Concerned Edmonton Centre Constituents, 

Canada is facing both financial and political crises and now is the time for cool heads to prevail on all sides.  I have received considerable input via phone and e-mail.    I respect all input and thank those who have taken the time.  Opinions expressed range from full support for the Conservative Government and Prime Minister Stephen Harper to full condemnation.  Please allow me to give you my perspective.  Some of it will sound partisan, and you may feel free to agree or disagree.

The current economic situation calls for clear-headed leadership, not knee-jerk reaction that may feel good in the short-term, but would do more harm than good in the long-term.  The Conservative government has been taking action for over a year, with measures that are only now being emulated in other countries.  We injected billions in personal tax-cut stimulus; cut job-killing business taxes; injected billions into critical infrastructure; and, added much needed liquidity to the credit market.

Given the opportunity, we will do more, but we simply cannot get too far out in front of our biggest trading partner, the United States.  Their new government will be in place on January 20^th, 2009; and they will be taking action in many sectors of their economy, including the auto sector.   Our economies and our industries are so closely interlinked that coordinated efforts will yield much stronger and more predictable long-term results.  It would be foolish to risk taking action that could be at odds with what the United States does.

Government can act, whether Parliament is in session or not.  Over the Christmas recess from December 12 to January 26, our ministers and staffs will be busy addressing issues as they arise.  That will certainly include matters related to the economy.  Finance Minister Flaherty has announced that the 2009 Federal Budget will be delivered on January 27.  It makes no sense to embark on an incredibly disruptive political process when Parliament wouldn`t be in session in any event.  If the collective opposition still doesn`t like the Government`s approach as laid out in the budget, then let them bring us down at that time.

Prime Minister Harper has made several concessions in past days.  These are designed to preserve democracy in Canada and to ensure that we have stable, focused leadership as we face an uncertain economic future.  To throw Canada into a shaky alliance for the opposition’s short-term satisfaction, but with the probability of another election in the near-term, would be very unwise and very unhealthy. 

I would suggest that the coalition, as proposed, would lack legitimacy for several reasons.  The Liberals, who would lead the coalition, have barely more than half the seats of the Conservatives.  The Liberals and the NDP combined have 27 fewer seats than the Conservatives.  Stephane Dion and Jack Layton were both rejected as potential prime ministers by voters and I would question the legitimacy of someone appointed to the job.  For a coalition to rely on a third party that is pledged to break up the country would seem to be problematic at best.  The other part that I have a problem with is that is becoming very clear that this action by the collective opposition has been planned for some time and has nothing to do with recent events.

Of direct concern to Albertans (and all Canadians) is what will be the fate of the oil patch and the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who depend on it.  Of concern to all Canadians, our allies, and the cause of freedom is what will be the fate of the Canadian Forces.  There are many areas that we should all be asking questions about. 

This is a time of understandable high emotion and many people have raised valid points.   I will continue to do my best as the MP for Edmonton Centre and I do appreciate all input, both positive and negative.  If we all keep our heads about us, we will get through this together – economically and politically.

 Sincerely,

Laurie Hawn
Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence