Isn’t the leader of a democracy supposed to uphold the foundations of that democracy?
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Santiago Chile, not happy with our Charter (Photograph by: SAUL LOEB , Getty Images Canada.com)
I was shocked yesterday to read that Prime Minister Stephen Harper wouldn’t support the 30th Anniversary celebration of Canada’s repatriation of our Constitution from England and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
“In terms of this as an anniversary, I think it’s an interesting and important step, but I would point out that the Charter remains inextricably linked to the patriation of the Constitution and the divisions around that matter, which as you know are still very real in some parts of the country,” Harper said. (Toronto Star)
I’m sorry if this story is a day late. I spent all day yesterday at the hospital. A woman in a wheelchair accosted me because I hadn’t written about Harper not celebrating Canada’s Charter. That’s the way it is in Canada. We love our Constitution and Charter. We love our country.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not one of those ‘anybody but Harper’ detractors. He is our Prime Minister and is doing his best, I am sure, for Canada. But his personal belief of what’s best must be subservient to the law and the will of the people.
We want our Prime Ministers to unequivocally endorse the Canadian Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
What part of free speech, freedom of religious and political belief, women’s and gender rights, disability rights, freedom of the press and expression and other human rights does Prime Minister Harper not support?
Can you imagine a President of the United States making that kind of proclamation? Not on your life, it’s part of his oath of office. Twice, George W. Bush solemnly swore his oath of office saying,
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
That’s not to say President Bush or any President couldn’t support an Amendment to the Constitution. There have been 27 Amendments to the US Constitution.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has no oath that binds him to support our Constitution. He only had to promise,
I, Stephen Harper, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear (or declare) that I will truly and faithfully, and to the best of my skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trust reposed in me as Prime Minister, so help me God.
Support for the Constitution is not explicit in the oath but is implicit in that is Stephen Harper is bound to uphold the law of the land and our Constitution and Charter. If he doesn’t like it, then propose amendments.
Perhaps Canadians should advocate for a new oath of office that binds the Prime Minister to the Constitution and Charter. Of course, no matter how outrageous his personal beliefs may be, Prime Minister Harper has to uphold the Constitution and respect the Charter because we have a judiciary to keep his more radical ideas under check.
Former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney put a lot of effort into amending the Constitution. He wasn’t successful but he won praise for trying. Prime Minister Mulroney was a patriotic Canadian.
What country is Prime Minister Harper patriotic about?
At least we know that Prime Minister Harper is serious in his lack of support for Canada’s Constitution. He made the announcement on a trip to a foreign country just like his announcement of reduced benefits for seniors that was announced in Europe. We can expect some new legislation, regulation or something to remove some parts of the Constitution soon. I’m being sarcastic in making that link but I’m also seriously worried.
Related stories
CBC – Romanow blasts Harper’s charter view
Globe and Mail – Constitutional ‘divisions’ keep Harper from celebrating Charter
Leave a Reply