To the Editor:
What in the world would provoke Saskatchewan's Premier to describe the behaviour of the Harper government as "unbelievable" and inconsistent with Canadian values?
There are many examples that might be mentioned, but the most recent provocation is Mr. Harper's refusal to provide cancer treatments to a refugee claimant in Saskatoon.
Clearly a federal responsibility, the Conservatives slashed such services in their last budget. The consequences are, quite literally, life-or-death.
If refugee claimants fall ill after arriving in Canada, and die because medical care is denied them, the Harper Conservatives say that's okay with them.
But it's not okay with Premier Wall or the vast majority of Saskatchewanians. The provincial government is now picking up the tab for the treatments, while vigorously criticizing federal callousness.
And there are other recent illustrations of similar bad judgment and twisted values in the decisions of the Harper government.
Their arbitrary treatment of two Nigerian students at the University of Regina is another case in point.
For making the honest mistake of working for a couple of weeks at a Walmart store (which was contrary to the terms of their student visas), these two young women are being bludgeoned with the sledgehammer of deportation.
Such drastic punishment will destroy their chances of an education and damage them for life. Surely a reprimand or a fine would better suit the circumstances.
And then there's the Conservative reaction to requests from sufferers of Multiple Sclerosis for a comprehensive national strategy to determine the effectiveness of an emerging treatment known as "Liberation Therapy", and to provide follow-up care in Canada for Canadians who seek that treatment in foreign countries.
Last week, the Senate was examining a specific proposal to move such a strategy forward.
Many MS patients (including people from Saskatchewan where this disease is prevalent), wanted to support the strategy and present testimony.
On orders from Stephen Harper, the Conservative majority in the Senate shut-down the work on Multiple Sclerosis and refused to hear a single patient.
Running through all these cases, and others, is one common element - a brutal pettiness in the character of the Harper regime that's off-side with most Canadians.
Ralph Goodale, MP, Wascana, SK.
