Harperman Part 2

Oh My Goodness! Perhaps you have seen today's news. In June I wrote about our neighbour, Tony Turner, and his protest song, Harperman. Well last night while I was sitting on our front verandah Tony walked by and stopped for a chat.  

I had no idea that Environment Canada had forced him to take a paid leave because of the song. He's been at home while they investigate and decide whether or not he will be allowed to return to his position. The media got wind of the whole situation and Tony told me there would be an article in today's Ottawa Citizen.  By tonight it was all over radio, tv, newspapers, Facebook, Twitter etc. 

 How will today's media coverage influence Environment Canada's decision? Tony is in the middle of a project that he would really like to complete. This is not how he wanted his career to end. 

In today's Ottawa Citizen, Kathryn May writes,"Turner has been a public servant for 19 years and is nearing retirement. He most recently was assigned to co-ordinate a project to map priority areas for migratory birds.But he has also been a stalwart of the local folk music scene since 1994 when he joined Writers’ Bloc, Ottawa’s songwriters collective. He has several CDs, plays regularly across the province and is best known for the song Circle of Song, which will be included in a new anthology of Canadian folk songs." 

I really like Harperman. It's got a catchy tune and the lyrics are right on. Thanks to today's coverage it's well on its way to  becoming a powerful protest song , reminiscent of the 60's protest songs. Funny thing about the media coverage of this whole situation. Until today I had not heard about the September 17th Harperman singalong event, on Parliament Hill and in many other cities across the country. You can bet those singalongs will be far better attended as a result of today. 

However, Tony's not just about protest. Have a listen to the song May mentioned, Circle of Song, to get a better picture of this excellent musician and truly fine person.
 

Harperland, without Flora

Years ago, you used to hear stories about friendly, behind-the-scenes relationships among politicians on opposite sides of the House of Commons. On the floor of the House they sparred about policy but after hours, many got along just fine. That camaraderie among foes has been in short supply in recent years. Yesterday however, we saw a glimpse of that possibility. When Elizabeth May gave the Green Party speech to begin their election campaign, she started off by delivering a heartfelt tribute to recently deceased Conservative Flora MacDonald. In fact, she dedicated the Green Party campaign to the memory of Ms. MacDonald and advised her candidates to try to follow her example of public service. She added that she regretted not being able to attend her funeral. It was an unusual start to an election campaign. Good for her.

Flora MacDonald's funeral was held at 2 pm yesterday at Christ Church Cathedral here in Ottawa. Last week some questioned Harper's decision not to offer a state funeral for MacDonald. Not only did she blaze a trail for women in government, she worked diligently for many humanitarian causes, long after her retirement.

Folks chatting outside Christ Church Cathedral, after Flora MacDonald's funeral

At the funeral service four people spoke about her. We were left with the impression of a warm, dedicated person who cared deeply about the plight of many. Former PM Joe Clark spoke about her time as Minister of External Affairs. Two of the many events of that time were Canada's role in the escape of the American hostages in Tehran and the arrival of thousands of Vietnamese boat people. Communities across Canada welcomed these refugees, following a policy designed by MacDonald. The city of Ottawa's efforts were led by then-mayor Marian Dewar. Her son, Paul Dewar, our MP, was in attendance at yesterday's funeral. So was his leader, Tom Mulcair.

Their presence, along with Elizabeth May's tribute, is an example of what politics can be. Politicians can respect each other, even if they are from different parties.

Prime Minister Harper had his morning meeting at Rideau Hall but didn't stay in town for the funeral. No doubt the plans for his campaign launch had been set in stone, long before MacDonald's funeral plans were finalized. Harper has never been accused of being flexible - there was no way he could change his itinerary. On the evening news he was shown, along with his family, in a Montreal bakery at about the time many of us were sitting in church, paying tribute to a very important (Conservative) Canadian.

I find it hard to believe that Jim Flaherty rated a state funeral but Flora MacDonald did not. It also seems totally absurd to drag your family to a photo op in a Montreal bakery, rather than  attend MacDonald's funeral.

Harper's decision to stick to his plan yesterday reminds me of another strange decision. In January of 2013, a group of Cree youth started walking from northern Quebec towards Ottawa. They were walking in support of Idle No More and the Quebec Cree Nation. This small band grew as they hiked and snowshoed along. By the time they arrived in Ottawa there were 270 of them and the journey had taken two months. Some of them had walked as far as 1600 kilometres in sub-zero weather.

On March 25, the group was met with chants, cheers and many MPs on Parliament Hill. Again, noticeable by his absence was the Prime Minister. Another scripted event took priority that day as well. Instead of welcoming these young people, after their arduous journey, Harper flew to Toronto's Pearson airport to welcome a pair of giant pandas to Canada, from China.

Chinese pandas, over Cree youth. A bakery photo op instead of a famous Canadian's funeral. There will be much talk in the weeks ahead about the priorities of each leader. Harper has already demonstrated his.