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

[CanuckDemocrat]

We need help from our American blogger friends to push this Conservative government out of office.

Our Prime Minister (term is used loosely), Stephen Harper, is a great admirer of all things Bush-Rove and Republican. Partisan politics, secrecy, meanness, union-bashing, rich people first... during an economic crisis he decided to take shots at the other political parties instead of providing any plan whatsoever to deal with the world economic crisis.

The Conservatives only have a MINORITY government, meaning less than half of the seats in parliament. This means they can be defeated if the opposition bands together. Harper tried to govern as if he was Bush re-incarnated and could care less about building any coalitions or agreements.

I say bring them down, and form a coalition of Liberal and New Democrats to govern the country.

There is only ONE thing you need to know about Stephen Harper. He was given a pair of embroidered leather cowboy boots from his buddy George Bush, and promptly hid them from gift disclosure rules for 8 months until 5 days before the Canadian election because he knows we all despise Bush.

[CanuckDemocrat]

SPREAD THE WORD. We could use your help HuffPo.

Stephen Harper called the election in Canada early, breaking HIS OWN ELECTION LAW (sound like Bush eh?), because he was terrified the Obama-mania would sweep Canada too and we would usher the Conservatives out of office. Shrewd political maneuvers, yes, but he broke his own laws to do it, and ended up with almost the EXACT same result as the previous election. He only has a MINORITY government, and has failed to get a majority for 3 straight elections because most of Canada is very skeptical of his motives. Yet he governs as if he was King. Sound familiar? Please help us progressive Canadians get this clown out of office once and for all.

Your Canadian friends need help HuffPo.... SPREAD THE WORD.

[big666dog]

Nonsense. he called the election after months and months of innefective votes at the hands of the "non-opposition" parties, and picked that time becuase the Liberal party was hoplessly lost and without leadership. Even if he called it at the height of "Obamania", the poor leadership choices of the other parties would not have changed the outcome. You make it sound like Harper is Bush incarnate. Also a ridiculous notion. I didn't vote for him, but you know darn well that the most die-hard Canadian conservative, would still look and smell like a democrat in the US.

[baglenmushie]

Yes there was an election - and the country voted - to allow this proposed coalition to take place, and then be allowed to govern would mean that Canada is no longer a democratic society and that the will of the people can be over-ridden at the whim of a bunch of disgruntled politicians. That puts Canada on the level of athird world country, that feels it can ignore the people and simply take power.

The last time this happened, when Clark lost a non-confidence vote to Trudeau, any one out there old enough to remember that, the Liberal party when on such a spending spree, giving away money, it took decades to pay it off! Be very careful what you wish for.

[Danny]

I thought it was odd that Canada suddenly was holding elections two weeks or so BEFORE ours. I had a hunch it was politically motivated to favor Harper and his party, because they had to know Obama was going to win. To which I say, Canadians, follow our example and make CHANGE happen in Your government.

[gfs5541]

But what about the corruption that led Canada to elect the conservatives in? Conservative or Democrat, corrupt IS corrupt!

[northstar11]

are you referring to the income trust scandal that cost canadian retirees billions--- you know the one brought in by steves finance minister-they passed the very bad deal after campaigning against it . -when the liberals suggested it may be necessary the conservatives said they would NEVER TAMPER WITH SENIORS PENSIONS--then did exactly that---- is that the corruption of which you speak.??/

[CanuckDemocrat]

The Conservatives have not elected a majority government since 1988... yes that's right 1988.

[Bajangal]

My sentiments exactly.

[HappyNuck]

Excellent suggestion.

Many Canadians helped in online support of Obama (check out Kos, lots of Canucks there), now we could use some help here.

A list of Canadian political blogs, left and right: http://www.blogscanada.ca/politics/

[CanuckDemocrat]

I'm on DailyKos a lot, it would be a great place to get some help. How do we go about that?
Let's get it started.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Honestly, I desperately want them out of office, too. But getting a bunch of Americans throwing in their their two cents' worth would be majorly counterproductive.

[freethinking moderate]

...Conserv­atives haven't done enough...

says everything one needs to know right here.

[cdnnewsjunky]

I love the smell of a parlimentary coup in the morning.

[Mannock]

It smells like...vic­tory.

[ObserverinVancouver]

It's not a coup. It's a legitimate though rarely applied parliamentary procedure.

[greenmonk]

please please please please....

[HappyNuck]

Little Stevie Harper said: "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."

Of course he's being grossly disingenuous when he says this, because he knows full well that under the rules of Parliament the opposition can call a vote of non-confidence in the House of Commons and can propose to the Governor-General (the nominal head of state) that an opposition coalition does have the confidence of the majority of Members of Parliament and can govern. Under this scenario, whoever is the leader of that coalition becomes the Prime Minister.

Harper's been hanging around with Dubya too much because he seems to think he got elected President of Canada and unquestioned ruler of all he views. Parliamentary democracy doesn't give him that kind of power, his power is dependent on support in the House of Commons. If he doesn't have enough votes, he doesn't get to rule.

[teresa43]

He's the Prime Minister of Canada not President

[Mitch rite]

Yes, we know he's our Prime Minister..­.
What HappyNuck was saying was that Harper seems to think he got elected President, not Prime Minister. There is quite a difference between the two, so HappyNuck was highlighting that Harper thinks he has a lot more power than he actually does.

[Canuknotusa]

Harper has already moved to stop this.

He cancelled the non-confidence vote for Monday.

Harper is a huge fan of US Republicanism, and the only thing that has saved Canada from disastrous neo-conservative US-style policies, is the fact that Harper heads a minority government and can't get the legislation passed that he really wants.

It's our political system that is saving us - and Harper's fear of a non-confidence vote that will bring down his minority government.

[big666dog]

Oh... puh-lease. What stopped him from adopting US-style conservative policy is that he is Canadian. There is a MASSIVE gulf between Canadian conservatism and that practiced in the US. Everyone in Harper's part would still be considered a moderate DEMOCRAT by US standards.

I didn't vote for him, or his party, but let's not draw comparisons when there really aren't any to make.

[Canuknotusa]

You didn't read my post. It's a good think Harper is heading a minority - not a majority.

And apparently you are ignorant of speeches given by Harper and some of his fellow Reform Conservatives where they speak in glowing term of the US Republican Party.

[boing007]

big666dog

Oh... puh-lease. What stopped him from adopting US-style conservative policy is that he is Canadian. There is a MASSIVE gulf between Canadian conservatism and that practiced in the US. Everyone in Harper's part would still be considered a moderate DEMOCRAT by US standards.

You're full of it!

[boing007]

Everyone in Harper's part would still be considered a moderate DEMOCRAT by US standards.

Bullshit.

[TravelinMan357]

Imagine that.... I guess the whole world is seeing that the conservative movement is really holding everyone back. This is even starting to happen in the United Kingdom. I am so happy alot of these countries are now becoming "Center Right" to hear the Conservatives say it.

[HappyNuck]

It's generally been known for a long time in Canada.

Unfortunately, the centre and centre-left are divided among 3 opposition parties in the House of Commons, but collectively have almost 60% of Canadian votes. 37% of Canadians voted for the governing Conservative Party headed by Harper, which gives his party the largest number of seats in the House and the first right to try and form a government. His government has been dependent on bullying part of the opposition to support him in the House because of their fear and financial inability to trigger a new election by voting him down.

What is happening now is that the opposition parties, the Liberals (centre-right through to centre left - think slightly leftier US Democrats overall), the New Democratic Party (centre left to left, think European-style social democrat) and the Bloc Quebecois (politically somewhere ranging between the Liberals and the NDP, representing Quebec separatist aspirations) are actively talking to each other about forming a coalition to defeat the government. The coalition partners would be the Liberals and NDP with Bloc voting support in the House. If this comes to pass, they could vote non-confidence in the government and apply to the Governor-General to take over the role of government based on greater support (confidence) in the House. Collectively they would have 165 votes to 145 votes for the Conservatives plus 2 conservati­ve-leaning independents.

Harper, through his arrogance and hubris, has managed to unite the left in Canada.

[CanuckDemocrat]

100% agreed. Centrist and left-center parties represent over 60% of Canadians, but are fractured among 4 parties (Liberal, NDP, Green, and dare I say the Bloc Quebecois). Join the Liberal, NDP, and Greens in a coalition and you have about 51% of the popular vote compared to the Conservatives' 38% in the last election.

[baglenmushie]

The Conservative Party is Centre Right and is the reason Canada has been able to retain it's financial stabilty in these global mess. To allow the a coalition of the Liberal and NDP to be in power would put the country so far left and down the debt hole it would take another thiry years for the country to claw it 's way out again. It is totally irresponsible of the leaders to cause political instablility at a time when the finacial world is fragil, and commitments have been made to other world leaders to be of assistance, this weakens the the Canadian effectiveness world wide.

[CanuckDemocrat]

WRONG. It's the centre-left that has prevented Harper from deregulation that he has desperately wanted for years. Canadians were smart enough to NOT give him a majority 3 times in a row. The Liberals have governed Canada for 65 of the last 100 years. It's those socially liberal, fiscally responsible policies of Liberal governments that have given Canada a solid centrist foundation.

You are just so wrong on this.

[TheDude2008]

The reason why Canada has retained its financial stability is because of the regulations put in place by the Liberals in the 90's.

[Bajangal]

Absolutely true.

[newzealander1]

I would remind you that it was the Liberals who balanced the budget Federally in Canada. Canada under the Liberals was the only G8 country to consistently run a surplus (under Chretien/Martin). Since Harper came into power and before the financial crisis the Conservative Party have vastly reduced the surplus buffer that the Liberals left in their budget due to a number of spending initiatives put in place by Harper. Harper gave a GST tax cuts plus a whole bunch of narrowly constructed tax breaks and increased spending on several programs in his first term in office. Similar to President Clinton the more center oriented political party was better at maintaining balanced books.

Part of the reason Canada has avoided the worst of the financial meltdown is due to the regulatory structure and capital requirements of our banking system. Harper and Flaherty have consistently taken the position in favour of deregulation.

All that being said I think currently Harper is probably the best choice to manage the economy. But that is because everyone else looks poor (Dion and Layton). It is also clear from the recent financial update given by Flaherty that the Conservative Party is currently not sure how to deal with the economic meltdown. They are either waiting to see what Obama is going to do or they just have no idea themselves what to do.

[Babysnake]

Far out.
More help for Obama.