Grabbed this off of the Globe and Mail comment board. Full credit to handle "Conservative Lies" for putting this list together.
The Harper regime’s culture of secrecy and deceit is adding up with ten clear abuses of power in the past ten days alone:
- Hiding corporate tax, mega-prison & F-35 costs
The Harper regime failed to comply with a motion demanding that, by March 7, they provide the House of Commons with details concerning its plans to spend billions of tax dollars on corporate tax cuts, prison expansions and un-tendered stealth fighters.
- In & out election fraud
Stephen Harper’s inner circle stands accused of a $1.2 million scam to break election spending limits and buy more attack ads. Senior Conservatives wired money “in” to local campaigns, transferred the money right back “out” – and now they face serious charges involving potential jail time. When candidates claimed the transfers to get $800,000 more in taxpayer-funded rebates, Elections Canada stepped in.
- “Harper government” edict
Stephen Harper is using public resources for partisan purposes by forcing federal public servants to replace the words “Government of Canada” with “Harper Government.” Canadians know it’s not Harper’s government – it belongs to all citizens.
- Jason Kenney’s “very ethnic” fundraising letter
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney was caught using public resources for polling and marketing a Conservative advertising campaign aimed at what he calls “very ethnic” ridings. Minister Kenney has been exposed for the serious conflict of interest between his responsibility to make fair policies as the Citizenship and Immigration Minister and his political role of delivering the votes of New Canadians.
- Christiane Ouimet’s gag order and severance
After the independent Public Service Integrity Commissioner resigned in disgrace for sweeping aside 228 whistleblower complaints, the Harper regime paid her more than $500,000 and made her sign a gag order. Canadians deserve to know what role the Prime Minister’s Office and the Privy Council Office had in influencing the dismissal of embarrassing whistleblower cases involving misuse of funds without an investigation.
- Bev Oda’s dishonesty
Over 24,000 people signed a petition calling for International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda to resign after she misled Parliament about ordering a ministerial document to be falsified. Even though she faces censure for breaching Parliamentary privilege, Minister Oda refuses to step down or answer questions about her conduct. Instead of saying this dishonesty has no place in Parliament, Stephen Harper continues to shield and even applaud his minister.
- Taking “own the podium” too far
After Stephen Harper spoke at the Celebration of the Year of India event, the PMO tried to muzzle the Leader of the Opposition by removing the podium and ushering the media out of the room before his speech. In the end, it was the Prime Minister who was embarrassed for misusing government resources and treating Canada’s ethnic communities like mere political pawns.
- Blacking out Quebec City arena documents
The Harper regime is so afraid of political fall-out over the Quebec City arena proposal that they’re treating the Quebec City area debate like a national security secret, after blacking out background documents about their position on funding an NHL-calibre arena in Quebec City.
- Diane Ablonczy’s ethics breach
Until she was questioned about it in the House of Commons, Conservative Minister Diane Ablonczy had no idea that she had been fined by the Conflict of Interest & Ethics Commissioner and cited for failing to pay the fine. Ms. Ablonczy is the third Harper Minister and 9th Conservative public office holder overall to be fined by the Commissioner, joining previous wrongdoers like Peter MacKay.
- Lashing out at public servants on F-35s
Conservative MP Laurie Hawn’s recent attack on respected former Assistant Deputy Minister of Defense Alan Williams shows that the Conservatives can only resort to name calling when it comes to justifying their $16 billion, un-tendered fighter jet purchase. A media report over the weekend also indicated that the Conservatives don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to backing up their claims on the purchase or maintenance costs of the F-35.
Looks like we have a federal election in the making. Given the fact that the NDP vote goes soft whenever Harper looks like he's in majority territory any election in this climate would at best give him the status quo and most likely force him from office. Upside being, of course, a Liberal victory. Both options sound good to me right now.
