Editor:
Re: Looking back on Harper, Jan. 6 column.
While there are no governments that have all taxpayers applauding its performance, it is about time someone wrote about some of former prime minister Stephen Harper’s accomplishments.
Columnist Tom Fletcher’s article is honest and revealing. The media has indeed been biased towards the Liberals. It is interesting how after just a few days in office, the media was already asking people how they thought Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was doing and reporting that he was doing a great job. How could anyone tell?
I asked my friends who voted for Trudeau whether they understood what Trudeau’s platform was – they said no, but he’s young and handsome. And so far, that is exactly what we’ve seen: daily photo-ops and “excellent performance” by executing reversals of previous achievements.
Harper’s government was responsible for Bill C-377, which was to compel unions to make detailed reports on their operations and financial commitments. Yet Trudeau reversed this bill. He supports the union bosses, not the union workers.
Harper’s government passed the First Nations Financial Transparency Act that calls for accountability among First Nation leaders and resulted in revelations of a number of leaders who were abusing their authority at the expense of their people. Yet again, Trudeau suspended the sanctions for leaders who fail to comply. Did Trudeau not say he’s all for transparency?
What’s wrong with this picture? This picture was first tainted by Trudeau withdrawing Harper Government’s appeal to the Supreme Court challenging the wearing of the niqab at the Canadian citizenship ceremony. The niqab is not a requirement of the Islam religion. I am an immigrant and I believe we should respect the law of the land we live in. Wearing anything that covers your face in an oath-taking ceremony is a full-force slap on the face of the nation you are privileged to be living in. Yet suspending the challenge is considered an accomplishment by Trudeau.
Canadians should show some respect for our previous prime minister. You may not agree with all his decisions, but he has been our leader for at least a decade.
I know there are a lot of anti-Harper sentiments out there, so you, Tom, have my applause for writing this article.
L. Young, White Rock