For years in opposition and in a minority government, Harper's goal was to accumulate power, said Joe Garcea, head of the University of Saskatchewan's department of political studies. Harper did so at an unprecedented rate, Garcea said.
Now that the Conservatives have obtained a majority, it is more difficult to control MPs who may have promised their constituents action on various issues, Garcea said.
"The MPs were feeling like soldiers who had to follow along. They feel their constituents see them as trained seals," said Garcea, who has worked extensively on Parliament Hill.
"There is immense dissatisfaction. We're starting to see a reaction to that incredible level of control."
Recent examples include: . Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar MP Kelly Block sent a mail-out condemning extended health benefits for refugee claimants, which critics labelled divisive and "racist." Block allegedly gave conflicting accounts of the mail-out's origins. A pro-refugee rally attracted 250 people outside Block's office this weekend.
. Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River MP Rob Clarke introduced a bill to change the Indian Act without any consultation with First Nations. Critics noted Clarke's bill came on the heels of the massive gathering in Ottawa where Harper promised no Indian Act changes without consultation, consistent with recent Supreme Court rulings mandating the "duty to consult." The bill was debated in parliament this week and sent to its next stage.
. A majority of Saskatchewan Conservative MPs voted in favour of a recent private member's bill to reopen the debate on when life begins. Harper voted against the bill, which was defeated. Critics saw the bill as an indirect attempt to reopen the abortion debate.
. In explaining his vote for the life bill, Saskatoon-Humboldt MP Brad Trost posted a blog on his website declaring "Prime Minister Harper is not my boss." Trost said MPs don't work for their leader, "they work for their constituents." Trost attracted controversy earlier this year when he posted another blog critical of strict party discipline and advocated for more freedom for MPs.
. Battlefords-Lloydmin-ster MP Gerry Ritz rejected calls for his resignation for his handling of the recent E. coli scandal, the second tainted meat incident of his tenure. Some criticized his actions, while others said his comments during both periods were unacceptable, including his recent reference to an emergency House of Commons debate on the issue as "silly."
Garcea said Harper has not disciplined any of the MPs for their recent outspoken ways. One reason could be that Harper agrees with these positions, even though he doesn't immediately say so, Garcea said.
In some cases, such as Block's refugee stance or the abortion debate, Harper can't be seen to take such a hard line for fear of alienating centrist voters in other parts of Canada. Here and in other conservative areas, however, it may serve to placate the party workers and volunteers who've been clamouring for such action, Garcea said.
The other possibility is that Harper has actively encouraged these apparently "rogue" actions to gauge public opinion. In the case of Indian Act changes, for example, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan said late last week the government will support Clarke's bill.
"Is Harper deliberately giving them more room? Is this all an experiment?" Garcea said.
For their part, Conservative MPs say these positions are their own, and they are not "trial balloons" put out by Harper. Block said her mail-out was on a subject she believes in strongly. Trost said MPs should be free to act for their constituents. Clarke said he had no idea whether the government would support his Indian Act changes.
"We're representing our constituents. I hope that continues," Clarke said.
One thing seems certain, said Garcea.
As long as MPs are allowed to take such positions without recrimination, the public should expect more of the same.
That strategy, particularly if the positions become more extreme, could cost the Conservatives over the long-term, he said.
"If they want to maintain power, they've got to be careful about playing to just the neo-cons," Garcea said.
"They'd better look at the math. That may be a miscalculation that will hurt them."
Original Article
Source: leader post
Author: Jason Warick
No comments:
Post a Comment