Coalition Deserves a Chance December 3, 2008
Posted by rogerhollander in Canada, Canadan Coalition.Tags: bloc, bloc quebecois, Bob Rae, Canada, canada government, coalition, coalition government, conservatives, Economic Crisis, gilles duceppe, governor general, house of commons, ignatieff, Jack Layton, leblanc, liberals, NDP, new democratic party, new democrats, non-confidence, parliament, roger hollander, Stephane Dion, Stephen Harper, toronto star
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The Conservatives’ reaction was fast and furious to news that the opposition parties have signed off on a historic deal to kick them out of office and replace them with a coalition government.
His voice dripping with scorn, Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday accused Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion of playing “the biggest political game in Canadian history” and of relying on “socialists” (New Democrats) and “separatists” (Bloc Québécois) to vault himself into power. Harper’s ministers and MPs used language like “deal with the devil” and “secret cabal” to describe the arrangement.
The suggestion was that the coalition deal was illegitimate and undemocratic, a coup d’etat.
It is nothing of the sort. It is the way our parliamentary system works, especially in the immediate aftermath of the election of a minority Parliament. Furthermore, the Harper government created an opening for the opposition parties last week by tabling a provocative “economic statement” that failed to address the economic crisis but contained poison pills it must have known they could not swallow.
Harper and his government took some steps away from those toxic measures last weekend, but it was too late. The opposition had made up its collective mind that Harper could not be trusted.
With their demise perhaps less than a week away (a non-confidence vote is scheduled for next Monday evening), the Conservatives are arguing that a change of government at this moment would be “very destabilizing” for the economy. As if to underscore that point, the markets plunged yesterday (although most analysts attributed the bulk of the losses to bad economic news from the U.S.).
But consider the alternatives to a change in government: either there would be another election (which would leave the affairs of state suspended for the duration) or Harper would remain in office with the opposition ready to pounce and defeat his government at every opportunity. That is as unstable as it gets.
The coalition, meanwhile, has agreed to hold off elections until at least June 30, 2011 – 2 1/2 years from now. (The Bloc, which would not have a cabinet seat, has signed on until June 30, 2010.) That should provide the stability needed for the government to grapple with the economic challenges facing Canada.
And grapple they promise to do in their accord, which features an economic stimulus package that includes “substantial new investments” in infrastructure and housing, support for the forestry and auto sectors, and enhancements in Employment Insurance. All this should have been included in last week’s economic statement.
To be sure, there are questions to be answered about the coalition. Canadians will want to know whether there are any worrisome side deals with the Bloc. (Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe said yesterday there is no agreement on “concrete” measures to enhance Quebec sovereignty.) And what about the coalition’s foreign policy, notably on Afghanistan, where the Liberals and New Democrats have differed sharply in the past?
Also problematic is the fact that, under the deal, Dion, the Liberals’ lame-duck leader, would serve as prime minister, at least until the new party leader is chosen next spring. In the Oct. 14 election, Canadians resoundingly rejected Dion, who finished a poor third behind both Harper and Layton as “best prime minister” in all the opinion polls. A wiser choice for interim prime minister might have been a Liberal stalwart like former finance minister Ralph Goodale.
It is also unclear whether the Liberal leadership candidates – Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc – would be given cabinet posts. Again, it would be wise to keep them out, as they are going to be busy campaigning for the next five months.
Issues like these could still derail the coalition before the crucial vote next Monday.
That being said, a coalition government of Liberals and New Democrats is preferable at this time to a Conservative regime led by Harper, who has demonstrated that ideology and partisanship are more important to him than providing good government.
I have one question for your apparent well thought out and articulate discourse: If in fact the newly minted opposition is successful in forming a government, where does the balance of power lie? I would suggest you are perpetually in the candy section of the supermarket with a spoiled 2 year old, unable to exit the isle, let alone the store. Are you willing to tell the nation it’s time to go shopping for the benefit of the national family, but spend 90 percent of your time in the candy section, knowing full well that a balanced diet is found in all isles? Our National 2 year old will demand their Half Moons and Joe Louie’s non stop. Most disciplined parents remove the child immediately, not only for the disciplinary effect, but for the benefit of other shoppers. This isn’t about what is right for Canada, its about power and arrogance.
The Bloc is the only winner here and they love it and know it. They have nothing to lose here. I do not disagree with a minority or coalition government. I also happen to believe that Harper’s arrogance will ultimately be his undoing, as it was for the Liberals. But do you not see the inconsistencies with a party that lost the last election spending hundreds of millions of dollars in defending national unity, in something called ” the sponsorship scandal” to team up with the very people the money was used to defeat? No need to answer just a thought…
Whats wrong with another election, is that not what we pay our taxes for…peace order and good government? Implicit in that is democracy is it not. If Layton and Dion feel so strongly that they represent the will of Canadians, why not put it to a vote?
HARPER THE LIAR HAS EARNED THE POWER TO STAY SAY HIS SUPPORTERS?
DREAM ON BUT STILL FIRE THE USLESS TWIT
http://thenonconformer.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/a-very-sick-harper/