Stephen Harper's ability to see the future

Back in  January,  2006, nearing the victory that would make him Prime Minister, Stephen Harper declared:

"I'm not sure there's such a thing as a true Conservative majority in the sense of a Liberal majority. The reality is we will have for some time to come a Liberal Senate, a Liberal civil service - at least senior levels have been appointed by the Liberals - and courts that have been appointed by the Liberals... There's certainly no absolute power for a Conservative government ... we'll have checks on us and limits on our ability to operate that a Liberal government would not face."

 

When Harper made those comments, they were intended as reassurance to voters worried about what Conservatives would do with a majority. Today, however,  thanks to a confluence of news events, we are reminded that those "checks and limits" still exist for Mr. Harper and his government... much to their annoyance, apparently.

* Witness, for instance, this incredibly partisan press release on a government website. (Is that allowed under Treasury Board  rules? Anyone know?) Apparently, however, we are now to be reassured that the Senate will soon no longer be acting as a check or limit  on the Conservative government. Phew. Good to know.

* And then there's the Supreme Court's new ruling on Omar Khadr, reminding the law-and-order fans in the Conservative government that there are some outstanding legal issues surrounding Khadr's ongoing detention.

*And then there's also that pesky public service -- foreign affairs officials such as Richard Colvin, or former government watchdogs, such as the ones who appeared this week to remind us of notions of "independent oversight." 

Four years ago, Harper foresaw all these possible impediments to his authority as useful reassurance for voters. Today, however, they seem to be a bit of a bother -- like the prorogued Parliament, as a matter of fact.

 

Comments

[stan squires]

I am from vancouver and i wanted to comment on the supreme court ruling concerning Omar Khadr.This case shows that the supreme court don't treat everyone equil.This is an important case concerning human rights for canadian people yet the supreme court didn't order the gov.to do something about it.If there were workers on strike and the gov.ordered them back to work the supreme court would back the gov.up on that.The working class can't depend on any courts to defend them.They have to fight for their rights.This is an important fight for human rights and it needs to be won.

[Gary]

Is there anything since the conservative government has done since it has taken office that has been the good for the country? According to your paper we should be bankrupt and should have become a third world country with all the bad choices the Conservatives have done. It is mentioned in another story that Harper has said he wanted an elected Senate and eight years terms. I feel he still wants this but the Liberals have turned back any effort to do this. Harper cares about our troops, child care, is tough on crime, streamlining Parliament, good on the economy, as can be seen by our quick and short recovery from the recession compared to most other countries. All the Liberals, NDP and their associated newspapers do is complain complain complain. They may get some support if they would come up with solutions to our problems in stead of standing in the way by voting against all of the government bills except the ones where they may have to face the electorate in an election. If we had an election now it would be a Conservative majority as even a moron would not vote for the Liberal leader if for no other reason that he has no policies and loves to go to Universities to speak rather than to the average voter.

[Concerned citizen]

People wake up. This is dictatorship. I am not being melodramatic but this is very frightening. The arrogance in this government is jaw dropping!

[wascally wabbit]

Dear Gary - since you are abysmally unaware of the facts - let me enlighten you - just a touch (wouldn't want to hurt your brain with too many at once).
The Liberals - in the Commons or in the Senate - have nothing to do with blocking a triple E Senate - as at least I and Mr. Harper know!
It requires a constitutional change which of course requires at least a majority of the provinces on side.
Just because you Albertans (what are you - 10% of the population of Canada?) want it - the old One Party province (although THAT may change soon) doesn't mean that the rest of the country wants it!

Anyway - back to the Senate appointments. The only one from the Ontario legislature who is even more rabid that Tim Hudak has been appointed - that why Bob Runciman has had the nickname Mad Dog for years.
Of course, when the PMO and Harper's cabinet is full of sycophants - it is no wonder this man has made yet another enormous blunder.
The Canadian public is already mad with the prorogation stunt - and now he loads up the Senate with this bunch of Yes Men and Women...
You think that is going to improve his standing in the polls? Dream on in technicolour dear Gary!

[Jim M]

This guy understands where the Prime Minister is coming from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGrBVZD7sVw