http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2013/02/19/michael-den-tandt-harper-...
The following is what I posted on the National Post site in reply:
Nice propaganda puff piece. How about some real questions: Why ditch the Court Challenges program that cost $3 million dollars for this program that costs $5 million? Let's consider the differences between the programs. The Court Challenges program supported the protection of human rights for Canadians, cost just over half as much, could make a real difference in Canadian jurisdiction. It was also broadly based not only supporting religious freedoms but anti-racism and gender equity as well as other rights. It was equity seeking giving people who had a real claim access to the legal system even if they lacked the financial resources. The Religious office monitors human rights issues related only to religion globally doing what many other organizations around the world already do. On the ground it cannot do a single thing but serve a propaganda purpose as nobody seriously thinks that this office will be listened to outside Canada. But it is a good fit for a government that wants no domestic opposition and seeks to pander to various voting groups without doing anything real to support human rights. In the meantime the government has stated its intention to not let human rights get in the way of trade-- to engage constructively is the words they use, to make money is the objective But still a nicely done bit of propaganda from a friend of the government.