Today marks Harper’s 100th day in office

The first 100 days in office is the yardstick by which new Presidents, Prime Ministers and new CEOs are commonly measured. The first 100 days in office affords insights into what trajectory a new administration is headed on. Soaring to new heights of accomplishment or a low altitude flight path. By that measure, Stephen Harper hasn’t even left the ground. Apart from his two self serving and opportunistic moves of proroguing Parliament and appointing 18 new Senators, Harper has achieved absolutely nothing during the 100 days that have now elapsed since October 14th. Both of those acts were regressive in nature and Harper has paid a price in the polls for doing so. Nothing that Harper has done or failed to do over the course of the last 100 days qualifies him as a leader.

The October 14th election was an election of Harper’s convenience, and upon scratching out some form of minority victory, what is his first act of governing during one of the most economically challenging times that our country has faced? He takes a paid vacation at a time when a huge premium is placed on the urgency to act. Stephen Harper is Canada’s first truly delinquent PM.

Contrast Stephen Harper first 100 days in office with Barack Obama’s first 24 hours in office. Harper pales by comparison. In a mere 24 hours in office, Barack Obama, has:

(1) ushered in a new era of open and transparent government by signing executive orders with specific directives on transparency/accountability and tightened restrictions on lobbying
(2) called a halt to the trials in Gitmo, which had the effect of bringing justice to Canadian citizen, Omar Khadr, a person whose rights Stephen Harper has not lifted a finger to protect
(3) engaged himself with his military staff to implement the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and engaged himself in the middle east controversy by calling the leaders of Palestine and Israel
(4) launched a new content rich interactive website, Whitehouse.gov, that invites public involvement in government

Stephen Harper has squandered the last 100 days in an attempt to buy time, at a critical point in time where the premium is placed on those who are swift. Harper has accomplished nothing over the course of his first 100 days in office. Harper is clearly not up to the challenges of the day. He is a divisive force at a time when the country needs to be brought together, with all Canadians working towards a common purpose. Squandering Stephen Harper is not a leader. The last 100 days of Harper’s utter inaction have brought that reality into sharp focus. Harper lacks a sense of direction, a sense of urgency, and a sense of leadership. Time for him to step aside.