CREDIT: (CP/Andrew Vaughan)Mike Harris, the former Ontario premier, addresses a business luncheon in Halifax on Oct. 22. (CP/Andrew Vaughan)
HALIFAX (CP) - Mike Harris outlined his vision for Canada on Wednesday, striking out at Ottawa rivals and upping speculation the former Ontario premier has his sights keenly set on leading the country's united right.
In a half-hour speech that mixed both humourous jabs and hard-edged assaults on Liberal policy, Harris described an agenda of aggressive tax cuts, an end to corporate handouts and an immigration policy tailored to Canada's economic needs.
What is wrong with this? Government should get out of the business of picking and funding those they want to see as winners in business. How coincidental that so many government funding 'winners' appear to be good Liberals! Let the market operate! As for immigration, those who read my blog know what I--and many Canadians--think about that. Bang on, Mike! NJC
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"Ottawa has not cut taxes to keep our economy strong. They have refused to end corporate welfare. And they have fuelled a massive growth in government spending . . . Canadians deserve so much more than this."
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The former premier's past caught up with him Wednesday when a handful of protesters assembled outside the downtown hotel where he gave his speech.
Note that that was "a handful of protestors", but they serve a purpose to the anti-Harris, anti-conservative Canadians and must be reported on fully. NJC
About six people carried sqeegees and placards that read, "If you want safe streets get Mike Harris off them," in reference to Harris's policy as premier of clamping down on panhandlers and squeegee kids. . . . when Harris was premier. "It was a strategy of attack and scapegoat poor people." [I shall have more to say about this topic in another post I am planning. NJC]
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Political observers say Harris would face a huge obstacle in a bid to lead a national party because of his inability to speak French.
Give us a break on this! There is more to life and leadership than whether you speak French -- though you'd never know it in Canada. NJC
He made a joking reference to it Wednesday when he spoke halting French for a mere three seconds, and then said, "I don't want you to worry - I speak English too."
My Commentary:
The usual suspects have their knives out. Think about who is writing all the negatives; did they thrive under the Liberals? There are perks -- even for reporters and political pundits who support the Liberals. They are less obvious than the perks that come with Adrienne's appointment to the Governor Generalship, but smaler perks for smaller people are still perks in their world. Think about who is commenting before you take what they say at face value. Some of us would like to have seen Harris carry on his "common sense revolution" -- but the unions and the media had it in for him. They will do the same if he takes a run at the leadership. However, there are many Canadians who would like to see a little "common sense" applied in Canada. I, for one, would!
