Posts Tagged ‘hidden agenda’
Federal election begins amid coalition promises, accusations and denials
Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper kicked-off the 2011 Federal Election campaign by accusing the opposition parties of having a hidden agenda to form a coalition government in the event of another Conservative minority parliament.
Unless Canadians elect a stable national government, Mr. Ignatieff will form a coalition with the NDP and the Bloc Québécois.
- Stephen Harper
Harper warns of hidden coalition agenda, Ignatieff denies it, Duceppe is willing,
and Layton would be Prime Minister of a minority government
After several days dodging the question, Liberal leader Micheal Ignatieff issued an early morning statement in which he rules out a coalition in the event of a Liberal minority parliament:
We will not enter a coalition with other federalist parties. In our system, coalitions are a legitimate constitutional option. However, I believe that issue-by-issue collaboration with other parties is the best way for minority Parliaments to function.
- Micheal Ignatieff
However, Ignateiff’s statement does not rule out a coalition if the Conservatives win the most number of seats, but not a majority.
Meanwhile, NDP leader Jack Layton is actively running to become Prime Minister of a minority government, especially if the election produces another Conservative minority parliament:
This time we have to do something different. This time, it’s not enough to keep Stephen Harper from his majority, this time we have to replace him …
I’m asking for a mandate to lead the next government. And if that turns out to be a minority parliament, as Prime Minister you can count on me to reach out to all members of Parliament who believe in building a better Canada.
And together we will provide an alternative to a Harper-led government — whether its on a case-by-case basis as has been done in the last five years, or more stable arrangements — I will work with the mandate you give me.
- Jack Layton
A coalition government could have the support of the Bloc Québécois, according to Gilles Duceppe who remains open to the option.
If they propose something like that, we look if it is in the best interests of Quebec.
- Gilles Duceppe
Links:
- Statement by Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff (March 27, 2011)
Bob Rae saves the day
Liberal candidate Bob Rae introduces former leadership rival Stéphane Dion in a rousing speech at a campaign rally in Halifax.
We look at Mr. Harper and we say instinctively, ‘Grandma, what big teeth you have!’, and there’s no way we’re going to let that wolf stay at Sussex Drive.
Harper says Canada becoming more conservative
Prime Minister Harper says Canada has become more conservative over the past several decades.
Harper was responding to a question regarding an interview published in today’s National Post:
I said for a long time … that my goal was to make conservatism the natural governing philosophy of the country.
-Stephen Harper
Opposition parties claim government has hidden immigration agenda
April 2nd to 9th, 2008 – Opposition parties accuse the government of hiding a secret immigration agenda.
Despite these claims, most Opposition members voted in support of the governments immigration reforms.
Harper rules out constitutional debate
April 9, 2008 - Prime Minister Harper rejected speculation by Liberals that he has a hidden agenda to re-open the constitutional debate in order to achieve the government’s democratic reform agenda.
He’s confused. He’s ambiguous. He has a hidden agenda. He must show it to Canadians. He must stop being secretive. He must be transparent about the fabric of this federation.
- Stéphane Dion
Harper confirmed his long-held position that democratic reform can be achieved through legislation and changes to parliamentary convention.
Dion claims Harper has hidden agenda
September 26, 2007 – Stéphane Dion held a press conference to claim Stephen Harper has a hidden agenda.
Since Dion’s election as Liberal leader in December 2006, he has frequently described Harper’s government as secretive, ideological and having a hidden agenda.
Liberals shout down Harper over Air India allegations
February 21, 2007 - Liberal MPs feign indignation, demand an apology, and repeatedly shout down Stephen Harper when he tried to read from a newspaper article during Question Period.
The Vancouver Sun reported that the father-in-law of Mississauga-Brampton South Member of Parliament Navdeep Bains is on an RCMP list of potential witnesses who may be compelled to testify about the 1985 Air India bombing.
The RCMP’s ability to compel witnesses to testify provided under the Anti-terrorism Act was about to be renewed when the Liberal party suddenly changed their position and allowed the Act to expire. There was speculation Dion’s sudden decision was influenced by indo-Canadians in the Liberal party led by Navdeep Bains, who delivered some 250 delegates to Dion at a crucial point in the 2006 Liberal leadership race.
Liberals claim hidden agenda to appoint Conservative judges
February 13 to 15, 2007 - Liberals attack the government on changes to the judicial appointment committee, claiming the government wants to undermine the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as part of a hidden right-wing neo-conservative agenda.
Liberal MPs imply that police officers appointed to judicial selection committees would be biased and vote to select “right-wing” judges.
When will the Prime Minister stop trying to undermine the independence of the Judiciary? When will he stop trying to impose his conservative ideology on the Canadian court system?
- Liberal MP Michael Ignatieff
Stéphane Dion says Harper has hidden agenda to dismantle Canada
Stéphane Dion claims Harper has hidden agenda to dismantle Canada during an interview with CPAC’s Peter Van Dusen.
Dion continues to claim Canada can meet its Kyoto targets, despite saying the opposite in the past.
