Canadian coalition moves to unseat prime minister

December 3, 2008
Canadian coalition moves to unseat prime minister

Liberal leader Stéphane Dion, who would become the interim prime minister if the coalition gains power.

Canada’s major opposition parties signed an agreement to form a coalition on Monday and now sit poised to overthrow Stephen Harper’s conservative minority government. The coalition members cite government inaction on Canada’s suffering economy as a motivator for their mobilization.

Harper argues that installing a coalition government without electoral approval would be undemocratic. On Thursday, he won approval to suspend parliament from Governor General Michaëlle Jean, who holds the power to call for elections, dissolve parliament or appoint a new government.

The last national election was a mere six weeks ago.

Canadian bloggers have voiced their opinions about what the “Unambiguously Ambidextrous” blog calls “one of most interesting times in Canadian history.”

That blogger also argues that if the coalition were to take power, it would be undemocratic.

The “World Politics News” blog provides an overview of Canada’s political upheaval.

Blogger “Polly” argues that while liberal leader Stéphane Dion may not make a strong leader, the coalition movement is democratic — a result of Canadian votes at work, since Harper’s government is a minority.

Canadian conservatives have set up a virtual campaign office that asks visitors to “stand up for Canada” and reject the coalition.

A conservative blogger at “Angry in the Great White North” writes about a proposal that conservatives members of parliament resign if the coalition takes power, assessing the effectiveness of the plan.

Scott of “Scott’s DiaTribes” writes that he has joined a coalition of bloggers from several opposition parties in support of the coalition’s efforts.

The “Deliberative Dialogue” blog supports the coalition, claiming that it has a real plan for economic leadership.

A blogger at “NowPublic” writes that the argument has now moved to Facebook, where people may join groups supporting either side.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user BM Design under a Creative Commons license.

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Tags: Canada, coalition, Conservative Party, elections, Liberal Party, Stéphane Dion, Stephen Harper

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18 comments

#18

12/31/2008 :: 08:20:23 AM
Top five blog posts of 2008 | Worldfocus Says:

[...] Canadian coalition moves to unseat prime minister [...]

#17

12/12/2008 :: 02:27:26 AM
Sandy McInnis Says:

I was asked on another post how I figured Harper forced the coalition, well I will try my best to state this as I have been led to believe it to be.

Harper’s government introduced (Jim Flaherty’s) mini-budget which has been referred to as one of his most underhanded and seditious attacks on Canadian Democracy to date. Flaherty’s pen slashed at democracy by trying to eliminating the current funding to political parties knowing full well that it would bankrupt most of them, especially in remote regions, (I’m positive he realized they would have to rebel to that one), toughening the plight for women to fight for equal pay (yes another ‘thumb’ on women’s liberties, why are they so afraid of us) but most important to diminish what little democracy we have left by trying to implement a “no strike” policy for three years. (Well I was around when they implemented sales tax, TEMPORARY solution they explained… we all know the tune to that song.

** When the concept of unions was conceived, and implemented, working conditions were deplorable u should be thankful u will never have a chance to experience, thanks to the concept of workers unions, hope for a decent existence was finally achievable, workers were finally motivated to dedicate themselves to their job with hope for the future, the introduction of unions pulled bottom dwellers into the work force which any economist knows is imperative to a healthy economy. That was then…now ..we have the knowledge of knowing the extent of corruption that can manipulate top levels, to the constant whining of the fat soakers…yes, I believe unions need some necessary amendments but neither the Harper party (Flaherty’s mini budget) nor any other political party, have the right to eliminate any Canadian’s fundamental right to go on strike (unless all parties agree) since it creates a dangerous precedent.**

“When the opposition party challenged Harper’s (Flaherty’s) mini-budget, the combative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said the government won’t back down on a single measure, despite the opposition threats.”

Hence the forming of the coalition of the three (most of the discussions that I have read on line seem to have the most disagreement on this issue, as some would like to believe that Harper was caught off guard on this move while others wish to believe the opposition were merely being power hungry with back-room deals)

I’m convinced Harper deliberately dared the three stooges to form this coalition, which they were so not ready for, (Dion in the process of stepping down and the party in the process of trying to elect a new leader, let alone the joker card, the Bloc, **give me a break**) mainly because he pulled a similar manoeuvre back in 2004, which proves he was so not ignorant of what he was doing. He knew full well Canadians would cry foul, knowing full well Canadians did not want Dion as Prime Minister….Canadians did not want another election….Canadian did not want a weak government during these economically troublesome times…
Does anyone truly believe Harper is of diminished capacity. knowledge is knowledge

(this is a copy I found on line of Harpers proposal for a coalition back in 2004, notice the block was also included)

September 9, 2004

Her Excellency the Right Honorable Adrienne Clarkson,
C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor General
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1
Excellency,
As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the
Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister
to dissolve the 38Th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons
fail to support some part of the government’s program.
We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together
constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We
believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give
you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the
opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising
your constitutional authority.
Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader of the New Democratic Party

O M G …..WAKE UP CANADA!!!!!!!

NO ONE TRULY WANTS TO DIMINISH WHAT LITTLE DEMOCRACY WE HAVE LEFT, except maybe the ignorant, arrogant exuberance of those who seem to do little more than spew cheap sarcasms in lieu of constructive thought. Are we not all sick and tired of being held hostage to their political ping-pong game of power while they continue wasting taxpayers hard earned money on exorbitant political expenditures, let along a dooming election.
These passionate discussions, that have been sparked by this coalition, erupting from coast to coast, cannot be achieved in any other forum.
We have the technology to finally communicate instantly from coast to coast, therefore making it more difficult for the governing elite to pull the preverbal “wool over our eyes”. Maybe even to prevent them from imposing an undemocratic manoeuvre as the right to strike and disabling them form manipulating Canadians into situations such as the “Martial Law” the Americans recently had imposed on them.

Heck, give them their coalition, a true coalition the three stooges and Harper…(put them all in a dungeon together until they can do the job they claimed they could do during the elections, with maybe the green party as opposition (just maybe the nation can concentrate on keeping Canada green).
but only if they agree to Canadians conditions:
1. they implement a complete transparent government including expenditures
2. they all work together to clean up or economy, medical system, educational system, garbage problem and implement ways to make Canada green again. Unemployment and poverty would would be minimal as every Canadian would need to be involved in some way, hence being compensated by the some 50% taxes taken from every employed person. I believe it’s time our government became just that, ours.

WE NEED A TRANSPARENT GOVERNING BODY

I started posting on line a few years ago, trying to implement a “watch dog” on government spending, which went no where, then I heard of Obama’s GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT http://obama.senate.gov/news/060926-obamas_first_la/ …which is a form of transparent governing. The U.S. is starting this “transparent government spending” from the top, their newly elected president, (mainly in the need to try to ease americians’ minds that overspending will now be transparent and that their gazillion dollars will no longer be spent on bailing out failing, antiquated profit greedy institutions), which makes it still a government controlled idea…I believe Canada also needs a “Transparency Act” but instead of being government controlled, it should be citizen controlled, starting from our most local M.P. dealing with local and community issues and expanding to Provincial, Federal and global concerns.
I believe that every Canadian taxpayer has the right to know how the government spends our tax dollars. I believe that every person that receives a government pay check should be accountable on how tax dollars are spent, after all we do claim to be a democratic society.

A Google-like search tool that will allow taxpayers to hop online and see exactly how their tax dollars are being spent on federal contracts, grants and earmarks, down to local expenders and will also allow everyone a direct line to express any and all concerns along with positive input as to how to proceed with any and all issues, both in the present and with future concerns.
With all the horror stories of senseless tax dollar expenditures will we ever have trust in a politician that is against providing taxpayers with details on how well their money is spent.
Along with demanding fiscal transparency from the federal government, taxpayers should have the expectation that provincial and local governments will also embrace new technologies to make details about spending decisions and performance readily available at a click of the mouse along with the ability to express personal views. We also need to adopt a system to require that the public have at lest three days to review tax and spending bills before they are voted on.
Several states have already moved forward with some form of transparency reforms, including Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Virginia, Minnesota, Hawaii, South Carolina, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
We all know government is plagued by red tape, isn’t efficient and doesn’t work as it should. Increasing transparency and accountability is a huge first step. But We also need policymakers to make significant changes after we all get to see the horror and reckless spending that will be revealed by this improved system.
Initiatives at any level of government that pair transparency with accountability will set us on the road to performance-based government rather then our current system which is plagued by secrecy, wasteful spending and pork projects.
Taxpayers have to demand that elected officials at all levels of government respect us enough to show us what they’re doing with our tax dollars on our behalf. It is after all our government, our country, our province, our city or town and our money.

I have recently been informed that Google is American. I’m sure Canadians are intelligent enough to produce a similar Canadianized format for a TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT, the students graduating from tec institutions today are absolutely amazing and they all need jobs.
I understand there would be security concerns, but consider, we have come a long way since the day we all were convinced (by our government) of the demons that live in cyber…but…think of all the banking done one line now ..secure enough,…or pay pal …anything can be overcome with the right approach…far better this than the BS we are dealing with now, and, as east and west are not that far apart in their beliefs, (ummm, I don’t mean political beliefs) maybe we could stop the governing elite form separating us andy further.
Don’t let the “issue” fool you. Seeing as the majority of Canadians (including myself) believe that Canada is the best country on the planet, I believe it is time to form a TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT that represents Canada from coast to coast so that we can finally get to fixing the issues we face rather than being held hostage to their political ping-pong game of power.

The coalition should be dead after the next budget as I think Harper will come up with an acceptable budget…at least he should, but they will continue to play their ping-pong game of power at the tax-payers expense if we, as Canadians, do not implement a TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT. can I add that I think this is the best time to demand this move as most of the nation is paying attention.

Thank you for listening (some food for thought if nothing else)

Sandy McInnis

LIVE YOUR JOURNEY

#16

12/10/2008 :: 02:38:56 PM
Sandy McInnis Says:

THIS WAS EMAILED TO ME TODAY FROM A GROUP DESTINED TO STOP THE COALITION, AS YOU CAN SEE, I’VE ADDED MY OWN COMMENTS,
-=-=- Top 10 reasons that a coalition would be bad for Canada -=-=-

1. A coalition government between the NDP and Liberals, supported by the Bloc Quebecois would undermine democracy because Jack Layton, Gilles Duceppe and Michael Ignatieff would govern without the consent of the Canadian voter.
ALL THE MORE REASON TO IMPLEMENT ‘GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT’..TO GIVE IN TO THE DICTATOR, HARPER, WOULD BE AS ASININE AS THIS COALITION. IF YOU TRULY WANT A MORE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNING SYSTEM FOR CANADA THEN ‘GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT’ IS THE ONLY AVENUE TO FIGHT FOR, AS OUR ELECTORAL SYSTEM PREVENTS US AS CANADIANS FROM ANY TRUE VOICE OF WHO LEADS OUR COUNTRY.

2. Michael Ignatieff has walked into the leadership of the Liberal party without one vote from the Liberal grassroots. The coalition government would be led by Ignatieff as Prime Minister without earning one vote from Canadians.
WE AS CANADIANS HAVE NEVER HAD THE VOTE ON WHO LEADS ANY PARTY AND THIS MESS THAT ALL FOUR PARTIES HAVE PUT CANADIANS IN IS DEPLORABLE, LET ALONE ALL THE TAX-PAYERS HARD EARNED MONEY GOING TO SUPPORT THESE IMMATURE HIGH-SCHOOL ANTICS. ‘GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT’ WOULD ALLOW ALL CANADIANS A TRUER DEMOCRACY AS TO WHO IS BEST TO DO WHAT AND HOW MUCH OF OUR MONEY IS SPENT IN THE PROCESS.

3. Mandates are earned not taken. Canadians ought to express their will through the ballot box, not have it tossed aside through backroom deals.
CANADIANS OUT TO EXPRESS THEIR WILL THROUGH ‘GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT’ WHERE EVERYONE FROM COAST TO COAST CAN DISCUSS, ARGUE AND AGREE ON ALL MAJOR ISSUES AND KEEP A “WATCH DOG” ON ALL EXPENDITURES

4. The Bloc Quebecois should never dictate the terms of our government. Theirs is a party founded on the principle of ripping up Canada and now they want a hand in influencing its governance?
THE BLOC STILL COULD NOT DICTATE THE TERMS OF OUR GOVERNMENT AS THEY ARE MERELY BEING SUPPORTERS, UNLIKE THE DICTATORSHIP OF HARPER. UNFORTUNATELY, AS I HAVE SPENT MANY HOURS COMMUNICATING WITH A LOT OF WESTERNERS, I HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT IF THEY CANT HAVE HARPER DICTATING (NO STRIKES FOR TAXPAYERS, ATTEMPTS OF ELIMINATING THE VOICE OF THE OPPOSITION) THEY TOO WILL TRY TO RIP CANADA IN HALF, AND THEY ARE MUCH STRONGER THAN THE BLOC.Harper once wanted to join hands with the Bloc Quebecois as well for the same reason and sent it to the Governor General at the time, Adrienne Clarkson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZpJM2yc-Zk

5. 74% of Canadians voted against a Liberal government. Now, that’s a majority!
DOESN’T MEAN THAT 74% (WHERE DID U GET YOUR STATS) VOTED FOR HARPER…NO MAJORITY

6. In a time of economic crisis, we don’t need a political crisis. In the UK, PM Gord Brown and opposition leader David Cameron have put aside petty partisanship to make government work. Why did Bob Rae say he’ll vote to defeat this government even without looking at its budget?
FIRST THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IS GLOBAL, NOT JUST CANADIAN, AND SECOND, HARPER GOVERNMENT DELIBERATELY CAUSED THE NON-CONFIDENCE WHICH CAUSED POLITICAL SUICIDE FOR DION (HE WAS ON HIS WAY OUT ANYWAY) BECAUSE OF FLAHERTY’S BUDGET WHICH CUT POLITICAL PARTIES FINANCING (SHUSHING THE OPPOSITION), ELIMINATE EQUITY PAY FOR WOMEN, AND MOST DESTRUCTIVE TO DEMOCRACY, REMOVING THE RIGHT TO STRIKE…OF COURSE THEY LOOKED AT IT AND DID THE ONLY THING LEFT FOR THEM TO DO.

7. Coalition talk is decreasing international confidence in our political and economic stability. On the first day of trading after the coalition plan was unveiled, the Toronto Stock Exchange plunged 864.41 points (9.3%). This is the biggest drop since Black Monday in 1987.
UNFORTUNATELY, ALL FOUR PARTIES ARE GUILTY OF THIS POLITICALLY ELITE PING-PONG GAME OF POWER…AS CANADIANS, WE SHOULD, COULD, MUST STOP THE LUNACY..’GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT

8. We just had an election! Just a few weeks ago!! The Canadian people gave this current government a mandate. Now let them govern.
THEY WON A TINY MINORITY, NOT A DICTATORSHIP

9. The economy is the number one priority of Canadians. Most Canadians don’t care about the usual day-to-day bickering in Ottawa. Canadians care about their families and their jobs. Political brinkmanship reflects how out-of-touch Ignatieff, Layton and Duceppe really are with real Canadians.
CANADIANS CARE ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES, JOBS AND COUNTRY…ITS TIME TO UNITE …GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT

10. Why would the Liberals team up with the NDP anyway? The Liberals themselves have called the NDP “economy damaging”. We have an economist as Prime Minister. When you have a toothache you go to the dentist. When your car breaks down you go to a mechanic. Who better than an economist to deal with the economy?
GEEESHHHHH…THEY HAD NO ALTERNATIVE….

#15

12/08/2008 :: 11:51:26 AM
Sandy McInnis Says:

O M G …..WAKE UP CANADA!!!!!!!

NO ONE TRULY WANTS DION AS PRIME MINISTER, not even his own party

NO ONE TRULY WANTS ANOTHER ELECTION, except maybe the bloc

NO ONE TRULY WANTS TO DIMINISH WHAT LITTLE DEMOCRACY WE HAVE LEFT, except the ignorant, arrogant exuberance of youth, who seem to do little more than spew cheap sarcasms in lieu of constructive thought.

Are we all not sick and tired of wasting taxpayers hard earned money on yet another election that will only bring us to the same spot we are currently at, only much broker.
It is extremely difficult to get two people in a room to agree on an opposing issue, let alone a nation. But I love this country I was born and raised in, hence I feel a need to have my say, and this seems to be as good a place as any.
are you really intending on diminishing the mental capacity of Harper and his government….do you truly believe he was ignorant (lace of knowledge) enough to not know that this budget would force an non-confidence in the house….do you truly believe he didn’t deliberately push these buttons …his timing is too perfect, he has those three stooges jumping through hoops trembling in their boots …come on think about this…Dion as leader…(lolol not many taxpayers from coast to coast want him in)…oh ya, then there’s the block trying to grab its share of our democracy, so they can separate????…Harper, in one of his most underhanded and seditious attacks on Canadian Democracy to date tried to all but eliminate the opposition parties and diminish what little democracy we have left by trying to implement a “no strike” policy for three years. Well I was around when they implemented sales tax, TEMPORARY solution they explained and we all know the tune to that song. Harper, took control of the government in the manner of a high-school bully as if he had a strong majority rather than a weak minority.
.the three amigos were so not ready to play this collation card… Of course they have been exploring all avenues of options available to the opposition for a large number of years now….I read about this one back in 2000 and in return: you don’t think Harper didn’t know these options were available seeing as they have played the role of opposition, you don’t think he didn’t realize he was going to push them to this drastic response, knowing full well Canadians DO NOT WANT… all Canadians are sick and tired of voting on their political ping-pong game of power, which I might add, has bought him more time to work on an acceptable budget over the holidays (seeing as they didn’t have one ready) and possibly a majority if it does go to elections again….geeeessssshhhhhh
Don’t let the “issue” fool you.
…this is the most tax-payers attention the government has ever experienced….and most of it is on line…it is truly amazing the anger this has generated…even though justifiably so…east and west are not that far apart in their beliefs, not like the government (all parties) is making it out to be….witch is why I am promoting GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT …we have the technology to finally communicate instantly therefore making it much tougher for the governing elite to pull the preverbal “wool over our eyes”…lolol but for the holidays we will have a break from their ping-pong game….next year should prove interesting

“The opposition parties all say Flaherty’s mini-budget, which strictly limits federal spending, bans public-sector strikes through 2011″….banning public-sector eh, our politically elite trying to sneak that into effect sorta like the martial law the Americans had thrown at them.

A combative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Friday the government won’t back down on a single measure, despite the opposition threats.

Heck, give them their coalition, a true coalition the three stooges and Harper…maybe bring up the green party as opposition(Dion will be replaced) but only if they agree to tax-payers conditions:

1. there cannot be another election for three years, tax-payers reserve the right to vote on issues

2. they implement a complete transparent government including expenditures (GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT)

3. they all work together to clean up or economy, medical system, educational system, garbage problem and implement ways to make Canada green again. Unemployment and poverty would would be minimal as every Canadian would need to be involved in some way, hence being compensated by the some 50% taxes taken from every employed person. I believe it’s time our government became just that, ours.

BANS PUBLIC-SECTOR FROM STRIKING UP UNTIL 2011…..THEY ARE GOING TO BAN THE TAXPAYERS FROM STRIKING AGAINST FLAHERTY’S BUDGET….THIS IS DEMORACY?????????…unions…when the concept of unions was conceived, and implemented, working conditions were deplorable u should be thankful u will never have a chance to experience, thanks to the concept of workers unions, hope for a decent existence was finally achievable, workers were finally motivated to dedicate themselves to their job with hope for the future, the introduction of unions pulled bottom dwellers into the work force which any economist knows is imperative to a healthy economy…..that was then…now ..we have the knowledge of knowing the corruption that can take over the top level to the constant whining of the fat soakers…yes, I so believe that unions have reached a point of possibly being more destructive to our economy than helpful, at least as they stand now….I would opt out for revisions rather than destruction as they still serve a purpose ….we still want to motivate workers to continue …we still need maintenance to all our public works under which are all unionized…
WE NEED TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENTING

LIVE YOUR JOURNEY

#14

12/05/2008 :: 10:35:07 AM
Sylvain Says:

Harper said he would work with parliament to make it work. Instead he as usual tried to ram his agenda down the governments throat. Hello he doesnot have a majority, so he’s got to keep other parties veiw point in mind. This will go down as one of the biggest blunders in Canadian political history. He had limited power, but like the children on the playground refused to share the ball.

So the other parties are wrong for capitalizing on his blunder. If they can work together and get something done so beit. At least they’ll have a majority, somthing Harper does not have and has not been able to obtain in 3 elections so obviously the Canadian people don’t trust him…..

#13

12/04/2008 :: 08:59:18 PM
Andrew Humphrey, CBM Says:

Whoa! What an amazing story about America’s neighbor. Thank you for telling it.

Andrew Humphrey, CBM
http://www.andrewhumphrey.com

#12

12/04/2008 :: 08:47:10 PM
Chris Zylstra Says:

First of all, only residents of Mr. Harper’s riding “voted Harper in”… My point being that Canadians have a parliamentary system in which we vote for members of parliament who happen to belong to one party or another. Secondly, the coalition is supported by the Bloc Quebecois, but the bloc is not in fact a part of the coalition. When Mr. Harper derides the opposition for “dealing with the devil” by making a deal with the bloc, he’s calling Quebec a frozen over part of hell at exactly the time when a separatist party is showing encouraging signs of supporting Canada-wide policies. C’mon Canada, stop the incendiary language claiming democracy itself has been violated. Mr’ Harper has a minority government which, by definition, is prone to defeat. Had the Prime Minister governed as though he led a minority instead of attempting to spend political capitol he doesn’t have, he wouldn’t be in this position.

Of course, that said, this “crisis” is nothing other than an opposition power grab.

After the recent election Liberals were sending signals that they were sick of propping up a Conservative government with their votes in the house and the NDP were appeared emboldened by the increase of a few new seats. Prime Minister Harper would have done well to read those tea leaves and not make one of his first major actions an invisceration of his opponents via party funding cuts. What did he expect they’d do? This lack of centrism and willingness to actually govern on his part is disturbing.

For their part the opposition is doing damage to the country by demanding immense Keynesian government bailouts. Chicken little stressed everybody out and distracted them from their jobs. The sky may fall, but it’ll fall differently in France, the US, China and Canada. For one thing we don’t know whether the Americans will repatriate their auto industry as a way to save Detroit - so why offer the Canadian plants billions in tax rebates and loans if they’re about to be shut down? Unlike the Wall street credit crisis and the US mortgage meltdown, Canadian economic problems do not require the kind of immediate action we’re seeing in the US. Our economy is, by the accounts of many independent economists, in much better condition to withstand the oncoming global recession than any other liberal democracy.

Take a deep breath everyone, and to my Canadian brothers and sisters: relax, and enjoy the civics lesson. Parliament is unfolding in its messy, loud, confusing and yet wonderfully no-violent way. People fought and died for the PM’s right to request a prorogue of Parliament. Take a chill pill guys.

#11

12/04/2008 :: 08:19:11 PM
lARRY Says:

Sandy, get real. Am I not a taxpayer. Should all taxpayers not vote on your taxpayers list. You want to give this JOKE of a coalition of THE THREE STOOGES! It’s a JOKE. HELLO CANADIANS. 2 of the three stooges, a english speaking(99.999% of us) person can’t even understand what they are saying! And the other stooge, what a weasle as with Dion! What a group of pathetic scool girl acting human beings! Even the liberials are trying to KICK DION out of their OWN PARTY!! HELLO! WOW, we are in rough shape! I think the mercury is getting to all of us if we have a democratic(give me a break!) system and people like The Three Stooges Ganging Together to Raise Our Taxes, make up more and everything these 3 nitwits can make up Sandy! 3 years? Are you nuts as The Three Stooges?! Wake Up Canada, Going Down The Dirty Road Of Life!

#10

12/04/2008 :: 07:18:00 PM
Daniel Says:

Right now… everybody’s screwed. Give a year or two, we’ll be back on track after Obama fixes the world. I don’t like how the US dictates the economic conditions of the rest of the worlds’ industrialized nations. Why do all of the other industrialized nations allow this to happen? It seems as though they let the US monopolize everything. It’s high time other industrialized nations pick up the gavel.

12/04/2008 :: 11:10:10 AM
Sandy McInnis Says:

http://www.gopetition.com/online/23806.html CANADIAN TRANSPARENT GOVERNING BODY

I to have been caught in the political ping-pong game of our so-called democratic elections. I was born and raised in Toronto and hate to admit that since the Tredeau days, I have pretty much given up on the idea of democracy.

Now, Michaelle Jean, our Governera General, will have the difficult task of playing a mediator role (Canada cannot, should not be without a governing body). But unlike most mediators, she has only one week to hear all sides of our mud-slinging, politically elite’s high-school antics and best decide what would be best for Canada, with the Queen’s blessings I have been led to believe. She has access to the highest advisors in all fields she may find necessary to consult with.

What bothers me the most about all the media and public attention this situation is generating, seems to me that most forget what triggered this event. The Liberals, NDP and Bloc didn’t just decide to form a coalition one day because they had nothing better to do. Harper in one of his most underhanded and seditious attacks on Canadian Democracy to date tried to all but eliminate the opposition parties. Harper took control of the government in the manner of a high-school bully as if he had a strong majority rather than a weak minority.

A combative Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said Friday the government won’t back down on a single measure, despite the opposition threats.

Heck, give them their coalition (Dion will be replaced) but only if they agree to tax-payers conditions:

1. there cannot be another election for three years, tax-payers reserve the right to vote on issues

2. they implement a complete transparent government including expenditures (GOOGLE FOR GOVERNMENT)

BANS PUBLIC-SECTOR FROM STRIKING UP UNTIL 2011…..THEY ARE GOING TO BAN THE TAXPAYERS FROM STRIKING AGAINST FLAHERTY’S BUDGET….THIS IS DEMORACY?????????…WE NEED TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENTING

12/04/2008 :: 09:34:54 AM
Maryann Says:

Canada is a democratic nation and it’s citizens have the right to choose who comes to power and lead the country. Let the government govern. We cannot afford a coalition government, here’s why:

http://www.fordemocracy.ca

Let’s put in our petition to the Governor General of Canada.

12/04/2008 :: 01:51:26 AM
Erik Says:

3 Heads are better than one!

12/04/2008 :: 12:19:15 AM
Rory Rickwood Says:

I have just listened to Prime Minister Harper’s short and nervous speech about other political parties’ interest in establishing a collation government. We are not seeing an effort to overturned an election, but seeing efforts by the majority of our elected representatives trying to create a working parliament. That majority is truly reflective of the Canadian voter. As a western Canadian, I am convinced the conservative minority government will not work. A minority government chosen by 37% of the voting public has proven to be unsteady and inflamatory. It is clear that the proposed coalition of parliamentarians has the democratic right to form a government. I believe a coalition government would put us in a better position to address our economic crisis, and present us at least an 18-month cooling off period. The 300 million we save from not having another federal election can be better used in an economic stimulus plan. We need to uphold our parliamentary rules and conventions that give powers to our members of parliament to form a government, to have confidence votes within the House of Commons, to form coalitions, or to dissolve parliament. Of course in our political system there will be times that we have political turmoil and see political parties’ battling for public opinion. I am truly grateful that we have a Canadian constitution that allows us to be this dynamic. I do however have this uneasiness regarding the Harper government trying to usurp the will of our parliament and confusing our Canadian political system with that of a presidential one which allows extreme ideological views and a strong focus on our leaders. This can be very confusing to the general public. Each Member of Parliament has the responsibility to uphold parliamentary rules and the tenets of our constitution, and it is up to our Canadian Governor-General to help us focus on the task at hand – to make this parliament work and not suspend it based on a political tactic. I look forward to the balance that the conservative members can give our parliament as the official opposition.

12/03/2008 :: 09:42:55 PM
Kelly Says:

One member of the coalition has talked about raising the gst, instilling an additional ‘carbon tax’ and resigned due to lack of support from his own party. One wants to stimulate one of the least hard hit economies in the g10 with a 24 billion dollar package that will benefit one province over any other (Ontario). The last wants to secede from Canada altogether. Sounds pretty promising to me. The Libral party lost 851525 total votes from the 2006 election to the most recent (2008) all under the leadership of our next would-be Prime Minister. All I can say is I am embarassed to be Canadian and mortified by the thought of this coalitions potential.

12/03/2008 :: 07:44:51 PM
Sheila Says:

Screw the coalition.. if Canadians wanted any of those parties to lead our country then we would have voted one of them in. So they form this coalition to get Harper outta the way and then what??? Does anyone really think these parties are gonna get along after they get into power?? I highly doubt it.. Canadians voted Harper in twice and thats good enough for me.. let him do his job!!

12/03/2008 :: 07:09:46 PM
A Conservative Says:

Why is no one demanding that the PM step aside. Never mind a coalition, the PM has to accept responsibility for the state of the government and do the honorable thing…STEP ASIDE.

It is time that he shows some real leadership … STEP ASIDE.

12/03/2008 :: 03:59:44 PM
Adam M Says:

Is this not moving the country to a more socialist state or what? Canadian taxpayers should not be paying for any political party to campaign! Lower taxes and less government spending all the way! This Coalition is laced with tapping into YOUR pockets to fund their power struggle! It wasn’t any of these parties involved in this Coalition that that brought your tax rates down!

12/03/2008 :: 03:46:22 PM
George K Says:

The coalition is part of our democratic process - Mr. Harper tried to do the same thing in 2004. We would be much better off with a coalition government than with Stephen Harper. He doesn’t have any plan that would be benifical to the Canadian people and his main tactic of job preservation is fear mongering - it’s time for him to move on.

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