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Politicians are drawn to photo opportunities like mosquitos to a bug zapper. It can be a real gift to political commentators in this social media era.

ZZZZaaaaapppp!

How about an example? Last week, I wrote about Mayor Cecil Clarke who apparently develops a real concern about potholes as soon as he's across the Causeway and out of Cape Breton... while moonlighting as a PC leadership candidate on our dime.

This week, it's MLA and Minister Derek Mombourquette serving up a great discussion piece.

Mombourquette's picture is quite funny!

Some background: Many of his constituents in Whitney Pier were upset when he relocated his main office to the same location as Federal MP Mark Eyking on King's Road in Sydney. The local NDP party took some swipes at him at that time. He reminded them that as MLA he's the representative for more than just Whitney Pier, but wisely also created office hours at a location in Whitney Pier where residents can drop in to see him on the days he's available. That's a possible explanation for the sign.

The picture is risky because it can antagonize some of his constituents who were already upset with him.

Mombourquette has been growing into his role with the Province with increased confidence. As a new MLA, just past the two-year mark, he's already been given a cabinet position as Minister of Municipal Affairs.

One strategy you can see the MLA use quite frequently is rhyming off a list of his accomplishments that he's delivered "for home".

It's a smart strategy. Rather than get into the weeds of a particular criticism, he can refer to working towards something such as "modernization" of the Municipal Government, and then recite the list of places he's dropped off cheques.

Put your inner partisan to bed for a moment. Mombourquette cares about his community. Mombourquette works hard. And Mombourquette has had some achievements in his short time as MLA.

But Mombourquette cares about his career too.

That puts him in a unique situation. He likely spent quite a bit of time thinking about the balance between loyalty to the will of Stephen McNeil, and the risk of finding himself defeated in the next election. It's not out of the question. For those watching the polls last time, it must have been a tremendously stressful evening for both him and Madonna Doucette who had him on the ropes most of the night. And we may be looking at a repeat in the next election with both Mombourquette and MLA Geoff MacLellan at risk.

I think there's a more pressing question for Mombourquette than where his office is located.

Where has our MLA Derek Mombourquette gone on Equalization?

It's not his office location that is going to be the key factor in determining if his career continues as an MLA. An estimated 600+ people recently arrived at an Equalization protest in Sydney, and they are now jam-packing every monthly meeting they hold.

Although that group is non-partisan, as Minister of Municipal Affairs and a Cape Breton MLA, Mombourquette is a key stakeholder. And the NSEF (Nova Scotians for Equalization) isn't impressed with him.

Why would they be?

Not only do they suggest he's not taking meetings with them, he's sending boilerplate (copy/paste) responses that are approved by the Finance Minister in correspondence. Likewise, he took to the media to insult their intelligence, suggesting they don't know the difference between the provincial and federal Equalization programs. The leaders of the NSEF most certainly know the difference. In fact, they issued a rebuttal suggesting the minister "cannot see the forest for the trees".

If those trees the NSEF group are talking about are the economic indicators in Cape Breton, they have a point. It wasn't so long ago, Mombourquette stood up boldly in the NS Legislature proclaiming that Cape Breton isn't dying, in direct contradiction to Senator Dan Christmas.

The Equalization issue is a demand for more resources.

Mombourquette knows full well that the CBRM and other struggling municipalities need more resources. Increasing the provincial Equalization transfer (using funds from the $1.8 Billion annual Federal Equalization windfall) is doable and would help immensely. Less of our community groups would have to beg Mombourquette for money every year.

However, what he's telling everyone is that it's just a part of the "modernization" of the Municipal Government Act and the province's relationship with its municipalities.

Bill 85 is a Gotcha for Mombourquette.

Bill 85 was a rush job legislation designed to let Cecil Clarke's port marketers sell land for less, with an offer to charge less municipal tax. Yadda yadda.

As it turns out, it also proves that Mombourquette is fully aware that he can do part of something without waiting for the whole. In fact, we may get Bill 85 and never get a charter.

Mombourquette can also tell the province we need an increased Equalization transfer without having to wait on "modernization" and all the other barriers to just doing it now that he's creating.

Let me be clear about what I'm suggesting.

The Province can increase Equalization to the CBRM now. We don't need to wait on anything else to do it.

And Mombourquette pushing Bill 85 through without the charter proves it.

Is Mombourquette "dancing around" the topic of Equalization?

Yes, and I'm certain of it. The reason I'm certain of it is that MLA Derek Mombourquette told the CBRM council that he was... right after he did.

Councillor Doncaster preferred a hockey metaphor, but you can decide for yourself by watching.

You'll also get a chance to see how funny Mayor Clarke thinks the topic is in the video below. CBRM Councillors are letting him moonlight as a PC leadership candidate, but aren't wise enough to insist that maybe... just maybe... he should be committing to a greater Equalization transfer for the CBRM. But maybe... just maybe... they're just all talk. I agree with Councillor Kendra Coombes: "Put up or shut up".

NOTE: The views expressed above are my own and do not represent lokol (goCapeBreton.com). Read more