After one year: A report card on the Harper Conservatives

This opinion piece by longtime political analyst Redekop was submitted to various media across Canada.

1. Cabinet performance. Generally quite impressive. A year without a scandal. Mark: B+
2. Performance in the House of Commons. On balance impressive. It will take a lot of campaigning to undo some major gaffes such as Peter MacKay’s slur against Belinda Stronach. Mark: A–
3. Social policies. $526 million for homeless people; an additional $307 million for new immigrants, new programs for aboriginal groups; a $450 million housing program. The popular $100 monthly for young children raises equity questions; it’s taxable for a single working mother earning $35,000, but not for a stay-at-home mother whose husband earns $100,000. The age of consent to be raised from 14 to 16. The Kelowna Accord rejected because of insufficient accountability. Mark: B+
4. Economic policies. The one percent reduction in the GST; 29 tax reductions; lower corporate tax rate; elimination of the Federal Capital Tax. The justifiable income trust decision broke an electoral promise. Commendable debt reduction and pension income splitting. Mark: B+
5. Foreign affairs. Improved U.S. relations; the softwood lumber pact. A rushed House of Commons vote on Afghanistan. Harper’s insistence that any questioning of the Afghanistan policy constituted lack of support of the troops was inappropriate. Mark: B–
6. National unity policies. The more enlightened treatment of Quebec is commendable. Mark: A–
7. Environmental policies. On balance, mostly weak, better under Minister John Baird. Mark: C
8. Crime and justice policies. Ended the wasteful long-gun registry. Some commendable anti-crime bills. Reforms in judicial appointment processes. Inadequate attention to crime prevention. Delays in 40 judicial appointments. Mark: A
9. Defence and military policies. Acquisition of new equipment was overdue. The assumption that Western efforts to build democracy in Afghanistan can trump Muslim zeal, corruption, and the poppy culture may be in error. Too hasty in committing thousands of peacekeeping troops. Mark: B+
10. Parliamentary reform. The Federal Accountability Act deserves high praise. The initiatives in Senate reform are commendable but if fully enacted without a redistribution of Senate seats, will accentuate Western grievances. Reforms in financial contributions to political parties. Mark: A
11. Specific initiatives. Numerous positive initiatives: the Mahar Arar case, the $1 billion settlement package for tainted blood victims, and an apology and the $20,000 per capita redress for Chinese Canadians who had paid a head tax and ending the much-abused Court Challenge Program. Problems: shelving of a much-needed animal cruelty bill, termination of GST rebates for tourists. Mark: B+
12. Keeping electoral promises. Achieved GST reduction, childcare payments, and the Accountability Act. Anti-crime bills are in process. Health care “wait times guarantees” mostly not achieved. Mark: A–
13. Overall leadership of the Prime Minister. In parliamentary performance – generally impressive. A real statesman at the October Francophonie Conference in Bucharest. Failed to attend some key conferences and made unnecessary public statements about China and Israel’s shelling in Lebanon. His handling of the same-sex marriage controversy pleased few, but was probably the best he could do. Mark: A–

Overall mark after the first year: B+

John Redekop is adjunct professor of political science at Trinity Western University, Langley, B.C. and a member of Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford. His latest book, Politics Under God, was recently released by Herald Press.