OTTAWA - Jean Chretien held a 30-minute meeting with Roy Cullen after the backbencher confronted the Prime Minister in caucus yesterday and asked why he was denied the chairmanship of the influential finance committee.

Mr. Cullen, the Liberal MP for Etobicoke North and a former parliamentary secretary to Paul Martin, Minister of Finance, thought he was favoured for the appointment that is normally a formality.

But after a controversial election by the committee that at times descended into farce, another Liberal, Sue Barnes was elected chairwoman. Her victory came amid suspicions the Prime Minister wanted a woman in the post after he was stung by criticism for not promoting enough women to Cabinet in the recent shuffle.

Insiders said Mr. Cullen told the Prime Minister yesterday that he had been led to believe he was to be the candidate for chairman of the prestigious finance committee, but at the last minute the plan changed. He complained, said insiders, that no one had spoken to him about it. He also asked to be treated with dignity.

"Basically, he said, 'All I want to know is the score.... I'm led to believe I'm a viable candidate and told at the eleventh hour I'm not,' " said the source. "He said, 'I wonder why? I've been a good foot soldier.' "

According to the insider, the Prime Minister answered, "Well, our choice was Sue."

"That was pretty much it," said the insider. "It didn't give us much comfort."

Serving as chairperson of a committee such as finance is considered a stepping stone for an MP. Committee chairpeople are given $9,500 on top of their MPs salary in recognition of the extra work they do. As well, chairpeople have a voice and a bigger role in framing legislation. For example, Maurizio Bevilacqua, former finance committee chairman, was appointed to Cabinet in the recent shuffle.

And though caucus is designed to be the forum for grievances and frank discussions, backbenchers rarely challenge the Prime Minister.

 

Other MPs yesterday said Mr. Chretien was not as direct in his comments to Mr. Cullen, but confirmed he had indicated that Ms. Barnes was his choice.

Mr. Cullen would not comment yesterday on the developments, but sources say the two men came to an understanding following the afternoon private meeting.

Last week, Mr. Cullen had complained publicly about the election of Ms. Barnes, saying, "there is too much pressure from the PMO."

One MP characterized yesterday's caucus exchange as positive and said it helped to clear the air.

Ms. Barnes has not had an easy introduction to her new position, and has had trouble controlling the committee.

Yesterday, Jason Kenney, the Alliance finance critic, sent out a news release accusing the government of taking over the committee. "At a finance committee meeting, whip-appointed Chair Sue Barnes deliberately stalled proceedings and attempted to undo votes to prevent opposition motions from passing, causing the normally sedate committee to break into acrimony," says the release.

Last week, James Moore, a B.C. Alliance MP, tried to pass a motion to have Ms. Barnes removed as chairwoman and replaced by Mr. Cullen, after noting the opposition members outnumbered the Liberals at the committee.

In previous caucus showdowns, Carolyn Bennett, a Toronto Liberal MP, was given a dressing down by the Prime Minister when she complained about the few women appointed to Cabinet.

Several years ago, Andrew Telegdi, the Liberal MP for Kitchener-Waterloo, was rebuked by the Prime Minister when he complained about having to vote against a Reform motion calling for hepatitis-C compensation. Mr. Chretien told the MP to resign.