- Harper is Constitutionally Challenged - Part 2

Submitted: 11:28am, 11 Jan.'10
PM creates 'dictatorial environment' by shutting down Parliament, Tim Naumetz, 11 Jan.'10
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/page/view/dictatorial-01-11-2010

Mr. Tinsley. "For one, like myself, who believes that fundamental to our legal structure is the supremacy of Parliament"

"Supremacy of Parliament", the Constitution (which includes the Charter) and independence of the Supreme Court of Canada, is equivalent to "rule of law". Rule by the unfettered discretion of one person is "dictatorship".

In our Democratic System, these Institutions, by requiring that the Administrative branch operate by the rule of law, rein in the unfettered discretion of the PM.

One might suggest that a minority Parliament combined with a weak opposition, not willing to go to the m at, so to speak, effects an imbalance and the PM becomes less fettered.
However, this is faulty analysis since, with a majority government the opposition is even 'weaker' and there is no chance of an election, unless the PM so chooses.

The power to do what Harper is doing (attacking our Democratic Institutions) has always been there, especially for PM's that have a majority, or even a large majority. So, why is Harper doing this, whereas Mulroney and Chrétien didn't.

One need only consider that the previous PM's had the interests of Canada, all Canadians and the future of this nation, at heart.

Whereas, Harper, in word, doesn't. In fact he has deeply ingrained contempt for Canada as a nation and our Parliamentary institutions.

Certainly Harper's agenda to dismantle Canada as a nation is one reason. Soon Harper will claim Canada is dysfunctional and defer entirely to the Provinces. Harper's very deep roots with the extreme right conservative movement in the US is another - for one, unless it is a republic, structured in the same fashion as the good ol' U.S.of A., then he has contempt for it. But, more important is the Oil, both for the USA and Alberta.

Harper's base is in Alberta. They make up the die-hardest of his supporters, and perhaps the source of the lion's share of the Con's funding. Harper, from the start has done everything to increase Alberta' autonomy and protect its oil industry, and Canada be damned - this is nowhere more apparent than Harper's policies on Global Warming. Natural Resources Department assessment indicates that the projected increase to economic growth from the oil industry is $885 billion between 2000 and 2020, including growth of $634 billion in Alberta. Just imagine how much the benefit would remain in Alberta if there were no Federal taxes. Then there is the transfer payments, which would be hugely increased, that would be done away with. You do the math.

Lloyd MacIlquham cicblog.com/comments.html