Sovereignty as an Election Issue

What every happened to concerns over Canadian sovereignty? In this post we turn to the Harper government's position on such policies as U.S.-Canadian integrated border security and integrated national defence initiatives, as a sovereignty issue that we ought to be talking about in this election campaign.

Remember the days when sovereignty was such an issue for Canadians? If it wasn't "Sovereignty Association" and the spectre of Quebec separatism, it was accusations of selling out our sovereignty in a North American free trade agreement. Trudeau famously spoke of Canada being the mouse in bed with the American elephant. We don't hear that much about sovereignty anymore, as though our fears had crept back into the shadows with the rising of the sun. But I want to suggest that sovereignty, in the context of our relationship with the United States, should be an issue in this election.

Politicizing Military Operations

It was reported Tuesday that the federal government has ordered military and diplomatic officials operating in Afghanistan to cease speaking to the media for the duration of the election campaign.  Presumably the Conservative Party is concerned that something may be said or some information may be disclosed that will either distract from the party's campaign messaging, or at worst attract criticism at a crucial time in the election. While at first blush this may not seem all that extraordinary, we at The Writ would suggest that this is both significant and entirely inappropriate.

It is improper because the military, and other officers of the Crown engaged in the business of furthering the national interest abroad, ought not to be co-opted by the governing party for the purpose of furthering its political agenda. There has to be a clear line separating the political operations of a party involved in an election, and the actions of the professional members of executive branch of government.