The Politics of Fear

Day One --- We're Off! Federal Election Day in Canada will be May 2nd.

Are you paying attention?


PM Stephen Harper requested the dissolution of Parliament this morning from Governor General David Johnston. Harper's first public comments? To warn Canadians about the "threat" of an unholy coalition. Throw up a false boogie man in an effort to scare Canadians into voting for a majority Conservative government (more on what this could look like for Canada later).

For the record, in parliamentary democracies --- as Canada is --- coalition governments are a legitimate form of government to express the will of the people. They encourage cooperation and can cast a more inclusive net when citizens turn to a multitude of political parties to represent their hopes and dreams.

Is Mr. Harper criticising our form of government? Then say so. Don't try to suggest to Canadians that coalition governments are illegal and unacceptable. Because they are not.

Liberal Party leader Mr. Ignatieff has clearly stated that he is seeking a majority government mandate from Canadians during this campaign.

We might also ask Mr. Harper how he views other coalitions? Why was a coalition government an acceptable option for him and his party just a few years ago? Does he view the current coalition government in the United Kingdom as illegitimate? Or is it acceptable because it is lead from the right of the political spectrum? Certainly the British economy is in worse shape than Canada's. The British coalition government seems to have undertaken a strong, if unpopular, program of economic correction.

What about the NATO coalition fighting in Afghanistan, and of which Mr. Harper has been a staunch supporter and participant? Readers may also recall Egypt has had strong majority governments with Mubarak for many years, with its citizens going to the polls, casting ballots for one party that has promised stability . . . but made a mockery of democracy. Is that the sort of government that Canadians yearn for?

But what does the truth matter? Mr Harper has clearly demonstrated in the recent past that he has no qualms about spending large sums of money to air advertisements that (at the most generous interpretation) direct, nay mislead, Canadians about his opponents' intentions and character. The most egregious and stomach-turning of these ads have come at great expense and frequency from the Conservative Party coffers.

However, average Canadian taxpayers have also paid huge sums for air time for "Canada's Economic Action Plan" TV ads --- even after these programs have been implemented. Aside from the money spent to make the 'Harper Government(TM)' look good at our expense, these particular ads also further divide Canadians into categories and perpetuate a climate of "what's in it for me" political discourse.

This engenders a more subtle form of fear mongering. Is the East getting more than the West? Is Quebec getting more than the ROC? Do families get more than singles? Do labourers get as much as corporations? Are married folk better treated than singles? Who is winning at my expense?

How can this sort of conduct lead to constructive nation building?

A topic for another day --- Governing in a Climate of Fear.