Time for prime minister to step up, solve problems

I think you are full of it, the PM does not have to defend his decisions to the press or anyone else. What he needs to do is be PM, he is the leader of the country, take a strong stand don't back down and speak when and where you are ready not when the press or the Liberals suggest. PM baiting has always been the summer pastime of the media and the opposition in this country since confederation. Good on Harper for having the balls to not say a word.

Well said! We await the arrival of the bubble boy, Stephen Harper. I wonder what other "tantrums" he has in store for us?

"Word is Prime Minister Stephen Harper is preparing to emerge from the bubble in which he's hidden for the past several weeks."

"Several" weeks? The Queen's visit to Canada ended on July 6; the PM was present at many of the events which involved the monarch's visit. On July 10, the PM was back in his riding during the Stampede. On July 19, the PM was in Moncton for the opening of the IAAF World Junior Championships. So suggesting the PM has been in a "bubble" is an exaggeration.

As for "Harper has yet to offer a credible explanation for why the summit was held in downtown Toronto" Mr. Den Tandt has obviously forgotten, or perhaps he missed, a speech by former PM Paul Martin before the Empire Club on June 2. Here's part of what he said:
www.empireclub.org/stat​ic/speeches/PaulMa​rtin2010-06-02speech.pdf
"... Finally it is more than appropriate that the city of Toronto be the gathering place for the Canadian discussion.
... where better to hold the next summit, than here in the home of Canada’s 5 largest banks, institutions which in themselves and in the structure that regulates them, have become the models for others to follow. ..."
See? Even the former PM thought Toronto was the obvious choice as the venue for the G20. And he wasn't the only one.

http://canadianaffairs.​suite101.com/artic​le.cfm/g20_summit_​moved_to_toronto
"Toronto Mayor David Miller commented in remarks published by the Toronto Star, said the G20’s presence will help increase the city’s worldwide presence: “The G20 is exceptionally prestigious, and will add to Toronto’s growing reputation worldwide, and I think that’s a positive thing.”
The summit’s presence in the city will coincide with the Jazz Festival, and the start of Gay Pride festivities. Jazz Festival organizers call the summit a great addition to other activities in the city."

Rather than blame the PM for what ensued in Toronto, i.e. the burning of police cars & vandalism, the blame should be placed on the perpetrators of those criminal actions.

All the little commies and socialists that cannot stand the fact there is someone in power that wants you to take more responsiblity for your lives individually instead of insist that someone else do it... man you people are pathetic.... what must youir children think of you?

Its very interesting how quickly the defense comes whenever there are condemnations of our highest political Leaders. Well to those defending them - be quiet. Its everyone elses turn who is NOT in power to discuss what has been arranged by those IN power.
Any job, position, worker is susceptible to scrutiny, analysis, and recommendation. We all have jobs and are used to our bosses (the citizens of Canada and the working Opposition Parties) taking time to analysis the choices we've made and actions we've taken while on the job.
The least of any concern here should be "how hard" or "the poor minister of ..." and their ridicule. If they weren't up to it they wouldn't have chosen to be in Public Office originally.
So ultimately - yes the Prime Minister is the lord of this land and needs to be involved in the larger issues of our nation - isn't that his job specific details initially ?

Who dares question the wisdom and actions of the King of Alberta? Do you dare suggest that a Prime Minister be elected to lead this country? Next you will have the unmitigated audacity to be suggest that he represent the view of most of his Canadian subjects!

the problem with Harper is that even when he is not in hiding he has consistently shown an unwillingness to talk to voters or to answer unscripted questions to the media. The G20 did not add to Toronto's growing reputation in the world. In fact the civil rights abuses which took place there during the G20 lead to worldwide condemnation. And the money spent on the two day meeting caused a collective gasp around the world. The French prime minister has said that he will hold the meeting for a tenth of the cost. Canada's image on the world stage has been tarnished with regard to it's limited scope for maternal health, the environment and water rights and a financial transaction tax to limit financial speculation and the austerity measures which will likely lead to double dip recession or global depression. Canada is on the wrong side of every issue with Harper's clumsy hand at the helm.

Rocky Mountain Philosopher - Come down off your mountain. 'he does not have to defend his decisions to anyone'? Excuse me, but we live in a democracy not a dictatorship. Decisions are not his alone to make and yes, he does have to defend them to the people of Canada.

Unbelieveable. Must be a Westerner like me. Not all decisions by any Government are right or wrong. Some of each. Character is admitting when decisions are bad such as the Census and G20 problems at a minimum. Especially from a man who claims to be of faith. Too many times character is sacrificed for power. We should expect better of Harper!

Time to step up? You must be kidding. Time to be taken into account is much better. This wastrel has been on a George W. Bush, Barack Obama, spend and splurge spree ever since he's tried to emulate the United States form of government. What canadians want is not a Billion or two spent on hosting foreign leaders who do nothing for our economy, except to drain it dry and borrow what they can all at little or no interest at all. Furthermore Canadians do not want to be hit with annual debts of 55 Billion one year and 60 Billion the next, without anything going back into what makes Canada great, its people. The pensioners should be brought up to an existence within measure of the cost of living, but oh no, this Harper and his Conservative government would rather spend an additional 16 to 18 Billion on US fighter jets, rather than building them in Canada and employing thousands of Canadians in the process. The Harper government is and has been a massive failure, and when he's called out on any matter of significance, he shuts down the government, like a whining dictator or a spoilt child. We need to change this government and put Canada and Canadians first. We should become as self sufficient as possible and break away from all of this esoteric New World Order garbage that the leaders of the US and UK and their elitists keep wishing for, and take care of our own country and our own sovereignty and our own laws and Constitution. Telling Stephen Harper to stop trying to sell Canada out like a traitor would, with this North American Union deal being made under the table.

Mr. Harper
He means to deceive, to master our will
He plies his façade with smiles and with skill
He peddles “No promise” like poisoned snake oil
While markets go mad and polar bears boil.
No promise, no commitment, no collaboration, no aim
Just crusading to power with a wide open frame.
The money’s all gone, the houses are empty
And old boy Harper’s still calm and uppity
The bailout did nothing, the market ‘s maxed out
Buy cheaper stocks is what Harper’s about.
Voters, awaken, you must understand
His sweater is slipping, he’s playing his hand.
He’s after Carte Blanch with Our Nation’s direction
He’s after full power to silence objections.

The Prime Minister must represent the interests of the Canadian people and thus is accountable to all Canadians and not just his party or others with financial or political infleunce in the PMO. I agree he must prove to be a strong leader, but one characteristic of strong leader is that he can guide others down a path they may not want to go. To do this he must be open to change based on the best interests of the Canadian people. He must communicate his intentions and he must explain why this is good for Canada. Unfortunately I have not heard Mr. Harper explain his reasoning for many of the decisions that seem to have been made in secret with little or no consultation with the ordinary Canadian.

"Maybe this drip-drip of controversy is a function of the slow summer news cycle"
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And this is the only reason that the census is being discussed. Now someone up in Cold Lake who is flying a beater F18 and wants an F35 got up on Wikipedia, which isn't illegal, and made some changes is at the starting gate for the print press. Harper is allowed a summer vacation, he's taken it and will be back on stage again. If he hadn't taken the vacation the headlines would have included ones such as "Harper ignores his Children". The print press in TO is desperate to make ANYTHING a story.

@albertaclipper'The print press in TO is desparate to make ANYTHING a story.' Sorry, but this is not just a small diversion. It has attracted the notice of legitimate organizations and governments at all levels across the country and this issue, among many others is not going away. Thankfully it has not escaped the notice of vacationing Canadians as Harper undoubtedly hoped it would.

As a longgggg time Conservative supporter (PC type)I can not in good judgement support this Republican type of a conservative politician any longer. We as PC'ers have been lead down the garden path by a group from western Canada that has hid behind the conservative moniker to justify the means for them to get their hands on power.

And as a PC'er it was never about a naked power grab it is about progressive ideas being applied to governance for all the people all of the time. My epiphany came about watching the actions of Canadian Conservative Party over the last sitting of parliament. Putrid is the only way to express the antics of the attack, divide and conquer attitude of these western power brokers.

I will work towards rebuilding the Progressive Conservative as a political force and will not support this so called " Conservative Party " any longer, the line has been drawn in the sand.

yes ... the line has been drawn ... finally, blind support is opening to the light of reality.

His duty is to all Canadians and not simply to defend his actions but to speak to all Canadians and explain his actions and his being AWOL for the past few days as well as explain all the monies he's spending as if it were his own without total co-operation with the total house of Commons MP's and all Parties. Problem with him is that he has no balls to speak of and nothing but a phony coward playing children’s games such as yours but in an adult world.

The Pm has a sworn duty to act like a PM for all people and not just his Reform Con base but I am sad to say he his merely PM for his lining his own pockets and spending Canadians hard earned cash for his own use as if it was really his. Sorry man but he has got to be the worse Pm of Canada in history and unless he sheds his control freakness dictator personality, he is doomed for failure soon.

If these comments reflect the average Canaadian, we are all in big trouble... Liberals in Canada used to reflect the meaning of Liberalism, since the great commie trudeau, they have more in common with the Dear Leader in North Korea, I want out of this country if these socialists take power (revenge) over us again. I will not take this as a matter of course. This Leftist crap has to be exposed for what it is... stupidity and evil.

"I want out of this country if these socialists take power (revenge) over us again. I will not take this as a matter of course. This Leftist crap has to be exposed for what it is... stupidity and evil".

Well Attilla if accountability, transparency and honesty are stupid, evil leftist crap, then I think you should stay true to your word and leave Canada. Iran and North Korea will welcome your support for dictatorship with open arms.

The only problem Harper wants to solve is the minority government issue. He dreams "majority", all other issues are sideshows!