Conservative Party Track Record – 39th Parliament, 2nd Session

Anybody paying attention, especially somebody who's job it is to pay attention, would have realized that by late 2007 the US was heading for depression. The implications for Canada should have been clear. What did the Conservative government do? Well let's just see:

Here's the extent of their parliamentary actions from October 16, 2007 to September 7, 2008.



C-2
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Tackling Violent Crime Act) – The Minister of Justice

“create two new firearm offences and provide escalating mandatory sentences of imprisonment for serious firearm offences, reverse the onus on those seeking bail when accused of serious offences involving firearms and other regulated weapons, make it easier to have someone declared a dangerous offender, introduce a new regime for the detection and investigation of drug-impaired driving and increase the penalties for impaired driving, and raise the age of consent for sexual activity from 14 to 16 years.”

And thus the police state intensifies...

C-3
An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (certificate and special advocate) and to make a consequential amendment to another Act – The Minister of Public Safety

It has to do with security certificates, our Immigration policy and the Supreme Court. You can go look it up if you like, but it's really just bureaucratic nonsense from the State.

C-4
An Act to amend the Pilotage Act – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

This bill is pretty much of the same as C-64 from the last session. Other than some mandates here and there, this bill gives the Minster of Transport more power. Funny, I never remember the Tories campaigning on giving the Minister of Transport more power, yet that seems to be the only consistent policy they've taken.

This bill never made it past first reading

C-5
An Act respecting civil liability and compensation for damage in case of a nuclear incident (Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act) – The Minister of Natural Resources

Remember bill C-63 from the last session? The one about getting compensation for nuclear incidents? It passed this time around.

C-6
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (visual identification of voters) – The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

A big controversy in Canada as Muslim women would have to show their face in order to vote. Fortunately, this bill didn't pass. Not that it really matters anyway, voting for your oppressors is useless.

This bill never made it past first reading

C-7
An Act to amend the Aeronautics Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

More powers to the Ministry of Transport. What the hell is going on here? Are there a bunch of lobbyists that benefit from this?

This bill never made it past first reading

C-8
An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act (railway transportation) – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Pretty much the same as bill C-58 from the last session. More powers to the Ministry of Transport.

C-9
An Act to implement the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (ICSID Convention) – (Settlement of International Investment Disputes Act) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs

Settling international investment disputes via the World Bank. Authority being deferred to international bodies was a problem with the last government too. Without trying to sound “conspiratorial” Paul Martin is quite open about attending Bilderberg meetings... Stephen Harper, not so much. Although there have been rumors he attended before becoming Prime Minister.

C-10
An Act to amend the Income Tax Act, including amendments in relation to foreign investment entities and non-resident trusts, and to provide for the bijural expression of the provisions of that Act (Income Tax Amendments Act, 2006) – The Minister of Finance

Amendments to our complicated tax system.

C-11
An Act to give effect to the Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement and to make a consequential amendment to another Act (Nunavik Inuit Land Claims Agreement Act) – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Agreements with Nunavik leaders over land claims. The Toronto Star has done some great research into the fallacies of governments and Native leaders working together. It benefits nobody but those two parties.

C-12
An Act to amend the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act, the Wage Earner Protection Program Act and chapter 47 of the Statutes of Canada, 2005 – The Minister of Labour

Similar to bill C-62 from last session. There were amendments the Bloc Quebecois wanted put in dealing with the seizure of RRSP and RRIF in case of bankruptcy. It's all bullshit folks, this one piece of legislation has been passed around the bureaucratic hallways of Ottawa so much that it'd shame a hooker. If Parliament were a private enterprise it would have gone out of business a long time ago.

C-13
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (criminal procedure, language of the accused, sentencing and other amendments) – The Minister of Justice

Last session this bill was called C-23. It was sent to the Senate, they made some changes, sent it back to the house, then it was voted on again. The contents of the bill are merely minor amendments to the Criminal Code. Something that could have been done faster and more efficiently by the private market.

C-14
An Act to amend the Canada Post Corporation Act – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

“This bill clarifies Canada Post’s statutory monopoly on mail delivery”

Because clearly that needed to be reaffirmed. Not only would mail delivery be better off by non-governmental monopoly delivery services, but decisions concerning mail delivery would be better provided by individuals working for profits, consumer demand and shareholders. Just five minutes of viewing CPAC while MP's debate these bills should be a clear indication that the State is incompetent in dealing with any social or economic issues. This issue can be summed up by asking yourself: which do you prefer FedEx or Canada Post?

In this session the bill never made it past first reading

C-15
An Act respecting the exploitation of the Donkin coal block and employment in or in connection with the operation of a mine that is wholly or partly at the Donkin coal block, and to make a consequential amendment to the Canada--Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act (Donkin Coal Block Development Opportunity Act) – The Minister of Natural Resources

State meddling in issues that belong to the private transactions of individuals.

C-16
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (expanded voting opportunities) and to make a consequential amendment to the Referendum Act – The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Pretty much the same thing as bill C-55 from last session. Once again this bill didn't become law before Parliament was out.

C-17
An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act – The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

More power to Immigration Officers (i.e. bureaucrats)

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-18
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (verification of residence) – The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

If you want to vote but your ID doesn't have your address on it, thanks to this bill, now you can show up with a post office letter with your address on it. Considering that voting is useless, so is this bill.

C-19
An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Senate tenure) (Constitution Act, 2007 (Senate tenure)) – The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Puts Senators on an 8 year limit term. A far cry from the elected Senate the Tories campaigned on. An even further from the abolition of the Senate – the most logical choice.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-20
An Act to provide for consultations with electors on their preferences for appointments to the Senate (Senate Appointment Consultations Act) – The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

As the name implies, this bill aimed to elect Senators. Virtually the same as bill C-43 from the last session.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-21
An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Repels Section 67 of the federal human rights statute. Identical to bill C-44 from the last session.

C-22
An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867 (Democratic representation) (Constitution Act, 2007 (Democratic representation)) – The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Creating new seats in the House of Commons so more “representatives” can steal our money.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-23
An Act to amend the Canada Marine Act, the Canada Transportation Act, the Pilotage Act and other Acts in consequence – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

More power to bureaucrats, in this case the Port Authority.

C-24
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (non-registration of firearms that are neither prohibited nor restricted) – The Minister of Public Safety

An Act to repel some of the requirements placed on gun owners.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-25
An Act to amend the Youth Criminal Justice Act – The Minister of Justice

More punishments for youth convicted of a crime, including pre-trial detention.

This bill did not become law before the session was over.

C-26
An Act to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts – The Minister of Justice

The single most coercive thing the State does (save for, taxation) is the punishment of individuals deciding to use drugs. This Act increases drug laws, particularly the use of cannabis. Even if this Tory government were fiscal conservatives, this would be offset by their backwards social policies.

This bill did not become law before the session was over.

C-27
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (identity theft and related misconduct) – The Minister of Justice

An act to strengthen identity theft laws. I'd rather trust a private security defense organization based on voluntary payment resulting in profit and loss structures. Thus, working with an incentive to actually provide security against (in this case) identity theft. In this session, for all the debates and money wasted on this issue, the bill never became law.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-28
An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 19, 2007 and to implement certain provisions of the economic statement tabled in Parliament on October 30, 2007 (Budget and Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2007) – The Minister of Finance

Increases taxes here, decreases taxes there. Gives more power to Ministers, bureaucrats and international organizations.

C-29
An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (accountability with respect to loans) – The Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for Democratic Reform

Changing some rules based around how much people, corporations, financial institutions, etc. can loan to political entities.

C-30
An Act to establish the Specific Claims Tribunal and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (Specific Claims Tribunal Act) – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

Deals with aboriginal claims. Another hand-out.


C-31
An Act to amend the Judges Act – The Minister of Justice

Increases judges salaries at the exspense of our income... how about we privatize law and order?

C-32
An Act respecting the sustainable development of Canada's seacoast and inland fisheries(Fisheries Act, 2007) – The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

An updated version of the Fisheries Act, a statute from 1868. This bill deals more with conservation of fish, fish habitats and water pollution. As I explained in my critique of the last session, and in my NDP critique, and as Bob Murphy already explained – the best way to deal with this problem is by establishing private property rights in the water. I expected better from a conservative government... (no I didn't)

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-33
An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 – The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Gives the State the power to “regulate minimum levels of biofuel content in gasoline, diesel fuel and heating oil to be implemented within three to five years.” It may seem minor, but the State's activities regarding fossil fuels has been increasing as each year goes by. Good for the environment or good for the State? I'll let you decide.

C-34
An Act to give effect to the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement and to make consequential amendments to other Acts(Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement Act) – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

A self-government and land claim agreement for the Tsawwassen First Nation.

C-35
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2008 (Appropriation Act No. 3, 2007-2008) – The President of the Treasury Board

A justification for theft.

C-36
An Act to amend the Air Canada Public Participation Act (Air Canada and Its Affiliates Act) – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Remember that stupid “official languages requirement” act regarding Air Canada from the last session? Well the bill didn't pass this session either. Air Canada begun its long overdue privatization in 1988. This process has gone on at least twenty years. Anyone needing proof that the State is incompetent and wealth-destroying need to look no farther than this issue.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-37
An Act to amend the Citizenship Act– The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Allow the summary to explain this:

“The purpose of the Act is to address the issue of the so-called “lost Canadians,” people who think of themselves as Canadians and who wish to participate in Canadian society, but either ceased to be citizens, or never were Canadian citizens in the first place, for various legal reasons. In many cases, “lost Canadians” were not aware that they were not Canadian citizens until they applied for a certificate of Canadian citizenship or other documentation... Bill C-37 amends the Citizenship Act in four main ways. It adds five new situations to the list defining who is a citizen. It provides for retroactive application of these new citizenship provisions. It precludes Canadians from passing down Canadian citizenship to their offspring born abroad after one generation. And it provides some relief for the stateless offspring of Canadians. Other provisions of Bill C-37 address various technical or housekeeping matters, including coordinating the coming into force of Bill C-37 with an Act adopted in June 2007 amending the Citizenship Act in relation to foreign adoptions.”

This is one of the situations were the State has become so entangled in society's matters that I don't even know where to begin with this issue. All I want to know is how do I become a “lost Canadian?” If I'm lost, Canada Revenue Agency won't know where to find me.

C-38
An Act to permit the resumption and continuation of the operation of the National Research Universal Reactor at Chalk River – The Minister of Natural Resources

Remember when this was in the news? Basically the world's supply of medical radioisotopes come from this reactor in Chalk River, Ontario. The routine maintenance check was extended because the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission found the place “not in compliance.” But this extended shut-down caused a worldwide shortage of isotopes so the Harper government defied the CNSC's ruling and reopened the reactor. All this could have been avoided if a back-up plan was in place. But, being a crown corporation, the economics of running this business was ass-backwards (and probably still is). The absurdity of government-run enterprises is here for all to see. Despite the danger, this bill required the nuclear plant to be reopened.

C-39
An Act to amend the Canada Grain Act, chapter 22 of the Statutes of Canada, 1998 and chapter 25 of the Statutes of Canada, 2004 – The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

In an effort to “update” the Canadian Grain Commission, this bill just increases bureaucratic mandates and governance.

C-40
An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the Canada Student Loans Act and the Public Service Employment Act – The Minister of Labour

Interestingly, if one is a member of the Reserve Force, paying off one's student loan or taking a leave from work becomes much easier thanks to the bill.

C-41
An Act respecting payments to a trust established to provide provinces and territories with funding for community development – The Minister of Finance

I believe this is the bill for equalization, a process that steals from the provinces that “have” and gives it to the “have not” provinces. Utter stupidity that makes us all poorer.

C-42
An Act to amend the Museums Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts – The Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages

Thanks to Josée Verner, Canada has a new crown corporation called the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. This bill sets out the corporation’s purpose, capacity and powers by amending the Museums Act. Is Josée Verner and everyone that voted this a parasitic moron? You betcha!

C-43
An Act to amend the Customs Act – The Minister of Public Safety

“The Customs Act was first enacted in 1867 to serve three purposes: to ensure the collection of duties, to control the movement of people and goods, and to protect Canadian industry from real or potential injury caused by the actual or contemplated import of dumped or subsidized goods and by other forms of unfair competition.”

All this amendment does is improve the language between the French and English versions to make them more or less the same wording. If the Harper government was really keen on increasing individual liberty against unchecked State power, they should have abolished this Act instead of amending it.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-44
An Act to amend the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act – The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Livestock producers must abide by various federal bureaucratic laws. This bill changes some of the eligibilities, but doesn't deal with the fundamental issue: the State should be staying the hell away from agriculture.

C-45
An Act to amend the National Defence Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts - The Minister of National Defence

Another try at bill C-7 from the last session.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-46
An Act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act and chapter 17 of the Statutes of Canada, 1998 – The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board

Gives more power to the Governor in Council of the Canadian Wheat Board.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-47
An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nation reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structures and lands situated on those reserves (Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act) – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

More stuff about First Nations, ignores fundamental problems, what else is new?

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-48
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2008 (Appropriation Act No. 4, 2007-2008) – The President of the Treasury Board

Justification for theft.

C-49
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009 (Appropriation Act No. 1, 2008-2009) – The President of the Treasury Board

Same as above. It's funny, 37 MP's voted against this. Most likely they were Bloc, decrying the federal power and the term “Her Majesty.”

C-50
An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on February 26, 2008 and to enact provisions to preserve the fiscal plan set out in that budget (Budget Implementation Act, 2008) – The Minister of Finance

Introduces the Tax-Free Savings Account (I suggest you put your savings in hard assets like gold or silver). Some goodies for the Registered Education Savings Plan, Northern Residents Deductions, Medical Expense Tax Credit and etc. Some unpopular things in here relating to the Dividend Tax Credit. Some stuff relating to student loans, and withdrawing from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for things ranging from hiring more cops to giving money to the University of Calgary.

It's just the same old bullshit, folks.

C-51
An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts – The Minister of Health

This bill attempted to coerce the population into abiding by several things, most notable are requirements for “licences for importing food and for interprovincial trade in food” as well increasing the power of federal bureaucratic food inspectors. All things that are best left to the voluntary market. The power to license is the power to control.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-52
An Act respecting the safety of consumer products (Canada Consumer Product Safety Act) – The Minister of Health

This Act does everything save for it's title. An act respecting the safety of consumer products? Hardly.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-53
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (auto theft and trafficking in property obtained by crime) – The Minister of Justice

The Tories are really tough on crime. Unfortunately that doesn't get to the root of the problem and it won't stop crime. This bill is just an attempt to fill our prisons.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-54
An Act to promote safety and security with respect to human pathogens and toxins (Human Pathogens and Toxins Act) – The Minister of Health

Supposed to help us, but it probably wouldn't.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-55
An Act to implement the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the States of the European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Republic of Iceland, the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Kingdom of Norway and the Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Swiss Confederation (Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act) – The Minister of International Trade

Exactly as the title describes. Of course, statist free trade is different from the market's free trade.

This bill did not become law before the session was over.

C-56
An Act to amend the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 – The Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities

Supposed to provide safety and security for transportation of what the State deems “dangerous goods.”

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-57
An Act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act (election of directors) – The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board

Changes the eligibility criteria for the election of directors on the Canadian Wheat Board.

C-58
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009 (Appropriation Act No. 2, 2008-2009) – The President of the Treasury Board

Justification for theft.

C-59
An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the federal public administration for the financial year ending March 31, 2009 (Appropriation Act No. 3, 2008-2009) – The President of the Treasury Board

Justification for theft.

C-60
An Act to amend the National Defence Act (court martial) and to make a consequential amendment to another Act – The Minister of National Defence

Amendments to the military justice system.... best just to privatize defense. Much more efficient.

C-61
An Act to amend the Copyright Act – The Minister of Industry

More tyranny in the digital realm. Here's the link to Kinsella's book as to why digital copyright is stupid.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-62
An Act respecting not-for-profit corporations and certain other corporations (Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act) – The Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

A Corporation in Canada has the same rights and responsibilities as a natural person. It says so in this bill. The bill says other things too. It's all State nonsense. Those who fear that without government “corporations would take over the world” need to realize two things: One, corporations already run the world – we are not living in a free market. Two, without government, there are no corporations as legislation like this gives them a leg up against the rest of us.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.

C-63
An Act to amend the Indian Oil and Gas Act – The Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development

The State regulates the use of oil and gas on First Nation lands. This bill tweaks some rules here and there, but does nothing to address the fact that the State regulates the use of oil and gas on First Nation lands.

In this session the bill never made it past first reading.


By September 2008 Harper claimed that parliament was broken (has it ever worked?) and an election was called. The results were pretty much the same, yet before Christmas a whole bunch of shit would go down. A threatened socialist coalition, plus the biggest financial crisis in history (that is still far from over). Outside of parliament, the Harper-Carney-Flaherty team would make things worse for Canada by postponing our financial meltdown. But that's a different post, for a different day.