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Changes?

Whoever said the more things change, the more they stay the same, hit the nail on the head – in the context of politicians selling “change.” Mr. Trudeau sold [some] Canadians on voting Liberal based on a large extent, this idea of change. Before that, Stephen Harper did much the same when first elected. In fact, I wrote an editorial way back when, saying he was likely to become like that of his predecessor(s) where the party platform became watered down as they pandered to political favour, interest groups and left-leaning media bias – the optics. Ergo, all the changes anticipated, morph into empty promises.

Justin Trudeau spun this same story effectively and so far we’ve seen him pull us out of the U.S. led bombing missions in Syria, contracts for new fighter jets will be canceled, which is ironic as a plan similar to his mentor Jean Chretien who canceled Mulroney’s helicopter contracts which resulted in a $400 plus million penalty to taxpayers. Not to mention, the legalizing of marijuana and anticipated revenues coming to a store near you. Mr. Trudeau promised a lot in this election however, when the tough decisions are needed he’ll quickly end the love-in and prove again, “change” is a relative term that’s really a misnomer.  It’s said that sometimes what we perceive as a significant change is really not so significant, and vice versa. 

Sadly, time stopped, last month for the Bott family who suffered the unimaginable loss of three children, may they rest in peace. This tragic accident cannot be explained in any way other than it was a terrible accident, one that is now being publicly used as evidence for the justification of tougher safety rules governing agriculture. I won’t argue here the merits of such legislation coming down the pipe, but will argue bringing this particular tragedy into the equation is wrong on so many levels. Accidents happen to everyone, everywhere, and at every age. Using this tragic event to promote this cause, is nothing short of being a callous and inappropriate verbiage of the worst kind. Case in point, I refer to comments like those of Eric Musekamp, president of the Farmworkers Union of Alberta who said, “these deaths were perhaps preventable.” Is he really saying that if we had tougher rules, laws or more education as Alberta’s agriculture minister suggested, this wouldn’t happen? Really? No matter what rules government legislates, accidents happen and people’s fate are their own. That, no politician can “change”.

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