The long-waited federal election has come and gone and we now have a new government and new prime minister. The tide came in for Justin Trudeau and went out for Stephen Harper, as is the way of our democracy.
The question now becomes whether or not the electorate made an intelligent decision that will ultimately prove good for the country.
Trudeau has made no less than 171 promises on important categories such as government, environment and security which until fulfilled are debts unpaid.
For example, he made some big promises to Canada’s indigenous peoples and Perry Bellegarde, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, and aboriginal voters who voted for Trudeau are going to demand something in return. But will he be able to deliver and if so what will it mean for the country?
He said he would repeal or reform legislation that disrespects the rights of indigenous peoples and give the First Nations a veto over development in their territories, which would create even more uncertainty for resource companies.
He has promised to implement all 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and promised First Nations billions in funding.
Tom Flanagan, a former senior adviser to Harper, called Trudeau’s proposals “alarming” and said some were simply unachievable, such as the demand for an apology by the Pope.
Without releasing detailed costs of his platform, Trudeau has committed billions of dollars in spending on infrastructure spending, First Nations education, youth jobs and childcare benefits, all of which are worthy projects but will require increased taxes and a return to deficit spending in a time of global economic instability.
These promises will increase government spending to the tune of billions of dollars and it may well be that the middle class gets stuck paying the bill. This will be no “sunny way.”
Gerald HallNanoose Bay
