MLA Report: Who is leading Canada?

By Medicine Hat News Opinion on March 6, 2020.

Canada has a history of being able to navigate difficult times. Generally, we have emerged from these challenges more resilient, due in large part to strong leadership. However, what we are currently witnessing in this country is a direct result of the failed leadership of our prime minister and his government.

The country’s economy is being crippled, the national interest is not being defended and the rule of law is being abandoned. Rather than proposing solutions like a return to order and accountability, we are seeing indecisiveness and dodged responsibility. Some have suggested that this lack of will to govern should result in giving up the right to govern.

In his Feb. 24 piece in the National Post, Rex Murphy wrote, “We don’t have a government in Ottawa; we have an Instagram page with executive authority. And it’s a disaster, not because it is Liberal, but because it is led by a dilettante playacting the part of prime minister. The events of recent days show him palpably fading in authority, presence and capacity.”I tend to agree.

When I arrived in Ottawa three-and-a-half years ago, I was taken by the powerful Biblical words carved on the stones of the Peace Tower, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” I believe we are experiencing both a lack of leadership and vision.

One would think that security, economic prosperity and national unity should be priorities for government – apparently not. This government appears to have forgotten the “Peace, Order and Good Government” clause contained in our Constitution. The result, rising national frustration and weakened national unity.

There is growing agreement amongst Canadians in their belief that the current government does not know what it is doing. In a recent DART & Maru/Blue poll conducted for the National Post, 69% of Canadians agree with the statement, “Right now, Canada is broken.” What makes this even worse is the fact that this depressing national mood is not just a temporary problem.

The poll went on to show that 59% believe that Canada is not headed in the right direction; 63% say that the prime minister is not governing well; and 64% do not support him as prime minister. People are obviously and rightly frustrated with the inability of our governments’ leadership to come together and recognize that real people are being affected by their decisions.

Disturbingly, the poll also suggested that 80% of Canadians believe politicians are more concerned about their own partisan interests than working on behalf of all Canadians.

Members of Parliament take an oath. We swear to uphold democracy and the rule of law. We pledge to conduct ourselves in the best interests of the entire country. A united Canada depends on all MP’s to remember their oath and be leaders. I remain committed to do just that.

Glen Motz is Member of Parliament (CPC) for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner.

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