The Cons Census Is In - New Media and Politics

As the calls grow for Statistics Canada to be made into an arms-length agency, perhaps similar to the Office of the Auditor-General, or just independent the Tories are busily scrambling to defend their decision to scrap the long-form census calling opposition to their ideas support for tyranny. Most agree, they've made a huge mistake, a voluntary census is no substitute for a mandatory one and they should find some way to walk this decision back. The thing  about ideologues is that never happens. They will stick to their guns and blame others for the whatever problems beset them for having the nerve to disagree.

 Then there's Harper’s decision to stay away from a major international AIDS conference that draws heads of state. Julio Montaner, the outgoing president of the International AIDS Society who is also a Canadian, saved his parting shot for the government of Canada, issuing a sharp rebuke.

 


“I must recognize Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the chair of this year’s G8 and G20 meetings and his health minister, Leona Aglukkaq, for demonstrating, once again, their incredible ability to take credit where none is due,” Dr. Montaner told the conference Friday.

“I am ashamed to say that the Government of Canada has punched well below its weight in funding universal access and supporting those affected by HIV and AIDS in Canada and around the world.” It's another example of Harper's uncaring attitude towards Canada's reputation and standing in the world. There hasn't been a moment in the past year where I haven't been ashamed he was Canada's PM.