Canadian Parliament to Decide What?

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 48) October 8, 2014

Last week’s column on the timing for the next federal election generated response from a number of readers with virtually everyone agreeing that Prime Minister Harper will call an election prior to the beginning of the Duffy trial.  The Duffy trial is scheduled to begin April 7 and last until the end of June, 2015.  And that means Canadians could be going to the polls within the next six months rather than in a year’s time.  When the prime minister actually pulls the election trigger is anyone’s guess.

Harper Declares a Small, Six Month War on ISIS   

A federal election could be called as early as this week when parliament votes on sending a combat force into Iraq to fight the ISIS terrorist organization.  The opposition parties have voiced relatively weak arguments against Prime Minister Harper`s deployment proposal.  Leader of the Official Opposition Thomas Mulcair argued on Monday that the government refused to consult with his party in formulating the combat mission plan and still has many unanswered questions regarding the timing, scope and objectives for the declared war.  As well Mr. Mulcair feels that Mr. Harper did not follow an extremely important Canadian tradition when planning for and waging war.  That tradition is the swearing in parliament leaders into the Privy Council the government group that in effect will oversee Canada`s war effort.  Sounds to me like Mr. Mulcair and members of the New Democratic Party will vote against the six month mission in the House of Commons.  Last week Justin Trudeau voiced the Liberal position that essentially proposed a major humanitarian effort in the region and let other countries undertake the combative role.  The Harper government has indicated that it deems the deployment vote to be a vote of confidence in the government’s action.  From my perspective I actually agree with the prime minister`s combative deployment proposal knowing that the effort will take years - not months - and a major humanitarian effort would have to be seriously addressed.  Where I strongly disagree with the prime minister is his un-parliamentary approach when dealing with issues, specifically when undertaking a war effort.  In my view Mr. Harper could have gained support for his proposal in the House of Commons if he had seriously dialogued with the opposition parties, unfortunately it’s not in Mr. Harper’s autocratic mindset – it`s not the Harper Way.  As to whether an election is called in the next week or so, it is doubtful, largely because the nominations process in the 338 ridings is far from complete.

Growth of Political Pornography

When it comes to criticism and offering opinions about politicians it appears that there are no boundaries as to what is acceptable discourse and comment.  The recent ranting from Ezra Levant on Justin Trudeau`s parents has caused outrage amongst many Canadians who have suggested that Ezra Levant has gone way over the top and he should be severely admonished for his statements.  The Sun media conglomerate has apologized for the Levant rant but Mr. Levant has not personally issued a retraction – that suggests to me that Levant stands by his inflamed, obnoxious comments.  Nevertheless Ezra Levant`s comments should be put into a political context.  Mr. Levant has been ranting on television since 2011 and for many years directly attached to the Reform movement in western Canada – for a period of time he was connected to Preston Manning and the Reform Party and then moved over to become communications director for Stockwell Day of the Alliance Party.  In my view Mr. Levant is going to extremes to perpetuate political pornography.  For me the best way to handle Ezra Levant and his extreme views is to ignore him. 

Ezra Levant isn`t the only one ranting inappropriately, Justin Trudeau in a recent interview on the gravity of Canada`s role in the war against the ISIS terrorist organization offered some off-the-cuff remarks suggesting that Mr. Harper and his government was just   ``trying to whip out their CF-18s and show how big they are``  Read into what you wish, was the leader of the Liberal of Canada implying that the prime minister was trying to be mucho or was he trying to be funny when it comes to Canada`s place in world affairs – big questions that need answers.  Mr. Trudeau needs to get serious if he wants to be Prime Minister of Canada.