Garth Turner refuses to run as MP under Iggy

This is one of those times when it is best to just read the original.

October 12th, 2009 | Uncategorized

Some months ago I was encouraged to return to federal politics. I succumbed. Big mistake.

Yesterday I corrected that, and am returning my Liberal decoder ring. In fact, it’s fair to say my experiences in politics over the past four years have reminded me why 97% of Canadians do not belong to a party.

My motivation for dallying with MPship again was similar to my desire to maintain this conversation with you. The times are uncertain. Questionable decisions have been made. The consequences will be long-lasting. We should elect people driven to solve problems, not just attracted to power.

To date, no party or leader has treated you honestly to an explanation of what a $56 billion deficit or $600 billion debt mean for your family or your finances. Suggesting there’ll be no tax hikes, spending cuts or mortgage increases is akin to Stephen Harper telling us one year ago Canada was immune to recession and our budget would stay balanced. It’s crap. But apparently crap that people like hearing.

Such talk has surely not endeared me to the new Liberal leader. Can’t say I’m surprised. But neither can I stay.

I’m too old and crusty to cave now.

Statement by Garth Turner

After being recruited to run for MP in the Ontario riding of Dufferin-Caledon, and having my candidacy approved by the Liberal Party last July, today I informed the leader of my resignation.

My hope in returning to Parliament was to help clear the path to a viable economic future. Stephen Harper’s $56 billion deficit and profligate spending are massive threats. But also threatening is a lack of debate about viable options and an honest conversation with voters and citizens on the looming consequences.

Therefore it’s hard to see what the coming election will be about if we’re not prepared to discuss the options in the wake of the Harper fiscal disaster. Economic growth alone won’t wipe out an historic debt load or the need for spending cuts and tax hikes. The looming HST in Ontario and BC is likely but a taste of medicine to come. This is what Canadians need to understand.

A year ago Stephen Harper said there would be no recession and no deficit. That was untrue. Now he says there will be no consequences of our record shortfall. Also untrue.

In my financial books and writings I’ve warned of the need for families to invest wisely, use debt carefully and live within their means in an uncertain world. Rather than tell voters interest rates and taxes won’t rise nor spending fall, leaders should guide us all into realistic choices. Sadly, that doesn’t win elections.

In Dufferin-Caledon I have been the only nominee for MP candidate since August. I’m interpreting the leader’s failure to allow a nomination meeting as a signal my views are unwelcome.

- 30 -

13 comments ↓

#1 Vicguy on 10.12.09 at 5:49 pm

Good for you, Mr. Turner.

Mr. Ignatieff has been a bitter dissappointment. So many Canadians hoped that he would be an effective, strong leader after the hopeless performance of Mr. Dion.

I said in a comment several months back when you asked our opinion — ’should I run again?’. I speculated that Mr. Ignatieff would be like Mr. Harper re communications — if elected, he’d also muzzle his MP’s.

It is so frustrating to see the Liberals implode — if Mr Harper plays his cards right, he likely will end up with his majority, thanks to the ineptness of the current leader.

Besides, did you really want to take such a brutal pay cut?

#2 Tim G on 10.12.09 at 6:01 pm

I’m lost..what did Iggy say or do?

#3 Dr Mike Popovich on 10.12.09 at 6:46 pm

Garth

You have done the right thing as this party has lost it`s sense of direction when Canada needed it`s leadership the most.

Good luck down the road.

Dr Mike

PS — Esther , be well.

#4 S. Roseth on 10.12.09 at 6:54 pm

Politics, intelligence are at odds
Published On Mon Oct 12 2009
Article
Re:Ignatieff needs to change

the channel, Editorial Oct. 10

Your editorial about Michael Ignatieff is quite perspicacious, but Iggy’s trials and tribulations in the Coliseum or Canadian politics is more than blunders and lack of policy. It’s an example of two solitudes: academic versus politician.

Ignatieff is an erudite and thoughtful person; his writings are intelligent and profound. Not so his stammering political pronouncements. Pace his erudition, he is to political mud wrestling as a fish is to dry land – thrashing around trying to find its breath. There is really little difference in style and substance between Ignatieff and his predecessor Stéphane Dion, save the English language.

In today’s political environment, politics and intelligence is an oxymoron, and the politicians bend and sway with the winds of the latest opinion surveys.

Thomas Jefferson said “the government you elect is the government you deserve.” No politician ever went wrong underestimating the average intelligence of the electorate. A good democracy requires both good citizens and good governments. Unfortunately, we don’t seem to have either.

Sigmund Roseth, Mississauga

#5 Barb the proofreader on 10.12.09 at 6:58 pm

Garth,
Besides my disappointment, I was searching for what you meant by “30″. In my search I found Pat G.’s comment last thread #30 said the very things I would say, so I’d like to quote her: “It is such a pity that no one in government can tell the truth without having some hyenas yakking it up and making outrageous claims about the truth-teller. I think this is why Ignatieff backed off his assertion that taxes may have to go up. Did the backroom boys tell him that was a dangerous statement?
At least Garth is telling it as it is and we surely do need some honesty and courage in politics.
It really hurts me that the Cons have actually achieved their goal — to spend so much money that no other party could carry on or bring in more social programs.
This has been, after all, one of the goals of the nucleus of this party. Tom Flanagan crowed that he was so very proud that Harper had accomplished this feat. I seriously fear for our health care system — Harper had another goal as Pres. of the National Citizens’ Coalition and that was to kill the Canada Health Act. Seems he’s killing a lot of birds with one rock.
At this end of my life, it really saddens me that our country has come to this. It could have been so much better. Now there isn’t even any money to deal very strongly with climate change. This is tragic. when will Canadians wake up from their distracted lives?”
………

Pat,
I couldn’t agree with you more. The only job Harper ever held was at N.C.C. as a corporate lobby faking as “citizens” though not one citizen actually belongs, formed with the main goal of making all healthcare fully “for profit” business, which will essentially eliminate our universal healthcare.
Glad you pointed out also that Harper isn’t just any lobbyist, he was president of them. I can see Harper snickering all the way to his bank. He’s turned this particular government into a spinning turnstyle of lobbyists slithering back and forth in and out of government jobs. He’s spent our last dollar on promoting himself, over, and over, and over again.

The end of democracy is when capitalism achieves Harper’s sort of unfettered control over citizens, that people’s rights become just a quaint, long forgotten notion, when rich lobbyists get their way absolutely every time, and citizens can’t afford to fight them, or usually don’t realize what’s going on behind our backs in a cynical and purposefully “sneaky” government like Harper’s.

We had been, in my lifetime, on the cusp of becoming one of the fairest, most admired nations. Harper’s blown it all for good, and when Canadians wake up it will be too late. He’s made sure of that with his checklist of how to forever hamstring core Canadian values.
………

Garth, I guess I can’t blame you for not wanting to duke it out at the top. It doesn’t matter what government we have in the future, Harper has ensured all governing will be a thankless and ugly task from now on. I don’t think Pat G. and I are alone in our mourning of our country. I particularly mourn the loss of a good politician like yourself. Keep up the great advice, I’m sure you have personally saved many people, young and old, from some very grave financial pitfalls, and since Harper’s gross destruction is so predictable, I’m sure those paying attention to you in the future will also be very lucky to have listened to your advice. I’ll stay tuned as your blogs are always such an interesting source of info.

#6 Watch Dog in D.C. on 10.12.09 at 7:04 pm

Garth,

It’s time for the real Liberal’s to stand up and be counted. Mr. Ignatieff has lost the war across Canada.
It’s time for change in the leadership of the Liberal party.
If Liberal’s across Canada thought Mr Dion lost seats.
Mr.Ignatieff will be the one responsible for the end of the Liberal party in Canada.
Wake up Liberal’s write your Liberal M.P. and Sentor’s today.
We want a new leader that will win the next Election.
Act Today

#7 no job-expired benefits-sick of the games on 10.12.09 at 8:17 pm

Garth: I won’t say I’m not disappointed with your withdrawal from candidacy but support you all the way. Iggy does not possess even a fraction of your honesty, courage and conviction.

I wanted to think he was a ‘real deal’ but have been sadly disappointed in his performance to date. People are starving, losing their homes and continue to suffer in ways not seen in decades. Stephen & Michael continue their chest thumping and calling one another names, whilst screwing Canadians.

Thank you for all that you do to educate, inform and advocate on our behalf. I wish you every success.

#8 Herb on 10.12.09 at 8:47 pm

Garth, I’m shocked but not surprised. Have another go at politics when the Liberal Party has gotten it’s act together, or another party offers a real alternative to this government, whichever occurs earlier.

I had a call from Liberal Central last week asking for my “support”. Told the sweet young thing that I would support Garth Turner across riding boundaries, but not the Liberal Party until it had done something I could support. And since they had nominated another party soldier in my riding, the NDP incumbent looked pretty good.

I was so hoping to get away from economics and real estate, but they are going to be the real story anyway.

#9 oppo guy on 10.12.09 at 9:26 pm

I’m confused Garth.

Is this because the Iffy-led Liberal party has come out in favour of the HST in Ontario and BC?

Ignatieff and the kids running the Liberal party don’t get that higher sales taxes are exactly what familes DON’T need.

Only you (on your blog) and Jack Layton’s NDP are against Harper’s HST.

#10 Van on 10.12.09 at 9:26 pm

Sorry to see you give up the fight Garth. Perhaps your conservative roots will draw you back to the Conservative Party once again after Harper has left the stage. Good luck in your future endeavours although I do hope to see you run again but as a Conservative sometime in the future.

#11 Harry G. on 10.12.09 at 9:30 pm

Sorry to see you go Garth. In these times we need people who have expertise in economic matters. Big loss for the Liberal Party and Parliament. I can’t say I blame you though

#12 hollinm on 10.12.09 at 9:51 pm

In your comments you keep talking about Harper’s $56 billion deficit. However, don’t forget it was the opposition parties who demanded stimulus to the economy and are still demanding more. Failure to deliver the requested stimulus Harper would have been defeated in the House by the three left wing parties. Frankly I am glad Harper moved on stimulus and we will work our way out of the deficit over time. Much of the money being spent is one time i.e. EI and auto bailouts. However I would rather put my faith in Harper to attack the deficit using whatever means available before increasing taxes. That’s the difference Liberals will raise taxes first rather than when everything else fails.
Unfortunately for you Mr. Turner you turned out to be in it for yourself and you have made the right decision. Move on. By the way perhaps you could tell us which specific stimulus spending you would not have done. Its easy to criticize without offering effective solutions. Let’s hear from you.

Doesn’t matter whose deficit it is, we all pay the price. Even the gracious ones, like you. — Garth

#13 wellwell on 10.12.09 at 9:55 pm

Garth, if there are backroom shenanigans to block your nomination, then your resignation is, of course, entirely understandable.

But I would add that those who have written off Ignatieff after a bad week or two simply don’t have their eye on the ball. Already, the latest Ipsos poll has the Conservative lead down to 10 points, which means that once the public digests and partially discounts the government’s overblown spin about Ignatieff, who can put together a good speech and will outperform expectations on the campaign trail, we’ll be back at a 7 point gap: the same margin as in 2004 and 2006. All Ignatieff has to do to declare victory is to restore the Liberals to 100 seats or more, which a 30% showing virtually guarantees. Harper cannot win a majority, despite media speculation to the contrary; in fact, he will obtain fewer seats in the next election than in 2008.

I thought there would be trouble when you took your stand against any near-term implementation of the HST, given Ignatieff’s support for it. (What realistic choice does he have, when a previous federal Liberal government invented the idea and provincial Liberal governments in Ontario and B.C. have embraced it?) But I didn’t suspect that the end of your political career would come so quickly — and let’s be honest, this really is the end, barring some spectacular societal meltdown (God forbid!) and the emergence of, and your involvement in, some new party like Social Credit in Alberta during the 1930s.

Your spouse is probably relieved, and perhaps you are too. More than most of us, you’ve done your duty and served your country. There are many other things you can do as a private citizen. Best of luck in those endeavours!