Posts Tagged ‘US financial crisis’
Harper prorogues Parliament, makes appeal to federalists
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
Harper dares Dion to face voters
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)
Social democrats unite to topple government
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.
Opposition parties move to seize power
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)
Government faces defeat over cuts to political subsidies
Canada’s opposition parties are threatening to defeat the Conservative government over cuts to political party subsidies included in Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s economic update.
Flaherty says the federal budget will go into deficit after accounting for the planned economic stimulus spending agreed by the G-20 nations.
We cannot ask Canadians to tighten their belts during tougher times without looking in the mirror. Canadians have a right to look to government as an example. We have a responsibility to show restraint and respect for their money. Canadian tax dollars are precious … Today, our Government is eliminating the $1.75-per-vote taxpayer subsidy for politicians and their parties, effective April 1, 2009.
- Finance Minister Jim Flaherty
Harper’s deficit flip-flop
October 7 to November 25, 2008 - During the federal election Stephen Harper promised to never run budgetary deficits, but has since backed away from his promise in the face of uncertain economic conditions.
We will not be running a deficit. We will be keeping spending within our means, it is that simple.
-Stephen Harper, October 7, 2008
Balancing the budget by raising taxes, by cutting essential government activity, or by refusing necessary intervention in the midst of a global economic crisis would be a cure worse than the disease.
- Stephen Harper, November 20, 2008
There are occasions when defitis are not necessarily bad, but essential.
- Stephen Harper, November 23, 2008
Parliament’s new spirit of cooperation?
November 18 to 24, 2008 – The 40th session of Parliament opens with all political parties promising a new spirit of cooperation. Despite this, opposition members set a confrontational tone in Question Period.
Election 2008 Federal Leaders’ Debate (Full Video)
Is Stéphane Dion cheering for a recession?
September 10 to 26, 2008 - Prime Minister Harper says Liberal leader Stéphane Dion is trying to undermine confidence in the Canadian economy while “sitting on the sidelines virtually cheering for there to be a recession”.
Our economy has hit a brick wall … the tough times are already here.
- Stéphane Dion
Our government will not preside over disastrous financial policies … I would rather lose an election and i would rather lose a vote in Parliament than do something that I know would put the Canadian economy into deep jeopardy.
- Stephen Harper
Links:
Harper to call early election despite fixed date
July 30 to August 26, 2008 - Prime Minister Stephen Harper appears ready to call a federal election this fall despite the fixed-date election law passed by his government. Harper cites opposition threats and parliamentary deadlock as grounds for an early election.
Liberal leader Stéphane Dion criticized Harper for breaking the spirit of his own fixed election date law, yet continued his threats to defeat the government sometime before the fixed election date in October 2009.
The cash-strapped Liberal Party was widely expected to defeat the government when the House returns this fall, but only after they receive a $2 million rebate paymet from Elections Canada in October.
