Canuck Politics

Conservative leader Stephen Harper repeated earlier promises to cancel per-vote taxpayer subsidies to political parties, but only if he wins a majority government.

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)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff delivered similar messages denouncing ”the new antisemitism” in speeches at the second annual Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism.

Demonization, double-standards, delegitimisation: the three “D”‘s.  It is a responsibility of us all to stand up to them … and as long as I am Prime Minister … Canada will take that stand, whatever the cost.

- Stephen Harper

Not every criticizm of the government of Israel is antisemetic. But there is a form of criticizm of the state of Israel which passes into active delegitimization of a recognized democratic state.

I refer of course, in my own country, to Israeli Apartheid Week.  Israel is Israel; Apartaid in South Africa was a crime against humanity.  To conflate the two is to deligimize a democratic state and Canadians must stand against it.

- Michael Ignatieff

September 20 to 24, 2010 - Liberal leader Micheal Ignatieff and NDP leader Jack Layton comment on Canada’s bid for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council, while Prime Minister Harper makes his pitch at the United Nations.

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