Looking back it seems like its been quite awhile since I have talked politics and with a the release of a new poll on Stephen Harper's approval, I figure its about time. First to the poll.
Though at first glance its not great news, Stephen Harper and his Right wing Conservatives are starting to slide. If you also take in to account that the Liberal party hasn't even selected a new leader yet, it doesn't look so positive for Harper. You can almost guarantee that this puts on hold Harper's plans to call a spring election. I'm not going to get too excited, it is a tie after all, but Harper is losing even bigger ground in Quebec. If he ever hopes to win a majority government he must win over the province of Quebec which he seems to be failing at. The NDP and The Block remained basically unchanged with there support levels, but the Green Party was a bit of a surprise doubling their support. This might just be a result of Elizabeth May winning their leadership campaign, but it seems significant.
So what has our Prime Minister been up to lately?
It wasn't long ago that he announced that he would introduce his motion on gay marriage in the fall. The motion would basically ask if Parliament should reopen the debate on same sex marriage. Well were halfway through fall and we have yet to hear when this motion will be brought forward.
Could this be the result of pressure from the Religious right within his party and the country to delay the motion?
Why might he delay?
Well simply because the motion is almost certain to fail with the make up of Parliament as it is today.
Harper and his religious zealots are probably only going to get one more chance at a vote and they now want to wait until after the next election, when they hope that they will hold a majority in Parliament.
Remember during the last couple of election campaigns when the Liberals tried to portray Harper as scary and having a hidden agenda?
What happens if they succeed in reopening the debate and taking away this basic right from Canadians?
Most likely the first court challenge to it (and there will be many) will declare it unconstitutional. The only option that would be open to Harper then is to invoke the not with standing clause and don't think he wont. If your not familiar with this clause basically it allows the Prime Minister to ignore what the courts have ruled and do what ever he wants. I find this very scary.
Do you also remember Harper's 5 Priorities during the election?
I hope you do because he certainly doesn't.
I will admit he has worked on a few, but what about health care wait times. Arguably one of the biggest problems facing this country and it just disappeared off his political radar.
Then there is John Baird, one of Harper's star MP's, who during a municipal election campaign has interfered in the light rail debate. Many people have argued that it's a long standing fight with current Mayor Chiarelli that prompted his interference.
The Ethic's commissioner has been asked to investigate his actions and so far Harper has refused to act. Just another example of Harper's governments selective accountability.
Is it not also scary that Harper has to muzzle his MP's.
Rona Ambrose the Minister of the Environment held a press conference to announce Harper's "Environment Policy" in Vancouver and Harper flew to Vancouver to do all the talking. Maybe that's because Ambrose criticised the Liberals for spending 100 million dollars on carbon credits. When pushed for proof of this supposed spending spree Ambrose was forced to admit that she made a "mistake" and there was no purchase of credits.
What was the big environmental announcement?
Basically that in the future they would be announcing a policy.
One last comment before I quit for now.
Harper announced 1 billion in spending cuts two weeks ago, even though we are running record surpluses.
Who will be affected by these cuts?
Non Conservative supporters.
He cut the funds from some of the most vulnerable parts of our society.
He cut literacy programs, Women's programs, aboriginal programs, and a court challenges program that has been used by many minority's including the gay community to fight for their basic human rights.
Sound's like his agenda isn't so hidden anymore.
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