Читать книгу A Richard Rohmer Omnibus - Richard Rohmer - Страница 26

Ottawa / 2:13 p.m., EDT

As his driver slowed to pass through the narrow entrance gate of Rideau Hall, the Prime Minister reflected on the close relationship which had existed for many years between the Governor-General and himself. As a law student, Robert Porter had articled in the large Calgary law firm of Simpson and Crane. Alexander Simpson, the senior partner, had taken an immediate liking to the bright, aggressive young man, and the fact that Porter was deeply involved in the work of the same political party that Simpson supported only served to increase his interest. When he was called to the bar after heading his law school class, Bob Porter accepted a generous offer to join the law firm and work with Simpson as his junior. In large measure, he became the son that Alexander Simpson had never had, and during the years in which they worked closely together, the two formed a strong bond of mutual respect which had continued.

On his appointment to the Senate six years after Porter joined the firm, Simpson decided to retire from the practice of law to devote his time to work of the Senate and to the interests of the University of Alberta, of which he had become Chancellor. As well as being a distinguished lawyer, he was known for his deep concern for the cultural, social and physical development of Canada and its people. He had established a Chair of Nationology at the University and gave an annual lecture there on the state of Canada. This yearly event had become an occasion of major importance in the life of the University.

Soon after entering the Senate Simpson was chosen as its Speaker. His fluency in the French language and his knowledge of French-Canadian culture, combined with a remarkable sense of fair play, and an equitable perception in dealing with the sittings of the Senate, made him universally regarded as one of Canada’s most distinguished and respected citizens. He had never fought to uphold the hard party line. In point of fact, he was looked upon by many of his peers as being above politics, but at the same time his allegiance to his party was never in question.

Consequently, when the previous Governor-General, an able French-Canadian, retired from office, Robert Porter’s predecessor had reached across party lines and recommended to the Queen the appointment of Senator Simpson. As is the custom, she accepted the Prime Minister’s advice and made the appointment, one which was well received throughout Canada, and particularly in the West.

When Alexander Simpson had left the firm to take up his duties in the Senate, Porter decided to make his move into the Northwest Territories. Simpson’s work had been in the field of corporation law, chiefly on behalf of the oil and gas firms engaged in exploration and development in Alberta and the Arctic. With the considerable experience he had gained in dealing with these companies and the service firms which supported them, it was not long before Robert Porter’s decision to practise in Inuvik, the centre of the oil and gas finds in the Mackenzie Delta, proved to be a rewarding one.

When Bob Porter became Prime Minister, both he and Simpson were delighted to be able to work together again. Porter found the Governor-General unfailingly kind, wise and helpful during the days when he was getting his bearings in office, but never had he needed the counsel and understanding of his old friend more than he did today.

The car swung around the circle in front of Rideau Hall and stopped under the porte-cochere. The Prime Minister got out of the car and acknowledged the salute of the RCMP officer on duty. He mounted the few steps to the front door, which was opened by a young Canadian Forces officer, one of the aides-de-camp to the Governor-General. He said, “I’m Capt. Robillard, sir. His Excellency is expecting you. He’s in the drawing room at the end of the hall, if you’d be good enough to follow me.”

With the aide leading the way, the two of them left the entrance foyer of Rideau Hall and walked through the reception room and down the long hallway past the formal dining room, reception and writing rooms, to the drawing room which His Excellency used as an office. It was a large, comfortable room lined with bookshelves. At one end there was an ornate, carved stone fireplace, before which a settee and chairs had been placed in a semi-circular arrangement around the coffee table. At the other end, between two windows, there was a beautifully-carved desk at which the Governor-General was sitting.

As the Prime Minister was announced, the Governor-General got up immediately and moved around the desk toward Robert Porter, his hand outstretched in welcome, clear delight and pleasure beaming from his face. He was a man who showed few signs of his age. His piercing eyes and firm chin conveyed strength and authority, and brought warmth and confidence to the Prime Minister. As they shook hands, he said, “I can’t tell you how glad I am you’re here, sir. If ever I have needed your help and advice it’s now.”

“Well, Bob, as you know, one of the great delights of my life is to be of service to you. Whether or not I can be in this instance remains to be seen. I’ll do what I can, but remember my gratuitous advice is probably worth what you pay for it.”

Both men laughed lightly and easily.

The Governor-General took Porter by the arm and said, “Come and sit down over here by the fireplace. I’ve ordered some tea—or would you prefer a glass of sherry?”

“As a matter of fact, Your Excellency, I would prefer the sherry.”

The instructions were given to the aide and the two men sat down, facing each other across the coffee table. The Governor-General leaned back and took out a small cigar. “Well, Bob, I understand we have a crisis on our hands.”

“A crisis of the first order, sir. If I may, let me fill you in on everything that has happened and tell you about the plan of action for the rest of today and tomorrow.”

The Governor-General nodded his approval and puffed at his cigar.

The Prime Minister began with the telephone call from the President and traced the events and plans through to the point of his proposed discussion with the President the next evening, at which time he would inform him of the decision made by the Canadian Parliament.

The sherry was silently served. The Prime Minister took a sip from time to time as he proceeded. His host sat back and puffed occasionally on the cigar as he listened intently to everything that was being said.

When it was over, the Governor-General slowly shook his head. “Incredible, simply incredible.”

Nothing was said for a few moments. Finally His Excellency broke the silence. “You know, Bob, in one way you are in a fortunate position whether you realize it or not. You said you’re going to meet with the provincial premiers at six o’clock. Has it struck you that the two main points of the ultimatum come strictly within federal jurisdiction rather than provincial? The first has to do with native rights, an area of responsibility which no province has ever claimed. The second—the demand for Arctic Islands gas—has to do with the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, which are still under direct federal jurisdiction since they have not yet received full provincial status.

“So I think that in regard to the first two points, the Parliament of Canada and you as Prime Minister can speak exclusively and without interference from the provinces.

“On the third matter—the one having to do with granting the Americans free access to any part of Canada to enable them to transport gas from the Arctic Islands—things might be more difficult. If they’re talking about a pipeline—and I presume they are—then that pipeline will have to come from the Islands either down the west coast of Hudson Bay and through Manitoba and Ontario into New York State or Michigan. Or it will have to come down across Baffin Island, then across Hudson Strait into the Ungava area of Northern Quebec and on from there. If it is to be a pipeline, can you and Parliament commit the provinces, or do you think you have to get their consent?”

The Prime Minister took his last drop of sherry, put down the glass, and replied, “I hadn’t thought of the problem in exactly those terms, but it was in my mind that I would have to have the advice and, if necessary, the consent of the premiers. That’s why I asked them to come to Ottawa. The question of jurisdiction will very likely be raised by Quebec and possibly Ontario, but perhaps I should raise the matter with them first.”

The Governor-General nodded. “Yes, I think you should.”

The Prime Minister went on. “One thing is certain. If I do have to obtain consent of any one of the provinces, it will have to be from the premier alone. He can check with his cabinet, but there’s no way the legislatures could be convened in time to endorse or reject that consent. The whole responsibility for the decision will have to be taken by the individual premier.

“And if any one of them balks, I suppose we—that is, Parliament—will have to override the objection. On the other hand, if Parliament rejects the ultimatum, then the question of provincial consent becomes academic.

“In any event, I don’t think the Americans will bring the gas out of the islands by pipe, because I don’t think it’s technically possible. A consortium called the Polar Gas Study Group has been trying for years to lay pipe between Melville and Byam Martin Islands. They have had one failure after another. I understand they are running a final test now on a new plastic pipe, but I doubt whether it will be successful. It’s my guess that they’ll choose to take the gas out by air, using the fleet of huge aircraft which Boeing and the American gas companies have been developing.”

The Governor-General said, “Oh, yes, the Resources Carrier. That’s the plane we initiated some years back and then lost out on.”

“That’s right, sir. The Americans carried through with the project and the prototype had its maiden flight in Seattle about six weeks ago.

“Panarctic and Tenneco plan to use the aircraft to fly the gas off the Islands if the pipe doesn’t work. They would carry it out on relatively short hauls to Ungava in Quebec or Cochrane in Ontario, say, and then feed it into pipelines there for transmission to New York State. Or, on the other hand, they could decide to extend its range and airlift directly to the United States.

“In any event, they’re going to use the RCA to haul the oil from the new Melville wells to market.”

The Governor-General thought for a moment. “Bob, there’s another question that’s been going through my mind. What about the formality of my presence at the opening of the emergency session of Parliament tomorrow?”

“I haven’t checked with the Speaker yet, but I think your presence will be required. If a Speech from the Throne is necessary, I’ll prepare a one-liner for you. I’ll confirm it, but I think you should plan to be present.”

The Prime Minister went on. “I think I should tell you, in your capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, that I have asked the Chief of the Defence Staff to alert the entire military establishment with a view to containing any possible outbreaks or demonstrations of anti-Americanism that might occur as a result of the President’s ultimatum.

“The CDS tells me there has been a marked escalation in U.S. military flights over Canada since this morning. I’m not really worried about that; it’s obviously part of their game plan. What really worries me is what the President can do to us by economic sanctions. The one he has already imposed is serious enough by itself, but when you get down to it, he could practically destroy our economy overnight if he chose to do so. Whether this will be sufficient to persuade Parliament that it should give in is the real question.

“The other side of that question is whether or not Canadians, and in particular the members of the Commons and the Senate, are sufficiently nationalistic to refuse the ultimatum and face the consequences.”

“Well, you’ll know soon enough,” said the Governor-General. “I can certainly understand the Americans’ predicament, but I wish they hadn’t chosen this big-stick blackmail-type approach. It just isn’t in keeping with their traditional way of doing things.”

“Perhaps it is consistent if you look at their track record since World War II,” said the Prime Minister as he stood up. “Now, sir, if you’ll excuse me, I must go to my meeting with the premiers.”

The Governor-General also rose, walked around the coffee table, and taking the Prime Minister by the arm, led him toward the door. He said, “Well, Bob, I don’t know that I’ve given you much help during this visit or any advice, for that matter, but maybe I’ve given you a chance to review the whole situation and perhaps see the implications of the President’s actions and your own in a better perspective.”

“Yes, I think you’re right. It’s a great help to me to know that you’re here and ready to back me up.”

By this time they had reached the entrance foyer of Rideau Hall. The young aide was holding open the door.

The Governor-General turned and faced the Prime Minister, looking him squarely in the eye. “Now remember, Bob, I’m available to you at any time of the day or night. I will do anything I can to help, anything at all.”

The Prime Minister turned and went out the door, quickly passing the saluting RCMP officer, and turned to wave to the Governor-General as he got into his car and was gone.

When the Prime Minister arrived back at his office, he found that Senator Thomas had left.

“He didn’t feel comfortable in your office, sir, so he went back to his own,” Scott explained on the intercom. “He said to call him when you want him.”

“O.K. Where are the premiers, Tom? Have they arrived in town yet?”

“They’re all here but Post of Nova Scotia. He’s somewhere in Europe and they can’t find him, so Margaret Cameron, the acting premier, has come in his place. I’ve booked them all in at the Chateau Laurier. They’ll be here at six. I’ve set up the Cabinet Room for you.

“And whether you like it or not, sir, I have arranged for steak to be brought in at seven. I know that you will want to get right on to the final preparation of the nine o’clock statement. Do you think you’ll be through with your meeting with the premiers by that time?”

“Yes, I must be clear by then. If the meeting hasn’t broken up, come in and get me. Say another emergency has arisen so that I can wrap it up. Arrange for some food for yourself; then the three of us can have a bite to eat together and you can bring us up to date on what has been going on.

“After that, we can go over Senator Thomas’ draft. Have my secretary stand by to retype as we put on the finishing touches. Would you remind her to use the extra-large type so that I can read the speech without my glasses?”

Tom Scott laughed. “I’ll tell her, sir. I don’t think she would ever forget, though.”

“Have there been any urgent calls?”

“No, none that are really urgent. I’ve had several calls from your ministers and a lot of other people, but there have been no direct calls for you. I think people realize the importance of the situation and don’t want to bother you.”

“Good. I’m going to take the next few hours to make some notes about what I want to say in the House tomorrow.

“By the way, have you heard anything from the Minister of Justice about the draft resolution? We should have that by now.”

“It’s just arrived on my desk this moment. Shall I bring it in?”

“Yes, please do.”

By six o’clock the Prime Minister had gone back and forth over the draft motion and made a few minor changes. He called in Tom Scott. “Here’s the motion, Tom. I’m satisfied that it’s in acceptable form now. Would you please have it retyped and deliver it back to the Minister of Justice as quickly as possible. He’s going to circulate it to the other Cabinet ministers. If they will let him have their comments by nine o’clock tonight, he should be able to give me a final draft by 9:30. It might be a good idea if he sent a copy to the party leaders at the same time so that we can arrange a meeting if they have any objections.”

“Will do, sir.”

The Prime Minister stood up. He looked pale and tired. Scott said, “You’ve been under a terrible strain today, sir. Are you going to be able to get some sleep tonight?”

“I’ll try, but it will have to be here in this office. I want to be near the hot line and close at hand in case I’m needed.”

The Prime Minister glanced at his watch. “Good Lord, I’m five minutes late for the meeting with the premiers. They’re a sensitive bunch at the best of times, so I’d better get going. Remember to come and get me, Tom, if the meeting hasn’t broken up by seven.”