You don't have to convince many British Columbians that Ottawa no longer functions as a democracy. Consent, in the twisted mind of Stephen Harper, is something that is extracted at the ballot box and ceases to have any relevance during the actual term of government.
Because Harper deems our consent unnecessary, he treats democratic notions such as consultation meaningless courtesies to be dispensed with whenever possible. That much is unquestionable from the way Harper has dismantled environmental and navigation safeguards along the British Columbia coast without our prior knowledge, without consultation, without consent and against our will. Harper's Canada operates under the politics of feudalism.
The CBC's Greg Weston warns that Canada at large is about to get the same treatment as Harper has inflicted on British Columbia.
As Parliament reopens this week to consider the pressing affairs of state, the Harper government of promised openness and accountability is operating increasingly as though the nation's business were nobody's business.
It's not just huge trade deals with Europe and the Pacific Rim that are being kept under wraps, and well away from Commons debate.
In fact, most of the contentious issues facing the Conservative government this fall will be decided behind closed doors — explanatory memo to follow.
...Finance Minister Jim Flaherty will introduce a second "budget" bill he promises will contain "quite a bit."
The most contentious parts of the actual budgetary measures will be changes to pensions for parliamentarians and public servants to bring them in line with private retirement plans.
True to form, the government isn't saying what other legislative changes it will toss into the mix this time.
One thing is certain: They will be measures the government of openness and accountability would rather not discuss in public.
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