On October 19th, Canadians will go to the polls for perhaps the most important election in our history.
The three main federal parties have starkly different views on how to manage the economy, national security, tax reform, the oil and gas industry, major pipeline proposals and social values.
Our political history has been shaped by statesmen like Macdonald, Laurier and Mackenzie King, men who could see beyond appearances and understood the fundamental values of Canadians. I believe a very strong case can be made for Stephen Harper being the fourth Canadian statesman to appear in the last century and a half of our history. He has said the election is not about him but about "cold, hard choices" and that Canadians will put personalities aside in favor of their own interests which will include lower, not higher, taxes, more free trade with the rest of the world and national security.
Consider the words and deeds of Stephen Harper. For example he is far and away the Federal leader most onside with public opinion on revoking the citizenship of dual nationals convicted of terrorist offences and the inappropriateness of wearing the niqab while taking the oath of Canadian citizenship. Here Harper is clearly in line with traditional values that Canadians cherish. He has effectively brought in market reforms to a country formerly known for liberalism and big spending. Harper has shown serious commitment to tax reform in Canada. The Harper government has significantly lowered both the federal corporate tax rate and personal income tax rates for families.
The choice Canadians will make on election day will be between a rare Canadian statesman with a solid track record of making important changes in Canada for the good or an untested leader with virtually no achievements or clear vision for the country. It will be about a "leap into the dark" for the sake of change or an intelligent vote. The choice will be for balanced budgets and responsible fiscal management or reckless deficit spending. I believe Canadians will reject risk and uncertainty in these turbulent times and will opt for stability and a future.
