The throne speech has been delivered as has the recycled budget and with a newly minted majority, the federal government under the direction of Stephen Harper is set to sail on a new political adventure.
From what we've heard from the early rumour mills, this Conservative team will set out to tackle some of the items that have been little burrs under their saddle for the past few years, things they just weren't able to get done while embroiled in a minority situation.
So we should look for the quick and probably unlamented elimination of the long run registry. At the outset this was something that should have been applauded, but its implementation was bungled, the cost overruns were outlandish and the thing just never lived up to its promises.
We may see the demise of the Canadian Wheat Board as well, although this might prove to be a bigger struggle since arguments will be made that producers and board of directors should have a say about this file. The elimination of the CWB as a single desk entity will most certainly open up debates about other supply management practices such as dairy and poultry regulations and Canadians can expect a little more fireworks before this matter is settled.
Senate reform setting the stage for Senate elections should be a cake walk because anything is better than what currently exists.
The elimination of the $2 voter subsidy for political parties is another file item that will probably be stroked off the books by the newly strengthened government. At first blush this appears to be a good thing and a money saving venture. But not so fast here. Eliminating the taxpayer support for the political parties means opening the gates for fundraising of a different kind. That means searching for major corporate donations which means larger lobby groups and before we know it, the ownership of our government may be passed on to corporate Canada or global businesses. After all, he who pays the piper calls the tune! Look for a little excitement on this file as well before it passes. The subsidy will end, we just need to know what the consequences may be.
With a majority the Harperites will now be able to pay a little more respect to the parliamentary procedures by ending their defiance of anything and everything that strikes them as being negative to their well being. So look for slightly better manners in the House of Commons.
After these burr in the saddle items have been dispatched, we expect that Harper and his team who now have some valuable experience to go beside their names, will be eager to sink their teeth into more substantial subjects such as the long ignored environmental files including regulations for greenhouse gas emissions.
We should expect some movement on the long-standing equalization payments, those federal/provincial transfers that got out of whack and never returned to normal.
Look for some action on health issues. We hope there will not a big move toward outright privatization but rather some talent put toward making the current system sustainable. Fix it, don't break it.
We're calling for some definition on what our military is trying to do. They're asking them to deal with radical Islamists, fight Taliban in Afghanistan, or more recently, train those who will carry on the fight, and are now being asked to confront rebel leaders in places such as Libya. It's getting messy.
We can expect improvements to the Canada Pension Plan to confront the problems of a large segment who are an aging population base.
Employment insurance is another messy file that requires cleaning up as do the files surrounding communication and copyright regulations that appear to be stuck in the 1940s.
This is wonderful opportunity for our new-look Conservative government to invest some talent over the next four years while acting as real grown-ups who have now been invited to sit at the adult table.
There is no doubt they have the talent at their disposal and they have the resources. They just need the will and a good political and economic GPS so they can make history.
