From Canada Politics

David Suzuki blasts PM Harper over erosion in "democratic principles"

By Andy Radia - Mon, 17 Jun, 2013

David Suzuki (CP)

It's no secret that David Suzuki and Stephen Harper don't see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues.

The well-known environmentalist has long chided the Harper government for its position on the Kyoto accord, its promotion of Alberta's oils sands and for weakening the Navigable Waters Act.

But Suzuki's latest attack goes well beyond the environment.

In an op-ed piece published in the Globe and Mail on Monday, Suzuki blasts the Conservative government over robocalls, accountability and even the Senate.

We're witnessing an erosion of democratic principles. When accusations arose that robocalls were used to misdirect people from polling stations, I was appalled that people here would attempt to undermine the very heart of democracy, using a tactic found in banana republics. Even more shocking was the absence of outrage from political leaders, especially Mr. Harper, whose party was the focus of the accusations.

Our current government's policies are guided by ideology rather than facts. Its tactics include demonizing opponents, ignoring valid concerns and shutting down avenues of information. The list is long: cancelling the long-form census, ending the long-gun register, opposing safe-injection sites, muzzling scientists, shutting down the Experimental Lakes Area and climate-change research programs and more.

Conservatives - both of the small 'c' and big 'c' variety - aren't innocent in this battle.

In 2012, the Conservative government warned charities that they will ask CRA to enforce rules against charities - like the David Suzuki foundation - that blur the line between charity and politics. The policy, widely viewed as an attack on environmental organizations, was the key reason that Suzuki stepped down from the board of his charity.

[ Related: David Suzuki Foundation defends itself over new right-wing attack ]

And then came the personal attacks courtesy of the right-leaning Sun News Network.

Earlier this year, Sun News - especially Ezra Levant - railed against Suzuki about his speaking fees and his alleged preference for female bodyguards.

[ Related: David Suzuki event organizer threatens to call police on Sun News reporter]

There's no doubt that Suzuki is a left-of-centre political activist: In the past he has publicly endorsed the likes of former Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Liberal leadership candidate Joyce Murray.

Regardless, writing things like "Stephen Harper may claim a commitment to the principles of fairness and democracy, but his actions show otherwise" is a pretty blunt verbal salvo by one of Canada's 'greatest Canadians' against a sitting prime minister.

I can't wait to see if Ezra Levant has a response.

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Environment Week in Canada is June 2 - 8, 2013
>http://bit.ly/mbR3uj

'Environment Week 2013: Oceans at risk like never before' by Elizabeth May >http://bit.ly/13cUzgP

Stephen Harper doesn't represent the people, he works for the oil companies that have removed 99% of Canada's water protection and have changed environmental laws, with no consultation with first nations, breaking treaty rights, with absolutely no debate with the Canadian public. 

HARPER GOVERNMENT REMOVES 99% OF CANADA'S PROTECTED 2.5 MILLION LAKES AND RIVERS.

Harper government removes protection from 99% of Canada's 2.5 million lakes and rivers- except in Conservative ridings >http://bit.ly/18vnGjZ,http://bit.ly/17hcOaT

Harper's omnibus 'Budget' Bill C-45 that passed Guts 99% of Canada's Protected Rivers and Lakes - Conservatives Toss Out 130 Year-Old 'Navigation Water Protection Act' to Speed Up Pipeline Construction- Over 99% of Canada's waterways are now unprotected - Canada HAD over 2.5 million protected lakes, and over 8,500 protected rivers. Canada now has ONLY 97 Protected lakes and 62 protected rivers. (90 per cent of the total of 159 protected lakes and rivers are on conservative riding territory)

ESSENTIAL READING: Bill C-45 A Love Letter to Harper From the Oil Industry >>>http://huff.to/XEVgxb

"The Act which previously provided basic protection for our Canadian waters was eliminated and its replacement is called the Navigation Protection Act. Notice first that the word "water" has been removed from the title; that will give you insight into the meat of this Act. This is a continuation of the Harper government's abandonment of responsibility to protect water and water habitats. This new acts leaves 99.9 per cent of our rivers and 99.7 per cent of our lakes without basic protection." >http://huff.to/XEVgxb

"It means the removal of almost every lake and river we know from the Navigable Waters Protection Act. From one day to the next we went from 2.5 million protected lakes and rivers in Canada to 159 lakes and rivers protected. You name the river, you name the lake and it is no longer protected by this act, and this has nothing to do with the budget that the government rammed through, it has everything to do with pipelines, because you are able to now are able to ruin navigation and not trigger an environmental assessment." http://huff.to/VeOwUg

"90% of 159 lakes and rivers that will now be designated as protected are in 1% conservative ridings- The list of lakes includes those surrounded by wealthy cottagers north of Toronto, in the Muskoka district of the riding held by conservative Tony Clement. Among them is Lake Rosseau, where Hollywood celebrities, business moguls and NHL stars perch on its banks.http://bit.ly/17hcOaT

Stephen Harper's government deletes 3,000 environmental reviews on pipelines and other projects >http://bit.ly/Oz6mR0

Harper government deletes "Environment Canada" name from government website >http://bit.ly/17rXrYo

Scientists shocked after Harper government assigns IT staff to monitor ozone data >http://bit.ly/PCaNMS

Harper government shuts down the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), a research station that produced critical evidence to help stop acid rain. >http://bit.ly/Nfud7v

Harper government failing to protect your health and environment from oil and gas industry pollution: Report > http://bit.ly/VCxZu0

Air pollution scientists, monitoring team cut by Harper government >http://bit.ly/Vb5h6q

Harper government Kept Scientist From Speaking, Documents Reveal >http://huff.to/TFAPgx

One of the world's leading scientific journals has criticized Harper's government for policies that limit its scientists from speaking publicly about their research >http://bit.ly/15zAswl

Harper government War on Science: "Canadian campaigners are calling it a "war on science" - a slow and systematic unravelling of environmental and climate research under the Conservative government of Stephen Harper." >http://aje.me/U27VYG

Margaret Atwood on the Harper govenrment's 'muzzling' of Canadian scientists >http://bit.ly/145Kfbt

Harper government's muzzling of scientists a mark of shame for Canada >http://bit.ly/Zbq6ip

Harper's control freaks muzzle Fisheries and Oceans scientists >http://bit.ly/YvSQ6P

Parks Canada staff banned from criticizing harper government >http://bit.ly/OLvqUf

Harper government 'guts' fish protection laws, biologist claims Move would make it easier for projects like Calgary-based Enbridge Inc.'s Northern Gateway pipeline to B.C. to clear federal hurdles
http://bit.ly/zZhZuR

Harper Government labels environmentalists "terrorist threat" in report >http://bit.ly/UDxmoQ

Stephen Harper government turns environmentalists into public enemies >http://bit.ly/15K7EQL