The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

TRANSFORMING CANADA: Stephen Harper book events

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TRANSFORMING CANADA: Stephen Harper book events

  • Date: March 10, 2015, 12:00 am to 12:00 am
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The Pearson Centre held two book events in Ottawa on “Transforming Canada: Stephen Harper as Prime Minister”. Through nine years of Conservative government we have seen a lot of change to our country, for better or for worse.

Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, kicked off the first event on January 28, lamenting the state of democracy in Canada. Michael Harris (“PARTY OF ONE: Stephen Harper and Canada’s Radical Makeover”) and Donald Gutstein(“HARPERISM: How Stephen Harper and his think tank colleagues have transformed Canada”)  have written powerful books on issues concerning accountability of government and how our country is being changed in an organized and determined fashion. One conclusion is that progressives of all stripes need to remind Canadians of the long list of transgressions in terms of democratic and policy matters as documented in detail in Harris’ book. In addition, there is considerable concern with the growing influence of conservative think tanks, most notably, say Gutstein, the Fraser Institute and the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

A few weeks later on March 10, Anita Vandenbeld, a democracy and human rights expert and Ottawa West Nepean Liberal candidate, moderated a presentation by Mark Bourrie (“KILLING THE MESSENGERS: Stephen Harper’s Assault on Your Right to Know”) and Karl Nerrenberg, (“HARPER VS. CANADA: Five Ways of Looking at the Conservative Regime”). This session also included commentary by Tim Powers, Conservative Strategist and media commentator, and Vice Chairman of Summa Strategies (pictured; photo credit Jean-Marc Carisse). Powers acknowledged the contribution of the two authors in recording their arguments while pointing out achievements of the Harper government and Stephen Harper’s skill in connecting with the common Canadian.

This second book event introduced PED Talks, the Pearson Centre version of  TED talks, in which speakers of different perspectives speak for a limited amount of time, highlighting a variety of opinions on key debatable issues.

 

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