I liked this blog post that appeared on the TorontoTories blogsite.http://torontotories.blogspot.com/ – and I want to put it here again…to keep it in the forefront. Others could follow suit if they so desired *thumbs up*

During the election campaign of December 2005 and January 2006 Harper’s focus was on putting an end to Liberal corruption that had become a deeply rooted problem in Ottawa. He outlined five key priorities, that the Liberals had neglected, promising that unlike the Liberals who talked, his Conservative government would act.

The five priorities were as follows:
Accountability
Lower Taxes
Crime
Child Care
Health
Despite the rumours that Harper has since dropped healthcare from his list of priorities, it remains one of the five priorities listed on both the Conservative Party of Canada’s official website, as well as the Prime Minister’s official website. Perhaps the reason a fuss has been made about the issue of healthcare is that in the PM’s declared priorities for 2006-2007, beginning this Autumn of 2006, he does not include healthcare as one of his priorities.
Instead he lists the following:

Accountability
Security
Environmental Protection
Strong Economic Management

Why has Harper dropped healthcare? And what off his other priorities? Let’s address these issues now.

Accountability.
Harper’s government passed the Federal Accountability Act, without any opposition from other parties. Harper has kept his word about this objective and ensuring governmental accountability and transparency remains an ongoing priority for Harper’s government. He continues to push for senate reform, however appointed Liberal senators aren’t too fond of handing over their titles and benefits to elected representatives.
Lower Taxes.
The Conservative minority successfully lowered the General Sales Tax from 7% to 6%, thereby keeping their promise to Canadians. They have said that they will lower the GST further in the future, something that the Liberals promised to do over 13 years ago!

Crime.
Since Harper’s minority came into office there have been an additional 1,400 police officers hired, the age of consent has been raised from 14 to 16, parliament has been pushing legislation to enforce minimum sentencing for gun-related crimes, funding has been issued for transit security, there are tougher penalties for drug growers/dealers and people caught driving under the influence or alcohol, narcotics or other drugs will be penalized accordingly. Harper’s government has fulfilled their promise to be tough on crime.

Child Care.Cheques were received by parents of children under the age of six, as was promised by Harper. His plan to invest in the creation of new daycare spaces is on its way, and you can visit Canada’s Universal Child Care Plan website for more information. Another promise kept.

Health
This is the only one of the five priorities that Harper has not taken care of yet.
Considering his short term in office thus far, and the fact that he only has a minority government, you’ve got to admit that Harper’s done a pretty good job.

In terms of healthcare improvements, we have not seen much action from our federal government, but we also haven’t seen his priority scrapped.

Both Alberta and Québec are trying to see if they can legitimize private health insurance and Harper has not interfered. He has insisted though that his government will be focusing on improving the current system, so that all Canadians may enjoy improved healthcare delivery. So while Harper has let this one slip under the radar a bit, he has not gone back on his promise.
So what of all of this?Well, Harper has stuck to his guns for the most part, and his objectives for 2006-2007 are already being met. By changing the senate from a body of unelected peers to a group of elected and accountable representatives, Harper’s government will take yet another large step towards a more accountable and democratic nation. His decision regarding income trusts, whereby the tax loophole will be eliminated by 2011, was an excellent decision to pave the way for strong economic stability in the future.

More money is being allocated efficiently to address security concerns in Canada’s more vulnerable areas.

And finally, unlike the Liberal’s inactive and unrealistic Kyoto agreement, the Conservative government has invited all Members of Parliament to participate in ongoing discussions regarding the Clean Air Act, so that it will better suit and better reflect Canada’s responsibility to reduce carbon emissions and green house gases.Harper has been a man of his word.
So why doesn’t the media like him? Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that every every major media outlet in the country has deep Liberal roots, with the exception of The National Post and The Western Standard.If we want to see some changes in Canadian opinion and political thought, we need to demand more honesty and professionalism from the media.