Harper’s Majority

Stephen Harper, Canada’s newest majority holding Prime Minister. He’s not much of a looker or a speaker, to be honest, but he sure swayed Canadians last night. Whether it was his promise of stability or Ignatieff’s smile that cast voters into the blue tide is beyond me.

I have had several discussions with friends and family (pre and post election) about Harper’s plan for Canada. Ideas such as opening up Canada to Indian and European free trade or a fitness tax credit for both Children and Adults. These ideas are progressive. The latter to help attract Canadians to healthier lifestyles and the former to open up Canada to the world without full economic reliance on the United States.

Then there are other ideas. Some have been publicized and others remain to be seen. I am not much of a “Realist” in the school of thought in International Relations, so naturally I don’t feel it necessary to spend billions of dollars for fancy jets or in the military altogether. So, what are the threats posed to Canada in which we need such heavy duty, top of the line fighter jets? Harper touts that we need to secure Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic. Funny though, that he is for a Canada-U.S. Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness decree – which essentially will impede on our sovereignty. I’m not saying this decree isn’t necessary (with adjustments) but the hypocrisy is hardly missed (at least for myself).

These are but a few of the ideas waiting to be enacted by the majority holding Conservatives. Unlike the President of the United States, when a Canadian Prime Minister has majority rule it literally means he can send through any laws or changes that he or she (the party) desires. Since our Senate is a joke, there are no real buffers to stop a line-sited leader with a majority.

Harper is not a fool though – he won’t touch abortion, gay-marriage or any other social-taboo topics. This would ruin him and the Conservative hold on power. Moreover, if we disregard the First-Past-the-Post system that is in place in Canada and look at the election results using Proportional Representation, Harper only has 38 per cent of the vote – hardly a majority at all!

This morning I watched Michael Ignatieff concede defeat and begrudgingly resign as Liberal leader. In his speech he offered up that perhaps four years of a Conservative Majority and the NDP as Official Opposition would trigger the resurgence of the Liberal Party. More importantly (to myself, anyway), maybe the focus of Canadians would swing from the economy to social issues and programs which bind Canada and Canadians. Tim bits like universal healthcare, equal rights and yes, even the CBC!

May peace and love surround and guide Harper’s decisions.