Whatever it Takes to Win - The Canadian Election

And they are off!  Sunday the Prime Minster of Canada visited the grand home of the Governor General of Canada.  The PM, Stephen Harper, advised the GG, Michaëlle Jean, to dissolve Parliament.  She obliged.  Apparently the current mix of elected politicians in the House of Parliament could no longer govern our country in its best interest and it was therefore better to have the people of the country elect a new government.

And so they are off on Canada's version of an electoral campaign.  It all ends on October 14.  Between now and then I am sorry to say that I doubt we will hear very little concrete, heartfelt and genuine words of where this country should go.  Rather it will all be about positioning, about promises, about trying to shape the party platform in such a way that the most votes can by garnered on election day.  What we will hear is Stephane (Dion, the Liberal leader) calling Stephen (Harper, the Conservative leader) a liar and vice versa.  How one is incompetent and the other so much more able.  How my way to solve the problem is better than yours, etc.  How by getting "x" amount of seats one party will be able to block another.

After the last Canadian election in January of 2006 I was disgusted by the lack of trustworthiness our elected officials have.  Stephen had been elected Prime Minister (albeit with a minority) and immediately did three things which amazed me.

1) He named an individual to the cabinet, Michael Fortier, that had not been elected
2) He allowed a just elected Liberal member of parliament, David Emerson, to switch parties and become a Conservative.
3) There was third item which I can't remember but which only added to my dismay

Now, in 2008, he again has shown lack of trust by breaking his own promise to hold elections on fixed dates...specifically the third Monday in October on the fourth year after the last election.  This would have meant the third Monday of October 2010.  But no, an opportunity to win was sensed and an election will be held thirty-three months after the last.

I hope one of these leaders will inspire me this year.  To do that they'll need to stop bashing their opponents and rather, offer positive comments and real alternatives.  These alternatives will need to be concrete and believable.

To sum up, no more kindergarten or elementary school behaviour.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Banning Russian Teams and Athletes

Speaking Tuesday to legislators in London about Wimbledon, British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed. Many of us would be willing and able to [allow them to] compete as non-aligned, non-flag-bearing entities. But I think it needs to go beyond that. We need some potential assurances that they are not supporters of Vladimir Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to try and get some assurances along those lines." (source =  https://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/wimbledon-british-government-in-talks-about-russian-players-1.6386102 ) The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has sparked much debate in the world of sports.  Should Russian teams be banned from competing?  Should individual Russian athletes be banned?  Should teams of athletes be allowed to compete but without flag, uniform, country name, anthem, etc.? Some athletes have said that it is unfair to mix politics and sports.  They rightly state t
Read more

A Personal Request

To my readers, Yesterday I registered to run the 5K HSBC 2009 Childrun.  This is an event that is being held June 7, 2009 for the 24th year.  It raises funds to help provide care and treatment to children who suffer from cancer.  I consider it a worthwhile cause and I am therefore asking you to donate whatever you can.  Here is a link to my personal web page where you can make a donation.  Thanks in advance for your support. Olivier Let me know what you think about what you have just read. Please and thanks!
Read more

Ash Barty

The news that Ash Barty has taken the decision to retire at the age of 25 has caused many people to react.  Some understand, others question, others accuse.   Her decision has touched off a few ideas of my own. When is enough actually enough?  When do we decide we have enough?  When can we stop and just be content with what we have? At 25 she has achieved so much.  I have seen words accusing her of lack of character, of quitting or of not having the mental fortitude (one person I saw was wondering what was wrong with women's tennis?)  I think none of these people can really speak with any authority.  First of all most of these people, writing the drivel, can hardly speak from a place of success.  How many grand slams have they won?  How many tens of millions of dollars have they earned, how many weeks at number one have they spend and how well known are they in the world?   At some point, enough is enough.  I respect Ash Barty for taking a personal decision.  She has enough.  She h
Read more