Prime Minister Harper,
Your first parliamentary majority comes at a time of considerable change in Canadian political culture, liberty movements in many nations and a systemic crisis in the global ecology. It's worth noting that the Conservative party's founding principles include a commitment to upholding our "obligations among the nations of the world," with references to fair trade and future generations, and to "integrity, honesty and concern for the best interests of all."
That, then, should commit you to transparency, civility and co-operation. In this spirit -- and for your legacy -- please consider the following:
- Apologize to Canadians for being in contempt of the House -- the true reason your minority government was brought down, and a rightful concern for Canadians, which you've dismissed as mere "bickering." Have the humility and courage to say, "I'm sorry."
- Stun the country with massive support for clean renewable energies to make the Tar Sands a footnote in the sad history of polluting industries. Make Canada a world leader in the clean jobs sector.
- Respect the clear and compelling climate science that should put Canada in the forefront of climate action. Support "the right to a future" for all Canadian kids.
- Reduce crime by investing in early years and increasing literacy, not by ineffective and costly prisons.
- Show your respect for Canada's children by legislating a ban on direct advertising and marketing to kids 12 and under.
Show us you're truly committed to balancing "fiscal accountability, progressive social policy and individual rights and responsibilities" and want to "build a national coalition of people who share these beliefs" as the Conservative Party's founding principles state.
Canadians want to believe their Prime Minister. We all expect you to set a good example, especially our children and youth.
Raffi Cavoukian, C.M., O.B.C., is a singer, author, children's champion, and ecology advocate, founder of Centre for Child Honouring on Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada. Among his awards are the Order of Canada, the Order of BC, the UN's Earth Achievement Award, the Global 500 Roll, and three honorary degrees. Raffi is a member of the Club of Budapest, and he blogs for Huffington Post and similar online news sources.
Follow Raffi Cavoukian on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Raffi_RC
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"Wlilabee Wallabee Waffi. An elephant sat on Raffi."
I will leave it at that.
And apparently, over the past 5 years, the LPC has been found "in contempt", by Canadians.
Try again.
Harper was found in contempt. The rules of parliament were followed in that finding.
Not only that, but the man lied to the entire nation during the leader's debates when he said that there are no corporate tax cuts. Later that night on The National, Amanda Lang put it more euphemistically when she said his position on the corporate tax cuts didn't "add up", and then outlined the cuts that have happened as well as those that he has in the works for the future. Canadians who support elected officials lying to them have a strange idea of democracy.
Would it be childish for Mr. Harper to apologize? No, it would be mature to apologize. In the long term it would also be a politically wise thing to do.
Is it childish to ask for an apology? Not at all. Before he can regain the respect of Canadians he must acknowledge his betrayal of our trust. Asking for an apology is extending an olive branch to the man. The big news would be if he accepted it.
Don't ever recall an apology over that.
And so the opposing parties forced an election over it, and they lost. It appears that much of the Canadian populace were not impressed by this finding of contempt, where most of the "jury" were opposition MPs. Really, get over it.
How would you feel if this weren't your guy but the other guy breaking the rules? Still alright? Not so much. You can't even handle it when the other guy plays by the rules and stops your guy.
The Speaker found the Conservatives in contempt when they refused to provide information a third time. This was the FIRST time this has happened in the history of the Commonwealth. If this was a tactic that was readily available to any opposition leaders do you not seriously think it would have been used as an effective ploy to bring down many a minority government in England, Canada, Australia and so on for hundreds of years? No, of course not because it is a very serious charge but the Conjobs managed to sell a bunch of extremely ignorant voters that it was "bickering".
ps.
Pouting about recieving an apology from the government just sounds childish. No one ever agrees with all that goes on in Ottawa, but you gotta move on if you ever want to move forward.
I would also ask that Raffi look in his own back yard and comment on how the City of Victoria treats (or doesn't treat) wastewater that it pumps into the ocean.
Should it not also be remembered that a very short time ago(December 2010) the opposition parties in the House of Commons made a commitment to bring down the government by any means possible ?
I think a lot of Canadians are getting genuinely sick of this attitude. I know I am.
Fallacy of logic.