Harper's Immediate Plans - Interview

[Daradon]

Some interesting quotes from Harper, a thumbs up and a thumbs down for me. Probably two thumbs up for many of you.

Thumbs up: Reasserting our dominion in the arctic, even at the behest (did I use that correctly?) of the U.S. ambassador who pointed out that the U.S. doesn't recognise Canada'a claim to the Northwest passage.

Thumbs down: SSM to be visited again soon.

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/A...per_gg_0601226

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Some interesting quotes from Harper, a thumbs up and a thumbs down for me. Probably two thumbs up for many of you.

Thumbs up: Reasserting our dominion in the arctic, even at the behest (did I use that correctly?) of the U.S. ambassador who pointed out that the U.S. doesn't recognise Canada'a claim to the Northwest passage.

Thumbs down: SSM to be visited again soon.

http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/A...per_gg_0601226

People have to start realizing that Harper has absolutely no intention on changing the law on SSM. He's simply doing the democratic thing and responding to the remands of the grassroots supporters of Reform and Conservative that have been the ones that stuck through it all and been the supporters for all these years.

He knows that it will never get passed. By saying he'll revisit it soon, he knows it's guaranteed to be denied and he can get it out of the way as soon as possible so it doesn't affect anything else. He's simply fullfilling a promise, something the liberals didn't know how to do at all.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._name=&no_ads=

[ernie]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

People have to start realizing that Harper has absolutely no intention on changing the law on SSM. He's simply doing the democratic thing and responding to the remands of the grassroots supporters of Reform and Conservative that have been the ones that stuck through it all and been the supporters for all these years.

Not to mention the 30-40 liberal candidates some of which are now MP's that also oppose SSM. This isn't really a conservative thing at all. In fact did not martin in the last week of the campaign say he would only whip his cabinet on this issue and not his entire caucus.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by ernie

Not to mention the 30-40 liberal candidates some of which are now MP's that also oppose SSM. This isn't really a conservative thing at all. In fact did not martin in the last week of the campaign say he would only whip his cabinet on this issue and not his entire caucus.

I'm such a nerd for watching the first vote live on C-PAC. But yeah, plenty of MPs from both parties standing up.


-edit

it seems Harper's immediate plans was to have an Asthma attack

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

People have to start realizing that Harper has absolutely no intention on changing the law on SSM. He's simply doing the democratic thing ..

There was an opinion in the Economist not long ago that said the reason the US keeps revisiting the abortion debate is that it was never settled democratically. The courts decided, and the people have never accepted the decision as final.

[FireFly]

I'm very excited about the probability of Harper proving his critics wrong. He wants to work with the US, not for them. He wants to have a free vote on SSM, not force his will through the House. It's refreshing to see a PM who can govern without being forced to rule with an iron fist, and at the same time, having a minority, one would think he should have to rule that way. What does that say about him and his policies and the Conservatives in general?

[ernie]

wonder if what the Harper has is almost as ideal a situation as he can get with a minority government. He has a platform that has things in common with each of the other parties platforms...and almost down to a word on some of those issues. The combination of every party + Tories =155 or greater...the exception being the NDP which leaves them a seat or two short. A turncoat of two rectifies that situation. It may be possible for Harper to put together more narrow bills and have them passed in cooperation of one other party that also had it in their platform. That party voting against something on their own agenda just gives the Tories ammunition.

And right now the liberals are leaderless and directionless so it will be easier to get some liberal MPs to cooperate. I think it'll be an interesting juggling act. No one want to see another election for quite some time so it plays into the Tories hands...the parties will cooperate because they do not want to be seen as taking down the government right off the bat.

The biggest thing for Harper is to throw Quebec some bones. If he does than Quebec could very easily turn Tory blue again given they have already gained a pretty darn good toe-hold in the province.

[Canada 02]

Here is the text from Harper's first address as PM-designate

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...BNStory/Front/

As a chinese Canadian, this is something that really stands out for me:

the Chinese Canadian community deserves an apology for the head tax and appropriate acknowledgement and redress.

[hereandthere]

I would like to see one thing that the Liberals put in canned. People visiting Canada can claim their GST. I would say scrap that. It gives the government some extra revenue than. When you visit other countries, I don't think you can claim money from paying a tax there as a visitor. The money than can be there for other things.

[ken0042]

How much do you think the visitor rebate costs us? Compared to how much it might help tourism?

Keep in mind visitors don't get money back on GST from hotels and meals, so it's only good that they are buying to take out of the country.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by FireFly

I'm very excited about the probability of Harper proving his critics wrong. He wants to work with the US, not for them. He wants to have a free vote on SSM, not force his will through the House. It's refreshing to see a PM who can govern without being forced to rule with an iron fist, and at the same time, having a minority, one would think he should have to rule that way. What does that say about him and his policies and the Conservatives in general?

It doesn't say much at all. It has been 4 days since the election and they havn't even been sworn in as the government yet. No need to plan your parade yet.
So far so good, but we havn't seen anything yet. Harpers agenda should pass through fairly easily because it's stuff that most parties can agree on. The real test for Harper and his party will come when new issues arise. At some point in the future, he will get thrown some curveballs on more controversial issues, and how he plays those will determine how well he's doing as a PM.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by hereandthere

I would like to see one thing that the Liberals put in canned. People visiting Canada can claim their GST. I would say scrap that. It gives the government some extra revenue than. When you visit other countries, I don't think you can claim money from paying a tax there as a visitor. The money than can be there for other things.

Depends on the country and tax. In many countries you can get atleast a portion of the tax back...provided of course you have with you the appropriate paperwork and proper recepits and have the time to wait in line at the airport for a couple of hours.

[Canada 02]

Harpers agenda should pass through fairly easily because it's stuff that most parties can agree on

Seems to me thats what is important - taxes, health care, crime etc. The side issues that pop up, and may polarize the populace are also the issues that have the least impact on day to day life

[octothorp]

The arctic is a very good first issue for Harper, because it immediately speaks to a couple of his perceived weaknesses (that supposedly cozy US relationship, and foreign policy). It is a good unifying issue, in that it can get support both from the anti-Bush crowd in Canada, as well as the pro-military-spending crowd. Also a good issue to show some long-term vision. As much as I'm not a supporter of Harper, I'll give him credit: he's a really smart guy.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

People have to start realizing that Harper has absolutely no intention on changing the law on SSM. He's simply doing the democratic thing and responding to the remands of the grassroots supporters of Reform and Conservative that have been the ones that stuck through it all and been the supporters for all these years.

He knows that it will never get passed. By saying he'll revisit it soon, he knows it's guaranteed to be denied and he can get it out of the way as soon as possible so it doesn't affect anything else. He's simply fullfilling a promise, something the liberals didn't know how to do at all.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._name=&no_ads=

I hope that you are correct and that is the real reason. Still, I find putting human rights up to a vote a little discouraging.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Exactly the point I was going to make Daradon, if denying SSM is contrary to the charter of rights and freedoms (i.e. on the wrong sie of the human rights issue) then why even risk a democratic vote?

What if in the 1940's we democratically decided to intern citizens of japanese decent and nationalize their assets? Does that make it right? Or do the rights of the minority trump the will of a [at best] slight majority?
________
Colorado Dispensary

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

People have to start realizing that Harper has absolutely no intention on changing the law on SSM. He's simply doing the democratic thing and responding to the remands of the grassroots supporters of Reform and Conservative that have been the ones that stuck through it all and been the supporters for all these years.

Hilarious. All through the election we (the left portion of the board) heard: "Don't worry about the old right-wing Reform elements because Harper himself doesn't believe these things," and now the defense of Harper is "Don't worry about Harper's motivation because he's just doing it to appease those elements".

Originally Posted by Canada02

As a chinese Canadian, this is something that really stands out for me:

the Chinese Canadian community deserves an apology for the head tax and appropriate acknowledgement and redress.

Hey, wait! Shouldn't we vote on this? Wouldn't that be the democratic thing to do before we conclude that what was done was wrong? [<-- sarcasm]

[CarlW]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Here is the text from Harper's first address as PM-designate

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...BNStory/Front/

As a chinese Canadian, this is something that really stands out for me:

the Chinese Canadian community deserves an apology for the head tax and appropriate acknowledgement and redress.

Being a Chinese Canadian also this also really stands to me too, and politically speaking can get the Tories much more support from the Chinese population in Canada.

[Natt]

Originally Posted by Daradon

I hope that you are correct and that is the real reason. Still, I find putting human rights up to a vote a little discouraging.

I agree. Seems a little weird to me to have the majority decide the fate of a minority populatioin.

[Clarkey]

Marriage is not a right, I got so sick of seeing lemmings on cbc, much music et al, stating so matter of factly "well Stephen Harper doesn't support equal rights, so I think I'll support the Liberals/NDP."