An uphill battle

Posted by admin on Mar 23, 2006 in Volume 14 Issue 1 | 0 comments

With the opening of the 39th Parliament less than a month away, the Conservative government faces a difficult challenge. With the uncertainty of support by any of the opposition parties, the Conservative minority will attempt to introduce several new bills into the House of Commons.

Two of the most important issues addressed will be national and international security. Combine the Liberal failure of the gun registry and the dismal state of the Canadian military, and Harper is faced with some large security problems, particularly in light of growing crime in urban centres and the increasing threat of global terrorism.

With a greater emphasis on security, hopefully Harper’s promise to change the age of sexual consent from 14 to 16 will pass quickly and with little opposition. This topic has long upset citizens and been vocally supported by politicians, but has resulted in little action.

The security portfolio, however, has been pushed aside in light of the first bill to be presented: the controversial child care bill in which Harper promises $1200 a year for every child under the age of six. Under the new bill, parents will make the decision on how their children should be raised rather than facing the one alternative of federally run daycares proposed by Paul Martin.

The Liberals, Bloc, and NDP are united in opposing the bill and in maintaining the national childcare plan established by the previous Liberal government. However, despite their opposition, all of the parties have refused to comment on toppling the Tories over the bill.

Uncertainty faces the Conservatives with the passing of their first bill, and questions arise: how long will this government last, and will they hold out long enough to follow through on their campaign promises?
Some may be pessimistic considering this is the second minority government in a row, and that minority governments have an average life span of 18 months; however, I remain hopeful. Canadians do not want to go to the polls again in the near future, and are calling for change and action on the Hill.