ELECTION: Canadians Have Spoken Decisively

By Rupert Johnson
PRIDE Columnist

On October 19, the vast majority of Canadians spoke, decisively, and the message was loud and clear: they rejected the Stephen Harper brand of governance — overwhelmingly.

It is indeed heartwarming that they have put an end to a one-man rule. Needless to say, the handwriting was on the wall.

The Supreme Court had struck down every bit of unconstitutional and dictatorial piece of legislation put forward by Mr. Harper.

The erstwhile Prime Minister had his hands firmly on the steering wheel and his foot on the gas pedal, but the vigilant electorate applied the emergency brakes and prevented the vehicular nation from falling over the precipice. Thanks to enlightened Canadians, who no longer trusted Stephen Harper to be at controls.

His inept handling of the Ukrainian and Middle Eastern crises not only brought about an unnecessary strained relationship with Russia, but undoubtedly, made Canada a target for terrorist attacks. And Canada’s role in the United Nations has been so eroded that it was denied a seat in the Security Council.

In domestic affairs, Mr. Harper has always displayed a chronic disrespect and contempt for Parliament by shutting it down, twice, within a 12-month period. And he had developed a grand design to erode and finally diminish Canada’s long-standing, reputable, democratic institutions.

In 2006 when he became Prime Minister, he obliquely instructed many federal civil servants to use the term: “Canada’s new government” instead of the well- established term “Government of Canada.” And in 2011, he was even more presumptuous when he issued a directive to all civil servants to use the term: “The Harper government” instead of the customary term “Government of Canada.”

There is no doubt that this was a very deceptive way of using public funds to advertise and propagandize the achievements of the Conservative party.

Mr. Harper’s refusal to meet with the provincial Premiers, on a regular basis, was unprecedented. His acrimonious relationship with the Premiers was extremely distasteful in that he resorted to personal attacks against the Premiers of Ontario and Alberta, for example. This was a Prime Minister who was not good for a great country like Canada. It was, therefore, not surprising that he was replaced.

Now we have an enlightened and progressive Prime Minister, who is not only ready and determined to establish harmonious relationships with the provinces, but he is also determined to make Canada a respected partner in world affairs again.

I firmly believe that Justin Trudeau, our new Prime Minister, will not only reunite Canada, but he will also re-establish Canada’s role as a global peace-maker.

And I am confident that Mr. Trudeau will repair the damage that Mr. Harper inflicted on our beloved Canada.

Rupert Johnson can be reached at: r.b.johnson@sympatico.ca