Moldy Peaches

It has been a long and sometimes acrimonyous session in Parliament, but that is no excuse for the latest outburst from Stephen Harper. The Conservative leader is slipping fast and needs to to get out of Ottawa and regroup.

Harper says the government's same-sex legislation will make it through the House of Commons only because of support from the Bloc Québécois, and that, says Harper, means the legislation "lacks legitimacy." A vote on the bill is expected Tuesday evening.

Harper branded Bill C-38 the product of an illegitimate union. "I think because this bill is only being passed with the support of the BQ, I think it will lack legitimacy with most Canadians. The truth is most federalist MPs will oppose this legislation," he said.

Is it not ironic that barely a month ago Harper was working hand-in-hand with the BQ to defeat the Liberal budget, in a move that would have brought down the government. Would the defeat been legitimate then since "the majority of federalists" wanted the government to continue.

Let's be clear, the Bloc Québécois do not have the support of this author. Bloc MPs, who's raison d'etre is breakup the country, however, are legitimately elected by the citizens of Quebec. BQ Leader Gilles Duceppe, who immediately pounced on Harper's remarks, says his party has as much legitimacy as the Conservatives. Duceppe is correct and Harper is in dangerous territory when he questions the legitimacy of one parties elected MPs over another. Is Quebec not still part of Canada? Is Myron Thompson more legitimate than Christiane Gagnon?

Tory Deputy Leader Peter MacKay took it one step further saying the legislation will make the issue a Quebec versus Canada subject. Apparently Achy Breaky Heart MacKay can't read an atlas. It isn't just Quebec MPs who will push the bill across the finish line - most Atlantic MPs and the majority of Ontario MPs will vote in favour of the bill. MacKay, however, is correct when he points out that most Canadians have a skeptical view of Pequistes breaking up the country.

Harper's comments will not play well in the Atlantic, Quebec or Ontario, but that is ok because Harper seems concerned about piling on the vote in ridings like Crowfoot (Alberta), Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon (British Columbia) and Cypress Hills-Grasslands (Saskatchewan). The Leader of the Offical Opposition needs to grow not shrink the Conservative support in other parts of the country if he hopes to occupy 24 Sussex Drive.