Dear editor,For the first time in history the Canadian government has been found in contempt of Parliament.That is not something to brag about, even though the Harper Conservatives are trying to get us to think that a “reckless” coalition is worse.The Speaker of the House of Commons brought in his judgment about the “contempt of Parliament.” Now, we must look at why.The Harper Conservatives refused to supply enough information on the cost of the F-35 fighter jets, spending on prisons, and the projected costs for corporate tax cuts. Jets, jails and jewels!The 65 new F-35 stealth fighter jets will cost $30 billion — more than the total federal spending on health care. And they refused to be open and transparent about that.The raised cost for prisons when crime rates have been dropping is straight out of the American Republicans’ textbook.Now, let’s look at the Harper Conservative payoff to the corporations who are set to benefit. They will soon get a lowered tax rate of 15 per cent — when those of us with fixed pensions pay a much higher rate of tax.There is something definitely wrong with this picture and I hope that the media pick up on this and start to educate the public.Let’s also look at the Harper Conservatives’ portrayal in the world.They made us a laughingstock at the climate talks. At the United Nations they refused to sign on to water as a human right, even though the majority of nations did.They also want to allow oil tankers in our oceans. That’s because they now owe their allegiance to the big corporations — and not to us, the taxpayers.And what about the fact that the Harper Conservatives say they don’t want the fourth election in seven years. They have set it up this way and we can no longer believe what they say. I am old enough to remember when we had a coalition government and we then had some of the best legislation this country has ever had. I hope that enough voters will say “Anybody But Harper.”Gwyn Frayne,Courtenay
Harper Conservatives found to be in contempt
Dear editor,
For the first time in history the Canadian government has been found in contempt of Parliament.
That is not something to brag about, even though the Harper Conservatives are trying to get us to think that a “reckless” coalition is worse.