Most recently of course, is the way in which they handled the Shipbuilding Contract. That is to say, they did not handle it but kept it at arms' length to insure that it was not subject to political interference as has been the case with all past Governments - Tory and Liberal alike.
Many of us remember Mulroney's fiasco 20 years ago concerning the CF-18 Contract that should have awarded to a Manitoba Company but went to a Quebec one instead. It was one of the major reasons for the birth of the Reform Party.
But less remembered, was the statement made at that time by his then Defence Minister Paul Dick who proffered that in order for a Province to get a piece of any DND Contract it would have to "partner with Quebec".
And of course the Liberals were even worse in pandering to La Belle Province.
But I do not for a minute rejoice in Quebec losing out in this round of contract issuance; I do though see it as being fair - a fair process for a change and fair in the sense that Quebec has always been unfairly favoured.
But that is not all the Tories should be thanked for. Let's look at a few others:
First on the Economy - granted it did extend both the Debt and the Deficit but it was pushed into doing so by the combined weight of the Libs, Dipers and Bloc. If rolls had been reversed, Canada's fiscal position today would be much worse and we would certainly not be fiscally the best amongst the G-7 nations as we currently are.
They have also significantly lowered the GST and Corporate Tax Rate. Both are job creators.
Second in regard to our Traditions / Heritage - they are restoring our links to the British Monarchy which Pierre Elliott was determined to abolish during his corrosive time in Office. In a multicultural world it is nice to have something to unite our combined focus.
Harper's appointment of the current Governor General has restored dignity to that Office. For the first time in years we have an occupant who understands the role's historic importance and acts accordingly.
In the area of Law - the Tories may not be totally correct, but they are well intentioned with their goal of putting the citizen and victim ahead of the interests of the criminal.
They have also devised an all Party process for the appointment of our top Judges. No longer are we stuck with Lawyers with an agenda being appointed to the Top Bench itching to make law as opposed to interpreting law as they should.
In Foreign Affairs - we are once again respected for having our own agenda and for "punching above our weight" (although I personally dislike that analogy). This is especially the case with our support of beleaguered Israel. Currently we are seen by Israel as their main world friend replacing the ever more unreliable USA.
The Bureaucracy - not since Paul Martin and Jean Chretien teamed up to help tame the Civil Service in the mid 90s has a Government attempted to get a handle on its out of control growth. Harper is making such an attempt now. Departments have been given strict reduction targets and the growth is finally beginning to recede.
Democracy - The Tories commitment to increase seat representation amongst Ontario, Alberta and BC, which have been under represented for many years, is also a plus. No other Party has the guts to make this adjustment despite the fact that Democracy demands it.
And last but not least -The Military. Harper has restored our Military which was allowed to languish in decline under countless Administrations - most notably Liberal. The Military has been modernized and continues to receive up-to-date equipment needed to do the job - planes, ships and tanks. We talked about ships and with our huge coastlines it makes imminent sense to have a fully functioning navy / coast guard. I have been a critic of the plan to purchase expensive new planes on the grounds that although they would be nice to have - they would be just too expensive. More recently though the Manufacturer has promised to keep the cost per plan at $65 million rather than the feared price of twice that amount. If that lesser sum can be nailed down - a price that experts say is less than the actual cost of construction, it would be a good deal for Canada. (The less than cost price can be explained by the Manufacturer's need to have volume of production in order to make the whole manufacturing process viable).
So when you start to itemize their list of accomplishments it is quite impressive.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
