 Jack Layton, Stephane Dion, Gilles Duceppe announcing coalition
Daylife/Reuters Pictures
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Opposition parties in Canada have joined forces to try to topple the minority Conservative government less than two months after elections.
The Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois say the government is failing to tackle Canada’s economic problems. They intend to use their joint majority to vote against PM Stephen Harper in a confidence motion due next Monday.
If Mr Harper loses, Canada’s Governor General would call a snap poll or ask the opposition to form the government. Constitutional experts say Governor General Michaelle Jean may favour the second option as the country has had an election so recently.
It would, however, be an historic decision as Canada has only had a coalition government once before – in 1917…
The prime minister could try to ride his luck and let the confidence vote go ahead on 8 December, or he could try to stave off defeat by asking the Governor General to suspend parliament until 27 January when the government is set to table its budget.
The tension is palpable. :)
Of course, the object lesson of multiple parties forming a ruling coalition is so terrifying to U.S. pols, I would expect intervention by the CIA at a minimum.
If Canadians hadn’t voted for Bush’s lap dog Harper in the recent election we wouldn’t be in this position.
Hey, that would be kind of like a two-party system (the Conservatives, and “Other”). Brilliant.
No reason to take this story seriously, because they need Bloc Quebecois to make things work.
Angry liberals: The definition of epic fail.
This does sound rather boring for most Americans, but with 35 of the 50 states calling Canada their number 1 trading partner, the US should take a little notice. A coalition of anti-NAFTE and separatists does not bode well for economic stability on both sides of the border.
3,
James, what in tarnation are you yammering about? You’ve got two gears in your head… “hack” and “angry liberals”. Change your meds.
Harper tried to pass the most ridiculous mini-budget as a CONFIDENCE motion. As a true neo-con, he shot off both his feet and then aimed his gun right at his balls. You would call that a victory of course.
As a side note, James Hill, I own you in this thread.
Oh, and just so you don’t try and quote Harper, his conservatives tried to form a coalition government in the past. And like most neo-cons, they failed at that too.
5,
Well, why do you Americans hate NAFTA so much? And are you afraid that you’re Anti-NAFTA arguments will be ridiculed under the coalition government?
#6 – I have you trained so well that you now own yourself.
Harper isn’t the issue. Bloc Quebec is. If what is outlined in the story is going to happen then BQ has to play nice with the other children… and there’s no reason to believe that will happen.
What is likely to happen is for Harper to shake up his economic team to quite things down. Hell, simply allowing the provinces more power will make The Bloc happy and end this farce.
Now, where’s the story about the continued preference of right wing leadership in Europe?
Side note: If you would have owned me, your post would have contained something called “a point”. That’s why I always win around here, I make my point more effectively than anyone else, every time. Even more so than the editors or the guy who’s name is on the blog.
However, your worship is noted.
I support my Canadian neighbors to topple ineffective government. Change can happen over there too!
Use violence if necessary. In fact, encouraged!
This is the Canadian version of an attempted coup. The three amigos will undoubtedly fall off their horses before long… a slapstick comedy of Canadian film quality in the making.
Just in case though, get ready to send in your troops… you know… to rid us of these WMD’s (wimps to mangle democracy).
#8 – Angry James
>>If you would have owned me, your post would
>>have contained something called “a point”.
>>That’s why I always win around here, I make
>>my point more effectively than anyone else,
>>every time.
Haw!! Despite your troubling misuse of the conditional/ subjunctive grammatical forms (see Pete Seeger’s “If I Had a Hammer” for proper usage), you’ve got me spewing my organic muesli all over the keyboard. A point!!
Of all the posters here on Dvorak dot org slash blog, you are the LEAST LIKELY to be accused of having a “point” in your posts.
I think your posts were the reason they coined the term “tabula rasa”.
A point. HAW!!
#1,
We didn’t only 37 percent voted for Harper. How many Americans voted for McCain?
#2,
That isn’t accurate at all Mister Mustard. A coalition is not at a 2 party system. It is a government of compromise, and represents the wishes of a voting population better than any one minority government.
#3,
The Bloc only needs to support the coalition. They are far more likely to do this than they are to support the current government. Besides Gilles seems to be onboard. Also, the bloc seems to have backed off of their platform of independence recently.
#5,
Real nice. Why don’t Americans take an interest in the world around them. The NDP wouldn’t want out of NAFTA if the US held up their end of the bargain.
8,
You are such a simpleton.
“Harper isn’t the issue. Bloc Quebec is. If what is outlined in the story is going to happen then BQ has to play nice with the other children… and there’s no reason to believe that will happen.”
No, Harper IS the problem. As I explained nice and clearly (read this REAL SLOW) he tried to pass a mini-budget that would have been impossible. And he made it a CONFIDENCE motion. Look that up please. So, what happens in a parliament when you try to pass legislation that 61% of the voting populace don’t want? You lose. And you generally lose your government. Thankfully, they are not going to push the losers for an election, so the coalition allows for the opposition parties to continue the parliamentary session under the coalition government which is constitutionally allowed and protected.
The BLOC WILL work within the coalition as long as agreements are reached. Harper, like true neo-cons, cannot see past the colour black. There is no transition. That is why he tried to pass such a piece of legislation with such a small government. Like I said, shot both his feet and then aimed at his nuts. A neo-con victory.
“What is likely to happen is for Harper to shake up his economic team to quiet things down. Hell, simply allowing the provinces more power will make The Bloc happy and end this farce.”
Uh, no. Harper could not look into the future. That’s why he tried to pass this legislation. He has NO CLUE what he’s doing.
“Now, where’s the story about the continued preference of right wing leadership in Europe?”
What? What the hell are you talking about here? Change your meds.
You’re right though. I did make one mistake. I mistook your blather for a “point” which you never make.
Now, continue grovelling.
My sympathy goes to my fellow Canadians (okay, I’ve lived in the UK for the last decade or so, but I was born and raised in Canadia). It must be hard having to decide between Dion and Harper ….
I think the new Canadian government should leave NAFTA and join the EU …. or even better, a “northern” alliance with Greenland/Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and maybe even Russia, although I can understand why Canada would want to forge an an alliance with Mexico just because of it superiority in matters of art (particularly murals), music (especially classical), food, and general culture, and I suppose its difficult for Canada to form an alliance with Mexico without getting involved with that other country that is sandwiched in between …
Whatever, happens, the good thing about these large types of alliances is that it means groups like the quebec seperatists don’t matter so much ….
#12 – Yes, but enough people voted for Harper to get him into power…
James,
The bloc will play ball because they are left wing. Farther left of the Liberals and Conservatives at least.
#10,
How is it anti-democratic for a coalition amounting to 50+ percent of the popular vote to take over from a minority government of 37%?
#14,
I’m not sure if you are kidding, but I agree. I have long told my family and friends that we should leave NAFTA and join the EU. The second option you propose would be even better.
#15,
For a week…
Skippy #12 – Yes, but enough people voted for Harper to get him into power…
Actually, technically no one voted for him (except the people in his constituency) … it is just enough that people voted for his MPs to get him into power, but not enough voted his MPs to make that power sustainable if there is a coalition ….
There seems to be the mistaken impression that ‘we’ Canadians vote for our Prime Minister. We don’t. We vote for our member of parliament, the leader of whichever party has the most seats get to be prime minister. If a coalition is formed, a de facto party, with the most seats, then they can actually try to have the leader of the coalition(new/temporary party) put in a position of power if the current ruling party does something stupid enough to warrant it.
This is by no means a coup d’etat, this is democracy in action.
# 19 Donal said, “There seems to be the mistaken impression that ‘we’ Canadians vote for our Prime Minister. We don’t. We vote for our member of parliament, the leader of whichever party has the most seats get to be prime minister.”
Yes, most Americans don’t know that there is no separate Executive branch. You have only Judicial (sorta) & Legislative. The Gov General (under the Queen of the UK) is the “Executive”.
It’s a parliament, these things happen. The conservatives have a minority and tried to pull a majority style of governing. They didn’t think the opposition parties were going to call his bluff (Liberals are looking for a new leader) but they did.
It should be fun to watch. I like for Flaherty’s budget approach but I think Harper screwed up. He really is obsessed with crushing the Liberals and let that anger distort his judgment. Hardly what you want in a PM.
Harper has led his party through 3 elections, maybe that’s where the change should be?
Harper is generally respected by the press for his leadership and economic know-how. Canada is in surprisingly reasonable economic shape compared to other nations, given the global melt-down. That is partly why they’ve been able to win the last election, now only 12 seats from a majority.
So imagine a coalition anchored by the king-maker BQ – a party with the overt goal of destroying present-day Canada. That’s not hyperbole. Yes, this should help bring further economic stability, not.
The Conservatives already compromised and withdrew the contentious budget items, such as their proposal to stop free public money given to political parties. I should have such a deal. But can you imagine? Presently Canadians get to work to give the BQ their money. And now political power too. It’s the friendly Canadian way. It’s also like being forced to donate to Al Qaeda.
So the Conservatives acquiesced on all the contentious budget points exposing the coalition as nothing more than a raw power grab. There’s not even an excuse any more. Seriously, the coalition is now using: “a trust” has now been irreversibly harmed. That’s it. Wonder how “trust” will figure when the Coalition falls apart, as it must, taking a bit of Canada with it?
Guess how generous the Canadian public is going to be when it all tumbles down into yet another unwanted, time-consuming, distracting, expensive, election?
RBG
Harper is the smartest leader in the free world at the moment (just look at his University marks)… and, I’m willing to bet that he has sparked this on purpose. Within a matter of months of the New Liberal Party running things… and fighting with each other… and buying out the big 3 with no hope of repayment… Canadians will hand the Conservatives it’s biggest majority ever.
Just a hunch.
I am a liberal, but I actually think Harper has done an okay job up to this point. The left is split (sound familiar – same story on the right a few years back).
If you calculate the no-shows for the last vote but map it appropriately, we’re talking less than 22% of the country supported Harper in the last vote. Technically, not voting mean’s you voice doesn’t count. But in the end, in the back rooms, in popularity, even non-votes end up counting in your approval.
With 22%, you can’t pretend to be a majority government. Which is Harper’s big mistake.
Ever minority goverment has the plans made in the background to replace it should the need arise. It’s just unforutnate that Harper gave them a reason 2 months in to topple it. It also gives the replacement a good number of years to get things in order.
I think Harper needs to decide to back up or pushing forward. What he is doing now, is going to blow up in his face and he will loose. Unfortunately, most animals are nice until you corner them and poke a stick at them. Then they’ll rip your head off.
#20, Cow-Paddy, Ignorant Shit Talking Sociopath and Retired Mall Rent-A-Cop,
Yes, most Americans don’t know that there is no separate Executive branch.
Yup, you still don’t know what you are talking about. Listening to Wing Nut Radio again?
The Gov General (under the Queen of the UK) is the “Executive”.
Doesn’t that contradict the first quote above? But, alas, you still are wrong. The Governor General is not UNDER the Queen. He represents the Queen.
And while I’m still on my soap box:
What a completely bogus political system Canada has when, theoretically, they can have costly election after time-consuming election after distracting election with no clear leadership resolution.
Far worse, Canadians have de facto no say as to who will be their country’s leader. Political coteries choose for Canadians – usually in back-room deals and based upon who owes whom. That explains the existence of Dion as an ineffective uncharismatic party leader.
If a coalition is established, and suddenly-Prime Minister Dion “retires” in May, his party will then produce Canada’s next Prime Minister on the spot.
What kind of democratic “system” is that? Somehow I thought the actual leader might be important to a nation’s people. They do give him or her a big house to live in.
RBG
22,
“Presently Canadians get to work to give the BQ their money. And now political power too. It’s the friendly Canadian way. It’s also like being forced to donate to Al Qaeda.”
Wow. Just wow! Too bad there is no “goodwin” version of Al Qaeda. It’s such a bad comparison I can’t believe you even tried. Any political party can participate in the Canadian elections. The Bloc has power because Quebec grants it to them via voters. That’s democracy. You don’t like it? Well, start your OWN party. It’s allowed. But, because you don’t like their overall mandate is no reason to deny them. And yes, that’s the Democratic, parliamentarian way.
As for the rest of your soapbox (26), again, no one voter chose Dion except for the members of the Liberal party of which anyone can be a member. Then, you vote in your riding for the local candidate that is BEST FOR YOUR RIDING! You don’t vote for the Prime Minister here. If the NDP member in your riding meets your needs, you vote for THEM. Why do you hate Parliamentarian democratic freedoms that Canadians have? Why do you love terrorists?
#11 – Worship, noted. Your Savior is impressed by your devotion.
#13 – EPIC FAIL AGAIN! Harper’s budget is not the issue: I have defined the issue for you. Since you cannot respond to it, you admit defect.
Probably time for you to leave this place, since I own it and all. Or, do you wish to be branded the property of The Great One?
#16 – It’s not liberal/conservative with BQ. It’s all about power at the provincial level. They can get it with Harper.
Thanks for playing, but I win another thread.
RGB,
Canada is in reasonably good economic shape not at all because of Harper’s ineffectual minority governments, but because of the evil work done by Paul Martin in the 90s to reverse Canada’s deficit at the expense of the social structure of the country.
The BQ has backed off of their platform of independence lately. It is a fallacy to claim that jumping bed with the BQ would increase Quebec’s draw on Canadian resources when you say their goal is to eliminate dependance on the rest of the country and go their own way. Pick one. It is incredibly offensive to imply that supporting the economy of a vital region of the country is equivocal to donating to a terrorist organization.
How can you claim that advancing the political agenda of a coalition that received more than 50% of the popular vote is solely a power grab? Should not the more viable and more popular govenment be the one appointed by the Governor General?
I will not argue that the Canadian electoral system needs reform, but not for the reasons you outline. We need proportional representation. Not an archaic system of government more similar to America’s. How did that system work for you in 2000? The first past the post system is bad, but the American system is many times worse. Electing a regional member of parliament rather than voting directly for the Prime Minister makes more sense. The people we vote for elect the PM. It is neat and simple and not nearly good enough, but I’ll be damned if I sit back and read you comments bout it being less democratic than the American system.
#28 – Angry James
Again, I understand why you are angry. When a native speaker of English has it pointed out that he’s improperly conjugating verbs, it can be very embarrassing.
Not to worry. Just take a look at the Pete Seeger song, and you’ll understand all about the conditional and the subjunctive.
I’m eagerly awaiting your self-improvement.
James,
The BQ might be a regional party, but believe it or not, social and economic issues are important to them. In addition to being sovereigns, they are also social democrats (left wing).
Pray tell, are you from Quebec, or at least Canada? Why do you claim to know so much about the motives and actions of the BQ?