OAS, CPP, Universal Child Benefit, are all directly administered by the feds (except Quebec has opted out of some). And well, CPP is technically arms-length from the federal government...
Touche. But the sentiment of my comment was right. Have any of the programs you name been altered in any way whatsoever by the Conservatives?
Easy. Canning the Kelowna Accord.
I would disagree that the Kelowna accord would have made one lick of difference in pulling millions of aboriginals out of abject poverty. Paying billions in bribe money to band councils across the country just so they won't block the 401 is not a good idea. How much have we spent on aboriginals so far? And how much do we spend every year? Are we to believe that a few billion more would suddenly accomplish what the tens of billions that we have spent over the last few decades have not? And what was highly suspicious is that Martin signed a 5 billion dollar deal 72 hours from leaving office. I find that spurious. Imagine if Harper did that. What would people be saying about him?
I certainly support the spirit of the Kelowna accord. But let's not pretend it would end poverty. The aboriginal people need reform of their governance and some day we will have to decide whether it's sustainable to stick people on reserves far away from jobs and other forms of social sustenance. I am a big believer in urban reserves. They would at least get rid of the first nations ghettos you see in many western cities, particularly Winnipeg. Throwing money at the problem, though, without attacking any of the underlying issues, is hardly the solution.
Aside from that, other than the spending commitments, there were several other commitments including speeding up the settling of land claims. Those have been worked on by the Conservatives without much support from native leaders who want their hush money. How come Harper does not get credit for those efforts?
Keith: I think the only reason Dion is losing this election is the communication barrier. I'm not convinced the policies are a problem (the emphasis was wrong), but not defending the policies effectively are what cost them.
I disagree. The average canuck will see the Green Shift as an environmental platform not an economic platform in a time period when they want an economic platform. It's just a tough sell that's all. Had this election been held before the summer, Dion would have had a much easier time selling a carbon tax. That being said, you have won me over on the issue of a carbon tax....
They are running against Stephen 'Just-Say-No-to-Banana-Flavoured-Tobacco' Harper. They could have made mincemeat of them. Perhaps that means Dion should be replaced, but I still think he has potential.
He'll makes a great minister and would probably have been a decent prime minister...though I suspect he would have been weak on foreign policy, defence, etc. But he's not the guy to help you win an election....for that you need a scrapper like Chretien.
When Harper wins another minority, he'll have numbered days. The grassroots of the CPC will start to insist on setting policy, and if he denies them as he has done so far it could get ugly.
Could go either way on this. I am sure he'll be telling the partisans, 'Look what the arts cuts did to us in Quebec.' They may agree with him, they may not....and it'll be at their peril if they do not; especially in a minority.
Unless he really starts to shine, the next election could be the end for him. If he doesn't win a majority in the next election, he will start to face some challenges from his party.
I am betting this next term will be it for him. He's done all he's set out to do. He's united the right, gotten them elected, and set them on a course towards the centre, while trying to draw canada rightward. I think a more centrist leader would serve them well here on in. My choice would be Peter MacKay. I could see a Conservative majority if MacKay was running.....