The writer explained that is was difficult to keep the list down to 10 items. Since that post went up on Facebook, some people I know have submitted a few that seem important enough to add to the list.
In short, the original list, and the additions, are as follows:
- Bill C-51, perhaps the most important reason the Conservatives and their leader should be removed from office. The spying and snooping into the lives of private citizens is bad enough, but to not have reasonable oversight makes this bill seem more suitable for the Stazi of East Germany.
- The economy and job growth. Despite Harper's assertions, Canada is now officially in the second recession since he took power. I know, I know, external economic forces...can't control those...better than Greece...best of the G7...blah,blah, blah.... But seriously, the national debt is now $160B higher than it was when the Conservatives took power and many other economic indicators show that this government has not done a very good job. One great concern, all too visible as the price of crude falls, is putting all bets on the O&G industry. Seriously one-sided.
- Veterans Affairs - nothing Harper can say can take away from the closure of offices serving veterans and the money spent fighting veterans in court. There are other issues concerning military procurement (fighter jets, supply ships, helicopters...) but how this government has treated the people who serve is probably enough for now.
- Income Splitting and the Child Care Benefit - If you want something to help families, income splitting isn't much of an answer as it benefits very few families. And what many families still don't know just yet is that the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) will be taxable. This means most families will get less, not more.
- Consecutive deficits - yes, the financial meltdown of 2007-8, blah, blah.... But the Tories were handed a surplus and they've managed to turn it into a series of deficits. In fact, the 2015 budget was only balanced by stealing money from other programs and selling auto shares at a loss. Sound fiscal management
- Muzzling government scientists - Harper and his crew have had a war on science on many fronts. Nothing like taking Canada to the back of the pack when it comes to science.
- Attacks on charities - some will ask why they should support charities through the tax system that they don't agree with. It's a fair question, but if you don't like F-35 fighter jets, you still have to support them through your taxes and other organizations like the Fraser Institute are so obviously partisan it really makes it clear that the CRA has been set on charities that Harper doesn't like. In other words, it's a vendetta, intended to silence any possible critics.
- First Nations - not "...really high on our radar, to be honest."
- Environmental protection - taking federal protection for many waterways to make his friends at the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association happy.
- Above the law - from spats with the Supreme Court, introducing legislation that has been repeatedly found unconstitutional, to Senate appointments (Duffy, anyone?)...to retroactively changing laws to make destroying information legal.
To which the following can be added:
- Canceling the long-form census. Seriously? Cancel something that can give governments and industry valuable information to guide planning and decision-making? Because one or two people don't like being asked how many toilets are in their house?
- Negotiating the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) in secret, a deal which would give away Canadian sovereignty on many matters of national interest. So far, few Canadians know much about it, and the government hasn't been very forthcoming about what impact it could have on Canada, but here's one take on what might happen. Details are considered here.
So, there are a few reasons why Harper and his Conservative Party should NOT be supported in the upcoming election. How many more do we need?
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