Awaiting an exciting moment
Thursday, 4. December 2008, 14:03:03
Was ill for a few days. Starting in the wee hours of Saturday night. Have been uncomfortable until now.
All this time while I was running between bed, bathroom, and kitchen, there was a major political crisis unfolding in our national capital. It escalated yesterday when tempers flied and bodies shook on the floor of Parliament. It will reach a climax later today, when the Prime Minister in distraught meets with the Governor General, the Queen's representative in Canada, who had cut her four-day European trip short and returned to Ottawa yesterday. She would make a weighted decision on the fate of his government.
What happens is that three opposition parties, the Liberal Party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, often referred to as the socialists), and the Bloc Québécois, a national party representing the interest of Quebec at the federal level (referred to by some as the separatists) have conspired to overthrow the conservative government. They surprisingly formed a coalition over the weekend, with the intention to vote down the government, using the ongoing economic crisis as a springboard. They have accused the conservatives of inaction, allowing critical industries (auto and forestry) to suffer without timely governmental support.
The current government, led by conservative leader Steven Harper, a very unlikeable figure, is a minority government. They cannot put forth policies without gathering votes from the oppositions. In the present crisis, what the Prime Minister can do and is going to do today is to ask the Governor General for a pirogue, which means suspending parliament for a period of time, so that an upcoming confidence vote in parliament will not materialize and they can stay in power longer.
What decision the Governor General is going to make is most intriguing. Such a thing is very rare. The last time a pirogue was asked was back in the 1970s. All eyes and ears are on Governor General today.
With her approval, the Prime Minister could suspend parliament until late January. She could also choose to do the opposite - acceding to the coalition's request and granting them an interim leadership role.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement expressing dismay at the behaviours of all four political parties, accusing them of creating a political crisis admit an economic one.
All this time while I was running between bed, bathroom, and kitchen, there was a major political crisis unfolding in our national capital. It escalated yesterday when tempers flied and bodies shook on the floor of Parliament. It will reach a climax later today, when the Prime Minister in distraught meets with the Governor General, the Queen's representative in Canada, who had cut her four-day European trip short and returned to Ottawa yesterday. She would make a weighted decision on the fate of his government.
What happens is that three opposition parties, the Liberal Party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP, often referred to as the socialists), and the Bloc Québécois, a national party representing the interest of Quebec at the federal level (referred to by some as the separatists) have conspired to overthrow the conservative government. They surprisingly formed a coalition over the weekend, with the intention to vote down the government, using the ongoing economic crisis as a springboard. They have accused the conservatives of inaction, allowing critical industries (auto and forestry) to suffer without timely governmental support.
The current government, led by conservative leader Steven Harper, a very unlikeable figure, is a minority government. They cannot put forth policies without gathering votes from the oppositions. In the present crisis, what the Prime Minister can do and is going to do today is to ask the Governor General for a pirogue, which means suspending parliament for a period of time, so that an upcoming confidence vote in parliament will not materialize and they can stay in power longer.
What decision the Governor General is going to make is most intriguing. Such a thing is very rare. The last time a pirogue was asked was back in the 1970s. All eyes and ears are on Governor General today.
With her approval, the Prime Minister could suspend parliament until late January. She could also choose to do the opposite - acceding to the coalition's request and granting them an interim leadership role.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has issued a statement expressing dismay at the behaviours of all four political parties, accusing them of creating a political crisis admit an economic one.
WIDGETIZE
Tab # 4. December 2008, 16:27
She has determine the best course of action for this nation.
After all do we really want Stephen dion running this nation? Of course the separatists are thrilled. National unity is at risk!
Another election will just waste more of tax payers money, when the population has already chosen.
This is just an unnecessary power grab by Dion, and the Bloc.
So much for Dion's claims regarding his belief in Canadian unity.
If the Governor Gen. doesn't pirogue Parliament, and Dion gets what he's aiming for, Canada will never be the same again, Minority Governements will lose any sort of stability in the future.
If Dion acctually thinks anyone will ever vote for him again, he's sorely mistaken.
Harper will call an election in Feb. or so, and hope to walk away with a majority after coming out with a budget that will be full of goodies.
11:48 am.. EST Parliment has been pirogued.
A great deal of Canadians are upset about the whole issue, feeling that their votes are being taken away from them, and disregarded.
I didn't vote conservative, but I'm upset about the current situation.
A coalition with a separatist party, should never ever even be considered!
Matthew # 4. December 2008, 16:51
I need to look up "pirogue," and check the news. I do hope that the Queen's representative does something that promotes stability.
Tab # 4. December 2008, 16:54
Tab # 4. December 2008, 16:55
Now to see if Dion will step down.
He has betrayed his nation to gain power, and lead a nation while the nation has already shown him that there is a total lack of confidence in his ability to do so.
The Liberals need a new, more confident, and able leader. One who will truly put the needs of the nation first and formost.
Matthew # 4. December 2008, 17:19
Those of us in the US don't always like our leaders, but we wouldn't be able to understand yhow we could elect one, only to have him (or her) removed from office over our wishes, just a month later. Luckily, y'all have very short election cycles. We do them to death.
Tab # 4. December 2008, 17:22
Harper has forgotten that he is leading a minority gov, and that is a large part of the problem.
Who the hell does Dion think he is? Trying to show Canadians that thier votes are worth beans to him.
He got in bed with the Bloc, and the Bloc was on top. Wrong party to get in bed with.
I believe most Canadians right now are disgusted with the lack of morals Dion has displayed.
Shaunak De # 4. December 2008, 17:40
This is one thing I admire the American election model for. Put two guys up for the vote. One of them is bound to achieve majority! No dirty mid term power struggles.
daxonmacs # 5. December 2008, 05:40
Quite the contrary, it shows instability at the top.
Not a good thing ad certainly not at these times when Canada like many other countries needs to get it's economy back on track.
Shaunak De # 5. December 2008, 06:05
daxonmacs # 5. December 2008, 06:11