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Martin vs Rock: Battle of the booklets Federal cabinet ministers Paul Martin and Allan Rock continue to jockey for position in the race to succeed Prime Minister Jean Chrétien (who has yet to announce his retirement). As usual, the battle is being fought on paper: first it was Christmas cards, now it's nice, glossy taxpayer-funded booklets describing all the wonderful things they've done. In Martin's case, it's the Budget Papers. Previously a drab stack of photocopies, Martin has invested thousands of additional taxpayer dollars in recent years to transform them into a series of eight thick booklets, complete with charts and graphs, showing what a good money manager he is. Not to be outdone, Rock has now published a total of nine colour booklets detailing his initiatives as health minister. Topics range from "Innovations in Rural and Community Health" to "Key First Nations and Inuit Health Initiatives." Rock has even published a colour booklet with his speech notes from a February speaking engagement at the University of Toronto. Rock has mailed a package including all nine booklets to former Liberal convention delegates. The Budget Papers are available at the Government Bookstore at University and René-Lévesque, at a cost of $30. --Philip Preville
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