[AntonioMQ]

So the Conservatives blink but they may get the boot anyway.

OTTAWA — The Liberal Opposition plans to introduce a motion in the House of Commons on Monday declaring non-confidence in the minority Conservative government and proposing a governing coalition.

The motion comes as emissaries from the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois hold talks about forming a new government should Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s minority fall.

But Harper could still avert the immediate defeat of his weeks-old government through procedural tactics.

The Liberal motion, which has the approval of the NDP and Bloc Quebecois, reads:

“In light of the government’s failure to recognize the seriousness of Canada’s economic situation and its failure in particular to present any credible plan to stimulate the Canadian economy and to help workers and businesses in hard-pressed sectors such as manufacturing, the automotive industry and forestry, this House has lost confidence in this government and is of the opinion that a viable alternative government can be formed within the present House of Commons.”

A source says the opposition parties have agreed that Liberal Leader Stephane Dion would lead the government for the next few months


http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics...569861-cp.html

At least a coalition will more accurately reflect the will of the voters than a minority party that refuses to cooperate with others.

[idertedype]

I wonder how happy the Conservative backbench will be if Harper successfully bullies and bluffs his way out of government?

[fkisjjdhh]

I sincerely hope you get to eat those words (not that you would ever admit you are wrong).

[xochex]

Yes, I presumed that was what you meant.

Procedural delays may prevent such a motion from being voted on Monday but if the opposition parties do this it will definitely be before a year and before the Libs have a leadership vote.

The odds of it happening increased when the Conservatives blinked and the opposition didn't. There is no way the GG will call another election if the opposition come to her with agreement in hand.

[Clielldub]

Originally posted by Sharpe
It's more amusing that the "dumbest" - the Conservatives - are the ones who have potentially shot themselves in the foot by not doing anything about a stimulus package (which Harper had just promised the G20 he would do) or by the proposal to remove the party funding within 5 months in a minority parliament. It would be most stupid to release the stimulus package RIGHT NOW, when it is not fully needed and before Obama releases his plans.

I don't think the people who want the "stimulus package now" understand basic economics or public policy.

[Gasfghj]

Originally posted by Sharpe
Given that is my area of work, I have quite a bit more than basic knowledge of economics and public policy .

I can understand if they had even said that "we can't disclose a stimulus package now until we see what the other nations do (ie Obama's US package), but we did commit to one in the recent meeting", that might have been enough to stymie the opposition, but they didn't. Harper has committed to an economic stimulus package...

[irrascaft]

Originally posted by Sharpe
Given that is my area of work, I have quite a bit more than basic knowledge of economics and public policy Explain what your proposal for a stimulus package would involve, in broad terms.

[JennyStewarta]

The most significant item in yesterday's update, however, was a manoeuvre that has nothing to do with the economy, and could needlessly plunge the government into chaos. Did you read this article and take it seriously, with gems like that?

Today was fantastic. I read about how Harper was destroying democracy in one op-ed, and this one says it would plunge the government into chaos.

Can someone explain to me how that would happen? What do these parties use their money for, aside from holding lavish shindigs they pass off as "conventions" and blasting the airwaves with ridiculous slander that would not be permitted on TV or radio if it were subject to regular advertising regulations?

[hoarrimilsora]

From Reuters

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's minority government teetered on the edge of collapse on Friday, less than two months after its re-election, as opposition parties talked of forming a coalition to replace the ruling Conservatives.
...


http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNew...4AR3VF20081128

Nope. No chaos there. Or does Reuters have it wrong as well?

[Zaxsdcxs]

Alright. You believe that.

This was entirely caused by the Conservatives. All Harper had to do was play nice with 1 of the opposition parties but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Instead he chose to stick a finger in all their eyes and you think the ensuing bruhaha was their fault. Okay. You are delusional.

[EzequielTMann]

Your analogy fails. The conservatives are the "victims"?

How about this -

If we ever meet I shall kick you in the balls. If you respond negatively it is your fault.

edit - actually, I would need to kick you, your SO, and one of your friends. As a group I expect you to take it and carry on.

[FoetAgerhot46]

Originally posted by Wezil
Your analogy fails. The conservatives are the "victims"?

How about this -

If we ever meet I shall kick you in the balls. If you respond negatively it is your fault.

edit - actually, I would need to kick you, your SO, and one of your friends. As a group I expect you to take it and carry on. If you ever mention my SO again in this kind of context, I will kick your ass. Really.

[lorrieholdridge]

Originally posted by Asher


If you ever mention my SO again in this kind of context, I will kick your ass. Really. Get over yourself. You know the comment wasn't personal. I wouldn't do that.

[teentodiefows]

Originally posted by Wezil


Get over yourself. You know the comment wasn't personal. I wouldn't do that. It makes me uncomfortable to bring him in these kinds of conversations in that kind of context. It's unnecessary. Not to mention the fact that it was completely stupid (are you saying the Liberals are to the NDP what I am to my SO?). That's either outrageously offensive or outrageously stupid, take your pick.

[Vikonbarius]

Originally posted by Wezil


WTF? Shocking, I know! But they don't go up to convention halls and offer them "12.5% of our total funds" for the hall, they offer, say, $20,000. Real money! Not percentages of total funds, which is why the "BUT THE PERCENTAGESS!!" argument is for the math-challenged.

What the parties choose to do with the money they have is pretty much up to them. We're talking about how much they get to start with. Conservatives can rely quite nicely on grassroots donations (credit to them) whereas the other parties cannot. Care to explain why the other parties cannot?

[UriDepkeeks]

To clarify the "% of funds" vs "raw money" argument:

All of the major parties run candidates in virtually all the ridings and are vying for the same ad times and locations.

So let's say the conservatives, being competent, raise $40M privately. The Liberals, being Dion's party, raise $20M privately. The NDP, being led by a leader with personality, raise $25M privately.

This would mean right now, the conservatives can out-spend the liberals by $20M (note: these are made up numbers).

The conservatives lose about $10M with this motion, while the liberals only lose about $6M.

That means the gap between the conservatives and liberals is now only $16M instead of $20M.

IT IS THE END OF DEMOCRACY. Everyone is buying less ads (THANK GOD) and the conservatives have $4M less ads to buy to bury the Liberals with.