Layton brings "Non Confidence Motion"

[SamStranger]

CPAC said last night that Layton submitted a non-confidence motion to the speaker. The motion states no confidence in the government based on the environment. If harper doesnt work with the NDP the motion will go threw... I doubt the Liberals will bring down the Tories with no leader.

Is Layton an idiot? Imagine if the government fell tomoro night and an election was called. Does he really think that he's gonna win more seats based on the environment!? Ha!

[Charles Anthony]

I find it telling that last night at his press conference, Layton was caught off guard when asked if he consulted with the other opposition leaders over this issue. His answer was that he did not know what anybody else thought about his proposal.

Regardless of what side of the issue you take, anybody with half of a brain knows that the Liberals will not go to the polls right away. Therefore, the Liberals will not bring down the government. The NDP know that -- or at least they should. Therefore, this useless "no confidence motion" is a safe way to posture.

I would not say Layton is an idiot but rather he is safely attacking the Green Party votes.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

I am not so sure that it is a bad move. Layton wants government to act on the environment and they want a say in that policy, so they play the trump card. He cannot concern himself with the problems of other partisan factions, he has his own to worry about. The Liberals are not his problem.

As far as the Liberals go, a general election would not likely occur until after Christmas, say mid January. That particular timing would be perfect to carry media attention on the Liberal Party from the convention to the polls. Not such a bad break for the Liberals.

[SamStranger]

I find it telling that last night at his press conference, Layton was caught off guard when asked if he consulted with the other opposition leaders over this issue. His answer was that he did not know what anybody else thought about his proposal.

Regardless of what side of the issue you take, anybody with half of a brain knows that the Liberals will not go to the polls right away. Therefore, the Liberals will not bring down the government. The NDP know that -- or at least they should. Therefore, this useless "no confidence motion" is a safe way to posture.

I would not say Layton is an idiot but rather he is safely attacking the Green Party votes.

agreed

[fellowtraveller]

Jack Layton really, really misses the 15 minutes of fame and relevance he enjoyed as Paul Martins butler. It is tough to be meaningless.

[M.Dancer]

CPAC said last night that Layton submitted a non-confidence motion to the speaker. The motion states no confidence in the government based on the environment. If harper doesnt work with the NDP the motion will go threw... I doubt the Liberals will bring down the Tories with no leader.

Is Layton an idiot? Imagine if the government fell tomoro night and an election was called. Does he really think that he's gonna win more seats based on the environment!? Ha!

Maybe Layton's portfolio has a lot of Income trusts.........

[bradco]

Maybe he is taking a stand on principle and not partisan politics? That might be hard to believe from a politician in this country though. A lot of people in politics are begining to realize the electoral success that will be had from environmental policies. Not this election, maybe not the next but eventually this will be one if not the most important issue to a lot of people. Having a history of fighting for this portfolio is going to be big.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Maybe he is taking a stand on principle and not partisan politics? That might be hard to believe from a politician in this country though. A lot of people in politics are begining to realize the electoral success that will be had from environmental policies. Not this election, maybe not the next but eventually this will be one if not the most important issue to a lot of people. Having a history of fighting for this portfolio is going to be big.

I have to agree with you.

[Canuck E Stan]

Good old "save the world " Jack.

Globe and Mail

"That sense of urgency wasn't there," said Mr. Layton, who said he will seek guidance this morning from NDP MPs.

Yes Jack is in a hurry and wants action,let's compare his urgent plan to the Government's:

Earlier in the day, Mr. Layton introduced a private member's bill that he called the Clean Air Accountability Act. The seven-page bill calls for a reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions to 80 per cent of 1990 levels. It also calls for a six-month consultation phase to set interim targets every five years, starting in 2015.

The goal is for the year 2050 for this plan.

n contrast, the government's Clean Air Act sets a greenhouse-gas reduction target of 45 to 65 per cent of 1990 levels, with absolute reductions beginning in 2020.

Also set to the year 2050.

A Conservative official said yesterday that Mr. Layton's bill "is quite similar" to the Clean Air Act's measures on greenhouse-gas reductions.

My,my, but Jack's plan is better because it's more "urgent" than the government's.

Meanwhile...a word from the Liberals

In a news release, John Godfrey, the Liberals' environment critic, said the NDP have abandoned the Kyoto Accord.

Godfrey noted Layton's private member bill doesn't even mention the Kyoto Accord.

That accord, ratified by Parliament, called for Canada to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.

This coming from a party that did absolutely nothing about Kyoto during their 13 years in power...and who's prospective new leader(pick one) all have a plan very,very similar to the government........2050.

Prediction-The Clean Air bill will pass......and ......to end in 2050,just as the Parliamentary committee on the environment recommended for.....2050.

[Figleaf]

Layton wants an election as soon as possible for a completely cynical reason: to prevent the new Liberal leader from having time to get his feet under him.

[JAh-man]

In reality the conservatives have about a month left.. Hope they enjoy it..

[Canuck E Stan]

In reality the conservatives have about a month left.. Hope they enjoy it..

Unlike the Liberals who's time has run out.

[Argus]

Maybe he is taking a stand on principle and not partisan politics?

No, it's ALL partisan politics. It's not clear, in fact, that Layton cares anything at all about the environment. In fact, for all the bitching and moaning from the Liberals, I've not seen any indication they give a damn about global warming either. Certainly they didn't when they were in office.

This is grandstanding, pure and simple. A motion by the fourth party, without even consulting the other two opposition parties? Give me a break. It will go down to crushing defeat, and he'll be able to hold his head high, hand over his chest, and claim to have nobly fought the good fight for the environment.

If he actually cared about doing anything for the environment he would offer up some reasonable, acceptable changes to the bill, which it's quite possible Harper would accept. He didn't do that. He demanded the government impliment plans (not that he has any) to cut emissions by 90% - not from today, but from what emissions were when we signed Kyoto - ie, when they were 30% lower. And since Canada continues to grow every year (expected population in 2041 is 43 million) he's basically demanding a 99% cut in emissions while the size of the population grows by a quarter.

Come on. This man is not serious about cutting emissions. He just wants to look like a noble environmental warrior to score more donations and votes from the gullible.

[geoffrey]

No, it's ALL partisan politics. It's not clear, in fact, that Layton cares anything at all about the environment. In fact, for all the bitching and moaning from the Liberals, I've seen indication they give a damn about global warming either. Certainly they didn't when they were in office.

All politics are inherently partisan. I wouldn't be offended if any politican came out and told us all that he only does what he does to get votes.

In the reality side of things, your right Argus. The Liberals are by far the most wreckless and hazardous to our environment. Emissions skyrocketed faster than the yankees under their plan... both carcinogens (what will actually kill you within your lifetime nearly for sure) and CO2 (may or may not affect the lives of 10 generations from now).

I'm really struggling because of that, among other things like ethics, on who I'm going to vote for now that the CPC sold us out with the Income Trusts.

[Big Blue Machine]

The taxing of income trusts was the right thing to do.

[geoffrey]

The taxing of income trusts was the right thing to do.

Obviously you weren't someone that invested in them, unlike most seniors and unfortunately me.

Off-track though, get back on topic!!!!

Let's bring down the govenrment Jack!!! Prevent the Tax Fairness BS from getting passed!

[Ricki Bobbi]

In reality the conservatives have about a month left.. Hope they enjoy it..

Uhhhh, yeah. Whatever. The Liberals are going to agree to an election before their leadership convention? That's smart electoral strategy.

In reality, you have *zero* idea what you are talking about...

[B. Max]

I say bring em down. We've been hung with a new rope.

[bradco]

There wont be an election until at least the budget. I honestly believe this government will go until april 2008.

[geoffrey]

There wont be an election until at least the budget. I honestly believe this government will go until april 2008.

Won't happen, the Liberals will want a quick one with the momentum of a new leader.

[Ricki Bobbi]

April 2008 is waaaaaay too far away.

Everything I have heard is spring of 2007.

Maybe, maybe if something happens it gets postponed to fall of 2007 but that's it.

The election definitely happens in 2007.

[geoffrey]

Maybe the Senate will hold up the "Tax Fairness Act" until then.

One thing I've learnt... when a government uses a subjective term in a bill, it's a political weapon and not an economically sound choice.

The Prevention of Street Racing Act is straight forward. The Act to Amend the blah blah blah. Good.

Fairness is a subjective term (obviously, I've been saying this is pretty unfair) so the government using that seems like they may want this as a weapon down the road.

Maybe celebrating their $20b surplus (of our money) with all the income trust conversions that will be cancelled.

[scribblet]

April 2008 is waaaaaay too far away.

Everything I have heard is spring of 2007.

Maybe, maybe if something happens it gets postponed to fall of 2007 but that's it.

The election definitely happens in 2007.

That is what I'm hearing too, next spring... hope so I'll be away over the winter.

[jbg]

Layton wants an election as soon as possible for a completely cynical reason: to prevent the new Liberal leader from having time to get his feet under him.

For once we agree.