My mother, who lives in a retirement home in Thunder Bay, was recently asked by her table mates what, in her view, were the top three achievements of Stephen Harper. She, like myself, is a fan of Stephen, and she found the question interesting. Interesting principally because although she has a general sense of liking the man and his leadership, she had no answer for the ‘top three’ reasons.
Photo credit: Pixabay
She then phoned me and asked me the question. I was similarly stumped for a moment. But then I realized that it was perhaps important to frame the top three reasons for celebrating his prime ministership. Here’s the list that I came up with:
- He has redeemed and restored Canada’s international reputation as a stand-up country that can be counted on;
- He has, to within the boundaries of the political calculus of Canada, restored conservative values in Ottawa, and with a particular focus on minimizing Ottawa’s role in the traditional provincial spheres of influence; and
- The Province of Quebec and the separatist movement have been quiet for these many years.
There may be lots of flaws with the Harper Administration, but there’s been a lot of good. In particular, the peace and quiet of separatist front is quite remarkable, and perhaps I think related to the lessened intrusive role of Ottawa in Quebec’s and other province’s affairs. The correlation is in my view undeniable.
Often it seems the achievements of major political leaders are not so much in what is apparent, but in what is not seen. The Sherlock Holmes “dog that didn’t bark” is a very real truth. And for Mr. Harper the separatist threat and the general peace and quiet on the provincial front is a quiet dog.
In regards to the redemption of Canada’s international standing, it is not at all the case that the dog didn’t bark. That dog is barking, and everyone is seeing it loud and clear.
Stephen Harper, thank you for your leadership and wise governance. We forgive any minor sins and applaud the major efforts.
Excellent piece Andy.