What kinds of things does an arrogant, corporate government do?

Harper has been SO bad SO often that it’s possible to forget some of the terrible things done by him and his right wing reform party. So, to remind you, Frances Ricks, Ph.D (BC) has compiled a list and Peter Boyle has adapted it for our reading enjoyment.
Mr. Harper….

1. Breached his own fixed election laws
2. Taxed income trusts despite a pre-election promise not to tax them
3. Didn’t answer the allegations he bribed Chuck Cadman to vote with the harper party
4. Produced a guide to disrupting parliamentary committees
5. Several of his ministers have misled parliament (Clements, MacKay and Oda)
6. Prorogued parliament twice to avoid defeat in the House
7. Found in contempt of parliament 3 times
8. Muzzled his ministers and MPs
9. Sacked or forced resignation of public servants who tried to do their jobs rather than kowtowing to him (e.g. Linda Keen for insisting on safety standards at Chalk River, Munir Sheikh of Stats Can, many others)
10. Cancelled the long form census which provides vital data to businesses and others, spending more of our money to do so
11. Leads the most secretive government in Canadian history
12. After inheriting a surplus, created the largest deficit in our country`s history
13. Continues to claim credit for “strong economy” whose strength  actually comes from Liberal surplus and Liberal refusal to gut banking regulations (Harper supported deregulation)
14. Insisted there was no economic crisis, took action only under intense pressure from opposition, media
15. Spent $1.2 billion on G-8, including fake lake while his police brutally assaulted peaceful demonstrators and observers, including women and an aging civil servant
16. Wants to spend $10 billion on prisons for unreported criminals, although crime rate continues its long decline
17. Wants to spend $18 – 30 billion on planes that have yet to be built, and no case made for why we need them
18. Spent $100 million advertising what a wonderful a leader he is, and thereby  bought much support from the media
19. Has ignored climate change and earned Canada more environmental “fossil” awards than any prior Prime Minister
20. Has tarnished Canada’s international reputation to the extent that we were denied a seat on the UN Security Council
21. Persistently concealed information about the abuse of Afghan detainees
22. By losing the rights to use Camp Mirage, endangered our troops and and cost $300 million
23. Bribed two provinces to bring in the Harper Sales Tax against the wishes of the people
24. Gave a standing ovation to a minister who misled parliament and forged a document
25. Appointed two senators who had 67 forged invoices, falsely claiming tax rebates for election expenses.
26. His staff is being investigated by police about 3 separate incidents
27. Is a control freak who has constantly demonstrated his contempt for parliament and the 2/3 of Canadians who have voted against him. If he were to get a majority he would act to gut health care, the CBC and other quintessential Canadian institutions – as he already has the census.Don’t vote for Harper!

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Replacement workers harm labour relations

Recently, over 3500 members of the United Steel Workers walked the picket line for over a year because Vale Inco refused to negotiate a fair contract and instead turned to scab labour to continue production. The use of scabs in this strike, just like so many others, prolonged the hardship and devastated the community.

Anti-scab laws have existed in Quebec since 1978; in British Columbia since 1993. Successive governments in those two provinces have never repealed those laws because of the clear benefits to workers and employers. Ontario banned temporary replacement workers from 1993 to 1995.

During this same time period investments into the province increased. Since Quebec introduced their anti-scab legislation, disputes have been less violent and a healthy balance between respecting worker rights and mediating a resolution for negotiations exists there.

On March 31, 2011 NDP MPP (Nickel Belt) France Gelinas’ Private Member’s Bill to ban replacement workers during strikes will be debated in the Legislature at Second Reading. The government should implement this legislation now for two main reasons:

1. Using Scabs or Temporary Replacement Workers during a strike or lockout is damaging to a community’s social fabric in the short and the long term, and damages the well-being of workers and the economy;
2. The Legislation will reduce the length and divisiveness of labour disputes, keep workers working and the economy growing

There is growing support for MPP Gélinas’ bill and people will be rallying in Toronto on the day of the final reading. Contact your local MPPs to let them understand that scab labour should not be part of the bargaining process.

 

The Truth about Hudak

Anyone want some reminders as to why Tim Hudak is no friend to labour – or children or sick people or Ontarians in general? Click here for a look at a website that will give you a rundown on Tim’s past voting history.