Canuck Politics

Links:

• Stephane Dion: NDP’s separatist pandering threatens national unity (National Post, March 12, 2012)

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney celebrates the 25th anniversary of his 1984 majority government, at a gala honouring him in Montreal.

We had a vision of Canada as a country united at home and admired abroad for our values as much as our prosperity. A land of opportunity, a beacon of hope for the world.

-  Brian Mulroney

In his speech, Mulroney saluted leaders from other political parties such as John Turner and Ed Broadbent for their commitment to national unity, as well as Tommy Douglas and Leaster Pearson as the founding fathers of Medicare.

Mulroney also praised Barack Obama for his long-term vision and political leadership on the issue of healthcare reform in the United States.

50 years from today, Americans will revere the name Obama.  Because like his Canadian predecessors, he chose the tough responsibilities of national political leadership over the meaningless nostrums of sterile partisanship that we see too much of in Canada and around the world today.

-  Brian Mulroney

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.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave his first major address since the federal election at the Conservative Party Policy Convention in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Harper highlighted the party’s recent successes, and told supporters the ‘Conservative Party is Canada’s Party’.

The five federal party leaders debate the election issues in the English language 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.

Stephen Harper answers questions regarding his motion to recognize the Québécois “as a nation in a united Canada”.  The House of Commons unanimously supported Harper’s motion.

We often forget it was French-speaking Canadians that founded Canada, it was French-speaking Canadians who were the first people to call themselves Canadians, the first group of people who had a vision of a country from coast to coast.

This is an important opportunity to reconcile ourselves to that reality. It is important for national unity … it forces the Bloc and the Parti Québécois to admit that what they are arguing for is not recognition or acceptance of Quebec … far from it. It is simply a question of independence, of creating an independent country.

- Stephen Harper

MacKay Editorial Cartoons