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Premier keeping mum on next job

Observers speculate on diplomatic post

By: Larry Kusch

Posted: 08/28/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

So after 23 years in provincial politics and racking up a trio of majority government wins over the past decade, what exactly are the job prospects for an ex-premier?

Take over the running of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights? A diplomatic posting?

Well, for the time being, Gary Doer isn't about to share his career prospects -- despite persistent questioning from reporters Thursday. However, it's clear he won't retire from the workforce anytime soon.

"I'm not going to speculate on what I'm going to be doing next," Doer said. "Being premier is the pinnacle of public service and you never say never, but my plans are to move on. I've got a lot of energy. I've been offered all kinds of opportunities over the years... I've got lots left in the tank.

"Some of you reported on the rumour for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. I've tried to be very careful in not straying from an internal agenda of 10 years (in office). But I've got lots left in the tank."

Doer was quick to quip that he wouldn't be accepting a senate seat.

But some observers feel there is a chance that he could accept a federal posting in Washington or overseas.

Doer is known for very successfully building relationships with leaders of all political stripes within Canada and in the United States.

He also gets along well with the man in Ottawa who could make an international posting happen.

"He's actually had a very cordial relationship with (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper" -- to the point where it once created friction between the premier and federal NDP Leader Jack Layton, said University of Manitoba political scientist Jared Wesley.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see the federal government come knocking and say, 'Would you like to work on something to do with trade or something like that," Wesley said.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he liked the idea of his longtime ally and friend possibly ending up in Washington, D.C. as Canada's ambassador to the United States.

"If that were the case, then I would be the first to applaud that,'' Charest told the Free Press in an interview.

Another U of M political scientist, Paul Thomas, also thinks Doer has honed the necessary skills to represent Canada abroad, citing his ability to build networks and work well with others.

"I would think that even the corporate world, which could never fully embrace the NDP and say they just loved this party and its leader, still had enormous respect for Gary Doer. There may be something there. I'm not sure," said Thomas.

While Doer would be an attractive candidate for the national NDP -- should Layton fail miserably in the next federal election -- Thomas doesn't think the man, who's used to governing, would be interested.

"I don't think he would go after the national NDP leadership because that's a kind of thankless job, hauling yourself all over the country," Thomas said. "He doesn't want to spend all of his time giving speeches."

Doer did not say precisely on Thursday when he would step down.

An NDP official said the provincial party executive will meet as early as this weekend to set a date for a leadership convention.

-- with files from Bruce Owen

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 28, 2009 A8

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