Novocastrian

Interesting developments in Ottawa in the last few days, eh?

Harper has duly lost the confidence of the House, but I reckon the arrogant cnut will prorogue Parliament on Friday.

Long live Democracy in Canada.

Atlantic Xpat

Third world politics innit. Reckon we'll be barricading ourselves in airports next!

Novocastrian

I'm off to Ottawa on Wednesday, I'll look out for hordes of panicked Conservatives digging trenches.

MB-Realtor

My concern is that now is the worst possible time to swap governments in this way, especially as the world will perceive it as a drastic move to the Left, and it opens up the possibility of Canada splitting from Quebec.

Watch both the Dollar and the stock markets tank.

This is really putting party politics before the good of the Country.

Novocastrian

And that's a bad thing? The move to the left I mean?

This is Canada, the world will not even notice.


Rubbish.

More than last week?

On the contrary. Harper did that and is suffering the consequences.

Almost Canadian

I find this whole "no confidence thingy" crazy.

When I had to study it in Constitutional Law I thought that it would never happen. Then I started reading the political press and realised it happens all the time (and would have happened if Dion had had some balls) - what a stupid system - no-one will be able to convince me it is sensible

Novocastrian

Different point entirely. Who asked for sensible? We can only hope for responsible.

Almost Canadian

Agreed, but, in a minority or a coalition, it's no way to run a country where some can gang up on others. There has recently been an election, a party was elected and should be allowed to govern until, and only until, the electorate, and not disgruntled politicians, start baying for their blood not.

As far as I am aware, the electorate probably, not even aware of the issues.

Rich_007

Oh right. Canada is generally perceived as being cuddly green backpacking weed smoking gay marrying snowmobile driving snowboarding eco-hippy lefty anyway.

R.

DaveLovesDee

As opposed to Quebec splitting from Canada?

Sounds like a good enough reason to me for it to go ahead then. I think a fair chunk of Quebec couldn't give a damn about seperatism, their politicians use it as a threat to try and get more Federal money for their Province.

Let them see how well they do without the rest of Canada to look after them!

Novocastrian

Eh?

For someone who claims to have read law, that's a rather crass comment. We (us proud Canadians) have a Westminster style parliamentary system. If the government loses the confidence of the house, bye, bye.

What's new?

montreal mike

If Canadians had really wanted Harper they would have voted him in on a majority basis. They didn't. So those who are appalled at this supposed coup d'etat are truly naive, possibly even ignorant. Democracy is alive and well. The PCs under Harper are finished. They will go back to opposition status. Canada will revert to the Liberals as it has done most times since Confederation.

leepee

Hmmm...Yes...Let's let the Party that believes that the country shouldn't exist have a deciding vote on all things political....

Dion is a waste of space - as the Liberals realised too late....No-one has any time for him and yet he will be PM - seriously??!!!Jack Layton is a egomaniacal thug. If I felt any one of them were doing this for the good of the country I would have some time for it but they are just shameless politicians....I am not suggesting that Harper is much better but I am pretty sure he just won an election.....I know that 60% or so didn't vote for him but you know what...80% approx didn't vote for the NDP, 70% approx didn't vote for Dion and frankly no one outside of Quebec voted for the Bloc...These are the buffoons who are going to be in charge...

Suddenly the U.S is looking waaaay more attractive - Not just to me but to anyone who wants to invest in a stable market....

Harper was an idiot but the Party funding issue has been dropped....Interesting that no-one came together to bring down the government over a major issue like Afghanistan. Self interest is of course everything.
L

montreal mike

If my memory serves me correctly, 54% voted for the three opposition parties. That must stand for something surely?

DaveLovesDee

54% of those who actually bothered to vote!