Posts Tagged ‘election speculation’
Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition a political threat to economic recovery: Flaherty
Conservative finance minister Jim Flaherty says a potential election and the spectre of an opposition coalition government pose a political risk to the economic recovery.
Under an Ignatief-NDP-Bloc Québécois government, nothing would be safe. No part of our economy would be spared. No taxpayer would avoid the hit.
- Jim Flaherty
Opposition motion could trigger snap election
February 10 to March 18, 2010 – The Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois are moving to assert the supremacy of Parliament over the government’s refusal to provide uncensored documents related to the treatment of Afghan detainees.
The opposition parties have introduced motions that would find the government in contempt of Parliament and could lead to a snap election.
Related Links:
- Parliamentary motion demanding uncensored documents (December 10, 1009)
- Justice Iacobucci’s terms of reference (March 13, 2010)
- Attorney General Rob Nicholson’s response (March 31, 2010)
Ignatieff says no Spring election despite prorogation bump
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says he will not force a Spring election despite favourable polls following the Prime Minister’s prorogation of Parliament.
Opposition returns to empty House, Harper defends prorogation
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says Liberals will return to Parliament on January 25 to hold public consultations until the Olympics begin February 12.
Ignatieff promised the public consultations would produce “serious public policy”, and he held to his previous commitment not to force a spring election.
Ignatieff vows no coalition with NDP, Bloc
September 10 and 11, 2009 – Liberal leader Micheal Ignatieff says the Liberal Party will never enter into a governing coalition with the NDP and Bloc because “it would not be in the national interest”.
Ignatieff has previously said he is prepared to lead a coalition government, but later broke with the other opposition parties to pass the Conservative budget in January.
I could be standing here as the Prime Minister of Canada. I turned it down; we turned it down in January. I don’t think I need to give further proof of my feeling that that’s not what Canadians want. I agree with Canadians.
- Michael Ignatieff
Links:
- Video: New Liberal leader Ignatieff prepared to lead coalition government (December 10th, 2008)
Flaherty projects deficits until 2015 as economic recovery takes hold
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says Canada will run deficits until budget year 2014/15, two years longer than originally projected.
Opposition parties say Flaherty is incompetent and cannot be trusted. Liberals promise their alternative plan will be unveiled during the next election.
Links:
Harper calls for Conservative majority
Stephen Harper said Conservatives need to win a majority government in the next election because the alternative Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition “would do long-term, real damage” to Canada.
Harper made the remarks in a private address to Conservative party supporters on September 2nd in Sault Ste. Marie.
If they get together and force us to the polls, we have to teach them a lesson and get back there with a majority, and make sure their little coalition never happens.
- Stephen Harper
A video taken by a local student and Liberal Party member attending the event was turned over to the Liberal Party. One week later parts of the video was broadcast by the CBC, and the full video was released to other media outlets the following day.
Party leaders jockey for position as election looms
September 2 and 3, 2009 – Federal party leaders position themselves after Michael Ignatieff and the Liberals began pushing for a fall election.
Prime Minister Harper says he will not make any “backroom deals” but is willing to listen to specific proposals coming from the other parties.
The Liberals have abandoned the blue-ribbon EI consultation panel they negotiated in June, and Ignatieff says he won’t negotiate with Harper any longer.
Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe says the Bloc is ready for an election, and they will vote in the interests of Quebec on an issue-by-issue basis.
NDP leader Jack Layton denies any existing deals with the Liberal Party or Bloc. Layton he says he will not make any “backroom deals”, and that Stephen Harper must “reach out” and take action on NDP issues or he will not support the Conservatives in the House of Commons.
Related Videos:
- Video: Liberals push for fall election (September 1, 2009)
“Mr. Harper, your time is up”
Michael Ignatieff says the Liberal Party no longer has confidence in the Conservative government, and they will work to trigger an election at their earliest opportunity.
Liberals say they will not negotiate, and there is nothing Harper can do to change their minds.
The game is up for this Conservative government … Mr. Harper, your time is up. We cannot support this government any further.
- Michael Ignatieff
Related videos:
- The Ignatieff Ultimatum (June 15, 2009)
- Tories and Grits cooperate on EI Reform (June 17, 2009)
Layton meets Harper, finds no common ground
NDP leader Jack Layton met with Prime Minister Harper to discuss the upcoming session of Parliament.
Layton said he could find no common ground with Harper, and it is unlikely the NDP will support the Conservative government on votes of confidence.
The NDP would be the least likely of the political parties to support the Conservatives.
- Jack Layton
