Inkless Wells

Paul Wells on all the latest out of Ottawa—along with the occasional post about jazz. Follow Paul on Twitter: @InklessPW

Categories: Capital Read, Inkless Wells

Stephen Harper and the conditional country

by Paul Wells on Monday, July 11, 2011 9:49pm - 239 Comments

This is getting to be worth noting. From the Prime Minister’s speech in Calgary this weekend:

“In a few short years, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of our united country. If, in 50 more years, we wish our descendants to celebrate Canada’s 200th anniversary, then we must be all we can be in the world today, and we must shoulder a bigger load, in a world that will require it of us.”

It’s no accidental phrasing. From his speech to the Conservative convention in Ottawa in June:

“In a few short years, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of our united country. If, in 50 more years, we wish our descendants to celebrate Canada’s 200th anniversary, then we must be all we can be in the world today. Therefore, my friends, our party’s great purpose is nothing less than to prepare our nation shoulder a bigger load, in a world that will require it of us.”

Pretty much verbatim. So a question arises. What does he mean, “if?”

The plain meaning of Stephen Harper’s chosen and repeated language is that Canada’s survival over the medium term is not guaranteed, and that the threat comes from outside, not from within. (Well, I suppose he could have been suggesting that Canada will see its 200th anniversary but won’t bother to celebrate. I’m going to assume he has a larger purpose here than to critique our willingness to get our party on.)

All right, then. The question for Stephen Harper — indeed, the question he himself has now raised repeatedly — is: what is the external threat to Canada over 50 years that makes the country’s very survival, in his eyes, uncertain?

—–

UPDATE: In case it will help readers decipher the PM’s argument, here’s a fuller excerpt from his Calgary speech. Again, much of the language appeared at the same spot in the Ottawa convention speech:

“Friends, remember we are not here to do politics. Sure, we do politics. But that’s the instrument – it’s not the music. Our party is called to a great purpose. Our mission is to preserve and promote the future of our great nation and its people in a time of extraordinary, global change.

“That is our purpose. Power is shifting. New forces are coming to the fore. Some we will be pleased to work with. Some we must resist. In such a world strength is not an option; it is a vital necessity. Moral ambiguity, moral equivalence, are not options, they are dangerous illusions. And national unity, in fact and in purpose, is our greatest asset.

“In a few short years, we will celebrate the 150th anniversary of our united country. If, in 50 more years, we wish our descendants to celebrate Canada’s 200th anniversary, then we must be all we can be in the world today, and we must shoulder a bigger load, in a world that will require it of us.

“We campaigned on this new Canadian reality. Not on a dream or a fantasy or a slogan, but upon the reality of this great country rising – a country founded on great principles – a courageous warrior, a compassionate neighbour, a confident partner – and under a strong, stable, national, majority, Conservative government – the best country in the world.”

Tags: long-term outlook, Stephen Harper

More by Paul Wells

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TJUGFFRY52LKDFFHSBR3FDGZ6Y james

I personally think the idea that Harper’s brand of conservativism is good for the people of Canada is the truely dangerous illusion. When he talks about moral equivalence is he referrring to equality?

Anonymous

No, I don’t think so. This whole passage strikes me as pure neoconservative dog-whistle. Roughly translated…”Liberal are amoral wimps. Enervated by their lack of conviction and sneering contempt for traditional male virtues, they won’t put up a fight even when evil smacks them across the face. Instead they look for a compromise or just run away. But not us conservatives. We don’t compromise with evil…in fact, we don’t compromise at all. We are traditional men – sure in our beliefs, confident in ourselves, unburdened by warped ideas of “compassion” and “fairness”, willing and able to efficiently use force to impose our wills on those who oppose us. We are the cure for the sick, cowardly culture decades of liberal ascendency have created.”

Anonymous

“What is the external threat to Canada over 50 years that makes the country’s very survival, in his eyes, uncertain?” Well, it turned out not to be Saddam Hussein. Don’t worry, something will turn up.
Anonymous

“What is the external threat to Canada over 50 years that makes the country’s very survival, in his eyes, uncertain?” Well, it turned out not to be Saddam Hussein. Don’t worry, something will turn up.
Anonymous

“What is the external threat to Canada over 50 years that makes the country’s very survival, in his eyes, uncertain?” Well, it turned out not to be Saddam Hussein. Don’t worry, something will turn up.