This was supposed to be a banner year for the Harper government. It hasn't turned out that way. Chantal Hebert writes:
Time and time again over the past parliamentary year the government has turned what could have been policy gold into lead.
As often as not, a chronic incapacity to approach policy as more than a tool to drive a wedge in the electorate was to blame, with diminishing returns to the Conservatives.
The approval of Northern Gateway was supposed to be the triumph of the prime minister's economic vision. However,
the most vivid illustration of the perils of a my-way-or-the-doorway policy mantra pertains to the energy agenda that has long been at the heart of the prime minister’s economic strategy.
Even for a government that has never been in the business of giving Canadians more than a glimpse into its policy thinking, the absence of a designated ministerial pitcher to talk up the decision to give the green light to the Northern Gateway pipeline Tuesday was a stunning admission of how its handling of the issue has rendered it toxic.
Everything is falling around the prime minister's ears.The Supreme Court has ruled that Mr. Harper and the Constitution are frequently at odds. The voters of Ontario have just told him that they are in favour of a beefed up pension plan. And the prime minister's pipe dream of Canada The Petro State is mired in sludge.
The political alchemist has never been able to transform lead into gold. But he has an uncommon talent for accomplishing the opposite. It may be dawning on Conservatives that Stephen Harper is actually the Sorcerer's Apprentice. And, having troubled their own house, they are now poised to inherit the wind.
8 comments:
I have found all sorts of info on the internet. However, I am never too sure if the information is reliable.
Harper's Cabinet mulls, massive Chinese resource project in High Arctic.
Dec 27/2012
www.theglobeandmail.com
We do know Harper is desperate to get the, Enbridge pipeline built.
Enbridge has chosen a limited partnership-is to limit the exposure investors in the company, not to make good on a catastrophic spill.
12/07/05
business.financialpost.com
Premier Christy Clark partnered in, Enbridge lobbying firm
April 1/2014
vancouverobserver.com
Petro-China puts in a bid to, help build the Enbridge pipeline.
May 29/2012
business.financialpost.com
The quiet parade of Chinese Military Brass, have visited Canada
03/26/2014
www.embassynews.ca
China FIPA deal with China? A 31 year ball and chain on Canada.
Oct 19/2012
thetyee.ca
I believe someone said? There is still the last reading for the FIPA deal, to be brought up in Parliament.
Would Harper permit the Communist China Army into Canada, to guard China's vast interests in Canada?
It's wise not to believe everything you read on the Internet, Anon.
That said, Harper is the kind of guy who generates all kinds of speculation -- most of which is unflattering.
Owen Gray said, "It may be dawning on Conservatives that Stephen Harper is actually the Sorcerer's Apprentice. And, having troubled their own house, they are now poised to inherit the wind."
My MP, Dan Albas, was on CBC this morning defending the Gateway Pipeline. He gave no suggestion of any dissent in the ranks. While most of us who post to this and other progressive sites would like to see Harper and his slippery minions ride off the stage, I see no indication that they are going anywhere. Harper has weathered storms in the past and he probably will again.
In my Riding, Dan Albas is a shoe-in because the Liberals and the NDP have shown no indication at all that there will be an election next year. Until the opposition parties decide to slay the dragon Harper will remain at the helm, sorcerer’s apprentice or not.
Unfortunately, Toby, Harper is where he is because the opposition parties fought each other rather than him.
Together they have the votes to send him packing. But, if they turn on each other, they will only give Harper more time to do more damage.
My distrust of Harper and his team, leaves me willing to believe every bad thing, that is said about them.
I just find Harper's behavior very bizarre. Harper's attack on the Chief Justice was for what?
Our resource and other jobs given to foreigners, is for what? A working economy for Canadians, is a healthy economy.
Foreigners that live in resource job camps, usually send their money back to their own countries. How does that help Canada's economy? The foreigners countries cost of living, are a fraction of Canada's cost of living.
I always end up, back to square one. I believe, nothing good about Harper. I always expect the worst because? Worst is all we ever have from Harper.
He's certainly been around long enough to confirm your opinion, Anon.
The longer he says, the worse the situation gets.
Toby, I too live in the Albas riding and unfortunately, the conservative vote will always outnumber progressive here because there is a lingering perception of why-bother when a turd in a blue suit will always win. Albas is indeed a shoe-in and as a Day protege his folksy manner masks the ideological stupidity that boils beneath the surface. So, not surprising he will toot the Northern Gateway horn, which will have little to zero impact on the economy of the Okanagan, except for the backers who own expensive property here of course.
A sad state of affairs, waterboy. One hopes that your riding is an exception, not the rule.
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