Harper wants Tories to take 'pragmatic' approach

One of the criticisms the Conservatives have faced revolved around the party's lack of policy focus, but the president of the party says they have and will continue to focus on the economy, the social and democratic framework of the party, and health and safety.

CTV Newsnet: Graham Richardson looks at what policies the party will be focusing on

As the Liberals look for a new leader, the Conservatives are meeting in Winnipeg for a policy convention with the economy expected to be the focus.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. Nov. 13 2008 9:46 PM ET

Prime Minister Stephen Harper told party faithful that Conservatives need to take a pragmatic approach to the economic challenges ahead as the Tories opened their first policy convention in three years.

"We face enormous challenges and our work has only begun," Harper told more than 1,000 delegates Thursday evening.

"We will have to be both tough and pragmatic, not unrealistic or ideological, in dealing with the complex economic challenges before us."

The words were some of the few serious ones Harper spoke Thursday, as his speech at the Winnipeg Convention Centre was mostly one of Conservative congratulation and a look back at the right's return to power in Ottawa.

Harper also touted the Conservatives' gains in many parts of the country and said they were "Canada's party."

He also spoke of how far the party has come this decade, after the fractured-right spent most of the 1990s and early 2000s on the sidelines.

"We remember those days, when a Conservative government seemed as likely as a Prime Minister Gilles Duceppe," he said to laughs.

Earlier Thursday, Harper met with the national caucus before the convention gets around to the grassroots-policy making.

The prime minister welcomed 35 new Tory MPs elected last month at the caucus meeting.

Harper will be leaving Friday to attend the G20 summit meeting in Washington.

CTV's Jill Macyshon told Newsnet the convention is expected to be a "fairly low key" affair, but Conservative leaders may hammer out some new party policies over the next three days.

Topics up for discussion include:

income splitting for families of children under seven
term limits for supreme court judges
entrenching rights of churches not to perform same-sex marriages
call for an end to the gun registry
increasing private health care

In all, delegates will debate about 90 policy resolutions.

The only major contentious point for Conservatives is over a Reform-style resolution to change the voting system at leadership conventions. The resolution would appoint one delegate for every 10 riding association members.

That would favour the larger Canadian Alliance ridings, and ex-Progressive Conservatives fought the measure at the 2005 convention.

Macyshon noted that the party would ordinarily hold a leadership review during the convention, but one is not needed this time because Harper won the federal election. Nearly 85 per cent of delegates supported Harper at the 2005 convention.

Delegates will wrap up on Sunday by electing the party's national council.

Comments are now closed for this story

Layton B in Moncton NB
said

Ah Mr. Harper I can't stand you or most of your parties beliefs, but hey, you are one HELL of a politician. How many people could have a minority government, do nothing for two years except convince Canadians that a budget surplus is bad(would you run YOUR finances like this?), skirt your own fixed date election law as soon as the Parliamentary Committee system catches up to your crooked dealings as Opposition Leader, imagine trying to bribe a dying man. Oh crap I almost forgot the Elections Canada fraud case for illegal spending practices. Then Mr. Harper you pull out ANOTHER minority where the left is so dysfunctional that you KNOW you can rule as if you had every seat in the place. Well there goes our Universal Health care, and there is the hidden agenda: cut taxes to the point where health care will HAVE to be privatized to avoid deficit. I gotta hand it to you Mr. Harper you make Nixon look like the Parish Priest.

Pat - Ottawa
said

caper, you should know what you are talking about before you put your fingers to work on the keyboard. During elections, individuals can donate up to the normal annual limit, in addition to the donating up to the annual limit outside the writ period. Of course not many Liberals would know or worry about such a point as they don't donate anyways.

Chris Ont
said

What is the problem if you can afford to pay for health care. Make sure Doctors serve patients as they have now, and allow them to get paid for extra hours of work. Right now they get capped and have to stop seeing patients. It would only shorten waiting periods for those using OHIP. If Doctors ability to work are tied to the proposal, this can work. And if people would stop spewing venom along with untruths, why not offer choices for debate, but that would mean thinking for yourself.

Yes I am a conservative
said

Why do some left wingers believe that because some are against same sex marriage that we are not entitled to our opinion? We do not say that those who are for same sex marriage are not allowed to have thier opinion. We do not force same sex couples from having a relationship so why should we be forced to perform these marriages in our churches if the majority of the congregation is against it? Doesn't freedom of religion, opinion and free speach apply to all?

Ken - Calgary
said

Read between the lines.

The reason why Harper wants to limit terms of SCC judges is so that he can get all of the judges appointed by the Liberal party OUT, so that he can appoint his own slate of extreme right wing, religious fundamentalist judges that would never stand in the way of things like, say, I dunno... anti-abortion bills. I wonder if that's also why he wants to abolish the senate? Control the SCC, control the Senate, control the country. It's all about CONTROL.

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

Once again Tories will get unfavorable attention simply for talking about things that the left doesn't want touched.

Whether any of these proposals on healthcare or gun control are voted down democratically will be beside the point.

The left loves to demonize the right just for talking about making changes.

Kevino
said

Wow "Small" you have some major issues.

I can't believe the ignorance of some people here. If you actually read any material, regarding "Private" health care in Canada, instead of the talking points, Liberal or Conservative. You would know that they only want to offer options for those that wish to have them. The Conservative don't want to Americanize Health care.

Get over your selves!

Mickey in Vankleek Hill
said

I would like an alternative to public healthcare. I already pay for drugs, glasses, dental, and a myriad of other services. So let me get what I want here in Ontario so I do not have to go to New york or Quebec to buy it.

Lets do the income splitting for all ages of families

Gay Gun Hating Canadian
said

thankfully this is a minority government and they will not be able to push through their plans like banning gay marriage and the gun registry. Canada has not given you full power for a reason Conservative party and it's time for you to wake up and see the truth.

A concerned Taxpayer
said

Why not discuss how to get that $650M that was spent for an election that accomplished nothing?

Get to work and stop wasting our money!!!

Fred. N.
said

Please note that the topics are not all of Harper's ideas. The topics of discussion are from the whole spectrum of the Conservative supporters from big "C" to little "c". Harper's definitely more Centrist than right wing.

K D
said

The Tories should try a brand new strategy - something they have never done up until this point - TELLING THE TRUTH! Not pulling the wool over the eyes of Canadians! Being up front about their REAL agenda! Keeping their campaign promises! Like I said, something they are YET to try up until this point.

Paul Kennedy - Ottawa
said

Dear Sick n Sad (& others),
I do not see what you (and so many, apparently) are worried about. 'How' will our present health care system be brought to an end by private health clinics? As far as I've ever heard, private health care is an ALTERNATIVE service, _not_ a 'replacement' service for our government's health care system. When someone is sick and they happen to have the money to access help from a private clinic, who is 'anyone' to deny them that option for help and wellness? What else do you think people should be spending their money on? All Canadians will still be paying their taxes for our main health care service. And if someone _doesn't_ have money for a private clinic, they will 'still' have this system...and perhaps a more efficient and less burdened system by the load of patients shared with private clinics. I see absolutely no need for worry or concern. Rest assured.

Connie
said

Doug from BC I think you must have been a conservative who voted liberal. You have been saying you are an ex-liberal for so long now it is getting lame. Anyone who claims to be an ex-liberal is not being honest as a true liberal would not support this conservative party, maybe the old one, but not this one.

Ed in AZ
said

To Small, Don't you know that Corporations and Unions are not able to donate to political parties. Seems your entrenched lefty beleives keeps you from looking at issues reasonably.
Our health care needs changes.Too much of a government plan - slow, inefficient and bureauractic. It is a good basic plan but there has to be an option based on efficiency and choice.I find medicare in the US much more efficient and and services are immediate.

Hurray Harper!
said

The same way some of you lefties have policy conventions that determine election/governing policy, the Conservatives do the same thing. These measures are brought to the convention floor by riding associations that present policy ideas that get voted on by party members in Winnipeg.

Caper - no election finance laws were broken in the hosting of this convention. Check your facts before you start screaming for no reason.

Wish I could go, but I have no time.

David Dunlop
said

I wonder what all the name calling anti everything crowd will say when nothing scary comes out of this meeting in MB. At some point the hidden agenda promoting crowd has got to admit the truth, there ain't none, much to their dismay.

small"c"
said

Do we not all remmber the last Conservative Convention when they told Elections Canada that the Fee for delegates to the convention were not a contribution but only covered the cost so no receipts were handed out. Conservatives equal corruption when it comes to fund raising but no media in Canad has the guts to investigate them.

Pat_from_Mississauga
said

"Income Splitting" - there is another phrase for this - its called raising taxes for everyone else! Every dollar in taxes the income "splitters" save is an extra dollar in taxes the rest of us have to pay out of our pockets. If you want to have children, then go ahead. YOU PAY FOR IT YOURSELF. Why should my taxes subsidize your lifestyle choices?

As for Churches, someone should tell Harper that Section 15 of the Charter already protects churches from performing gay marriages if they don't want to. You can't compel a Catholic Church to perform a Jewish, Hindu or Buddhist marriage - you can't compel them to perform a gay marriage. Harper - its a government about nothing.

Jackie Barrett
said

I agree with limiting terms of Supreme Cour Judges and abolishing our gun control laws, but it seems Harper's vision of Americanizing Canada is evident in this convention as he wants to privatize our beleagred Health Care System even more.

I'm not sure Tommy Douglas would be proud of Stephen Harper threatening our Health Care System, allowing churches not to perform same sex marriage, and his other right wing policies bordering on "fascism".

I'm proud to be a centre "left winger".

Phinex
said

Say Yes to private health care. If you got cancer/tumor and you was informed you will get treat after 6 month for queue. and you know what after 6 month, you may not need a surgery because it too late and you are dead..

Michael R Dennis
said

The real story will come when hundreds of people will protest the convention because they believe the purpose for their freedom of expression and freedom of free assembly exist to prevent those of opposing views from expressing themselves or freely assembling.

Oddly enough, this is very much the same as much of the hype of the recent election where the ABC belief was a back***wards statement of how voting is supposed to take place in this country.

If they are not your beliefs, please stay home and just watch it on the news and respect the opinions of the 38% of the people in Canada who supported this party.

Glen
said

Who wants to bet Harper doesn't use a single policy approved at this convention?

Just an exercise in vanity.

Doug BC
said

I'm a former Liberal that is gratful we had an option when the Liberals turned into bleeding heart socialists.While I think the Conservatives could do better by taking a half step towards the political centre,I think they are on the right track.We need to stop "wasting" the finite number of taxpayer dollars by spending in paying interest on the national debt.And we have to change a system that makes taxes a families biggest expense.All social programs depend on a functional and profitable economy to generate the revenue to run them.We can do nothing if we don't learn better ways to generate the wealth the socialists are so creative in spending.
I'm not sure who I would trust to fix our ailing health care system.Probably neither of the two parties likely to hold office.But we must fix it.Absurd waiting times and a riduclous shortage of family doctors in not indicative of a system that works.We pay more for our system than many other countries,yet we get less value and poorer outcomes than so many others.
That said,dealing with our massive debt at the same time as we try to rebuild so many federal ministries is not going to be quick,or easy regarless of who we elect.
But there is one constant going forward.Anything we want fixed needs money.With higher taxes and more debt being shelved as options,I anxiously await solutions from anyone.
I would like to have another option in the next election.But,under no circumstances will I vote for more socialism,higher taxes,abandoning our debt reduction goals.

small
said

Harper whose government gets alot of illegal funding from the NRA, large Private USA Health Care Corp. and wants a Supreme Court with a Neo-Conservative Right wing Regilious leaning can do all of this without a majority government. The 30% of the 56% of those who vote which equals approx. 20% of the people ant private health care, death pentalty, a supreme court based on Extreme Christain beliefs, anti-gay and anti-women's rights, anti-aboration, sure sounds like the Taliban.

James - Calgary
said

We need to discuss all our ideas. Especially the ones we have been afraid to talk about in case we lose votes. As an ex-Liberal. No, just kidding. I just like to say that.
Where is the discussion on stopping immigration, abortion and allowing us to carry hand guns? It is time for all our views to be heard.

Zareh
said

Private health care? The real agenda comes out...If I was a neo-con; I'd wait till after I get a majority before I go Republican on Canada. More than half of bankruptcies in the US are due to health care costs. What is next for Harper, deregulation of Banks? Church in schools? lol

rh
said

> income splitting for families of children under seven

Yes. Children are better off with a parent at home than being raise by corporate day care.

> entrenching rights of churches not to perform same-sex marriages

Yes. Legal gay marriage is one thing, but forcing someone to do something that's against their religious beliefs is wrong.

> call for an end to the gun registry

Yes. Billions of dollars to register hunting rifles doesn't make sense. Instead implement strong punishments for possessing illegal handguns.

> increasing private health care

I can't find a family doctor to give me a check-up. No joke. Something needs to be done, some kind of public/private health care system like in France or Sweden sounds like the right idea.

Tim in Calgary
said

Why is it necessary to entrench the rights of churches to not perform same-sex marriages?

Years ago, my sister's church refused to perform her second marriage because she had been previously divorced. I don't see how she could have compelled them to perform the ceremony, so how could a same-sex couple compel a church to perform their ceremony?

Seems like an unnecessary measure, except perhaps to gain favor with those opposed to same-sex marriage.

Gail (Hamilton)
said

All of the topics mentioned seem reasonable. There are already some churches and religions that want to marry same sex couples and it should not be forced on those that do not by using the Human Rights Commission. Parents with small children should be able to split their incomes from a tax perspective to encourage population growth and help those in the lower income group with expenses. An end to the gun registry would save billions of dollars. If they tied a database/regulations to those who sell guns, police would still have an information base they could utilize. Term limits for judges would give others in the legal profession a chance for promotion. Private and public healthcare can work together if done properly. One or the other can be disasterous on their own. Public is not transparent, unionized and is a tax monster and private is too expensive for those not considered rich.

Danny Dinosaur
said

Suggested Discussion Topics:

What will we do when there is a viable choice to govern in Canada?
Will it mean we have to be forward thinkers?
What other divisive methods can we use to keep voters fragmented and fighting with each other?
"Other items" and training sessions on how to keep parliament dysfunctional and how to smear the reputations of those that disagree with us.

Sick n Sad
said

And this is the beginning of the end of our healthcare

Ex-Lib in SK
said

No more taxes...use the millions of dollars wasted on the gun registry.

caper
said

$650 to be there! Did these people not support their candidates in the last election!! Sure they did? Limit is how much? Sorry the CPC does not have to follow the rules!! Elections Canada had better check this out...illegal again!!

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