by arthur Weinreb, associate Editor,
July 5, 2004
The results of the June 28 election show that Canada is headed further to the left. The clearest illustration of this fact was seen a few days before the end of the campaign when Paul Martin attempted to woo NDP supporters by pointing out, quite correctly, that that party has similar values to those of the Liberals.
It is often said that the Liberals campaign from the left and govern from the right. But Paul Martin is much further to the left than Jean Chrétien ever was and even had he obtained a majority, his perception as being a fiscal conservative would have been relegated to the history books. Now with the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois holding the balance of power, Martin will be aided and abetted in his taxing and spending.
The most natural alignment in the new Parliament will be the NDP propping up the Liberals. although the current situation may change as a result of recounts, the total number of seats of the Liberals and the NDP is 154; one less than is needed for an absolute majority. But if the Bloc’s raison d’être is ignored, the party that is led by former Marxist-Leninist Gilles Duceppe has a lot in common with the two other left wing parties. There will be no shortage of votes when it comes to taxing and spending.
What is important to ensure stability in a minority Parliament is the ability and character of the Prime Minister and unfortunately, Paul Martin fails on both counts.
It became painfully obvious after Paul Martin assumed office last December that he is somewhat leadership-challenged. His inability to be a strong leader became more apparent once the election campaign got underway. His penchant for being on both sides of each and every issue was simply Kerresque. although Paul Martin had a burning desire to attain the office that so often eluded his father, he personally did little to further his ambition. While David Herle and other members of Martin’s inner circle gradually took control of the country’s Liberal riding associations, Martin remained aloof. When accusations that supporters of other candidates were denied access to Liberal Party membership forms, Martin’s denial that it had anything to do with him had an air of believability. He just sat back and waited for his coronation. He has shown himself to be a man under the influence.
Martin allowed his advisors to keep Jean Chrètien and his key advisors, many of whom played key roles in leading the former PM to three successive majorities, as enemies. Martin also refused to get rid of anyone in his circle when his commanding lead in the polls began to disappear. Paul Martin chose petty vindictiveness and poor judgment, neither the hallmark of a strong leader.
There is no getting around the fact that when it comes to battles of intellect, vision, and pure political savvy, Paul Martin is no match for Layton and Duceppe. There is no doubt that the NDP, propped up from time to time by the Bloc Quebecois will be calling the shots in the new Parliament.
The first priority of the NDP will probably be to prevent Canada from taking part in what they refer to as "George Bush’s Star Wars", the U.S. based missile defense plan. Layton campaigned on that issue during the campaign and both the NDP and the Bloc want to distance Canada from cooperating with the United States on defense matters. Martin will easily bend to this issue and further strain relations between Canada and our southern neighbour.
Then we will get into the big spending. Martin will be pushed into spending big bucks on health care, day care, and who knows what else care. all the expensive promises that the Liberals make to win votes and then never got around to implementing will be implemented. Martin who introduced tax cuts while Minister of Finance in the 90s but now finds them "un-Canadian" will no doubt consider raising taxes to keep the country out of deficit. and paying down the debt--forget about it.
Both the socialists and the separatists favour same sex marriage, something that Paul Martin says are human rights, but is in no rush to confront the socially conservative members of his caucus with. Layton and Duceppe will have no trouble pushing same sex marriage legislation in this Parliament.
Writing in the National Post a week before the election was held, columnist George Jonas wrote that having a Liberal government propped up by the NDP would be worse than having an NDP government. He’s probably right.
Hang on tight and hold onto your wallets. It’s going to be some ride.