As my modest contribution to the forthcoming Canadian election, I present nine items that suggest Stephen Harper is not a friend to democracy.

Dion-Baiting
When Stéphane Dion questioned the effectiveness of our strategy in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister accused him of being “pro-Taliban.” Last week, Harper said Dion was actually wishing for a recession. It’s a habit of our Prime Minister to call anyone who doesn’t agree with him with a traitor. I’m waiting for him to suggest Dion is secretly a member of the pro-crack cocaine lobby.

There was a time when I thought Harper’s ways were merely politics-as-usual, and that, to afford him credit, he was a severely canny strategist. But somewhere along the way he turned from a policy wonk into a caudillo. The man doesn’t debate, reason or negotiate, he impels.

(Meanwhile, Harper has indicated that he intends to further loosen regulations governing foreign ownership of Canadian businesses—rules that are presently the most lax among advanced economies, and have already made Canada into the developed nation with the highest portion of its economy that is foreign-owned.)

The Media & The PMO
Upon becoming Prime Minister, Harper redrew the rules dictating how government interacts with the media. In an effort to exert “message control,” cabinet ministers were prevented from speaking to reporters, and all communications routed through the Prime Minister’s Office. Press conference protocol was upended to make it easier for the PMO’s communications czar to control who was asking what questions. Journalists generally complain of not getting calls returned and receiving information late. [...more]