It has been said that the world has changed in many ways. In the area of communications we live in a time where human communication and interaction is at an all-time high. Years ago, if the average Canadian wanted to communicate with our government leader they would write a letter to their local Minister of Parliament. If they tried to make a telephone call to a government official, the best they could hope for would be a message left and perhaps a returned call.
But today, with the development of computers and the social networks created through the internet, we have the ability to pose questions directly to the Prime Minister of Canada. Last week the internet giant Google along with their video server YouTube.com provided a forum for the average Canadian to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper troubling questions. This was not just a posting site, it was a video interview with Harper facilitated by Google's bilingual chief financial officer Patrick Pichette. Pichette opened the 40-minute interview by stating that the questions addressed were the top issues brought forth by Canadians which covered everything from budget issues, student loans to some of the more social concerns the Canadian press have been harping on.
Like so many times before Harper was blunt and to-the-point regarding the policies of the Conservative government and in doing so revealed his personal points of view on a few of these issues. For the most part the interview did not reveal anything new, but the sheer honesty of the responses were rather refreshing. Here are few items brought forth.
Crime: On the issue of crime there were no surprises. Putting the gaping crack that Rahim Jaffer fell through aside, Harper says simply, “..the punishment should fit the crime.” He provided a detailed answer that expressed the need for minimal sentencing on violent crimes, where conditional sentences and house arrests are not an option for someone found guilty of an indictable offense.
Climate Change: When he was asked specifically about Climate Change, there were no real earth shattering revelations here either. He quoted the governments record on funding clean energy technology programs and clearly detailed how continent-ally both Canada and the USA have to develop a joint approach to the problem of carbon dioxide emissions, dialogue Harper says, that has been underway since the election of Barack Obama as the US president.
Afghan Detainees: When it came to the alleged abuses of Afghan detainees by Canadian troops Harper was asked why the government was not more open on the issue and the only official response has been, “support our troops”. Harper was quick to state that he disagreed with the premise of the question and that there has been NO clear evidence that the troops have abused prisoners. Stating that without evidence, accusations cannot be addressed. In that respect Harper stated that he believes that our troops are doing a good job under difficult conditions.
On the Seal Hunt: it was here that Harper was very matter-of-fact in his response. He was quick to point out that the seal hunt was a necessary husbandry industry for the minority Inuit of Canada and that the hunt is more humane than other recognized and accepted husbandry industries such as beef or chicken production. He was able to quote a UK publication 'The Economist’ backing up his position and further stated simply that seals are not an endangered species but recent statistics show the seal population is on an increase.
On legalizing marijuana: Pichette advised Harper that the number one question put forth by Google's audience was regarding the legalization of marijuana. To this the Prime Minister showed actual signs of amusement, which amounted to a smile and small animated responses. In a detailed response he stated that “...the reasons drugs are illegal is because they are bad.” Stating that the drug industry causes other crimes all the way down from the growers to the distribution levels in other countries. He opined that even if Canada were to legalize marijuana use he predicts that those businesses would never be respectable nor run by respectable people. Harper also came up with this small piece of wisdom when he said, “I don't meet many people who have lived a drug free life and regretted it. Met a lot who haven't who've regretted it.”
What this interview revealed about Stephen Harper is that he is a man who is well versed on all the top issues the average Canadian is concerned about, but more importantly he is very 'matter of fact' with his answers. He is a man that sees things in black and white and stands on those principals. Issues like 'Seal hunt is good, pot is bad' is clearly sorted out in his mind. Always calm and cool under examination even his interviewer found himself complimenting Stephen Harper after every answer.
Even though the questions were not vetted by Harper, many would see his responses frustrating because he has the answers on the tip of his tongue and at no time during the interview did he seemed flustered.
Would pre-interactive internet politicians fair as well as Harper did in this form of interview? That I am not so sure. But if you want to see for yourself how our Prime Minister responds to the average Canadian using the new media of the world wide web go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5tWSMwhGkc
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