Barack Obama’s inauguration today signals the start of a new era in American as well as international politics. It also signals a new phase in Canadian politics.
The political context south of the border has always been a factor in Canadian politics, a tendency only heightened during the difficult Bush years. Both Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin never shied from sharp – and at times quite personal – criticisms of George W. Bush, exploiting (quite successfully) his massive unpopularity with Canadians to bolster their own support at home. Under Harper, his opponents have consistently equated his policies to those of the sitting American president, saddling Harper with an albatross he has yet to convincingly throw off.
With Obama’s entrance onto the stage, the challenge for Harper will grow ever greater. From this day on, all of his actions, all of his statements, all of his policies will be relentlessly held up and measured against those of his counterpart to the south. And while there may not be an equivalent to Obama on the Canadian scene to tempt Canadians as an alternative, there will nonetheless be the Liberal Party. Now resurgent under new leader Michael Ignatieff, forever nipping at Harper’s heels. While Ignatieff’s ability to capitalize on the new dynamic remains to be seen, the new and constant juxtaposition will certainly not be kind to Harper.
The current economic crisis will pose a most severe challenge for the Tory leader in this regard. For a rare instance, it will present Canadians with the chance to witness the Canadian and American governments offering two separate approaches to a similar crisis confronting both countries.
Sharpening the potential for contrast still further is the whole issue of timing. The resumption of Parliament and the presentation of Harper’s budget are scheduled, rather inconveniently perhaps, exactly one week from Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Assuming, as is quite likely, the budget passes with the support of the Liberals, Harper’s economic plan will be competing for media attention with reports of Obama’s own economic recovery plan, expected within weeks of him taking office. The question to ask is simply: how will it stack up?
Frequently referring to the economic crisis as an historic opportunity, Obama has been a steadfast and passionate advocate of a “green” stimulus, one which would look beyond the concrete obsessions of the 20th century and ahead to the new green economy of the 21st. Lauded by environmental organizations the world over, his plan calls for massive investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as a general push towards more sustainable forms of economic development.
Our own Prime minister, by contrast, persisted until quite recently in rejecting the very notion of global warming, and has famously derided the Kyoto Protocol as a “socialist scheme.” Will he now mystify his critics and rise to the occasion? We have reason to be skeptical.
Obama’s plan is also said to include a strong social dimension aimed at protecting the most vulnerable in times of recession. In this vein, he intends to expand unemployment insurance (more “politely” termed “Employment Insurance” in Canada), and to offer support to state governments in order to safeguard their health care and education systems from budget cutbacks.
By contrast, the current occupant of 24 Sussex is a lifelong proponent of small government and private health care, and was until mere weeks ago a fierce critic of deficit spending on any scale whatsoever. He has since reversed himself on this latter count, but will it he now go further and offer the necessary social commitments?
Indeed, our Prime minister, were he to grasp the opportunities presented by the economic crisis, could even “one-up” Obama so to speak, and at the same time work towards rehabilitating his own harsh image with voters, particularly in Quebec. He could choose to invest in culture as a means of stimulating the economy, an approach favoured by cultural lobby group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
In fact, the Conference Board of Canada has reported that Canada’s cultural industries contribute $85 billion to our economy, accounting for a full 7.4 per cent of Canada’s GDP and employing 1.1 million Canadians across the country. In the words of Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, “More Canadians work in culture than the agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas industries combined.” Not only would such an investment in arts and culture constitute an inherent good for the quality of life and the vibrancy of our society, but it would also help stimulate the economy in the process. And yet, once more the question presents itself, will Harper – who mere weeks ago smeared the arts as an enclave of the elite, and through his narrow funding cuts inspired the cultural community to revolt – now seize the opportunity to reinvest in Canadian culture? Pardon my skepticism, but we have reason to doubt.
The new phase in Canadian politics begins today, and it begins with the economy. If the PM’s past policy stances are any indication, then the upcoming contrast with President Obama may signal hard times ahead for Stephen Harper.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t suck, you’re just doing it wrong
In defence of the hated holiday.