Guilty: Harper Government Found in Contempt of Parliament

[blueblood]

Well yes, but Harper still jumped in bed with the Bloc. So far as I can see, there's little difference, other than the fact that the 2008 coalition got closer to actually toppling the government than the 2004 coalition.

Yet that difference is big enough for harper to say "what coalition, exploring options isn't a coalition, I didn't offer any cabinet posts, etc" and the liberals will get beaten with this issue like baby seals unless ignatieff makes a grand gesture to deep six it. Which makes your condom analogy so appropriate.

[Jack Weber]

I'm interested in seeing how the media plays this...

Craig Oliver noted that Harper was getting visibly upset at questioning this tonight on CTV...I'm assuming it's because he's having his message turned back on him.I noticed the CeeB actually showing footage of the presser on the 5 O'Clock news during Terry Milewski's report...

The sad thing is we no longer have Jim Travers to give us some sober reporting...

[BubberMiley]

Now that the Liberals have categorically ruled out a coalition, how is Harper going to distract people from his corrupt record for the rest of the campaign?

[Smallc]

Now that the Liberals have categorically ruled out a coalition, how is Harper going to distract people from his corrupt record for the rest of the campaign?

According to the latest poll, he doesn't have to. People don't really care, and they trust him anyway.

[Saipan]

Now that the Liberals have categorically ruled out a coalition, how is Harper going to distract people from his corrupt record for the rest of the campaign?

How does the American Liberal leader explain any "corruption" when the real one was during Chretien's reign.

[WWWTT]

I'm interested in seeing how the media plays this...

Craig Oliver noted that Harper was getting visibly upset at questioning this tonight on CTV...I'm assuming it's because he's having his message turned back on him.I noticed the CeeB actually showing footage of the presser on the 5 O'Clock news during Terry Milewski's report...

The sad thing is we no longer have Jim Travers to give us some sober reporting...

Have you ever seen Jim Travers without studio make up on?

I don't think being sober was on his mind.

However I will admit that nobody of his callibre has replaced him yet.

WWWTT

[GWiz]

So far as I can tell, the only difference between Harper and Dion was that Harper bothered to wear a condom during his little "romantic interlude" with the Bloc. The Tories will doubtless try to make great hay out of how not negotiating the precise nature of the coalition somehow represents some vast difference, sort of like a Clinton "I got a b---job, but that's not sex" moment.

Kudos on an excellent and well thought out post...

Harper demonstrates unscripted words can turn a campaign around quickly

- “Whoever leads the party that wins the most seats on election day should be called on to form the government,” Ignatieff wrote.

“If that is the Liberal Party, then I will be required to rapidly seek the confidence of the newly elected Parliament. If our government cannot win the support of the House, then Mr. Harper will be called on to form a government and face the same challenge. That is our Constitution. It is the law of the land.” -

- Then, toward the end of the statement, he asked Harper a question he might try to avoid for the rest of the campaign. -

“Does he agree with how I have described the workings of our democratic system?” asked Ignatieff. -

Took a while but I'm glad Ignatieff took my advice on how to handle the "coalition question"...

[Chippewa]

You People are funny.

In fact let me laugh for a second.......

Let me get this straight. People are actually mad that a coalition government could take control of the Government. So for the first time in history a few political parties are working together.

I don't think the people should be mad at all, since only 44% of the population votes, and out of those votes, they get split up 4 ways. So the government is really only speaking for less then 20% of the population, and making racist laws and upholding racist rulings in the Kangaroo Court system so that Immigrants can come here, and give corporations more market to sell Oil, Gas, and Stolen Property.

[ToadBrother]

You People are funny.

In fact let me laugh for a second.......

Let me get this straight. People are actually mad that a coalition government could take control of the Government. So for the first time in history a few political parties are working together.

I don't think the people should be mad at all, since only 44% of the population votes, and out of those votes, they get split up 4 ways. So the government is really only speaking for less then 20% of the population, and making racist laws and upholding racist rulings in the Kangaroo Court system so that Immigrants can come here, and give corporations more market to sell Oil, Gas, and Stolen Property.

I think for most of us, and I'm speaking generally of course, the issue isn't necessarily with the Liberals and NDP forming a coalition (though clearly some members of the Liberal caucus may not be thrilled with that idea). The problem is allowing a separatist party whose central tenet is the removal of Quebec from Canada, to be part of such a structure. We have to accept that in a democracy a separatist movement have a right to its voice in Parliament, but it's a lot harder to accept that they have some integral role in government.

Yes, it's a bit of a hypocritical position because, considering the Bloc's seat count, deals will sometimes have to be struck that involve them, but to go beyond that even to a guaranteed consultation deal (which the 2008 agreement guaranteed and which I think the 2004 deal heavily hinted at) is a dangerous path.

[WWWTT]

I think for most of us, and I'm speaking generally of course, the issue isn't necessarily with the Liberals and NDP forming a coalition (though clearly some members of the Liberal caucus may not be thrilled with that idea). The problem is allowing a separatist party whose central tenet is the removal of Quebec from Canada, to be part of such a structure. We have to accept that in a democracy a separatist movement have a right to its voice in Parliament, but it's a lot harder to accept that they have some integral role in government.

Yes, it's a bit of a hypocritical position because, considering the Bloc's seat count, deals will sometimes have to be struck that involve them, but to go beyond that even to a guaranteed consultation deal (which the 2008 agreement guaranteed and which I think the 2004 deal heavily hinted at) is a dangerous path.

And what do you think started the independant voice from Quebec?

The French were not allowed to help develop Canada.Ever heard of Loiu Riell?

By continueing to keep the french out from the key decission making in Canada we are only pushing French Canada further away from English Canada.

This line of thinking really helped the Reform party become established in the 90's(Alberta) and I personally have never bought into it.

Time to bring a big part of Canada into Canada again I say.

WWWTT

[blueblood]

And what do you think started the independant voice from Quebec?

The French were not allowed to help develop Canada.Ever heard of Loiu Riell?

By continueing to keep the french out from the key decission making in Canada we are only pushing French Canada further away from English Canada.

This line of thinking really helped the Reform party become established in the 90's(Alberta) and I personally have never bought into it.

Time to bring a big part of Canada into Canada again I say.

WWWTT

Except that louis riel decided to murder people and declare independence from canada all while being an mp. His bout with megalomania didn't help out either.

[WWWTT]

Except that louis riel decided to murder people and declare independence from canada all while being an mp. His bout with megalomania didn't help out either.

Oh sorry I forgot you were there and witnessed this

My appologies

WWWTT

[blueblood]

Oh sorry I forgot you were there and witnessed this

My appologies

WWWTT

That's what google is for!

[WWWTT]

That's what google is for!

And execution by hanging!

WWWTT

[g_bambino]

And what do you think started the independant voice from Quebec?

A bunch of self interested historical revisionists, really.

[ToadBrother]

And what do you think started the independant voice from Quebec?

The French were not allowed to help develop Canada.Ever heard of Loiu Riell?

Louis Riel was a Metis from the Red River region. His connection to the Quebecois is tenuous, and his connection to Quebec nationalism is pretty much nil (other than a healthy amount of invention). Just because he was French-speaking doesn't mean he was Quebecois, any more than the Acadians and the Cajuns of New Orleans are Quebecois.

By continueing to keep the french out from the key decission making in Canada we are only pushing French Canada further away from English Canada.

This line of thinking really helped the Reform party become established in the 90's(Alberta) and I personally have never bought into it.

Time to bring a big part of Canada into Canada again I say.

WWWTT

Which may be, but it's difficult for any Federalist party to justify incorporating secessionist elements into it. It would be like Abe Lincoln naming Jefferson Davis as his running mate.

Edited March 27, 2011 by ToadBrother

[Scotty]

Now that the Liberals have categorically ruled out a coalition, how is Harper going to distract people from his corrupt record for the rest of the campaign?

Since he doesn't have one it shouldn't require much effort.

[Scotty]

By continueing to keep the french out from the key decission making in Canada we are only pushing French Canada further away from English Canada.

That speaks of an ignorance of history. Prior to the BQ the Liberals generally took almost every seat in Quebec. Half the government caucus were Quebecers during Trudeau's time. He was succeeded by Quebecer Brian Mulroney, who also had a huge number of Quebec MPs in his caucus. He was followed by Quebecer Jean Chretien. To suggest Quebecers haven't been a part of the decision making process is utterly ludicrous.

As to the here and now, as long as Quebecers continue to exhibit a xenophobic attitude which sees themselves as separate from Canada, and continue to elect separatist MPs who clearly articulate their lack of interest or care for anything about Canada except its money, they don't deserve any input.

[WWWTT]

Loui Riell is only one example of many(I am sure you have done some research on this and have come to the same conclusion).

When the reformists were campaigning in the 90's on the backs of Canadian/Quebec relations they were in essence burning bridges with the Bloq.

And this fact has come back to haunt them.

The Ndp and the liberals don't have a problem forming a coalition with them.However Ignatieff will leave a lot of room here for argument.

In fact I can even argue that the only way to eliminate Quebec from seperating is too actually forming a coalition government with the bloq!

WWWTT

[WWWTT]

That speaks of an ignorance of history. Prior to the BQ the Liberals generally took almost every seat in Quebec. Half the government caucus were Quebecers during Trudeau's time. He was succeeded by Quebecer Brian Mulroney, who also had a huge number of Quebec MPs in his caucus. He was followed by Quebecer Jean Chretien. To suggest Quebecers haven't been a part of the decision making process is utterly ludicrous.

As to the here and now, as long as Quebecers continue to exhibit a xenophobic attitude which sees themselves as separate from Canada, and continue to elect separatist MPs who clearly articulate their lack of interest or care for anything about Canada except its money, they don't deserve any input.

Actually I believe I am factually correct.If you look at the overall french speaking population of Canada and the representation from 1867 to present.

WWWTT

[Scotty]

In fact I can even argue that the only way to eliminate Quebec from seperating is too actually forming a coalition government with the bloq!

The problem with your little theory is that you haven't made a case for why preventing Quebec from separating ought to be something most of us have much interest in pursuing.

[Saipan]

In fact I can even argue that the only way to eliminate Quebec from seperating is too actually forming a coalition government with the bloq!

After a long time we have finally PM who is not from Quebec and it's already a problem. I wonder if separation of Quebec wouldn't be a wonderful idea.

After all Canada is helping other countries to split. It is our message to the world to free those who want to split.

Edited March 27, 2011 by Saipan

[ToadBrother]

After a long time we have finally PM who is not from Quebec and it's already a problem. I wonder if separation of Quebec wouldn't be a wonderful idea.

After all Canada is helping other countries to split. It is our message to the world to free those who want to split.

The problem being that twice now Quebec has voted not to split.

[Keepitsimple]

The problem being that twice now Quebec has voted not to split.

Indeed, and in spite of the other provinces to agree to an amending formula that would allow Quebec to sign on to our Constitution. This gors back to Trudeau's repatriation of the Constitution and "enshrining" the Charter of Rights, giving the Judiciary power over Parliament in areas of Provincial juristiction like language and culture. Quebec said no, Trudeau said "tough", and subsequent Meech and Charlottetown Accords failed to resolve the issue. With Meech, all of the Provincial leaders had agreed to an amendment - including Robert Bourassa. Emotional statements were made in Quebec and the ROC, welcoming back Quebec.....but although all provincial legislatures were willing to sign the Accord, Clyde Wells refused, the Accord died - and Quebec felt betrayed. Subsequently, Lucien Bouchard started the Bloc. The entire debacle of the Bloc and the subsequent razor thin federalist win in the following sovereignty referendum can be laid at the feet of Pierre Elliott Trudeau - whose adamancy for creating a US style Charter of Rights where the Judiciary reigns over Parliament betrayed Quebec.

Edited March 28, 2011 by Keepitsimple

[GWiz]

And what do you think started the independant voice from Quebec?

Lévesque, René

You're welcome...