“The time for accountability has arrived.” That’s the very first sentence from Stephen Harper in the 2006 federal Conservative election platform.
A combination of events – the right message (trust us) at the right time (RCMP criminal investigation) resulted in the Harper minority victory. Canadians were mad at the Liberals and were ready for change. Stephen Harper and the Conservatives were perceived as not only an alternative choice but an alternative approach to governing. Polling conducted by Nanos Research for CPAC during the election showed the Harper Tories strong on trust.
In the first year in Tory mandate, Canadians saw Prime Minister Stephen Harper roll out the Federal Accountability Act, which, beyond the details, was a symbol of how a Harper government would conduct itself differently.
Fast forward to 2008 and the political “trust” environment is quite different. A government which was in large part elected in reaction to the Liberals and the advertising and sponsorship scandal now faces a series of trust issues to manage, the most recent flare-up being the Conservative election “in-and-out” scheme that Elections Canada has questioned.
The challenge for the government is the emergence of a narrative that, although it may not be breaking the rules, it is pushing the rules to the limit – be it having discussions with Chuck Cadman related to his vote in the House of Commons, or how it managed its advertising spending during the 2006 federal election.
The first casualty of this narrative is likely to be the perceptions Canadians have of politicians and politics because it taps into a cynicism that already exists. The refrain “they’re all the same” – quickly comes to mind for many Canadians when they describe those we elect to represent us all.
The second casualty is the major distraction that results in the media and in the House of Commons. In January, Nanos-Sun polling showed that Canadians were concerned about the strength of the economy in 2008. Although the broad economic indicators remain steady, polling indicates we are in a psychological recession.
As the opposition parties attempt to take political advantage of the Elections Canada investigation, there are some big issues like the economy, Afghanistan, the environment and healthcare, to name a few, that Canadians are concerned about.
The only potential political beneficiaries of this environment could be the Bloc and the NDP. For BQ leader Gilles Duceppe, the potential erosion of trust for the Conservatives is strategically tailor-made. In one fell swoop he can attack both the Conservatives and the Liberals in Quebec.
The same holds true for NDP leader Jack Layton. On the trust issue, he can attack both the Grits and the Tories and increase his chances of holding onto nervous New Democrats who might consider voting Liberal to block another potential Conservative win. If the 17 year old Lukiwski anti-gay video is any indicator, Layton has to be careful how he attacks the Conservative government. The most recent polling conducted throughout the focus on Lukiwski showed some NDP support in Ontario moving to the Grits – very reminiscent of the 2004 federal election which Harper lost.
To paraphrase the Prime Minister, the time for accountability will come again – at the next election. Canadians will judge all the leaders and parties – not just on how they leveraged political advantage but what they have actually accomplished since 2006.
What do you think?
Cheers,
NJN
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You are absolutely right Nik. The politicians are playing gotcha politics at the... more
hollinm (Saskatchewan) 28 Apr 13:17
Interesting take on things as always. The question I have is: how engaged are th... more
Non-aligned in Toronto (Ontario) 28 Apr 13:23
It would be gratifying to find a political party that was motivated by the wishe... more
Tom Good (British Columbia) 28 Apr 14:55
It will be your nightmare parnel. The Liberal party and its weak leader will ... more
hollinm (Saskatchewan) 03 May 23:25
supper...the Libs asked the RCMP to investigate Cadman. If they think the law ha... more
hollinm (Saskatchewan) 30 Apr 17:56
The Liberals, with Adscam, have no room for being holier than thou.... more
westerner (suspended) (Alberta) 28 Apr 21:03
Comments
hollinm
You are absolutely right Nik. The politicians are playing gotcha politics at the expense of discussing the important issues of the day.
At this point the faux scandals are not catching on with the public but I agree there could be a cumulative affect on the government.
The Libs are so desperate to find an issue that they can beat the CPC on that they will say or do anything. Leblanc's comments about this being an Enron type scandal concerning the in and out scheme is typical. With their hysterical over the top rhetoric, Canadians will simply tune them out and say a pox in all their houses.
However, when an election comes next Fall there will only be two leaders that can be chosen. That is the incumbent Prime Minister and an Opposition leader who cannot control his own party nor has the support of the majority of his party. As well, on all the leadership polls conducted Dion comes nowhere near Harper on how Canadians perceive Dion's leadership abilities.
So yes, there may be a cumulative affect which may prevent the CPC from getting a majority but it will not allow the Libs even a minority government.
Canada desperately needs a majority government after two minorities. We cannot continue to run the country with a Separatist party controlling a block of votes, opposition parties controlling committees and the important issues facing the country ignored as all parties are in perpetual campaign mode.
[updated Mon Apr 28 13:17:52 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 13:17
135 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
Non-aligned in Toronto
Interesting take on things as always. The question I have is: how engaged are the electorate in these accountability issues? They certainly should be, but I hear more buzz about the economy and the US election at the moment.
I suspect that people are seeing these issues in their peripheral vision, that they are registering on the sub-conscious, and will become an issue once an election is called, but for the most part, the front of their mind is engaged in where the economy is going. This is particularly true in Ontario which meay be in a real recession as well as a psychological one.
[updated Mon Apr 28 13:23:59 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 13:23
68 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
Tom Good
It would be gratifying to find a political party that was motivated by the wishes of the electorate rather than the political needs of the party. In our recent political history, the party needs seem to get all parties into trouble. Elections are for the incumbents to lose.
With the US being our 80% trading partner, it is difficult for the Canadian economy to run full steam if our major trading partner does not wish to buy our goods. Our softwood lumber industry in British Columbia has been depressed for a number of years due to a drop in American demand and it seems to be the same in the auto industry. George Bush is saying there is no recession in the US and we are hearing the same message in Canada from our political leaders. I believe most of us can look at what is happening and make a valid assessment.
Actually, I do not see the NDP profiting greatly from the Conservative-Liberal divide. In the October 19, 2009 election, the electorate will still view the political choice as either Conservative or Liberal in the central part of Canada with Quebec and the West being different. The way Ontario goes, so goes the land. Scandals in the middle of an election will skew the results, as it did last time around, and a change in leadership for the Liberals will definitely change the fortunes for that party but, all things being equal, Harper will likely triumph with another minority.
[updated Mon Apr 28 14:55:41 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 14:55
27 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
westerner (suspended)
It can't be surprising that politicians act politically and not in the interests, necessarily, of the public. Liberals promised to cut the GST to 0%, introduce national child care and to cancel the NAFTA free trade Agreement. They lied like most political parties.
[updated Mon Apr 28 19:49:07 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 19:49
parnel
Westerner that was in 1993..you need to update yourself.
The Tory lies and cheating have far outstripped the Liberals who were at least practical enough to see how much damage Mulroney had done and realized more tax revenues were needed to dig ourselves out of the mess Mulroney had created. Remember the $43 billion deficit in 1994. We are headed there again thanks to bone headed idealogical thought processes that do not count the current circumstances in their heads.
[updated Tue Apr 29 04:36:58 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 04:36
westerner (suspended)
Yes 1993, around the time of the Scheiber-Mulroney affair. You need to update yourself.
[updated Tue Apr 29 18:24:17 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 18:24
MRM
Can anyone think of 100 million reasons not to vote Liberal?
[updated Tue Apr 29 23:30:35 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 23:30
parnel
I can think of 33 million reasons...is that enough?
[updated Tue Apr 29 23:38:17 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 23:38
MRM
Nope, needs to be 100 million. One for every dollar stolen by the Liberals.
[updated Tue Apr 29 23:43:11 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 23:43
parnel
Then we must escalate it to be $1 billion and counting.... the amount they lied about in the income trust scandal.
[updated Tue Apr 29 23:49:44 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 23:49
MRM
Sure, or how about 2,5 billion - 1 billion “missing” from the Dept of HR, 2 billion wasted on long gun control, 250 million on Adscam, 167 million to Martin and CSL and counting… All tax dollars. On the other hand you cannot point to one valid case where the Tories have misused or outright stolen taxpayers money no matter how hard you spin.
[updated Wed Apr 30 13:25:34 -0400 2008]
30 Apr 13:25
ronmack
Hi Tom,
I wish you were wrong in some of your statements. I support Stephen Harper but wish he would just be a little more direct with the electorate. Imagine politicians acting political, as Duff would say. Can't figure out why we are surprised but it would be refreshing if anyone proved to be different.
It is true that the American election is facinating. The only reason I can figure that Obama can't close out the primaries is the power of the Clinton machine. It sure can't be because anyone actually believes that Hillary would be ready from day one. Imagine the fun of an umemployed Bill in the White House.
Sure the Americans are in a recession. But it is only the actions of the Conservatives over the past two budgets and other actions that have made us less vunerable to the full effects of that recession. Too bad that this is obfiscated by the silly Flaherty attack on the Ontario tax policy. Boy, was that a losing card.
But our leaders aren't really following Bush's lead by denying a recession. Rather they are honestly saying that the recesion will not be as bad here as in the USA.
I really don't think that as Ontario goes so goes the land. As the Conservatives more and more take over the area outside of the 416 region, which they are doing, Ontario will not determine the outcome being rather evenly split, with a few NDPers thrown in to make things interesting.
So, what do I hope uou are wrong about? That the best Harper can do is another minority government.
[updated Mon Apr 28 21:06:54 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 21:06
parnel
ronmack, you are delusional. Nick's last poll gives the Liberals 50% of the Ontario vote. That includes 905, 519,705,etc and also 416 where they will win every seat. They may do like the Chretien Liberals and win every seat because Ontarians are aware of the lies and unethical practices of this government. Flaherty helped the Liberals immensely,the only positive thing he has done.
[updated Mon Apr 28 22:07:56 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 22:07
westerner (suspended)
Liberals will win very few seats in Quebec.
[updated Mon Apr 28 22:34:22 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 22:34
westerner (suspended)
Ontarians are also aware of the lies and unethical practices of the Liberal Government and that some Liberals now face criminal charges; and more are coming according to the RCMP. Stay tuned.
[updated Mon Apr 28 22:40:19 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 22:40
ronmack
Parnel,
We all know that a single poll does not an election make. If the Libs for a moment believed that those stats would hold true in an election we would already be out on the hustings.
As for winning every seat in Ontario, now who is delusional?
One thing even Conservatives would agree with you is that the Flaherty attacks were a wonderful gift to the Libs. Will this stick when the option is to give Dion, Rae (who though he changed parties has not changed his socialist DNA) and company a chance to ruin our progress? Not much chance of that.
[updated Mon Apr 28 23:32:11 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 23:32
Tom Good
Hello ronmack: I really do not disagree with you regarding Harper but he does play his cards rather close to his chest. As you appear to allude to-----not too much transparency there thus I would suggest he keeps us wondering too much. For a minority government, he has done well in my opinion.
In contrast to United States, our national debt load has not spiralled out of control recently nor is China our major creditor----yet ! ! ! so we may be in a better position to weather a down-turn in the economy. On the other hand, our personal tax load, from all levels of government, is horrendous in Canada compared to that of our neighbour's and we do not enjoy the income tax deductions for home mortgage, life insurance etc. but we do enjoy a national healthcare system for all-----ours certainly does have a few hiccups but it is better than anything they have in the States.
The Clinton/Obama race is interesting for an outsider like me but one of them is going to be the deliberate spoiler for the other. Makes McCain look better. Remember how Ralph Nader in the 96 and 2000 presidential race was the spoiler? As far as NAFTA is concerned, Ross Perrot in his run for the Presidency in 92 and 96 railled against NAFTA----mainly because of the exodus of US jobs to Mexico. It is not a new issue but the northern automobile manufacturing states have been thrown into the turmoil today by Clinton and Obama. Some meddlesome Canadian diplomatic officials did not keep their mouths shut which did not help the issue.
Yes, Flaherty's attack on Ontario was undiplomatic but maybe it was meant to be that way---who knows except Harper and he has remained quiet. Anyway, it was just words and no programme/ action was involved. Governments make mistakes and that is the stuff of today's news and tomorrow's history. This blog spews a lot of history which cannot change---it is history. In my opinion,where we are headed and with whom at the controls is to only real issue of any consequence.
What continues to interest me is the seeming inability of most to envision THE electorate. It is one amorphous mass with a core left, a core centre and a core right. If any of those cores wish to be a majority, they must attract from their neighbours------neighbours do not live on a different planet ! ! ! As we have heard often here, the centre has good brand identification but a poor CEO while the right has a good CEO but not wide brand acceptance. That has to change throught "attraction"-----that is the job and is it succeeding??? That is why I say another minority on October 19, 2009, barring the unpredictable political land mines that maybe hidden around the corner.
[updated Tue Apr 29 01:07:56 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 01:07
parnel
Tom, you cannot say that the center has a poor CEO. he hasn't been tried yet and in fact with all the turmoil he has seen in rebuilding his own party I would say he can weather the stresses of office very well. He is steady on his feet and while not a good orator he has sound principles and is formulating good policies that will be on display soon enough.
[updated Tue Apr 29 04:50:44 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 04:50
Tom Good
Morning Parnel: The centre is my comfort zone usually and I believe that it is very unusual for a politician to retire gracefully-----they have to be kicked out of office and often damage the Party further at that juncture. Today, the centre is at an impasse as is the right but for differing reasons. We keep saying Harper has failed to broarden his base, which is true,. but the same is true of the centre. It is my opinion that Dion has compromised Party principles and sat upon his hands and become a defacto coalition with Harper. Of course, he may become the leader you are willing to wait for but I doubt that and I rather suspect I am not alone in my assessment.
[updated Tue Apr 29 14:03:10 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 14:03
parnel
Of course you are not alone in your assessment. However, Dion is working on his principled approach to government and is not at all concerend about his personal popularity right now. He can change that overnight with a few good jabs at the beginning of an election. Dion has a problem in that the left is divided;he is working on lowering the vote for the dippers and making sure he protects that flank. He will define the center in due time. As for Quebec I say wait and see what plans he comes up with. Quebeckers want a French Canadian in office and he needs to do something to warm them towards his style. The Bloc really has gone past its best due date and the voting public is simply waitng for some reason to dump them. Remember,the undecideds in all the current polling is quite high and he has lots of room to grow while Harper has very limited room.
Dion did not impress during most of the leadership campaign but he had people quietly warming up to him during the runup to the vote. I see that happening in a general election as well.
[updated Tue Apr 29 18:42:09 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 18:42
MRM
Parnel is right. The centre has a great CEO. Stephen Harper!
[updated Wed Apr 30 17:55:06 -0400 2008]
30 Apr 17:55
hollinm
Hi Tom....agree with you except I believe when the two candidates for PM are put before the Canadian people Harper with the support of Quebec will win a majority government.
I think Canadians are getting pretty sick and tired of the petty politics that is taking place these days and are becoming more cynical as each day goes by.
If you watched Question Period today and saw Dion's first question you had to be asking yourself...what in the hell did he just say. That is what will happen in the next election.
[updated Mon Apr 28 23:14:27 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 23:14
Tom Good
Hello Hollinm: Did not see Question Period but there are a couple of comments here regarding the "show". Yes, Quebec and Ontario are always key to a Canadian government except when Diefenbaker swept to power and that was a stunner. I remember that Diefenbaker told my friend, the local Conservative chair, that they could run a horse and they would get him elected and they did----one term only.
Yes, the antics in the House are sickening but I still think , at this date, that it will be a similar result---minority. Harper has to "reach out" (positive)and it is too dangerous to rely on the inepitude of those on the opposite side (negative).
[updated Tue Apr 29 01:28:16 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 01:28
hollinm
Hi Tom:
I agree I would like to see Harper change his communications strategy. Having a running feud with the press gallery maybe ok for him but the optics are not good and of course the gallery will not cut him any slack.
As well, when there is criticism of the government they come out with both barrels loaded and that turns swing voters off.
However, I still have confidence in Harper's abilities and the party's election preparedness.
You may be right but vote splitting will be a significant issue (4 parties on the left) along with low voter turn out. As well I think Dion will self destruct; talking about carbon taxes, raising the GST, invading Pakistan and basically being another Frenchman (I have nothing against French people) who cannot speak English trying to be prime minister of Canada.
Even though the polls are inconclusive about who would win Harper's leadership numbers are by far and away better than Dion's. That tells me the vast majority of Canadians do not see Dion as the future leader of Canada.
[updated Tue Apr 29 08:02:37 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 08:02
parnel
Hollimn, you live too close to the center of gravity there in Ottawa and you have no clue how the rest of the country is thinking. Not many people watch question period and all they see are the 10 second clips on the news.
Harper still comes across as the bully.
I have seen Stephane speak and have been one on one with him. He is very articulate and knows where he is going.
[updated Tue Apr 29 04:54:41 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 04:54
hollinm
parnel...shows how much you think you know me. I do not live in Ottawa but in the West. I was born and raised in Ontario and got transferred out West in 1986.
You think Harper is a bully in QP because each time he answers Dion he makes Dion look like a fool. By the way that's not hard to do.
So you have met Dion...good for you...glad it was inspiring. I have also met Harper and heard him speak. Tell you I have no trouble putting my confidence in Harper.
Dion may know where he is going but his party and the rest of the country are not prepared to jump over the cliff with him.
If he appears articulate it must be because he is speaking French.
[updated Tue Apr 29 09:17:08 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 09:17
Regina Beach Boy
Tom You said " It would be gratifying to find a political party that was motivated by the wishes of the electorate rather than the political needs of the party."
It would be, but if you listen to " Question Period " any given day you will understand why
any potentially great Canadian leaders or visionaries would consider their time better spent doing something less petty.
Sad but true
[updated Mon Apr 28 23:59:44 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 23:59
Tom Good
So true.
[updated Tue Apr 29 01:13:25 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 01:13
Non-aligned in Toronto
Tom, I agree that the NDP are not taking advantage of their positioning to make gains on the Liberals in any big way except possibly in NS and BC to a small degree. IMO Jack Layton has served his purpose for the dippers in bringing them back to their base levels, from the near fringe numbers they were showing a few years ago.
If the NDP wants to really impact the political situation in Canada, Layton will have to recognize that he's done his job, and make way for a new leader. I would suggest that what I have seen from Thomas Mulcair, that he would be capable of moving the dippers past the 20% barrier, and possibly past the bankrupt (morally and fiscally) Liberals.
[updated Tue Apr 29 10:32:02 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 10:32
parnel
I'd love to see Mulcair be in charge of the Dippers. Check his record in Quebec and see why Charest effectively dumped him. He won't even win that seat again in Outremont. That is not a socialist riding.
He would decimate the party in one election because he has no discipline and has an ego that won't quit. Bring him on please.
[updated Tue Apr 29 16:11:50 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 16:11
Jan from Whitby
This analysis Nik, is right on. The few years in Government for the conservatives has made an enormous difference in perception.
And that can be a big problem in the next election. Wish it were'nt so, but the reality is real.
Thanks for your important work Nik.
[updated Mon Apr 28 16:06:52 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 16:06
41 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
anvil
Further to your point Nick, this government has been nothing but open, honest, accountable. They have been playing the blaming game for over two years and nothing seems to indicate that will change. It is certainly the sign of a Party/Government that has not matured at through the governing process and that it has not been able to develop its resources into a credible team. But what else can you expect when the CPC is what can be called for sure a one man band?
[updated Mon Apr 28 16:53:15 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 16:53
No replies yet. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
westerner (suspended)
The problem Nik is that " they ARE all the same". Both major political Parties have faced serious ethical issues and the publics' cynicism is well founded. Politicians rank among the lowest respected occupations when graded among the most respected occupations. The lowest include used car salesmen, religious leaders, politicians and journalists. Sad indeed.
[updated Mon Apr 28 19:56:44 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 19:56
155 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
supper
This not a "psychological recession" for those on the bottom of the food chain. The fear is real and the comparison to the last mulroney recession is inevitable. Lets hope we can get some competent money managers in place, as the challenges of sustainability are huge. The tories talk balanced budget, but the results are less than average.
[updated Mon Apr 28 20:34:45 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 20:34
26 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
LEDA
The Elections Canada issue will go away when the courts show that Elections Canada broke their own rules with regard to notification of a search of the Conservative office and that Liberals are more guilty when the light of inquiry is turned on.
It will also be shown that the Conservatives, NDP and Liberals, all played the 'in and out' game. The Conservatives did with their money legally raised through donations, the NDP did it with coerced union dues seized from workers and legally donated to them and the Liberals did it with public funds laundered to them through an Adscam type play. Who is in the wrong here?
[updated Mon Apr 28 22:57:41 -0400 2008]
28 Apr 22:57
33 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
MRM
No doubt that Adscam had an impact but I do not agree with the premise that the Tories won the last election solely as a result of it. There was a 13 year record to judge them on and a real desire for change on the part of the electorate. We saw some of this discontent manifest itself when Martin was restricted to a minority in the previous election. The opposition, with a great deal of assistance from the liberally dominated Federal bureaucracy and the so called MSM has done a very good job of creating scandals where there are none by over inflating the importance of events and by over reporting them. The opposition is using the tactic of misusing their authority on committees to attack the government. The Ethics Committee and the Mulroney Schreiber Affair is a perfect example of this but there are others. That said I think that the Tories have done a dismal job of getting their message out and at times have taken the wrong communications approach to issues. The best thing that the PM can do is get himself a new Communications Director and along with it a new communications strategy. I do agree that both the Bloc and NDP (in Ontario) could benefit from the current situation but I think that any gains the NDP make in Ontario will by extension help the Tories as it will siphon off support from the Grits. Conversely any gains made by the Bloc will further harm the Tories in Quebec.
[updated Tue Apr 29 08:00:05 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 08:00
13 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
The Big Picture is one that ties all the loose ends together. What Canadians face is a single right wing government devoted to the failed Bush administration and failed neocon economic policies vs. four centre-left parties who could do better with their eyes closed. On issues like war and peace, the environment, the economy and jobs, social justice, our rights and freedoms, foreign aid and on and on. "Little" things that get lost in the Tories' constant sattacks on Mr. Dion and any other detractors.
But Mr. Harper is a proven bully, and his rap sheet grows every day. So I take some comfort in the opposition biding their time, waiting to bring him down when he has gone to far.
For many, that day has past.
[updated Tue Apr 29 20:13:58 -0400 2008]
29 Apr 20:13
23 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
Bernie
A slowdown in the economy is always an albatross around the neck of a ruling party. While our economy has not had a hit yet, there are obvious signs that we may be approaching an edge.
Nik states that polls show we are in a " psychological recession". That's a good name for it and I agree. The perception can have the same effect as reality. I wrote last year that I believe we are headed for a recession. It's not of our or our governments making but we can't escape global events.
Because over 80% of our trade is with the US the downturn there will affect Canada.
The worst is not reached yet in the US. Bush is still hanging on to the false economy of his administration. He sees the results now but he is not going to do anything about it. In fact the worse it gets the happier he will be to leave the mess to the incoming administration. If that happens to be the Democrats, so much the better. The disaster they will inherit will mean the Republicans will get back in power in 4 years.
The downturn may not be as severe in Canada but the effects here will most likely turn the populace against whoever is in power here. Nothing changes governments as much as a poor economy.
So the time of the election combined with the severity of economic downturn will decide who people vote for. Remember it only takes a relative few undecided voters to change government. Since most of them reside in Ontario and Quebec and those two provinces maybe most affected, that's the critical area.
If the election is called before a recession, trust and accountability will be major issues. The longer the government is in power the more opportunities arise for negative events to take place.
All those issues real or perceived will be used by the opposition to the fullest to undercut the trust and credibility of the government. Those issues now forgotten will be brought to light again and a brighter light shine on them. Even if there is not any bigger issue coming forth between now an election time the accumulated effect of all of them will make life difficult for the government getting re-elected. I can't see any hope for a majority.
[updated Thu May 01 09:32:20 -0400 2008]
01 May 09:32
1 reply so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
parnel
Here's a tory report card:
A woman, married three times, walked into a bridal shop one day and told the sales clerk that she was looking for a wedding gown for her fourth wedding.
'Of course, madam,' replied the sales clerk, 'exactly what type and color are you looking for?'
The bride to be said: 'A long frilly white dress with a veil.' The sales clerk hesitated a bit, then said, 'Please don't take this the wrong way, but gowns of that nature are considered more appropriate for brides who are being married the first time - for those who are a bit more innocent, if you know what I mean. Perhaps ivory or sky blue would be nice?'
'Well,' replied the customer, a little peeved at the clerk's directness, 'I can assure you that a white gown would be quite appropriate. Believe it or not, despite all my marriages, I remain as innocent as a first-time bride.
You see, my first husband was so excited about our wedding, he died as we were checking into our hotel. My second husband and I got into such a terrible fight in the limo on our way to our honeymoon that we had that wedding annulled immediately and never spoke to each other again.'
'What about your third husband?' asked the sales clerk. 'That one was a Tory,' said the woman, 'and every night for four years, he just sat on the edge of the bed and told me how good it was going to be, but nothing ever happened...'
[updated Thu May 01 16:44:44 -0400 2008]
01 May 16:44
1 reply so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
parnel
Here is a good peice written for the National pest by Ralph Goodale, this precisely what I have been saying about this unaccountable government who are economicly challenged.
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=483762
One major comment of many:
"He has taken this nation to the brink of a deficit -- the first in more than a decade. And it's deliberate. It's his ideological obsession to stop the federal government from being an instrument for good in the lives of ordinary Canadians.
Among major bank economists, academic think-tanks, bond rating agencies, the Bank of Canada and the International Monetary Fund, the prognostications are all consistent. The Canadian economy is now in a major slowdown. It will likely last longer than first expected. And the Harper government may soon be in the red.
Canadians would find a return to deficits inexplicable. They sacrificed too much to achieve discipline in the nation's finances to see that success now squandered. At the same time, they won't like Mr. Harper's way of avoiding his self-inflicted deficit. He will slash federal programs and services and say the "deficit-devil" made him do it.
Even when the Harper government had a $13-billion Liberal surplus on its hands, he cut the Court Challenges program, which helped the less wealthy access their constitutional Charter rights; adult literacy services; the advocacy of women's equality; historic measures to bridge gaps between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians; funding for child care spaces; a credible plan to fight climate change; student aid; and more."
No deficit huh???
[updated Thu May 01 20:15:45 -0400 2008]
01 May 20:15
2 replies so far. Join this conversationHide this conversation.
parnel
Nick's opening line in this blog was from harper's accountability speech...here's another view of how his government works the other way. Idealogical terrorism is how I describe these actions.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080502.wdrug02/BNStory/National/home
Scientists accuse Tories of 'despicable' interference
Ideological opposition to a Vancouver safe-injection site caused muzzling and misrepresentation of findings, researchers say
ANDRÉ PICARD
From Friday's Globe and Mail
May 2, 2008 at 4:50 AM EDT
The federal government committed a "serious breach of international scientific standards" in its handling of Vancouver's safe injection site, according to a new study.
An article published in the International Journal of Drug Policy charges that the Conservative government interfered in the work of independent scientific bodies, attempted to muzzle scientists and deliberately misrepresented research findings because it is ideologically opposed to harm-reduction programs.
The article continues........
[updated Fri May 02 18:00:15 -0400 2008]
02 May 18:00
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Tom Good
Nik, as the weeks go by, the Canadian electoral atmosphere is no less cloudy but I believe a slow change is taking effect. At the rate we are going, I would say time is on Harper's side and, each day, he is steadily attracting the centre right swing voter who is not necessarily Conservative. The core voter on either side remains the core and rather unmoveable. Why do I say this? I suggest the Liberals, by their House behaviour are turning off their peripheral voters and causing them to "rethink" FOR THEMSELVES. I believe there is a situation in the US electoral race that should give us cause for thought. The continuing negative behaviour in the Democratic camp can turn off the potential swing voter there and cause them to look to McCain and the Republicans------who would have thought that 6 months ago. Is there not a parallel behaviour in our House today?
Whether the Liberals like it or not, an election is going to be "forced" upon them on October 19, 2009. Try sitting that one out ! ! !
[updated Tue May 06 14:53:52 -0400 2008]
06 May 14:53
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MRM
DANNY WILLIAMS IS A HYPOCRITE
The mean spirited, blustering PM of NL is once again talking out of both sides of his hat. He is boasting about a $544M surplus and calling for more help for ON’s struggling economy. Of course he does not mention the fact that the only reason he has that huge surplus to boast about is because he has been given oil revenues from offshore oil development and Equalization Payments from ON and AB. I say given oil revenues because offshore resources are strictly a federal jurisdiction but the feds have all but surrendered their rights in this case to NL and NS. This was done in part so that NL could become a ‘Have” province. But of course that is not enough for the Premier who wants to still get full Equalization payments as his oil revenues grow. The feds agreed to let him keep half of the EP but still not enough, he wants it all. This of course is where the hypocrite part comes in. He wants the feds to help ON but not if it means readjusting EP. He apparently only wants to help if someone else pays? He says all the right things like “NL stands ready to do its part in confederation because we love this country!” Wasn’t this the same guy who not long ago pulled down the flag at the Legislature and threatened to leave Confederation? Anyway he says he will do his part but still refuses to budge on giving up any of the money he now gets under Equalization? He has yet to explain his logic on this but I am sure it will be good.
I see some common ground for the Feds and ON on this issue if they can take a breath and get along long enough to work on it. After all, the Tories ran on fixing the fiscal imbalance between provinces and McGuinty is correct when says that it is “perverse” that ON will be a “have not” Prov while they continue to give out $20B to other provinces. So at least philosophically there is common ground here.
As for Danny, I think that he should tread carefully. Now is not the time to be boasting about a huge surplus that has been garnered through the generosity of others, particularly in ON.
[updated Wed May 07 09:02:10 -0400 2008]
07 May 09:02
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