There's a Light at the End of the Tunnel

Too bad it's an oncoming freight train. The so-called economic update that we saw come from Minister of Deficits Jim Flaherty today was a pile of garbage. I can't say that I have ever seen a government attempt in such a brazen manner to use an international crisis to subvert Canadian democracy. Who the hell do these people think they are? For that matter, who the hell do they think we are?

So, Flaherty introduced his plan today, which was a call to save Canada's economy by putting $1.75 in the pockets of each and every Canadian. Well, actually, since only half of the electorate voted, it likely works out closer to 85 cents per person. That's right: in times of economic turmoil, what we need right away is to end the system of public financing of our elections that has kept lobbyists out of the system. That's how Jim Flaherty thinks he's going to fix our economy.

Around the world, the leaders of industrialized nations have stood up, said that they understand the mess global finances are in, and have acted swiftly to head off future misery. Apparently Mr. Flaherty, whose term as Minister of Finance has seen Canada's economic growth fall from top spot in the G8 all the way to the bottom of the pack, thinks that we can afford to wait until next year to do something meaningful. What did we get in the meantime? An attack on women's rights, by attempting to thwart pay equity.

Now, many of those who know me are aware of my lack of fondness for public sector unions. While I respect the right to organize and bargain collectively, public sector strikes invariably hold the public hostage. With that said, I was disgusted today when Jim Flaherty announced plans to rip up collective agreements in a manner already deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada. Furthermore, the proposal to strip away the right to strike is a measure so draconian that it's something I'd expect from the Russians or the Chinese, but certainly not from Canada. Precisely what is it that we are becoming?

If the Conservatives truly saw this crisis coming, as they keep saying they did when they trumpet the various bits of bullshit policymaking they claim have softened the blow of this economic downturn, then why did they blow over 300 million dollars on an election that everybody knew would return another minority government? Think for a moment where that money could have gone.

If the Government is a ship, then we're adrift, and it's no wonder. When you have Captain Crunch at the helm, you can't expect much. I am proud today that all three opposition parties stood up today, gave this Prime Minister the proverbial middle finger, and if the Government is defeated, there will be no constitutional crisis. This is a new Parliament, and it deserves a chance to be made to work, whether through a Liberal Minority government, or some sort of more formal coalition. There's no crisis here, other than the crisis of confidence that this Government now faces, a crisis which is one of their own making.

This much should be clear: Stephen Harper hates democracy. He doesn't believe in any sort of political opposition. He doesn't believe in accountability, nor any checks on his power to rule Canada with an iron fist. Various Tory insiders have noted that they're thrilled about the current course of action because they want the Liberal Party of Canada to cease to exist. That says it all: most parties in Government just want a permanent majority. They recognize that political opposition is central to keeping people honest, and keeping ideas fresh. Not the Tories. They seek a one-party state, with no checks on their power. That is what they seek, and they are using an international crisis to do it. It is nothing short of disgusting.

Let's look at the Harper attack on democracy and accountability. Last time around, Harper tried to gag the Auditor-General, wrote a playbook on how to disrupt, stymie, and undermine Parliament, had his MP's walk out of committee sessions to stop potentially embarrassing testimony and votes, killed the Court Challenges Program, and declared war on Elections Canada. During the election campaign, he declared war on artists, dismissing their contributions to our public discourse. Now, he's declaring war on unions, women, and any political opposition that remains. Under Stephen Harper, Canada is turning into a Fascist state, and we are letting it happen.

This Government will fall, whether it happens in the coming days, or if it takes longer. It's not enough to say, as Jack Layton did, that the Opposition will not support this pathetic plan, although that was a good start, as were remarks by Scott Brison, who skewered the Government's inept plan, and Gilles Duceppe, who rightly pointed out that the Government was selling out the country. What is needed now is a proverbial line in the sand, and an ultimatum to the Government: put an end to their war on democracy, or be defeated. Put an end to their war on minorities, or be defeated. Restore fiscal sanity to Ottawa, or be defeated. There can be no ambiguity. Michael Ignatieff was right to note that as Liberals, we are tired of sitting down, so it's time to stand up, be counted, and remind Stephen Harper that barely a third of Canadians voted for his ilk. It's high time that he acted accordingly.