We asked whether Stephen Harper's minority government has performed better than expected, as expected or worse than expected. Here’s what you had to say:
Harper's Conservative government has broke too many promises, made too many unforced errors for a government that has so many talented people in their front benches.
Larry Birkbeck, Regina
Has Stephen Harper's government performed as expected? His government has performed as I expected it to. It's been terrible. But I don't imagine as some do that he's that much worse than what a Liberal leader would have been. Both Liberals and Conservatives have proven that they are very good at destructive governance.
Rick Battams, Toronto
I don't think any government has ever made a noticeable difference either way in my life (except for the Harris regime in Ontario). When I vote, I vote for the person who I think can do the least damage.
Chris Just, Toronto
I think on the whole Harper is doing a lousy job, but I expected him to do a lousy job from the beginning. He hasn't destroyed Canada as the Liberals claimed, but he hasn't moved us forward either. Surely we can do better.
Miles Lunn, Toronto
Yes, I believe that the minority Conservative government under Mr. Harper has been successful in having important laws passed. He has a strong united caucus and will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with. I offer my congratulations.
James Ferguson, Hammonds Plains, NS
They only thing keeping this government in power is that Dion has been tagged with the perception that he's too weak to govern. This government really scares me with their policies, especially with those on immigration and the environment. Where's Gerard Kennedy?
Yaw Asamoah, Toronto
I believe that Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government has done more for Canadians than the last 50 years of Liberal misappropriation and mismanagement of Canadians tax dollars. Can someone tell me one good thing Trudeau's party has done for Canada?
Jim Clarke, Salt Spring Island, B.C.
I expected Harper to perform terribly, and he has. So what should I select as my survey choice - Performed As Expected?
Jason Paquette, Toronto
I see a government that has, for the most part, been inept or incompetent. If not for the lack of confidence Canadians have had in Stephane Dion, the Conservatives would be long gone.
P. Yong, Toronto
The Harper Conservative government has been a disaster for the country. The major issues of the day such as the economy and the environment have been mismanaged or neglected.
L. Pascoe, Toronto
Technically, my choice should have been "As expected" but this can almost be interpreted as being satisfied with his performance when really "As horrible as expected” would be the most accurate answer in my opinion.
K. Adams, Toronto
In the last 25 years anyway, the Harper government is the first to actually do what it said it would do. They're not perfect by any means, but at least there's an effort towards integrity.
Jason Wryghte, Fergus
The Conservatives are good at tearing things down, but not at creating anything that a society needs, such as a national daycare policy or a solid national plan to combat global warming. They are good at the politics that divide a nation but they show us no plan for the future of our society. They are good at being secretive but not accountable as they promised to be.
Stephen Woof, Eagle Lake
Absolutely! The best government a country can have as it forces all parties to negotiate bills so that we end up with the right product instead of having a majority government shove the legislation down our throats.
Lynn Philip Hodgson, Port Perry
I expected Stephen Harper's government to perform well, and they have.
Bill Soles, Oro-Medonte Township
I like a leader with a backbone. He and his government have done just fine thank you. He's brought Canada into the world game instead of standing on the sidelines bitching and complaining. Too bad the previous 14 years of "My way or the highway" Chretien/Martin wasted all their time raising taxes and putting the screws to the people. Imagine what could have been accomplished.
David Makcrow, North Bay
