Last Friday, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones - the Earl and Countess of Wessex - graced Victoria with their presence - including a luncheon at Government House with Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo. As expected, more than a few local luminaries attended that luncheon - including Victoria New Democrat MP Denise Savoie. Not invited though was her Saanich-Gulf Islands colleague Gary Lunn, the Harper administration's natural resources minister. That curious ommission has been the source of irritation among some Tories. When asked why Minister Lunn wasn't invited, the lieutenant governor's private secretary Herb LeRoy said, "It's unfortunate that people are upset. As I explained to Mr. Lunn - and I personally apologized to him - it was just merely an oversight."
"We cobbled the guest list (for the event) together. We sat down as a group - and I assume the responsibility for it - and we put names forward. And we came up with as broad a group as we could. We checked the prince and the countess's Website to see what interests they had. And we looked into bringing in the opera and bringing in the arts and bringing in the First Nations. And Mr. Lunn's name just didn't come up. And it was just merely an oversight - (there was) no other reason (for the omission) than that."
Added Mr. LeRoy "There was just absolutely nothing in it other than we didn't think of (Minister Lunn's) name. I know that's upset him...But there's not much more we can do aside from ensure he's invited (in the future)...We go through such extreme lengths to be totally apolitical. And I wouldn't want anybody to take on that this was any kind of a political message whatsoever."
It sounds like they're having trouble dealing with Gary Lunn's sense of entitlement now that he's a minister!
Seriously, who publically makes a fuss about this kind of thing?
I am sure that the creme-de-la-creme of the Victoria elite up for this grandiose luncheon.
Invite only of course...
It's not an oversight. Did they forget Allan Lowe -federal Grit of course not. The Liberals and their appointees are not in power anymore, they have to stop ignoring Conservative Ministers and MPs. We need a new Lt. Governor a Conservative preferably say John Reynolds
How does one make such an omission? Give us a break! Iona Campagnolo is another overrated Grit fartcatcher.
"Seriously, who publically makes a fuss about this kind of thing?"
Those who become breathless and rattle their teacups.
Augh, the shame of it! (hand on upper chest as if being short of breath).
The creme de la creme has a habit of doing that.
Lunn should have been there. If it meant that someone from High Society wasn't invited, so be it. There's always High Tea at the Gentleman's Club at the Empress.
I would think he would be more embarrased now that the world knows he was forgotten. Seriously - I wouldn't want to broadcast that your profile is so low in the area that you represent that people can't even remember your name....
To quote Nelson Muntz, "Ha HA"
It would seem that little Gary Lunn was given short shrift! Maybe they don't have booster seats at Government House.
The protocal is to always invite
The local mayor (Allen)
The lcoal MLA (Carol)
The local MP (Denise)
Ranking member of government... say premier (Gordon), and yes a local cabinet member (Gary).
I don't think we are seeing anything worthwhile from Lunn (or will) but he is the ranking federal politician from the area and so an invite would be appropriate. His lack of contribution in cabinet is not the issue.
Eugene,
1. Where is this supposed protocol written. Looks like you are making it up again. According to the GG's table of precendence a Federal Minister ranks higher than even Iona herself and therefore should have been invited.
http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/pe/precedence_e.cfm
Or in the case of BC, a member of the Privy Council would rank immediately after the Leader of the Opposition (James).http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/atc-ac/precbc_e.cfm
Well ahead of Liberal-lite Lowe.
2. The David Anderson crowd just can't get over that they lost, he lost and they will continue to lose. Enjoy the next few months Iona.
Personally, I think Gary Lunn is one of the worst politicians in Canada. Hopping from one leadership candidate to another and all his antics in Ottawa...he is an embarrassment.
But he should have been invited to lunch.
Field Marshall, you beat me to it ... saying that it's ridiculously easy to overlook Gary Lunn.
About that royal lunch: when is it lunch ... and when is it a luncheon?
Recently I was reading an ancient spy story by John Buchan (once Gov-Gen of Canada) who had the hero of his novel (a British general, all alone) dashing through the woods escaping the enemy. But hell, at noon, ding! ding! the hero sat down on a log, pulled a crust and a bit of sausage out of his pocket and, I kid you not, "ate his luncheon" before racing on again.
I note that Iona got a luncheon together, as well.
Conservative writer,
When royalty visits anywhere the local mayor is always invited as is equivalent of the local MLA, MP, and regional leaders - in our local case Allen, Carol, James, Gorden, and Gary. That is the local equivalent of the protocal followed everywhere royalty visits.
Now, Lunn is not in the riding so perhaps could theoretically be missed; but on the other hand he is a cabinet minister. And dispite the obvious observation that he hasn't offered anything of substance from his cabinet postion, I believe you are right to note his position should be respected all the same and an invite does follow the typical protocal.
Oh well... what is done is done.