Do you remember why this election was called?

We have reached the closing days of the campaign it’s time to revisit the issues that brought about this election in the first place.

Remember the 25^th of March and the motion of Non-confidence that brought the Conservative government down?

This is what the motion said:

"…The House agrees with the finding of the standing committee on procedure and House affairs that the government is in contempt of Parliament, which is unprecedented in Canadian parliamentary history, and consequently, the House has lost confidence in the government."

The motion followed a ruling made by the Speaker of the House. It was carried with a vote of 156 in favour to 145 against. Unfortunately, no Green Party MP had the opportunity to participate in this historic vote.

The Conservatives have done everything possible to make Canadians believe the Contempt of Parliament vote was meaningless and partisan. Take for instance, House Leader John Baird, the Conservative candidate seeking re-election in Ottawa West-Nepean. As House leader Mr. Baird used his position to accuse opposition members of trumping up the Contempt-of-Parliament charges against his government. He conveniently ignored the fact it has been the Conservative government, not opposition parties, that has refused to cooperate and work collaboratively in parliament (This has been well documented in the media over the last year).

He must have forgotten that it’s the job of the House to ask questions and demand answers from government. Our ‘Westminster style’ electoral system is set up this way, in order to ensure the government is accountable to all Canadians. No matter what the issue.

The Contempt of Parliament motion of non-confidence was a first in Canada’s history and in the history of the parliamentary system of the Commonwealth. Do the Conservatives want Canadians to believe that in Great Britain, Australia or New Zealand, the opposition does not press the government to release important documents? I am sure Question Period in London, Canberra or Wellington gives rise to exchanges that are just as vigorous as those in Ottawa, although I suspect they are also more polite and spirited. Maybe it’s not conservative to have a sense of humour, at least in Canada.

In his March 26^th article published in the Ottawa Citizen, Andrew Mayeda wrote that PM Harper was disappointed his budget had been rejected and had said Canadians would show the opposition parties they clearly did not want yet another election.

Stephen Harper could not have been more wrong.

Canadians understand elections can’t only be about one issue. And, they understand that this 41^st election in Canadian history is an election about trust and right vs. wrong. It isn’t that Canadians don’t care deeply about economic growth and good income for their families and country. They care for all these things and want government to deliver them. But above and beyond that, Canadians don’t want anybody to curtail their democracy, especially not on the basis of made-up dangers. Remember ‘unreported crimes” as the justification for $ 3 billion in additional prisons in Canada?

During this entire campaign, Harper has argued that his party is the only one that can deliver good economic management.

It is admirable how Canadians have punctured his balloon. Quebecers at first and now Canadians from all regions are telling Ottawa they don’t like the “same old” approach and are ready for new ideas and new parties to lead our nation.

For now it looks like an orange wave. Or a “crush” as some pundits have stated.

In Glengarry-Prescott-Russell the NDP candidate is a last minute stand-in. If you want change, then voting Green is your only option because my Conservative and Liberal opponents represent more of the same.

For over a hundred years voters in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell have voted either red or blue. Despite that, this region remains economically depressed.

I can’t think of bigger agents of change in Ottawa than a Green Party MP from Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. You can be sure I would defend Canadian democracy, be a very prudent manager of your tax dollars, show respect for all MPs and our parliamentary institutions. I also promise to bring a little bit of humour to the House.

I urge you all “out there in Internet land” to remember why the Conservative government fell. Don’t be confused. It had nothing to do with the economy and everything to do with democracy and respect for our parliamentary institutions.

I urge you also to vote your conscience. There never was a better, more promising occasion. Let’s change Canada and make it better.