Don't let Paul Martin's Liberals off the hook

June 8, 2005

It's been a very, very bad month for the Conservatives their leader, Stephen Harper, the Grim Reaper of Canadian politics. Columnists and pundits across the country have all jumped on the anti-Harper bandwagon pointing out that the man is too angry, too arrogant and too ideologically rigid to ever be prime minister. Amen to that...I have been making this point for years. Not to mention that right wing Christians seem to be making an effort to take over the party.

But is very important not to lose sight of the political situation we face. The worst case scenario is not Prime Minister Stephen Harper. That is extremely unlikely to happen.

The worst case scenario is a Liberal majority government under Paul Martin.

It is easy to let our guard down and forget that the only reason Paul Martin has done anything progressive is because he leads a minority government obliged to pass progressive policies by the NDP. As a result we have the best possible situation in the House of Commons.

We want to keep it that way. If we can influence Canadians at all, we need to persuade them that neither of these right-wing politicians deserves to be given a majority.

THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME IN THE NEXT ELECTION IS ANOTHER MINORITY GOVERNMENT, BUT THIS TIME WITH THE NDP REALLY HOLDING THE BALANCE OF POWER WITH MORE SEATS.

The danger is that progressive writers and activists will concentrate their attacks on the most obviously reactionary politician and the easiest target: Stephen Harper. It is a danger because many Canadians will be driven into the arms of the Liberals as a result. Remember in the last election Martin managed to scare Canadians into voting Liberal. But not scare them enough to make most of them trust the Liberals.

In the months ahead it is important to maintain this balance - to keep reminding people that neither of these pro-Bay Street, arrogant politicians is fit to run the country. Every time we take a swipe at Stephen Harper we should balance it with a reminder of Paul Martin's record of giving Bay street everything it wanted when he was finance minister.

Word Warriors letter...

Keep the pressure on the Liberals and point out that the sponsorship scandal is the least of their flaws.

Press the case for passing what has become known as the "NDP budget." Criticize the Liberals on a whole range of issues from denying visas to scientists who disagree with Canada on GMOs to backing the US on its coup against Aristide in Haiti - pick your own favourite issue.

Personally, I think we should be complimenting and supporting the NDP for their own coup in taking $4.6 billion from Bay Street corporations and getting it spent on social programs, the environment and foreign aid. This may be a little too partisan for many of you and I am not a member of that party myself, but the facts seem pretty clear. Just as we got medicare and other social programs as a result of minority Liberal governments pushed by the NDP in the '60s and '70s, we are getting more social spending today for the same reason. But, of course, it's your call.

Some points to make (there's a lot here, so pick one or two):

* Canadians need to keep their eye on the prize/[pay attention to what's important. The sleazy tapes issue, Belinda Stronach, etc. pale in importance to the passing of this budget which for the first time in years begins to address what Canadians say they want.

* Attack the Liberal government for having no vision for the country but just governing on the basis of keeping power - whether signing deals with the NDP or handing Stronach a cabinet post.

* As part of that criticism of the Liberals criticize the Martin government for (initially) refusing the visa to the renowned African scientist (use the op ed I sent out a few days ago or go to thetyee.ca to review it.) Africa is allegedly Martin's passion - this incident reveals that this is nothing but p.r. spin.

* Pressure Martin on the Devils lake issue (See G&M editorial below for more detail). Montana is planning, beginning July 1, to divert water from the Cheyenne River (normally flowing east) into the Red River (flowing north into Manitoba). There is a real danger that this water, which is known to contain parasites not found in the Red River) will do permanent damage to water life in the Red River. The Canada-US Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 stipulates that water flowing across the border should not be polluted on either side to the injury of health or property of the other. It should be dealt with the International Joint Commission which deals with all cross-border water issues.

* Sierra club's report card on the federal government's environmental record gives it a failing grade. A quote from a G&M story (below): "In its 13th annual Report on International Obligations (RIO) Report Card, the Sierra Club flunked the federal government for failing to follow through on its commitments to reform pesticide and toxic chemical policies, to make trade and the environment mutually supportive, and to protect marine life."

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