Tory manual on running a smooth democracy

[BC_chick]

Opposition parties on Friday demanded the Conservative government make public a reported 200-page guidebook on how to create chaos in parliamentary committees.

MPs from all three opposition parties used question period to call on the government to table the alleged document, which was reported in the National Post.

The guidebook, reportedly handed out to selected Conservative MPs, offers advice on how to favour government agendas, select party-friendly witnesses, coach favourable testimony, obstruct debate and, if needed, storm out of committee meetings.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/05/18/tory-document.html

No wonder they want fixed election dates.

[jdobbin]

No wonder they want fixed election dates.

Didn't they use to accuse the Liberals of these tactics in Parliament?

[BC_chick]

No wonder they want fixed election dates.

Didn't they use to accuse the Liberals of these tactics in Parliament?

Ah, but you see, back then, it was BAD to do these things. Times change, people change. Complaining about the government is like soooooo 2005.

[jdobbin]

Ah, but you see, back then, it was BAD to do these things. Times change, people change. Complaining about the government is like soooooo 2005.

It seems quite obvious that this government has run out of ideas because they couldn't call an election this spring. They have lost control of the agenda and can only stall and think about ending this Parliamentary session until October.

Essentially, they have blown their wad on spending initiatives and there's nothing left in the kitty. Perhaps they are hoping that their swooning poll numbers will increase over the summer when they are out barbecuing in their ridings.

I wonder when they return if they'll be prepared to govern? It certainly doesn't sound like it.

I think that the next election will be at the Opposition's choice rather than Harper's. This spring was probably as good as it was going to get for him.

[BC_chick]

Interesting observation, I hadn't noticed, but you're right, governing pretty much fell off the radar since the budget didn't it? Instead of preparing for an election and/or enjoying the new majority government, they are stuck having to do unpleasant things, like (gasp), discuss issues. All of a sudden with the microscope turned on them for a change, their inner "Liberal" seems to be coming out.

[Leafless]

Opposition parties on Friday demanded the Conservative government make public a reported 200-page guidebook on how to create chaos in parliamentary committees.

MPs from all three opposition parties used question period to call on the government to table the alleged document, which was reported in the National Post.

The guidebook, reportedly handed out to selected Conservative MPs, offers advice on how to favour government agendas, select party-friendly witnesses, coach favourable testimony, obstruct debate and, if needed, storm out of committee meetings.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/05/18/tory-document.html

No wonder they want fixed election dates.

Why don't you get your story straight?

The Liberals started all of this earlier in the week: "Conservatives were still simmering over a Liberal ploy earlier in the week that sped a Liberal backbench environmental bill through a Senate committee in 44 seconds with no Tories present to stop it."

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...555fb00&k=71103

[madmax]

Why don't you get your story straight?

The Liberals started all of this earlier in the week: "Conservatives were still simmering over a Liberal ploy earlier in the week that sped a Liberal backbench environmental bill through a Senate committee in 44 seconds with no Tories present to stop it."

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...555fb00&k=71103

The story is the one provided that starts this link.

Justifying such childish behaviour that is supposed to govern us, shows how badly our government is failing the people of Canada.

It's hard to believe that we pay for such behaviour in the house, committee and Senate.

When are adults going to govern our country, and do it on the behalf of the people whom elected them.

I have absolutely no use for the constant whining and defence used by the CPC that the LPC did it first.

Infact, like many posters on this forum suggest, the CPC under Harper have managed to behave like Liberals in record time.

[Vancouver King]

Opposition parties on Friday demanded the Conservative government make public a reported 200-page guidebook on how to create chaos in parliamentary committees.

MPs from all three opposition parties used question period to call on the government to table the alleged document, which was reported in the National Post.

The guidebook, reportedly handed out to selected Conservative MPs, offers advice on how to favour government agendas, select party-friendly witnesses, coach favourable testimony, obstruct debate and, if needed, storm out of committee meetings.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/05/18/tory-document.html

No wonder they want fixed election dates.

Gifts as juicy as this one seldom fall into Opposition laps. The govt desperately needs to restore it's aura of business-like contol - since the Afghan detainee debacle Harper's tight direction seems absent.

[BC_chick]

Why don't you get your story straight?

The Liberals started all of this earlier in the week: "Conservatives were still simmering over a Liberal ploy earlier in the week that sped a Liberal backbench environmental bill through a Senate committee in 44 seconds with no Tories present to stop it."

But, but, but, I thought Harper said he's going to be different than the Liberals. Better than them.

Don't break my heart here, I really believed him.

[Shakeyhands]

I'm surprised Michael isn't here justifying it all. I guess the CPC is slow on getting the talking points put together on this one seeing as though its such a doozy.

[Figleaf]

The Liberals started all of this earlier in the week: ...

So you say the tories published a 200 page manual in less than a week? I very much doubt it.

"Conservatives were still simmering over a Liberal ploy earlier in the week that sped a Liberal backbench environmental bill through a Senate committee in 44 seconds with no Tories present to stop it."

So, the tories weren't even present to do their jobs, and you blame he Liberals. Ridiculous.

[Vancouver King]

I'm surprised Michael isn't here justifying it all. I guess the CPC is slow on getting the talking points put together on this one seeing as though its such a doozy.

Perhaps he's in shock, not that Tories would actually turn to these parliamentary tactics, but rather someone would compile them in a handbook.

[Keepitsimple]

This quote from today's National Post sums it up:

Normally, opposition parties use filibustering tactics to stall Parliament, but Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski, parliamentary secretary to the government House leader, said the government hand was forced because the opposition parties are ignoring the 2006 election results and attempting to run the Commons on their own.

"We were elected to govern this country and what we've found increasingly over the past few weeks is the combined opposition trying to almost run this as if they're the coalition government," Mr. Lukiwski said.

Among many other things, that's how we ended up with the opposition parties forcing through bill c30 - the Liberal environment plan to honour Kyoto....and Paul Martin's bill to re-introduce the Kelowna Accords. The Liberals still don't understand that they lost the election.

Link: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.h...e5-0a70cb662e44

[jdobbin]

I guess the CPC is slow on getting the talking points put together on this one seeing as though its such a doozy.

They must be off for the long weekend doing election planning. Not.

[jdobbin]

Among many other things, that's how we ended up with the opposition parties forcing through bill c30 - the Liberal environment plan to honour Kyoto....and Paul Martin's bill to re-introduce the Kelowna Accords. The Liberals still don't understand that they lost the election.

The Tories don't seem to realize they have a minority. If they feel things are ungovernable, call an election.

[geoffrey]

It's ignorant to believe that these handbooks and the like didn't exist in other parties, pure ignorance. It's politics. What do you expect?

[jdobbin]

It's ignorant to believe that these handbooks and the like didn't exist in other parties, pure ignorance. It's politics. What do you expect?

They might exist in other parties. The Tories are the ones that got caught which makes their claims that they are trying to keep Parliament running while the Opposition stalls hypocritical.

[Catchme]

People need to stop saying "the Liberals did it!" as an excuse, it does work as an excuse, particularily when the Liberals didn't do it.

Opposition parties pounced on news reports Friday about the 200-page handbook as proof that the Conservatives are to blame for the toxic atmosphere that has paralyzed Parliament this week.

"The government's deliberate plan is to cause a dysfunctional, chaotic Parliament," Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale told the House of Commons.

New Democrat Libby Davies said the manual explodes the Tories' contention that opposition parties are to blame for the parliamentary constipation.

"So much for blaming the opposition for the obstruction of Parliament," she said.

"Now we learn, in fact, that the monkey wrench gang have had a plan all along and not just any plan, a 200-page playbook on how to frustrate, obstruct and shut down the democratic process."

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/215532

[capricorn]

Why don't you get your story straight?

The Liberals started all of this earlier in the week: "Conservatives were still simmering over a Liberal ploy earlier in the week that sped a Liberal backbench environmental bill through a Senate committee in 44 seconds with no Tories present to stop it."

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/s...555fb00&k=71103

The story is the one provided that starts this link.

Justifying such childish behaviour that is supposed to govern us, shows how badly our government is failing the people of Canada.

It's hard to believe that we pay for such behaviour in the house, committee and Senate.

When are adults going to govern our country, and do it on the behalf of the people whom elected them.

I have absolutely no use for the constant whining and defence used by the CPC that the LPC did it first.

Infact, like many posters on this forum suggest, the CPC under Harper have managed to behave like Liberals in record time.

The Conservatives had to learn from the Liberals before acting like them. It's a learning curve. Divide and conquer along the lines of special interest and ethnic groups. Time will tell if it worked.

[jdobbin]

The Conservatives had to learn from the Liberals before acting like them. It's a learning curve. Divide and conquer along the lines of special interest and ethnic groups. Time will tell if it worked.

We'll see if it works if they end up defeated.

[geoffrey]

They might exist in other parties. The Tories are the ones that got caught which makes their claims that they are trying to keep Parliament running while the Opposition stalls hypocritical.

I don't think either side is being very honest with their efforts right now.

[jdobbin]

I don't think either side is being very honest with their efforts right now.

That could be true. The Tories are the government now. Perhaps if they had a plan of action in the event that an election didn't happen this spring and they wouldn't be facing the drift they face now. No plan means the Opposition sets the agenda.

[noahbody]

Here's a link from Don Martin who read the guide book. He refernces what it says in his article. It's basically a How to be a Chairman for Dummies guide. Did CBC even see a copy of it, before they wrote their story? Some of the things in there are definitely embarrassing, mainly because they assume the reader lacks skill, common sense and judgement. Whoever wrote it is incompetent. Still, Tory people should be judged and/or criticized by their actions. So shoud those in opposition.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.h...9464dce3de1&k=0

[Canuck E Stan]

I don't think either side is being very honest with their efforts right now.

How anyone can say a minority government is the best government for this country, isn't looking at what's happening at the moment in Canadian politics.

This is what you get when you have multiple parties in a minority government situation.

Foot dragging on bills by politicians who play politics with each other will never move the government forward.

This will only happen when a majority government can set the agenda.

[jdobbin]

Here's a link from Don Martin who read the guide book. He refernces what it says in his article. It's basically a How to be a Chairman for Dummies guide. Did CBC even see a copy of it, before they wrote their story? Some of the things in there are definitely embarrassing, mainly because they assume the reader lacks skill, common sense and judgement. Whoever wrote it is incompetent. Still, Tory people should be judged and/or criticized by their actions. So shoud those in opposition.

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/story.h...9464dce3de1&k=0

How is this the CBC's fault? I saw the same story on CTV and Global.

Earlier this week, all committees of the Houses started to slow down. It seemed to be a cross the board strategy by the Tories. The government denied this.

I think that argument was pretty much blown out of the water when the National Post, not the CBC, broke the story.