Quote:
Originally Posted by wingmaker
A closer look at Harper's economic record:
http://www.unifor.org/sites/default/...ique_eng_0.pdf
A globe summary of the posted report:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe...ticle25817790/
The gyst of it is that Harper's government placed last or second last amongst all of Canada's post-War governments in 13 of 16 economic indicators, including job creation, employment rate, unemployment rate, etc.
From the study: "Further data confirms that according to appropriate population-adjusted indicators, Canada’s economy has ranked well within the lower half of all OECD countries under the Harper government. Moreover, given the negative growth data recorded so far for 2015, Canada’s standing among industrial countries will slip further this year. Prime Minister Harper’s claim that Canada’s economy is “the envy of the entire world” is sharply at odds with the international data.
In summary, there is no empirical support for the claim that Conservative governments in general – and the Harper government in particular – are the “best economic managers.” To the contrary, Canada’s economy has never performed worse, since the end of World War II, than under the present Conservative government. Alternative policies (emphasizing job creation, real growth, rising incomes, and equality) will be required to put Canada’s economy back onto a more optimistic path." |
Just to play devils advocate the comparison is unfair because being geographically isolated from all but one country with 10 x the population and a higher wealth per cap. leaves you pretty exposed to their market circumstances. And Harpers government has sat through the worst economic times in the last 80 years for the Americans. I haven't done the research, but I would guess Canada led the G7 (or G8) in more years under Harper than any other government in the history of the group.
Where Harpers economic policies have failed in is increasing long term investment for progressive industries. Science, Tech/Communication, and Manufacturing have taken a back seat to resource production. Hitching our wagon to finite resources is short sighted, and we are only in the past 12 - 18 months really starting to feel the pain of Harpers economy (especially in Alberta), before that we actually reaped allot of benefits from it.
All of that said, I've voted for Harper in 2 past elections. But do not plan on voting for him this time. The Fixed Election dates, the denials of climate change, and attempts at vote buying have left a sour taste in my mouth among other things.