Prime Minister Stephen HarperStory here. h/t: NationalNewswatch.com
CHARLOTTETOWN - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says Canada is more united -- and Quebecers more loyal to the country -- than at any time in the past 40 years, and his government deserves all the credit.
Indeed. None of Mr. Harper's predecessors were able to unite the country as he has. Separatist sentiment has been weakened in both Quebec and the West since he took over the reins of power.
Remember last time the Liberals were in power? Thanks to them, the Quebec separatists almost won the referendum to separate. Then there was ADSCAM as well as many other Liberal-caused travesties, which greatly strengthened separatism in both Quebec and the West. In the last days of the Martin Liberals, it appeared to me that if the Liberals were to win again, that separatism would continue to become stronger and actually lead to serious efforts to break up the country, owing to Canadians' having had absolutely enough of the divisive, discriminatory Liberal policies.
But Harper and the Conservatives won. And demonstrated that they could do what it took to make Canadians feel good about Confederation again. Many Canadians, anyway (some still want to separate, I acknowledge, but that's always and will always be a reality).
"Despite the occasional squabbling between governments, the fact of the matter is this: Our country has not been this united since our centennial 40 years ago this year," Mr. Harper said to loud applause from about 1,000 Conservatives at a barbecue on the Charlottetown waterfront.
The article, however, must be taken to task for a false statement: It claims that the PM "threatened to sue" the Atlantic Provinces for accusing him of breaking a promise. The truth is that the PM actually said that they could take him to court if they wanted, so they could try to prove that he broke his Atlantic Accord promise, which clearly wasn't broken, as the provinces involved are, in fact, benefiting from the promise, as promised. Ah, politics.
But I suggest that the Ottawa Citizen rectify its inaccuracy and indicate they are wrong about any "threat to sue".
Besides, Newfie Premier Danny Williams just likes to make a big stink to boost his popularity at home by picking unnecessary fights with Ottawa, which has always been done since the beginning of Confederation anyway.
Besides, the Liberals annoyed the Atlantic Region with their policies, too, which led to their having lost many seats in the '97 election. These things happen.
Never mind what Newfoundland and Nova Scotia claim politically, this is actually Confederal politics as usual, and polls are just a snapshot of transitory public opinion, led by what folks read on the front page and what they hear on the local news, not what they really think deep down. These things are in constant flux.
And no promise was broken. The Newfie and NS Premiers are splitting hairs to look good politically at home, of course! That's politics and has nothing to do with unity in this case- who's thinking about leaving Confederation anymore? No hands shown in the Atlantic on separatism desire? Ok, case made!
Myself? Yes, I do live in the Atlantic Region, so I'm allowed to say whatever I want, just as are the Atlantic politicians who like to throw poopoo at Ottawa, which is, of course, a Canadian sport!
