24 Hours With Stephen Harper

[nucklehead]

http://www.canada.com/mobile/iphone/story.html?id=11042074#.VU4HUBAK8tI.facebook

Thursday was a busy day for the Harper government. Consider just some of what went on:

• There was the continuing fallout over the revelation that officials in the Prime Minister’s Office had posted two videos online, taken during Stephen Harper’s recent visit to Iraq, that showed the faces of Canadian special forces soldiers — in violation of security protocols. When brought to light, the PMO first insisted protocols had not been violated, then claimed the videos had been vetted by defence officials, then issued a slippery half-apology that was evasive and insincere even by their own standards. Thursday, the Toronto Star reported the PMO officials, who had promised to “review” the protocols, had been briefed on them, twice, before the trip.

• There was the entry into evidence at the Mike Duffy trial of emails, previously unreleased, spelling out how officials in the PMO, together with Conservative senators, conspired to tamper with an audit into the disgraced senator’s expenses, the better to encourage his silence. (In one email the prime minister’s then chief of staff, Nigel Wright, explains the rationale as being to “prevent him from going squirrelly in a bunch of weekend panel shows.”)

The emails, leaked to the press the day before, dominated Question Period, where virtually every question was answered, not by any responsible minister, but by Paul Calandra, MP. When last in the news, Calandra was sobbing in shame over the performance he had put on some days earlier in Question Period, when he had answered serious questions about serious matters — in that case, the military mission against ISIL — with personal attacks and irrelevant asides. He has apparently recovered.

• There was the similar performance by Pierre Poilievre, insisting — on the slimmest possible grounds — that the Liberal plan to cut taxes on the middle class was in fact a plan to raise taxes on the middle class. The minister followed it up with a fundraising email that scaled new heights of dishonesty. Not content with warning that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau would roll back higher limits on Tax Free Savings Accounts and cancel income-splitting for couples with children — Tory election promises the Liberals have indeed promised to repeal — it flatly declared that “he will cancel income-splitting for seniors,” and “take away Tax Free Savings Accounts altogether.”

• There was the laying of charges under the Canada Elections Act against Reg Bowers, official agent for former Conservative cabinet minister Peter Penashue during his 2011 election campaign. It was the controversy over that campaign that caused Penashue to step down from cabinet and run, unsuccessfully, in a byelection two years later.

• There was the release of Omar Khadr from jail, an event as inevitable as it was predicted, but against which the Harper government has battled, futilely, for years. Governments of both parties, Liberal and Conservative, conspired in his interrogation, prosecution and incarceration at Guantanamo, as a juvenile, long after every other of its Western inmates had been released, in splendid disregard of his rights under either the Canadian or American constitution.

But it is the Harper government that has been the most eager to politicize the matter. With its case collapsed and Khadr released on bail, the Public Safety Minister, Steven Blaney, was careful to issue a statement noting that Trudeau had “refused to rule out special compensation for this convicted terrorist” while “the NDP actively tries to force Canadian taxpayers to compensate him.”

• There was the introduction of yet another omnibus budget bill, this one a comparatively slender 157 pages — a third the length of some of its predecessors — but packed as usual with many disparate pieces of legislation, 27 in all, only some of which were remotely budget-related. The current bill would authorize the government, inter alia, to take away the passports of suspected terrorists, to create a new police force for Parliament Hill, and to impose changes to the sick-leave provisions of public sector unions’ contracts, theoretically still being negotiated.

• There was the publication of a report by the prime minister’s former lawyer, Benjamin Perrin, attacking another piece of government legislation, the proposed Life Means Life Act, with its prescription of a mandatory minimum sentence for certain types of murder of life in prison without possibility of parole, ever. As written, the law would give neither judges nor parole boards any discretion in such cases, a provision Perrin argued was likely to be struck down by the courts as unconstitutional.

There was also the passage in the Commons on Wednesday night of Bill C-51, the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015, a bill whose manifest overbreadth and potential for abuse has been flagged by scores of legal experts, some of whom were permitted to testify in the brief round of hearings allowed before the Commons public safety committee (following even briefer debate in the House), where as often as not they were subjected to lengthy harangues by Conservative MPs in place of questions.

The point is, this was all in the space of 24 hours. If one were to draw up an indictment of this government’s approach to politics and the public purpose, one might mention its wholesale contempt for Parliament, its disdain for the Charter of Rights and the courts’ role in upholding it, its penchant for secrecy, its chronic deceitfulness, its deepening ethical problems, its insistence on taking, at all times, the lowest, crudest path to its ends, its relentless politicization of everything.

But you’d think you would need to look back over its record over several years to find examples. You wouldn’t think to see them all spread before you in the course of a single day.

[Warhippy]

And?

Harper and hsi government are the most venal pieces of filth in canadian politics in Canadian history. This 24 hours doesn't seem like much but when weighed up over the last decade you can see how and why people are saying he has eroded the rights of ALL Canadians and how people are claiming he is indeed neck deep in almost every scandal laid at his feet.

You can see how people call him a coward for refusing to answer questions and allowing parroting monkeys like Poileverre and calandra to do it for him without EVER answering the charges levied against them

You can see how people question his leadership when he refuses to allow anyone to think for themselves.

Simply put, I will vote for whoever has the best chance to beat this piece of crap

[-DLC-]

One of us would be in jail. Probably me.

This guy has now reached a level of swarmy with me that can never be restored....I find him a clown. Stick a big nose and some shoes on him and find him a new gig...maybe McDonalds.

If ever there was a time for people to unite in steering the train back off the rails, it's now. Our rights and freedoms as we know them are being slithered away through cracks and it's scary how disconnected this guy is. If you can't even keep your stories straight, you're telling too many of them. When you tell the truth and act in that light, you don't have to.

I once believed the Government and those in power were to be or at least reflect the voice of the people....I now see that they simple ignore and go as far to stifle us. It's a secret club for passholders and none of us are in. That's not how it's supposed to be.

[YEGCanuck]

Think we may well see a change in government this fall. Given the recent experience in Alberta, the dysfunction that is the Senate and some questionable governing decisions, I imagine the mood in the country is for change. Any party that becomes arrogant about being the government and forgets who thy are working for, deserves to be thrown out.

[Warhippy]

I should add on that this is a disturbingly biased article obviously written by someone who is a shade far to the left and a shade angry at harper.

But the truth cannot be ignored.

Harper is a horrific human being, a worthless leader and a failure at every level.

[Lockout Casualty]

I should add on that this is a disturbingly biased article obviously written by someone who is a shade far to the left and a shade angry at harper.

But the truth cannot be ignored.

Harper is a horrific human being, a worthless leader and a failure at every level.

Andrew Coyne is far left? Good one.

[peaches5]

Sorry but why believe anything he and the conservatives say? He is on record for saying that its okay to lie during elections and that that parties can't actually be expected to fulfil promises that parties make during campaigns.

[drummer4now]

Think we may well see a change in government this fall. Given the recent experience in Alberta, the dysfunction that is the Senate and some questionable governing decisions, I imagine the mood in the country is for change. Any party that becomes arrogant about being the government and forgets who thy are working for, deserves to be thrown out.

Honestly considering how bipolar Canadian politics is.. I wouldn't be surprised if Harper was somehow voted back in again. Kinda like people hating Christy Clark and than voting her back in again.. because the other candidate was an incompetent doofus..

Not that I am saying that Trudeau and Mulcair are incompetent, but IMO they aren't strong enough candidates compared to Harper.There's something odd about Mulcair and Trudeau.. and while Elizabeth May lets be frank has no chance. I think we don't know the real Justin Trudeau yet as he is all over the board with different issues, and Mulcair is like an old uncle who hasn't succeeded in life without the help of others (Lawton RIP).

The only real advantage they have is essentially appeasing the cdn public by saying the right things at the right time when Harper and his cronies mess up or changing some of his controversial bills like C-51 in the case of Trudeau and the Liberals.

Long story short it will be an interesting election for sure.. but Justin Trudeau all the way.

[aeromotacanucks]

Honestly considering how bipolar Canadian politics is..

I wouldn't be surprised if Harper was somehow voted back in again.

Kinda like people hating Christy Clark and than voting her back in again.. because the other candidate was an incompetent doofus..

Not that I am saying that Trudeau and Mulcair are incompetent, but IMO they aren't strong enough candidates compared to Harper.

The only real advantage they have is essentially appeasing the cdn public by saying the right things at the right time when Harper and his cronies mess up or changing some of his controversial bills like C-51 in the case of Trudeau and the Liberals.

Long story short it will be an interesting election for sure.. but Justin Trudeau 2017 all the way.

that´s the conclusion I´m getting here...

you guys hate him, but I wouldn´t be surprised if Harper is elected again...

[Realtor Rod]

I should add on that this is a disturbingly biased article obviously written by someone who is a shade far to the left and a shade angry at harper.

But the truth cannot be ignored.

Harper is a horrific human being, a worthless leader and a failure at every level.

Doesn't Toronto somehow influence the majority of seats? Sorry for the ignorance, but I habe never understood how these guys get voted in. If I vote Party A in Abbotsford, does that vote count towards increasing that parties seats?

[Warhippy]

Doesn't Toronto somehow influence the majority of seats? Sorry for the ignorance, but I habe never understood how these guys get voted in. If I vote Party A in Abbotsford, does that vote count towards increasing that parties seats?

Large population voting areas do have significant sway on things yes.

But it is the overall number of seats.

Simplified lets say Canada has 300 seats available.

If the Cons get 151 seats, the Libs and NDP split 149 seats, it means the Cons have a majority based off of ALL of the MPs running and sitting in canada. It's like a really screwed up popularity contest. BC can ignore Harper entirely but if ONtario votes entirely Conservative it doesn't matter because they have far more seats in the legislature

[Swedish elite3]

Boy I sure hope the NDP never takes hold of this country or province and that's all I have to say about that

[TOMapleLaughs]

And?

Harper and hsi government are the most venal pieces of filth in canadian politics in Canadian history. This 24 hours doesn't seem like much but when weighed up over the last decade you can see how and why people are saying he has eroded the rights of ALL Canadians and how people are claiming he is indeed neck deep in almost every scandal laid at his feet.

You can see how people call him a coward for refusing to answer questions and allowing parroting monkeys like Poileverre and calandra to do it for him without EVER answering the charges levied against them

You can see how people question his leadership when he refuses to allow anyone to think for themselves.

Simply put, I will vote for whoever has the best chance to beat this piece of crap

Welcome to the JT bandwagon of glory. Woooot-Woooooot!

[Miss Korea Bob.Loblaw]

Boy I sure hope the NDP never takes hold of this country or province and that's all I have to say about that

wut

[Warhippy]

Boy I sure hope the NDP never takes hold of this country or province and that's all I have to say about that

Based on what? everything you can state about the NDP I can shoot down with logic numbers and facts.

So please, aside from personal bias do let us know why the NDP is so evil

Welcome to the JT bandwagon of glory. Woooot-Woooooot!

No.

Justin Timber-Deau is no better than Stephen harper he just wears a red jacket. He has yet to actually define himself as a leader or a viable candidate.

Truly the ONLY alternative to harper as it is, is Mulcair, and as per Swedish's comment. To many Canadians despise fear and loathe the NDP based on misleading reports, attack ads and their track record of having to clean up after the other major parties have right royally screwed everything up.

So like it or not it will be a Liberal or Conservative minority and I don't think that is anywhere near good for this country.

Understand I do not like the NDP for any number of reasons. But economically, logically and morally. They are EXACTLY what this country needs right now.

They cannot do any worse than the Cons or Libs have since the early 80's and both of those parties need a severe humbling the same likes of the Notley NDP win in Alberta last week. They NEED to be brought back down to earth as right now Canada is a 2 party country in the worst way. There is no centrist. There is the NDP and left and the Libs and Cons right.

If you truly follow politics you'll understand what I mean by that comment

[Gaudette Celly]

Keep on voting -- you just know that one of these days it's actually gonna make a difference. Right?

Oh, so you're mad at Steve? Well you're supposed to be, because now you get silverspoon anointed-one Justin all ready to step in. Come on now, get out your pompoms cuz he's gonna make it all better. Then after a few years when you discover he's no less a criminal traitor (and probably worse) a new cardboard puppet will be brought out for you to cheer on.

[Gaudette Celly]

They cannot do any worse than the Cons or Libs have since the early 80's and both of those parties need a severe humbling the same likes of the Notley NDP win in Alberta last week. They NEED to be brought back down to earth as right now Canada is a 2 party country in the worst way. There is no centrist. There is the NDP and left and the Libs and Cons right.

If you truly follow politics you'll understand what I mean by that comment

I know politics and economics, and I'm afraid your spectrum is skewed, Hippy. ALL of those parties are collectivists, and "leftist". Left-right is a false paradigm that everyone is told so many times they believe it's true. If you doubt that, then explain how communists and fascists are complete opposites. Clearly they are not, but people have been duped into thinking there's some "middle" between them when it's all on the same scale of tyranny. One wants to steal your money to give to corporations and the other wants to steal your money and give it to unions -- yeah, big difference! lol Guess what -- their friends all get paid with your sweat equity either way. It's a small exclusive club and you ain't in it.

The true political spectrum is liberty on one end and tyranny on the other. Individualism on one end and collectivism on the other. All collectivists (socialists, fascists, communists, etc.) are on the one end. Every single political party is collectivist, period. Bar none. It's just a matter of degrees.

[ice orca]

And?

Harper and hsi government are the most venal pieces of filth in canadian politics in Canadian history. This 24 hours doesn't seem like much but when weighed up over the last decade you can see how and why people are saying he has eroded the rights of ALL Canadians and how people are claiming he is indeed neck deep in almost every scandal laid at his feet.

You can see how people call him a coward for refusing to answer questions and allowing parroting monkeys like Poileverre and calandra to do it for him without EVER answering the charges levied against them

You can see how people question his leadership when he refuses to allow anyone to think for themselves.

Simply put, I will vote for whoever has the best chance to beat this piece of crap

Harper is just reaping the rewards of what the Liberals did under Trudeau..put all the power of parliment into the PMO.

[Mustapha]

They NEED to be brought back down to earth as right now Canada is a 2 party country in the worst way. There is no centrist. There is the NDP and left and the Libs and Cons right.

If you truly follow politics you'll understand what I mean by that comment

I don't think too many voters who consider themselves on the 'right' end of the political spectrum will vote for the Liberals, if anything the NDP and Liberals will split the left vote, leaving us with another Conservative majority.

You mention that the problem is Canada is a two party country, when I think the problem is just the opposite: If there were only 2 frontrunners in the upcoming election, voters could have a chance to remove Harper. Unfortunately, some people will vote NDP, others will vote Liberal and the rest will all vote Conservative, and that is how they will continue to hang on to each riding.

40% Conservative beats out a split between 30% Liberal and 30% NDP, and many of the seats will end up just like that.

It's a shame and I hope I'm wrong, because I despise Harper and his cronies, but most Canadians are either too apathetic/ignorant/misinformed to care.

[Realtor Rod]

I know politics and economics, and I'm afraid your spectrum is skewed, Hippy. ALL of those parties are collectivists, and "leftist". Left-right is a false paradigm that everyone is told so many times they believe it's true. If you doubt that, then explain how communists and fascists are complete opposites. Clearly they are not, but people have been duped into thinking there's some "middle" between them when it's all on the same scale of tyranny. One wants to steal your money to give to corporations and the other wants to steal your money and give it to unions -- yeah, big difference! lol Guess what -- their friends all get paid with your sweat equity either way. It's a small exclusive club and you ain't in it.

The true political spectrum is liberty on one end and tyranny on the other. Individualism on one end and collectivism on the other. All collectivists (socialists, fascists, communists, etc.) are on the one end. Every single political party is collectivist, period. Bar none. It's just a matter of degrees.

I am curious to see Warhippy response is to this.