|
Is Canada Ready for ANOTHER Federal Election
|
View this Thread in Original format
| ChemEnhanced |
| quote: | Media raps Canada opposition for election push
OTTAWA, Sept 2 (Reuters) - A promise by Canada's main opposition party to try to bring down the minority government provoked much head-scratching and little enthusiasm in big Canadian newspapers on Wednesday.
Commentators said the promise from Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, and the possibility of a second federal election in little over a year, offered few guarantees of success for the opposition, which is neck-and-neck with the ruling Conservatives in most opinion polls.
Ignatieff says the government has not done enough to deal with the economic crisis, and he plans to bring in a a motion of non-confidence in the government as soon as possible.
"Mr Ignatieff could not have picked a worse time to make complaints about (Conservative) management of a foul-weather economy," the right-leaning National Post said in an editorial that also said a stimulus package was helping to end the recession.
Other observers puzzled by why Ignatieff -- who pulled back from a threat to topple Prime Minister Stephen Harper in June -- was so determined to bring the government down now, given the last election took place only in October 2008.
"It remained unclear from Mr Ignatieff's remarks exactly what he was demanding of the government to justify an election that in June he had argued Canadians did not want," said Globe and Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson. "For some unexplained reason, they apparently desire one in November."
Canada has had three minority governments since June 2004 and the Liberals have kept the Conservative government in power this year by backing crucial legislation such as the budget.
Chantal Hebert, columnist for the left-leaning Toronto Star, said the Liberals had no guarantee of winning an election, and some Liberal legislators from the powerful province of Ontario disliked the idea of an early vote.
"The fact that the members of Parliament closest to the biggest battlefield of the next campaign are also among the least enthused about heading to the polls is both noteworthy and significant," she wrote.
Don Martin, writing in the right-of-center Ottawa Citizen, rapped Ignatieff for "what must rank as the most nonsensical excuse at the worst possible time" for another election and mocked the Liberal leader's talk of building a better Canada.
"A delusional Ignatieff seem to think the economy won't drive the campaign as he raps himself in a visionary flag," he wrote.
Commentator Alain Dubuc of the French-language La Presse newspaper was one of the few to show sympathy for Ignatieff.
"If he brings down the government people will accuse him of plunging us into another election. But if he doesn't bring it down, he will no doubt be accused of backing Harper," he wrote.
"He will pay a price for triggering an election. But the price of not doing so will no doubt be higher." (Reporting by David Ljunggren; editing by Janet Guttsman)
|
It will be interesting to see what happens come September 14, 2009.
So does anybody think we are ready for another election? |
|
|
| Moral Hazard |
| I think Iggy blew his chance... conventional political strategy would dictate that you push for an election near the trough of an economic downturn, not after the recovery has started. The country doesn't need an election now, as it will change very little. The only reasons for this I can think of are; a) he wants to lock in a new seat count now before the recovery really gets rolling and the Cons. look better, b) he is hoping a third straight minority may prompt the Cons. to oust Stevie, c) he's afraid that he'll look Dionish (wimpy) if he continues to shy away from bringing down the gov't. |
|
|
| ChemEnhanced |
| I agree that he missed his opportunity back in June to push for an election however; June was to soon for another election. I think even now an election will only work in favour of Harper....and I am seriously scared that a majority government would come from this....and I really am affraid for a Canada with a Harper majority. |
|
|
| Yohan |
I dunno if the public wants another election now
Maybe Iggy is doing a bit of sabre rattling prior to fall sessions?
Sounds more like mind games to me than real serious election threat.
I actually think the biggest winners out of another election would be NDP and Bloc... |
|
|
| Orko |
| This would be just stupid. If anybody forces another election I will make sure to campaign against their party. $200 million for what? A few more seats? |
|
|
| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by Yohan
I actually think the biggest winners out of another election would be NDP and Bloc... |
I'm not sure about the Bloc but the NDP is polling lower then last election... so they are unlikely to win anything out of this. |
|
|
| Sentinal |
If we had a provincial election I would be happy as hell. I'm happy with what Harper is doing. Canada is doing well through the recession compared to other countries. GDP is back in the black and there has been about a 30% recovery in thr markets thus far.
Forget federal politics, get Dalton Mchead out of office. |
|
|
| Spam |
| quote: | Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
I agree that he missed his opportunity back in June to push for an election however; June was to soon for another election. I think even now an election will only work in favour of Harper....and I am seriously scared that a majority government would come from this....and I really am affraid for a Canada with a Harper majority. |
He's seemed fairly pragmatic to me, and keeps most of his key election promises. What is it that scares you so much about him? |
|
|
| ChemEnhanced |
| quote: | Originally posted by Spam
He's seemed fairly pragmatic to me, and keeps most of his key election promises. What is it that scares you so much about him? |
Its easy to keep your election promises when you have a minority government that could be toppled at any time.
I believe he is a two faced individual with a hidden agenda. I think things will be much different if he has the chance to run a majority government. I would have no problem supporting a CPC government if Harper wasn't in charge. |
|
|
| rabbitjoker |
| Bad move for the liberals. Although I hope they do it and lose so Ignatief get sent packing. |
|
|
| urban_legend |
| quote: | Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
It will be interesting to see what happens come September 14, 2009.
So does anybody think we are ready for another election? |
Wait.....your not Jayx1? |
|
|
| Moral Hazard |
| quote: | Originally posted by Spam
He's seemed fairly pragmatic to me, |
agreed
| quote: | | and keeps most of his key election promises. |
What?
- elected senate and "all appointments would be mad on merit-based requirements."... broken (only one senator elected)
- bill to prohibit floor crossing without a bi-election... David Emerson anyone?
- more accountability... all power in the PMO office
- strengthened role of Ethics Commissioner... Harper has refused multiple requests for an interview by the Ethics Comissioner of the Grewal phone taping affair
- Promise to make Capital Gains exempt from taxation if reinvested... still no such exemption
- promise to scrap GST on fuel if over 85 cents per litre... I think we know that this didn't happen
- promise to uphold government commitments to women... cut the Status of Women budget by 39%
- promise not to tax income trusts... income trusts now taxed
- promise to create a Foreign Credentials Agency... no such agency planned
- promise to reduce government polling... Libs spent $18million, cons spent $31.2 million in their first year
- promise to make all non-budget votes in the house free votes... nope
- promise fixed election dates (unless defeated by a non-confidence vote... yeah, broke that one too
^ the above is just what I can recall off the top of my head.
| quote: | | What is it that scares you so much about him? |
this....
 |
|
|
|
|
