switched posts as Harper moved to overhaul his minority government with the threat of a looming spring election.
Khan, 60, emigrated to Canada in 1974 and was a successful businessman in Toronto before entering politics.
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