Toronto Star: Bully Harper vs. senators

[tuvor]

Lowell Murray is not a Liberal.

But the Progressive Conservative senator finds himself voting with the opposition Liberals against the Stephen Harper government these days to protest an abuse of Parliament. That it should fall to an unelected Tory senator to defend our democratic institutions shows how Canadians are being held hostage by the subterfuge of spin and cynicism that passes for federal politics in the Harper era.

A one-time Tory cabinet minister, Murray cannot stomach the government’s tactics in lumping together several complex issues into a grab-bag “omnibus bill” — tied to the budget to make it a “confidence” matter that would trigger an election if defeated.

As Canadians showed when Harper prorogued Parliament last December, they care deeply about abuses of parliamentary procedure. So too, at one time, did Harper. In 1994, Harper complained vociferously about a previous Liberal government’s omnibus bill that dumped disparate bits of government business into one piece of legislation as a way of quickly tying up loose ends.

Back then, Harper argued that “the subject matter of the bill is so diverse that a single vote on the content would put members in conflict with their own principles.” But that old Liberal bill was a mere 21 pages long. His own Conservative omnibus legislation is an unprecedented 880 pages long and contains 2,200 sections.

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http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/834293--bully-harper-vs-senators

[polly7]

1. Harper can't remember what he stands on, or for, from one day

to the next. He's an arrogant tool who believes his tricks somehow fly under the radar because in his own eyes, he's untouchable. We need some viable alternatives, fast.

[Fallenserpent]

2. indeed

I agree that Canada needs a big change. My hope is that an election is triggered, and perhaps some alternate solutions to Canada's Harper issue will start to form. It's time the left parties and the Liberals do something to end this foolishness.

[polly7]

3. Definitely. He reminds me too much of Malroney,

protecting Canada's social programs, environment, regulatory systems doesn't seem a priority to him. He doesn't learn by watching the results of certain policy in other countries .......... stupid, imo. Maybe harsh, but WTH, watch some news. But then, he did say when he was finished we wouldn't recognize Canada.