Pubdate: Sun, 17 Jan 2016
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.winnipegsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Anthony Furey
Page: 10

THREE 'PROGRESSIVE' POSITIONS TORIES CAN ADOPT

A lot of Conservatives are wondering exactly what their party will 
look like in a couple of years. What values will it place front and 
centre? Which policies will it continue to hold dear and which will 
it jettison? Will it try to move more to the left in response to 
Justin Trudeau's majority win?

It's that last one that has some party members I've spoken with, both 
in the caucus and the grassroots, a little worried.

In May, they'll have the opportunity to hash these issues out at 
their annual convention. It'll be one of the most intellectually 
liberated in years, because not only is there no Prime Minister's 
Office to tell them what to think, but there will be prospective 
leadership candidates milling about with their different visions for the party.

Don't expect them to bid farewell to some of the most robust and true 
blue elements of their constitution's guiding principles.

This is staying: "A belief that a responsible government must be 
fiscally prudent and should be limited to those responsibilities 
which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual or others."

As is this: "A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to 
provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while 
recognizing that government must respond to those who require 
assistance and compassion."

There's little chance they're going to abandon free markets, limited 
government and the like. These ideas are the core of the true 
conservative identity. Besides, these are the issues they can win 
again on. If they articulate them properly and positively, that is.

No, don't toss out these views. They're not broken. But there are 
views held by the party that are broken. And the Tories can change 
them in a way that will appeal to progressives across Canada while 
still keeping true to genuine conservative principles.

The first is marijuana policy. In October, the voters elected a party 
that said in its platform: "We will legalize, regulate, and restrict 
access to marijuana." Polls have consistently shown that a majority 
of Canadians support loosening marijuana laws to one degree or another.

The Conservatives were slowly heading in this direction - they were 
considering letting police issue fines rather than criminal charges 
for possession. But their fear-mongering about how Trudeau wanted to 
get their kids stoned obscured that sensible policy.

As the Liberals move forward with their pot promises, which will be 
spearheaded by former Toronto police chief and new MP Bill Blair, the 
opposition has to be careful how it handles this file. Conservatives 
should smartly criticize weaknesses in the legislation, but if they 
come out entirely anti-pot they'll just look like yesterday's party.

The second issue the Tories should pivot on is assisted suicide. Last 
February, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the Criminal Code's 
ban on assisted suicide. It gave the government 12 months to amend 
the law, but it seems the Liberals will ask for a six-month extension.

The ability to make your own life choices, even the most tragic of 
ones, should be a hallmark of small government philosophy and a 
no-brainer for the Tories. One of their own caucus members, Steven 
Fletcher, even introduced a private member's bill on this issue that 
included important qualifiers like how the person must be over 18 and 
of sound mind.

In fairness, this is an issue party members are divided on. The 
former government did convene a panel on the issue, but only after 
the Supreme Court ruling. Instead of being reactive, they could have 
been more proactive.

Lastly, they need to bid farewell to corporate handouts. In a recent 
column I wrote that Conservatives can show true leadership in 
opposing the $1.3 billion Bombardier is asking for. Possible 
leadership contender Maxime Bernier is already strongly against it. 
But the Stephen Harper years were plagued with too much pork barrel 
spending. The only people who benefit are the direct recipients. 
Everyone else - the regular Joes paying the taxes to finance the 
handouts - is left outside, looking in. Picking winners and losers in 
business just isn't the conservative way.

These are just a few of the ways Conservatives can appear more 
"progressive" to appeal to outsiders while still remaining true to 
their core beliefs. If they want to embrace the future, they need to 
update their playbook on issues like these soon.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom