Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON) Copyright: 2015 Metroland Media Group Ltd. Contact: http://www.therecord.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225 Page: A14 PETTY POLITICS DEMEAN TORIES Despite dire predictions to the contrary, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has led Canada in a mostly centrist direction during the nine years he has stood at its helm. In many ways this has served the country well and brought it together during some difficult times. But every so often, the Conservative government disappoints even those who are inclined to view it favourably by digging in its heels and holding a rigidly doctrinaire position on the smallest of issues. This happened twice in the past week. First, the government said it would be introducing legislation to ban veils that cover the face, such as the niqab, during citizenship ceremonies. This is in direct defiance of a Federal Court ruling against a government policy that had required the covering be removed as the oath was taken. Although the issue of whether one should cover one's face at the very moment of being accepted into the Canadian family is certainly controversial, the government's stance against the court ruling is ill-advised. Besides being disrespectful to the court ruling, this legislation would needlessly encroach on individual liberties and offend many Muslim Canadians. It cannot be justified either on the grounds of security or ascertaining the identity of a new citizen. Second came the news that the federal government is "outraged" at the unanimous ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada that medical marijuana can be legally consumed in products such as cookies, brownies and teas. Until now, cannabis that is prescribed by physicians could only be used in dried form - a rule that made it difficult for some patients to take their medicine. One mother, Cheryl Rose, said her 22-year-old epileptic daughter will now be able to take one oil=based capsule instead of 15 capsules of dried cannabis. Health Minister Rona Ambrose said she was outraged by the decision, its "normalization" of the drug, and its message that judges, rather than doctors, can decide what is a medicine. The arguments seem specious, though. Cannabis has already been approved as a medicine. What difference does it make if it's in the form of a cigarette, a capsule, or a cookie? In its nearly nine years in office, the Conservative government has achieved much to be proud of. A case can be made that the economy has been well managed during a difficult recession and slow recovery. Important trade treaties were negotiated with Europe and signed with South Korea. The federal deficit has been eliminated. Canada has taken a firm stand against aggressive foreign governments and terrorism. The Harper government has made laudable attempts - though these have sometimes been frustrated - to improve the lives of aboriginal Canadians and to reform the scandal-ridden Senate. The petty squabbling of this last week is unworthy of this government. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt