Harper gov't attacks opponents instead of ideas: critics

Is the secret to success - to make your opponents look bad?

Critics are accusing the Harper government of doing just that. They say the Tories are launching personal attacks against those who disapprove of the government's agenda, rather than tackling the actual issues being addressed.

Eugene Oscapella, a lawyer who's against Canada's drug prohibition laws, says he's had obscenities hurled at him. "I've been called an a------ at committees."

"It's an attempt to suppress dissent in effect, because you demonize the individuals rather than try to have an open discussion on the issue."

Oscapella says the insults stop thoughtful debates and threaten democracy. "You call people enough names and maybe they'll stop criticizing you. That's what it's really about."

"That's not an intelligent way of discussing an issue and achieving the optimal solution for society."

Political attacks and insults have been prominent in Conservative election campaigns. In 2004, the Tories issued a news release, suggesting the Liberals' Paul Martin supported child pornography.

Stephen Harper defended the move. "What's in bad taste is the Liberal party's record on child pornography."

Martin said Harper "crossed the line" by making the attack "personal."

More recently, the Tories characterized opponents of the Northern Gateway pipeline as radicals.

While the Tories may see the strategy as effective, Oscapella disagrees. "(You can't) discredit the message by demonizing the individual behind it."

"What the public sees is this group of badly misbehaved children."

George Hoberg of the University of British Columbia's political science department says the tactic has to stop. "Good political rhetoric informs and elevates public debate. The Harper government seems intent on cheap shots that distract the public from the real issues."

"It probably helps them with their supporters - that must be why they keep doing it. I actually think it's backfiring with many mainstream Canadians."

But Ned Franks of Queen's University isn't just pointing the finger at the Tories. He questions why the opposition isn't trying to change the dialogue of the debate.

"It surprises me the opposition we have at this point is, seems to be, so ineffective at doing that."

Hoberg says the media can help by focusing at the real issues at hand.

"If reporters keep asking the right questions, and if citizens keep being assertive enough, that kind of public opposition and democracy will win out over the tactics of the Harper government."

Quebec Liberal MP Marc Garneau hopes Canadians step up and speak out. "At some point, Canadians will find it revolting and it will have to cease."

With files from Jacques Bourbeau