The Power Of The PMO Began Under Trudeau

Just a quick comment on the power of the Office of the Prime Minister (PMO).

A lot is made about the concentration of power of the PMO in Canadian politics under Harper. But the fact is this was a discussion even when I was taking political science courses in University back in the early 1990s.

One method the provinces would offset this power was to hold First Ministers conferences whereby in theory the provinces would form a block against Ottawa. 10 ministers against 1 makes for difficult negotiations for Ottawa.

It was the Liberals who shifted what was once the duties of the Privy Council over to the PMO under  leader Pierre Trudeau. The Liberals under Chretien and Martin used the PMO in different ways with Martin making some changes to it. Trudeau's abuse of power and cozying up to left-wing dictators, of course, gets a pass.

The model created by Martin was continued under Stephen Harper.

The criticism against Harper completely neglects this historical fact. The anti-Harperites are about as delusional and juvenile as the anti-Bushites down south. I see a similar mindset that grips lefties in both countries. Once you consult history, it should soften your 'hatred' of a leader because you often find they ain't so unique in their abuses and often the behavior of a leader is a remnant of policies and rules set by a previous one.

For example, Obama not only maintained, on a whole, the Bush administration's policies, but it took it to another level: aggressive prosecution of whistle blowers, abuse of the 1st amendment against the press and citizens, drone strikes, increase in the Federal debt following failed policies, maintenance of military operations such as Libya, the non-closing of Guantanamo as promised, the increase of arrest without due process etc.

And then there's the anti-private, pro-big governance rhetoric and the scandals - IRS, Benghazi, Fast and Furious, Cambridge - I add Cambridge because it revealed how he could comment (with a subtle racial twist) without getting the facts first like with Benghazi). I think I covered most if not all. I'm sure there's more.

Point is, once you look at this record objectively two things should spring to mind. How utterly intellectually bankrupt it is to continue blaming Bush (as we still see) and how Obama's 'Hope and Change' and communistic 'Forward' are really 'Plus ca change, the more they stay the same with a socialist* brother in power.'

However, the Gomery report did suggest the government reduce the power of the PMO.

The Prime Minister of Canada holds more power than the President of the United States.

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* That's right. I'm comfortable now tagging him with a socialist. His background reveals a biography of socialist leanings and teachings. It's impossible he wasn't influenced by leftist ideology given who associated with and who influenced him. It's just a question of connecting the dots. Once you accept this, you can catch in his speeches subtle references to left-wing thinking.