- Harper: 'The people of Canada have a different philosophy than us'

Posted: 4/22/2010 10:17:09 AM The Globe and Mail
A gun to the heads of the Liberal caucus, The Globe and Mail, 22 Apr.'10
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/a-gun-to-the-heads-of-the-liberal-caucus/article1542451/ Tab 2

The last vote on this Bill where 8 Liberals supported it, represents Harper and the Con's deception at its worst (well one, of many, of its worst's).

Access to Information has revealed that the then-public safety minister Peter Van Loan sat on the RCMP report on the Gun registry until after the vote. The paper trail shows that the Report was received by him on 18 September. It ought to have been released in 15 sitting days but was help up by Van Loan until 6 November, after the vote. Van Loan response, we had the Report "for several days".

Some of the Liberals and NDP voted in favour of the Bill so that it would go to Committee where it could be reviewed. Sounds reasonable, especially when it was done in the absence of the RCMP Report.

Being logical and basing your vote on rational considerations, taking the good of all Canadians into consideration should be encouraged in our leaders. This is the exact opposite of the extremist, narrow, ideologically based, my-way-or-the-highway, I'm-right-you're-wrong, what benefits the few and Canadian be damned approach that is the hallmark of Harper, Van Loan (of, "The professor has a different philosophy than us,” fame), the Con Party and their die-hard supporters. If ever there were a wedge issue this is it.

Perhaps the Gun Registry should be re-visited but lets be rational about it. Lets demand Harper and the Con's release all the relevant information, stop their vicious attacks on those that dare oppose them, cease and desist their propaganda machine. Harper and the Con's are taking their position to satisfy their Western and rural die-hard base. Lets find out what is best, not for these few but for all Canadians as a whole. Since when did Alberta rule . . . oh, yah, sorry, since Harper and the Con's came into power.

Also, how can the Harper government claim victory when it was a private member's bill. Surely the Harper Government could have introduced the Bill and part of their official agenda. Everyone, especially true conservatives, should take note of this. It clearly represents a backing away of true conservative values by Harper for the sole purpose of maintaining power.

Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html