THE 2015 CANADIAN FEDERAL ELECTIONS:WHOM TO VOTE FOR
(Homin Ukrainy - Ukrainian Echo). While respecting the democratic right of the members of the Ukrainian Canadian community to express their political preferences, we have always maintained that support should be given to MPs who are sensitive to the aspirations of Ukrainians both in Canada and in Ukraine, regardless of a given MP’s political affiliation.
However, in view of Russia’s threat to international peace, Russian aggression against Ukraine and the hostility of the “Russian world” toward Ukrainians in general, this time around voters will have to decide which future government of Canada will offer the best proactive attention to the following issues: 1) support for Ukraine and 2) Canada’s domestic and external security as well as the security and stability of the free world, which have been so brutally violated by Putin’s Russia. This means that the foreign policy of the next Canadian government will be crucial to the effective safeguarding of Canada’s domestic and external national interests, including economic ones.
The current Canadian government’s track record on resolving these key questions is obvious, clear-cut, and predictable, particularly with regard to important questions related to Canada’s security, political and economic interests, as well as our country’s struggle with the challenges that have emerged in the international arena. The latter includes Canada’s comprehensive and proactive support for Ukraine.
This support, evident both on the governmental level and shown on a personal level by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and among high-ranking officials and MPs, has been demonstrated to such an extent that today it is possible to state with confidence that in their positive attitude to the Ukrainian question, the Prime Minister of Canada and the members of his team are operating on a concrete foundation that goes far beyond the usual framework of politicians’ pre-election platforms, promises, and declarations. They are also acting out of a personal conviction that they must help Ukraine withstand Russian imperialism and aggression, recognizing this threat to the free world probably better than our other Western partners. As Prime Minister Stephen Harper pointedly noted, defending and helping Ukraine is a “family matter” for Canadians. However, the Canadian government’s next step in this direction must be to provide Ukraine with defence military equipment.
At the same time we need to be aware of the real threat stemming from the Russian–Canadian territorial confrontation in the Arctic, a region that is already teeming with Russia’s “little green men,” and of Russia’s intervention and buildup of military bases in Syria. The purpose of the latter being to create another large-scale “frozen conflict,” this time in the Middle East, which is aimed at pushing out the West and furthering Russian strategic interests in this part of the world.
In order for any government to face up to such geopolitical challenges, it must first of all be experienced, pragmatic and focused, and have a profound understanding of the problems in question. Meanwhile, in their pre-election platforms Canada’s opposition parties have announced the need to introduce “changes” into various spheres of government policy. Naturally, without change there is no progress. However, if these desired “changes” are not grounded in experience and a clear track record of concrete achievements, then this does not bode well for the country’s national interests. It is eminently clear that where questions of geopolitics, security, and the economy are concerned, Canada’s opposition parties, headed by their current leaders seeking to gain power, are overcompensating for their lack of experience by making populist statements and promises tailored to appeal to various segments of the Canadian electorate. This situation became crystal-clear during the party leaders’ public debates, particularly the one on 28 September about Canada’s foreign policy, when one of the questions that was addressed related to Ukraine. On the question of Ukraine and other foreign policy issues, the leaders of the opposition simply failed to propose anything concrete whatsoever.
It’s time for some straight talk. It is hard to imagine any of the opposition leaders tackling current geopolitical, security, and economic challenges (which have come to the fore in Canada and the rest of the world) face-to-face with the leaders of other world powers, especially with such neo-Stalinist predators as Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin cronies. Moreover, taking these challenges into account, the future Canadian government should increase our country’s defence potential to the max.
One can be sure that in view of the current Canadian government’s systematic and proactive support for Ukraine against Russian aggression (and aversion toward the Putin regime), no one desires a change of government in Canada more than Putin himself. This is evident beyond a shadow of a doubt.
On questions of domestic policy, the government of Canada acted properly in passing Bill C-24, which strengthens security measures at home for all its citizens to protect them from potential actions on Canadian territory by international terrorists. At the same time, the government’s immigration policy and program for assisting refugees must continue to be humane, but so well calibrated that it will address all indispensable security concerns and needs.
On questions of the еconomy, the opposition’s populism, which is declarative and ideological for the most part, will not solve Canada’s current economic, financial, and social problems. Only a pragmatic approach, which the current government espouses, will do so because it is cognizant of the realities and consequences of globalization in all the key spheres of life in countries worldwide. For it should be obvious to all by now that, for example, the globalized Canadian economy is also dependent on the fluctuations of oil prices, global financial markets, and the economic and financial stability of the United States, China, Japan and the European Union – all of which has become an integral part of Canada’s economic equation as well.
So, the opposition parties’ drive for “change”, for the mere sake of “change,” will not do much for the well-being of Canada.
Therefore, keeping in mind all the above-mentioned facts, Ukrainian Canadian voters should support the return to power of the government headed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his team in the federal election that will take place on 19 October 2015.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the following sitting MPs, including the members of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, deserve to be re-elected to the Canadian Parliament: Minister Jason Kenney, Minister Rob Nicholson, Minister Ed Fast, Minister Erin O’Toole, Minister Chris Alexander, MP James Bezan, MP Ted Opitz, MP Bernard Trottier, MP Bob Dechert, MP Peggy Nash, MP Chrystia Freeland, MP Wladyslaw Lizon, MP Colin Carrie, MP Lawrence Toet, MP Ed Komarnicki, MP Joy Smith, MP Kevin Lamoureux, MP Linda Duncan, MP Mark Warawa, MP Robert Sopuck, MP Stella Ambler, MP Leon Benoit, MP Blaine Calkins, MP David Christopherson, MP Chungsen Leung, MP Laurie Hawn, MP Ed Holder, MP Bruce Hyer, MP Alexandrine Latendresse, MP Pierre Lemieux, MP Judy Sgro, MP Scott Simms, MP Dave Vankesteren, MP Mike Wallace.
