Harper and Rae argue over which one has compromised his ideals the most
One day before a marathon amendment vote on a highly controversial budget bill is expected to begin, interim Liberal leader Bob Rae and Prime Minister Stephen Harper traded barbs in the House of Commons over who has broken more promises.
The omnibus budget bill, one that proposes sweeping reforms to employment insurance legislation, environmental protections and old age security, has sparked severe tensions between the Conservative government and opposition parties.
Liberal and NDP MPs say the “Trojan Horse” bill will wrench away social protections and should have been been split up into smaller parts so the proposed legislation would receive proper scrutiny. The Tories maintain the bill is necessary to jump-start Canada’s still somewhat shaky economy.
Rae used Question Period on Tuesday to accuse Harper of blatantly changing his position on omnibus-style bills.
“The Prime Minister has stated over the years, certainly back in 1994 as a member of the Reform party, that omnibus legislation was in itself bad,” Rae said in Question Period on Tuesday.
“He stated very clearly that you could not have this kind of an effort being made without causing a serious attack on the privileges and rights of Members of Parliament. I’d like to ask the Prime Minister: has he simply been corrupted by power?”
Initially, Harper’s response was tempered. He emphasized his government’s plans to create jobs and sustain economic growth for Canadians.
“We are in a very difficult international financial situation. That’s why we need to take all the steps that are necessary,” he said. “I know that the Liberal party rejected all this … but we’ve been working hard and we’re prepared to get this done.”
But Rae wouldn’t back down, arguing that Mr. Harper’s failure to answer his direct question meant the Prime Minister’s approach to power had indeed become dictatorial.
“This is becoming more and more like a dictatorship,” said Rae, who went on to admonish the Tories for how they have conceded power to themselves.
“Let’s look at the record. The government has increased its net debt by $117 billion. Unemployment since 2006: up from 6.4% to 7.3% … That’s some record,” he said. “The Prime Minister has no right to boast to other countries.”
Harper responded by listing his government’s economic successes: 750,000 net new job and the lowest debt ration in the G7. He also returned Rae’s initial jab with one of his own.
“In terms of power and corruption, I noticed the man who said he would never run for the permanent leadership his party is now currently prepared to accept which I guess proves down in that corner of the house lack of power can corrupt.”
Omnibus budget debate leads Stephen Harper and Bob Rae to argue over which one has compromised his ideals the most | News | National Post
