It's the old who-speaks-for-Canada question again

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff wants to know why in recent days  we're seeing Ujjal Dosanjh, a former Liberal health minister,  and NDP leader Jack Layton on American TV, defending Canadian health care, and not any members of Harper's government.

Here's what Ignatieff told reporters today at the Kruger paper mill in Gatineau, Que.

"The thing that struck me is why isn’t someone in this government getting up and saying ‘don’t trash the Canadian health care system in the United States.’ Who’s standing up for Canada here?" 

 **

"Don’t drag Canada’s good  name into the mud in the United States. We’ve got enough problems with the United States right now with the buy-American stuff, with the thickening of the border.   But every Canadian is proud of this thing and we don’t like seeing it dragged into the mind and I can’t understand why the Harper government is completely silent on the issue. I won’t be silent." 

Comments

[Wascally Wabbit]

Who do they have that could speak for them?
Their current Health Minister is suspect - she's frankly - too honest! Might offend their Republican friends down there - and heavens - maybe the Health Minister finds it hard to read Karl Rove's cue cards!

[Stephanie C]

I guess Harper hasn't been invited back on FOX News or CNN.

[Ray S]

DOes anyone really care if they in the US trash our system?? Maybe they don't like our system?? Guess what, our system is not without fault!!! Our we that weak wo worry what some in the US say about socialized medicine?? Many Canadians are perfectly happy to trash the US system so why the double standard?? Thank god Count Igula is there to protect us by not being silent. Yep, Jack and Ujjal will certainly give Canada a good image.

[pete e]

Oh! Oh! In know this one. It is because Harper likes to stand up for Canada, improve its faults and defend its interests. He is not interested in whining about its criticism.

If the Americans copy parts of our systems and it turns out well, that will be a point of pride: a good thing for us and a better thing for them. If they have an open and vigorous debate and come up with some improvements, good for them, and all the better for us.

[Gabby in QC]

Hey, congratulations, Ms. Delacourt.

We now have proof positive that:
a) Michael Ignatieff doesn’t read novels only, he also reads your blog.
Your July 21 blog post “Advice for Ignatieff
… Still, some folks think he needs some strategic advice.”

b) He is amenable to taking hints - advice? - from more experienced folk like you.
Your July 22 blog post “Layton to appear on MSNBC
… Perhaps I've missed it, but have there been any Conservative-government representatives doing the same thing on the American airwaves? Is our current health minister unavailable? … “

c) He has nothing constructive to say, except diss the PM and the Conservatives.
Your July 23 blog post “It's the old who-speaks-for-Canada question again
… I can’t understand why the Harper government is completely silent on the issue. I won’t be silent." 

d) He’s once again making empty threats: “… we don’t like seeing it dragged into the mind and I can’t understand why the Harper government is completely silent on the issue. I won’t be silent."
“dragged into the mind”?

[Leasa]

What a total hypocrite!!! Just 4 years ago old Iggy was trashing Canada at every turn, what a failed nation Canada is, how our peace keeping is bogus and NOW he's worried about 'our good name' here?? Well, at least he's back on Canadian soil for now. Must have been hard leaving the house in Boston. LOL

[Dion]

Iggy asks a fair question? Why is the government of Canada not defending our Healthcare system to the American Public.

That is more important than making sure EAP, isotopes, EI, free trade negotiation with Europe.

Let's send seniors member of the government to get air time to brag about our healthcare system to Americans.

Maybe we can buy some time on popular US shows and run commercials about how wonderful we are too.

[Lorraine]

Do you think Canada's politicians should get involved in the United State's health care arguments and debates?
They don't come up here when special interest groups campaign against us having "American style private for profit" health care in Canada.
Our politician's job should be to focus on what affects our own country.
If a few need their egos boosted by getting American media coverage what possible benefit is that for Canadians?

[Ed]

I guess we could always get Giggles Gagliano speak for Canada. He could talk about Adscam and Health Care. Once again, American Iggy is trying to get Harper roped into the Obumma health care scam. It is the Liberals who should be helping their American friends in the Dopeycrat party.

[hollinm]

Problem with the Libs they don't like seeing the weaknesses in our health care system exposed to not only the Americans but Canadians as well. Who cares what the Americans think. Our system is our system whether they adopt it or not. However, it does show how the Libs over various election cylces have vilified anyone who suggests they are alternatives to government controlled healthcare. This debate in the U.S. is going to spill over in Canada. It will not be the Conservative government but all the previous Liberal governments who devised the system, gutted it to cover the deficit and then has perpetrated the notion that it is the best system in the world. Ask anyone who has had a devastating illness if it is the best in the world.

[Matt]

"Does anyone really care if they in the US trash our system??"

Taxpayers are paying for Bush's former press secretary to find opportunities for Harper to appear on American tv, so uh I guess Harper would? Or should.

[Tangine]

Maybe Ignatieff, Dosanjh & Layton have forgotten that they lost the last election & their coalition imploded. They are not the governing party & we don't want them to be either. Don't you just luv that Ignatieff stuck Dosanjh out in front instead of himself - cowardly move. Keep trying Iggy.

[Tangine]

'Who is standing up for Canada' - it's certainly not Ignatieff.

[Catherine]

Harper's on vacation. The PMO crew is catching their breath.

There isn't a crisis unless Harper invents it and decries it.

[Jon Drake]

What in heavens name does Canada have to do with taking sides in an American public policy debate? We have enough problems of our own. If Iggy thinks we should be wading into American politics just because Canada is mentioned, he should move back there and take part in that country's politics. Contrary to what he thinks, not everything Canadian is joined at the hip with the Americans, regardless of what they say.

[Cam]

Hmm, a unusual amount of Conservative reaction on this one, I guess it hit a nerve.

I notice that a lot of the responses don't seem to actually address whether or not we should be entering this debate, just critical of the Liberals and NDP, throwing out old chesnuts... Gagliano??? Really? That's the best defense the Conservatives have? Really? And "Giggles"? When the hell was he ever called that? Hasn't he been out of politics for half of a decade.

This is the problem for the Conservatives. Their defense is an offense based on a game played five years ago.

[RG]

Who cares what American's think of CANADA'S healthcare system. I think the bigger issue is the role of the media making nothing into a politcal issue to make noise.

[William J. Godfrey]

Face It! Harper and his CONS have never spoken for Canada or Canadians!!

[Donald Bruce Smith]

What is of interest from my perspective, is the time line under which this discussion is taking place.

"Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff wants to know why in recent days we're seeing Ujjal Dosanjh, a former Liberal health minister, and NDP leader Jack Layton on American TV, defending Canadian health care, and not any members of Harper's government."

My question is why is Mr. Ignatieff not out there, speaking up for Canada, if this issue is of importance to him.

"But every Canadian is proud of this thing and we don’t like seeing it dragged into the mind and I can’t understand why the Harper government is completely silent on the issue. I won’t be silent."

My observative, is that he was silent until asked on the subject and that he has remained silent since.

Silence is golden, when Mr. Ignatieff is speaking.