Dear editor,
Re: Conservatives are a government in waiting; Gerald Hall letter, Jan. 28 Record.
The federal Conservatives are no more a party in waiting than Rona Ambrose is a prime minister in waiting. Mr. Hall, who highlights the fact that only 39 per cent voted for Trudeau’s Liberals ignores that the Conservatives are the only party who are not in favour of electoral reform. In fact, they have already threatened to use their majority in the unelected and unaccountable Senate to block legislation.
As far as economic ‘realities’, the Harper government substantially increased the national debt in order to increase corporate welfare for his friends and to bail out the banks.
The selling of national assets such as the Canada Wheat Board used to be called embezzlement. The ongoing Duffy circus, as well as increasing the number of MPs, are costly and unnecessary. How much will the environmental damage supported by the Conservatives eventually cost?
As a country, we chose different fiscal priorities last Oct. 19. Supporting Syrian and other legitimate refugees is money well spent and speaks to our values as a compassionate nation. In time, this will also translate into strengthening our economy. Implementing the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, while expensive, pales in comparison to the damage inflicted by Canada through decades of cultural genocide towards our First Nations peoples. Redress is long overdue.
Rather than continually refighting the last election, we need to work with our MPs and hold the government accountable.
After just over three months in power, condemnation of our new government is premature at best.
So far, the Trudeau government has remained true to more of its campaign agenda promises than previous regimes.
Canadian voters, not any political party, will determine the government in waiting.
Fred Muzin
Courtenay