IS Harper setting the Libs for an election?

[Topaz]

This question of an election is quite confusing and trying to sort it out I've come up with this. Harper knows voters don't want an election so he isn't going to call one, but I think he may force the Libs to be the one to do the dirty deed. Harper only has to make things tough and get the Libs angry and they will call the election. Harper's thinking would be that the voters would be angry and vote against the party that called one. Also , Harper REALLY doesn't want one now because the Atlantic provinces would probably vote against the Cons, so would the Interest Income investors, he could lose Emerson and Khan and perhaps even McKAY and other party voters, who helped him get the minority government.

[jdobbin]

This question of an election is quite confusing and trying to sort it out I've come up with this. Harper knows voters don't want an election so he isn't going to call one, but I think he may force the Libs to be the one to do the dirty deed. Harper only has to make things tough and get the Libs angry and they will call the election. Harper's thinking would be that the voters would be angry and vote against the party that called one. Also , Harper REALLY doesn't want one now because the Atlantic provinces would probably vote against the Cons, so would the Interest Income investors, he could lose Emerson and Khan and perhaps even McKAY and other party voters, who helped him get the minority government.

The only two possible confidence votes out there might be a crime bill and the Clean Air Act. The BQ might decide to vote with the government to avoid an election though.

Harper himself might do it. I don't know what reason he'd give.

He has only a few weeks window to do this before it gets too late in the spring.

[Michael Bluth]

The only two possible confidence votes out there might be a crime bill and the Clean Air Act. The BQ might decide to vote with the government to avoid an election though.

Harper himself might do it. I don't know what reason he'd give.

He has only a few weeks window to do this before it gets too late in the spring.

It will be on the Clean Air Act.

Very difficult for the BQ to support the amendments to the bill in committee but vote against the amended bill in Parliament.

The conservatives can call an election for as late as June 25th. Avoids a summer election. A five week campaign means that Harper has till mid May to got to Michaelle Jean.

[Michael Bluth]

This question of an election is quite confusing and trying to sort it out I've come up with this. Harper knows voters don't want an election so he isn't going to call one, but I think he may force the Libs to be the one to do the dirty deed. Harper only has to make things tough and get the Libs angry and they will call the election. Harper's thinking would be that the voters would be angry and vote against the party that called one. Also , Harper REALLY doesn't want one now because the Atlantic provinces would probably vote against the Cons, so would the Interest Income investors, he could lose Emerson and Khan and perhaps even McKAY and other party voters, who helped him get the minority government.

Why would the Atlantic provinces vote against the Conservatives?

Emerson running in Quadra would be a pickup for the Conservatives.

Khan is 50-50.

MacKay still has a very good chance to win his riding again.

[Canuck E Stan]

It will be on the Clean Air Act.

It isn't Harper that is forcing the election,it's the Liberals.

Making changes to the Clean Air Act to the extreme, where it doesn't look remotely like the Conservative bill, but a Liberal bill, it will be rejected by the Tories.

With Dion making pre-election speeches to his caucus already,Dion is the election pusher, not Harper.

Canadians don't want it and Dion will be sorry he did push it.

[Michael Bluth]

It isn't Harper that is forcing the election,it's the Liberals.

Making changes to the Clean Air Act to the extreme, where it doesn't look remotely like the Conservative bill, but a Liberal bill, it will be rejected by the Tories.

With Dion making pre-election speeches to his caucus already,Dion is the election pusher, not Harper.

Canadians don't want it and Dion will be sorry he did push it.

I agree that Dion will be sorry he pushed the election.

Any talk of the voters punishing any party for an early election is a bit off base.

The Liberals tried to make that an issue in the 2006 election. Anybody remember how successful that ployu was?

[geoffrey]

The conservatives can call an election for as late as June 25th. Avoids a summer election.

Last week of school for primary and secondary. He's going to have to go earlier, everyone travels that week. Well, at least the families that Harper has gambled his entire future on. I still think we may see a May election.

[Michael Bluth]

Last week of school for primary and secondary. He's going to have to go earlier, everyone travels that week. Well, at least the families that Harper has gambled his entire future on. I still think we may see a May election.

OK, push the election to June 18th and he can go to Jean as late as May 12th. Still gives him more than six weeks.

[geoffrey]

OK, push the election to June 18th and he can go to Jean as late as May 12th. Still gives him more than six weeks.

Why not go tomorrow? He's not going to have a non-confidence motion unless he declares a $100,000 per person Alberta dividend cheque. Everyday is one day of less hype about this chances of winning Quebec.

People like voting for a winner, the more they think, the less chance he has of a Quebec sweep.

[Michael Bluth]

Why not go tomorrow? He's not going to have a non-confidence motion unless he declares a $100,000 per person Alberta dividend cheque. Everyday is one day of less hype about this chances of winning Quebec.

People like voting for a winner, the more they think, the less chance he has of a Quebec sweep.

He still has to put up the facade of losing in the House. How quickly can the Clean Air Act be brought up for a vote?

[August1991]

Harper only has to make things tough and get the Libs angry and they will call the election.

I hate to inform you of constitutional rules but the Liberals do not have the power to call an election.

For the others, why would the BQ want to have an election now?

Unless you can answer that question, there will be no election unless Harper calls it himself.

[Michael Bluth]

Why would the BQ have agreed to the changes in the Clean Air Act?

This hands the Conservatives an issue to call the election over.

[August1991]

Very difficult for the BQ to support the amendments to the bill in committee but vote against the amended bill in Parliament.

Given the circumstances of the BQ/PQ, it is far easier to do that than to have an election.

[One of the radio discussions I listened to today in Montreal concerned the irony of the BQ supporting the Tories in Ottawa and the PQ supporting the Liberals in Quebec City. In both cases, it allows the governing party to move to the left without losing its base.]

But who knows? Maybe Duceppe will go for it.

[Michael Bluth]

Given the circumstances of the BQ/PQ, it is far easier to do that than to have an election.

[One of the radio discussions I listened to today in Montreal concerned the irony of the BQ supporting the Tories in Ottawa and the PQ supporting the Liberals in Quebec City. In both cases, it allows the governing party to move to the left without losing its base.]

But who knows? Maybe Duceppe will go for it.

It is a pretty odd tactic by the BQ if they do go that route.

The Conservatives could make a vote relating to the Clean Air Act a confidence motion. Or they could let it pass first reading with their entire caucus voting against it. That would definitely signal that the Government has lost the confidence of the House and Harper could approach Jean to dissolve Parliament.

If they last five more weeks until they call an election this minority outlasts Martin's.

[noahbody]

This question of an election is quite confusing and trying to sort it out I've come up with this. Harper knows voters don't want an election so he isn't going to call one, but I think he may force the Libs...

And maybe Harper isn't scheming at all. It might be unpopular with his party, but he said he doesn't want and election and you can pretty much count on his word.

[newbie]

This question of an election is quite confusing and trying to sort it out I've come up with this. Harper knows voters don't want an election so he isn't going to call one, but I think he may force the Libs...

And maybe Harper isn't scheming at all. It might be unpopular with his party, but he said he doesn't want and election and you can pretty much count on his word.

Trouble is that doesn't really square with those hate Dion ads he ran now does it?

[Who's Doing What?]

And maybe Harper isn't scheming at all. It might be unpopular with his party, but he said he doesn't want and election and you can pretty much count on his word.

Ya, especially on things like how terrible it is for elected officials to be crossing the floor, or the horror of the Govt. use of military aircraft, or how bad it is to be appointing unelected members to the senate, not taxing income trusts, protecting all non renewable provincial resources from equalization, Govt. transparency...

[Michael Bluth]

Ya, especially on things like how terrible it is for elected officials to be crossing the floor, or the horror of the Govt. use of military aircraft, or how bad it is to be appointing unelected members to the senate, not taxing income trusts, protecting all non renewable provincial resources from equalization, Govt. transparency...

I agree that Garth becoming a Liberal was a horrible thing.

I agree that Mark Holland shouldn't have taken documents out of a box marked to be moved to the PMO in contravention of the Parliament of Canada Act.

I agree that the 63 current Liberal members of the Senate shouldn't have been appointed.

I agree that the Income Tax and Non-renewable resource decisions had to be made in the best interest of the country.

[Who's Doing What?]

Ya, especially on things like how terrible it is for elected officials to be crossing the floor, or the horror of the Govt. use of military aircraft, or how bad it is to be appointing unelected members to the senate, not taxing income trusts, protecting all non renewable provincial resources from equalization, Govt. transparency...

I agree that Garth becoming a Liberal was a horrible thing.

I agree that Mark Holland shouldn't have taken documents out of a box marked to be moved to the PMO in contravention of the Parliament of Canada Act.

I agree that the 63 current Liberal members of the Senate shouldn't have been appointed.

I agree that the Income Tax and Non-renewable resource decisions had to be made in the best interest of the country.

LMFAO

Here it is again folks. The old " B-b-b-b-b-but the Liberals did it." lame excuse the CPC uses everytime they're caught doing something they shouldn't be or or their own errors are brought up.

Gets funnier and lamer everytime they use it.

Harper truly can do no wrong in your eyes can he?

[Michael Bluth]

Hebert made a good point on the National tonight.

If Harper thinks Dion will ever get better then the Conservatives should go sooner rather than later.

[noahbody]

This question of an election is quite confusing and trying to sort it out I've come up with this. Harper knows voters don't want an election so he isn't going to call one, but I think he may force the Libs...

And maybe Harper isn't scheming at all. It might be unpopular with his party, but he said he doesn't want and election and you can pretty much count on his word.

Trouble is that doesn't really square with those hate Dion ads he ran now does it?

I'd chalk that up to the communication strategists working for the party and being incompetent. Harper likely takes their advice, but he shouldn't.

[fellowtraveller]

The only two possible confidence votes out there might be a crime bill and the Clean Air Act. The BQ might decide to vote with the government to avoid an election though.

Harper himself might do it. I don't know what reason he'd give.

He has only a few weeks window to do this before it gets too late in the spring.

It will be on the Clean Air Act.

Very difficult for the BQ to support the amendments to the bill in committee but vote against the amended bill in Parliament.

The conservatives can call an election for as late as June 25th. Avoids a summer election. A five week campaign means that Harper has till mid May to got to Michaelle Jean.

There is another issue that is tailormade for the CPC forcing an election: Senate reform, real and comprehensive Senate reform. Here is why:

Actual reform will mandate that some provinces: Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes must lose Senate seats in any new configuration - proprep, first past the post, some elected and some appointed, abolishment of the whole thing- doesn't matter how, several provinces will lose power, and a few will gaiin.

Duceppe can never accept a dimunition of the lopsided advantage they now enjoy, and Dion will be loath to support anything that weakens his current stranglehold both in the Senate and the power of Ontario in the Senate. Layton can't support anything other than abolition, a longterm NDP platform.

But Candians overall either don't care, or want major change.

Either way, Harper could get himself fired with little political risk.

[jdobbin]

There is another issue that is tailormade for the CPC forcing an election: Senate reform, real and comprehensive Senate reform. Here is why:

Actual reform will mandate that some provinces: Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes must lose Senate seats in any new configuration - proprep, first past the post, some elected and some appointed, abolishment of the whole thing- doesn't matter how, several provinces will lose power, and a few will gaiin.

Duceppe can never accept a dimunition of the lopsided advantage they now enjoy, and Dion will be loath to support anything that weakens his current stranglehold both in the Senate and the power of Ontario in the Senate. Layton can't support anything other than abolition, a longterm NDP platform.

But Candians overall either don't care, or want major change.

Either way, Harper could get himself fired with little political risk.

I've seen nothing about this type of reform being proposed anywhere. He has asked for an elected Senate but that is not on the fast track in Parliament so I don't see it coming up for a vote this spring.

[Michael Bluth]

There is another issue that is tailormade for the CPC forcing an election: Senate reform, real and comprehensive Senate reform. Here is why:

Actual reform will mandate that some provinces: Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes must lose Senate seats in any new configuration - proprep, first past the post, some elected and some appointed, abolishment of the whole thing- doesn't matter how, several provinces will lose power, and a few will gaiin.

Duceppe can never accept a dimunition of the lopsided advantage they now enjoy, and Dion will be loath to support anything that weakens his current stranglehold both in the Senate and the power of Ontario in the Senate. Layton can't support anything other than abolition, a longterm NDP platform.

But Candians overall either don't care, or want major change.

Either way, Harper could get himself fired with little political risk.

An election based on comprehensive Senate reform is risky. You said that six of the ten provinces would lose seats in the Senatue under such reform.

Those provinces currenlty hold 213 of the 308 seats in Parliament. Seems like a surefire winner for the opposition parties.