Although
the economy has been in his favour (people are more likely to vote Conservative
in uncertain economic times), Harper is also a very good politician. There are
a number of things that he has done because they appealed to enough people that
they would win him more votes than he would lose. On top of that, anything that
was controversial would be forgotten by the next election, anyway (Think people
are going to remember robocalls? Think again.).
Economic
Action Plan
Although
the Economic Action Plan has undergone considerable criticism for being too
flashy (huge signs marked every site of the plan, which allegedly were not
actually made in Canada but imported from the U.S.), it did benefit Canadians in
many ways. It provided funding to projects that may not have occurred
otherwise, including Capilano’s own new film building.
While supporting projects, it simultaneously worked to stimulate the suffering economy by generating jobs in multiple sectors. According to a press release from Jan. 2011, the EAP had 26,000 projects underway or completed. In its second year, it was aiming to deliver $28 billion in stimulus.
In
a release from Feb. 2012, Minister of Industry Christian Paradis said,
"The Harper Government is focusing on what matters to Canadians – job
creation and economic growth.” The EAP is a strong initiative because it
ensures that the government is taking on responsibility for getting the economy
out of the recession as quickly as possible.
More
money for you
Under
the banner of the Economic Action Plan, the Harper Government has also
introduced a number of new tax credits for Canadians. In the budgets of 2009
and 2010, Harper introduced a tax credit for first-time home buyers and home
renovation. In 2011, they added an arts tax credit for children, which is a 15 per
cent non-refundable credit to “help better recognize the costs associated with
children’s artistic, cultural, recreational, and developmental activities.”
They also added a tax credit for volunteer firefighters.
The
arts tax credits are beneficial because they assist, in particular,
lower-income families in potentially enrolling their children in programs outside
of school. Although direct government funding for these programs would be
better, a little assistance is better than none at all.
In
2006 the Conservatives lowered the GST to six per cent (from seven per cent)
and in 2008 they lowered again to five per cent. Although the government is now
collecting less taxes that could potentially be recycled into social programs, the
average consumer has to pay less tax initially to the federal government when
they purchase products or services.
Changes
to Parliament
During
their time in government the Conservatives have also made several changes to
the House of Commons. On Dec. 16, 2011, the Fair Representation Act passed,
raising the number of seats in the House from 308 to 338. Fifteen seats will be
added to Ontario’s representation, three to Quebec, and six to both B.C. and
Alberta.
With
this Act, the government worked to increase representation to provinces whose
populations are increasing at a rapid rate. It helps to ensure representation
of Canadians is more proportional to the population in that province, which is
a good thing.
In
2011, the Conservatives also introduced a bill that proposed legislation that
would make significant changes to the Senate. The bill suggests an
implementation of term limits for all Senators, whereas currently Senators are
in their position until age 75, at which time they are forced to retire. It
also proposes that Senators become an elected position, whereas currently they
are appointed by the current Prime Minister whenever a vacancy comes up (this
is part of the reason why the Conservatives have so much sway presently; they
have a majority in both the House and the Senate). The bill has been on the
table since last May though, so it’s not moving anywhere quickly. Although the
bill may not be proposing the best changes to the Senate, the Senate is in
desperate need for reform, so this is a step in the right direction.
Fantastic
PR
In
addition to his more “serious” governmental endeavours, Stephen Harper has
other things going for him. He is one of the few elected officials who has
perfect hair, all the time (almost LEGO-like, really). He also has an affinity
for cats, and he and Laureen Harper foster cats at 24 Sussex, advocating for
the SPCA and Humane Society.
The
Conservative website has an entire section dedicated to “10 things you might
not know about Prime Minister Stephen Harper”, which details his affinity for
movies, curling, karaoke, and the Beatles. He is currently writing a book about
the history of professional hockey and learning to speak Spanish.
Besides
Harper himself, the Conservatives really know how to sell a brand. They are the
only political party to include a “shopping” section on their party page, where
you can buy apparel, a Harper bobblehead, an apron mocking the Liberals, and a
Family Party Pack which gives you everything you need to campaign for the
Tories with your whole family. Stephen Harper and the Conservatives know how to
make their party known, and present their leader as a down-to-earth average guy
– something that is invaluable in a world where many people are instantly
assumed to be sleazy and untrustworthy.
While
this compilation is by no means inclusive, it has demonstrated the importance
of perception through politics. Stephen Harper has done many things lately that
I have a more and more difficult time dealing with, but it would appear that in
his time as Prime Minister, he has done some good things for Canada. Although I
will not turn around and start endorsing his every move, I will give him one
thing – Harper sure knows how to get elected.
//Samantha Thompson, editor-in-chief
//Graphics by Stefan Tosheff
//Samantha Thompson, editor-in-chief
//Graphics by Stefan Tosheff