Canada's Opposition Parties May Topple Conservative Government

TORONTO — Opposition parties said Friday they may seek to topple Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government and form a ruling coalition, charging that the Conservatives haven't done enough to rescue Canada from the global economic crisis.

Harper blasted the opposition in a televised address. "They want to take power, not earn it," said Harper, whose Conservatives won enough votes in the Oct. 14 election to stay in power.

The opposition Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois are discussing the option of a new government despite last month's vote, said Karl Belanger, a spokesman for NDP leader Jack Layton.

The Liberals said they are considering introducing a motion declaring no confidence in the minority Conservative government but no decision has been made. A defeat on such a vote by Harper's party could set the stage for another election or give the opposition a chance to form a government.

No federal government has ever been ousted in favor of an opposition coalition.

Though Harper's party retained power last month, it did not win the majority of parliament's 308 seats and must rely on opposition support to pass budgets and legislation.

Opposition members in parliament said they cannot support the government's updated fiscal plan, introduced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on Thursday, because it offers no stimulus package to deal with the global meltdown.

The opposition said it was considering introducing a motion on Monday, but Harper said he was delaying all votes that could topple his government until Dec. 8.

Harper defended his response to the economic crisis, saying he had acted to keep taxes low and that in the next couple of months his party will introduce a budget that will includes a stimulus package.

He said the opposition's only concern is taking over the government.

"The opposition has every right to defeat the government, but (Liberal leader) Stephane Dion does not have the right to take power without an election," Harper said. "It should be your choice, not theirs."

Liberal lawmaker John McCallum sought to reassure markets of the potential change in government.

"I understand that the global economy, the Canadian economy is fragile, so I want the business community, the financial community to know that should we form the government, that the stability of our financial system and of our economy will be uppermost in our mind every step of the way," McCallum said.

The opposition has also objected to Harper's plans to scrap public subsidies for political parties. The opposition relies on the subsidies far more than Harper's Conservatives, who have raised twice as much in donations as the three opposition parties combined.

Comments

[Ibis3]

How about a new article about the situation? This one's a few days old now. (Although Huff-Po should get credit for reporting about it at all. Went to CNN and, as usual, Canada was not mentioned at all.)

[CeeCee]

Stephen Harper accuses the opposition parties of wanting to take power without earning it.
Rubbish.
I did not vote for him. He didn't earn it. I hate his policies, and he needs to be stopped.

[cowman]

Indeed. It's not that they want to grab power, they want to prevent him from creating a government-mandated single-party dynasty. The article doesn't even mention how he wanted to abolish the right to strike or how the budget had him selling off $2 billion worth of government assets but not telling anyone what they were or that he would cut $2 billion more in government spending but again without any specifics.

[chromodynamics]

CBC News World is now reporting that the Stephen Harper government, in order to avoid a no-confidence vote, has announced putting off tabling of his new budget until January 27, 2009. In it, they have retracted their plans to eliminate public funding for the parties. It is hoped that this will be enough, for now, to appease the opposition and keep him in power.

[Vere15]

This is the tricky part. There are two different philosophies out there - whether Canada should move before the US or wait to see what Obama does upon taking power January 20. By putting off the tabling of the budget to a week after the presidential inauguration, Harper is clearly taking the side of the followers, whereas the other parties seem to want to get a jump on the USA. The jury is out as to which approach is better.

[Parisian]

Why all the hysterics over the Bloc?

[Mannock]

Beats me.

[WongChin]

In response to WINTRLINE below:

Buddy, if you are talking about Conservatives of the ilk of Joe Clark, John Crosbie, and Kim Campbell, I will understand.

Harper is a right wingnut, in the tradition of Mike Harris of Ontario and only marginally better than Preston Manning of the ultra rightwing Reform Party; he is a cross between them.

And what about this thing about Harper "winning" an election? The parliamentary system permits a party, like Harper's Conservatives, that won a minority of votes to form a government, but it also permits parties whose combined seats are majority to form the government.

It gets even worse for Harper when it comes to popular votes. His party party won 37.6m votes, compared to the three parties that won 54.4 million votes (that do not include Green Party's 6.8m). The Conservatives won 143 seats against the three parties' combined 163. Although the Liberals won only 77 seats (less than half of those of the Conservatives), the Liberals won only 11.4 million votes less.

There is nothing wrong if the three parties DECIDE to come together within a coalition government. They represent the overwhelming opinion of Candadian voters.

By the way, I am Candadian, not your stereotypical American talking about Canada.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Joe Clark was awesome and Kim Campbell was a victim of circumstances out of her control

[Mannock]

And if the Conservatives took on a leader like Jim Prentice they would return to sanity. My wife met Joe Clark and found him smart, funny and very charming.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Judging by some of the comments here, a lot of Americans are suffering from election withdrawal pains. Glad we can provide something for a while to ease you all down.

[MsCanadian]

I don't like Harper and did not vote for him, but unfortunately, the Liberals and NDP don't have good leadership either right now. So, I would not like to see another election. And don't even get me started on the Bloc...

[canucklivinginUSA]

Oh Canada, do not let the Bloc Quebecois gained anymore power, PLEASE

[CanuckDemocrat]

they don't have any power whatsoever. They speak only on issues that affect Quebec directly and usually abstain from everything else... I wish they didn't exist either, but the only power they have is that they steal votes from otherwise Liberal voters. The Bloc is very left-centre, if not far-left in terms of their policies...

[Exusian]

Don't be alarmed, it sounds like winterline just wandered in from Free Dominion, which is the Canadian equivalent and wanna be clone of Free Republic.

[winterline]

The health care crisis began 20 years ago when the federal government of any political stripe did not have the vision to take steps such as to ensure that they expanded enrollments in universities for doctors and nurses knowing full well the baby boomer generation getting older. It is a failure of all the parties not just one. And not just Conservatives and not just Liberals or NDP. The only political leaders who have jumped the liine and used private medical doctors and facilities have been the Liberal Prime Ministers, Jean Cretien and Paul Martin and the NDP leader, Jack Layton (who screams about privitization all the time - hypocricy?). To wait for diagnostic tests for eight weeks if you had to determine whether you had cancer is criminal so frankly, if what it takes is a combination of public and private healthcare then so be it. If my child might have cancer and I want to spend the 300 bucks to go to a clinic for a diagnostic test to ensure his or her chances of survival then I'm damm well going to do it and the person who chooses not to do that can have my place in line.

[CanadianforObama]

What? The public health care system has taken excellent care of me through 2 cancers. No delays. Leading edge treatment.

[cowman]

And the only way that health care has anything to do with this is issue is if Harper's mysterious budget cuts were going to include cuts to health care which for all we know may well be the case.

[fabulonica]

The majority of Canadians voted against the Conservative party for very good reasons. Canada has one of the best public health-care systems in the world and Stephen Harper wants to privatize it. By ignoring blatant violations of the Canada Health Act by for-profit health clinics, the Conservatives are ushering in privatized health care whether Canadians want it or not. We have a critical shortage of doctors and other medical staff in Canada. The Conservatives have done nothing to address this problem because the longer Canadians have to wait for knee replacements, the more likely they are to support for-profit medicine.

Stephen Harper accuses the opposition parties of wanting to take power without earning it. The Conservatives have not "earned" anything at all except our contempt. That's why most of us voted for the opposition.

[CanuckDemocrat]

Harper thinks he's the victim of some "palace coup". It is nothing of the sort. He only earned a minority (for the second time, he can't seal the deal), yet is trying to govern as if he had a majority. His arrogance is becoming legendary, but anyone who watched Bush over the last 8 years knows exactly how this ends. He's a "leader" who has not won for three straight elections. He lost to Paul Martin, then only got a minority twice after that. If anyone is a lousy leader, it's Harper. And Canadians just do not like the guy.

[winterline]

Why do Americans equate the Republican party to the Canadian Conservative party? You just read the word "conservative" and assume you should be repulsed. It is not the same ideaology by a long shot. After a democratic election only SIX weeks ago and with the most severe global economic downturn in a hundred years, wars all over the world, political stability is key to a country's security and economic survivial. Harper has NOT been throwing around piles of money and Canada is NOT, I repeat NOT in the same situation as the US; he is being very prudent. We will see effects in 2009 but not to the extent that will bring down the banks and business like in the US as Canada has the best regulated banking system in the world. When the Conservative budget proposed in these economic times to scrap the $1.95/vote for funding ALL the political parties, the Liberals went crazy. They say he is not throwing money around but we are not even technically in a recession, YET; it's smart to be careful with the purse strings. The last bunch (Liberals) were SO crorupt they were turfed out (arrests, charges, court cases, jail) of office into the wilderness. Continued...

[chromodynamics]

The Harper Government is a little to the right of Gorge Bush. Maybe that is why Americans compare the two that way. You're right though, they are not the same--Harper is far worse!

Look at all the influence peddling that has been going on since Harper has been in power. You think the Tories are any different in the corruption game? Open your eyes, man. Open your eyes!

[canucklivinginUSA]

Not even close buddy

[CanuckDemocrat]

Harper is not right of Bush... that's just not reality. But in Canadian politics, he is COMPARATIVELY like Bush as opposed to the normal political spectrum.

[LesserOf2Evils]

I have spent much time in both countries. Americans may be dumb enought to allow too many wars, human rights abuses, corruption and lies by their government, but at least they are generally aware of what is going on.

The US passed the Patriot act and Americans were upset and remain upset. Canada passed similar legislation and almost all Canadians are unaware, unconcerned and too busy condemning America to notice.

The US had a trade deal with Colombia fall apart this year largely over human rights abuses, and it may still pass but at least Americans are aware and opposed.
Harper just signed his trade deal with Colombia without taking it to Parliment, without any protest from Liberals or NDP, and withot smug sanctimonious Canadian citizens even noticing.

War in Afghanistan. Canada is all in, yet Canadians still slam the US for its wars.
War in Iraq. Canada is in, in a sneaky way with support ,logistics, shipping and still the Canadian people are sooooooo superior to us'

Harper is a very bad guy and so are the Liberals. But the Canadian people are far too busy judging the US for its crimes to actually pay attention to what their own government is doing.

[chromodynamics]

Sure, yeah, right. That's what were all doing in this thread, trashing the US because Canadians are all sooooo superior...

[ilurnkwik]

You are so close to being correct. The agreement with Colombia did not go unnoticed. But as I was informed last night, I talk like a "poor" person, and I know nothing. Believe me when I tell you that not all Canadians feel that way. I made the statement that I have strong ties to the US, and people thought I was trying to hide that I live in the US. I have relatives all over the US. I am so proud of the military. My ex served in Vietnam, and I went through how the vets were treated when they came home. And of course here in Canada we welcomed those who chose not to serve.
Many of our military families starting out have to go to food banks every month to survive. We want to be known as "Peace Keepers" but expect the US to have our backs. We are allowed to be totally complacent on every front because our "leaders" know what Canadians want. Not true. They don't ask and don't care. I'm sure some snob with a Poly Sci degree will jump up now and remind me that I have a "Tim's" coffee shop mentality.

[Firestarterfive]

"Canadian people are far too busy judging the US for its crimes.."

That's a broad generalization and quite unfair. If Canadians place blame anywhere, it's been placed squarely on George Bush and his admin.

The Liberals were running the show for so long that they became complacent and their own stupidity and arrogance brought them down. Harpers conservatives are secretive and talk only amongst themselves when permitted. They are taking a page from the Bush/Cheney handbook of ignoring the people and doing whatever the hell they believe is right. It's backfired on the US Republican party and it will do the same for the CAN Conservatives.

[winterline]

Now we have the new batch with Dion a WEAK leader rejected by Canadians 6 weeks ago (Ignatief his replacement? An egotistical man who has never lead any party could be Prime MInister??) teaming up with the Bloc, a Quebec party whose GOAL is the destruction of Canada in their mandate (Quebec as a country), and the NDP who will drive business out of the country and the job loss will be massive with their plan for a 50 BILLION dollar corporate tax increase - yeah, THAT's wise in these times! And their leader wants to be FInance Minister! This is dire. They want to (and DID) sit around a table and THEY DECIDE who is going to run the country after the PEOPLE have VOTED who they want in their ridings. This is essentially a coup d'etat. How'd you like McCain and Palin and John Boehner to sit around the table and a handful of people DECIDE who they think should run the USA??? Now do you get the issue? It doesn't matter who you voted for - what is at stake is democracy and a dangerous precedent and that should worry all Canadians no matter their vote. Oh, and let's not forget the Governor General who is NOT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL who will yea or nea this coalition idea. Continued...

[chromodynamics]

Learn how a parlamentry democracy works in Canada before making silly comments about a so-called "coup d'etat" (sic). If the majority of elected members don't support the current government, then the Prime Minister must either call another election or hand over governing duties to the official opposition. It has happened before, and it's legal. So, if the opposition does form a new government, it will be with the blessing of Stephen Harper.

[canucklivinginUSA]

So you are okay with having Le Bloc Quebecois gain more power so you could get rid of Harper?!!! I don't think so! I'm from Quebec and the last thing Quebec needs is for Le Bloc to ascend.

[winterline]

A group of people and an unelected Governor General will decide the fate of Canada whose 33 million people just voted!! Think about that. This is the issue so please stop convulsing if you hear "conservative". For what it's worth I have voted 80% of the time, Liberal and would have voted Obama if that was possible and cheered him on. Fiscally responsible (unlike the previous batch of corrupt Liberals if you actually did the research) is why the Conservatives were elected. They are NOT war mongers contrary to wishful or ill informed thinking. I understand with suffering through George Bush why you may react like this but please become informed. It is scary to think that what this triumverate of corrupt, separatist and wasteful coalition are up to. We are not a banana republic and it makes you realize how when you see this happening in countries around the world it seems unfathomoable to understand how can it happen? It's very scary to think it can happen in Canada - regardless of your poltical views and that, really, is the point. The people just spoke to what they wanted - if all of a sudden McCain and his friends did this by THEM DECIDING WHO WAS GOIND TO RUN THE UNITED STATES and Obama was out by the end of February - what would any of YOU think, regardless of WHAT PARTY YOU VOTED FOR??? Just think of what would happen if this was the United States.

[chromodynamics]

Harper didn't win a majority, and the majority of Canadian didn't vote for the Tories. And all your kevitching about how the world will end if Harper hands over the riens to the Grits is just plain silly.

Look, this all started because the opposition said the would call a confidence motion on the Harper government if they ramed through their emergency economic plan without committee hearings. The opposition have the numbers to bring down the government, and In classic Tory style, they are charging the opposition with trying to steal power away from the government, without an election, which is the furthest thing from the truth.

If defeated, the goverment may call an election or hand over power. It's Harpper choice, and he has chosen to play politics with it. He knows people will blame him if another election is called so soon, and he hopes to shift blame onto the Grits with this nonsense about the opposition forming a government without an election call. It's an old Canadian political ploy, and we have seen it used before. Because if anything is certain, then there will be another election should the government fall. Harper will be handing power to no one.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Your whole comment is idiotic. The Liberal governments for approx. ten years from '94 to '04 turned Canada's economic situation from farcical to balanced budgets, surpluses, national debt reductions, trade surpluses, low inflation. This was not pain free and the Liberals cut a lot of transfer payments to the provinces, which traumatized the medical system. Very few approved of this. When the Harper government came in, they started upsetting this applecart (ie., the sound finances) and killed a couple of programs (national child care, agreement re First Nations (aboriginals)) that were about to be implemented after years of negotiation between the feds and the provinces. I have barely scraped the surface. The Liberals were not perfect but, as Jeffrey Simpson said in the Globe and Mail today, Stephen Harper has a tin ear and tin heart.

[CeeCee]

My thoughts exactly!

[Vere15]

If the USA had the parliamentary system, George Bush could not have gotten so far out of touch since he would actually have had to sit with the representatives on a daily basis.

Additionally, if he failed to grasp the realities presented to him, his own party would have booted him out far before the 2008 election.

Finally, transition takes place much faster in a parliamentary system than the current Bush/Obama daily counter watch