Let’s discuss the controversy surrounding this year’s federal government Summer Jobs program. While the program has existed for years, the 2018 version has a “wrinkle”, in that applicants must agree to respect Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. While on the surface this appears rather harmless, underneath the surface it is not, as the program denies approval to any group that is "Pro Life” and/or opposed to abortion. This appears to be little more than Justin Trudeau’s on-going commitment to push Canada to the extreme far left, much like his family friend Fidel Castro.
A friend of mine was commenting on the situation, and noted: “Tell Trudeau to keep his money, we don’t need it." It was then that it dawned on me that “this money” is not Trudeau’s money. The money comes from Canadian taxpayers, and belongs to these same taxpayers. It’s like the highway construction sign that notes “50 per cent of the funding for this project is provided by the Federal Government, and 50 per cent is provided by the Provincial Government”. Instead, of course, it should say “100 per cent of the money is provided by the taxpayer”.
It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking the money belongs to the government, and that’s exactly what the politicians want you to think. Despite having paid income taxes, fees, GST, and countless other money grabs for up to 45 years, I have never received a thank you from any political leader. Yet these same leaders show up in my community, announcing their latest spending boondoggles, and expecting me to thank them for their generosity. In reality, we have politicians spending our money to buy themselves some votes. In the business world, this action is called fraud.
Just recently, we watched the spectacle of our prime minister running around India dressed like some very bad replica of Rainbow Randolph, yet no one ever asked Canadian taxpayers to approve this expenditure. The founding fathers of the United States were worried about many items, including England, rebellions, and banks, but by far their greatest fear was the fear of big government, and they desperately attempted to write a constitution that would prevent big government. Despite their best efforts, they failed. In Canada, where no such fear existed, the growth of all governments has been cancerous.
For the first time in my life, I fear for Canada’s future. Our freedoms are under attack, our way of life is being submerged, our values and traditions are held up for scorn, our love of families is being replaced with “bureaucrats who know best” and religion (except for the Muslim faith) is constantly ridiculed. And in what has to be the greatest irony of all time, we Canadian taxpayers are paying all the bills for these campaigns! We need an overhaul of government at all levels.
Brian McLeod is a St. Albert resident.
