- To Stephen Harper, ‘Put Canada first and stop the nonsense’!

Harper and the Conservatives have lost the trust and confidence of Parliament.

They have done this by ignoring Parliament and refusing to take swift and effective action to address the very serious and fast developing crisis we Canadians, as with everyone else in the world, are facing right now. He decided to, instead, to ignore the crisis to take partisan advantage of the situation to hamstring the Opposition.


As Patricia Croft, Cheif Economist for RBC Global Asset management put it yesterday on CTV News Harper and the Conservatives had the ability to put something together but are "fiddling while Rome burns".


For Harper and the Conservatives to say wait until a month or two months from now is something like telling the people of New Orleans to wait until after Katrina hits to see where the weaknesses in the restraining walls are so they can decide what to do. What about all those people who get hurt when the old restraining wall give way. [I know I have used this before, but I think it is right on and makes clear the current situation]


It is exactly that Harper and the Conservatives have not ‘put Canada first’ but have continued their ‘non-sense’ that has required the Opposition to unite and present themself as the only viable choice to lead Parliament.

The Canadian people elect Parliament and Parliament chooses the Governing Party, the Governing Party elects the Prime Minister. (No one who understands the Canadian Democratic system would say it would be undemocratic for a governing party to elect another leader who would, without being elected by the people take power as Prime Minster – for example, say Harper were to resign and the Con’s elected Flaherty as their leader.)

How does this give Harper the right to govern.

Quite frankly it doesn't, Parliament gives him the right to govern and Parliament has not only lost confidence in Harper and the Conservative Party it has lost trust in Harper and the Conservative Party.

If there was any mandate to Harper and the Conservatives in the last election it was to put partisanship aside and work with the Opposition Parties to protect us from economic ruin, as he ought. He has failed precisely in this 'trust'. Instead he has put aside any pretense of co-operating with the Opposition to protect us against economic ruin to promote partisan self interest. It is Harper who has failed to live up to the mandate of the people in this last election.

Harper’s actions are outrageous.

Harper ought to have the decency to put Canada first and step aside forthwith and allow Parliament to put in place someone they have trust and confidence in to salvage what they can. By continuing and vowing to fight he is only causing worse damage to all of us and wasting the scarce and precious time available to do what is required.

[Comments on G&M “Stelmach to Ottawa: 'Stop the nonsense'“ In response to Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach “Put Canada first and stop the nonsense,” ]



Lloyd MacIlquham