City of Shame

May08 034
Originally uploaded by whya.

Tactics by the Opposition Party in the House of Commons to slow down the pace of government, delay passage of critical legislature and interfere with regular government business in the past few months have done tremendous harm. Several hundred students here in Kamloops (and thousands across BC) have been held in work limbo because HRSDC was unable to release its funding for summer 2005. This was because HRSDC did not receive its allocation of funds for the year from Finance at the usual time. They have only now just received their allocation, far delayed, and smaller than expected. This has caused tremendous hardship among young people and has caused several employers to change their summer student hiring plans, either canceling work opportunities or slashing hours. It is hard to believe that the political problems currently preoccupying Ottawa did not have an effect on this incredibly harmful delay.

Where is the Statesmanship? We have seen the leader of the Conservative Party demand a motion of confidence. Prime Minister Martin goes on TV and suggests a call immediately following the release of the Gomery Report. "No good!" Cries Mr. Harper, and continues his quest to delay government work and threaten to bring down government in the midst of WWII VE celebrations. Canadians are then treated to the spectacle of all four political leaders showing up a day AFTER Victory in Europe celebrations, a grave insult to veterans and all Canadians.

Mr. Martin finally accedes and calls for a confidence motion AFTER the Queen visits Alberta and Saskatchewan to celebrate their 100th centennial, a historic occasion all Canadians should be proud of. The vote will also take place AFTER British Columbians have chosen their Provincial Government. This seems reasonable, as neither of these events should have political interference or be overshadowed by a Federal Election. "No good!" Cries Mr. Harper again. He then goes on to CBC to publicly wonder whether Mr. Martin is waiting for sickness to further befall Members of Parliament, and suggests the Queen is a political tool to be used for gain. This from a man who scheduled his own motion in the house and continues to demand a vote, while MP Chuck Cadman lies recovering from chemotherapy in a hospital bed in Vancouver! Such hypocrisy. Canadians have not forgotten the child pornography slurs Mr. Harper laid against Mr. Martin last election. This is more of the same. Again I ask, where is the Statesmanship?

It goes on. The debate in the House of Commons is absolutely disgraceful. Professional adults, men and women, heckle and shout insults back and forth at one another, act as bullies, refuse to allow others to speak, and when they do, refuse to listen. This is the behaviour Canadians expect to see in an elementary playground, not the centre of government. This vile attitude must end now, as the harm it is doing to the public perception and faith in government and politicians is incalculable.

It makes me wonder - where is Betty Hinton, our MP, during all of these shenanigans? Surely she can't be endorsing these activities, can she? Surely she can't expect us to support a party led by a fellow such as Mr. Harper, can she? How can we possibly choose, when both parties are so clearly and utterly vile? I don't know which party makes me more ill - the Liberals, or the Conservatives. Both leave a terrible taste in my mouth. At least the Liberals are trying to use perfume.