Government At Work

Aficionados of debate in the House of Commons were treated to a series of exchanges, now that there are two leaders of the official opposition in Parliament. Canada's estimable Prime Minister Harper did his duty taking two questions related to the economy, a vital portfolio which Canadians rely on the Conservative-led government to guide us carefully and prosperously into the future to advance the fortunes of the country.

If there is one area where the opposition would like to see the current government on the ropes it is that one. And issues directly relating to the economy. One of which is the uncomfortable heightened level of unemployment in this country as the former security of manufacturing has been dreadfully dented by companies pulling out operations and opting to relocate within emerging economies where pay scales are considerably less for workers.

"There are 1.4-million unemployed Canadians. Can the Prime Minister tell them what skills are required to work at Tim Hortons that Canadians don't have?" was the leading question lobbed at Stephen Harper by the combative leader of the NDP, Thomas Mulcair. Alluding to the perfectly legal but unfortunately misused temporary foreign workers program.

Particularly in light of recent revelations that the program has led to situations that clearly disadvantage Canadian workers.

It seems it is too easy for corporations to claim that they are unable to find Canadian workers with the requisite skills for certain workplaces. And as a result, claiming that their situation qualifies for the temporary introduction of foreign workers to do the jobs that Canadians are unable to do. Persuading authorities to assent to bringing in workers to take the place of Canadians, under patently false pretenses.

The Prime Minister responded reasonably enough that the program is being reviewed to ascertain whether and how it might be abused, reminding his questioner that there are obvious cases in existence where labour shortages absolutely do exist. And he provided proof of that statement by offering letters from eight NDP Members of Parliament asking for temporary foreign workers to be approved for their ridings.

Which effectively took the raging righteousness out of NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair's argument. Which still did not stop Mr. Mulcair from thundering that Canadians are being informed they have to work for less or risk replacement by foreign workers -- "Why have you allowed it to happen?" Clearly, Mr. Mulcair is overdue for a heart-to-heart NDP-policy-discussion with his caucus.

As for the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, the callow, entitled, unflappable, egotistical son of Pierre E. Trudeau, Justin chirped on about a new tax on the middle class through tariff increases which will inevitably raise the price of tricycles, little red wagons, education materials and infant clothing, all set to rise because of a new government policy that will penalize "millions of Canadians".

The critic had his response from the head of government, that a number of countries, including that manufacturing giant with its headlock on world production and cheap labour, will no longer be receiving preferential tariff treatment from Canada.