The Federal Tories - Poking Ontario with a sharp stick (Sun Media Column)

NIk:

Interesting observations, as usual. However, rather than use the term "speaks to a strategy of diversion" - I would use the term "speaks to a strategy of division" - and I would simply ask what the Harper government thinks it can gain by dividing the country like its seems to be willing to do. Why can't this federal government get its act together and start working with the provinces - instead of against them? In my view, Flaherty's comments were nothing more than self-serving - he wants to be the next premier of Ontario, and he is using his position as federal finance minister to brow-beat Ontario's Liberal government, to the detriment of the entire country. Shame on him and shame on Stephen Harper for allowing his finance minister to "free-lance" like that. As for your comment that the Tories will try to play the economic "fear card" - that things would get worse under a Liberal government - I can only say that "fear" seems to me to be the only trick the Conservatives have up their sleeve. Once more, this Canadian government is starting to emulate the United States - a country that is so locked in fear and paranoia that it has become paralyzed - it cannot help the people who most need help because of fear. It finds difficulty working with is state and municipal governments because of fear. Obviously it is time for a change in the US. Obviously, Canadians - as a much more open, liberal and caring society - will also reject the politics of fear.

[updated Mon Mar 31 07:42:46 EDT 2008]

By some perverse logic, the Conservatives are trying to isolate Ontario and win in the rest of the country.

The Conservatives are hoping that Canadian voters have a very short collective memory. They are hoping that people forget that under Brian Mulroney, the Progressive Conservatives ran up nine straight years of massive deficits while the Liberals under Chretien and Martin brought in ten years of solid surpluses, surpluses that are now rapidly being squandered by Flaherty and the Conservatives.

Flaherty wants Ontario voters in particular to forget that the Ontario PCs left government in 2003, handing over a huge deficit, which the Liberals now have under control. Flaherty doesn't want Canadians to see that the Canadian government is now behaving fiscally in a manner that has sent the United States economy spiralling into recession. Both government and individuals in the US were cheerfully and recklessly spending money they didn't have and they are now paying the price.

Our Conservative government is taking us in the same direction. The only thing that will save the Canadian economy is that Canadians themselves are more prudent.

[updated Mon Mar 31 07:57:07 EDT 2008]

I'm thinking that the Conservatives have written off Ontario, and have some math which shows a majority is possible by picking up seats in Quebec and the West. The best route to a win in those areas? Ontario-bashing. Its evil, but it just might work.

[updated Mon Mar 31 08:00:27 EDT 2008]

Interesting reflections on the Harper/McGuinty!
The first thought that comes to mind is how someone who has risen to the position of PM engage in such pettiness. Instead of being above all that nonsense he should be looking to the problems of the whole country and searching for the solutions to those problems. He should be above personalities and above political considerations regarding himself or his party. Political game-playing to for lower minded personalities.
If Haper was more statesman like, more mature he could more easily realize his dream of having a majority. His meanness, vindictiveness and insecurity (otherwise he wouldn't be affected personally) has created mistrust in the minds of most Canadians.
Demonizing the Liberals and counting on the Liberals getting gored by the falling economy does nothing to solve the problems of Canada (or Ontario). It may work on the non-thinking voters, but not those who have any awareness of political issues. Harper is playing a dangerous game. It could backfire on him. It's a pretty cheap way to win votes.
Most Ontarions know what Flaherty or more accurately Harris did to them. They are more likely to go opposite of what Flaherty has to say. I am no fan of McGuinty but I agree with his economic and bugetary approach. It will reduce the negative impact of the economic downturn. Remember the downturn will occur all across Canada and Harper will be the PM while it happens.

As far as taxes are concerned, those on the lower end of the spectrum are not anti-tax. We are not concerned by raising tax. It provides the services we all need. Cutting taxes only helps those who are already well off. It does nothing for the rest of us, except to reduce much needed services, makes our lives harder, and turns us more against the polticians are responsible.
You can divorce social issues from physcal ones. While primarily the social issues affect the lower class. There is a much greater interest among the better-off class in social issues than is generally recognized. They pretend that they don't take advantage of those services but they do and they will be affected too.

There is one other thing. Although I'm from Ontario I recognize that Ontario has not been to concerned when other parts of Canada were having problems, especially those on the periphery, the farther away the less attention they got. Ontario was not supportive when those parts needed support in dealing with Ottawa. Now if Ontario is going to have strong negative economic impact those places will not be so eager to come to Ontario's aid. It's about time that the better off parts of Canada realize this is all Canada and we are all in it together.

[updated Mon Mar 31 08:13:12 EDT 2008]

Nik: Brilliant analysis.

What is certain with the heavy-handed discipline within the Conservative caucus is that no one talks to the media without the story being planned and pre-approved by the PMO. Flaherty's comments were carefully thought out in advance and scripted.

So the question then becomes why on earth would Flaherty have said what he said?

Want media coverage? Conflict is what journalists love. So to get maximum earned media nothing works like a spat.

You have brilliantly answered the political question as to why the Conservatives want to change the focus from other key concerns Canadians have -- like climate change, health care, Afghanistan.

Jim Harris
Former Leader
Green Party of Canada

[updated Mon Mar 31 08:24:42 EDT 2008]

Nik, I must agree with your analysis on this,Last week when PM Harper and Premier McGuinty used very conciliatory language about each other and the political entrails of the situation as it is with two governments of two politicaly different outlooks, it became quite clear that the war of words previously had a far reaching purpose not immediately seen.

[updated Mon Mar 31 08:43:13 EDT 2008]

I agree with the Harper government strategy making taxes & the economy an issue with the Ontario Liberals. Should the economy continue to decline and it appears it will, Ontario will be hardest hit and will receive national attention. The Feds will be able to make theMcGuinty policies in Ontario the chief culprit and deflect the blame towards the provincial Libs and ultimately attach those same policies to the federal Libs. Imagine being able to again remind Ontarians of McGuinty's lie about no new taxes and the almost immediate implementation of the still hated and infamous so called health care premium later admitted as a tax by the Libs. And oh yes, medical care in Ontario has not substantially improved to any noticeable degree. I can't wait to hear how the Ontario Federal Libs argue this one. A lie is a lie is a lie.

[updated Mon Mar 31 09:10:40 EDT 2008]

I don't fully agree with your comments Nik. In my opinion, most Ontarians are taking Flaherty's attacks as aimed at the province as opposed to the Liberal Government. Don't forget that the McGuinty crew was just re-elected by Ontario voters. I suspect you are right in attributing the strategy as an effort to insulate the Federal government from blame, but I suspect it may backfire.

[updated Mon Mar 31 09:37:42 EDT 2008]

I agree with you to the extent the Conservatives know they have to dissasociate themselves with what could happen economically in Ontario.

The reality is that the Conservatives can and should NOT be blamed after just a 2 year stint in government.

A manufacturing downfall in Ontario is no more the fault of the Federal government than $20.00 a barrel price in oil would be for Alberta, its called the Global economy.

The Conservatives are just trying to nuetralize the Federal Liberal parties future attempts to play the blame game, now that the facts of the message are out there expect a return to cordial relations.

The Conservatives still want to win the hearts of Ontarions, its just the City of Toronto thats probably a lost cause.

[updated Mon Mar 31 10:17:02 EDT 2008]

If Ontario voters elect the liberals again, they should leave the country, a view from the West

[updated Mon Mar 31 10:54:59 EDT 2008]

Ho, Ho, Nobody but nobody speaks out for the federal Conservatives without the PMO and Harper checking every word and every punctuation mark. Those were not Flaherty's words---they were his master's words. The current immigration BUDGET issue is a carefully crafted political machination to "get their way"---very clever. Do you think the Liberals will bite or swallow----my bet is the latter ! ! ! The Ontario attack is a carefully crafted diversion to try to deflect any responsibility for an economic downturn that appears likely following the American downturn. I believe we all hoped the feds would try to work with the provinces but maybe not.

Other than October 19, 2009, the opposition (who are they ???) is in the driver's seat choosing the election issue and election date. I still think Harper is safe as he has compromised Dion into a defacto coalition. Yes, the quote that "Ontario is the last place in Canada to start a business"
likely will return to bite the federal Conservatives in the butt as it should. If I was an Ontario resident, I would not be happy with that rhetoric coming from my federal government. Just Canadian politics where keeping an eye on the vote is paramount.

[updated Mon Mar 31 11:32:39 EDT 2008]

I already thought that was what Flaherty was up to, what else could it be? What Flaherty seems to conveniently forget is that it was under his watch as Ontario Finance minister with Harris, (and when the dollar was far from being par with the U.S.), that the Ontario budget was left in a severe deficit, with many serious cuts to public services. We ended up with the notorious Walkerton event, seriously underfunded schools and health care.
Is that the kind of Ontario I want again?
I didn't like Flaherty's Ontario the first time.....
Every chance I get I remind people where Flaherty came from.

By the way I am not a liberal supporter, but I am even less, if possible, a Flaherty supporter.

[updated Mon Mar 31 12:01:19 EDT 2008]

Hello Nik :
Hope you enjoyed your time in ' The City Of Light ' Paris .
I agree with your assessment of the Federal Provincial bun fight that Flaherty started.
My question is ,is Flaherty was minister of finance and he did nothing to lower corporate taxes .
His words ring as hollow as his head .

[updated Mon Mar 31 12:37:37 EDT 2008]

It's interesting the Federal Conservatives are attacking the Ontario Liberal government while sucking up to the Quebec and BC Liberal governments. I don't suppose it would have anything to do with the fact that Charest is a former federal Tory MP and BC's Campbell was once the front-runner for the job of leader of the now-defunct Socred Party. I hate to sound like a broken record, but it really doesn't matter what the Harper Conservatives do. They've shot their wad and nothing they do will increase their standing in the polls. In fact, the only thing saving them from complete collapse is the apparent weakness of Liberal leader Dion. And I would suggest time's running out for him. If he can't get a handle on the perception problem pronto, he'll be envying the length Martin's duration as Lib leader. Once the change is made, either by Dion or his party finding a new and more dynamic and right-leaning leader, it will be game over for the Conservatives. And considering all they seem to be able to do is play stupid bugger it's well past time they just go away -- again -- for another decade or so.

[updated Mon Mar 31 17:55:01 EDT 2008]

Ontario needs to be poked with a sharp stick. Its' tax rates are too high and McGinty knows it. However, he can't change now that Flaherty has asked him to do so. He is too proud and will not let Flaherty win this one.

[updated Mon Mar 31 21:08:30 EDT 2008]

Harper is so far ahead of the media and the opposition it isn't funny. The argument with Ontario is all about reducing taxes so that new investment will consider the province when looking for places to invest with new business etc. The feds know that Ontario needs to be prosperous for the country to be prosperous.

So they are challenging McGuinty to lower taxes as the other provinces are doing. However, McGuinty is hell bent on spending money but not accomplishing much to help his ailing manufacturing sector. He can spend billions on re-training workers but all that will end up is with a bunch of well trained unemployed workers.

Investing in a V8 engine plant in Windsor may have short term results but who wants or needs V8 engines today. Making fuel efficient engines may be a different story. McGuinty is stuck in a time warp. This is similar to Bob Rae when he was the NDP Premier of Ontario who thought he could spend himself out of a recession. We all know where that landed Ontario.

I can't understand why Ontario would take the challenges to McGuinty so personal. Do they not want lower taxes? Do they not want more jobs created in the province? Do Ontarians lack that much self confidence that a disagreement between the two levels of government is taken personally.

I agree with Nik that a by product of this argument between Flaherty/McGuinty will be who is more capable of running the economy but it really is about lower taxes and more jobs. That's in the best interest of the Canadian economy and Ontario.

[updated Mon Mar 31 22:43:49 EDT 2008]

Quick. Who would you vote for, Harper or Dion, when it came to matters of war and peace? Standing up to the Smirking Chimp, next door? The environment? Civil liberties and social justice? Aboriginal rights?

This whole "leadership" thing, where Harper comes out the clear winner, is truly sickening. Hitler was a great leader.

It depends where the leader is heading and, on that question, Dion is way out in front of Harper.

[updated Wed Apr 02 19:22:04 EDT 2008]

Nik.

It sounds like pay-back time from the conservatives for Ontario!

[updated Mon Apr 07 20:01:05 EDT 2008]