It's time for Harper's minority government to work for Canadians, not electoral gain
Canadians have just spent close to $300 million to give the Conservative government another 19 seats, denying Stephen Harper the majority he so desperately wanted. And while the Prime Minister claims that voters have entrusted the Conservatives with a strengthened mandate, the reality is that over 60% of Canadians who cast a ballot preferred a party other than Harper's.
What lies ahead? In spite of Harper's election-night rhetoric about forming a “responsive and inclusive government”, accountable to Parliament, can Canadians and PSAC members really expect anything different.
The last two and half years of Conservative rule have been inspired by the premise that government should get out of the lives of Canadians. We have seen a government that is prepared to compromise food safety and threaten women's equality. We have seen a government happy to offer corporate tax breaks while ignoring the growing loss of good-paying jobs. We have a seen a government obsessed with keeping its decisions secret from both Parliament and Canadians.
As the 40th Parliament is called to session, PSAC will continue its fight to defend the quality public services on which Canadians rely. The terrible consequences of the listeriosis outbreak have shown us the consequences of watering down our regulatory system. Whether it is ensuring our food is safe or keeping our post office in public hands, whether it is the sale of public assets or the destruction of our environment, our union will be there.
Like the rest of the world, Canadians are facing economic challenges. We must not let a Conservative government attempt to solve our economic problems on the backs of PSAC members and at the expense of vital public services. We will continue our fight for fair collective agreements and an end to the privatization and contracting out of public services.
We would like to believe that the Prime Minister's words about putting aside partisan differences were said in good faith. We need a Parliament that will work for the good of Canadians, not just to gain re-election. Our union and our members will be holding this new Parliament to account.
John Gordon
National President
Date Modified : 2010/07/29
