Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
Fewer than nine months have passed since the last federal election and yet every bone in my political body says we may well be having another one in the very near future. There is really no need for it, but every sign points to it.
Certainly, Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party are riding high in the polls right now. Daily and friendly media exposure of the prime minister during the COVID-19 crisis has clearly helped. A lack of effective political opposition has helped too.
As well, most people in Canada believe Trudeau has done a reasonable job in managing the pandemic. Compared to the out-of-control management of this virus in the United States, this is certainly true. But measured against many other countries in the world, our performance is more or less average.
Nevertheless, Justin Trudeau and the formidable Liberal political machine behind him are clearly setting the stage for an early election, to ride on the coattails of the COVID-19 pandemic and capture four years of majority government. I can understand why that might be tempting but, in my view, it is not in the best interest of Canadians.
Less than a year ago, voters denied a majority government to Justin Trudeau, making it clear that they wanted him to work with and be fully accountable to Parliament. Thanks to the coronavirus, Trudeau was able to duck that, effectively closing Parliament down. A hard look at what has happened since the October 2019 election produces very little evidence that he should now be trusted with a majority government that could continue to ignore Parliament.
Clearly, the pandemic has necessitated strong measures from both the federal and provincial governments, to manage its curve in a manner that does not overwhelm our healthcare system and to financially assist individuals and businesses whose ability to survive the crisis we are currently enduring is in jeopardy.
But there have been excesses, especially at the federal level at a time when our financial cupboard was already bare, some of which looks, smells, and feels more like political pandering and feathering the Liberal nest than it does necessary spending during a time of crisis.
The gift of between $300 and $500 to all Canadians over the age of 65 is one example. Most will appreciate it. Who doesn’t like “free” money? But many do not need this government benevolence and this “gift” will add a staggering amount to the already ballooning federal debt. The timing is also suspect. The money is supposed to flow this coming week, almost two months since the announcement and not that far away from an election the Liberals would like to see this fall or sooner.
How convenient.
The extension of the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) also raises some questions. Its original intent was a good one: to help individuals affected by pandemic restrictions during a time they could not work or had their hours severely reduced and could not access unemployment insurance. But it has not been well monitored or controlled and there is evidence that many who have received it did not qualify. And now, as the economy begins to reopen, the program has been extended for another eight weeks providing $500 a week for a total of 24 weeks, bringing the program much closer to a possible election.
There are two problems here. First, it adds billions to our national debt. Second, it is hurting and not helping our economy now that it is able to start opening up. I have spoken to three business operators in Huntsville during the last week who have jobs available, who need staff and cannot get them because former employees or students are staying home to collect the CERB benefits. I am also told that the YMCA jobs board is overflowing with available employment in Muskoka that is not being taken up.
And then there is the whole issue of the WE Charity, where the Trudeau Government awarded the management of a $900-million program to promote volunteer activities for students, proposing to pay the charity $19.5 million to do so. This was sole sourced, without tender or competition, to a charity in which the prime minister and his family are closely involved and one which could easily have been managed by the civil service in the same manner as they manage other benefit programs without additional costs to taxpayers.
This has now blown up, and WE Charity is no longer involved. But Justin Trudeau is once again, for the third time during his tenure, in front of the integrity commissioner and may well be, as he was on the previous two occasions, found to have stepped over the line and ignored the rules that are designed to protect all Canadians from abuse of power.
All of this says to me that this is no time to reward Justin Trudeau with a majority government. He has not changed. He does not like to be held to account, he will get away with abuse of power if he can, and he will continue to spend taxpayers’ money like water, regardless of the harm he is doing to future generations.
My preference, in terms of governance, would be to leave things as they are for at least another two years. Canadians elected a minority government. Give it a chance to work and allow Parliament to do its job of holding the Trudeau Government in check.
If the signs are correct, however, if the Liberals are ramping up for a quick election, I have another idea.
Let’s take a page out of former federal Liberal leader and former Ontario Premier Bob Rae’s book. Remember the compact forged between the NDP and Liberals in Ontario in 1985 that forced the Conservative Government of Frank Miller out of power, even though he won the most seats?
My knowledge of our Constitution may be a bit rusty, but I believe that Prime Minister Trudeau, by himself, cannot force an election. His Government can resign, and he can ask Governor General Julie Payette to issue a Writ of Election, but she does not have to take his advice. Especially, so shortly after a federal election, the governor general has the right, if not the responsibility, to enquire if another elected political party can form a stable government.
If the current polls remain accurate, both the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party would lose many more seats to the Liberals than the Conservatives, in spite of their current leadership issues. Neither the Bloc nor the NDP will want a snap election if it can be avoided.
They would have, therefore, a strong incentive to negotiate a compact with the Conservatives based on agreed-upon legislative initiatives and a commitment not to defeat the government on a vote of confidence for at least two years. This would require the Conservative Party to agree on some progressive policies in order to have the support of the other two parties. It would then give the leader of the Conservative Party an ability to tell the governor general that he or she is able to form a stable government for at least two years, thus avoiding an early and unnecessary election.
As I have said, this is not my first preference. In my view, the people have spoken and this Parliament should be made to work as it is presently constituted for at least three years. But if that is not going to happen because the prime minister wants more control and less accountability based on his assessment of pandemic polling, then he should not get a free ride.
Under those circumstances, a compact between the three opposition parties to provide stable government for the next two or three years should be seriously explored.
It was good enough for Bob Rae and it should be good enough for the people of Canada.
Hugh Mackenzie
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Interesting viewpoints Ms. Kerr.
The record speaks for itself, have the last few days not revealed what is lacking in Mr. Trudeau, his political associates ( I could name them all but it is right in front of you if care to know) and his family not made it clear why Canada is in trouble under the current Liberal Party of Canada leadership. It is beginning to look like “Clintons” North and we all know how that plays out.
Mr. Day, isn’t Andrew Scheer an insurance broker? Wasn’t Mike Harris a golf pro and failed teacher? Wasn’t Doug Ford a small business man and football coach? Seriously, don’t take aim at teachers or we will be here all night!
Younger people have taken civic leadership in our country, as should be.
By the way, McKay isn’t without scandal. Our business elites have not always made out well, certainly in social concerns of our citizenry. A party with a diversity of gender, talent, background, and capability beyond the business realm may not be your cup of tea – but that does not mean a lack of leadership.
Leadership by occupation, interesting concept – may not appeal to a majority of Canadians; just a thought.
Thanks for your feedback Mr. Millman.
I think you misinterpreted my comments and somehow made it personal. I am sorry if I offended you in any way but when it comes to Indigenous issues, if that is the thing that offended you – illegal protesting at the expense of the entire Canadian economy is simply wrong, unjustifiable and unacceptable.
In a different scenario would it be acceptable for Canadian Seniors to close down major highways, railroads and airports to get their pensions bumped up? After all they were the ones who put into the Canadian Tax and pension system for their entire working lives and they should be entitled.
By the way, I hope you saw what the state of Canada’s financial situation is after todays revelations from the House of Commons and Mr. Morneau’s report. He told us, under duress, what the Liberal Party of Canada has done and what the FINANCIAL IMPACTS are – but true to their MO they offered no forward looking plan whatsoever. It isn’t bad enough that we have this debt and that it will affect generations to come but there is no plan in place to move forward with. That is not leadership in my humble opinion. One $trillion big ones to figure out a solution for.
As for your comments on Conservative Leadership candidates, well – who would you hire, an experienced politician, statesman and professional Lawyer or a grade three teacher who never held a job in his life or even had to hold a real job? No wonder we are in trouble.
DSD.
Lots of interesting discussion. Hugh, the first words of your commentary to jump out at me were “has blown up”. This rhetoric tool was best parodied by actor John Candy in the SCTV sketches of a farmer who loved to blow up the out buildings on his property, “it blowed up real good”, he repeated with glee. That is where this term belongs.
I am personally more favourable to a minority government, regardless of the party in power.
However, anyone of us could likewise list the scandals of the Harper years and currently Doug Ford’s policies and performance. That does not justify current scandals, or the other euphemism “missteps” – just a reminder to assess the usefulness of your terms to promote discussion or to sow division, given the cultural elephant south of the border. I too find your point of view overly cynical. Thanks for listening.
With respect, Mr. Day, a great deal of what you say is laughable.
You obviously have no respect for our aboriginal community. How would you like to be indigenous in Canada? Ever since Sir John A. MacDonald, you or your children would have been forced to attend residential schools; not for education; but to facilitate cultural genocide. (For an international example, I refer you to what the Chinese are doing to their Muslim population.) Countless murders and suicides later, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was formed. Many excellent recommendations eventuated, but virtually nothing was implemented. Furthermore, we are now looking into the murders of indigenous women and girls. Yet apparently, you would deny these people their lawful right to protest.
Also, what is your financial recommendation to deal with a pandemic? I don’t believe that the PM had too much choice. He had to spend Canada’s way out of a recession before it became a depression; simultaneously assisting the people who were suffering the most seriously. Most of the money came from sales of Federal Bonds (many of which were purchased by the Federal Bank). The low prevailing interest rate made this a clever fiscal move.
South of the border, the House provided close to $3B of federal aid, and $1.4B of it disappeared. One can also compare the systemic racism of Blacks in America to the systemic racism of aboriginals in Canada. Despite my foregoing comments, we are at least attempting to deal with the problem; while it is being exacerbated in the States.
You complain about JT: but I noticed that you offered no alternative. Surely, you don’t think that Peter McKay is the answer? That ship has sailed; likewise with Preston Manning. I think that Andrew Scheer is actually providing an effective opposition; but the Tories always eat their leaders.
Hmmmm.
All the partisan banter aside, I do agree with one thing you say Hugh–Canada does not need another election right now! I am fully expecting another surge of Covid-19 and then it will be all hands on Canada’a deck no matter what party you belong to. Wear your masks—please!
Thanks for demonstrating, once again, the truth about all conservatives, you care more about money than you do about people struggling to survive.
Folks, this is becoming laughable!!
I am sure whatever Hugh Mackenzie might write on the subject of Canadian politics would cause most of the Liberal supporters that read this column to proclaim indignation and amazement that Mr. Trudeau is seen as he is portrayed.
The facts are that this Prime Minister is simply not qualified to lead this country and in essence that is why he makes so many mistakes and gets caught breaking the rules around being the leader of this country. In history how many Prime Ministers have been under scrutiny for breaking the rules like this man is and has been? How many former Prime ministers have used the Canadian Tax payers for their own entertainment and with no regard for fiscal outcomes or for contravening the rules around the ethics of the PM’s office and other flagrantly unjustifiable and scandalous decision making?
It is clear Mr. Trudeau is not solely responsible for the acts he is becoming famous for because he is surrounded by a team of Senior Liberal advisors who do not necessarily act in the best interest of Canada. A great example of what I mean is Mr. Butts, Mr. Trudeau’s life long friend who was chased out of is position during the Wilson – Raybould scandal because his ethics were being reviewed but then who was quietly given a $250K year appointment to be our “ambassador” to New York and who has now quietly landed back in the PMO as Mr. Trudeau’s campaign manager once again. Let us not forget the SNC Lavalin scandal where Mr. Trudeau lied repeatedly Canadian Taxpayers and how they covered most of it up with their position of power to block the inquiry that Canadian taxpayers deserved at the time. This lot is quickly becoming the champions of pork barreling throughout the free world.
Where was Mr. Trudeau when the country needed leadership back in January when the Indigenous folks illegally crippled the economy for more than three weeks – he was traveling the world to build support for Canada to get a temporary seat on the UN Security Council for no good reason than to simply to make an election promise from his first term come true and he – failed miserably at a huge cost to Canadians. What penalties did the Indigenous protesters face for that show of unlawful disrespect? This is the same fellow who bought the trans mountain pipeline because as he said, it was the only one available to buy on that particular day. Really?! Irresponsible!
I could keep going but to what end. As a parting comment, I do however recall Mr. Trudeau’s first election campaign promise that he would run a much higher deficit than the previous Conservative Government – and he has succeeded beyond all expectations – God help the next several generations to recover from this mess and just wait for the pain to follow when the tax machine revs up to make us all pay more. Economics 101 tells us that you cannot spend your way out of debt – so where will this money come from?? The Feds have to borrow it to give away and what does it cost to service this massive debt?
Canada is leadership absent at the moment, the Liberals clearly do not have it and the rest of the pack is trying but not there yet and a snap election may be a good strategy for the Liberal Party of Canada. If the outcome goes as the polls currently predict, Canada could be much worse off, if that is even possible. Time to take heed and be careful what you wish for.
Hugh, does it not occur to you that CERB is an economic stimulus? Government money in peoples’ pockets to replace their regular income keeps them from killing the economy by stopping buying things.
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Meanwhile, if you get caught taking it when not eligible, they’ll come after you. And it’s taxable income.
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Yes, our Covid response does not rank among the best in the world, but that’s a health matter and thus falls more under provincial jurisdiction than federal. No criticisms of your fellow Tory, Doug Ford? Nothing to say about the fact that 82% of Ontario Covid-19 cases have happened in long-term care homes, and the appalling expose by Canadian Armed Forces of what’s been going on inside some of them, currently Ford’s responsibility?
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The idea of an NDP-Bloc-Conservative alliance sounds like desperation, and also an assumption that people on the left are really stupid. If the NDP so sold out its values to put Tories in power, it would destroy itself as a party. Maybe they’d team up if Trudeau’s leadership were a national emergency like Trump’s south of the border, but we’re nowhere near that, anti-Trudeau handwringing aside.
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Don’t take me wrong, I don’t think of Trudeau as perfect. When others were laughing off his elbowing of a woman MP in Parliament and pretending it was an accident, I was thinking “There is something wrong with this guy.” But there is no question in my mind that if a Conservative prime minister were doing all the same things, you’d be singing his praises for the good stuff and dead silent about the bad.
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Huntsville Doppler has a strongly-progressive commentator in the brilliant and wonderful Kathleen May, for which it is very much to be commended. Maybe you also need to find a Liberal writer as a second, more centrist counterpoint, to campaign right along with you on the commentary pages.
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Hugh,
You have deleted your own argument. Despite all you said,to denigrate the Liberals and JT himself, you tell us the two potentially sympathetic parties do not want an election. So your position to menus more wishful thinking than sure signs of a potential election.
As Chantelle Hebert said on election night about that possible alliance “that movie is never going to happen”,
meaning that the Bloc just wouldn’t be able to reconcile their so many fundamental differences regarding so many issues with a Conservative party that is living somewhere in between the 1950s and the 1990s. Canada needs a healthy Conservative party and I know that Hugh you are part of that health but like the Republicans to the south the parties are so many decades behind what my kids are talking about that they just laugh in astonishment. What future can there be for either of them if they don’t choose to change or grimly until all the old white men die off you and I sadly amongst them.
Interested that you are still harping on the $300.00 Sr. Gift. For those who need it and with the increased cost of food, I am sure it will be a help. For those who do not wish to accept it there is a multitude of charities that are in need. For those who take and do not need, it is taxable so the Government of Canada will take it back.
I assume you do not want a snap election as the “C” party is not ready. I would like to see & hear the new “C”leader I am not sure if Trudeau is the challenge. More concerned about other opposition leaders. Hopefully, we will see a cooperative, progress parliament as we try to avoid a second wave of covid19 and start to move the economy forward
Hugh
Some of your comments seem to me to be very cynical. Could it be that your lifetime of exposure to the inner workings of the Conservative Party and Conservative governments has badly jaded your views. We all know there are some problems with and mistakes made by our national government but this pandemic has been a great test of ourselves and those trying to mitigate the effects of it. Mistakes will be made and we will have to learn-as-we-go on this one. You make it sound as if every move is deliberately made for the political advantage of Trudeau and of his government. This is disappointingly cynical and is not my view of things.