Posts Tagged ‘minority government’
Liberals could still govern if Harper wins minority: Ignatieff
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff says he would try to form a government if the Conservatives win the most seats in the election but fails to win the confidence of the House of Commons.
If the Governor General wants to call on other parties, or myself, for example, to try and form a government, then we try to form a government.
- Micheal Ignatieff
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)
Ignatieff refuses to rule out Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition
March 23 and 24, 2011 - Micheal Ignatieff dodges questions from journalists and refuses to rule out a Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition should the election result in another Conservative minority parliament.
“There’s a blue door … and there’s a red door.”
“I can’t be clearer than that.”
“Losers don’t get to form coalitions”: Harper
Prime Ministers David Cameron and Stephen Harper discussed the subject of coalition governments at a press conference in the rose garden at 10 Downing Street.
The verdict of public opinion was pretty clear, which is that losers don’t get to form coalitions. Winners are the ones who form governments.
- Stephen Harper
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)
Tories and Grits cooperate on EI reform
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff and Prime Minister Stephen Harper agree to cooperate on the governments plans to to reform Employment Insurance.
The deal marks the first occasion Michael Ignatieff has agreed to work with the government on the development of public policy, having previously refused Harper’s consultation offers. Ignatieff makes no guarantee the EI panel will produce results.
We have agreed to strike a working group which will seek to present … specific legislative proposals to bring the self-employed into the Employment Insurance system.
… We don’t have an agreement … and I give you no guarantees that we can get there.
- Michael Ignatieff
