From "let's not cherry pick data . . . " to focusing on characterizations like "destroyed immigration" or "killed" immigration, but ignoring the litany of legitimate criticisms duly aimed at Harper's governing, not to mention the four and five years of abuse hundreds of thousands of legitimate, genuine PRs applying for citizenship suffered under the Harper government (with Kenney and then Alexander the Ministers in charge), reflects the utterly underwhelming but persistent response of those who support Harper's continued reign, echoing the bankruptcy of the pro-Harper campaign.
The conservative response to a non-partisan aboriginal platform, for example, continues to utterly ignore the substance of real, serious issues, and in contrast repeats talking points about how the Conservatives will create jobs (despite nearly a decade of Harper government dominated by deep job losses, especially the loss of good jobs) and that is the best way to address the profoundly disparate gap between the dismal welfare of aboriginals in Canada versus the among-the-best in the world for the majority of other Canadians (the continuation of which, however, is in serious jeopardy if Harper forms the next government).
Many who lean Harper way tend to be among those who either do not care (Harper's apparent approach, based on the actions, or more to the point in-action, of his government) or who blame the aboriginal population as if it is not a national problem demanding federal solutions, as if addressing the problem responsibly is not the best way to elevate the lives of all Canadians. But blaming others is par for the Harper course. The U.S. housing and financial markets were to blame for the earlier recession on Harper's watch (ATH: According to Harper). Problems in China's economy are to blame for the current recession (ATH: a "technical" recession, allegedly in the "rear view mirror," even if few if any responsible economists agree with that), even though the problem in China's economy came after this year's first quarter in which the Canadian economy began shrinking. Harper was found in contempt of Parliament in 2011 because of his abuse of the parliamentary process and undemocratic withholding of key information from the members of Parliament, but ATH the blame for that was partisan politics by the opposition parties (a sort of they made me do it defence).
What is the defence for Harper's government involvement in corruption (for example the pay offs to individuals in an effort to avoid public disclosure of wrongdoing by favoured and key Harper appointees, orchestrated in PM Harper's own Prime Minister's Office (the PMO) by his top staff and closest advisers . . . and when it comes to what happened there, of course that too is someone else's fault)? That a previous government more than a decade ago was kicking back money in Quebec in an effort to consolidate political agendas? Clue: that someone else robbed the neighbourhood convenience mart is not a defence to robbing the convenience mart today. The old, other people are doing it excuse, let alone that ten years ago other people did it, is not justification for the abuses of power and corruption . . . which, by the way, goes right to the top of the PMO, right to Harper's immediate staff and advisers. The mere appointment of Duffy to the Senate, after all, was an exercise in corruption, an abuse of the Senate deliberately done for partisan political purposes. It backfired . . . but ATH, Harper is not to blame. Blame it on the guy he appointed, not the one making the appointment.
Harper's failure to live up to Canada's commitment to the UNHRC in providing aid to refugees is the fault of radical jihadism. ATH.
Harper's failure to proactively engage the Egyptian government on behalf of a persecuted Canadian journalist is dismissed as exaggerated. (For a long while, the Harper government refused to so much as issue a Travel Document to Famy despite the illegal seizure of Famy's Canadian passport.)
Nearly a decade after Canada turned its back on Mahar Arar and facilitated the U.S. in sending him to be tortured, allowing this Canadian citizen to wallow in horrendous conditions while being illegally and unjustly imprisoned, with the election looming now the government finally makes a purely symbolic gesture of issuing a warrant for the Syrian who orchestrated the torture as if . . . as if what?
The extent to which Canadian scientists are being muzzled is shocking, but there is no sign Harper's government is inclined to reverse policies which dictate that political operatives will decide what scientific research is to be shared with the public. This alone is an issue which at once reflects the undemocratic, autocratic nature of Harper's government and should be enough for the vast, vast majority of Canadians to be alarmed and motivated to go to the polls to send Harper packing.
Anyone who has been engaged in the process of obtaining information about what our government is doing, through the Access to Information process, has to be similarly alarmed by the manner in which Harper's reign has closed the door, closed the windows, pulled shut the curtains, and in general has a policy of concealing what the government's business is and how it does business from the public view.
There are many, many issues not so much about whose general policies, such as economic or foreign policies, are better for Canada . . . but about a government that is increasingly non-democratic, authoritarian, non-transparent, and simply wrong for Canada.
The level of emotion displayed by those singing "Harperman, it is time for you to go," in one form or another, reflects the widespread and deeply held apprehension that Harper is taking Canada way, way off course. It is no wonder there is vitriol. It is no wonder the epithets fly. Harper can blame everyone other than himself. Most of us know better. Most are committed to voting against Harper. But given the Canadian parliamentary system, particularly given the provisions of election law Harper rammed through Parliament with minimal study and minimal debate (in 2014), even if more than two out of three who actually vote, vote against Harper, it remains a distinct possibility that even then Harper could have enough ridings to be in a position to form the next government. It is critically important that concerned Canadians make a concerted effort to avoid that outcome. The country's future depends on it. Our future depends on it. Vote and vote smart! (And a vote for Harper is about as contrary to voting smart as can be imagined.)
Again, for immigrants, new citizens, prospective citizens, what is at stake in this election goes way beyond immigration and citizenship issues. All Canadians, including Canadian PRs, should be active in getting out the vote. It is time to heave Steve,, time to not just sing "Harperman, it's for you to go," but to get the message out about how important is for our country's future to change directions. Citizens should vote. Prospective citizens and PRs should encourage their citizen friends and family and neighbours to vote. Vote and vote smart.
