at least for now. Intriguing. Here's the story behind the developments.
Former Ontario premier brokered deal
By JOAN BRYDEN
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/05/17/1044192-cp.html
OTTAWA (CP) - If Prime Minister Paul Martin survives Thursday's nail-biter vote of confidence, he'll owe a huge debt of gratitude to David Peterson.
The former Ontario Liberal premier was the pivotal player who made possible Belinda Stronach's surprise leap Tuesday from the Conservatives into the Liberal cabinet, a move that could ensure the precarious minority Liberal government's survival. Peterson first met Stronach as a teenager, when she accompanied her father Frank, founder of auto parts giant Magna International, to a meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
He describes her as a "family friend."
Last Thursday, Peterson and his wife, Shelley, ran into Stronach at a fundraising dinner for the Woodrow Wilson Foundation.
A brief, "affectionate" chat ensued and Stronach alluded to her concerns about the confidence vote, her discomfort with Conservative Leader Stephen Harper's alliance with the separatist Bloc Quebecois against the government, and her distaste for the lack of civility in the House of Commons.
But Peterson had no idea then that Stronach was upset enough to consider crossing the floor.
The next day about 5 p.m. Peterson was relaxing in his "dirty red sweatsuit" at his farm in Caledon, Ont., when Stronach called. She confided she was "at a crossroads" and considering all her options, including quitting politics.
"So I just suggested there are many options here and one is to join the Liberals," Peterson told The Canadian Press.
Stronach didn't commit, but was clear that she was open to the idea.
Peterson immediately called Tim Murphy, Martin's chief of staff, who was once chief of staff to one of Peterson's ministers.