Saturday, March 26, 2011

Ignatieff's Stance on Coalition is Still Uclear

Despite what the other media say,John Ivison points out that the statement that Ignatieff made this morning on a coalition is still not clear.  
 A Liberal press release that was sent this morning states that there would be no coalition if the Libs won  the most seats.  It did not say what they would do if  Conservatives won more seats and they came in second.

Mr. Ignatieff said in his press conference on the steps of Parliament Hill that he made the decision to speak out because he didn’t want “to spend 36 days with any ambiguity”.
Yet ambiguity remains. The release is very specific that the no-coalition commitment applies in the event the party that wins the most seats is called on to form the government. It is clear that, if the Liberals are first past the post and can’t gain the confidence of the House, then Mr. Harper would be called on to form the government.
This legitimizes the concept of a coalition, which no-one seriously disputes under the Constitution. But what the statement does not make clear is whether the commitment is unequivocal in the event of a Conservative minority. Could Mr. Harper win on election day and be defeated over his Throne Speech by the opposition, leading to a Liberal-NDP coalition, backed by the Bloc?
So do believe the Liberal leader?  I certainly do NOT!  Don't forget the last time the coalition reared it's ugly head, it was the Conservatives who won the most seats not the Liberals.  Oh by the way Ignatieff signed that agreement and it's still in affect.

11 comments:

  1. He doesn't need to form a coalition, he already has a signed agreement. Hence the haste to get the election over before the already signed agreement expires.

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  2. If the Conservatives win another minority. The Liberals have 6 weeks to replace Iggy with Bob Rae to lead the coalition. The signed coalition document does not expire for 6 weeks after May 2.

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  3. September 9, 2004

    Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. Governor General Rideau Hall
    1 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1

    Excellency,

    As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program.

    We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority.

    Your attention to this matter is appreciated. Sincerely,

    Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
    Leader of the Opposition
    Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada

    Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
    Leader of the Bloc Quebecois

    Jack Layton, M.P.
    Leader of the New Democratic Party

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  4. There is already a coalition,maybe not in name,but in action.The 3 opposition parties made in dificult for the cpc to function in committees,they voted against the budget,and then there were the phoney contempt motions.It was just plain hate,and I repeat hate for the best govt.and PM we've had in a long time.If we only knew(and we do know of a lot)of the scandals in the Chretien govt.,the liberal party would have been finished.We didn't know,or at least all the liberal scandals,as they had a majority.If that's all the liberal media can find or make up on the minority cpc,thenI believe we do have a very honest govt.There will be a Harper Govt. majority,and when we awaken on May 3,Canada will be on its way to being the best place in the world to live,and there will be a lot of liberals whining,and helping iggy pack for Harward,if they let himcross the border.The border agents will ask iggy,how long have you been in Canada?iggy will answer,just long enough to run for PM of Canada,and I almost made it to,if it wasn't for that darn Stephen Harper rambling on about a coalition.Coalition,we got less seats than in 2008,and The liberals took my membership card,tore it up and sent me packing.Oh well,I'm still a member of the Democratic party,so it's not a complete loss.Gerald

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  5. Anonymous said...

    All I have to say is this,Anony. Go read this,
    http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/10/06/gilles-duceppe-and-the-coalition/

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  6. There will be a Harper Govt. majority,and when we awaken on May 3,Canada will be on its way to being the best place in the world to live,and there will be a lot of liberals whining,and helping iggy pack for Harward,if they let himcross the border

    I think you're right Gerald. We have to work hard though to make that happen. It will not be a cake walk.

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  7. Anoy read the truth not CBC reports...
    Paul Martin called an un-necessary election in 2004 because he wanted to get a larger majority than JC had. Instead he got a minority, and was threatening another election after a few short months. That 2004 letter was to tell the GG not to let Martin dissolve the govt and go to another election. But, no coalition was planned, with cabinet seats for all partys and a mix of secretaries etc. They just asked the GG to consider her options.
    The 2008 coalition was much more dangerous, and was planned before the election results were in, as Jack stated in that video.

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  8. Methinks this is going to end with a Tory majority and the firing of Iggy. Just saying.

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  9. Methinks this is going to end with a Tory majority and the firing of Iggy. Just saying.

    And me thinks you could be right!

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  10. Let's pray together.

    Yes,absolutely,let's pray.

    ReplyDelete

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