The List
Conservative Flip Flops
The Conservatives passed fixed election date legislation. - They then broke their own legislation in spirit in Sept. 2008, in order to have an election before the truth about our economy was revealed.
The Conservatives campaigned on an elected senate – Credit must be given where due, they did try and pass this legislation but when it wouldn’t pass, Stephen Harper stacked the senate with Conservative supporters. Therefore, this was broken in December of 2008.
Stephen Harper believes in small government - Currently has 38 Cabinet Ministers. Making for a very large government, considering for his first term he only had about 29 Ministers.
Transparency in government – Never kept it
Coalition being legal - this wasn’t a problem when he wanted to form a coalition and constitutionally it is legal
Working with other parties that you claim are separatist and socialist – Broke Sept. 2004 and again in 2009
Fiscally conservative – Broke during first term in 2006 while squandering a $13 billion surplus
Being against floor crossing – Broke BEFORE sworn in Jan 2006
Promised not to appoint an MP for Montreal if no Conservatives won in that area - broke in Feb. 2006 by appointing Michael Fortier (who didn’t run in the election because he couldn’t be bothered) to the Senate.
Election platform swore he’d work with Ethics Commissioner -Broke during first term
Never to run a deficit – Broke in fall 2008
Wanting to make the National Anthem gender neutral – Broke less than 48 hrs after proposing this
Put forth a budget about financial restraint – Broke in the same budget as the PMO budget is increased by $13 million
Feb. 2010 Harper and Minister Gary Lunn state that the funding for Own the Podium will be canceled– Flip flopped after Olympics due to Canada doing well and doubled the funding
G8 Maternal Health, Bev Oda said this does not include family planning or contraceptives – While they are still receiving heat for this, I believe the next day Harper said it would include contraceptives and they then went back and changed their mind again, not allowing it to include contraceptives or abortion as part of a maternal health plan.
Conservatives stated that they will not honour the Liberal motion to cut 10 per centers and other gov’t funding - Later, the PMO said they would endorse it
Calling the Liberals “Anti-American” for wanting abortion and family planning in the maternal health program – Had an ad campaign (and a website!) called “Ignatieff Just Visiting” because Ignatieff has lived and worked in the US and UK.
Conservatives include in budget that “Sister in Spirit” program will not have its funding cut - 3 weeks later is it being reported that they will cut the funding.
Speaks out again Libyan leader Gadhafi - days later personally approves his layover in Newfoundland.
Conservatives announce that they will cut funding for a program where libraries, community groups etc… have free internet for people who otherwise would not have access - A few days later, Minister Clement calls this a misunderstanding and says the funding is intact.
