"Stephen Harper" Ad

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Really? It says that? Did they pass a new law? Because I am sure the amendment to the election act read something like this.

Subject to an earlier dissolution of Parliament, a general election must be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following a previous general election, with the first general election to be held on Monday, October 19, 2009

It also has a line that says:

Nothing in this section affects the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dissolve Parliament at the Governor General’s discretion.

And since we all know that the GG doesn't dissolve parliament on their own discretion, but rather the discretion of the PM and upon request to do so, this line in the law allows the PM to request the GG to dissolve parliament because it is dysfunctional.

No law will be broken should the PM head to the polls.

Is he breaking the spirit of his law? Perhaps, but he certainly isn't breaking the actual law. I fail too see what the Liberals/NDP/Bloc are whining about. They have all been saying for months and months that they want to head to another election. The NDP and Bloc have at least been man enough to attempt to force one, while the Libs have been running like frightened schoolgirls. Now the PM is going to give them what they all say they have been wanting, and they are whining about it.

I'd like a new Lexus LS 600 h L please. If someone were to give me one, I promise I won't complain about the color.

[Slava]

^ I hope that the GG declines his request of dissolution of the parliament. I fail to see how its in the best interest of the country at this point in time. (Sure its really out of spite that I hope she does this, but its within her power!).

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Slava

^ I hope that the GG declines his request of dissolution of the parliament. I fail to see how its in the best interest of the country at this point in time. (Sure its really out of spite that I hope she does this, but its within her power!).

She won't. And that line is in there so that if there is a non-confidence vote, then the GG can disolve the government. If it wasn't in there then no Minority government could be brought down.

That line wasn't intended to be used as it will be used in the next couple of days. If it was, then we shouldn't have a law like that because any PM can justify doing the same thing in a majority government.

[Titan]

Originally Posted by old-fart

It also has a line that says:

Nothing in this section affects the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dissolve Parliament at the Governor General’s discretion.

And since we all know that the GG doesn't dissolve parliament on their own discretion, but rather the discretion of the PM and upon request to do so, this line in the law allows the PM to request the GG to dissolve parliament because it is dysfunctional.

No law will be broken should the PM head to the polls.

Is he breaking the spirit of his law? Perhaps, but he certainly isn't breaking the actual law. I fail too see what the Liberals/NDP/Bloc are whining about. They have all been saying for months and months that they want to head to another election. The NDP and Bloc have at least been man enough to attempt to force one, while the Libs have been running like frightened schoolgirls. Now the PM is going to give them what they all say they have been wanting, and they are whining about it.

I'd like a new Lexus LS 600 h L please. If someone were to give me one, I promise I won't complain about the color.

Good posts everyone. I also thought he was breaking his own law. However, most people will stll think he is breaking it. I think a more effective commercial would have been to explain the law and why he thinks we need an election now. Complicated for a 30 second spot but it could be done:

"The Liberals keep saying gov't is dysfunctional. I agree with them.

The law we passed still allows the GG to dissovle gov't if it becomes dysfunctional. I have asked her to do this. I am Stephen Harper and i approve this ad." With shots of the libs abstaining, would be very effective.

On an different note I find it quite odd that I am a fairly strong supporter of the CPC but if I was in the US I would be a VERY strong Obama supporter. Is that weird?

[mariners_fever]

Originally Posted by Titan

On an different note I find it quite odd that I am a fairly strong supporter of the CPC but if I was in the US I would be a VERY strong Obama supporter. Is that weird?

that's not weird at all. i would say our conservative party is probably as left-wing as the democrats in USA. since their society is less socialist than ours, i would say that even their predominant left-wing party is somewhat right-wing on the overall spectrum...

also, they support alot of things that are everyday realities in canada but not so in the USA...so to us what they say just may make more sense...

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by Slava

^ I hope that the GG declines his request of dissolution of the parliament. I fail to see how its in the best interest of the country at this point in time. (Sure its really out of spite that I hope she does this, but its within her power!).

She won't. If she did, the anit-Queen movement would get a HUGE boost. Why should an un-elected official have that kind of say in our government?

I'm sure most Conservative voters failed to see how JC calling an election barely 3 years into his 5 year term, and just after the Cons had elected a new leader, despite having a majority government, was in the best interests of the country either.

But for you Lib voters, I'm sure that was all fine and just smart politics.

Bottom line: Dion has been saying for months, perhaps years, that the Conservative government was wrong for Canada and was pushing us in the wrong direction - yet he (the Libs) allowed the government to continue because they wouldn't have won any election they forced. Is that "doing what is right for Canada", or is it playing politics to try and get yourself back into power? Is supporting what you claim to be "wrong for the country" the right thing to do, if it means you might have a better shot at getting back into the government in the future? Is that what Dion thinks "principles" mean? I could perhaps understand if he was negotiating with the Cons to compromise, or get some of the Liberal agenda passed along with the Cons... but he's not. He's saying "they are wrong" on one hand, and then standing by and watching on the other.

If we were at war with a country bent on taking over the world, ala Nazi Germany, would Dion capitulate because he didn't think we could win, or would he stand and fight for what is right? I know he is a French citizen (as in, a citizen of France, not simply a Francophone), but that's taking it a little bit too far, isn't it?

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

She won't. And that line is in there so that if there is a non-confidence vote, then the GG can disolve the government. If it wasn't in there then no Minority government could be brought down.

That line wasn't intended to be used as it will be used in the next couple of days. If it was, then we shouldn't have a law like that because any PM can justify doing the same thing in a majority government.

I understand what you are saying, but the line does NOT say "only to be used if the current minority government doesn't survive a confidence vote".

You don't know what the government intended that line to be used for. Harper is not a stupid man, no matter what the Libs would try to tell you. He is always thinking several steps ahead. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he had envisioned something like this happening and wanted to make sure he had "an out".

[pepper24]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

I still can't believe the 3rd best person for the job can be the leader? The way they vote is broken and needs to be fixed.

Stelmach, Dion?? What are the parties thinking? It would be like John Edwards winning the Democratic leadership because the Clinton/Obama supporters would split the vote.

It's brutal. I have trouble voting for either due to that fact.

[nieuwy-89]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I had high hopes that a Paul Martin-led Liberal party would provide the fiscally conservative/socially liberal government many Canadians want, but unfortunately he was stymied by scandals all relating to his old political nemesis Jean Chretien. It's a shame we never had the chance to see what Martin could have done as PM if he had been free to govern without Chretien's baggage.

As a Conservative, I also had hopes that Martin might have been the PM that could finally end Liberal corruption and give us the responsible government we deserve. Unfortunately, it wasn't the case.

Martin was a terrible PM on his own accord. He had a chance to overcome the sponsorship scandal, but ultimately failed because he:

• failed to acheive any major policy advances during his time as PM
• paralyzed the civil service with micro-managing and indecisiveness
• tried to use scare tactics to beat the CPC instead of campaigning on issues

Don't blame Chretien for Martin's failures. The fact is, Paul Martin had the chance of his lifetime to prove himself, and he blew it.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by nieuwy-89

As a Conservative, I also had hopes that Martin might have been the PM that could finally end Liberal corruption and give us the responsible government we deserve. Unfortunately, it wasn't the case.


Martin was a terrible PM on his own accord. He had a chance to overcome the sponsorship scandal, but ultimately failed because he:

• failed to acheive any major policy advances during his time as PM
• paralyzed the civil service with micro-managing and indecisiveness
• tried to use scare tactics to beat the CPC instead of campaigning on issues

Don't blame Chretien for Martin's failures. The fact is, Paul Martin had the chance of his lifetime to prove himself, and he blew it.

Can you refresh my memory though...what has Harper accomplished as PM? Lets not fall back on the "minority government" argument here...all we heard was how spineless the opposition has been and that he has governed as if he has a mojority for the last year and a half.

[nieuwy-89]

Obviously elections are called for political reasons, and its dissapointing Harper is seeming to ignore his own fixed election law. I do believe there are extenuating circumstances giving Harper the justification to call an early election.

The Liberals have abandoned Parliament and are trotting out their own policies outside of the regular process in an attempt to undermine the government. Canada is facing huge challenges on the domestic and international fronts, and I think Harper is looking for a mandate to continue the work he is doing rather than allowing the circus act to continue much longer.

I see parallels with Stelmach in Alberta. He didn't have to call the election as early as he did, but felt he was limited in implementing his agenda without the full will of the people. His huge majority gives him the moral authority to carry out his platform with confidence that he is serving the public good.

Harper is wise to pursue a similar "seal of approval" from Canadians.

Oh and by the way I like the ad. It is as straight-forward as political ads get. It does not make outlandish promises or attack anyone else (although I'm sure those ads are coming).

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Slava

Can you refresh my memory though...what has Harper accomplished as PM?

- Repaired our broken relations with the US
- Repaired Canada's image in the global circle
- Gave our Canadian Military back its identity, both locally and abroad
- Formally ratified Quebec's distinct society
- Formally addressed and apologized for the treatment of Chinese people during the war
- Strengthened our presence (and our claim) in the Arctic regions, with an actual plan of action that involves constructing bases in and policing those regions
- Solved the softwood lumber fiasco
- Lowered GST from 7% to 5%
- Took a realistic stand on the Kyoto catastrophe

That's all just off the top of my head. I'm quite sure, if I really tried, I could expand that list quite a bit.

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by Slava

Can you refresh my memory though...what has Harper accomplished as PM? Lets not fall back on the "minority government" argument here...all we heard was how spineless the opposition has been and that he has governed as if he has a mojority for the last year and a half.

Here's a very partisan list for you:

http://harpergovernmentaccomplishments.com/

[nieuwy-89]

Originally Posted by Slava

Can you refresh my memory though...what has Harper accomplished as PM? Lets not fall back on the "minority government" argument here...all we heard was how spineless the opposition has been and that he has governed as if he has a mojority for the last year and a half.

Well, just a few changes that impact me personally:

• Cut the GST twice
• Implemented the Universal Child Care Benefit
• Implemented the Tax Free Savings Account
• Increased the basic personal tax exemption

I am also pleased with how the government has paid down the debt, handled Afghanistan and arctic sovereignty. He hasn't done as much to fight crime as I would like - but made a good start, with things like tougher sentences on street racing.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

- Repaired our broken relations with the US
- Repaired Canada's image in the global circle
- Gave our Canadian Military back its identity, both locally and abroad
- Formally ratified Quebec's distinct society
- Formally addressed and apologized for the treatment of Chinese people during the war
- Strengthened our presence (and our claim) in the Arctic regions, with an actual plan of action that involves constructing bases in and policing those regions
- Solved the softwood lumber fiasco
- Lowered GST from 7% to 5%
- Took a realistic stand on the Kyoto catastrophe

That's all just off the top of my head. I'm quite sure, if I really tried, I could expand that list quite a bit.

Don't forget to mention that he had a minority government, and still got all that done. Plus more.

[Azure]

Oh, Canadian election threads are boring.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

- Repaired our broken relations with the US

It's no surprise that a conservative like Bush would have better relations with a fellow right-winger like Harper. There was nothing wrong with Canada-US relations when Clinton/Chretien were in charge, and Reagan and Mulroney were also known to get along famously.

- Repaired Canada's image in the global circle

What's this now? I didn't see a lot of international criticism about Canada before Harper came to power, but his stance on climate change, AIDS, and many other issues has been met with backlash from almost every Western democracy aside from the US.

- Gave our Canadian Military back its identity, both locally and abroad

What has Harper done for the military since becoming PM? Aside from a lot of talk about being a pro-military Conservative, what specific actions has he taken to improve the Canadian Forces? I'm not being rhetorical -- I genuinely want to know, because I follow political news quite closely, but I don't remember any specific accomplishments in that area.

- Formally ratified Quebec's distinct society

You say that as if it's a good thing...

- Formally addressed and apologized for the treatment of Chinese people during the war

Agree with this -- good for him and his government.

- Strengthened our presence (and our claim) in the Arctic regions, with an actual plan of action that involves constructing bases in and policing those regions

Ditto as above.

- Solved the softwood lumber fiasco

No he didn't. In fact, Harper's government failed to meet the deadline to ratify their own deal, so the dispute is still ongoing. From wikipedia (consider the source):

On September 27, 2006, the Canadian Press reported that Canada did not meet an October 1 deadline imposed by itself to implement the agreement. Withdrawal of some of the 30 issues regarding the deal was the main reason for the delay on complying to the deal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...lumber_dispute

- Lowered GST from 7% to 5%

...by repealing income tax cuts that were passed by Paul Martin's previous government. The tax burder for most Canadians is no better under Harper than it was before. Numerous retailers have even raised their prices slightly to offset the reduction to the GST, so consumers are still paying the same amount for many products as they were prior to the GST cut.

- Took a realistic stand on the Kyoto catastrophe

I agree that Canada would have been unable to meet its Kyoto objectives, but from on the environment, Harper has been pretty weak overall. I'm sure that suits many of the posters on this forum whose income is derived from the Alberta energy industry just fine, though, so the environment is just one of those issues where the best we can do is agree to disagree.

[LChoy]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

What has Harper done for the military since becoming PM? Aside from a lot of talk about being a pro-military Conservative, what specific actions has he taken to improve the Canadian Forces? I'm not being rhetorical -- I genuinely want to know, because I follow political news quite closely, but I don't remember any specific accomplishments in that area.

- Increase the military budget/spending (however, it's not nearly enough or immediate)
- Finally picked a helicopter contract to replace aging Sea Kings
- New naval unit out in BC (The Canadian equiv. to the US Seals)
- Upgraded and building new JTF2 training base
- Desert camo for our soliders
- New Mercedes armour vechicles
- Election promise, new Foreign Intelligence department to run along side CSIS (since been cancelled, too bad, would have been cool)

Just off the top of my head

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by lchoy

- Increase the military budget/spending (however, it's not nearly enough or immediate)
- Finally picked a helicopter contract to replace aging Sea Kings
- New naval unit out in BC (The Canadian equiv. to the US Seals)
- Upgraded and building new JTF2 training base
- Desert camo for our soliders
- New Mercedes armour vechicles
- Election promise, new Foreign Intelligence department to run along side CSIS (since been cancelled, too bad, would have been cool)

Just off the top of my head

New transport planes from Boeing so we arent relying on the Russians and Americans (pathetic that we couldnt even deploy our own disaster relief team). Bought numerous heavy lift helicopters for use in Afghanistan by the end of this year. The liberals defence spending cuts are the main reason we've lost so many troops in Afghanistan. Its sad that a half dozen helicopters at our disposal may have reduced our casualties by half. If you watch reports the majority of our casualties are resupply convoys hitting IEDS.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by lchoy

- Increase the military budget/spending (however, it's not nearly enough or immediate)
- Finally picked a helicopter contract to replace aging Sea Kings
- New naval unit out in BC (The Canadian equiv. to the US Seals)
- Upgraded and building new JTF2 training base
- Desert camo for our soliders
- New Mercedes armour vechicles
- Election promise, new Foreign Intelligence department to run along side CSIS (since been cancelled, too bad, would have been cool)

Just off the top of my head

Don't forget the crash purchase of the C-17 heavy lift aircraft.
upgrade program is underway to replace the leopard 1 tanks leasing leopard 2's. Purchase of additional LAV;s. leasing of UAV's and helicopters for troops in Afghanistan. Put a plan into place to replace supply ships (on hold again) made in Canada. Increased size of the military and reserves while shrinking the senior officer core.

There's more, I'll have to look them up again tonight.