Filibuster Cartoons
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Prime Minister Harper did his throne speech ventriloquism thing this week, unveiling a long, rambly list of promises before the first session of the now-no-longer-prorogued Canadian parliament.
Despite its considerable length, the speech contained nothing particularly bold or edgy, nor did the government’s follow-up budget, released the next day. No significant cuts or increases to spending, no new programs introduced or old ones turfed… it was all very status quo.
Lacking anything meaningful to discuss, we in the professional commentary scene have thus honed in on some of the government’s more bizarre proposals to complain about. And there are a few doozies indeed.
The first notable one was Harper’s promise to establish a new holiday entitled “Seniors’ Day.” Because, God knows, the people of Canada have just been clamouring for another excuse to buy halfhearted presents for their ungrateful elderly relatives.
The other, which has generated an enormous amount of headlines, was the government’s promise to bring about a more “gender neutral” national anthem. At present, the Canadian anthem contains a line that says “…in all thy sons command.” Someone, somewhere apparently considers this offensive, and that person evidently has the Prime Minister’s ear.
UPDATE UPDATE: The Prime Minister’s Office now acknowledges that there has been “overwhelming” opposition to changing the anthem, so the deal is off. Someone better tell the seniors.
