Canuck Politics

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)

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)

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.

The Liberal Party will support the 2009/10 Federal Budget against the wishes of their coalition partners in the Bloc and NDP.

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff says he is putting the government “on probation” with a budget amendment requiring the government to report back to Parliament in March, June and December.

Ignatieff refused to consult with the government on the creation of the budget, and the Liberals did not include any specific policy proposals in their budget amendment.

I did not consult him in advance, I see no obligation to … I told the Prime Minister very clearly: I’m the leader of the oppostion, he’s the Prime Minister. Its his budget, not mine.

- Michael Ignatieff

NDP leader Jack Layton and Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe say the move effectively kills the Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition.

Stephen Harper is going to remain in office because Michael Ignatieff has decided to to keep him there.

- Jack Layton

The coalition is dead, its finished, its over.

- Gilles Duceppe

The Liberal Party executive have appointed Micheal Ignatieff as the interim leader of the Liberal Party until he is acclaimed at a formal leadership convention in May 2009.

Ignatieff took direct aim at Stephen Harper in his first press conference as Liberal leader, saying he is prepared to defeat the Conservatives and lead a coalition government.

I am prepared to vote non-confidence in this government.  And I am prepared to enter into a coalition government with our partners.

- Micheal Ignatieff

Related videos:

• Video: Dion attacks Harper at debut press conference (December 14, 2006)
  

Prime Minister Harper has asked the Governor General to prorogue Parliament until January 26 when the government will present an early budget.

The move delays the government’s likely defeat until it faces a confidence vote on their new Throne Speech.

Harper invited input on the budget from the NDP and Liberals, saying only Canada’s three federalist parties can be trusted to act in Canada’s interests.

The Bloc has every legitimate right to be here, but their game is not about working on the economy to serve the greater interests of the country.

The do have a fundamentally different agenda, and that’s not the agenda of the other three of us … I think that’s a more fundamental difference than whether you are a little more for the market, or a little more interventionist.

- Stephen Harper

The coalition leaders Gilles Duceppe, Jack Layton and Stéphane Dion said they will not support the government, saying its Harper who cannot be trusted.

McKay Political Cartoons: Cracks in coalition starting to show

Prime Minister Harper vowed to use all legal means at his disposal in order to stop the Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition from taking power.

Canada’s government cannot enter into a power sharing coalition with a separatist party.  At a time of global economic instability, Canada’s government must stand unequivocally for keeping the country together.  At a time like this, a coalition with separatists cannot help Canada.

And the Oppostiion does not have the democratic right to impose a coalition they promised voters would never happen.  The Opposition is attempting to impose this deal without your say, without your consent, and without your vote.

- Stephen Harper

There was controversy when the video response from coalition leader Stéphane Dion arrived late and out of focus.

We share the frustration Canadians have about the political crisis that has been allowed to take prominence over the more important economic challenges we face.  Elsewhere in the world, leaders are working to cope with the recession, to bring forward the kinds of investments that will help their people and their economies.  Politicians are working together elsewhere in the world, rivals are working together.  Why not in Canada?

Mr. Harper’s solution is to extend that crisis by avoiding a simple vote, by suspending Parliament and continuing the confussion. We offer a better way. We say settle it now, and lets get to work on the people’s business.

- Stéphane Dion

Stephen Harper fights for the survival of his government in a heated session of Question Period.

Related Videos:

• Video: Social democrats unite to topple government (December 1, 2008)
• Video: Opposition parties move to seize power (November 28, 2008)
• Video: Government faces defeat over cuts to political subsidies (November 27, 2008)

The leaders of the Liberal Party, NDP, and the Bloc Québécois signed a power sharing agreement and announced their plan to defeat the Conservative government in a confidence vote December 8.

The coalition says they must seize power from Stephen Harper in order to implement a larger economic stimulus package than the Conservative plan.

The political parties have written to Governor General Michaëlle Jean asking her to install Stéphane Dion as Prime Minister instead of calling an election.

The New Democrats, Bloc Québécois and Liberal Party are working to form a social democratic coalition that would topple the Conservatives and replace them as government.

Related videos:

• Video: Government faces defeat over cuts to political subsidies (November 27, 2008)
• Video: Harper’s deficit flip-flop (October 7 to November 25. 2008)