Transport Minister John Baird, who is Prime Minister Stephen Harper's front-man in the daily political fight club that is Question Period and the minister responsible for doling out the $62-billion in federal stimulus money, has been voted this year's Most Influential Cabinet Minister, the Best Cabinet Minister in Question Period and ranked second for the Most Quotable MP on the Hill, according to The Hill Times' 18th Annual Politically Savvy Survey.

"The first rule in politics is you never ask John Baird a question in Question Period if you don't want to get your head handed to you on a platter," said New Democrat MP Pat Martin, 54, (Winnipeg Centre, Man.), who is also a highly-quotable, sometims over-the-top MP in Question Period and in House committees, in an interview with The Hill Times in response to this year's unscientific survey. The annual survey gauges the political strength and style of the country's federal legislators.

Mr. Baird (Ottawa West-Nepean, Ont.), who is also Laureen Harper's frequently-photographed escort to many parties held in Ottawa, fields most questions in the Commons for the minority government, even when the questions have nothing to do with transport or infrastructure issues. Mr. Baird has been the front-man on the Rahim Jaffer and Helena Guergis scandal ever since The Toronto Star broke the story on April 8. He won this year's Cabinet strength title with 25.8 per cent of the vote, followed by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Oshawa, Ont.) with 21.5 per cent and Environment Minister Jim Prentice (Calgary Centre-North, Alta.) with 11.8 per cent.

Mr. Baird, 40, who is often described as the government's "bulldog" or "pit bull" due to his aggressive, comical, theatrical, direct, and sometimes witty responses, also won the best Cabinet Minister in Question Period title with a whopping 54.8 per cent. Most respondents said he was picked because he's on his feet for a lot of issues.

"He's bound to get a high rating. He has to stand up so much to defend the government. He's winning this just partly because of frequency," said NDP Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth, Ont.) in an interview with The Hill Times.

Mr. Baird's impressive strength in Question Period was followed by Treasury Board President Stockwell Day (Okanagan Coquihalla, B.C.) with 11.9 per cent and Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon (Pontiac, Que.) with 4.3 per cent of the vote.

Last Tuesday, when the opposition asked questions about Mr. Jaffer's alleged inappropriate lobbying activities, Mr. Baird scowled and shouted in vintage Baird style: "Mr. Jaffer got no government grants, got no money as the result of any of the meetings in question, Mr. Speaker. Compare that to the Liberals, Mr. Speaker, when literally millions of dollars went missing during the sponsorship scandal." Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Calgary Southwest, Alta.), meanwhile, appeared to be half listening while casually looking over some papers on his desk.

For his part, Mr. Day, 59, who was first elected federally in 2000 and won the last election with 58 per cent of the vote, said he appreciated the recognition in The Hill Times survey. The former Alberta provincial Ralph Klein-era Cabinet minister, who has become a quietly successful federal Cabinet minister, said his strategy in Question Period is to "try and answer the question and not be rude. If I'm rude, I know I will get a phone call from my mother."

Polling for the 18th Annual Politically Savvy Survey was conducted through the month of April and reflects a concerted effort to gauge of the efficacy and savoir-faire of the key players on the Hill by the individuals most fit to assess them—their peers. A total of 34 Conservatives, 30 Liberals, 21 New Democrats and seven Bloc Québécois MPs and staffers responded to The Hill Times' completely anonymous questionnaire.

Meanwhile, Liberal MP Larry Bagnell (Yukon) and Liberal MP Paul Szabo (Mississauga South, Ont.) were picked as the Hardest Working MPs on the Hill with 4.3 per cent of the vote each.

"There are times we might see an email come in a two o'clock in the morning," said Isabelle Carreiro, a staffer in Mr. Szabo's constituency office, "he puts in extreme hours."

Mr. Szabo, 61, who was first elected in 1993 and won the last election with 44.2 per cent of the vote, also apparently uses his knowledge of Parliamentary procedure to help guide new MPs through the arcane intricacies of House proceedings. Mr. Bagnell said Mr. Szabo is "like a mentor."

For his part, Mr. Bagnell, 60, who takes three planes to get to and from his Yukon riding every week when the House is sitting, said it's a pretty grueling schedule, especially since he leaves behind his wife and baby.

Mr. Bagnell, who was first elected in 2000 and won the last election with 45.8 per cent of the vote, is one of a number of MPs who represents a far-flung large riding. He told The Hill Times he remembers one time it took him a week to get to a three-hour meeting.

"I had to drive through a snowstorm, wait a day for a boat, then go way up the river and camp half way. Then we'd go for the meeting but the plane couldn't take off and then it just left me there in the wilderness, then the plane finally came and then we got back but the rental car was gone, and the ferry across the river was closed," recalled Mr. Bagnell.

Liberal MP Bob Rae (Toronto Centre, Ont.), the former NDP Ontario provincial premier in the 1990s, more recently the unsuccessful federal Liberal Party leader candidate and today's media darling of the Liberal caucus, was voted this year's Most Effective MP in Question Period and the Best Public Speaker. Mr. Rae outranked his Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ont.) who did not rank in any of this year's top spots and lost his two rankings he won last year to Mr. Rae.

Mr. Rae, 61, won as the Most Effective MP in Question Period with 10.8 per cent of the vote, followed by Mr. Baird with 9.7 per cent and NDP Leader Jack Layton (Toronto Danforth, Ont.) with 8.6 per cent. He won the Best Public Speaker position with 17.2 per cent of the vote, followed by by Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe with 9.7 per cent, and NDP Leader Jack Layton with 5.4 of the vote.

Mr. Rae, who won the last federal election with 53.5 per cent of the vote, was picked because he is quick on his feet, appears authentic and sounds like he's not reading from scripted questions.

"That's because I'm not. I don't use notes very often, I try to speak directly to the issues, and try to engage people. I don't think [scripts] work and I've always resisted it when giving questions and answers," said Mr. Rae in an interview with The Hill Times.

He's pithy too. Pouncing on Conservative Sen. Nancy Ruth's comments to "shut the fuck up" about the contentious maternal health initiative, Mr. Rae said in Question Period to Mr. Baird, "Senator Ruth gave perhaps the pithiest, sharpest description one can imagine of Conservative political policy that we've all heard for a long time. ... If you have a disagreement with the government, just shut the F up."

Mr. Rae said he believes that all MPs should drop all pre-written, pre-approved questions and answers which would help the House of Commons cut down on the bad theatre of Question Period.

"The key to a democracy is that it's supposed to be government by discussion and if you can't have a real discussion you can't get very far," said Mr. Rae. "I think it's just a bad habit that the House has fallen into. The questions are often not spontaneous and the answers are certainly not spontaneous. I think the answers are very scripted and that shows."

Public speaking, in one form or another, is a vital part of an MP's job, Mr. Rae said.

"It's our bread and butter, it's the air we breathe, it's how we connect with the public," said Mr. Rae.

Mr. Layton said Mr. Rae's three-decade provincial and federal career, including his time as Ontario premier, has helped him to become an effective MP. "He was also on the receiving end for a part of that time, maybe that gives him some insight."

Mr. Layton, 59, who was first elected in 2004 and won the last federal election with 44.8 per cent of the vote, is no slouch when it comes to public speaking. He won for the Best in Scrums on the Hill with 16.2 per cent followed by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty with 9.7 per cent and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe with 8.6 per cent of the vote.

That being said, NDP MP Pat Martin(Winnipeg-Centre, Man.), who was first elected in 1997 and won the last federal election with 48.9 per cent of the vote, was ranked this year's Most Quotable MP on the Hill. Mr. Martin is colourful. For example, he asked Mr. Jaffer, who pleaded guilty last month to careless driving after he was arrested on cocaine possession and drunk driving, at the House Government Operations Committee, if he was paid in cocaine to lobby. Critics said it was sleazy. Mr. Martin also once compared a Cabinet minister to "Il Duce," he has called the entire Liberal party "egg-sucking dogs," and the former carpenter once said the woodwork in the Library of Parliament was like "porn for carpenters" in an interview with CBC TV's Peter Mansbridge. Mr. Martin won this year's ranking with 20.4 per cent of the total vote.

"I can't say other people's talking points—I just literally can't. I was a stutterer as a child and couldn't say anything, and now when somebody gives me a speech to read I can't read it. So I've got to speak from the heart, or not at all," Mr. Martin told The Hill Times who also called his talent a "mixed blessing."

"It's earned in peculiar ways, because some of the things I'm noted for saying aren't particularly bright, and not particularly nice," Mr. Martin said.

"I get accused of [grandstanding] from time to time and I don't really care, it's not changing the way I do business," he told The Hill Times.

Before entering federal politics, Mr. Martin worked on oil rigs, as a carpenter and in the trade unions. "As a union boss, we're not known for pulling punches, we're known for plain talk, and I guess that's the same style. I don't really know any other way of communicating."

That approach has carried over into his manner in the House, he said.

"The trade union movement is an excellent training ground for a life in politics because you're representing workers, just as I am representing constituents, on a lot of basic bread and butter issues. You have to speak in public and you have to get elected. It serves you well—and people don't really respond well to bullshit in the labour movement and they can sense it a mile away so there's no point in trying to fake it."

"For speechmaking and genuine oratory," Mr. Martin said he admires the way Tommy Douglas and former NDP MP Bill Blaikie could "craft their narrative and pull people in" and he said he wishes there was more of that in today's politics.

However, he said he has nothing but respect for the runners-up for Most Quotable, Transport Minister John Baird and 30-year-old Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre (Nepean-Carleton, Ont.).

"I admire them both. Pierre, for a young guy; I've never seen anyone take so naturally to this type of communications and oratory as Pierre. For a young man it's really quite remarkable," Mr. Martin said.

The Politically Savvy and Sexy Survey is not without controversy—particularly surrounding the racier style and sexy questions, which some MPs find objectionable. Of the over 308 MPs' offices and staffers The Hill Times surveyed for answers, a small number of MPs from all parties refused to cast their votes in these categories, while many MPs and staffers proffered their opinions with relish. Either way, when the votes were tallied this year the Conservatives re-clinched their titles.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay (Central Nova, N.S.), who was first elected in 1997, was voted the Sexiest Male MP on Parliament Hill in 2010, for the 10th time. He got 17.2 per cent of the vote, but only beat Liberal MP Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.), 38, by a single percentage point.

The tall, clean-cut and athletic Defence Minister, 44, won 46.59 per cent of the vote in his riding in the last election. In November he proposed to CTV executive Jana Juginovic. The two have yet to announce a date.

Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez (Honoré-Mercier, Que.), 43, and his coiffure got 23.7 per cent of the vote to re-claim the title of Best Hair (Male MP). Mr. Trudeau, who was first elected in the last election with 41.47 per cent of the vote, won last year, but came second to Mr. Rodriguez in this year's survey. In third place with 8.6 per cent, was Prime Minister Stephen Harper's (Calgary Southwest, Alta.) profoundly consistent Ken-doll side-sweep. Mr. Harper, 51, won the last election with 72.96 per cent of the vote.

Forty-seven-year-old Conservative MP Maxime Bernier (Beauce, Que.), who was first elected in 2006 and won the last election with 62.41 per cent of the vote, has again been voted the Best-Dressed MP on the Hill. He garnered 29 per cent of the vote for his well-tailored suits and relatively daring amethyst-coloured shirts. He beat his closest competitor, Liberal MP Scott Brison (Kings-Hants, N.S.), 43, by 10 per cent of the vote. Mr. Brison was first elected in 1997 and won the last election with 44.18 per cent of the vote.

Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose (Edmonton-Spruce Grove, Alta.), 41, has also held on to the Best-Dressed title for another year, winning 19.4 per cent. Her sharp business ensembles are always accessorized with a bold necklace and her stunning chestnut-coloured hair. The look has helped her to a Sexy Survey hat trick—as she also claimed the titles of Best Hair and Sexiest Female MP for another year with just over a quarter of the votes in each category.

Ms. Ambrose was first elected in 2004 and won the last election with 68.54 per cent of the vote. A special mention goes to third place winner in the sexiest category, Liberal MP Martha Hall Findlay (Willowdale, Ont.). Ms. Hall Findlay, first elected in a byelection in 2008 and who won the 2008 general election with 48.66 per cent of the vote, joked that she would like to win this year to prove that 50-year-old women can still be sexy. It looks like she's done that.

news@hilltimes.com

The Hill Times

The Hill Times' 18th Annual Politically Savvy Survey Results

1. What Cabinet Minister has the most influence in Cabinet?

Transport Minister John Baird 25.8%

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty 21.5%

Environment Minister Jim Prentice 11.8%

Transport Minister John Baird 54.8%

Treasury Board President Stockwell Day 11.9%

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon 4.3%

Liberal MP Bob Rae 10.8%

Transport Minister John Baird 9.7%

NDP Leader Jack Layton 8.6%

Liberal MP Bob Rae 17.2%

Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe 9.7%

NDP Leader Jack Layton 5.4%

NDP Leader Jack Layton 16.2%

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty 9.7%

Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe 8.6%

NDP MP Pat Martin 20.4%

Transport Minister John Baird 12.9%

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre 8.6%

Liberal MP Stéphane Dion 11.8%

Prime Minister Stephen Harper 6.5%

Liberal MP Glen Pearson 4.3%

Independant Conservative MP Helena Guergis 7.5%

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre 7.5%

Labour Minister Lisa Raitt 6.5%

Transport Minister John Baird 3.2%

Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla 3.2%

NDP MP Peter Stoffer 7.5%

Liberal MP Justin Trudeau 6.5 %

Prime Minister Stephen Harper 5.4%

NDP MP Paul Dewar 5.4%

NDP Nathan Cullen 4.3%

NDP Peter Stoffer 3.2%

Liberal MP Paul Szabo 4.3%

Liberal MP Larry Bagnell 4.3%

Prime Minister Stephen Harper 3.2%

Liberal MP Gerard Kennedy 3.2 %

NDP MP Claude Gravelle 2.2%

NDP MP Chris Charlton 2.2%

NDP MP Olivia Chow 2.2%

NDP Leader Jack Layton 2.2%

Liberal MP Derek Lee 2.2%

Defence Minister Peter MacKay 17.2%

Liberal MP Justin Trudeau 16.1%

Bloc Québécois MP Nicolas Dufour 9.6%

Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose 23.6%

NDP MP Megan Leslie 12.9%

Liberal MP Martha Hall Findlay 10.8%

Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose 19.4%

NDP MP Megan Leslie 11.8%

Liberal MP Bonnie Crombie 9.7%

Tory MP Maxime Bernier 29%

Liberal MP Scott Brison 19.4%

Defence Minister Peter MacKay 7.5%

Liberal MP Larry Bagnell 11.8%

Liberal MP Irwin Cotler 11.8%

NDP MP Charlie Angus 8.6%

Conservative MP Brian Jean 6.5%

NDP House Leader Libby Davies 16.1%

Tory MP Sylvie Boucher 13.9 %

CIDA Minister Bev Oda 6.4%

Liberal MP Hedy Fry 6.4%

NDP MP Peter Stoffer 29 %

Transport Minister John Baird 12.9 %

Liberal Whip Rodger Cuzner 6.4 %

Prime Minister Stephen Harper 29%

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff 16.1%

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre 7.5%

Liberal Whip Rodger Cuzner 4.3%

NDP MP Peter Stoffer 4.3%

Liberal MP Ken Dryden 3.2%

NDP MP Claude Gravelle 3.2%

Conservative MP Ted Menzies 3.2%

NDP MP Don Davies 2.2%

Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale 2.2%

Conservative MP Denis Lebel 2.2%

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney 2.2%

Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl 2.2%

Ind. Conservative MP Helena Guergis 16.1%

Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla 12.9%

Tory MP Peter Goldring 4.3%

NDP MP Peter Stoffer 49.5%

Liberal MP Navdeep Bains 8.6%

NDP MP Jean Crowder 4.3%

Liberal MP Justin Trudeau 25.8%

NDP MP Megan Leslie 11.8%

Liberal MP Scott Brison 5.4%

Liberal MP Justin Trudeau 14.0%

Prime Minister Stephen Harper 11.8%

Transport Minister John Baird 8.6%

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff 8.6%

Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre 8.6%

Liberal MP Pablo Rodriguez 23.7%

Liberal MP Justin Trudeau 10.6%

Prime Minister Stephen Harper 8.6%

Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose 25.8%

Ind. Conservative MP Helena Guergis 10.8%

Lib MP Ruby Dhalla 7.5%