There are clues that the Conservative government finds certain progressive aspects of Canadian society displeasing to them; however, the Canadian public would not support an obvious attempt to legislate away people's existing rights. So how to circumvent the "obstacle" that is the Canadian electorate?
It's easy, actually. As I've noted before, there is a difference between tolerance and acceptance. Rights groups ultimately want acceptance of diversity, and they exist because not all of society is equitable (or even tolerant in the case of people with different sexual orientations). As such, the Conservatives are simply axing programs and cutting funding to reduce the effectiveness (or even eliminate) of rights groups. Unfortunately, money is necessary for anything to succeed in the long run.
Without effective rights groups, the elements of society that despise diversity will remain (and possibly grow in strength if they get funding). I suspect that the Conservatives hope that these elements would regress Canadian society slowly over time, benefiting their agenda (and themselves, due to more like-minded voters) in the long run.
The sick irony is the ability for the Conservatives to use the fact that Canada is reasonably progressive as a defense. Here is a hypothetical line of questioning and answering:
Status of Women? Cut the word "equality", and then axed. Why? Because with regards to gender equality, "mission accomplished".
The most staggering realization for the Canadian public (hopefully) is how much a government can accomplish if it really set its mind to achieving its goals outside the legislative branch. For the most part, not much damage has been done through legislative means (although Harper's multiple prorogation of Parliament and general defiance with regards to Afghan detainee documents have tested the limits of his executive power against the legislative branch). Much more damage has been done with money... how it has been spent, and how it has been denied.
Peace and long life.
Excellent analysis. Chip-by-chip, bit-by-bit, they're debasing our national psyche.
ReplyDeleteWe need a culture-war in this country.
I will not tolerate their intolerance.
Thanks for the compliment!
ReplyDeleteAs for the issue at hand, the fact that the Conservatives have found ways to strike without a majority makes me impatient for the next election. This is not a government that needs the work with the opposition in a way that expected from a minority government. This is a government that can do a lot of damage even while only playing games in House of Commons.
A culture war... Conservative-held values compared against the values of the Canadian electorate. I strongly hope that there is a major mismatch. As some people said after the reelection of Bush in 2004, the electorate will get the government they deserve.