But whether “Canadians are moving with us,” as he claimed in a triumphant speech after last year’s May 2 election, is very much in question. Public opinion still appears to be in play. Recent polls put the Conservatives and the New Democrats under Thomas Mulcair in a statistical tie in terms of voter support, though the Tories would take more seats in an election. Bob Rae’s Liberals trail well behind.
Fickle as polls are, Harper is not connecting as he might have hoped. Moreover the Tories are showing signs of vulnerability that could hurt them over time. They are lucky the opposition has been splintered and weak.
The Prime Minister’s admirers credit him, reasonably enough, with making good on promises of low taxes, deficit-cutting, a tough-on-crime agenda and a robust military. Yet the Tories have left themselves open to criticism for weakening Ottawa’s national role, for ministerial arrogance and lack of accountability, for demonizing critics and for making divisive policy on the fly. Left unchecked, these attitudes will play into the opposition’s hands. Governments defeat themselves, after all.
By now Harper’s signature impulse — to scale back Ottawa’s role in the federation — is beginning to be felt, and so is the cost. The Tory budget, skilfully marketed as a “modest” paring-back that will affect few jobs, will have major impact. Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page predicts it will shrink Ottawa’s contribution to the national economy to an “historical low” of 5.5 per cent, from a 50-year average of 8.2 per cent. Page says this will result in sharply slower growth and sharply higher joblessness over the next few years.
To many Canadians that won’t feel like the “smarter, more caring nation” that Harper promised in last year’s throne speech. It will feel more like a federal shrug of indifference. Workers at the CBC are feeling the pain, along with those who run our national parks, compile statistics, patrol the borders and ensure food safety.
That’s not the only telling straw in the wind.
While Harper touts the virtues of open, accountable government, in practice he is obsessed with message control and presides over a clutch of ministers who kept Parliament in the dark on the F-35 fighter’s cost, abused the public purse and flouted conflict-of-interest guidelines.
He has cut funding to critics of his social agenda, foreign policy or aid priorities. And his Tories stand accused of “robocall” dirty tricks to suppress the opposition vote.
Without consulting Parliament Harper decided to raise the age for old age security, arbitrarily reshaping a key social program with scant regard for its impact on the needy.
In his zeal to market Canada as an energy superpower Harper demonized green activists, expanded cabinet’s power to rule on resource developments, and repudiated our Kyoto pledge.
To appease the Tory right wing his government rushed through crime legislation that unwisely hobbles judges and targets minor drug offenders. It killed the long gun registry and is making life more difficult for refugees. All this flies in the face of common sense and compassion.
He also intends to scale back increases in Ottawa’s medicare payments to the provinces, which can only weaken Ottawa’s hand in promoting a national public health system.
Of course, Harper won his majority and deserves his chance to govern. Still, the Conservatives’ lack of interest in nation-building, their divisive politics and notable absence of empathy for the vulnerable may yet catch up with them. Canadians deserve better.
Original Article
Source: Star
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