You should know this. Three minutes after Stephen Harper told the nation why he should not lose his job, the Conservative Party of Canada did a mass email blast with the subject line AN URGENT MESSAGE TO CANADIANS. In party, it said: “It is becoming increasingly clear that Stéphane Dion and Jack Layton have sold out their principles by signing a separatist pact with the Bloc Québécois – a pact now blessed by hard liner Jacques Parizeau, a former PQ Premier.
“Hard line separatists like Jacques Parizeau have only one objective: the establishment of a weak, unstable and disoriented federal government that will forever be incapable of acting in the national interest. Thanks to Stéphane Dion and Jack Layton, Jacques Parizeau is set to get the weak, unstable and disoriented federal government he always dreamed of – all without obtaining the democratic consent of the Canadian people.”
Thirty-one minutes after a speech in which the prime minister had used the word “separatists” more often than the word “economy”, people in Halton on the Con list started getting urgent phone calls from Ottawa asking for $500 donations, “to save Canada from the coalition.”
Was that what it was all about? A fund-raiser?
But there you have it. During the last election Harper told voters they’d lose their child care cheques and see the GST upped if they didn’t vote for him – diverting attention from the real issue, jobs and the economy. He’s done it again, saying Canada will be destroyed by Quebec separatists if he loses power – taking our attention from the real issue, his failure. Will we fall for the bait-and-switch tactic again?
Will you, Excellency? Thursday morning Harper will take his eight-vehicle motorcade about 300 feet across the road and ask you for permission to shut down Parliament until the end of January. This will be for the sole purpose of avoiding a confidence vote Monday night he knows he cannot win. In doing this, Harper – who inherited the mantle of the people-first, bottom-up Reform Party – will seek to silence every MP and every voter. He will be the first to ever do this, the ultimate failure of an elected leader. There is absolutely no reason for his request to be granted. If it is, your very office will have been infected with the Harper contagion.
Whether you agree the coalition is reasonable or not isn’t the issue now. Duceppe and the Blocheads aren’t either (the guy made it crystal on TV he will not be part of any government). Whether you think Layton is a leftie fruitloop or Dion is a dweeb, simply doesn’t matter. Our prime minister has turned this into a screaming crisis that now envelopes everyone. Does one man – even a prime minister – have the right to shutter the House of Commons? Simply because he won’t get his way? To avoid doing his job? To duck a vote?
Does this not make a mockery of every time Harper ridiculed the Liberals for abstaining on a vote rather than precipitating an election? When Dion put water in his wine then, at least he did it for a reason – to let the country function, even when he disagreed with an action.
Now Harper tries to deceive us, divert us, diminish us, with the spectre of Quebec separatists who also think he’s an incompetent dink (forgive me, Excellency). And yet history will show Stephen Harper did more than any other prime minister to further the cause of the Bloc Quebecois by declaring the Quebec people a nation. Does his hypocrisy have no end? Or does he think we’re just not watching?
So, it comes down to this. If you cave to him, Harper will leave us without a functioning or legitimate government during a period of financial crisis. He will have no authority to act, since he’ll be defeated as soon as the House of Commons reconvenes. We’ll all have suffered drift and indecision, so one guy can cling to power for five more weeks. Pathetic.
But then he will be gone.
If you do not agree to his request to shut the House, and correctly ask the coalition forces to govern, then Stephen Harper will also be gone. And – I guarantee you – he won’t be the Conservative leader in the next election.
Another guarantee: Canada will survive. But, Excellent One, you know that.
128 comments ↓
Garth, as always you hit the nail squarely on the head. The fundamental issue is an egomaniac who is totally out of control in his lust for power at ANY cost. Even if that is the health of the Canadian economy, the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people, the retirement savings of seniors, and the aspirations of our youth.
Sad. Truly sad.
If we truly want responsible government then we should move to a proportional representation form of government as they have in many European countries. The result is almost always coalition governments. And, they are governments that work because people are brought together to work towards common purpose.
I believe that the proposed coalition can work because it is focused on a common goal – fixing the economy. And the parties are willing to put their partisan issues aside to try and accomplish that goal. That is something Harper could never do.
“Does one man – even a prime minister – have the right to shutter the House of Commons? Simply because he won’t get his way? To avoid doing his job? To duck a vote?”
It makes me sick that one man’s lust for power and hatred of his enemy has done this to our country. Proroguing our country’s parliament just to put off the inevitable is reprehensible.
I sincerely hope the GG has intelligent advisers and makes a rational, informed decision.
I wrote to her with a plea for just a decision. Hopefully everyone does.
At least the country has woken up from its political stupor.
Scant weeks ago, at the Winnipeg Conservative convention, the Conservative rank and file were heavily into personality cult politics: at the front of the hall, all the pictures were of Harper, Harper, Harper, except one of some schoolgirls wearing “I’ve got a crush on Harper” T-shirts. He was Da Man, he was the King, he was the Boss, he was the Dear Leader all rolled into one, and he was at the giddy top of his game.
Tonight we saw a man in full flight, a man cut down to size, nervously smirking at the beginning of a wisely short statement that contained nothing new–and quite a few falsehoods.
The CBC commentators were kind. They used the phrase “not true” now and then–but perhaps Harper himself should sign up for Peter Russell’s civics class, because he is either ignorant or consciously lying to the Canadian people.
Let’s be specific:
In Canada, he said, the government “has always been chosen by the people.” FALSE. To begin with, under our electoral system, we do not vote for governments. We vote for MPs. The Governor-General asks MPs to form governments. The Prime Minister isn’t even mentioned in the Constitution.
Secondly, Harper seems to have forgotten the King/Byng affair. After a confidence vote in 1926, which King lost, Arthur Meighen was asked by Governor-General Lord Byng to form a government, which he did, losing a confidence vote himself a few days later. Oddly, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon made the same mistake yesterday.
“The Opposition,” said Harper, “wants to overturn the results of [the] election.” FALSE. The results stay exactly the same: the MPs who were elected remain MPs. As noted, Canadian electors do not elect governments.
The proposed coalition is entering into an alliance with separatists, Harper claimed. FALSE. The Bloc Québécois is not a formal part of the coalition. It has pledged to support the coalition on confidence motions, but not on the routine business of the House.
The “Opposition (parties have) no democratic right” to proceed with their plans, Harper said. FALSE. On the contrary, under our Constitution, they have every democratic right to vote non-confidence in the Conservative government and to make their case to the Governor-General that they could form a government themselves.
The statement, offering nothing new whatsoever, was nothing but a farrago of falsehoods, a tissue of lies, a disgraceful attempt by the Prime Minister to buttress his desperate attempt to hold onto power.
Harper had the gall to conclude by pledging “to protect our democracy…to protect Canada.”
Did you really mean that, Prime Minister? Then do the right thing. Face the music on Monday, and resign.
posted by Dr.Dawg at 7:55
It would be very irresponsible for Madam G. G. to leave us adrift that long. I hope she realizes there is a Two-party Coalition minority-government who will have the Bloc’s support for two budgets.
Stephen Harper did more than any other prime minister to further the cause of the Bloc Quebecois by declaring the Quebec people a nation. – Garth
Very true. And as we know, without the people of Quebec, the CPC doesn’t stand a cat in hells chance of winning a majority.
Stephen Harper, by telling Canadians that duely elected members of the Canadian HoC should have no voice in government, has told the people of Quebec that their votes for the Bloq don’t count. This will guarantee the Bloq even more support in Quebec.
What an idiot!
Did MPTV get hired to film Dion’s video?
They couldn’t afford me. — Garth
Addendum.
Any elected MP who sits in the HoC by definition is part of government. They may not be a member of the ruling party, but their vote counts just like any other MP’s.
As I said earlier, what’s the difference, the Bloq has always had the deciding (veto) vote when it comes to the past minority governments. One good thing about the coalition agreement, they have promised not to veto for 18 months.
Yes, Harper is an idiot!
If the Governor General feels the House needs some stability, and needs to get back to work, I would fail to see how a lameduck P.M. would be the rock of stablility we need right now. He is unwanted by his own party as leader, and was rejected by Canadian voters in a large fashion. This is not the man who should be leading the nation, but may very well be doing so soon. Stephen Harper owes it to every Canadian to step down, and let the govenment move forward without him. Another election is not needed right now, as we will just return a similar government again. If we do have another 300 million plus election, then how could our nation continue to have homeless living on the streets when we are shelling out 600 million for quaterly elections?
Harper had that really annoying, fake voice during that speech.
It was disturbing. The guy looks and acts shifty. I do not trust him one little bit.
That “soft” voice was like listening to the grinch…like a snake slithering his way through the speech. creepy.
If you’d like to show your support for the Coalition:
Petition & ideas:
http://www.62percentmajority.ca/action/yourvoice
Petition & short video:
http://www.progressivecoalition.ca/index.php
Garth, what are the odds that if Mme. M. Jean does not agree to prorogue, that PM Harping will try to fire her and replace her with some lackie? That is about what I would expect of that jerk! Who ever was it told him he was leadership material? They were sadly deluded.
Now we will find if democracy in Canada is still alive.
Regardless of our individual views on Mr. Harper, the coalition proposal is a part of the democratic process and the GG must let this government be defeated.
In addition, the defeat of this government would show that arrogance demonstrated by the ruling party and the PM will not be tolerated.
Encouraging comments from young Canadians:
From Quebec:
From Alberta:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=37994407715&topic=6296
Not to mention instilling fear in all Albertans, French and English with the separatist talk. French for their safety and English for Canada.
http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1328555&auth=
There is a large French community in the province.
Shame on you Mr. Harper. You are Not a leader. Leaders don’t make people afraid for their safety.
Dion and the Coalitions biggest hurdle:
The Liberal party.
Why? Because, like before, they don’t understand what it means to stand together and voice one voice when it is needed. Its incredible how stupid some of these MP’s can truly be. Iggy included. The way they are (or aren’t) working, its gonna be a devastation if an election where to be called. How truly sad.
That and money. If these clowns could get their shit together, you might actually see money flow in. Oh and a hate for harper isn’t a good source of unification. Party loyalty may not be everything. But it truly is a necessity at times. One day the moronic Liberal party will see that.
heh heh, MPTV; double burn.
Harper missed a great opportunity–his diatribe against the coalition would have been sweeted if only he had finished with ” and the coalition is against our troops, too–they hate our troops—they hate our flag—our forefathers—oh, yeah, and did I mention they hate our troops!!!!!
Interestingly, I found Stephane Dion’s taped release to be far more prime ministerial and controlled than Glen’s 100% correct assessment of Harper’s Grinch like delivery of fiat phisod nation in unity crisis dumb speak.
Garth, what are the odds that if Mme. M. Jean does not agree to prorogue, that PM Harping will try to fire her and replace her with some lackie?
By Truth B Told on 12.03.08 10:37 pm
Thankfully, that’s one position he can’t fire a person from. The PM recommends the GG. to the Queen. It is the Queen who appoints the GG.
Remember, the government belongs to the Queen, not the CPC and certainly not Harper. It may be a CPC government, but it doesn’t belong to them. As the Queen’s offical representative, GG M. Jean could petition HRH Queen Elizabeth II and have Harper fired, if she thought it in the best interests of Canada.
That has happened before in another Commonwealth country. Now that would cause a constitutional crisis!
I grew up in Manitoba and now live in Alberta, and the only people who disparage Quebec/Quebecois are uneducated, spiteful people (and they vote Conservative if they vote at all) who are equally biased against
This dumbass does the same thing he blames the conservatives of doing, that is disparaging a whole group of people. I guess for he moron it is ok to do it to Conservatives because they don’t share his leftwing loonie ideas.
And posted by Barb, the biggest hypocrite on this web site. Great combo.
From CBC website:
“The worst thing that could happen right now is political disorderliness. The world is watching. We’re either a mature and stable country worthy of investment, or we are bypassed and international investors will go elsewhere,” wrote C. Krauss.
Actually the world is not watching. I had to dig to find anything about mad Harper on CNN’s website. We barely exist to them.
Attn Leasa: Bad enough you have your children raised by strangers and orally ignore your husband, but are we supposed to pay your salary so you can leave shockingly lame and stupid comments on a blog?
JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Garth, what are the odds that if Mme. M. Jean does not agree to prorogue, that PM Harping will try to fire her and replace her with some lackie? That is about what I would expect of that jerk! Who ever was it told him he was leadership material? They were sadly deluded.
By Truth B Told on 12.03.08 10:37 pm
I suppose anything is possible…..she was afterall awarded the GG job by the Liberals. Hey, wasn’t her husband once alleged to have deep seperatist ties? If true, he must be loving this proposed coalition just as much as Parizeau!
Canadians will have, nay, demand another election before a Liberal-NDP-BQ coalition government rules the country.
If by some quirk of injustice, the GG allows the socialist-separatist coalition to govern Canada, we will have open political civil war with plenty of political bullets flying around.
It’s already happening on this forum by those who would overturn the duly elected government of Canada.
I’ll believe the whole thing when Harper is actually (and finally and rightfully) gone and the Liberal/NDP opposition parties form the government.
Here’s hoping the GG has some real common sense within the context of the constitution and Parliamentary democracy.
Until then, the 62+% majority can only hope.
Great post Garth!
I’m afraid people don’t understand what Harper could and will likely do. Prorogation of the House and not recalling them for up to a year.
We’d get an election in a year, but be without our elected members in the House.
Everyone is talking about a 5 week prorogation – how is 5 weeks guaranteed? Garth? Anybody?!
Did MPTV get hired to film Dion’s video?
They couldn’t afford me. — Garth
By John Frain on 12.03.08 9:59 pm
WHAT?? And you couldn’t lower your rates for this one time?? :p
Harper is a bully! Wah!
How many Conservative PM’s do you know that choke the electorate, flip them the bird or are so stinkin drunk that they are puking up all over the opposition?
Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones!
I never knowingly puked on the opposition. Thought about it, though. — Garth
I am really get sick and tired of hearing people say that the Bloc has no plans to further their seperatist cause, they are simply looking out for Canadian’s best interests, blah, blah, blah. Are some of you really that stupid and do not believe he will take advantage of this once in a lifetime situation?
Remember this?
Dear Friends,
Québec’s march towards nationhood is nearing its goal, as the results of the most recent referendum so clearly showed. In a vote held October 30, 1995, close to half the population of Québec opted for sovereignty. For very many Quebecers, this is the only choice for taking their own destiny in hand.
Québec is a tolerant and diverse pluralistic society, and will remain so after it becomes sovereign. The sovereignist project, which is founded on demo-cratic principles, reflects this reality. It proposes a new openness toward the rest of the world as well as a new economic and monetary union with Canada. It seeks to end over thirty years of constitutional deadlock that have prevented Canada’s two founding peoples from moving forward.
Québec aspires to possess all the tools necessary for its economic, social and cultural development. And like for many other peoples before us, this desire to control our future is contingent on the creation of our own country, Québec.
The members of Parliament of the Bloc Québécois would like share their project and their motivations with you. This document is a first step. We hope that the enclosed information will help you understand why so many Quebecers are committed to building a country of their own.
Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Québécois
Contents
Introduction: The Québec Question
1. Québec Today
1.1 Demographics
1.2 Political, Social and Cultural Context
1.3 Economic and International Trade Context
2. A Look Back at History
3. Québec’s Legitimate Desire for Total Sovereignty
4. The Democratic Process: Quebecers, Masters of Their Own Destiny
5. The Legitimacy of a Referendum
6. Sovereign Québec
6.1 Definition
6.2 Respect for Rights and Freedoms
6.3 Respect for the Rights of the English-speaking Community
6.4 Respect for the Rights of Native Peoples
6.5 Economic and Monetary Partnership
6.6 Foreign Policy
Conclusion: Québec… on the road to nationhood
This is the party and leader you have chosen to align yourselves with? You must be so proud of yourselves and further proud to be Canadian.
Tell me you do not support Bloc views but rather the party in favour of the “numbers game” but don’t try and pull this crap that the Bloc is simply another party that has softened their views.
Next Up…….stay tuned for how great a coalition will be for the Canadian economy and how the elimination of corporate tax reductions will further increase domestic and foreign investment and subsequent job creation!! LOL, yeah right!!
Harper enjoyed BQ support 140 times in the House of Commons. In return, he engineered a declaration making the Quebec people “a nation.” I’d say that when it comes to playing footsie with the separatists, Mr. Harper’s toes are on Viagra. — Garth
This just in, Italian Canadians get traumatic flashbacks from their motherland.
God help us if we turn into another European style ‘democracy’ with high taxes, high unemployment and constant political unrest.
the biggest hypocrite on this web site. Great combo.
BY LOONIELEFTWINGERS ON 12.03.08 11:20 PM
Hey Bully,
First of all, prove it. You just insulted me and you have not a shred of reason to say that, but that’s what you Reform Alliance Cons do, isn’t it, you just lie, lie, lie…. then insult and bully.
OBVIOUSLY you didn’t go to the link, which proves you are a useless Harper paid troll.
Here’s why Alberta is STUCK:
Alberta’s political system encourages low voter turnout
http://communities.canada.com/calgaryherald/blogs/qblog/archive/2008/03/13/182034.aspx
The Alberta Conservatives have a formula to ensure low turn-out. Conservatives WANT it that way.
With a 40% voter turn-out, Conservatives may be a minority in Alberta too, but the fix is in.
Garth,
I don’t know if the GG could leave us over this holiday season all wondering about our jobs, finances the future of our country well into January 2009.
I’m surprised Harper didn’t say tonight that the Coalition are muslims who blew $150,000 on a clothing shopping spree.
Harper enjoyed BQ support 140 times in the House of Commons. In return, he engineered a declaration making the Quebec people “a nation.” I’d say that when it comes to playing footsie with the separatists, Mr. Harper’s toes are on Viagra. — Garth
Hey, 1st thing we agree on in about 3 years. Harper screwed up cudling up to the Bloc big time.
It was going well there for a while. Quebec was even ready to throw the bloc out. Unfortunately it didn’t happen because the bloc worked everybody up over a 1% cut in the culture budget. And Dion helped them. Imagine that, a 1% cut in the middle of a crisis. Bad Harper.
Harper has learned that when you play with snakes you get bitten. Think Mr. Dion will learn the same lesson soon?
Mr Dion is playing with 2 snakes, not just one. While a smart and likeable guy, he can’t control either.
Where was the coallition today? They can’t even show up together for a reply to the big bad wolf. And this is the ‘honeymoon’ period, wait till they have to take care of real issues.
Garth:
I must say your unfortunate replacement looks like a vacuous bobble head on TV, not that I’m at all surprised.
Harper enjoyed BQ support 140 times in the House of Commons. In return, he engineered a declaration making the Quebec people “a nation.” I’d say that when it comes to playing footsie with the separatists, Mr. Harper’s toes are on Viagra. — Garth
Although I do not always support the same views as yourself I will always love your one line zingers. Yet, another good one here!
It is now Dec 4. Parliament hasn’t really sat since the beginning of summer. Harpers next best move is to stall until mid Jan 09. Count on your fingers-8 months of no sitting functioning government as expressed as a functional parliament. During this same period we had a government take us to the polls to reaffirm its mandate when no reaffirmation was necessary. This at a cost of some 300 million dollars. In the meantime the Canadian dollar has gone from $1.10 to .78 US. The TSX has lost half of its value, 400,00 auto jobs are on the verge of history,the rest of the world’s economies have gone into a freefall the likes of which has never been witnessed. Her majesty,s loyal opposition has now said enough is enough and has risked all in an attempt to motivate the Harper government to start being that- a government, or face replacement. Steven if you are the patriot you claim to be realize you have run out of time and Canada has run out of time, step aside with dignity and let those that represent two thirds of Canadians form some sort of working government. We cant afford your petty time consuming grasping for power. Please step aside.
Excerpt from Glenn Pearson MP’s Liberal Blog. Remember this is a man of integrity.
“And the present? Well, it’s just a mess. I was approached by three Conservatives today to help support them, saying that I was an honest broker type and that my voice would be respected. But when I asked them if they would just quit playing this kind of brinksmanship and retreat to a position of non-partisanship and accommodation, they quietly moved away. And there’s the problem: if it won’t start with the Conservatives, it won’t start at all. They are the government and the responsibility lies with them. Their lack of refined leadership has ultimately led to a lack of productivity.”
From Scott’s Diatribes blog
“Gerard Kennedy made such a claim on CBC) and rumours as reported by Jeff that the Cons. are offering Liberal MP’s who get “sick” on the day of the non-confidence motion an appointment to the Senate, as well as sending out rumours of Liberals being offered cabinet posts, and you can see how desperate and flailing the Conservatives really are at trying to hold on to power.
It’s ironic how the Conservatives were foaming at the mouth in QP yesterday, calling the Liberals “traitors” to Canada yesterday, and yet at the same time they’re looking for “traitors” to save themselves. Of this development, ”
If this is true, it seems like bribery is a core value of the Harper team.
“If you do not agree to his request to shut the House, and correctly ask the coalition forces to govern”
lol, what ever happened to the right of the people to elect a government, it takes precedent well ahead of installing the opposition to government and suspending the rights of the people for 18 to 30 months simply because the`re pissed-off at losing the election.
Letter to Her Excellency
The consequence by all precedent of a non-confidence vote is an election. There are no extra ordinary circumstances to suspend the right of the people. Contrary to popular belief by the LSD Party(coalition of liberals separatists and democrats) the economic situation can precipitate a HoC vote of non-c and an election unless it can prove beyond a doubt that the CPC are incompetent but and it`s a big but, the LSD Party must have a clear and comprehensive plan that will stand the test of extreme scrutiny by the people. As of today they still only have a few ideas which require the voice of the people to support with a mandate.
Whether Cdns like it or not the only result of a non-confidence vote under the current circumstances is to send the people to the polls.
This message authorized by the Get A Rope Committee
Quick thoughts:
Harper fiddled with papers. I thought he was going to hold up his suit filed against the GG.
Jay Hill was sweating profusely. Martin Stringer really backed him into a corner.
Dion spoke from the heart. ‘Nuff said.
Layton’s choice of venue was perfect. I have regained some respect for him I lost during the election.
Duceppe’s baby blues stole my heart. I’m willing to set aside my differences if he is.
Further to myself. If this comes about and Harper’s government falls in January it will take another two months to resolve an election and then another month for the victor to put a government in place. The time line now for Steves irresponsible quest for authoritarian rule is almost one full year. And then in all livelihood he will still have only a minority mandate.In the meantime the global economic crisis will have developed a full years head start on Canada’s response. The GG has no choice given the prospect of this time line but to acquiesce to the stability that the coalition may offer. We have simply run out of time to continue the tolerance of Harpers ego. This way madness lays.
Will MPs still receive their big fat salary while the house is in prorogue?
My simple question for Constitutional Scholars:
What does it take for a GG to deny proroguing, beyond this set of outlandish circumstances?
Or do these powers on the part of the GG to deny proroguing only really exist in theory but never in practice, regardless of how egregious the circumstance are?
Granting Harper the privilege of proroguing under these circumstances would be tantamount to the usurping of the Governor General’s role, by the Governor General herself, which is as bizarre a concept as the request itself.
It’s already happening on this forum by those who would overturn the duly elected government of Canada.
By HARRY S on 12.03.08 11:37 pm
Harry why don’t you take a Civics lesson. Harper’s Government wasn’t Duly Elected!!! The CPC and Harper are permitted to be Government if they have Confidence of the Majority Voting Members of the House of Commons, PERIOD!!! That is how our system works, it is how it has worked since 1867.
After the last election Harper was still the Prime Minister because he was the Prime Minister before the election. He is permitted to Prime Minister as long as he has the mojority support of the MPs in the House of Commons. He no longer has that support. It is Harper that is causing a constitution crisis by postponing the vote. Prorogueing Parliament to avoid a non confidence vote is a complete abuse his power and subverts our Constitutional Parliamentary System of Governance.
You retarded neo-clown Harper Bots need to stop lying about how our Government works.
Now go read a book, one that maybe deals with Westminster Parliamentary History, you learn what you obviously missed in grade seven and eight civics classes.
By the way Garth, spot on! Hammer, nail and all that stuff. You’re still the best damn read in the Blogosphere.
“. . . Harper tries to deceive us, divert us, diminish us, with the spectre of Quebec separatists . . .”
Those are the only things he can do well, yet it is perfectly reasonable of harpo to snuggle up and be cozy with whomever will enable him to be in charge, including separatists who have kept CRAP where they are until now.
I trust the GG has the steel to let a coalition, supported by the Bloq run our country ASAP. Did not harpo try to pull the same stunt a few years ago, and failed?
Payback time, ‘coz he’s gonzo for good!
****************************************
Scroll down a little until the sentence “Can anyone say hyper-inflation?” is read.
The following paras. follow what is happening in Zimbabwe now, what happened in Argentina, Russia, etc., and will be here very shortly — possibly within six months to a year.
This continent is ready to implode, and there isn’t a single politician anywhere who will be able to stop it!
Carney, Paulson, Bernanke and higher-up politicians of all stripes know what is coming
One way or the other, we may just as well vote for Ernie and Bert from Sesame Street to run Canada. They sure couldn’t do a worse job that CRAP!
Second link is what there is now — deflation. — http://tinyurl.com/62grqa http://tinyurl.com/5o8xcm
****************************************
A poster during the last election had a good saying — “It’s the economy, stupid!”
“The only things holding the stock market up these days is wishful thinking and Paulson’s plunge protection team (PPT) — which is dedicated to stemming the financial bleeding until at least January 19, 2009 — the last day of Bush’s watch.” Allen L Roland — http://tinyurl.com/6znype
****************************************
Looks like there may be a new Cold War. — http://tinyurl.com/5l42ad
Garth, if parliament is prorouged, why doesn’t Dion follow Obama’s lead and put together a weekly webcast.
( Clearly you guys already have the webcams ) …
It would make all the difference.
–
P.S. Did you notice the totally unacceptable use of the word traitor in the house today? It made the parlvu stream.
Was wondering tonight, what Dalton Camp would make of this if he were still with us?
I am truly disappointed that Dion did not give Harpo the …..Fish or Cut Bait line back at him….it would have been a classic turn around….
I read this in the CBC comments section and had a good laugh.
“I am fully aware that the coalition is legal, constitutional and in a bizarre way democratic but is it sensible? Most Canadians did not vote for Harper, thats true. But if you asked if most Canadians liked Strawberries they’d say yes. A large number would also say they like Captain Crunch and you would probably get a large segment that said they like goat meat. Many would even say yes to all 3 but never in a casserole together.”
Marc – You say if we have another election the result would be the same.
Not a chance of that happening with this stunt.
The electorate is MUCH more motivated now
We are about to see if is worth the money to employ this representative of the Queen.
Will she do her job & make sure that Harper does his??
Does she have the cojones to stand-up to this man who assumes he can do no wrong??
Has she the insight to see that it was he ,& he alone , that has precipitated this mess??
Harper is a master at the sleight of hand–he can spin the devil into a god-like figure & he can fool a nation.
It all comes down to one woman looking into the eyes of one man & determining if he is the best person to run this country at a time of crisis.
Let us hope that she can see into his soul & see the devil beneath.
Dr Mike Popovich—former life-long Conservative.
Skinning the cat, gently -
Boyce Richardson, “Stephen Harper: ignorant, or just a plain liar”, at
http://boycespaper.airset.com/#_p.%2FAbout%20Us%1Fhtml
I’m sorry. I was leaning towards supporting a coalition – but last night was embarrassing. Dion couldn’t get the tape to the networks on time? And when it FINALLY shows up, it was out of focus? He really shoots himself in the foot sometimes.
At this point, I want either a vote Monday, non-confidence – and we go back to the polls, OR Harper prorogues till January – and between now and then he Liberal party picks a new leader, and we do this all again in January.
Yeah, that Dion will have to do better with the camcorder. — Garth
Expat: I don’t see any condemnation of Harper in your last posting. Stephen Harper has definitely entered into a “civil union” with Duceppe. Have you not been following Harper’s money-burning attempts to buy his illusive trophy province-Quebec???
Globe and Mail reports Reformers & Bloc did 2000 backroom deal to seize power.
My, my, my. Read it here.
~Nope, Garth that is a lie. Mr. Day did not know anything about this and had never seen it until last night. Sorry…try again. L
By Leasa on 12.03.08 8:56 pm
If you believe that Leasa, I’ve got a nice piece of swamp land in Florida to sell you.
Garth, today you are truly over the top. Canada does not have a functional government now because of the actions of your leader, Layton and Duceppe.
What amazes me as I watch hours of coverage on this is the fact that the ONLY one who seems to know the difference today between a Quebec Nationalist and a Quebec Separatist is our Prime Minister. The rest of you suddenly don’t seem to care.
Every single time the Bloc voted the same way as the CPC in the HoC, the liberals screamed bloody murder…”IN BED WITH THE SEPARATISTS WHO WANT TO DESTROY OUR COUNTRY” they yelled relentlessly. Today, they want to convince people that it is offencive not to love a separatist.
What else are you guys willing to do to this country to get your hands of the reigns of power?
Leasa
Garth,
Got this POS from a friend this morning. what the Hell is Chuck Strahl, a B.C. MP doing sending the equivalent of a 10% er to anyone in Ontario? Oh, yeah, DESPERATION for Harper.
Chuck Strahl is a Federal Member of Parliament from Chilliwack, B.C.
A Political Crisis?
By Chuck Strahl MP
November 29, 2008
Last week I sent around an update on Canada’s economic situation, with the observation that it wasn’t a very enjoyable subject to write about. Unfortunately, this week it appears that our economic woes are morphing into a political crisis of sorts, at a time when we can least afford it. What’s happening in Ottawa is bordering on the absurd, but its impact would be felt most harshly by Canadians, not political parties. It is potentially a shame of historic proportions.
The Throne Speech I wrote about last week has now been passed. The Opposition Parties apparently had no trouble supporting the direction of the Conservative government, and in fact, they let it pass “on division”, which means they didn’t even want a stand up vote! When the Finance Minister tabled his economic update, though, things got ugly, mostly because the speech made reference to politicians and political parties receiving less from the government coffers. Suddenly, the Liberals and NDP want to form an alternative government, apparently by joining forces in a coalition, and supported by the separatist Bloc Quebecois.
This unholy alliance is trying to paint a different picture, of course. They say they simply want to spend more money to stimulate the economy, but when asked for details, it’s pretty thin gruel. Apparently they’re prepared to take the ‘ready, shoot, aim” approach to spending, and agree to some blank cheques without even knowing what will actually help specific industries, without knowing what Barak Obama has planned, and without working in concert with the other G-20 countries. It is a recipe for a fiscal disaster.
More importantly, it is a democratic disaster. During the campaign, Liberal leader Stephane Dion said he would not and could not have a coalition with the NDP, because their policies would destroy the economy. Apparently that principled position has now gone out the window. Now we have the prospect of the Liberals (with 77 seats) joining with the NDP (with 37 seats) to unseat the democratically elected Conservatives (with 143 seats) . Of course, the only way to do that would be with the support of the separatist Bloc Quebecois, who bring their votes to the table in exchange for their separatist agenda. It is almost beyond belief, but apparently the back room discussions amongst these parties are happening as I write this note.
As I said last week, our Conservative government has been preparing our economy for over a year to weather this world-wide economic storm as best we can. We have brought in almost $200 billion dollars in economic stimulus over a 5 year period, by lowering taxes across the board and in every category. We have freed up billions more by adopting Bank of Canada policies and mortgage protection that have increased the availability of credit and addressed liquidity issues, without costing the taxpayer too much and without risking our country’s core stability. The IMF, the World Economic Forum, the OECD and other international organizations are united in their opinions that Canada is in the best shape of any industrialized nation in the world. Now the left-leaning parties in Parliament are willing to risk it all in order to gain power through the back door, power that was denied to them in a general election.
In order to diffuse this crisis, our government has agreed to separate the political party financing issue from the confidence vote, and we’ll be bringing it back to Parliament in a stand-alone Bill for a vote next year. Whether a person believes the taxpayer should be forced to pay for political party finances will be debated and decided at another time. I’ll be supporting the Bill when it comes to a vote, and we’ll see what happens. For now, Canadians should be appalled that we could be thrown into a democratic and constitutional crisis by an attempt to gain power at any cost, to overthrow the democratically expressed will of the Canadian people, all at a critically important economic time for us all.
I’m uncertain where all of this is going, but it is entirely possible that the Conservatives could lose the confidence of Parliament and be forced into an election within days. You can’t run the government without revenue, and we simply must have the authority to pay the bills and stick to the agenda already approved in the Throne Speech. But it is also entirely possible that the Conservatives could be forced from government by the Liberal/NDP/Bloc coalition, if the Governor General agrees. Canada deserves better than either of these options, and we’ll be working hard to keep everyone focused on the economy, jobs, and a sound budgetary plan. We believe Canadians want us to get on with governing. But I just don’t know what will happen, and I share Canadian’s shock and anger that we’re teetering on this abyss at this critical time.
The vote to bring down the government will now take place on December 8th, so Canadians have a week or so to express themselves before that critical moment. I urge everyone to write a letter-to-the editor, call a radio talk show, circulate this article (or others) through their own email list, and contact political parties with their opinion. A strong grassroots reaction may be the only thing that stands between us and a Prime Minister Stephane Dion and Finance Minister Jack Layton.
Here is the Real Truth about Harper’s status as he practices his almost new, not quite as entertaining, a definite imitation of leadership using Spinalot
Duceppe’s baby blues stole my heart. I’m willing to set aside my differences if he is.
By cms on 12.04.08 12:45 am
OMG, you need a vacation. LOL
LAWRENCE MARTIN
From Thursday’s Globe and Mail
December 4, 2008 at 12:09 AM EST
The heat is on Governor-General Michaëlle Jean – and it’s coming from a former governor-general.
Ed Schreyer said in an interview yesterday that granting a wish for the prorogation of Parliament at this point would constitute an evasion of the process of Parliament and should not be done.
“I’ll put it this way and I will make this a plain-spoken sentence. Nothing should be done to aid and abet the evasion of submitting to the will of Parliament. I think one can stop there. It’s about as basic as that.”
With a new Parliament having just opened, the only circumstances to justify prorogation, Mr. Schreyer said, would be a genuine emergency. “The only emergency seems to be a desire [of the Harper government] to avoid facing Parliament. That is not an emergency.”
The first minister and the viceroy
Ms. Jean is under no obligation to listen to Mr. Schreyer, but his observations go to the heart of a problem she faces. No governor-general should be seen to be in the business of closing down Parliament for the crassly political reason of saving a government from almost certain defeat on a confidence motion.
The driving imperative of the Harper government’s adjournment request is survival. Ms. Jean knows that last Friday the Prime Minister stood in the House of Commons foyer and announced that the opposition would be allowed a confidence vote on Dec. 8. She knows that his reason for wanting to renege on that vow is that he is likely to lose that vote. To grant prorogation could make her look complicit in the Prime Minister’s political power play.
That’s the type of thing, Mr. Schreyer said, that has to be avoided. Speaking of political neutrality, he said: “I regard that as the sine qua non of the office. … What the Governor-General must not do is start canvassing because that too quickly comes to destroy respectful neutrality, political neutrality.”
She must also consider the danger of setting an unacceptable precedent. Granting prorogation in dire circumstances for a government is tantamount to saying it should be granted at any time – that the governor-general should be a rubber stamp in the process. That means any time a minority Parliament is in trouble, facing a confidence vote, the prime minister could simply prorogue to head off the crisis.
Paul Martin could have done so in the fall of 2005 and avoided losing an election campaign that extended over Christmas. John Diefenbaker could have tried it in the early 1960s. Joe Clark could have tried it in 1979, though Mr. Schreyer said he’s not sure he would have granted it.
Those leaders may have had second thoughts, realizing that the governor-general of the day might have turned them down. But with the precedent of a go-ahead for Mr. Harper, why would any future PM hesitate?
Mr. Schreyer, who served as NDP premier of Manitoba, was appointed governor-general by Pierre Trudeau in 1979. He later campaigned for the NDP in the 1999 Manitoba election. While his political bias is clear, he said he was speaking from the point of view of his experience at Rideau Hall. He said he didn’t want to get into giving advice to Ms. Jean, but his strong views will certainly be interpreted as such.
In an earlier interview with the CBC, Mr. Schreyer, who favours the Liberal-NDP coalition being allowed to form a government, would not give his view on prorogation, saying he hadn’t yet thought it through. But that has become the critical issue. Many are talking as though the die is cast, that the Governor-General is very likely to accept the Prime Minister’s request to adjourn Parliament. The prevailing sentiment appears to be that Ms. Jean will, indeed, grant prorogation, that a timeout is needed, that cooler heads should prevail – until late January.
This could well be the solution for the Harper Conservatives. By then, with the Prime Minister outfoxing the opposition at every turn, they might be able to put this crisis to bed. The Conservatives have gained ground over the past two days with an impressive blitzkrieg of demagoguery, painting the opposition deal as a separatist coalition. Mr. Harper, whose Conservatives have had many close ties to the Bloc Québécois, went so far yesterday as to label the opposition pact “a plan to destroy Canada.”
The Liberals, meantime, have been woefully inadequate in Question Period, steamrollered by the Tory onslaught. They’ve missed a golden opportunity to paint Mr. Harper as a coward running away from his promise of a confidence vote.
Given a few weeks time, the Conservatives will be able to flesh out an economic plan while bombarding the airwaves with their propaganda machine. The coalition will see its support fritter away. Their only chance is to strike now. They had better hope Michaëlle Jean listens to Ed Schreyer.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081204.wparlmartin04/BNStory/specialComment/columnists
Stephen Harper, by telling Canadians that duely elected members of the Canadian HoC should have no voice in government, has told the people of Quebec that their votes for the Bloq don’t count. This will guarantee the Bloq even more support in Quebec.
What an idiot!
By James – Chatham on 12.03.08 9:56 pm
In addition to that, Harper has screwed himself and the Conservatives in the next Federal Election in Quebec! All his
moves there have now been compromised, and the true feelings of many Canadians towards Quebec and Quebecers have been revealed.
Steven Harper has done more to promote a civil war in Canada than any other single politician in our history. His real goal may in fact be to try to lead Alberta and Western Canadians out of Confederation. This weasel needs to be sent packing, and his policies rejected!
~Nope, Garth that is a lie. Mr. Day did not know anything about this and had never seen it until last night. Sorry…try again. L
By Leasa on 12.03.08 8:56 pm
If you believe that Leasa, I’ve got a nice piece of swamp land in Florida to sell you.
By Go Green on 12.04.08 8:14 am
The real question is ‘How would Leechate KNOW for sure whether Day saw, knew, wrote, or otherwise was aware of the letter?’ Oh, I forgot, Con-bots are programmed to OBEY, not Think. Stockyard said it, she believes, it, and that settles it. Just like their literal interpretation of the Bible as they have been trained by Constantine, the non-Christian, Holy Roman Emperor from the 3rd century A.D.. About the same era as their thinking in the 21st century A.D….archaic.
Will MPs still receive their big fat salary while the house is in prorogue?
By Larry on 12.04.08 1:18 am
Of course they will. And where have you been, sleeping in class, or skipping out of History 101?
It’s already happening on this forum by those who would overturn the duly elected government of Canada.
By HARRY S on 12.03.08 11:37 pm
The duly elected government consists of 308 MP’s.
From those 308 members, someone has to gain the confidence of the house to be able to form government. That’s were the party politics takes over.
If one party has the majority, they form government and their leader becomes PM.
If no one party has a majority, then its up for grabs.
So far Stephen Harper has maintained the Confidence of the House by having the Libs sit on their hands, or the Bloq supporting budgets etc. that benefited Quebec.
Not any more.
Get this through you heads, Harry, Leasa and the rest, despite what Harper is saying to keep his job
WE elect MP’s… not PM’s.
One thing Harper does have correct is that at this time of economic crisi we need a stable government.
However, with all thing in this discussion, he’s going in the wrong direction to keep his job.
1. We needed an economic update and budget to deal with the issue. The ecconomic update was a failure and he has been shamed into providing a budget in January. He was going to leave it four months before bringing down a budget.
2. The Canadian flag was present for the coalition announcement. It was not off to one side as he stated when he retracted his statement that it was not there.
3. And most importantly, he cannot provide the stable government that he rightly states is needed.
4. The Liberal-NDP coalitin can provide that stable government because they have the agreement of the Bloq on what he agenda will be (which excludes sovereigny), and the agreement that they will not bring down the coalition for 18 months. Harper has 6 weeks of no government.
If Harper wanted to stand up for Canada, he would resign!
There is one basic point that people are missing here – no taxation without representation.
If Harper feels the way he does, he shouldn’t be accepting the taxes of BLOC supporters – you know those taxes that provide his limos, makeup lady, security, running of parliament, etc.
I never knowingly puked on the opposition. Thought about it, though. — Garth
By Aizlynne on 12.03.08 11:46 pm
Well, you just failed to copy the John A. MacDonald tradition! Pity
Remember John Diefenbaker’s favorite story about Sir John A. out on the campaign trail? He was on a speakers podium and occasionally would turn aside during his address to take a quick sip from a brown paper bagged bottle from his hip pocket! Well he got a little too excited and took too big a swig, then puked it all out! He then returned to speaking by saying, ” And that is what I think of my opponent!” He was then re-elected. Classic!
How can you expect people to be knowledgeable about how our political system works when you have a Prime Minister’s address to the nation so full of misinformation. Is he really that ignorant about our political system or, if not, why does he find it so difficult to be accurate?
That speech last night was a perfect example of why Stephen Harper should not be Prime Minister in a Parliamentary democracy.
I agree with those who say that the if Governor General allows the PM to prorogue Parliament it will leave the country in a crisis for too long. Harper could govern until the end of the fiscal year without Parliament and potentially for one full year without appropriations. In other words, he could basically destroy our government.
We do not elect a government. We elect a Parliament and it is Parliament that forms the government. Political parties have been usurping that power by creating disciplined private organizations designed to control Parliament. It is easy to control when one party holds a majority of the seats and we get basically an elected dictatorship of the majority. For that reason we needed constitutionally mandated human rights.
If no party holds that majority it is a signal that Canadian voters do not want any of the parties exercising a dictatorship because they do not have sufficient confidence in the leaders. That requires them to work together creating checks and balances in the system.
Stephen Harper has never understood that because he has problems with honesty he will never be trusted by most Canadians. He has already defined himself as someone who lack basic integrity.
He should by this point recognize that his leadership is poisoning Parliament because of his lack of respect for others and our Parliamentary system. You cannot trust someone who has so much problem with truth and honesty.
The proper thing for Harper would be to resign and allow someone else assume leadership of the Conservatives. The new leader would immediately begin talks with the other parties to form a competent and functioning government.
Will he put his party and Canada before his own personal perceived self-interest? This is the ultimate test of his ideology.
Stephen Harper owes it to every Canadian to step down, and let the govenment move forward without him. Another election is not needed right now, as we will just return a similar government again. If we do have another 300 million plus election, then how could our nation continue to have homeless living on the streets when we are shelling out 600 million for quaterly elections?
By Marc on 12.03.08 10:09 pm
I beg to differ with you. We the People can afford another election to get rid of those in Parliament who cannot work for the benefit of ALL Canadians. It will be a cheap price to pay! Right about now, the Conservatives have blown any in roads they have made into Quebec and can not hope to gain a majority! Bring on the Ballot boxes, I’m ready!
“The opposition parties are trying to push this agreement through without your say. They’re trying to overturn a duly elected government.”
It sounds as though Harper is about to break down in tears!
But the bottom line is he is ignoring how the Westminster form of parliamentary democracy works. Its not as simple as he would have people believe. It is not as simple as voting for a president.
Our vote does not count for a party of a PM. His Name is only on the ballot in Calgary. His party decided he was their leader and would become PM. If they decide to replace him would every Canadian have a vote as to who would replace him as PM, no.
Look at Mulroney/Campbell, or Cretien/Martin. The parties changed their leaders and hence the PM. We only got a vote on the change, when the House of Commons lost confidence in the new PM and their government. And then all we could do was change our representative to the HoC if we so chose.
What a terrible political corner we find ourselves in! On the one hand we have a power mad egomaniacal Prime Minister who will do anything, or say anything to stay in power. On the other, we have a lame duck leader in Dion, attempting to lead a very shaky coalition to power. I hate to say it, because I detest the notion terribly, but perhaps proroguing this parliament until a January confidence vote is best. That way the Liberals can perhaps quickly select a new leader and be ready for another election.
I like the idea of a coalition government, but I really don’t see it lasting with Dion at the helm, and the Bloc propping it up. Duceppe will break his promise to vote with the coalition the minute he sees political gain to go with the Conservatives on any issue. If he sees any issue as being against the best interests of Quebec it will be game over.
What a mess!
Thank you Stephen Harper and Jim Flaherty! What a pair of morons!
By Tim N on 12.04.08 8:00 am
The answer lies in logical, ethical thinking, not emotional based thinking.
Who represents Canadians HONESTLY is the real question?
This from The New York Times, hardly a Canadian source but if true scares the crap out of me. Perhaps Garth can shed some light on the legalaties of this?
…there is wide speculation, which the prime minister has not denied, that he may try to prevent the vote by asking Ms. Jean to end the current session of Parliament, which is just over two weeks old, before Monday.
Such a request by the prime minister usually follows a long session that has passed a substantial amount of legislation. But it would allow Mr. Harper to continue to govern for up to a year before he would be legally required to ask the governor general to call the House of Commons back into session.
Tim: You couldn’t have been leaning that far towards the coalition if a late video is all it takes to lose your support. And the Liberals apologized for the late video. When was the last time Harper apologized to Canadians for his mistakes?
Barb-The-Hypocrite :
First of all, prove it. …that’s what you Reform Alliance Cons do, isn’t it, you just lie, lie, lie…. then insult and bully.
…
I’m surprised Harper didn’t say tonight that the Coalition are muslims who blew $150,000 on a clothing shopping spree.
By Barb the proofreader on 12.04.08 12:12 am
There you go spewing your generalized, paranoid, dellusional hate again. The proof comes everytime you post a hateful message directed to a whole group of people and yet expect to be treated with respect by those who you constantly insult and make up lies about.
I bet you just L-O-V-E democracy! As long as democracy agrees with your loonie left ideas. Otherwise it’s all CRAP. Hyporite.
You should also learn the difference between the Bloc (a regional, separatist party whose ideas are only shared by 37% of the Quebec populations) and actual Quebecers. It’s not the same, so stop purposefully mixing both up so as to incite hate. It just displays your ignorance and lack of judgement.
~Nope, Garth that is a lie. Mr. Day did not know anything about this and had never seen it until last night. Sorry…try again. L
By Leasa on 12.03.08 8:56 pm
C’mon, a little common sense here please. Leasa, do you let your lawyer do things without your instruction/advice and approval? No lawyer acts on his own – he’s hired/retained to do legal work “as reqeusted”.
pmsh can wine all he wants but after insulting just about everyone in Quebec he will never form a majority without winning seats in that province! when you get into a pissin match you both get wet!
EDITORIAL
TheStar.com | Opinion | Harper adds fuel to fire
Harper adds fuel to fire
If there is any contrition in Prime Minister Stephen Harper over his own role in plunging the country into a political crisis, it was not on display last night.
Instead, in a brief televised address to the nation, Harper was on the attack. He accused the opposition coalition arrayed against him of seeking to “overturn the results” of the Oct. 14 election, “without your say, without your consent, and without your vote” and of making a deal with a party “whose avowed goal is to break up the country” (the Bloc Québécois).
“This is no time for backroom deals with the separatists,” declared Harper. “It is the time for Canada’s government to focus on the economy.”
Finally, Harper closed with a pledge to use “every legal means” at his disposal to prevent the coalition from taking power. This was a reference to Harper’s expected appeal to Governor General Michaëlle Jean to “prorogue” Parliament for a couple of months, thereby allowing him to avoid next week’s non-confidence vote in the House of Commons.
The speech was breathtakingly audacious, both in its twisting of the facts and its misinterpretation of our parliamentary traditions.
Canada does not have a presidential system. Canadians did not elect Stephen Harper as Prime Minister on Oct. 14. They elected a Parliament, to which the government of the day must be responsible. Harper’s Conservatives have more seats than any other party in that Parliament. But they do not have a majority. That means they need the support of at least one of the three opposition parties to govern.
Ignoring that reality, the Harper government last week brought forward an “economic statement” that contained no significant new measures for the economy. Instead, there were ideologically driven poison pills that Harper must have known the opposition parties could not swallow. In response, the opposition parties got together and decided to offer themselves up as an alternative government.
It is not a “separatist” coalition. While it would have the support of the Bloc Québécois on budget measures and other confidence votes, no members of that party would sit in cabinet.
Furthermore, nothing in the accord signed by all three opposition parties would lead to the breakup of the country. (See the text of the accord on page AA6.) Rather, the accord calls for measures to stimulate the economy, including infrastructure investments, enhancements in Employment Insurance, and aid for the auto and forestry sectors. Those would be welcomed by most Canadians.
For his part, Harper made a vague promise last night of “additional measures to boost Canada’s economy” in a budget on Jan. 27.
Will Harper still be Prime Minister then? It would seem so, if Jean grants his request for prorogation today.
This request puts the Governor General in an invidious position. Many legal and constitutional experts say she should reject Harper’s request as it is clearly designed to avoid a non-confidence vote next week. But if she did, she would expose her office to accusations of partisanship.
If Harper gets his way, he will likely use the next two months to press his attack on the opposition coalition as “separatist.” (Interestingly, in the French version of last night’s speech, Harper used the softer term “sovereignist.”)
It is a dangerous tactic, for it risks stirring up anti-Canada resentments in Quebec and anti-Quebec feelings in the rest of the country. Then we might have a national unity crisis layered on top of the economic crisis.
Altogether, it was not an impressive night’s work for Harper.
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/548127
Logical Analysis of the Harper Created Fiasco
1. Harper sits the Prime Minister of a minority government.
2. The Rules of OUR Parliament are clear that the Prime Minister is elected by the Members. Harper was not so elected, nor chosen, but rather assumed the position based on being the leader of the monority party forming the minority government.
3. The government sits at the pleasure of all the Members, after the people have selected those duly elected MP’s to represent the people’s interests.
4. The Governor General remains the Queen’s (Our Official Head of State) Representative, and holds the responsibility and power to oversee the well-being of the Commonwealth.
5. The sitting Prime Minister may exercise certain powers under the auspices of the Constitution, and with the consent of the Governor general where due cause is demonstrated, but the Prime Minister is NOT the Head of State.
6. The call for an election has been mandated by law to be at set intervals. However, where the Houce of Commons determines there is No Confidence in the government, they have the right and duty to the people, under the oversight and with the authority of the Governor General, to form a Coalition Government made up of the duly elected Memebers of the House of Commons, which shall have a fixed term.
This, Canadians, is how OUR government works. Do not confuse our system with that in the U.S. We are Canadians, and that includes ALL Canadians whether they be Anglophones or Francophones, or Aboriginals.
Any questions?
2. The Canadian flag was present for the coalition announcement. It was not off to one side as he stated when he retracted his statement that it was not there.
By James – Chatham on 12.04.08 8:36 am,
In other circumstances it would be amusing that the Prime Ministers was so fixated on the placement of a flag. Apparently the original use of flags was on the battlefield in order to help identify where the armies were situated. Was Harper finding it difficult to identify his opponents when he could not see the flag?
Bruce Mackinnon’s cartoon of the day.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/toon.php
You should also learn the difference between the Bloc (a regional, separatist party whose ideas are only shared by 37% of the Quebec populations) and actual Quebecers. It’s not the same, so stop purposefully mixing both up so as to incite hate. It just displays your ignorance and lack of judgement.
By LoonieLeftWingers on 12.04.08 9:17 am
Question? Is the BQ a duly authorized and legally recognized political party with the right to sit in Canada’s House of Commons? There is the only real issue Sir. I suggest you, and Harper, and the rest of Canadians grasp the reality.
Perhaps the First Nations Peoples should form a political party of their own? They, too, have the right to representation.
In a democracy people’s views are brought forth and heard, then those who sit as the people’s lawmakers decide if the views are first, Constitutional, and secondly able to gain the support of the majority of the people via their elected spokespersons, aka, representatives.
That is what democracy is about. Not the despicable control of one side or group over the others.
An interesting read.
Parliamentary recess could dry up cash flow
Ending session hampers
By JULIAN BELTRAME The Canadian Press
Thu. Dec 4 – 6:35 AM
OTTAWA — The Harper government could produce an economic stimulus package in the next few weeks but couldn’t spend the money if the Governor General grants the prime minister’s expected request for a parliamentary timeout.
Government keeps many powers during periods when parliament doesn’t sit, but it gives up one big power — the ability to spend the people’s money not previously approved, says procedural expert Ned Franks of Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont.
That means the government could promise an economic stimulus package, but could not start spending the money to boost the economy until Parliament approves a spending bill, which usually comes after a budget.
When Parliament is not sitting, governments can still make appointments to the courts, boards of Crown corporations, make regulatory changes and sign contracts.
‘There’s one Government of Canada at a time and we’re the Government of Canada,” insists Industry Minister Tony Clement when asked what he could do if Parliament is shut down.
‘We make spending commitments all the time. That’s what governments do in between sessions.”
But given the current political crisis where Prime Minister Stephen Harper is seeking to avoid a vote of non-confidence, the government could find it has lost other powers as well, such as the power to make appointments.
Franks says Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean has the prerogative to refuse to approve anything other than routine matters as would be the case during an election campaign.
“”She might say she will treat it as an election because she might say she is not satisfied that Harper enjoys the confidence of the House of Commons,” said Franks.
‘There is no precedence for doing that but there is also no precedence for a prime minister facing a likely to succeed vote of non-confidence asking for prorogation (parliamentary timeout).”
A government with little power other than to make financial promises is not an ideal situation at a time the economy appears headed into a deepening recession, says Bank of Montreal economist Douglas Porter.
And it’s not the timing of a stimulus package that worries him most.
The federal government plans to bring down a budget Jan. 27, but it may face a decision before then to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in financial aid to the so-called Detroit Three carmakers in Canada — GM, Ford and Chrysler.
‘I’m more concerned if an unforeseen storm blows up over the next two months and we’ve hit with some many surprises and shocks, the odds of that are too high for comfort,” Porter said.
“”What if they had to bail out a big industry?”
Porter adds that he worries about the delay in generally applauded elements of last week’s fiscal update, such as a relief for pensioners holding registered retirement income funds and additional funds for Export Development Canada and the Business Development Bank.
Liberal economic critics John McCallum and Scott Brison said Wednesday they planned to have the final touches of a large stimulus package in place in early January, well before the Tories would act in the Jan. 27 budget.
McCallum refused to say how big the package would be, but scoffed at Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s charge that a Liberal-NDP coalition government intends to spend $30 billion on a stimulus next year, a figure he says would create a permanent deficit for Canada.
‘It would likely be significantly less than $30 billion and it would absolutely be irresponsible to speculate on the amount before we open the books of the government and find out to the extent they have put us in deficit,” he said.
In another development Wednesday, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business sent an open letter to Harper and the three opposition leaders urging them to resolve the current dispute quickly and bring stability back to Ottawa.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1093962.html
Loonie: I bet you will find the support for the Bloc in Quebec rose about 10% after Harper’s vitriolic attack on a legitimate political party—and it will continue to rise as long as Harper’s self-made “national unity” crisis continues to foment in his mind only.
The Cons are great at fabricating “crises” where none previously existed. It is their only way to divert focus from their pitiful, lack-lustre, every man for himself performance.
Hey Lib and coalition supporters alike – I have a great idea. Is there not a way that we can form a coalition in individual ridings that is led by a Liberal or NDP candidate and involves Liberals, NDP, Green, and Communist parties and get the majority of the vote in an effort to remove the seated Con member? This would then potentially pave the way to a coalition majority in the Hoc. Democracy at it’s best.
Hmmm, I just realized that means Harper will keep his seat since he already has the majority of votes in his riding.
What else could we do? Surely Bill, Barb, Judy, James, 4:20, and a few others here can knock their heads together and come up with some other “democratice” plan to remove Harper from this country’s political scene altogether.
I think the following Editorial sums it up well.
Harper seeking re-take on economic policies
Thu. Dec 4 – 7:43 AM
DURING the federal election campaign, when ATV’s Steve Murphy aired footage of Stephane Dion being repeatedly confused by a somewhat mangled question on the economy, Conservatives mocked the Liberal leader for asking for a re-take. In government, they taunted, you don’t get chances to do it over.
Yet a lengthy time-out and do-over is exactly what Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be seeking if, as expected, he asks Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean to prorogue Parliament until late January.
This would let him let him escape the consequences of tabling a fiscal update that made political war on the Opposition but did little about the deteriorating economy. It would allow him to avoid defeat in a non-confidence motion Monday and have a second stab at a recession-fighting policy.
But in a curt televised address last night, Mr. Harper said nothing about prorogation, showed no contrition for political mistakes and offered little insight on his economic plans. A prudent leader would have come with olive branches. He had sharped-edge platitudes about “Canada’s government” fighting “backroom deals with separatists”.
It was an uninspired reprise of his earlier attacks on a Liberal-NDP coalition, supported by the Bloc Quebecois, as a “betrayal” of the public interest, undemocratic and “unCanadian.”
These are all specious arguments, but the “unCanadian” dig is truly offensive. The proposed coalition has real shortcomings, but being “unCanadian” isn’t one of them. Liberal, New Democrat and Bloc MPs were all elected by Canadians. Even Bloc MPs are mostly elected by Quebecers who aren’t separatists, who are as worried about jobs and pensions as the rest of us, and who want action on the economy, not sovereignty.
On proroguing Parliament, Ms. Jean’s duty is a matter of judgment. Ordinarily, she would take the advice of an undefeated prime minister. A case can be made that a breathing space would wisely give the Conservatives time to devise a credible stimulus and rebuild support in the troubled House.
But there is a good case, too, for not shielding Mr. Harper from his own poor judgment. It’s unprecedented for a Governor General to prorogue Parliament simply to let a government avoid defeat. If Ms. Jean does so, Canada will be saddled for nearly two months with a government unable to undertake major spending or policy initiatives. That doesn’t provide economic stability. Neither will two months of rabid attack ads whipping up hysteria about treasonous, undemocratic opponents.
To be blunt, Mr. Harper himself has become a stubbornly erratic force for instability. He has piled political crisis on economic crisis and is fanning a unity crisis with phoney attacks on the Bloc, whose support he was once happy to court. Far from being the indispensible man he thinks he is, he embodies the current crisis. If he departed, the bare-knuckle crisis would go with him. And his party under a more reasonable leader would be more competitive in reclaiming the confidence of the House.
Doing things over to keep Parliament onside is an essential skill for a minority prime minister. But Mr. Harper has shown no sign of having this leadership stuff in him. Nothing he said last night warrants giving him two more months to find it.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1093943.html
By Go Green on 12.04.08 10:09 am
Don’t let Harper ‘duck a confidence vote:’ former GG
The former governor general who presided over the downfall of the Joe Clark government in 1980 says Governor General Michaelle Jean must not let Prime Minister Stephen Harper “duck a confidence vote.”
Ed Schreyer told CTV’s Canada AM in an interview aired Thursday morning, just hours before Harper is expected to head to Rideau Hall to meet with Jean, that a government must have the confidence of the House in a parliamentary democracy.
That, is what the GG must abide by. Plain, simple, and real!
Did anyone remember that Harper prorogued Parliament in September 2007:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourview/2007/09/harper_prorogues_parliament_se.html
And went to the GG in August 2008 and dissolved Parliament again and called an unnecessary and costly election and broke his own fixed-election date:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080814.wharper15/BNStory/National/home
And now he needs a time-out….and to prorogue Parliament again. Is there a limit to the number of times he can do this? It seems that whenever the heat goes up in the HoC or committee, Steve wants to take his ball and go home. I’m sure the GG is pleased to see him again this morning.
Perhaps a valid point Mr, Harper and others fail to understand, The BLOC is a political party that exists in Canada under our constitution. Both it’s members and those who voted for them have had family members that fought and died for Democracy in WW I , WW II and are now serving in Afghanistan… The BLOC has chosen to use the political root to voice their concerns albeit with the strong words of separation…. hello, we have and continue to get threats from Western Separatists … but heck they have not organized yet or have they? Why has the MSM not mentioned these truthful facts to Canadians?
Hmmm, I just realized that means Harper will keep his seat since he already has the majority of votes in his riding.
What else could we do? Surely Bill, Barb, Judy, James, 4:20, and a few others here can knock their heads together and come up with some other “democratice” plan to remove Harper from this country’s political scene altogether.
By expat on 12.04.08 10:04 am
Harper is welcome to remain an MP, his riding duly elected him, and should if that is what the constiuents in his riding choose. NO ONE elected him Prime Minister is the point you seem to always miss.
As to what Harper’s future is after the Back Room Jackals of the CPC get done with him, is of no real concern to me. it is their future, not mine, and certainly not Canada’s. That is all I care about, my country’s future.
Like the old song goes ‘You can have him, I don’t want him, he’s too bad for me!’
Democracy is not always pretty, but it sure beats having a depostic ass like Harper running things into the ground.
Oh, and I am not a supporter of Dion as Prime Minister, but rather Bob Rae or Jack Layton either of which are far better able to communicate clearly and intelligently to all Canadians.
However, it is the right of the Coalition Government to choose who will stand as Prime Minister, as they have per their rightful authority. That I DO respect.
Dion would be a very excellent Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister. He is very intelligent, well informed, and able to communicate well amongst his peers. He just lacks the ability to effectively communicate to the people at large due to a hearing/pronounciation problem that is medical. Which is not, and should not be the deciding factor, unless you are one who sees anyone with a handicap as ‘less able’ than others?
Perhaps you would like to comment on someone like Stephen Hawking or Helen Keller, the Mayor of Vancouver, or the wheelchair bound MP? Do you see people that way Expat?
Expat,
may I suggest a vote of confidence that Harper might lose, the GG asking the leader of the next largest party to try to form a government, and Harper being crucified by his disciples?
That might remove him from the political scene altogether.
How much does he pay this make up lady anyway? That man has the worst hair wig thing EVER.
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/472/harperallmadeupsr3.jpg
Observations:
- Dion’s tape was a mess, not delivering it on time to the Media was a huge blunder.
- My eyes kept going to the bookshelf behind him…who put the book “Hot Air” there?
- Our finances can’t be in crisis. Harper’s black, shiny, gas-guzzler vehicles looked new, huge and shiny. Wouldn’t the 300 foot walk across the road have done his health more good? At least he didn’t take a jet. What’s with the multi-person entourage for a simple question?
- Billionaire Jarislowsky said the global financial crisis has been fuelled by extreme greed. He says Harper should dip into your wallet for a massive stimulus package. Hmmmm. I don’t know about you, but I see a certain disconnect there, but then again I’m not a billionaire so that type of thinking doesn’t come easy. He says politicans and bankers haven’t learned the lessons of the past.
- Did anybody else feel that they got short shrift from Harper’s presentation? He came across as very coached and rehearsed but seemd to forget who he was talking to.
- This “crisis” was caused by greed, lying, fraud, phony representation, and lack of real productivity. Governments don’t create jobs, industries do. Throwing taxpayer’s money into the fire will not help. The underlying malaise has to be fixed, and it can’t be done by piling on even more bullshit.
This is so funny & so true. From his blog
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Compare!
Harper is to Parliamentary decorum AS Avery is to the NHL>
The difference is one is working in the southern USA and the other belongs there.
# posted by Nobleton Clear @ 9:58 AM
By Tim N on 12.04.08 8:00 am
The answer lies in logical, ethical thinking, not emotional based thinking.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 12.04.08 9:13 am
I don’t disagree – however, the majority of voters are emotional – not logical.
———
By Judy on 12.04.08 9:15 am
Perhaps you are right. I see nothing illegal, immoral or inherently wrong with a coalition government. In minority governments, it’s a given – and this whole crisis is because of Harper’s hubris, ego and stupidy.
I have a concern with the new coalition (between NDP and Liberals) having less seats combined than the Cons – I think the optics of that are disturbing – and I think that those of us that don’t beleive there won’t be a down side to this are blinded by our hate of Harper.
My point was more to the fact that Harper has slammed Dion for not being a leader. I know stuff happens, but really, this was the probably the single most important speech that Dion will give in his political career. The message was great – the delivery was severely lacking.
If we can’t take critism, then we are no better than Harper.
A Memo to Her Excellency worth reading.
A letter to the Governor General
A Key Point to accept is As a matter of process, therefore, I recommend that you do not take any action without hearing from as many interested parties and people as you can. Apart from your own advisers, you should speak to not only the Prime Minister (a position with no formal status in constitutional law), but also the leaders of any proposed coalition. It would be folly (and undemocratic) to listen to and simply comply with the advice of your Prime Minister where the right to hold that very position that is contested.
This is what a Democracy is about. It functions under the Rule of Law, not who has the biggest threat or stick to subdue those who oppose their rule.
Mr. Harper has repeatedly demonstrated his utter and complete disdain for OUR Laws, even ones he promoted and passed, unless he can twist them to his own benefit.
That, my fellow Canadians, is truly un-Canadian, and not the actions of a person worthy to be our national leader oif OUR House of Commons, and our representative to the world as Prime Minister
He’s done a GWB- great or greatest PM? Worst ever. Devisive, deceptive autocrat. Who is he taking advice from? Anyone? Mr. McVety? Shame on them.
proroguing under these circumstances would be tantamount to the usurping of the Governor General’s role
Brent Fullard on 12.04.08 1:18 am
The GG is a figurehead that generally takes direction from the sitting PM. That`s why our GG has no experience in politics or constitutional matters, not considered a requirement to represent the Queen.
It is up to the opposition to make a very strong case as to why she should not take direction from the PM.
If they succeed then we move to a confidence vote on Monday. Should the government fall then the opposition has the opportunity to present the GG with an alternative government rather than send the people back to the polls. The case would have to be even stronger that the prorogue as this would involve a change of government without an election. I have yet to see an even weak case as to why the GG would suspend the right of the people to elect government when the right of the people to elect takes precedent over Parliamentary procedure. One Liberal even mentioned the cost. It would be hard to justify saving $300M to spend $30B.
At one time I used to say the difference between North Korea and Canada, we get to elect out dictator. I doubt the GG will prove me wrong by suspending the democratic right of the people for an unknown period of time.
Of course. Waiting for the PM to emerge from Rideau Hall the satellite goes out.
It’s Harper’s fault.
I watched LeBreton on CTV today – angry, bitter, frustrated. Duff looked defeated. Not a nice bunch of people to watch, even nastier to be around. How the heck can the PM get away with this nonsense????
Canada does not have a functional government now because of the actions of your leader, Layton and Duceppe.
Leasa,
I know that there is a lot of partisan nonsense here, but for goodness sake, there is no-one anywhere who does not hold Mr. Harper responsible as the one who set this ‘crisis’ in motion. (Except those who choose to be willfully and blindly partisan.)
There will be no press conference after the GG meet.
It`ll be a sing along as Harper leads us in `I`ll be home for Christmas`
It’s already happening on this forum by those who would overturn the duly elected government of Canada.
By HARRY S on 12.03.08 11:37 pm
By C. B. Innes on 12.04.08 8:52 am
CBI,
In reading several blogs, I have to lament at what appears to be obvious.
If Harry S, and others like him, actually believe the tripe they are writing, it demonstrates that there is no clear understanding of how a parliamentary democracy works. Sadly, it appears that not only our government is dysfunctional, but also our educational systems…
I would posit that what is happening is not a crisis, except for the fact that the Prime Minister does not seem to understand how a parliament works.
It is really quite simple, if the PM does not have the confidence of the House, he either has to get it by working with the opposition or he has to offer his resignation to the GG and offer her his advice on how to proceed.
She can then decide whether to accept his advice or not.
Seems pretty straightforward…
Love you guys. Turning towards the queen to install your ‘democratic’ government in place.
What a bunch of tools you are. They love the queen in Quebec too. Priceless.
AG is showing PM her travel pictures.
How meny people were enlightened by Harper’s TV presentation? Please raise your hands.
I see two..thanks H and L. No L, the TV does not beep, that may have been your microwave that you were watching.
There you go spewing your generalized, paranoid, dellusional hate again. The proof comes everytime you post a hateful message directed to a whole group of people and yet expect to be treated with respect by those who you constantly insult and make up lies about.
By LoonieLeftWingers on 12.04.08 9:17 am
Barb Believes hate is a natural instinct inherent to the human species. She also supports replacing family with daycare. seems the suffering in the 50`s with the institutionalized raising of children has no effect on her still promoting it. That`s the result of hate taking over a persons thinking process.
As the first step in understanding leading to recovery she should focus more on who taught her to hate rather than the ones she hates.
Dion’s tape message was just fine…had he made one look to PM’esh the CONS would have been all over it and it would seem less is more in this case. Heck think they jumped on Flags that were there but off close ups… turn the page.
Cripes! Prorouged? How much slack is this man allowed?
However, if the PMO’s office is telling the truth about the prorouging, the GG made the best possible decision she could.
We don’t have to like it.
She agreed. What a horrible precedent. I’m nauseated. Disgusted. She didn’t even meet with the leader of the Opposition! Talk about undemocratic.
PM still meeting with GG at 11:23 AM
OTTAWA–Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been meeting with Governor General Michaelle Jean for almost two hours in a bid to save his minority government from a confidence vote Monday.
…
By 11 a.m., Harper still had not emerged from Rideau Hall, setting off an air of anticipation among reporters huddled outside for some signal about the outcome of the meeting.
Reporters were trying to read subtle signs for any hints about what was transpiring inside.
At one point, the front doors opened and it appeared that Harper would be emerging momentarily.
But after a lengthy wait, the doors were closed again, prompting some speculation whether Jean had ruled against Harper’s request.
Hmm, did the GG tell Harper Get Out! Did Steve fall upon his knees begging and apologizing?
I hope he tries bullying the GG. She has more cajones than Stevie Boy ever will, and the power of the Queen behind her. This amazing woman knows despots being from Haiti, where hate seems to be the norm. Perhaps Steve should be sent on a ‘rendition flight’ there to experience reality?
And now the answer!
GG suspends Parliament
I am so proud to be a Canadian I could just puke.
This is so wrong. he is a coward and gets a do over! Now any prime minister who senses he will lose confidence merely has to shut down the government! Sad!
It appears now that Steve Harper can find ways to work with the all the Opposition Parties…. is that what the GG told him…. Long live the King …
We shall see…. another long Christmas Holidays… that we no for sure…
Merry Christmas and Happy New everyone
See y’all after or near the 27th of Jan 2009 (hopefully)
Well looks like the GG just did what she was told to by her master.
I am getting a head start and I am crossing the queen off my $20s and drawing pictures of President Harper
If we can’t take critism, then we are no better than Harper.
By Tim N on 12.04.08 11:28 am
Seems few on this page can accept even constructive critism, lets see how this flies.
The Liberals knew the economic situation during the last election yet they ran on the GreenST that used economic numbers from the previous CPC budget. The CPC insisted the economy would weather the storm opening the door for a Liberal economic plan just on the info that came across this blog.
The results of the election Liberal train wreck is now compounded by an obvious attempt to grab power. I guess they just don`t get it, you can`t load passengers on a derailed train. It has to be repaired and put back on the track first. This latest scheme just cleared the track for the NDP to steam on to official opposition status but more importantly it exposes to Cdns how truly dysfunctional our system of an elected federal government really is.
Well, today is certainly a new low for democracy in this country. No parliment for another 2 months. – why don’t we just permenantly prorogue government, it would save us the mess…
Conservatives need to boot Harper now – and get a new leader.
Liberals would be wise to do the same – don’t wait till May. You’ve got 6 weeks
This only delays the issue and makes the crisis worse. He came out and expressed full support for the contents of the economic update which contained all of the items that I and many Canadians found unacceptable. He started a further disinformation campaign by making categorical statements such as Canadians overwhelmingly support his government.
As far as I can see this is only a means of buying more time.
It is really quite simple, if the PM does not have the confidence of the House, he either has to get it by working with the opposition or he has to offer his resignation to the GG and offer her his advice on how to proceed.
She can then decide whether to accept his advice or not.
Seems pretty straightforward…
By Ed Brooks on 12.04.08 11:56 am
Bang ON!
Now, we will see what transpires. the Coalition is not going away. Harper will attempt to use the time to promote…TADA Stephen Harper. By the time the Parliament resumes the country may well be in the HOLE. Let’s give him all the rope he has requested, then SNAP! And I do not mean an election!
Hmm! I have to wonder why Harper did not ask for an election…or DID HE and it was denied (which it should have been)? That is what he was saying on TV last night ‘Let the people decide!’ That means an election. Well, so much for the concept that Conservatives are fiscally responsible. Yeah, ask the American people how sound their economy is now after 8 years of ‘BOMB THEM’ Bush!
Democracy is in action. Stay tuned!
I guess we have an answer as to whether she was up to the job or not?
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce the Governor General of Canada……
http://l.yimg.com/img.tv.yahoo.com/tv/us/img/site/48/00/0000034800_20061021014801.jpg
Back to my original point. What are we going to do about them languishing on the public nickel for another 2 months?
Separation slips maybe? I hear Wendy’s is hiring.
Great! No government at the time we need one most.
What is all this crapola with a “time out”?
What is this – kindergarten?
—–
The Harper Fireside Chat yesterday?
He looked like a bad example of the undertaker’s art – too much lipstick, blush and eye makeup, which started to run as he got more desperate toward the end of his five minutes.
I’ve heard some say he sounded calm, but his voice was trembling and he was sweating. Not nice.
—–
Everything else is meaningless now that we have no government, but here are a few links anyway, for how things should have been done.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men.
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures.”
The tide’s just gone out.
We blew it.
The nasties win.
—–
Stockwell Day denies doing 2000 deal.
“It would be against my very DNA to do a coalition deal with socialists, and it would absolutely go against my heart and the heart of Canadians to do a deal with separatists,” Day told the House on Wednesday, in reference to the current proposed coalition.
“It would be against my very DNA to do a coalition deal with socialists…”.
He’s okay with DNA but not with evolution? Go figure.
He better rethink that slur against socialists the next time he requires medical treatment, though, and gets it under Canada’s free health care service, or any of the other “socialist” services he takes advantage of (I’m sure) every day.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/12/03/day-bloc.html
—–
Leo Panich, on the lack of a stimulus package for Canada by the Harper government, and the other stuff they threw in – taking away subsidies for parties, stultifying pay equity negotiations, removing the right to strike from civil service unions, etc.
He calls the Harper/Flaherty budget something that is likely to worsen a recession/depression. The other stuff he describes as indicators of “the small-mindedness of this government”.
http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=2905&updaterx=2008-12-04+11%3A14%3A12
—–
An excellent, clear and consise piece on this whole “constitutional crisis” – we don’t have one – by someone who knows what he’s talking about, Michael Byers.
The Case for the Coalition
I like this subtitle:
“Harper is a dangerous driver, and we’re taking away the keys.”
He makes the important point that Canadians never vote for a Prime Minister, just a local MP. This isn’t the U.S. All those polls about “who we want for Prime MInister” mean diddly.
“The Constitution Act of 1876 doesn’t even mention the prime minister or political parties. MPs are everything.
How MPs organize themselves is entirely up to them.
…[T]here is just one basic requirement: The government must at all times enjoy the confidence of the majority of MPs in the House of Commons.”
Well – I think I know where we stand on that one.
All those people who are huffing and puffing about “not getting who they voted for” should realize that that’s just not the way it works.
In Nunavut, the territorial government members are all non-partisan. They choose their leader and ministers by consensus.
Can we secede and join Nunavut, please? Would they want us?
http://thetyee.ca/Views/2008/12/03/ProCoalition/
—–
And of course, the lovely Murray Dobbin.
If Harper Survives
“…[H]arper is a right-wing revolutionary manipulating a democratic system, which he detests for what it has produced: a pluralistic society, an activist state and a compassionate society…Stephen Harper is a political leader out of control and he must be removed from power before he does even more damage to the country and to our democracy.”
http://thetyee.ca/Views/2008/12/04/Coalition2/
—–
On a completely different tack:
“The first unmanned aircraft system to patrol the border between North Dakota and Canada is coming to the Grand Forks Air Force Base.”
Feeling safer yet? Ummmm….no. Manitoba and Saskatchewan are pretty dangerous places, I’ve heard (not).
But what the hell, what’s an unarmed (maybe) drone between friends?
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/12/ap_grand_forks_predator_120308/
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 12.04.08 1:03 pm,
You will note that he already claimed that his government has overwhelming support from Canadians. We don’t know what evidence he supplied to the Governor General to convince her of his overwhelming support.
What is clear that in an economic crisis there will be no “working together” for the next six weeks or more because our representatives are being sent home.
Nothing can be done to help those people who are losing their jobs. There will be no badly needed changes to EI to deal with the economic crisis. All this government is doing is taking the money needed to help people cope with the economic downturn and pouring into the banks and other financial organizations.
Can they continue to pour money into these financial institutions without Parliamentary approval? How much can they spend on government by fiat? Can they start implementing the cuts to government without Parliamentary approval? I understand that they can cut programs and spending without the approval of Parliament. How much can they do without Parliamentary approval?
Separation slips maybe? I hear Wendy’s is hiring.
By Comrade Okie on 12.04.08 1:12 pm
Wendy`s to would need a name change from Wendy`s Burgers to Wendys Weenies
===========
If this was a Monty Python klutz skit of a spoon and egg race of the
LSD Party, there would be no winners, even with the eggs glued to the
spoons.
Dion blew the last election with the GreenST con, now he wants to con
the next generation with a $30B fake economic plan. At this rate the
LPC has already lost the next election and undoubtable opposition
leader status. Hella of a plan Jack, now drop replacing family with
daycare and you`re in as opposition leader at least.
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2008/12/02/subprime-minister/#comment-
186778
KOO KOO COUP 04.08 12:12PM
The right wing nuts like you and your other Knick-name “Loonie Let Wing” bullying me and telling lies about me?
What a hoot!
What a bunch of bullies and thugs Harper hires.
Every time my family, friends and neighbours read lies, like what you just wrote about me KOO KOO, they in turn, get more and more of their friends to read what a huge coward Harper is. Bring it on. Everyone’s getting excited and the LOONACY of the Reform Party has worked to make people really, really hate Harper, and that’s a good thing.
and that’s a good thing.
By Barb the proofreader on 12.04.08 1:42 pm
Hate in any form or for any reason is a mental issue, advocating and teaching hate is a mental illness.
Having so much hate inside you that you ignore the suffering of the children is dangerous to yourself and these around you.
How much can they do without Parliamentary approval?
By C. B. Innes on 12.04.08 1:30 pm
Might I edit your question to ‘How much DAMAGE can they do without Parliamentary approval?’
We no longer have a democracy in Canada. We are truly a Frozen Banana outpost, certainly not even a Republic. We are a spineless JOKE.
The Great White North
I remember the great pomp and ceremony of Parliamentary opening. The grand march down the hall, the grandiose spectacle. Those guys parading in with their gold-plated huge phallic symbols of power. (Are these people paid all year? Do they have other duties?)
Anyways, should’nt The Grand Proroguing of Parliament not also be marked by such royal and glittering ceremony? All we got was a cold two hour wait outside the GG’s office. Doesn’t she even give a speech? Who knows what she actually said?
The grand Proroguing Ceremony should be something that we can be proud of. They can drag the Speaker of the House back out of his Chair as he intones “Let’s slam the doors of The House with a thunderous boom”. Maybe politicans can throw their folders into the air like errant schoolchildren, throw the Canada Security plans into the garbage bins. Parliamentary pages can throw tax dollars into the elite gallery of businessmen. The possibilities are endless. Let’s not just slink away into ignominy.
ABCP financials – still frozen after more than a year
Parliament – now frozen
Bank credit – frozen
Anti Global Warming action – frozen
Arctic Sovreignity – yada, yada
A torrent of fine, persuasive words about all these issues but it all turns into absolutely no action. Surely, we absolutely need more speeches and ceremony.
How much can they do without Parliamentary approval?
By C. B. Innes on 12.04.08 1:30 pm
Might I edit your question to ‘How much DAMAGE can they do without Parliamentary approval?’
We no longer have a democracy in Canada. We are truly a Frozen Banana outpost, certainly not even a Republic. We are a spineless JOKE.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 12.04.08 2:21 pm
I’ll have Harpo crushed nuts on my frozen banana,please .
By PeckedToDeath By LameDucks on 12.04.08 3:18 pm
A most excellent idea. Pomp and ceremony for pompous asses that deserve to go to the cemetary.
Strike up the band, let the horses drag them forth from the Chamber of Clowns, and may they go kicking and screaming, which seems to be what they love to do the most.
Oh, and regarding our environment, the only thing green about this Liarment is the colour of their overstuffed chairs.