Are you tired of this government treating education like it's something we should be ashamed of ? When Harper insider, Ian Brodie, was asked about Harper's Draconian crime bills being contested by experts, he suggested that his party always does better when the 'university types' oppose them. They also recently cut the funding to a 'university type' group studying education in Canada.
But just when you were ready to give up your game of 'Where's Waldo', Tony Clement rears his ugly head to remind us once again, just what lack of intellect means to this country.
He is now referring to those of us who oppose the prorogation as 'elitists' and 'chattering classes'. Although the 'elitists' are again those gosh darned 'university types', and the rest of us are 'chattering classes' who now have the Facebook group; Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament up to 154, 038 members.
So chatter on, get up and dance, then tell Tony Clement what you think. To chatter to Waldo visit this site. He claims to have only received about three dozen emails ... let's change that. Maybe we could start a Facebook group Let all chattering classes find Waldo and tell him what you think. I like it.
Academics slam suspension of Parliament
MP Tony Clement says criticism from 'elites' doesn't reflect Canadians' views
January 11, 2010
CBC News
A group of university professors is condemning the federal government's decision to suspend Parliament, but the ruling Conservatives appear unmoved by the latest criticism.
Over 100 professors have signed a letter written by University of Montreal philosophy Prof. Daniel Weinstock that accuses Prime Minister Stephen Harper of violating "the trust of the Canadian people [and] thus acting anti-democratically."
The letter, to be sent to major newspapers in Eastern Canada, is the latest criticism of Harper's decision to prorogue Parliament until March 3.
The Liberal Party released two English-language ads and one French-language ad on the internet on Sunday describing the prorogation as Harper's "holiday gift to himself." A group on the online social network Facebook called Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament also has over 150,000 members.
And an EKOS poll, released exclusively to CBC News last week, suggested 58 per cent of Canadians aware of the decision opposed the move, compared to 31 per cent who supported it. Opposition to the decision was highest among Liberal and NDP supporters and those with a university education.
Weinstock told CBC News that the structure of powers in Canada gives the prime minister more sway to make decisions than a U.S. president, requiring Harper to exercise discretion before using powers like prorogation.
"It really does require that the holder of the office exercise some self-restraint in the use of the powers that are vested in him, and that he use them for the public good rather than for narrowly partisan reasons or to evade accountability as we feel the prime minister has in this case," he said.
Clement says 'elites' making prorogation an issue
The Conservatives appear unfazed by the criticism, however, with Industry Minister Tony Clement saying Monday that ordinary Canadians don't consider prorogation to be a big issue.
"I know it's a big issue with the Ottawa media elite and some of the elites in our country, but I got to tell you if reaction in my constituency is any indication, I've had maybe three dozen emails," he said.
Clement said the government was focused on the economy and the next session of Parliament.
"It may not be what the chattering classes want, but we're not here to govern on behalf of the chattering classes," he said.
Opposition parties suggested Harper's move to prorogue, or suspend, Parliament was an attempt to muzzle parliamentarians and avoid the controversy sparked by hearings into Canada's role in Afghanistan — specifically, the treatment of detainees transferred to Afghan authorities by the Canadian Forces.
The Conservative government said it sought the suspension to have time to consult with Canadians, stakeholders and businesses as it moved into the "next phase" of its economic action plan amid signs of economic recovery.
Update:
I just emailed Tony Clement with this message:
Dear Mr. Clement;
I just read your comments suggesting that only the 'elite' or 'chattering classes' care that your government decided to just call it quits, when presented with questions that you were unable or unwilling to answer.
Well, I can assure you sir, that average Canadians do care. You don't have to be 'elite' to see this as a threat to our democracy. And you don't have to chatter much to know when somebody has something to hide.
Your government has never earned a majority, meaning that you have never had a clear mandate from the Canadian people. Therefore, I would suggest you start showing some respect for the 2/3 of Canadians who did not put you in office, or you may just find yourself out of it.
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