On impending failure

While Harper's room to maneuver may be limited within a minority Parliament, expectations are doing nothing but growing, as two jurisdictional leaders expect the Cons to devolve more power to the provinces and territories in addition to keeping more energy revenue in its home jurisdiction:

The premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Northwest Territories, say they're optimistic the new federal Conservative government will give more powers to the provinces and territories...

For a long time both jurisdictions have been at odds with Ottawa over energy revenues.

Handley says Harper told him in a letter that northerners should be the main beneficiaries of their resources.

Williams heads the energy committee set up by the premiers' Council of the Federation.

The question now is whether Handley and Williams have talked yet with Bernard Lord about his opposite expectation. But it does seem clear that whatever Harper does, he'll be disappointing some people who are at least seeming to support him now - which can only make it all the tougher for Harper to get anywhere near majority territory once the expectations run into reality.