Oh, Canada.

I've never really been all too interested in politics, although I do my best to research the party platforms before I vote. I never vote Conservative. A confluence of news articles have cropped up in order to reassure me that this is wise (beyond the fact that Harper has family-first bigots high up in his government and himself doesn't believe in gay "marriage"-civil unions are fine).

Firstly, the close to home impacts of a Tory government.

In 1993, women in Alberta were paid 71% of what men earned. Today, they earn 66% (compared to a nationwide 74% average). These figures take into the account that men make up a much higher percentage in the workforce of the provinces main industries and tend to work longer hours. Indeed, Albertan women work longer hours than the national average, which should result in a smaller gap (but doesn't). The pay gap in post secondary graduates is also disheartening, with the highest inequality since the 80's, with female grads earning 67%. These gaps are present even in white collar jobs, suggesting a more systemic problem. Single mothers in this province experience a poverty rate of 24%, eight percent higher than the national average. Despite this all, Alberta remains the only place in Calgary that does not have a council or ministry devoted to women's issues, leaving us essentially without a voice.
Looking beyond gender issues, Alberta has been demonstrating a considerable lack of foresight in other areas. Tuition has increased 429% since 1991, and in February the provincial government cut $205 million from the advanced education and technology budget.

On a National scale, Canada ranks last in a list of 25 industrialised nations in terms of providing childcare and early education, and 23/27 in terms of family benefits. To put this in perspective, a few short years ago before Harper took power, Canada was seventh. To have us slide so low on these lists, putting us near the bottom of the industrialised world, demonstrates explicitly that the Conservative government does not concern itself with the future of this country.

On the international scale, Canada's Conservative government continues to pander to their sexist and racist voter base by refusing to include any sort of family planning in their G8 proposal. This extends to the exclusion of contraception. Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon says only this:
"It does not deal in any way, shape or form with family planning. Indeed, the purpose of this is to be able to save lives"
This is ignorance of the highest degree. Women cannot be healthy without choice and the ability to protect themselves.

With all this in mind, I couldn't care less about the words in the National Anthem, particularly as the Tories seem to be using this debate as a smokescreen to disguise more pressing issues.

There is good news. The Canadian government, for all its reckless decision making, still listens to her people. Earlier this month, the office of Citizenship and Immigration minster and Calgary MP Jason Kenney removed all mention of gay rights and the decriminalisation of homosexuality from the new citizenship study guide. Pressure from public groups and opposition MP's have caused Kenney to reinstate the passages in the second printing. If concerned citizens can make a confirmed homophobe change his stance, if not his mind, surely we can combat the rest of the idiotic changes the conservative government has created, through action or inaction.




Further Reading:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2010/08/c7835.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/birth-control-wont-be-in-g8-plan-to-protect-mothers-tories-say/article1502796/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/abortion-not-part-of-maternal-health-plan-development-minister-says/article1472837/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/tories-erode-gender-equality-womens-groups-say/article1477688/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/mr-harper-maternal-health-isnt-very-healthy-without-a-choice/article1474941/