We’ve heard a lot about Canada’s limited experience with coalition governments in the past week. Engaged citizens today are as familiar as ever with the 1917 Union Government, the 1925-26 King-Byng Affair, and the Ontario episode in 1985. One prominent example of Canadian coalition government has been lost in all of the talk, however. And there are important lessons to be learned from it.
Considering the Governor General’s Decision to Prorogue Parliament
Like many Canadians, I was glued to the television to see what the governor general would decide in response to Stephen Harper’s request to prorogue Parliament. I have a lot of sympathy for the governor-general: the Prime Minister put in her a very difficult position with this request. I’d also like to give credit to the opposition leaders. Rather than attacking the governor general and needlesly politicizing her decision, they pointed the finger at Stephen Harper. That’s where the blame belongs, if there is any.
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Constitutional Refresher Course: What is a Prorogation of Parliament?
As I write this, Stephen Harper is currently meeting with Michaelle Jean and is reportedly requesting a prorogation of Parliament. I’ve been asked a lot what exactly this means and how it relates to the current situation in Ottawa. So, here’s a refresher course on prorogation.
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A Plea for Good Rallies
I was heartened to hear that both sides in the current constitutional debate will be staging public events to drum up support for their causes. Beyond a suggestion to dress warmly, I want to offer a quick blessing, and caution, to both sides as they plan to attend a series of rallies later this week. If John McCain’s recent presidential campaign offers any lessons, be wary: keep the most ignorant among you from upstaging the event. Cameras from the media and the opposing side will be on the lookout for acts of anger and zealotry, like burning effigies or inflammatory statements. That’s what will air on the evening news and Youtube.
This said, best of luck to all. Keep the messages positive, and be sure to dress in layers!
Opinions on Both Sides — a review
I spent 12 hours Christmas shopping and listening to talk radio shows yesterday, as I made my monthly drive from Winnipeg to Calgary. If the media buzz is any indication, it seems almost everyone in Western Canada has an opinion on the quagmire on Parliament Hill. From Canadian Tire to Suzy Shier, Tim Horton’s to Starbucks, pundits to academics, leaders to followers – everyone appears to have chosen sides between the government and the coalition. With each side talking past each other, viewing moment-by-moment events through their own unique set of partisan lenses, it’s not difficult to see how we’ve come to this point. For Canadians just tuning into the saga, finding "facts" and "truths" amid the rhetoric can be challenging and frustrating.
Andrew Potter on legitimacy in this debate
Andrew Potter at Macleans.ca has a really good blog posting that’s worth reading. He’s been posting some interesting stuff on the crisis.
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