It’s unfortunate that the opposition parties in Canada don’t stick to their intended purpose of finding viable alternatives when they oppose.
But no, it’s just silly power mongering amongst a bunch of wannabes.
The Liberals think it would be grand to have a ‘fly off’ to choose new fighter jets. Except there are no comparable contenders other than the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
“Joint” Strike Fighter means that it was jointly decided upon by NATO and other western allies as the fighter jet that best would suit the joint needs of future warfare. And, surprise, surprise, the Liberals were the ones who originally got Canada into the deal.
Now, as an election wrench, they want to tell us there might be a prettier date for the dance.
Last time they did this they cancelled a procurement order for helicopters — the cancellation fees wasted huge sums of taxpayers money and sent our country to the back of the line for receiving new choppers.
In fact the new choppers are still not here! So our forces fly at risk in old Sea Kings that need six hours of service for every one hour in the air. Thank you, Liberal party of Canada, for putting our troops at risk in order to satisfy your rise to power.
This election was not necessary — particularly not in a time of economic recession world-wide and trouble around the globe. But no, the opposition parties felt strongly that ethical issues should bring down the government.
Led by the Liberals, the line was that the Conservative Party was in contempt of parliament for not providing more specific financial information on pending issues — jet fighters and prison construction.
Ironic that the person who led the non-confidence motion that brought down the government leads a party that still owes Canadian taxpayers $40 million from AdScam. While there may be questions about the total costs of jet fighters and prison construction, at least we already know where that money is going and we and our elected representatives have been part of that process.
We are still looking for the AdScam money the Liberal party stole from you and me. We still have many questions about hundreds of millions of dollars that mysteriously changed hands during Chretien and Martin’s time leading the Liberals. None of those deals were ethical. In fact, most were likely criminal — but time flies and soon vague memories, lost files and lack of passion mean those taxpayers dollars have vanished, along with millions more in investigating those lost causes.
“Taliban” Jack meanwhile is really ‘giving one for the gipper’ — he should probably be in bed or at least at ease, recovering from surgery and cancer treatments. While I respect his energy, I can’t believe the NDP’s blind insistence that money can come from empty coffers to hand out social programs, while cutting corporate incentives that create new jobs.
And then there’s the Bloc. Why do we have to finance Quebec’s own separatist federalist party? This makes no sense at all and we should praise the Harper government for its earlier attempt to quash this ridiculous situation.
Stephen Harper and the Conservatives propose measures that will increase corporate development and make it easier for small and medium sized (SMEs) enterprises/businesses to operate. Small and medium sized businesses are the life-blood of democracy; with little government incentive, administration or enforcement, individuals and partners can create income earning opportunities that mushroom into job development.
Those SMEs often serve the larger corporations, whether it be providing coffee deliveries, janitorial services, computer technical services, software... and they also serve their fellow citizens with postage stamp retail stores or services — just one or two individuals with an idea can easily become a business with cash flow. That’s what creates a healthy economy.
Even on environmental issues, an area the NDP and Greens love to froth about, one thing is very clear world-wide. The cleanest, greenest countries are also those with the money to implement high standards of environmental management.
Crippling corporations with overly zealous environmental demands has sent thousands of industries off-shore to places where no standards exist.
It’s too bad that all of the opposition parties in Canada have made careers out of not only wasting our time, but also our money — and not only wasting money, but energetically finding ways to waste more of it, for no constructive end.
Stephen Harper’s party is methodical and cautious. They want to keep the cupboard stocked with sufficient supplies for the future. The opposition continue to want to lay it bare. Don’t fall for opposition promises they can’t keep.
And remember the Liberal Adscam. We’re owed. Big time.
Michelle Stirling Anosh is a Ponoka-based freelance columnist.