Calgary Airport Renamed "Stephen J. Harper International"

[altiplano]

If you're going to name YYC after a politician call it after Peter Lougheed.

If you're going to name an airport after Harper make it YMM.

[iflyforpie]

I vote for Lynn Garrison international airport. That guy is a class act.

[av8ts]

Under Harpers reign democracy in Canada took a step backwards. His hostility towards the press, muzzling of scientists and MPs, Unfair elections Act, canceling the long form census, and selling arms to one of worst human rights abusers in the world has lead Canada to a dark place. He ran the country like a bitter headmaster and i'm willing to pay whatever Trudeau is charging to bring Canada back.

[ArcticOtter]

Under Harpers reign democracy in Canada took a step backwards. His hostility towards the press, muzzling of scientists and MPs, Unfair elections Act, canceling the long form census, and selling arms to one of worst human rights abusers in the world has lead Canada to a dark place. He ran the country like a bitter headmaster and i'm willing to pay whatever Trudeau is charging to bring Canada back.

I am just curious, how exactly has democracy taken a step backwards under Harper? I always hear people saying that Harper has destroyed democracy in Canada but no one can ever give an example how.... and the well I saw someone on facebook/twitter say Harper is bad for democracy doesn't count. I just don't think people understand what democracy means... I guess not everyone knows political science.

As for renaming the airport, it is a great idea. People have already forgotten about western alienation but before 2006 the west was ignored and abused by every federal government for decades. The west wanted in, Harper brought the west in. As for deciding to rename it, that should be left to the people of Alberta, more specifically Calgary who overwhelming support Harper. The people of Ontario and Quebec have no business telling what the people of Alberta can and cant do.

[Rookie50]

Under Harpers reign democracy in Canada took a step backwards. His hostility towards the press, muzzling of scientists and MPs, Unfair elections Act, canceling the long form census, and selling arms to one of worst human rights abusers in the world has lead Canada to a dark place. He ran the country like a bitter headmaster and i'm willing to pay whatever Trudeau is charging to bring Canada back.

Let me tell you I support the hostility and muzzling of the press.

The media is supposed to dispassionately report the news of the day, without editing, censure, bias or agenda of its own.

Who here thinks that remotely happens?

The liberal media has become an out of control monster not reporting the news, not reporting the news but trying to define it. Nothing more than attack dogs reporting out of context statements and events to feed their audience with the collective maturity of a group of 3 year olds. Those are the facts.

The CNBC Republican debate last night was classic, and everyone on twitter -- of any political stripe -- this morning is slamming the network for the disgusting behavior of the moderators. The Media, in particular the ridiculous CBC here, has zero credibility.

[Rockie]

Let me tell you I support the hostility and muzzling of the press.

Mr. Harper? Is that you?

The Media, in particular the ridiculous CBC here, has zero credibility.

That must be why the CBC is still here despite Harper trying for 10 years to kill it, and SunTV fizzled like a wet firecracker all on its own....

[Rookie50]

Let me tell you I support the hostility and muzzling of the press.

Mr. Harper? Is that you?

The Media, in particular the ridiculous CBC here, has zero credibility.

That must be why the CBC is still here despite Harper trying for 10 years to kill it, and SunTV fizzled like a wet firecracker all on its own....

Hello? How much public money does the CBC get?

[dash8dave]

I was sent this from a friend. He mentioned credits go to Ted Byfield.

The Conservative government got us through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression -- Canadians say they want change.

The government reduced the GST by two percentage points, a 30% reduction on a tax that we pay on everything -- Canadians say they want a change.

The government introduced pension splitting for retirees. Canadians say they want change.

The government introduced income splitting for families who wish for one of the parents to stay at home and raise the family. Canadian say they want change

The government instituted tax free savings accounts, which benefit anyone willing to save -- Canadians say they want change.

The government has negotiated a number of international trade deals which will stand us in good stead in years to come -- Canadians say they want change.

The government stands four square in favour of Israel, a country threatened with extinction by a vastly larger contingent in the area, and the only democracy in the Middle East -- Canadians say they want change.

Canada has been declared the best country in the world in which to live -- Canadians say they want change.

The government made the Aboriginal Chiefs and their councils accountable to the band members and to the taxpayers as to where the money is spent --- Canadians say they want change

The government has made Tax Exempt Charities accountable for spending their money purely on charitable things, not political things --- Canadian say they want change

The government has now made unions accountable to their membership as to how the union dues are spent, on strictly union things and not political things

And now the Senate will get its house in order after too many spending scandals of all parties and perhaps be eliminated totally because of its partisan nature even though it is not supposed to be partisan

The government wants to readdress the Supreme Court decision to allow woman to wear a Niquab (face covering) while taking their citizenship oath and/or when it comes time to vote in any election --- Canadians say they want change

The government scrapped the outrageously expensive long gun registry which did nothing to protect the public. Criminals do not register their guns -- Canadian say they want change

The government stepped out of the Kyoto Accord which was going to see millions of dollars being sent to foreign countries in the guise of bettering the environment and remain very unaccountable as usual once it change hands -- and Canadians say they want change

The government is trying to stop foreign babies becoming automatic citizens just because they happened to be born here while Mother was in Canada (it may already be law ?) -- Canadians say they want change

The government is trying to get the CBC to be accountable for the 1 billion dollars it receives annually from the taxpayers of this country (I wonder why CBC doesn't like this government) -- Canadian says they want change

The government forced over 20 (and still more to come) known foreign criminals who were hiding in this country under the guise of refugee status -- Canadian say they want change

The government taught the western world how to deal with Putin and his aggression in Ukraine thereby elevating Canada's stature and international reputation -- and Canadians say they want change

My question to those Canadians who want change is which of the foregoing would you like to change, why, and what would you replace them with?"

So I guess we will see what happens now.

[Rookie50]

Face it. Canadians voted out a competent manager, and voted in a spoiled rich kid with a famous name and cute hair (at least my 13 year old thinks so)

Such is the thought process of voters wanting a "fresh face"

[Rockie]

Hello? How much public money does the CBC get?

Hello? It's a public broadcaster.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_broadcasting

Here's an excerpt:

"Vested interests[edit]

Public broadcasting, unless its independence is vigorously upheld, can become a tool of government.[9][10] Similarly, private networks can promote the policies of their owners and suppress other viewpoints, alleging it is in the public interest. Conflicts are common; the state alleges that private broadcasters are attacking it in the interests of the owners, and controls them or takes them over."

Harper and his supporters hate the CBC because it fulfilled its mandate as a public broadcaster and refused to become a "tool of government". That's why he had to create his own with the cartoonish 24/7.

[Donald]

Face it. Canadians voted out a competent manager, and voted in a spoiled rich kid with a famous name and cute hair (at least my 13 year old thinks so)

Such is the thought process of voters wanting a "fresh face"

Actually I think Facebook and the media voted "strategically" to oust Harper, and they didn't care who or what they voted in.

Much like the last Alberta provincial election.

How's that working out?

[Rookie50]

Hello? How much public money does the CBC get?

Hello? It's a public broadcaster.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_broadcasting

Here's an excerpt:

"Vested interests[edit]

Public broadcasting, unless its independence is vigorously upheld, can become a tool of government.[9][10] Similarly, private networks can promote the policies of their owners and suppress other viewpoints, alleging it is in the public interest. Conflicts are common; the state alleges that private broadcasters are attacking it in the interests of the owners, and controls them or takes them over."

Harper and his supporters hate the CBC because it fulfilled its mandate as a public broadcaster and refused to become a "tool of government". That's why he had to create his own with the cartoonish 24/7.

Hello? I watch PBS in the US when I'm in the mood to watch a bit of nature programming. A publicly funded broadcaster -- for it to use those public funds to pursue a blatant liberal political agenda -- its sickening.

A Tool of government? Quite the opposite. Tabloids would be more balanced than the CBC has been in their shameless muckraking campaign against the PC's.

[Rockie]

Let me tell you I support the hostility and muzzling of the press.

You're living in the wrong place Rookie. Canada is a free country and the last election's results were all about keeping it that way. If you like I can PM you with a list of countries more suited to your taste.

[Rookie50]

Let me tell you I support the hostility and muzzling of the press.

You're living in the wrong place Rookie. Canada is a free country and the last election's results were all about keeping it that way. If you like I can PM you with a list of countries more suited to your taste.

One question then who are the media accountable to Rockie?

Don't say the public for the CBC as they get public funding no matter what!

[Old fella]

Guess it is up to the Calgary Airport Authority who they want to name the facility after, I care less either way. As for Harper himself, all I will say is the CPC under his leadership were removed from office by a fair and equitable democratic process in a rather convincing manner(184 seat majority). Nuff said!!!!!

[av8ts]

NFLD got it right

[CpnCrunch]

Still, it's not quite as bad as naming it after an alcoholic ex-footballer who got a government-funded free liver transplant and then proceeded to drink himself to death.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Best

[Rockie]

One question then who are the media accountable to Rockie?

Don't say the public for the CBC as they get public funding no matter what!

Depends what media you're talking about Rookie. If you're talking about commercial media they are responsible to their owners. CTV, SunTV, The National Post, The Globe and Mail, La Presse, CityTV. Those are commercial media outlets, and although in this country they are quite good at maintaining some journalistic standards (SunTV excepted) their editorial boards all naturally lean one way or the other.

The CBC on the other hand is a public broadcaster that has a very strict mandate which includes remaining non-political - you will notice they did not, nor have ever endorsed any candidate or political party in any election. Their owners are me, you, and every other Canadian, so they are accountable to us as Canadian citizens. You and other hard right wing supporters interpret impartiality as left wing because by definition "impartial" is not right wing either. And to you and the rest of the Harperites the CBC is the enemy of the state because they don't march to your political drum - when in fact they don't march to anyone's. They strictly maintain their mandate as a public broadcaster which you can read if you care to.

[Rookie50]

"CBC is non - political".

Who else here believes that? Must not visit their website.

Excuse me while I laugh.

[dash8dave]

It is not going to be long until a liberal moderator locks this thread as non-aviation related.

Man, I miss the Water Cooler.

But, you know what I find exciting in this country for the first time in a long time? It is the passion for this country I am seeing from all camps. People are taking pride in their country again. No matter what colour; Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, there is a pride that is showing.

Way to go Canada.

[Shiny Side Up]

The ants are taking over from the grasshoppers, and that never ends well

Not to be picky, but I think you mean that the other way around.

Personally I'd rather see airports names after aviation people. They need more name recognition after all. Besides, its too soon to be naming stuff after Harper. He wasn't horrible, but he wasn't that great.

Personally I'm surprised that the airport authority hasn't seen the potential in naming the place to generate revenue. It could be like the Scotiabank Calgary International, or the Suncor Calgary International.

[Taiser]

In before lock... where's the popcorn emoticon...?

[iflyforpie]

I sure would hate to see what Canada would look like today if it weren't for the Supreme Court.

You see.... this is why it doesn't really matter who is PM. There is a safety system in place so that no matter what idiot is in power, the damage done can't be great or everlasting.

[JasonE]

Enough harping already....

[Rookie50]

Edited. FWIW I wouldn't vote to rename the airport after a living PM.

Kinda like Billy Bishop airport name....although I will never likely stop calling it city centre (and neither does ATC)