Why the Conservatives are doing a good job

I think the federal Tories are doing a good job, all things considered. Operating under a minority mandate and in their first term in office, they've been able to move the country forward on a number of issues. They have been very pragmatic, spending more time making progress than talking about what they plan to do. While the media doesn't like this approach, I do. Here are some highlights.

1. Income Trusts. While you'd think I'd be upset about this one, working in the telco industry, I actually think it was a good move for Canada. Income trusts, in general, give more of their available financial resources back to investors than do corporations. Corporations are more likely to reinvest cash, operating on the principle that their business is a better option for their investors than would another option be. The tax rules the Conservatives inherited offered businesses incentive to be income trusts, thus an increasing number of businesses were moving to this structure. By removing the tax incentive for businesses to be trusts rather than corporations the Conservatives have reestablished a balance keeping business sectors that should be reinvesting to keep the economy growing, doing so. As well, they removed a loophole that potentially could have drained a lot of corporate tax revenue from the government.
2. Quebec as a Nation. Just announced yesterday, the Conservatives realized what the opposition parties were attempting to accomplish and moved in taking advantage of the situation an potentially solving an ongoing issue of national unity. By putting forward a motion declaring Quebec to be a nation within the nation of Canada, PM Harper essentially preempted a motion by the Bloc to declare Quebec as a nation period or a nation currently within Canada. The difference is that Harper's motion gives respect and recognition to the Quebecois, but does not change the current rights or Canada's make up. This could potentially lead to Quebec signing in to the Constitution. The Liberals were fractionally discussing the possibility of putting forward this type of motion, however Harper took advantage of the opportunity and put forward on his terms. Well done!
3. The Environment. Yes, yes, I know. The Tories are getting slammed in the media and by the UN on this one. They're not for Kyoto and maybe they should be. It seems Kyoto now is more a political stand than an actual set of standards/aspirations. In any case, I won't argue against the idea that Canada should be doing more to lead the green initiative, rather than dragging our heals. However, in the 13 years the Liberals were in power they publicly endorsed Kyoto and environmental standard changes, but never actually implemented them. Even more indicting, they didn't create significant budget room to enforce standards or encourage green innovation. The Conservatives are not 'cooperating' but at least they're making some actual progress.
4. Foreign Policy. While not all are in favour of the Afghanistan mission, the fact that the Conservatives have reinforced the military in spending and unequivocal support no doubt changes Canada's stature in world affairs. Avoiding conflicts and failing to play a role in enforcing peace and justice outside of our borders in the past decade and a half had painted Canada as a self-focused country not interested or not caring enough to put ourselves in harms way to help out others. Fighting for the Afghan people at the cost of our soldiers lives gives clear indication to the world that we will stand up for causes we believe in. If the Afghan mission was abdicated, the country would go back to being a training ground for terrorists. If they're able to install stability in government, not only will terrorists be held in check there, but there is the potential to begin addressing the drug export problem there.

I tip my hat to Prime Minister Harper and the Conservatives. I'm glad to have supported them in the past election and hope to not have to again any time soon.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.