I freely admit it. The trade agreement with China scares the hell out of me. Why? Because I don't know a damn thing about it. And how could I? It was negotiated in absolute secrecy.
But, of course, that's the hallmark of the Harper government. Its credo is not to tell anyone what they're up to until the very last moment then spring it on them, whether it be the Official Opposition or members of the public or whoever.
The trick is to catch everyone off guard and hit them fast and hard. And, when it comes to those matters that constitutionally require Parliamentary oversight, it's best not to come at it on an issue-by-issue basis but, rather, stack it up in a pile so high and wide that the details get lost in the pure massiveness of it all.
Democratic principles? Well, actually there is nothing undemocratic about it, I guess, as long as everything is done by the rules. On the other hand, who gets to make the rules?
I freely admit it. The Harper government scares the hell out of me.
Bill Brassington, Burnaby
