Hall of Fame Member
Posts: 10,496 
Location: The Evil Empire
Location: The Evil Empire
January 16th, 2006, 03:01 PM
Says Toronto Star
SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is calling it an agenda of hope versus a campaign of fear.
As the federal election campaign entered the final week before Monday's vote, Harper appealed to voters to consider the Tories as the party that truly reflects Canadian values.
It's a claim that Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin has made throughout the campaign in an effort to distinguish himself from his main opponent. But rising polling numbers for the Conservatives suggest the Liberal argument may be wearing thin.
"There are no limits to the future if we live by the best of Canada's values, no limits if we choose an agenda of hope over a campaign of fear," Harper told about 200 supporters at a rally warmed up by New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord. "That's what this week is all about."
Harper said his support has grown substantially in Quebec because voters recognize that the Conservatives offer an honest, constructive alternative to the Liberals or Bloc Quebecois.
"I have refused to be drawn into this tired, endless, pointless debate between a government that uses support for federalism as an excuse for corruption and an opposition that uses corruption as a rationale for keeping separatists in a Parliament they promise to leave."
The Conservative leader also rejected Liberal claims that his campaign promises don't add up and will result in spending cuts and user fees.
That follows report that the Conference Board of Canada was not given two key platform planks when it evaluated the Conservative spending promises as affordable over five years.
Calling himself a guy "who would rather light one candle than promise a million light bulbs," Harper said the conference board stands by their report.
The items in question are a health-care guarantee that would transport patients to other jurisdictions if necessary for timely treatment, and a fix for the so-called fiscal imbalance between the federal and provincial governments.
Harper said the health-care wait time guarantee will be covered by the most recent federal-provincial health funding agreement. As for the fiscal imbalance, some increases to provincial transfer payments are already in the platform, he said, but a Tory government would consult with the provinces before going further.
"There is also flexibility," he said. "There are unallocated surpluses still available for us to have further negotiations on that matter."
Harper did concede that the Conservatives would cut the rate of increase in federal department spending, which he said has outstripped inflation and population growth under the Liberals.
It was Harper's third campaign stop in New Brunswick, where the Tories won only two of 10 seats in 2004. He has been getting enthusiastic help throughout the campaign from Lord, who does not disguised his frosty relations with the federal Liberals.
But Harper remained cautiously understated when asked about the apparently swelling support for the Conservatives.
"I'm pleased with things," he said. "And I'll accept the wisdom of the Canadian people on election day."
Says Toronto Star
SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is calling it an agenda of hope versus a campaign of fear.
As the federal election campaign entered the final week before Monday's vote, Harper appealed to voters to consider the Tories as the party that truly reflects Canadian values.
It's a claim that Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin has made throughout the campaign in an effort to distinguish himself from his main opponent. But rising polling numbers for the Conservatives suggest the Liberal argument may be wearing thin.
"There are no limits to the future if we live by the best of Canada's values, no limits if we choose an agenda of hope over a campaign of fear," Harper told about 200 supporters at a rally warmed up by New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord. "That's what this week is all about."
Harper said his support has grown substantially in Quebec because voters recognize that the Conservatives offer an honest, constructive alternative to the Liberals or Bloc Quebecois.
"I have refused to be drawn into this tired, endless, pointless debate between a government that uses support for federalism as an excuse for corruption and an opposition that uses corruption as a rationale for keeping separatists in a Parliament they promise to leave."
The Conservative leader also rejected Liberal claims that his campaign promises don't add up and will result in spending cuts and user fees.
That follows report that the Conference Board of Canada was not given two key platform planks when it evaluated the Conservative spending promises as affordable over five years.
Calling himself a guy "who would rather light one candle than promise a million light bulbs," Harper said the conference board stands by their report.
The items in question are a health-care guarantee that would transport patients to other jurisdictions if necessary for timely treatment, and a fix for the so-called fiscal imbalance between the federal and provincial governments.
Harper said the health-care wait time guarantee will be covered by the most recent federal-provincial health funding agreement. As for the fiscal imbalance, some increases to provincial transfer payments are already in the platform, he said, but a Tory government would consult with the provinces before going further.
"There is also flexibility," he said. "There are unallocated surpluses still available for us to have further negotiations on that matter."
Harper did concede that the Conservatives would cut the rate of increase in federal department spending, which he said has outstripped inflation and population growth under the Liberals.
It was Harper's third campaign stop in New Brunswick, where the Tories won only two of 10 seats in 2004. He has been getting enthusiastic help throughout the campaign from Lord, who does not disguised his frosty relations with the federal Liberals.
But Harper remained cautiously understated when asked about the apparently swelling support for the Conservatives.
"I'm pleased with things," he said. "And I'll accept the wisdom of the Canadian people on election day."
Member
Posts: 217
January 16th, 2006, 03:11 PM
I don't like Harper, I can see it in his eyes that he's hiding true motives, most likely to hand over our soverignty to the Americans. His policies can be torn apart by anyone with half a brain and proven from current knowledge they'll be unsuccessful. Harper also brings his religion into making decisions, which is a violation of church and state in my eyes. I think Harper is bad news for Canada, and will probably go down in history as the conservative screwup that will take Canada 30 years to rebuild from, or may even result in civil war.
I personally will protest his policies and lobby for them to be stopped in parliament.
I don't like Harper, I can see it in his eyes that he's hiding true motives, most likely to hand over our soverignty to the Americans. His policies can be torn apart by anyone with half a brain and proven from current knowledge they'll be unsuccessful. Harper also brings his religion into making decisions, which is a violation of church and state in my eyes. I think Harper is bad news for Canada, and will probably go down in history as the conservative screwup that will take Canada 30 years to rebuild from, or may even result in civil war.
I personally will protest his policies and lobby for them to be stopped in parliament.
Member
Posts: 172
January 16th, 2006, 04:29 PM
As much as the fearmongering is wearing thin with most Canadians, it's obviously alive and well with those that think there is a monster in their closet.
I personally find Martin very scary. He is delusional. He accused Layton of not supporting abortions and then called Duceppe impotent.
Martin has really lost it and it's giving me the creeps.
Martin needs a nap.
As much as the fearmongering is wearing thin with most Canadians, it's obviously alive and well with those that think there is a monster in their closet.
I personally find Martin very scary. He is delusional. He accused Layton of not supporting abortions and then called Duceppe impotent.
Martin has really lost it and it's giving me the creeps.
Martin needs a nap.
Steven Hawking's Tutor
Posts: 4,838
Location: Independent Palestine
Location: Independent Palestine
January 16th, 2006, 04:35 PM
So even though Martin has screwed up alot this campaign, he has one thing right, Harper doesn't have the same values as most Canadians.
And trust a Conservative to say that Mulroney was the Greatest Prime Minister in Canadian History.
Laurier was.
Quote:
Martin needs a nap agreed. However, Martin is not as scary asHarper because he is trying to paint himself as a centralist person to people who are tired of Martin even though he and his party are not.
As much as the fearmongering is wearing thin with most Canadians, it's obviously alive and well with those that think there is a monster in their closet.
I personally find Martin very scary. He is delusional. He accused Layton of not supporting abortions and then called Duceppe impotent.
Martin has really lost it and it's giving me the creeps.
Martin needs a nap.
I personally find Martin very scary. He is delusional. He accused Layton of not supporting abortions and then called Duceppe impotent.
Martin has really lost it and it's giving me the creeps.
Martin needs a nap.
So even though Martin has screwed up alot this campaign, he has one thing right, Harper doesn't have the same values as most Canadians.
And trust a Conservative to say that Mulroney was the Greatest Prime Minister in Canadian History.
Laurier was.
Member
Posts: 172
January 16th, 2006, 04:52 PM
Hard work and ethics that Harper is promoting ARE Canadian values.
You only have to look as far as Toronto to see what happens when a bleeding heart Liberal is at the helm. The city is about to go bankrupt under Millers leadership.
How can a city rack up more than a half billion dollars in debt in only one year?
He has been handing out grants to obscure groups like candy.
Hard work and ethics that Harper is promoting ARE Canadian values.
You only have to look as far as Toronto to see what happens when a bleeding heart Liberal is at the helm. The city is about to go bankrupt under Millers leadership.
How can a city rack up more than a half billion dollars in debt in only one year?
He has been handing out grants to obscure groups like candy.
Steven Hawking's Tutor
Posts: 4,838
Location: Independent Palestine
Location: Independent Palestine
January 16th, 2006, 05:06 PM
Oh wait, I already voted for a party that has real Canadian values at heart.
Quote:
Oh, boy, Harper has two values of Canada. I will just jump ship and go to the Conservatives.
Hard work and ethics that Harper is promoting ARE Canadian values.
You only have to look as far as Toronto to see what happens when a bleeding heart Liberal is at the helm. The city is about to go bankrupt under Millers leadership.
How can a city rack up more than a half billion dollars in debt in only one year?
He has been handing out grants to obscure groups like candy.
You only have to look as far as Toronto to see what happens when a bleeding heart Liberal is at the helm. The city is about to go bankrupt under Millers leadership.
How can a city rack up more than a half billion dollars in debt in only one year?
He has been handing out grants to obscure groups like candy.
Oh wait, I already voted for a party that has real Canadian values at heart.
Ponderous Intellect
Posts: 4,465
Videos: 1
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Videos: 1
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
January 16th, 2006, 05:31 PM
The values of the Honourable Stephen Harper are, in my opinion, hardly aligned with those of mainstream Canadians. In my opinion, it would not be possible for Mr. Harper to have completely turned an about-face in respect of his previous hardcore right-wing opinions in such a short period of time — in my opinion, the positions of the Right Honourable Paul Martin are far more in line with the values of Canada, more particularly when comparing only the two.
Hard work and ethics mean absolutely nothing, in my opinion, if one is going to use such "hard work" to further a right-wing agenda against the will of Canadians. If the now-Leader of the Opposition would dare to shed his moderate façade during the Thirty-ninth Parliament of Canada, I think that we could see the Tories returned to the Opposition side of the House for another decade.
The values of the Honourable Stephen Harper are, in my opinion, hardly aligned with those of mainstream Canadians. In my opinion, it would not be possible for Mr. Harper to have completely turned an about-face in respect of his previous hardcore right-wing opinions in such a short period of time — in my opinion, the positions of the Right Honourable Paul Martin are far more in line with the values of Canada, more particularly when comparing only the two.
Hard work and ethics mean absolutely nothing, in my opinion, if one is going to use such "hard work" to further a right-wing agenda against the will of Canadians. If the now-Leader of the Opposition would dare to shed his moderate façade during the Thirty-ninth Parliament of Canada, I think that we could see the Tories returned to the Opposition side of the House for another decade.
Ponderous Intellect
Posts: 4,465
Videos: 1
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Videos: 1
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
January 16th, 2006, 05:34 PM
In the interest of friendly debate, Breakthrough2006, I don't think that quotation marks were the type of punctuation you meant to use around the word "not" — it implies that you are being sarcastic, lol. :P
In the interest of friendly debate, Breakthrough2006, I don't think that quotation marks were the type of punctuation you meant to use around the word "not" — it implies that you are being sarcastic, lol. :P
Super Genius
Posts: 1,249
January 16th, 2006, 05:45 PM
Quoting
Shouldn't this be posted in the comedy section?
I don't like Harper, I can see it in his eyes that he's hiding true motives, most likely to hand over our soverignty to the Americans. His policies can be torn apart by anyone with half a brain and proven from current knowledge they'll be unsuccessful. Harper also brings his religion into making decisions, which is a violation of church and state in my eyes. I think Harper is bad news for Canada, and will probably go down in history as the conservative screwup that will take Canada 30 years to rebuild from, or may even result in civil war.
I personally will protest his policies and lobby for them to be stopped in parliament.
I personally will protest his policies and lobby for them to be stopped in parliament.
Ponderous Intellect
Posts: 4,465
Videos: 1
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Videos: 1
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
January 16th, 2006, 05:51 PM
Show some respect, zoofer, and refute a post with facts wherever possible; don't go meaninglessly degrading the opinions of your fellow posters. This is, of course, as a fellow user, not as a moderator or anything. I have no such authority.
On the Topic...
I would agree, insofar as my opinion concurs, that the Honourable Stephen Harper may not be advertising his entire agenda to the people of Canada. With all due respect to the Conservative Party of Canada and the Leader of the Opposition, I don't believe that it would be possible for him to have changed so dramatically since some of his more, shall we say "questionable" speeches, far less than a decade ago.
Edit Corrected a typo.
Show some respect, zoofer, and refute a post with facts wherever possible; don't go meaninglessly degrading the opinions of your fellow posters. This is, of course, as a fellow user, not as a moderator or anything. I have no such authority.
On the Topic...I would agree, insofar as my opinion concurs, that the Honourable Stephen Harper may not be advertising his entire agenda to the people of Canada. With all due respect to the Conservative Party of Canada and the Leader of the Opposition, I don't believe that it would be possible for him to have changed so dramatically since some of his more, shall we say "questionable" speeches, far less than a decade ago.
Edit Corrected a typo. the clan of the claw
Posts: 1,976
January 16th, 2006, 06:06 PM
I must concur with FivePAradox,
Not only is it very unlikely that Harper has changed his views in a short time from his well documented right-wing, pro-american postion but even the supposed values he now claims to hold are at odds with Canadiana.
That was a good post Alberta's Finest. While reading it I finally realized who Harper reminds me of with that ear-to-ear smile that gets shown so often. He reminds me of the grinch in the scene where he hatches his plan to steal christmas.
I must concur with FivePAradox,
Not only is it very unlikely that Harper has changed his views in a short time from his well documented right-wing, pro-american postion but even the supposed values he now claims to hold are at odds with Canadiana.
That was a good post Alberta's Finest. While reading it I finally realized who Harper reminds me of with that ear-to-ear smile that gets shown so often. He reminds me of the grinch in the scene where he hatches his plan to steal christmas.
Member
Posts: 71
Location: Alberta
Location: Alberta
January 16th, 2006, 06:13 PM
Is that scary, or just really, really scary?
What else does Bucky have in his hidden agenda he's not telling us? What about the number two priority? What is that? Why won't he tell us? What's he hiding from Canadians?
Why?
Quoting
One can only wonder then what you think about the entire agenda of the Liberal Party. After all, there is the number one priority, changing the Charter to remove the notwithstanding clause, and not a peep about it in the official Liberal red book! The number one priority and Bucky Martin was trying to keep it hidden?
I would agree, insofar as my opinion concurs, that the Honourable Stephen Harper may not be advertising his entire agenda to the people of Canada. With all due respect to the Conservative Party of Canada and the Leader of the Opposition, I don't believe that it would be possible for him to have changed so dramatically since some of his more, shall we say "questionable" speeches, far less than a decade ago.
Edit Corrected a typo.
Edit Corrected a typo. Is that scary, or just really, really scary?
What else does Bucky have in his hidden agenda he's not telling us? What about the number two priority? What is that? Why won't he tell us? What's he hiding from Canadians?
Why?
Clever Clogs
Posts: 647
January 16th, 2006, 08:01 PM
I guess somewhat implicit in this idea that Harper’s values are out of sync with the mainstream is that since a sizeable percentage of Canadians appear ready to vote conservative that this group does not understand how they are in effect voting against their values. That’s an interesting concept. Maybe only real Canadians vote liberal.
From the US I am on the phone with Canadians everyday and many are ready to vote conservative not because of a concern with values but because of a concern with integrity. Although I would prefer a real liberal government not tainted with corruption I do respect other’s rights to disagree and see the world a bit differently and have alternate political views. To make a litmus test that to be Canadian you have to have a particular viewpoint seems to stand in conflict with what Canada represents and that is diversity.
I guess somewhat implicit in this idea that Harper’s values are out of sync with the mainstream is that since a sizeable percentage of Canadians appear ready to vote conservative that this group does not understand how they are in effect voting against their values. That’s an interesting concept. Maybe only real Canadians vote liberal.
From the US I am on the phone with Canadians everyday and many are ready to vote conservative not because of a concern with values but because of a concern with integrity. Although I would prefer a real liberal government not tainted with corruption I do respect other’s rights to disagree and see the world a bit differently and have alternate political views. To make a litmus test that to be Canadian you have to have a particular viewpoint seems to stand in conflict with what Canada represents and that is diversity.
