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Harper's Solution: Take a Vacation

Stephen Harper is on vacation and so is all of parliament thanks to him and a compliant Governor General.

Canadians voted in an election on October 14th of 2008. Harper didn't like the results. Instead of acting like a professional mature adult he found ways to unite what was a divided opposition against him.

Facing a non-confidence vote he decided to halt Parliament to keep his job. Well done Stephen think only of yourself not of Canada.

Harper called the election for October of 2008 claiming Parliament was dysfunctional. So this situation is better? He created it himself with some pathetic policies designed to hurt the other parties exploiting their fund raising weaknesses. Perhaps this will be a lesson to the other parties to take on an Obama-style fund-raising campaign. There are few than can given $1,000 but a lot that can give $10. One party rule is not in Canada's interests.

What is wrong with this decision is partly the fault of the Governor General Michaëlle Jean, who failed to place limits on a prorogued Prime Minister. Though The Toronto Tribune opposed Jean's decision we certainly thought she would have the good sense to ensure that a prorogued Prime Minister had the same limits placed upon a Prime Minister in the middle of an election campaign.

Stephen Harper's hypocrisy became even more blatant with his appointment of 18 new Senators. Harper released a statement justifying his about face “Our government will continue to push for a more democratic, accountable and effective Senate,” said the Prime Minister. “If Senate vacancies are to be filled, however, they should be filled by the government that Canadians elected rather than by a coalition that no one voted for.”

Canadians twice voted for a minority government. For whatever reason we are not collectively willing to see Stephen Harper as Prime Minister with a majority government. Our wish is either for the coalition or preferably an election, though likely the same results would occur.

What must happen is Harper needs to stop sneakily halting Parliament while continuing to use his Prime Ministerial powers for the sole purpose of keeping his job. Canada deserves better than this from Harper.