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Conservative Leader Stephen Harper answers reporters' questions at a news conference in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2008. (Tom Hanson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)
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Harper tries for reassurance with mentions of mom
Updated Wed. Oct. 8 2008 4:11 PM ET
The Canadian Press
VICTORIA -- Oh, mother.
If Canadian voters needed any more proof the election has become a nailbiter, they need only listen to the normally private, phlegmatic Prime Minister Stephen Harper invoking his mother Margaret at every turn.
For the second day in a row, Harper repeatedly dropped references to his Calgary-based mom as he searched for the emotional sweet spot in reassuring a jittery public about global economic turmoil.
"We're getting this criticism that I somehow don't understand the stock market or I don't understand what people are feeling about the stock market," he said, in a colloquial tone, at a news conference Wednesday at a Victoria hotel.
"I use my mother as an obvious example because, you know, she's the person closest to me who's most worried about the stock market these days.
"And believe me, I get quicker updates from her on the stock market than I do from the Department of Finance."
Harper is famously private about his personal life and seldom invokes his parents -- although the prime minister did invite the news media to photograph him walking his daughter Rachel to school last week.
But with a raging credit crisis depressing world markets and battering Canada's manufacturing and resource-based economy, Harper's Conservatives have taken a steady downturn in public opinion in the run-up to next week's election.
Many have suggested that Harper's aloof, cerebral approach to the crisis may have cost him support, and he appears to be listening.
On Tuesday in Toronto, he used a speech to the Canadian Club to talk about his mother's stock market worries. He repeated the subject in television interviews, and then again Wednesday on the campaign trail.
"If you want good things to happen, you think ahead and you work hard," Harper said.
"That's what my mother and father always did. That's how we are trying to run the government of Canada."
For the hardworking, play-by-the-rules Tim Hortons crowd that the Tories have courted, it's sound advice during good times. Whether it salves public concern when job security is under threat is a more difficult question to assess.
Harper is walking a fine line between empathy and hard-headed pragmatism. He has repeatedly accused the opposition of "panicking" in the face of the stock market meltdown, but he has also shifted his message to give it the motherly touch.
"They are trying to use pessimism and panic to get people to choose things that are not in those people's interests," Harper said Wednesday of the opposition.
"Maybe I'm criticized because I will stand back. But surely to God, people want a prime minister who will stand back from panic in the market and make good decisions."
In that vein, Harper continued to roll out very modest policy announcements, filling in empty details from this week's belated Conservative campaign platform release.
If re-elected, the Tories would establish a $5-million fund to attract Canadian doctors working abroad and spend $10 million to establish 50 new residencies at teaching hospitals, Harper said.
He also promised $3 million over three years for a pilot project to explore ways to recruit and retain nurses.
The Conservative campaign is all about "realistic" options that wouldn't drive the country into deficit or cause widespread job losses, Harper said.
Comments are now closed for this story
Just remember a Liberal win means "Carbon Tax" plain and simple! Dion will see it as a mandate from the people to proceed.
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It is being repeated over and over again in this and other threads that Harper is an economist and therefore has special qualifications to deal with our current economic mess.
I believe that Harper has several degrees in Economics, but when did he work as an economist and what when his responsibilities and experience?
My impression is that Harper has spent his career from a very early age in politics and related jobs. Besides, a case can be made that the economic mess resulted substantially from the way banker economists and government economists did their jobs. So what if Harper was holds degrees in economics?
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Listening to the interview of the Prime Minister on CBC, I am very impressed by the fact that he knows what he is doing. He is the right man to lead us through a difficult economic time. The liberals and NDP only know how to attack the PM without even having a plan. They talk about a plan, but so far, they did not even say what their plan is. They are misleading the public.
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Scary, scary stuff.
I can't believe so many Canadians are willing to support the Alliance party. I hope you have health insurance because you can kiss our health care system goodbye if Harper wins a majority. Once the boundaries are removed and huge pharmaceutical companies get their hands on our health care we'll be just like the U.S.
Luckily I have $16,000 dollars stashed under my matress for the next time I need an x-ray. Don't get Cancer! We're talking hundreds of thousands for that one. Oh, you have insurance do you? Well try this one on for size.
*DENIED DUE TO PRE_EXISTING CONDITION*
Petey MacKay is the biggest schmuck in the history of Canadian politics. He let the radical right wing Alliance party eat the PC party of Canada.
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Why does a link titled 'Dion and Layton are the ones out of touch: Harper' go to a story about Harper and his mom? What happened to the comments that went with the original story?
The link went from a story where Harper was collecting negative comments to a mystery mompie and applehood story.
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You got to be pretty desparate to drag your mother into the election so you can scrounge up a few extra votes. This man has no morales. Can hardly wait for the Afganistan report tomorrow. That will surely send us into a defecit. Good bye Harper.
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There's not much he can do now. Sorry Ma, your little fella just blew it.
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Does this mean he is going to start wearing the sweater again?
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Another cynical headline designed by the media to mock our Prime Minister.
You guys are something else.
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The Canadian press is so left wing it is disgusting. What ever he does, the press puts a negative spin on it! He has not been a recluse, as you would suggest...He invited Rick Mercier into his home last year for a interview...had a fun slumber party atmosphere...even playing with the PM's kid.
Vote for who can lead us away from this WORLDWIDE recession....which he is doing a good job so far. It's easy to be the opposition and make empty promises that would never be delievered...look at the last Liberal goverment...and the NDPs will promise you a free house, wife, truck, and dog for a vote....which they could never make good on.
My 2 cents.
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"Maybe I'm criticized because I will stand back. But surely to God, people want a prime minister who will stand back from panic in the market and make good decisions."
Exactly! The opposition leaders have been foolish in their language. You want to scare investors even more than they already are, just let Jack start talking. Hey, maybe even let Dion talk about tax policy. Wonderful!
Please let this election be over, Harper retain his position, and let these opposition fools go back to their seats where they can't impact the markets anymore.
One debate (shouting match) was plenty!
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This seems like such a sensible plan. Don't raise taxes, and don't spend like a drunken sailor. He will not be cutting services, and will infact offer some modest incentives that will help ordinary Canadians.
I just don't understand why people are not buying into this, after all, he has even proven that he can be trusted to keep his promises (something that can not be said for the other parties).
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He is scared now. He is dropping in the polls, and will try to change his image to try and lure voters back.
Sorry Harper, it won't work for me.
Your soft side is only an illusion, that no-one should buy into.
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I'll bet if Harper wore a red shirt the media or some lefty would say he's switched sides. I like the real Harper not the toned down media whipped pup he has to be to try to appeal to everyone at once. Stand right up and call 'em as you see 'em. Fight back when they slight your mom and wear a BLUE sweater doing it.
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I actually find it somewhat interesting how the same people who are constantly upset that parties make huge promises in campaigns and don't ever fulfill them are also the ones who are so critical of Stephen Harper keeping a fairly small, easy to live up to, platform.
Beyond that, he is right and now is not the time to make rash decisions. For the last 11 years Canada has been managed very well from a fiscal standpoint and we're in a far better position to manage the storm.
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To Sean:
Harper is the ONLY leader of the 3 federal parties to use our public system EXCLUSIVELY.
Have you already forgotten Mr. "Tommy Douglas" Layton was exposed during the debate for jumping the queue and using a PRIVATE clinic.I don't recall any denial. But hey, be weary of those evil conservatives !
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I am wondering why our press is dedicated to covering only the negative spins on the "downfalls" of the Conservative campaign, but not the Liberal and NDP campaigns. All Dion and Layton can do right now is attack and accuse Harper of not having a clue about the economy. And what do they propose? "Serious talks" by Dion - and how about Layton - absolutely nothing. He's resorted only to name calling. What have they got to offer - besides carbon taxes taxes and higher corporate taxes which will stifle our economny?
I trust Harper. He's done a lot for Canada in the last couple years with a minority government. Give him a majority so he can get even more accomplished.
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This wishy-washy Prime Minister now brings his mom into this. The Canadian public will kick you out of office next week and the Conservatives will vote no confidence in you at the convention in Winnipeg next month. Unless of course you cancel that convention to save your head.
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The Liberal plan is based on this years economic numbers and does not take into account the major economic slowdown the Green Shift would cause in the Western Provinces.
The Alberta and Sask. resource economy has been driving Canada and will be greatly reduced by a carbon tax. Then we will have economic turmoil in Canada.
Vote NBC.
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According to Harper's Wikipedia entry, he obtained his Masters in Economics in 1993, the same year he first became an MP. So exactly how does that qualify him to say that he is an economist--when he NEVER worked in the field?
Would we call someone a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a nurse, an electrician, a plumber who had NEVER worked in their field a day in their life? I don't think so!
Harper is a fraud and luckily Canadians are beginning to realize that.
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To Sean:
Do you seriously beleive that Harper or any government in Canada would do away with universal health care? If you do, I think you aren't being realistic about Canadian politics. It would be political suicide and no party in Canada is that stupid.
Plus, where are you getting that idea from? Did Harper say he was going to do that? As far as I read, his comments were regarding recruiting Canadian doctors back to Canada.
Please stop making things up to make Harper look bad. If you don't like Harper and the Conservatives then critcize based on reality.
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*Hypothetical* ...
My name is Jimmy JJ. I'm going to run for the office of PM next election. I promise right now, and pledge to the Canadian people - to do my very best to SCARE you into voting for me, to LIE about whoever the current PM will be at the time, and act like a 12 year-old everytime I'm in front of a TV camera - insulting him. Oh, and I have the economic plan to take us completely out of debt, while everyone lives happily forever in a Canadian Utopia!
If I get elected, the first thing I will do - is sit down with all of the experts in the country, and take 30 days to figure out how to fix our problems.
___
Sound familiar to anyone else?? Seriously, everyone from NDP, Libs, and Green - attacking the PM, blindly, with NOTHING ELSE BETTER to offers us! Nothing but promises of course, just like getting rid of that GST, only to turn around and increase it once in office. My vote is for Mr Harper. The only 'Normal' person in the group.
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Harper is exactly right and god help us if Dion ever became the Prime Minister I would rather see Jack Layton in charge!
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Layton/Dion have no economics experience, and do not understand world markets.
They would be an absolute disaster for the business commmunity. Layton wants to shutdown the tar sands, driving thousands out of work, and wants to tear up the lumber deal with the U.S., cost, 5 BILLION dollars, Dion will implement carbon tax, causing all prives to increases. WAke up Canada. Look what is happening in socialist Europe!
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Minority Gov't comming, Dion replaced by Ignatieff, Harper maybe or maybe not replaced, spring 09 election.
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So our fearless leader is hiding behind his mom...I guess he's afraid those mean bullies Layton and Dion will be taking his lunch money at recess (and hopefully on election day).
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Isn't that convenient - just last week he was back in his "old home in Toronto" -the Kingsway, in case anyone was thinking that he was in touch with regular Canadians. Even went to a high school reunion. But now he's talking up his mommy in Calgary. I think we all know where he is really coming from.
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Harper running to his mommy for help?!?! I thought he was claiming to be a strong leader!
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Just remember a Liberal win means "big income tax cut" plain and simple! Dion will see it as a mandate from the people to proceed.
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To "the real story", that's why I'm voting Liberal!!
Anyone who doesn't think global warming is a problem or that we don't need to shift taxes from income to carbon is kidding themselves.
The only way our economy will survive is to make it more efficient, and that's what Dion is proposing.
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Well...your choices are simple. Borrow money on the backs of your children to spend our way out of trouble, or, do it Mr Harpers way. Sorry folks, its that simple. We are still paying down Mr Truduea's debt and Mr Mulroney's debt...both tried to spend Canada out of troubled times...Stats Canada has it in black and white the amount borrowed with those previous PM's. I'm not questioning any ones voting habit..I'm just hoping most of my fellow Candains try the "ride it out approach" instead of the "spend it out" method, because, the 450 billion dollar debt that Canada still has should be proof enough what does and doesnt work.
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Boy this sure reads like an opinion piece. A smattering of facts and then a lot of naration from the writer.
"Harper is walking a fine line between empathy and hard-headed pragmatism"
This line is great example of a writer commentary instead of reporting the facts. Try a little harder please.
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So sad, the bully is running to his mommy for protection. Enjoy your final days as PM, your old job is waiting for you.
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If you're expecting a decrease in pay, would you go out and spend like a drunken sailor?? Of course not, but this is exactly what the Liberals and NDP are proposing. The only logical choice right now is Harper people.
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Harper is the right man to lead this country through difficult times.
Harper is prepared to make the most difficult decisions; he is prepared to face the people of Canada for his actions.
He has a plan that makes a lot sense, that is flexible through tough times.
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so harper is a millionaire..and his mom has to worry about her stocks?....
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Harper did not want the job of a prime minister leading a minority government, so he quit last month. Well, he'll be lucky to get that much back next week, but if he didn't want it in the first place, why give it to him then?
Do him and Canada a favour and vote for Dion, who is a courageous and sensible leader. Not a lot of charisma, but a solid Canadian!
Harper can't run with the big dogs, and should stay on the porch hanging on to his mom's apron strings and asking her how the big world works.
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"I get quicker updates from her (his Mother) on the stock market than I do from the Department of Finance" Did he really say that? I don't believe it! Doesn't say much for the Dept of Finance and his Minister of Finance. It's like the PM is saying........ "Mommy Hellllllllp I'm fallen and I can Get up"!
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Mr. Harper better get ready and help his mother out, as we are headed for one big fall!!!!!
The elderly will require a lot of help when this recession becomes a depression and it will!!!
Mr. Harper will use any means to retain his grasp on power and his desperation to remain PM.
He should have allowed his members to speak up over the years and listened to them, instead of being a dictator.
It's over for Harper!!!
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Well, I gave already had the opportunity to vote (and I voted Conservative). None of the bombastic, over-the-top theatrics and hysterics of the Liberals and NDP could convince me to do otherwise.
I won't vote for someone just because he refuses to break down into tears over me taking a hit on my RRSPs (and I have). And I definitely won't vote for someone just because they are running around with their hair on fire screaming for action when a calm, steady hand is needed. Given their performance to date, would you trust either the Liberal or NDP Party Chiefs to react to a crisis in a measured and meaningful way? And sorry, more consultation within 30 days in not an "action plan".
It is funny how no one discusses the political leanings of ALL of the current governments of nations dealing with this financial crisis - except for the U.S. and Canada. But to be sure, it MUST be the fault of some international neo-con conspiracy headed by Bush and Harper. Those damn Icelandic neo-cons bringing down their economy! And look out for those darned neo-con Labour Party types in the U.K.......
Let's face it, every government, whatever their political leanings, is being forced to deal with this issue. I look around and I don't see my mortgage in crisis. I don't see any Canadian banks in danger. My job is safe. My savings (non-RRSP) are intact. If that is not a concrete example of Canada having better economic fundamentals than say, our American friends, then I don't know what is.
I'm sorry Dion and Layton ARE scary. Their policies would make matters much, much worse.
Of course, you can always vote ABC and find out how bad "worse" will be. Just don't complain on these boards when you get it.
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Now who exactly is the cry baby?
Harper, please leave your mommy out of this elections. She raised you well. but you chose your own ideology!!
I am sure deep down she really is not happy about what is happening to her investments.... but we cant hear her side of the story. So please leave her out and take the blame like a real man does.
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what the heck are people saying on here, kiss health care goodbye, what has made you believe putting Harper in office will make that happen?
for God's sake, the way things are going, we are going to need two tiered health care in this country, cant you see the writing on the wall? a nominal fee for those who can afford it, and less waiting, and waiting times for those who cant. with a drought of docs what else can we expect. it would not be that bad and certainly not like the US where it is controlled by insurance companies. people are such whiners. I dont want to wait but I dont want to pay either. Pick which one you want!
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Sean, you are exactly the type of citizen that the Liberals, NDP and Greens love! The type that panicks easily, lets politicans like Dion, Layton and May panick you with their crazy retoric and get you voting for them so they get move their egos up the power ladder of politics and reap the personal benefits for themselves. PM Harper does care about this country, he does care about you as an individual and has proven that over that past 2 1/2 years. Don't be fooled by these others who are selling you a huge pack of lies...they will drive this country into a catastophic mess and then blasme it on everyone and everything but themselves. Stick with the Conservatives man... you'll be glad you did
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Ohhhh Lord ! And now we have to deal with is mother as well ? Yikes ! He is proving once again to be another McCain . Say anything to win one vote. Ike .... There will be no cuts ? Get real . When we are deep in recession like the States , of course there will be cuts . An honest leader ? This man has been nothing but a phoney ever since he supposedly abandoned the Reform part and became a "Conservative " A wolf in sheep's clothing ! ABC
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What colour and type of sweater does his mother wear ? LOL Just asking .
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Everyone says Harper is out of touch but Dion's plan was to have a meeting?! All of the leaders have large personal wealth which means when we lose thousands they lose millions. Don't think they are not aware of the personal cost. This difficult economic situation is not going away so get your life in check and stop looking to the government to fix your life! That being said I respect your right to vote. So do it!
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It's sad to say, but if Canadians become panic stricken enough to elect a Liberal government that will impose a carbon tax while the economy is nose-diving, Canadians will get exactly what they deserve.
I can't believe the irrationality in the air right now. You may not like Harper, heck, you might despise him. But the alternatives are horrendous this time around! Worse then at any time in living memory for that matter.
Please Canada. Don't fall for the fear-mongering of the NDP and Liberals! Take a deep breath, connect the dots of our economic situation and your choice for voting will be simple: Stephen Harper.
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Clearly Western Canada has to separate from eastern Canada, the ideology (for the most part) east of Manitoba is absolutely insane and that is putting it mildly. We can all thank Pierre E Trudeau for that. Oh and BTW I left Montreal 20 years ago and I will never return! A monkey with a liberal “T” shirt and a check book could get elected in the Maritimes.
Wake up liberites!
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Mommmmmmy!!!! says the bully.
Its over, Dion minority soon. Great!
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Recession occurs when people stop spending; right after a big boom. A boom happens when people go into a spending frenzy.
The solution to minimizing or avoiding a recession is to get or keep people buying goods and services. Gov't does this by spending lots on new & existing programs, tax breaks, lowering interest rate, - getting money into peoples' pockets and lowering mortgage & savings rates, etc.
Harper eliminated the Liberal surplus during the boom when we should have a surplus because of more jobs = more income tax + more business taxes from greater sales. He did this by giving big tax cuts to banks & oil companies, making large profits, maybe to reward them for over charging us with service fees and at the gas pumps.
Harper wants to avoid racking up Mulroney deficits and so is going to spend little during the recession which goes against sound economics and will prolong it. Any gov't elected will have to spend, spend, spend to re-stabilize our economy or else expect really tough times ahead.
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The price of everything keeps going up including maple syrup.
Can you spell HYPERinflation.
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Stephen Harper's correct when he says there maybe some good buying opportunities out there.
But, the average Canadian needs 127% of their income just to pay the bills; they have no money to invest.
I assume Mr. Harper's mother is retired, living on a pension and/or her savings. And just like many other retired Canadians doesn't have any left over to invest.
Yes, Mr. Harper is out of touch with the majority of Canadians.
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Jeff S.
Straight from the Turning the Corner Plan.
"For the majority of individual Canadians and for businesses outside the regulated sectors, these costs will be most evident in the form of higher energy prices, particular with respect to electricity and natural gas. However, increased energy conservation and efficiency are expected to limit those increases. The regulatory framework itself is not expected to have a significant impact on motor fuel prices, due to international price competitiveness pressures."
Excuse me. Given that the price at the pump is dictated by the oil co.s head office, and given that most drivers can't cross the border to buy cheaper gas in the US, how on earth will international price competitiveness keep gas prices down?
There are a lot of ifs, and or buts to this plan. Who's Harper kidding?
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Well, Harper's mom may have the finances to worry about stock markets.
However, I am a mother and a grandmother who, just like many, if not most, Canadian mothers and grandmothers has no money to gamble on the stock market. In fact, my pension does not even cover the basic running costs of our home.
My husband is in his 80th year and in ill health. Our property taxes increased 100 per cent two years ago, and they have gone up again though property values are going down. It now costs more to heat the house. We take the car out twice a month to do the basic groceries that we can afford.
My word to Stephen Harper: come down to earth.
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Canada's economy is closely aligned with the US. Eighty percent of our exports are bought by them. The business cycle across the border has the red light flashing that reads: Recession! We will all have to ride this rough economic storm out. The usual suspects of rising unemployment, falling business investment, lower interest rates, falling consumer demand, and let`s not forget this one; more drunk drivers on our roads will slowly but surely pass along this business cycle for about the next year. Frugality is now the next big thing!
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Our PM: Would you please ask your MoM if starving 1.5 million human beings is a good or a bad thing?. Everytime I see your pictures with you smiling children, I can not help remembering the Palestinian children who sleep hungry everyday because of the sanctions you imposed on them!. Shame on you Mr. Harper!.
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Does what he says...
This guy does what he says! He said he would pass a law giving fixed election dates and did. He then promptly broke this law without consequences. He said it was because parliament wasn't functioning. Well if he wins another minority government he should go to the Governor General and ask to let one of the other parties attempt governing as he will be right where he was when he called this stupid election.
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