Hear that? That’s the sound of democracy at work.

Chantal Hébert brought a smile to my face this morning, confirming what I said back here.  Stevie has greatly misjudged Canadians thinking we are a submissive lot who will endlessly bow down to his bullying.  I am very happy to see more and more of them prove him wrong. 

 

One result is that there is increasingly open talk of government witch hunts taking place deep into normally apolitical public service territory…These days, more and more former senior civil servants are uncharacteristically speaking out in public against the actions of the Harper government.

Not surprisingly, the public opinion ripples are widening with every purge.  Last winter’s prorogation backlash was unexpectedly strong. Over the summer, the level of engagement of Canada’s civil society on the census issue has been unprecedented, with otherwise Conservative-friendly constituencies among the vocal critics of the decision to abolish the long form.

This week, the circle widened again to include more otherwise natural allies of the Conservatives like the veterans and the country’s police associations.

It isn’t only the upper ranks who are rumbling.

Harper said the new centre would provide 550 jobs in the region. But he said that would be fewer payroll jobs in total than there are presently across the country.He said the system would be more automated and that a wave of retirements are expected over the next few years."We will employ less people going forward than we're currently doing," he said. "But we will also create a workforce here ... that we anticipate will be a lot more stable than we have in some other parts of the country." 

PSAC's President, John Gordon points out that as the Miramichi jobs are created,  others will be cut throughout the country, with 30-35% in Ottawa alone.  So Harper will be taking jobs away from densely populated areas and making the job situation in Miramich more "stable" than other parts of the country.

Okaaaaaaayyyyy...

Impolitical points out another Harper oddity (amazing anyone can even focus on one anymore), a little detail that has not been lost on public servants:

Harper went to New Brunswick today in a fit of premature termination politics, already making plans for a post-gun registry world: "Payroll jobs for long-gun registry workers." A little presumptuous of the boss, don't you think? That gun registry vote comes at the end of September and it's not at all assured that Mr. Harper's bill to destroy the registry will pass.

That's right.  Harpsie can't pass up a chance at a good photo op and magnanamous gesture as rumours of a fall election grow, so why wait until the vote takes place that would actually put the folks in Miramichi out of work?  Arrogant on his part to act as though shutting down the registry is a done deal.

John Baird can make all the we love us them thar public servants statements all he wants, but the brazen politics of such moves as the Miramichi one and cutting jobs all across Canada to boost votes in a single riding does not engender trust among the public servants.

But then, Harper is not only arrogant, but really, really out of touch with people.  Really, Steve, you're not getting out of the car?