montreal mike

Agreed. if more had bothered to vote the results might have been different.

MarkG

Most things governments do turn out to be wrong, or at best irrelevant, so the more time politicians waste fighting each other, the less time they have to bugger things up.

Pretty Flowers

I'm really glad this is happening. Harper doesn't seem to have any concrete plans for the problems we find ourselves in, other than in banning federal employees from striking. To avoid a major recession/ depression, active policies must be put in place to stimulate the economy.

Additionally, as the leader of a minority government, Harper should have found ways to work with other parties, rather than behaving in the despotic manner he has done, and therefore only has himself to blame for the fact that the Canadian government has lost confidence in their management of the country.

See ya Harper, remember not to bang the door on your way out....

MarkG

Doesn't seem to have done Britain or America much good; if anything all that 'stimulus' has probably harmed the economy more than it's helped. Nor did government spending stop Japan's twenty-year long recession.

Not that I'm a fan of Harper, but throwing billions of dollars at bankers who've been paying themselves multi-million bonuses and auto workers who are making cars that people don't want to buy does not really seem a smart way to run a country.

Pretty Flowers

Hmmm.... I think having saved the world economy from a major banking crisis is enough. If the bailout hadn't happened I think millions of people in the UK and US would have lost lots of money if the banks had gone under. Or are you saying that banks failing at the rate they did in the 20's is a good thing for the economy?

Souvenir

This "historic" move has clearly caught the attention of the world. The BBC and UK broadsheets have all devoted the same coverage to it (**** all).

Atlantic Xpat

I'm not a fan of coalition governments as (like minority govts) they are inherently weak and subject to the whims of the most prima donna like of the partners. But I'd be ticked off if Harper prorogues(sp) Parliament to avoid the vote. Thats just cowardice IMHO.

Novocastrian

Watch this space. That's exactly what I would expect of the <insert swear word here>.

DaveLovesDee

I agree with you on this one Mark. If it was you or I in a regular business, the banks would have stopped lending to us by know I think.

All big business thinks about these days are how much bonuses do the exec's get, and how much dividend do they shareholders get?

Almost Canadian

Surely then, if the population are really behind the "coalition", Parliament should be dissolved and a new election called, then we will really see how the electorate really feel about how all of the politicians are behaving.

I find it amazing that Dion, whose ideas were rejected by the electorate and whose party have dumped him, will, potentially, be the Prime Minister of this country.

In light of the leadership election he has indicated will occur, I doubt any of his cabinet appointees will be doing anything in the interests of Canada until such time as that leadership election has occurred.

Maybe it's because I live in the West, but I don't sense the baying for Harper's blood outside of Parliament that those inside of Parliament are after.

Almost Canadian

Unfortunately, I don't believe that this is the real issue. How many members of the electorate actually want to replace the Government? If the numbers are sufficient, then they should agree to an election being called and take on the chin the expense involved in doing so.

Steve_P

Oh come on, you're hardly going to hear that in the heart of Tory country now are you?

I don't necessarily condone what the opposition parties are doing but Harper brought this on himself with his arrogance.

Novocastrian

Sorry, but it is exactly the issue. We have a Westminster style parliamentary democracy. Like it or not.

In a minority government, it is incumbent on the governing party (or parties) to maintain the confidence of the House. If it is unable to do so, and if an alternative grouping exists which can command said confidence, then the GG may call upon that group to form the government.

Eventually, of course, a new election will decide on the new membership of the House, but there's no need to rush.

andrewrb143

Unelected, separatist backed governement. Godspeed Canada.

MikeUK

The sad reality of this is that Harper is probably the least worst of the four leaders

None should be in the running

But as in a true Westminster style system you vote for the one capable of the least damage,

Now we stand to be ruled collectively by a wimp, an egomaniac and a separatist I just can’t see how they could even work together