http://www.torontosun.com/News/Election/2006/01/22/1405861-sun.html
After 12 years, we at the Sun think it's self-evident that the Liberals have to go, and polls show most Canadians agree.
But just in case you're still not sure, we've compiled a list of the lowlights of Liberal rule since 1993.
There's plenty more where these came from, but we've narrowed it to 218 reasons not to vote Liberal. Take your pick: You really only need one.
THIS ELECTION -- WE DID NOT MAKE THIS UP
1 Pre-election spending: $22.2 billion, according to Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
2 Pre-election tax relief: $30 billion -- about $323 per taxpayer; up from May budget total of only $16/year.
3 Attack ads. Smearing Stephen Harper. And our soldiers. Approved by Paul Martin himself. In Canada.
4 "Soldiers" ad pulled in English but French version continues in Quebec. Several Liberals say the ad is appalling.
5 TV journalist Mike Duffy accuses Liberal strategist John Duffy of trying to intimidate him into not discussing the ad.
6 Jan. 9: Martin suddenly vows, mid-debate, to scrap the feds' ability to use the "notwithstanding" clause in Charter cases. Even senior Liberals are shocked.
7 Conservatives accused of planning to "take away a woman's right to choose," despite promises to the contrary.
8 Grits charge Conservatives won't keep promises. Hmm.
9 Courting Toronto votes in the wake of record gun murders, Martin promises to ban handguns -- which have effectively been banned since 1937.
10 Also promises to ban weapons in outer space.
11 PM pledges mandatory minimum sentences for some crimes, despite Justice Minister's assertions they don't work.
12 Promises "heroes" fund for injured firefighters and rescuers -- an idea 57 Grits earlier voted against.
13 Spokesman Scott Reid declares parents would only blow the Tories' child care subsidy on "beer and popcorn."
14 Ontario VP Mike Klander resigns over blog comparing NDP's Olivia Chow to a dog and blasting Jack Layton.
15 Industry Minister David Emerson says NDP Leader Layton has a "boiled dog's head smile."
16 Oakville riding association president quits after telling anti-gun-registry voter to take her "gun-loving ass back to the U.S."
17 Martin blasts Conservative plan to cut GST; in 1993, he co-wrote Red Book promising to get rid of it.
18 Ex-Harvard prof and would-be leader Michael Ignatieff's nomination engineered over protest in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
19 33% of voters believe Liberals have a "hidden agenda," as opposed to Conservatives (25%), according to Ipsos-Reid.
20 Chinese head tax: Liberals refused to apologize; PM suddenly offers "personal regret" on Chinese-language TV.
21 Separatism: Martin calls this a "referendum election."
22 80% of Quebecers dislike Martin (Strategic Counsel poll).
23 Martin vows to fight Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe on "every street corner" but later refuses to debate one-on-one.
24 Martin criticizes U.S. on Kyoto at climate conference -- even though Canada's emissions record is worse than theirs.
25 When U.S. ambassador points this out, Martin declares he won't be "dictated" to and will "stand up for Canada."
26 Martin stages photo- op with ex-U.S.-prez Bill Clinton.
MINORITY MADNESS, SPRING FEVER 2005: 27-37
27 April: Martin pleaded on TV to be allowed to govern until 30 days after Justice John Gomery's final report on AdScam.
28 Grits then announced $23 billion in pre-pre-election spending.
29 May: Opposition days suspended so they can't call non-confidence vote.
30 NDP deal: Backroom deal to buy NDP support forced budget changes -- adding another $4.6 billion in spending.
31 Martin reversed sensible stand on U.S. missile defence.
32 Aid to Darfur boosted in bid to buy support of Independent MP David Kilgour.
33 Promised Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty $5.75 billion to fix "fiscal imbalance" over five years.
34 May 10: Grits lost vote 153-150 calling for them to resign, but refused to do so.
35 Secret health deal proposed to NDP; Layton rejects it.
36 May 17: Belinda Stronach wooed into Liberal caucus -- and cabinet -- just in time to win non-confidence vote.
37 Post-Belinda, Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal revealed tape recordings of PMO staffer Tim Murphy and Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh discussing possible incentives if he crossed the floor. Grits said tapes were doctored.
PAUL MARTIN'S LEGACY -- MR. DITHERS TAKES THE HELM: 38-63
38 Worked with loyal team for more than a decade to take over party from Jean Chretien.
39 Only rival left for leadership was Sheila Copps.
40 Put his company, Canada Steamship Lines, in a "blind trust" that wasn't. As PM, was allowed to transfer ownership to his sons, keeping it in the family.
41 Registered several CSL ships under foreign flags to avoid Canadian taxes.
42 Used U2 singer Bono for his star power; left him "mystified" and "crushed" by failing to deliver on world poverty.
43 Extended term of big-spending Gov.-Gen. Adrienne Clarkson; appointed Michaelle Jean without thoroughly checking out her past association with separatists.
44 Promised to "fix health care for a generation" with $41-billion deal with the provinces in 2004. Some fix!
45 Made separate side deal with Quebec on health care, calling it "asymmetrical federalism."
46 Agreed on "wait times strategy" with provinces in 2004. Still waiting for it to be implemented.
47 Personal doctor runs a private clinic.
48 Promised to change the way Supreme Court judges were appointed -- but only allowed MPs to question Justice Minister about them, after the fact.
49 Promised to diminish Western alienation or "I will have failed."
50 Slow to return from vacation after the South Asian tsunami, and dithered on sending Disaster Assistance Response Team.
51 February 2005: The Economist magazine immortalized "Mr. Dithers" nickname for his "faltering leadership."
52 May 2005: 63% told Strategic Counsel poll Martin was most dishonest party leader; 61% felt he was most likely to lie.
53 Sent controversial same-sex marriage bill to Supreme Court; didn't insist on a ruling on traditional marriage.
54 Invoked closure to ram same-sex bill into law June 28; cabinet members not allowed to vote their conscience.
55 Gave $2.2 billion in gas tax revenues to public transit, but none of it to repair crumbling roads.
56 Cut capital gains tax on charitable donations of securities to 50% in 1997, refused to eliminate it.
57 2004: Feds shamed over plan to send 70 bureaucrats to 60th anniversary D-Day event -- but only 60 veterans.
58 Tolerated Carolyn Parrish ("Damn Americans -- I hate those *******s") in caucus until she dissed him personally.
59 Blamed America for Canada's gun problem.
60 Before becoming PM, opposed the Clarity Act.
61 Ditto same-sex marriage.
62 And the Kyoto accord.
63 Also leaned toward joining the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
MARTIN'S TURNCOAT MINISTERS: 64-67
Each of these converts to Paul Martin's Liberal team just happened to score a cabinet post:
64 Belinda Stronach (ex-Conservative leadership contender) -- in charge of Human Resources and, yes, ethics reform.
65 Scott Brison (ex-PC leadership hopeful) -- Public Works.
66 Ujjal Dosanjh (ex-NDP B.C. premier) -- Health.
67 Jean Lapierre (co-founder of Bloc Quebecois) -- Quebec lieutenant and Transportation.
LAST ELECTION, JUNE 2004, MAJORITY TO MINORITY: 68-75
68 Pre-election spending: $8 billion for everything from health care to highways.
69 Martin shut down Commons AdScam committee, announced Gomery inquiry -- then promptly called the election before it could start.
70 Attack ads against Conservatives accused them of wanting to recriminalize abortion, send troops to Iraq, and govern like Brian Mulroney and Mike Harris.
71 Accused Harper of plotting with Alberta's Ralph Klein to destroy medicare.
72 Called Conservative forecast of $50-billion surplus over five years a "black hole"; Grit surpluses now exceed that.
73 PM's handpicked Winnipeg candidate Glen Murray lost to quadriplegic Conservative Steven Fletcher.
74 Mid-campaign, Martin promised Newfoundland premier Danny Williams an oil and gas revenue deal; then reneged post-election until Williams went ballistic.
75 Ministers Judy Sgro and John McCallum dispatched to heckle Harper at events.
Promises, Promises -- Grit Moments in Dithering: 76-85
76 1993: Red Book promised an independent ethics commisioner reporting to Parliament. Not implemented until 2004.
77 1993: Promised national daycare program: Signed first deals with provinces to begin implementing it in 2005.
78 1993: Promised to boost immigration levels to 300,000 per year: Announced the same target twice last fall -- despite a current 700,000-person backlog.
79 1993: Promised to reform Young Offenders Act. Youth Criminal Justice Act finally took effect in 2003, and is even worse.
80 1993: Promised national pharmacare program. No action.
81 Ditto for their 1993 promise of national home care.
82 1994: Justice minister Allan Rock promised national sex offender registry: Finally established in 2004, but had to be amended in 2005 to include Karla Homolka. Ditto for national DNA databank -- finally passed before this election.
83 1995: Martin imposed 1.5c/litre "deficit-fighting" tax on gasoline. Deficit was eliminated in 1997, but tax is still there. Now Grits justify it as part of the gas tax "deal" for cities.
84 1999: Justice minister Anne McLellan told the Commons: "The government has no intention of changing the definition of marriage or of legislating same-sex marriages."
85 20 years after Air India bombing, after years of resisting calls for an inquiry, Grits announced a limited one before this election.
Patronage, Piggery and 'Entitlements': 86-98
86 Martin appointed Francis Fox, who worked in his PMO and on his leadership, to the Senate.
87 Also Dennis Dawson, another staunch Martin backer.
88 And James Cowan, his leadership head in Nova Scotia.
89 Ditto Liberal fundraiser Rod Zimmer.
90 And Art Eggleton, who stepped aside in 2004 for Martin protege Ken Dryden.
91 October: Feds refused to cut gas taxes, but raised MPs' and staff travel allowances 4.6c/km due to high gas prices.
92 2001: MPs gave themselves pay raies of 20% -- retroactive to January. Cabinet ministers got 22%; PM Jean Chretien 42% -- boosting his pension 82%!
93 Among Chretien's many patronage appointments: Former PMO spokesman Jim Munson to the Senate.
94 Same for former chief of staff Percy Downe.
95 And longtime adviser David Smith.
96 PMO crony Jean Pelletier went to head VIA Rail (from which Martin has now fired him twice over AdScam).
97 Andre Ouellett got Canada Post, where he once cashed over $300,000 in expenses with no receipts (fired by Martin).
98 David Dingwall got the Mint; was fired over expenses but is fighting for severance: "I'm entitled to my entitlements."
INTEGRITY -- FAMOUS GRIT WORDS: 99-103
99 "The government will restore the public's faith and trust in the integrity and good management of government."
-- Martin government's first throne speech, Feb. 2004
100 "We are going to condemn to history the practice and the politics of cronyism ... No longer will the culture in Ottawa be one of entitlement."
-- Martin speech, March 2004
101 "Perhaps there was a few million dollars that might have been stolen in the process; it is possible."
-- Jean Chretien, 2002, defending the sponsorship program
102 "Cynicism about public institutions, governments, politicians, and the political process is at an all-time high ... Honesty and integrity in our political institutions must be restored."
-- 1993 Red Book, co-written by Paul Martin
103 "Screw the Red Book. Don't tell me what's in the Red Book. I wrote the ********* thing. And I know that it's a lot of crap."
-- Martin as quoted in the 1996 book Double Vision: The Inside Story of the Liberals in Power
After 12 years, we at the Sun think it's self-evident that the Liberals have to go, and polls show most Canadians agree.
But just in case you're still not sure, we've compiled a list of the lowlights of Liberal rule since 1993.
There's plenty more where these came from, but we've narrowed it to 218 reasons not to vote Liberal. Take your pick: You really only need one.
THIS ELECTION -- WE DID NOT MAKE THIS UP
1 Pre-election spending: $22.2 billion, according to Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
2 Pre-election tax relief: $30 billion -- about $323 per taxpayer; up from May budget total of only $16/year.
3 Attack ads. Smearing Stephen Harper. And our soldiers. Approved by Paul Martin himself. In Canada.
4 "Soldiers" ad pulled in English but French version continues in Quebec. Several Liberals say the ad is appalling.
5 TV journalist Mike Duffy accuses Liberal strategist John Duffy of trying to intimidate him into not discussing the ad.
6 Jan. 9: Martin suddenly vows, mid-debate, to scrap the feds' ability to use the "notwithstanding" clause in Charter cases. Even senior Liberals are shocked.
7 Conservatives accused of planning to "take away a woman's right to choose," despite promises to the contrary.
8 Grits charge Conservatives won't keep promises. Hmm.
9 Courting Toronto votes in the wake of record gun murders, Martin promises to ban handguns -- which have effectively been banned since 1937.
10 Also promises to ban weapons in outer space.
11 PM pledges mandatory minimum sentences for some crimes, despite Justice Minister's assertions they don't work.
12 Promises "heroes" fund for injured firefighters and rescuers -- an idea 57 Grits earlier voted against.
13 Spokesman Scott Reid declares parents would only blow the Tories' child care subsidy on "beer and popcorn."
14 Ontario VP Mike Klander resigns over blog comparing NDP's Olivia Chow to a dog and blasting Jack Layton.
15 Industry Minister David Emerson says NDP Leader Layton has a "boiled dog's head smile."
16 Oakville riding association president quits after telling anti-gun-registry voter to take her "gun-loving ass back to the U.S."
17 Martin blasts Conservative plan to cut GST; in 1993, he co-wrote Red Book promising to get rid of it.
18 Ex-Harvard prof and would-be leader Michael Ignatieff's nomination engineered over protest in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.
19 33% of voters believe Liberals have a "hidden agenda," as opposed to Conservatives (25%), according to Ipsos-Reid.
20 Chinese head tax: Liberals refused to apologize; PM suddenly offers "personal regret" on Chinese-language TV.
21 Separatism: Martin calls this a "referendum election."
22 80% of Quebecers dislike Martin (Strategic Counsel poll).
23 Martin vows to fight Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe on "every street corner" but later refuses to debate one-on-one.
24 Martin criticizes U.S. on Kyoto at climate conference -- even though Canada's emissions record is worse than theirs.
25 When U.S. ambassador points this out, Martin declares he won't be "dictated" to and will "stand up for Canada."
26 Martin stages photo- op with ex-U.S.-prez Bill Clinton.
MINORITY MADNESS, SPRING FEVER 2005: 27-37
27 April: Martin pleaded on TV to be allowed to govern until 30 days after Justice John Gomery's final report on AdScam.
28 Grits then announced $23 billion in pre-pre-election spending.
29 May: Opposition days suspended so they can't call non-confidence vote.
30 NDP deal: Backroom deal to buy NDP support forced budget changes -- adding another $4.6 billion in spending.
31 Martin reversed sensible stand on U.S. missile defence.
32 Aid to Darfur boosted in bid to buy support of Independent MP David Kilgour.
33 Promised Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty $5.75 billion to fix "fiscal imbalance" over five years.
34 May 10: Grits lost vote 153-150 calling for them to resign, but refused to do so.
35 Secret health deal proposed to NDP; Layton rejects it.
36 May 17: Belinda Stronach wooed into Liberal caucus -- and cabinet -- just in time to win non-confidence vote.
37 Post-Belinda, Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal revealed tape recordings of PMO staffer Tim Murphy and Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh discussing possible incentives if he crossed the floor. Grits said tapes were doctored.
PAUL MARTIN'S LEGACY -- MR. DITHERS TAKES THE HELM: 38-63
38 Worked with loyal team for more than a decade to take over party from Jean Chretien.
39 Only rival left for leadership was Sheila Copps.
40 Put his company, Canada Steamship Lines, in a "blind trust" that wasn't. As PM, was allowed to transfer ownership to his sons, keeping it in the family.
41 Registered several CSL ships under foreign flags to avoid Canadian taxes.
42 Used U2 singer Bono for his star power; left him "mystified" and "crushed" by failing to deliver on world poverty.
43 Extended term of big-spending Gov.-Gen. Adrienne Clarkson; appointed Michaelle Jean without thoroughly checking out her past association with separatists.
44 Promised to "fix health care for a generation" with $41-billion deal with the provinces in 2004. Some fix!
45 Made separate side deal with Quebec on health care, calling it "asymmetrical federalism."
46 Agreed on "wait times strategy" with provinces in 2004. Still waiting for it to be implemented.
47 Personal doctor runs a private clinic.
48 Promised to change the way Supreme Court judges were appointed -- but only allowed MPs to question Justice Minister about them, after the fact.
49 Promised to diminish Western alienation or "I will have failed."
50 Slow to return from vacation after the South Asian tsunami, and dithered on sending Disaster Assistance Response Team.
51 February 2005: The Economist magazine immortalized "Mr. Dithers" nickname for his "faltering leadership."
52 May 2005: 63% told Strategic Counsel poll Martin was most dishonest party leader; 61% felt he was most likely to lie.
53 Sent controversial same-sex marriage bill to Supreme Court; didn't insist on a ruling on traditional marriage.
54 Invoked closure to ram same-sex bill into law June 28; cabinet members not allowed to vote their conscience.
55 Gave $2.2 billion in gas tax revenues to public transit, but none of it to repair crumbling roads.
56 Cut capital gains tax on charitable donations of securities to 50% in 1997, refused to eliminate it.
57 2004: Feds shamed over plan to send 70 bureaucrats to 60th anniversary D-Day event -- but only 60 veterans.
58 Tolerated Carolyn Parrish ("Damn Americans -- I hate those *******s") in caucus until she dissed him personally.
59 Blamed America for Canada's gun problem.
60 Before becoming PM, opposed the Clarity Act.
61 Ditto same-sex marriage.
62 And the Kyoto accord.
63 Also leaned toward joining the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
MARTIN'S TURNCOAT MINISTERS: 64-67
Each of these converts to Paul Martin's Liberal team just happened to score a cabinet post:
64 Belinda Stronach (ex-Conservative leadership contender) -- in charge of Human Resources and, yes, ethics reform.
65 Scott Brison (ex-PC leadership hopeful) -- Public Works.
66 Ujjal Dosanjh (ex-NDP B.C. premier) -- Health.
67 Jean Lapierre (co-founder of Bloc Quebecois) -- Quebec lieutenant and Transportation.
LAST ELECTION, JUNE 2004, MAJORITY TO MINORITY: 68-75
68 Pre-election spending: $8 billion for everything from health care to highways.
69 Martin shut down Commons AdScam committee, announced Gomery inquiry -- then promptly called the election before it could start.
70 Attack ads against Conservatives accused them of wanting to recriminalize abortion, send troops to Iraq, and govern like Brian Mulroney and Mike Harris.
71 Accused Harper of plotting with Alberta's Ralph Klein to destroy medicare.
72 Called Conservative forecast of $50-billion surplus over five years a "black hole"; Grit surpluses now exceed that.
73 PM's handpicked Winnipeg candidate Glen Murray lost to quadriplegic Conservative Steven Fletcher.
74 Mid-campaign, Martin promised Newfoundland premier Danny Williams an oil and gas revenue deal; then reneged post-election until Williams went ballistic.
75 Ministers Judy Sgro and John McCallum dispatched to heckle Harper at events.
Promises, Promises -- Grit Moments in Dithering: 76-85
76 1993: Red Book promised an independent ethics commisioner reporting to Parliament. Not implemented until 2004.
77 1993: Promised national daycare program: Signed first deals with provinces to begin implementing it in 2005.
78 1993: Promised to boost immigration levels to 300,000 per year: Announced the same target twice last fall -- despite a current 700,000-person backlog.
79 1993: Promised to reform Young Offenders Act. Youth Criminal Justice Act finally took effect in 2003, and is even worse.
80 1993: Promised national pharmacare program. No action.
81 Ditto for their 1993 promise of national home care.
82 1994: Justice minister Allan Rock promised national sex offender registry: Finally established in 2004, but had to be amended in 2005 to include Karla Homolka. Ditto for national DNA databank -- finally passed before this election.
83 1995: Martin imposed 1.5c/litre "deficit-fighting" tax on gasoline. Deficit was eliminated in 1997, but tax is still there. Now Grits justify it as part of the gas tax "deal" for cities.
84 1999: Justice minister Anne McLellan told the Commons: "The government has no intention of changing the definition of marriage or of legislating same-sex marriages."
85 20 years after Air India bombing, after years of resisting calls for an inquiry, Grits announced a limited one before this election.
Patronage, Piggery and 'Entitlements': 86-98
86 Martin appointed Francis Fox, who worked in his PMO and on his leadership, to the Senate.
87 Also Dennis Dawson, another staunch Martin backer.
88 And James Cowan, his leadership head in Nova Scotia.
89 Ditto Liberal fundraiser Rod Zimmer.
90 And Art Eggleton, who stepped aside in 2004 for Martin protege Ken Dryden.
91 October: Feds refused to cut gas taxes, but raised MPs' and staff travel allowances 4.6c/km due to high gas prices.
92 2001: MPs gave themselves pay raies of 20% -- retroactive to January. Cabinet ministers got 22%; PM Jean Chretien 42% -- boosting his pension 82%!
93 Among Chretien's many patronage appointments: Former PMO spokesman Jim Munson to the Senate.
94 Same for former chief of staff Percy Downe.
95 And longtime adviser David Smith.
96 PMO crony Jean Pelletier went to head VIA Rail (from which Martin has now fired him twice over AdScam).
97 Andre Ouellett got Canada Post, where he once cashed over $300,000 in expenses with no receipts (fired by Martin).
98 David Dingwall got the Mint; was fired over expenses but is fighting for severance: "I'm entitled to my entitlements."
INTEGRITY -- FAMOUS GRIT WORDS: 99-103
99 "The government will restore the public's faith and trust in the integrity and good management of government."
-- Martin government's first throne speech, Feb. 2004
100 "We are going to condemn to history the practice and the politics of cronyism ... No longer will the culture in Ottawa be one of entitlement."
-- Martin speech, March 2004
101 "Perhaps there was a few million dollars that might have been stolen in the process; it is possible."
-- Jean Chretien, 2002, defending the sponsorship program
102 "Cynicism about public institutions, governments, politicians, and the political process is at an all-time high ... Honesty and integrity in our political institutions must be restored."
-- 1993 Red Book, co-written by Paul Martin
103 "Screw the Red Book. Don't tell me what's in the Red Book. I wrote the ********* thing. And I know that it's a lot of crap."
-- Martin as quoted in the 1996 book Double Vision: The Inside Story of the Liberals in Power
