C4

Fred Hazel

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

Debate in Canada's House of Commons has come to resemble that old Monte Python comedy routine of illogical logic.

"You did!"

"I did not!"

"Did!"

"Didn't!"

They've been arguing along partisan political lines about federal stimulus spending and its effect on hauling Canada out of the recession. Seems to me there are weightier issues our elected representatives should be spending their time on.

The recession is a real, worldwide phenomenon and we're not quite out of it yet. But the fact is that Canada - with a safer system of checks and balances in place - has been weathering the storm better than other countries, including our U.S. neighbours.

Given his own economic bent, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper might have been more inclined to let the recession sort itself out. It was the opposition parties that succeeded in pressing him on to the bail-out road, as a condition of keeping his minority government in power. Probably a good thing too, as long as we don't get into unmanageable debt.

Now they're spending their time arguing about whether the stimulus money was too slow clearing the maze of bureaucracy; whether it favoured ridings that voted Conservative; and the razzle-dazzle about those big photo-op cheques with Conservative logos.

There's no doubt those oversize mock cheques were an ill-advised bit of gamesmanship. And Michael Ignatieff's Liberals, seriously slipping in opinion polls, need something to catch the public's attention. But I don't think an aggrieved fuss about how the stimulus funds are being handed out is going to do it.

Mr. Ignatieff needs something of more substance. When he was anointed to the party's leadership he brought high hopes and great expectations. But he hasn't yet found that clear idea or issue to distance himself from the "just visiting Canada" image portrayed by Conservative attack ads. As Liberals continue to drop in the polls, it's increasingly clear Canadians aren't anxious to change horses in the middle of pulling themselves out of the recession.

The Liberal leader has to come up with some clear-path ideas and agendas that will engage Canadians and distinguish his party from the territory of the Conservatives. Supporters are hoping last week's acquisition of Peter Donolo as a savvy chief of staff will move their leader along this path. Look for the crafting of a distinctive new image for Mr. Ignatieff and the party.

Part of the current fuss is about the four byelections scheduled for next Monday. There are struggles to fill four vacant seats in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Montreal and rural Quebec. How Conservative or Liberal candidates fare could have a major effect on the future of the Conservative minority government. No one should be surprised at this. Politics is, essentially, a game. And winning power gives a party the opportunity to implement its agenda.

What I find amazing is the number of dollars being doled out in this multi-billion stimulus spree all across the country. Every day seems to bring a new announcement of millions for a road upgrade, a refurbished rink, a new recreation facility. Where's all this money coming from and can we afford to pay for it? Lots of dollars going out there; when and how are we going to pay them back? When do we reach the point in the recovery when it will be advisable to rein in this government funding so it doesn't collide with private sector initiatives?

I'd rather see our parliamentarians debating the broader picture. Deal with the actual management of the economy, instead of partisan bickering over who's getting what. Get the H1N1 flu shots moving. It seems pretty clear that these are the kind of things most Canadians want to see happening - rather than posturing in parliament.

Fred Hazel is a retired editor-in-chief of this newspaper. His column appears on Thursday.