Observing the government in action is like peering into a Kaleidoscope - the images are spectacular, sometimes even captivating but lack permanence and substance

MILTON, Ont. — Justin Trudeau says he's not just concerned about possible cuts Premier Doug Ford could make to Ontario's education system as Canada's prime minister — he's also concerned as a father with children in the province's schools.

Trudeau made the comments during a wide-ranging town hall meeting Thursday night at a Milton, Ont., high school.

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Education is a provincial jurisdiction and, a provincial responsibility. For Justin Trudeau to comment as ‘a father’, while he is Prime Minster, is an abuse of authority and power.

The Ontario government faces some tough decisions, which may anger some electors, and includes inherent political risks. The Ontario government, not Mr. Trudeau, has to undertake funding for full-time kindergarten and class size caps. Those costs are significant.

Trudeau has to respect constitutional responsibilities, and stop messing around in provincial jurisdictions. For example ...

The federal government is partially responsible for our health care difficulties, and spiraling costs. It provides health care support to provinces, but with strings that stifle innovations that can improve efficiencies and reduce delivery costs. We need the federal government to get out of health care, transfer tax points to the provinces and allow them to revamp service delivery as they see fit.

Where the federal government does have clear jurisdiction and responsibility, such as over the environment and pipeline construction, it has mired itself in a gordian knot of consultation, ideology and bureaucracy.  The result? That prevents it from pragmatic, useful decisions and leadership.

Dull stuff to be sure, but that is the job description,
but not in all situations governments involved in

The current foray into international diplomacy, through Lima group efforts to support a coup d’état in Venezuela, is another distraction from unattended responsibilities at home.

Observing the government in action is like peering into a Kaleidoscope - the images are spectacular, sometimes even captivating but lack permanence and substance. 

Governance is about prudence, stability, safety, security, peace, individual freedoms, preserving the fundamentals of democratic representation and pragmatic decision making.

Dull stuff to be sure, but that is the job description.

 

  

John Feldsted

Political Consultant & Strategist

Winnipeg, Manitoba