Today, the Canwest-owned Vancouver Sun published an editorial that claimed “no good would come from bringing down the Conservative government this early in its renewed mandate”.

It was typical balderdash from the Vancouver Sun, which has always endorsed Harper and even endorsed Stockwell Day when he ran for prime minister in 2000.

As the Georgia Straight pointed out in its pre-election issue—which carried the cover line “Stop Harper”—a great deal of good would come from replacing Harper as prime minister and tossing the Conservatives out.

Here are just a few positive things that might happen:

”¢ A Liberal-NDP coalition government would stop the senseless appeal of B.C. Supreme Court Justice Ian Pitfield’s decision that allowed Vancouver’s supervised-injection site to remain open.

”¢ Canada might get a prime minister who won’t boycott an international AIDS conference in his own country and who doesn't reject the wisdom of scientists on issues ranging from climate change to drug treatment.

”¢ Canada would have a prime minister who recognizes the urgency of climate change and who would give responsible instructions to Canada’s negotiating team at the crucial UN climate conference that begins in Copenhagen this November.

”¢ There would be less spending on the military and more spending on the arts, which wouldn't be treated as a "niche issue" by the government.

”¢ Canadians could feel confident that the military mission in Afghanistan wouldn’t continue after 2011.

”¢ A Liberal-NDP coalition government would appoint more progressive judges to the Supreme Court of Canada and to superior courts in the provinces.

”¢ There would be a reduced chance of the Canadian government extraditing Marc Emery to the United States, where he would rot in jail for the rest of his life for selling marijuana seeds over the Internet.

”¢ The court challenges program would be reinstated, resulting in a more level playing field for disadvantaged groups. Canada might even get a national daycare program if Harper is bounced out of office.

”¢ A federal stem-cell advisory panel wouldn’t be stacked with opponents of embryonic stem-cell research, which would be a relief to those who suffer from Type 1 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and other debilitating conditions.

”¢ Stockwell Day would no longer be a senior cabinet minister, and whoever is in cabinet will no longer be muzzled and have their communications and speeches vetted by the prime minister's office.

”¢ Canada might finally approve a UN resolution regarding indigenous rights.

”¢ Canada would no longer be ruled by a control freak who has exerted greater political control over the RCMP, which poses a threat to Canadian civil liberties.

Mr. anonymous Vancouver Sun editorial writer, you got it wrong when you claimed that no good would come from bringing down the Conservative government.

In the eyes of many people who live in Metro Vancouver, Canada would enjoy many benefits if Harper was forced into opposition. We might even get more cabinet ministers out of the deal.