Breaking News: Bob Rae drops out of Liberal leadership race

Michael Ignatieff will now officially be the leader of the Liberal party by caucus vote. It is highly likely that this will be ratified in May with something closer to a leadership review. This of course puts the coalition in question.
-Darryl

***

Photos from Toronto anti-coalition rally at Queens Park

Unfortunately the battery on my camera died, so credit goes to various friends on Facebook for these pictures I stole. It seems so far the media isn't covering our rally.

Overall a well attended rally. Several great speakers including new Canadians, veterans, John Tory, Frank Klees, Tim Hudak, Peter Kent, Rick Dykstra, and lots of young people. The crowd was fired up and angry over the proposed oppositon coup. The highlight was some of the creativity on the signs as well as the large amount of people who told me they actually voted Liberal but would never do so again. Overall it was a well attended rally, especially given that we didn't have any union drives to get our people out unlike those at Nathan Phillips Square. I am sure that Liberals will lose seats in Toronto following the next election. After this mistake, there is no longer such a thing as a safe Liberal seat in Canada.

Update: Toronto up until the last election was the last remaining stronghold for the Liberal Party. Still we drew a great crowd that was fired up and ready to fight for democracy. From pictures of the pro-coalition rally in the same picture I have seen in the media, it is clear that even in Toronto the government is winning the day. I think Toronto was successful, but I can't imagine the energy level at the rally in Calgary today. Check out the blog Right from Alberta for pictures of the Calgary event!
-Darryl

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Video of Peter Kent talking about the coalition and Liberals who have approached the Conservative Party and thanked him for proroguing parliament

If coalition defeats government on budget, Stephen Harper should take 143 resignation letters to the Governor General

If the budget is defeated, there is a 50/50 chance the Governor General might allow this coup to take place. An easy way to avoid that would be to take that decision away from her. If Harper is defeated by the opposition coup, he should take his resignation along with every single Conservative MP's resignation to the Governor General to force an election. This would give her two choices:

1, Faced with a guaranteed 143 by-elections all taking place simultaneously, the Governor General would almost surely call an election and make it 308 MPs running for re-election.

2, Allow the coalition to form a government with a separatist party in a half vacant house with no opposition party while 143 by-elections take place with a campaign against the unelected government.

I think the choice for the Governor General would become an obvious one taking us into an election campaign with Conservative support at 51%. I hope it is an idea that our caucus, Prime Minister and the opposition parties consider before voting on the budget. Initial credit to Steve Janke who first proposed this idea in the event a coalition coup takes power. Frankly on principle there is no way we could recognize an unelected government supported by separatists with Dion or an interim leader as Prime Minister. Why should only Liberals get to chose your next Prime Minister.
-Darryl

Three crucial speeches from Stephen Harper

When you watch these three speeches, it is amazing how a week can change things in politics. These three speeches are important at this time from Stephen Harper. They outline what was happening when the country was on the right track. This coup has created political instability, economic uncertainty, a unity crisis and done nothing to address the needs of Canadians. This coalition has taken us on the wrong track in Canada, and it is time to get back on the right track.

The first video is from the Winnipeg Conservative Convention. At this speech he highlights the hard work of volunteers who made the election victory possible. He outlines his vision and reaches out to opposition parties. The second video is the election night victory speech that gave him the mandate to become Prime Minister. He reaches out to Opposition parties. In the third video he outlines what is going on now and what he has done on the economy. He solicits ideas from the opposition parties.

The opposition have been plotting a coup to defeat Harper by joining with the separatists while the Conservative Party was attempting to work for Canadians who elected them on the issues people care about. Opposition speeches following the Governor General's announcement didn't seem like leaders who were interested in working on the economy. It seemed to me they want power at all costs despite your vote. They have no intention of working with the elected Prime Minister to make this parliament work. Several including Bob Rae have said Harper should be brought down regardless of what he does. "There is no turning back".

The results of the last election should be upheld and stability should be maintained for Canadians. Opposition should put Canada before their own political ambitions and political games. Thanks to Stephane Dion, the case has been made for a Conservative majority.
-Darryl

Winnipeg Conservative Convention Speech:

What Harper stands for. A great speech that also highlights the last campaign and where the country was going before this power grab by the coalition. Credit to Stephen Taylor for filming this.



Election Night Coverage and Harper Victory Speech October 14, 2008

How you become the Prime Minister of Canada unless you are Stephane Dion. Note 4:15 on the tape. 5:07 is also interesting. At 7:14 Harper speeks.
-Darryl



Address to the Nation:

Why this Rally for Canada is happening. Note this is how you produce a video and make sure it arrives on time.
-Darryl

Dec 5: Queens Park Noon-2pm: Rally for Canada! Be there if you support democracy!

It is crucial that as many people as possible attend this rally in your home city. This is about unity, our economy and democracy. Let us send a strong message to Stephane Dion (or whoever is going to lead in the interim or permanently for the Liberal Party) , Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe that they should not be allowed to overturn your vote. If you oppose this coalition made up of parties who lost the last election backed by separatists, please take the time to stand up for what is right at a protest closest to where you live in Canada. This coalition thinks they represent the majority of Canadians...let's show them they are wrong! The polls show a majority of Canadians do not want this political instability. We need to say no way!

Noon-2pm at Queens Park tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you there. Politicians should be putting Canada's economy first - not their own self serving partisan interests during these uncertain economic times.
-Darryl

***

Dear Friends;

Many of you have been contacting me to express your outrage at the anti-democratic actions the Opposition is moving forward with. I share your views that these actions, at this time of economic crisis, show nothing more than an inherent sense of entitlement, partisan selfishness and a naked grab for power.

Less than 2 months ago Canadians gave our Conservative government a strengthened mandate in which we made it clear that we will continue to address the global economic crisis. Now, a Socialist-Separatist-drive in coalition is attempting to overturn the results of the last election. They are attempting to impose a radical new Government without the people’s consent, led by Stephane Dion, who Canadians resoundingly rejected as their choice for Prime Minister. This is an attack on Canada and an attack on Canadian democracy.

Harper's remarks after visiting the Governor General

Dec 4 - The Canadian Parliament has been suspended until Jan 26 09. Prime Minister Harper speaks regarding what will transpire during this extended Holiday Break.

New poll: Conservative support now at 44%...Coalition support 28%

As the coalition begins to collapse, it should be noted that public support of it is barely higher than the Liberals vote percentage in the last election and is much lower than the Conservative support in the last election according to a new poll. I don't think anyone should be surprised that this circus has put Conservatives into majority territory. Having said that, we should extend an olive branch and work with the opposition parties on the budget until that majority comes for real. Dion is the gift that just keeps on giving.

Update: Other polls here here here here and here. Based on all these numbers, any coalition supporter who thinks Dion has a mandate to be Prime Minister is kidding themselves. I have seen nothing close to 62% support for this idea.

Update 2: I like this one best. 46% support now for the Conservatives (easy majority) and a solid with NDP and Liberal numbers crashing. I don't think we have been anywhere near 46% support in the history of our party. 72% are scared of the political situation in Ottawa. 60% think Conservatives best option on the economy. 70% agree with the decision of the Governor General. What a disaster this experiment has been for the Liberals. Now is a pretty good time for Liberals and the NDP to accept the election results and get to work on a common budget with the Prime Minister.
-Darryl

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Support for Tories up amid House crisis, CBC-EKOS poll suggests

Gov. Gen Michaelle Jean grants Harper's request to prorogue parliament

Very good decision. This will be a major test for the coalition. Can Dion keep it together between now and January 27? I think Ottawa needed some time for cooler heads to prevail. I am looking forward to a new throne speech and a budget from elected Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
-Darryl

Dion likely doesn't have the Liberal votes to bring down this coalition

It is time to start targeting individual MPs as part of this campaign. I think there is a strong chance that many Liberals interested in saving the Liberal Party might find themselves stuck in traffic on the day of the vote or mysteriously ill when the bells ring. Is a portion of the Liberal caucus prepared to break from Dion???? Keep in mind the grassroots has not endorsed this merger through any kind of democratic process. MPs were not consulted until after the negotiations were complete. If there are any principled Liberals and NDP out there, we would love to have you. Frank Valeritote, Judy Sgro, Jim Karygiannis, Linda Duncan, Ralph Goodale, Martin Couchon, Keith Martin, Charlie Angus, Andre Arthur, Irwin Cotler, Michael Ignatieff, Anita Neville, Ruby Dhalla, Ken Dryden, Denis Coderre, Justin Trudeau, Jean-Claude D'Amours, Brian Murphy, Geoff Regan, Scott Andrews, Bill Casey, Malcolm Allen, Niki Ashton, Peter Julian, Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Pat Martin, John Cannis, Albina Guarnieri, and Joe Volpe might be worth targeting. 12-15 would stop this coalition and stop the Liberals from making the biggest mistake in their history. The first leadership candidate to break with this has a very good chance to win the Liberal leadership by the time May rolls around.
-Darryl

Update: From Today's Globe:

Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis wasted no time in calling Mr. Dion to be replaced before the House returns in January. "Who are we kidding? I think it's over," he said, heading into a closed door caucus meeting.

"To become Prime Minister at all costs? Where do we take the Liberal brand? ... The brand got hit. The brand is good. The CEO of the company screwed up."

Emotions run high during Question Period

The last few sessions have been the most exciting in decades. Today however, Harper will prorogue the parliament until January.
-Darryl

Is Stephane Dion and the coalition ready to govern Canada?

Harper's televised address; Dion proves he is ready to be PM

Here is a great way to build confidence that you are ready to take over as Prime Minister in front of a national televised audience. I do not know how anyone can take that idea of a coalition seriously during these times. Below is an address from Stephen Harper about the current political crisis.
-Darryl

Liberal MP "predicted" fall of government

First the NDP tape and now this. Is this coalition a result of the economic statement or was this planned well in advance? I wouldn't mind a crystal ball like Mr. Lee seems to have.
-Darryl

***

The day after the federal Liberals suffered their second straight election loss in October, the Scarborough-Rouge River MP made a prediction.

"I personally think we'd be lucky to get to Christmas without a collapse of the government," Lee said, on a day when most media speculation was about when Liberal leader Stephane Dion might resign.

The 20-year veteran MP went further, saying "a day of reckoning" was coming soon in the House of Commons. The Liberals could head a new government if the three opposition parties agreed; that may be unprecedented, but not impossible, he said.

Seven weeks later, the unprecedented agreement is signed.

If the Liberal-New Democrat coalition is allowed, Scarborough's six Liberal MPs may form part of a government after all.

Lee said there was a "palpable" feeling in the House of Commons last week: Prime Minister Stephen Harper, through arrogance and failing to offer an economic stimulus plan, had "blown it" and crystallized the entire opposition against him.

The three-party agreement the Liberals and NDP signed with the Bloq Quebecois - who will support the coalition but won't be part of it - should be greeted "with a lot of anger," said George Khouri, Conservative candidate this fall in Pickering-Scarborough East.

"These guys are trying to force a coup d'etat because of what they could not win at the ballot box," said Khouri, arguing the federal Tories have been "incredible stewards of the economy" and were rewarded with more seats and votes.

"People will take to the streets" rather than let the separatist Bloq from Quebec hold the balance of power in Canada, Khouri predicted.

To work, the opposition plan requires the government to be defeated in a House confidence vote, then for Governor General Michaelle Jean to allow a coalition government instead of calling an election

Pauline Browes, a former Conservative MP for Scarborough and cabinet minister, called the coalition an "outrageous" power grab many Canadians already view as "politically illegitimate."

"I've talked to a lot of people in the last 48 hours. They're just astounded and I'm astounded that this would happen," she said Tuesday.

Lee tried to dismiss fears about the coalition depending on the Bloc.

"They are MPs, elected just like me," he said, saying the coalition will be "government from the centre and not the right."

Coalitions have worked in other countries, said Natalie Hundt, the New Democratic candidate in Scarborough Centre.

This week, Hundt said she hopes the coalition arrangement promising her party six seats in a federal cabinet for the first time lets the NDP pursue its goals for Canadians. "Six seats is better than none," Hundt said.

No signatures on the Globe and Mail Document

I was reading this story in the Globe and Mail and find it strange that none of the leaders Stockwell Day, Joe Clark or Gilles Duceppe have signed the agreement. Stockwell Day was very clear that he did not agree to this and in fact never saw the agreement. The lawyer says MPs never discussed the idea.

I also do not think the coalition can claim legitimacy for this coalition based on what might have been suggested in the year 2000 or in a letter to the Governor General in 2004. Those coalitions did not occur. On Tuesday (assuming the vote takes place on Monday), there is a real reality that a coalition government will be formed that is unelected and dependent of support from the separatist party. A formal coalition is different than soliciting support on an issue by issue basis. If Stephane Dion and Jack Layton want to bring a separatist party into the Canadian parliament they should justify that action on its merits alone. Digging up documents from the past is not what is going to give this government democratic legitimacy.
-Darryl

First poll I have seen on the coalition...37% support for it...not 64% as claimed

Based on this poll, I cannot see a mandate for Dion. 64% oppose him despite the fact Conservatives gained 37% support in the last election. Only 37% support the coalition well short of the 64% "super majority" propaganda we are seeing from opposition partisans. A clear majority are concerned about the Bloc in the coalition. 37% would prefer another election - the same number as supported the Tories in the last election. I cannot see how Stephane Dion could serve and take questions in the House of Commons as the Prime Minister based on his personal lack of support across all parties and weak support for this coalition in general. More analysis here.
-Darryl

POLL: CANADIANS SPLIT ON COALITION

35% think Tories deserve to stay in power; 40% don't

37% want a coalition to take over if Tories fail

32% prefer to have another election

25% are 'comfortable' with Dion as PM; 64% are not

57% are 'worried' about Bloc role in government

75% back economic stimulus ASAP

Source: Angus Reid Strategies and the Toronto Star

Prime Ministers in Recent History and their Vote Percentages

Chretien - 1993 41.3%
Chretien - 1997 38.5%
Chretien - 2000 40.8%
Martin - 2003 36.7%
Harper - 2008 39%

Dion – 2009? 26%

Opposition parties will have a very difficult time arguing Dion has the confidence of Canadians given that he has never been elected, his support level would be the lowest for a Canadian Prime Minister in its history and poll numbers (from the Toronto Star) indicate anything but wide spread support for this coalition idea.

How Harper wins this and stays in Power:

It was looking bad for awhile, but yesterday the Prime Minister’s performance in Question Period saved his job. He still has lots of fight left in him, and I think following comments from the PQ and Bloc; it is actually the coalition now on the defensive. If I was advising Harper here is what I would do.

1. Ask the Governor General today to prorogue the parliament. This request has never been turned down since confederation. Harper demonstrated he had the confidence of the House through the Throne Speech.
2. Go on national television with a state of the nation address. Portray the situation as a national emergency for both the economy and unity. Portray the opposition actions as a coup and inconsistent with the results of the previous election. Say you do not want an election but the opposition might cause one by defeating the government before a budget has been proposed. Outline plans for the economy and a stimulus package and apologize for including partisan measures in the economic statement and remind Canadians that they have no been removed by admitting his mistake.
3. Use the time until January 27 to craft a budget that appeals to the base of the Bloc and NDP. Lots of support for the auto and forestry sector. Money for Quebec. Goodies for everyone. At the same time go after any Liberal or opposition MPs who are uncomfortable with this alliance especially from the West and offer them positions on an economic advisory committee or outright membership in the Conservative Party possibly with cabinet posts or major projects to their riding. Try and cause division so the coalition collapses. Run a five million dollar ad campaign between now and January 27 linking the Liberal Party to the separatists and questioning the mandate of Dion. I would also have ads questioning if the NDP can be trusted on the economy in this unprecedented economic climate. I would bring back the talking points about entitlements, sponsorship scandal and Liberals being willing to risk national unity to grab power. I would position the Conservative Party as the only federalist option that can keep both the West and Quebec united in confederation. Every BQ or PQ statement on separation would become a television ad ending with a picture of Dion and asking if this is the government you trust to run Canada.
4. Deliver a budget that would be extremely hard for the opposition parties to vote down. With a little luck the coalition might be finished with the alliance seen as the biggest blunder in Liberal history. If they bring down the government, there is a better chance that GG will call an election after a few months since the last election as opposed to a few weeks after the last election.
5. If there is an election campaign, Harper and Conservatives can be confident we have a winning ballot box question, the finances and the motivated volunteers to hammer the entire opposition who I would portray as a single party that wants to govern as a separatist coalition.

Scott Reid is going to look like an idiot very soon. He went after Harper with all he had and the opposition parties made a huge strategic blunder and took his advise. All credibility has now been lost to their individual brands over this. A few short days ago it looked like the Conservatives would have power stolen from them and Dion would become Prime Minister. I personally think Harper’s job is now safe rather this coalition forms or not. Historically, this is going to be seen as the biggest mistake the Liberal Party has made in the history of their party. I predict the next election will be the last time you see 5 parties in Canadian democracy. As soon as the next election is called, Conservatives will win a majority while the left will be forced to unite formally under one banner to survive. Dion damaged his party with the carbon tax and a coalition with the Greens. He has now dealt it the final blow by demonstrating to Canadians that Liberals are so unprincipled that they will risk the unity of the country for a cheap few months in power. If I was a Liberal I would remove Dion at all costs to avoid any further damage – although at this point it is well past too late. If I wanted to be Liberal leader, I would position myself immediately against this coalition because I guarantee in a couple of months that person is going to look like a genius. Liberals rolled the dice and have lost. As Conservatives, we should stand firmly behind our leader rather this undemocratic coalition takes power or not. We should not do the opposition’s dirty work by removing a leader who was elected by party members, brought together a united right and was twice elected by Canadians. In the most recent election he received an increased mandate. They want to take him out because they fear him. After Question Period yesterday, I am convinced that there is no way Dion will be able to hold his own against an opposition slaughter that would take place if he actually stole the Prime Ministers office. Liberals who still stand for something should stop this from becoming a trainwreck at all costs.

Update: Harper to address the nation tonight at 7pm Eastern Time.

-Darryl

New Conservative ad about Dion and his separatist coalition

I already know how partisans from all sides will act. It will be interesting to see how average Canadians react to this who are not up to speed on the inside baseball and daily political games in Ottawa. So far polls on CTV's website and also Global TV are showing heavy early opposition. QP was interesting today if anyone watches CPAC. Best line from Harper, "If you want to be prime minister, you get your mandate from the Canadian people, not from the separatists."
-Darryl



Canadians were lied to by Dion during the election campaign a few weeks ago:

Meet the Three stooges

The Bloc has already had it's influence. From the document signed by all three leaders...

"A majority of Canadians and Quebecers voted for our parties on October 14, 2008. Our Members of Parliament make up 55 percent of the House of Commons."

They haven't even sat in government yet and already Canada and Quebec are separate. Thanks for looking out for Canadians Mr. Dion.
-Darryl

Rally for Canada...save our democracy

Anyone who cares about the unity of this country, our economy or our democracy should be marching in one of these cities this weekend. For details visit the link below:
-Darryl

www.rallyforcanada.ca

Editorials not kind to the coalition, Western premiers not happy

While Warren Kinsella has pointed out that several columnists are calling on Stephen Harper to resign, virtually all except the usual suspects (Toronto’s Liberal Star) are calling this idea of a coalition a terrible idea and undemocratic. Again, I think the Governor General has no choice but to call an election. Canada should not be allowed to be governed by a rejected party headed by a lame duck rejected leader that is relying on the socialists for advice on the economy and a party that does not support Canada as part of the coalition. Harper may have made a major mistake that caused all this, but Dion who damaged the Liberal brand badly in the past campaign has now killed any shred of principle, integrity or pride left for grassroots Liberals with this move. The party is now firmly on the left and has proven willing to sell out Canada for a couple of months in power. Canadians deserve a chance to vote in a new government with consideration of these new revelations from yesterday. Disenfranchised “blue” Liberals can apply for Conservative membership here.

-Darryl

***

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall

"If any coalition requires formal support from separatists, it's wrong,"

“I do not think what the country needs right now is an unelected government that’s dependent formally on separatists who will have a list of requests that they will have made already for more investment, for some treatment from the federal government ... that’s not in the interests of Canada, that’s not in the interests of Saskatchewan.

“I am still hopeful that heads can come out of their kilts and that the right decisions can be made for the country,”

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach

"put Canada first and stop the nonsense."

Canada right now needs "sane, prudent leadership dealing with the bigger elephant in the room, which is the global economic crisis,"

***

Led by a loser, bound by the Bloc

It's a personal putsch, not a rational rebellion

Don Martin, National Post Published: Tuesday, December 02, 2008

OTTAWAThe biggest Liberal loser in the party's electoral history, a self-admitted campaign failure who advocated carbon taxes as sound economy policy and lacks significant Western Canada representation, seems set to become prime minister next week.

Forgive them. They know not what they've done.

Giddy opposition party leaders have decreed nothing will stop them from toppling this government next Monday to create the first governing coalition in almost 100 years, a 30-month, three-headed, Liberal-led monster bonded to New Democrats and Quebec separatists by four pages of policy duct tape.

The government's defeat can now only be avoided if Stephen Harper prematurely pulls the plug on the barely started session of Parliament this week. That seems a desperate and shameless tactic that would merely delay the inevitable until early next year and give the fledgling coalition time to solidify.

This means an electorate that cast a third of its votes for the Conservatives will have their representation replaced by a hodge-podge of lowest-common-denominator policies produced almost overnight by parties leaning left and toward leaving.

An election no longer seems to be an option. The coalition, despite lacking any modern precedent, has done an admirable job of building the case for securing the Governor-General's blessing to try to govern until June, 2011, subject to change without notice.

That will put the keys to 24 Sussex Drive in the hands of Stephane Dion, an Official Opposition leader who has already announced his resignation and set May 2, 2009, as the date to crown his replacement.

The three MPs bidding to replace him will be senior ministers in the new Cabinet. Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc will divide their time between governing a country at perilous risk from recession while campaigning hard to win the prime minister's job.

This move is clearly payback for years of facing a Stephen Harper who lay awake at night scheming on ways to eliminate or embarrass the Liberal party without fearing his own vulnerable state as a minority government leader.

That ensures there will be a fury in the land, particularly in the West and specifically in Alberta. Even if New Democrat rookie Linda Duncan of Edmonton becomes the province's token Cabinet minister, replacing the five Alberta Conservatives in power now, the frustration of seeing electorally legitimized power seized by Toronto-based Liberals partnered with separatist forces in Quebec will be revolt-worthy in the West.

While the discipline of power may keep the coalition together, more or less flying in loose formation for perhaps a year or even longer, this is not a system of sustainable government as much as it is a power grab minus a compelling reason to exist.

It circumvents the public's Oct. 14 election verdict for no good reason, given the government has capitulated on every grievance its opponents spotted in the fiscal update. This makes it a personal putsch, not a rational rebellion.

It puts Canada on an uncertain track under leadership that will change again within months. In the meantime, Stephen Harper may well join Stephane Dion as a former prime minister, the price for boneheadedly browbeating his opponents in dangerous times.

The deficit, already accepted as necessary to fight job losses and auto-sector failure, is bound to be larger than expected as the coalition unleashes hefty infrastructure relief, industrial bailouts and unspecified housing construction and retrofitting. No projected price tag was attached to the plan yesterday.

Under coalition control, the government's size likely will bloat to deal with social issues, environmental policy will be hardened against the energy sector, the large number of Senate vacancies will be restacked with mostly Liberal partisans and Quebec appeasement moves will be even more rampant than currently exist.

It must be acknowledged the coalition's organization is more advanced than anyone could have expected, given that the precipitating move, the botched fiscal update, was less than 100 hours old when the accord was signed yesterday afternoon.

There comes a time where an aura descends on political leaders. Stephen Harper always projected confident, unflappable leadership. That changed yesterday when his sagging shoulders and lack-lustre performance gave him the look of a lost cause trying to come to mental grips with his six-week squandering of the largest minority mandate in Canadian history.

It's still an awful hard squint to see Mr. Dion as a prime minister power-sharing with Jack Layton, but it seems likely to become a reality.

Stephane Dion is about to get the ultimate do-over to answer this question:Who actually won the last election?

***

National Post editorial board: The Liberal party's gift to Quebec's separatists

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/02/national-post-editorial-board-the-liberal-party-s-gift-to-quebec-s-separatists.aspx

“What appalls us most about a left-of-centre coalition seizing power in Ottawa is the tacit admission by the coalition partners — the Liberals and New Democrats — that they would pander to the Bloc Québécois to keep themselves in power. Since the Bloc’s stated purpose is the breakup of Canada, any deal that brings it even one inch closer to that goal is an outrageous betrayal of the country.”

“The Bloc’s stature in Quebec can only grow as a result. They will be able to campaign in future elections on all the great advantages and subsidies they have brought to the province. Meanwhile, the special attention raining down on Quebec could exacerbate tensions in the rest of the country. As Michael Bliss notes elsewhere, we are dealing with a political powder keg.

The coalition could be the greatest gift the separatists have ever received. That alone is reason enough to stop it before it begins.”

David Frum: Only the losers will survive Ottawa's game of competitive suicide

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/01/david-frum-only-the-losers-will-survive-ottawa-s-game-of-competitive-suicide.aspx

Imagine Canada 6 months on. There’s a Liberal prime minister. He will head an unstable coalition of Liberals and socialists aligned with separatists. To appease the socialists, he will have to raise taxes. To appease the separatists, he will have to direct disproportionate money and attention to the province of Quebec.

He will have zero democratic legitimacy. He will never be able to use the words, “That’s the job the Canadian people elected me to do.” His government will contain almost no representatives from the west. Everyone will understand that the only issue uniting this government was its members’ eagerness for public money for their own party funds.

“Sooner or later, this government will collapse. Probably sooner. When it does, and faces the people, it will have to bear responsibility for unemployment and budget deficits. It will look desperate and selfish and cynical verging on crooked. It’s hard to imagine any result other than a crushing once-in-a-generation defeat: another 1958 or 1984.”

George Jonas: Coalition may be legal, but also undesireable

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/02/george-jonas-coalition-may-be-legal-but-also-undesireable.aspx

Needless to say, the mere fact that something is legal doesn’t make it either right or desirable. If the endorsement of the Conservatives in the 2008 elections was far from unequivocal, the rejection of the Liberals in general, and their leader, Stéphane Dion, in particular, certainly was. Whatever Canadians wanted six weeks ago when they went to the polls, what they clearly did not want was a Liberal prime minister, especially Stéphane Dion. If this is what they end up getting, constitutional as it may be, it will be a mockery of democracy.

The accord that Jack built

http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=2f59c9c7-fac7-47fd-a761-1be09bc20e04

“A small point, perhaps, but a pretty good indicator of where this accord is taking the government of Canada. Under this agreement, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe, leader of the Bloc Quebecois, would have their fingers on the policy triggers of the government of Canada. Anyone who thinks they do not intend to squeeze or threaten to pull that trigger now, sending the Liberals scurrying, doesn't appreciate the hardball wing-nuttiness of Mr. Layton and Mr. Duceppe.”

Take my country ... please

The best Christmas gift the Conservatives could get is to lose

“The Liberals will heretofore be known as the party willing to jump in bed with separatists to get their grubby hands on power. Don't you think that will be an interesting talking point to bring into the next election? This will cement the Tories' status as the federalist alternative in Quebec, and the guardian of national integrity in the rest of the country.”

http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=f099adf3-c265-4300-b65e-dd0a1a6f10d9

Harper, Dion put politics before national interest

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081201.weCoalition02/BNStory/politics/home

“It is debatable which is a more dangerous prospect: to place members of a left-wing, labour-beholden party that has never tasted the discipline of power in charge of major economic portfolios, or to hand a gun to a separatist party with the singular goal of advancing the interests of Quebec, and not of Canada. Either scenario would be intriguing for political scientists, and might make for good spectator sport. But a time of economic uncertainty, in which Canadians' jobs, homes and life savings are all in peril, is no time for political games or experiments.”

“It is also necessary to consider the message that Mr. Dion's sudden ascent to the office of prime minister could send to much of the country. Contrary to silly Conservative claims of a coup d'état, coalition-making is entirely within the boundaries of parliamentary democracy. There is no constitutional impropriety here. But there certainly would be a political one. Owing in large part to his now defunct “Green Shift,” Mr. Dion has proved highly unpopular in Western Canada – particularly in resource-laden Alberta and Saskatchewan. What would voters in those provinces make of his elevation to the prime ministership less than two months after they overwhelmingly rejected him? Expect the Conservatives to pour fuel on the resulting regional resentment.”

Monstrous result of an ill-conceived political coupling

http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/monstrous+result+conceived+political+coupling/1020723/story.html

“Nevertheless, a government reliant upon the support of a party conceived for no other purpose than to facilitate Quebec's exit from Confederation has the legitimacy of a police force maintaining public order with the assistance of a biker gang under contract. For this reason alone, the Governor General should reject the coalition proposal.”

It's the economy, stupid. Cooler heads must prevail in Ottawa for everyone's sake

http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/economy+stupid+cooler+heads+must+prevail+ottawa+everyone+sake/1010010/story.html

“The Liberal party, which sees itself as the "natural governing party of Canada," needs to give its collective head a shake and back off from its arrogant attempt to grasp power from the duly elected Conservative government.”

Coalition calamity

http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/coalition+calamity/1019607/story.html

“What is going on in Ottawa is disgusting. If the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party get their way, our country will be run by a coalition government that not one Canadian supported in an election.”

Premier speaks for angry nation

http://www.leaderpost.com/opinion/premier+speaks+angry+nation/1020193/story.html

“Wall then added that what Canada absolutely doesn't need right now is "an unelected government that depends on separatists for support." In fact, his most pointed words were aimed at a Liberal-NDP coalition deal that could only function if it were propped up by the Bloc Quebecois.

"If any coalition requires formal support from separatists, it's wrong," Wall said, in response to the lunacy of a NDP and Liberal coalition requiring the Bloc's support and the sanctimony of the Conservatives, who are conveniently forgetting that Harper was every bit as eager to get in bed with separatists and form a coalition to bring down Paul Martin's minority Liberal government.”

Governor General can just say 'No'

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/35357989.html

“Fortunately, there is a third way, and one that has a good deal of constitutional precedent. The Governor General could simply refuse to accept Harper's resignation, just as prime ministers and premiers in the past have often refused to accept letters of resignation from cabinet ministers. The Governor General could say that accepting Harper's resignation is not in the best interests of the country because it would set in motion a choice between two unacceptable alternatives.

In effect, the Governor General would send Harper back to negotiate an economic package that could secure majority support in the House. She would implicitly instruct the opposition parties to make this Parliament work. She would exercise the discretionary power that the Constitution has wisely placed in her hands. She would just say no.”

Michaëlle Jean cannot be complicit in deal with Bloc

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/35358239.html

“I do not believe that the Governor General can possibly allow herself to be complicit in such events. If the Conservatives are brought down by a separatist party, Jean would have to accede to the prime minister's request to test the will of Canadians. To refuse to do this would be an abuse of vice-regal power, an abuse that would raise fundamental questions about Jean's loyalty to the Constitution and to Canada. I doubt there is a precedent for such a situation in the history of parliaments.”

Say no way to this power grab

http://www.winnipegsun.com/Comment/Editorial/2008/12/02/7602296-sun.html

“Seven weeks ago, Canadians rejected Stephane Dion as the leader of this nation. Now our politicians want to cast aside the will of the people.

So badly do the Liberals and NDP want to seize the reins of power, they're even willing to work with the separatist Bloc Quebecois.

This must not be allowed to happen.”

Stop selling us out to separatists

http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2008/12/01/7587161-sun.html

“Our very sovereignty is at stake.

For the first time, a party dedicated to the political destruction of Canada, operating contrary to the wishes of the majority of Canadians outside and inside Quebec, holds the balance of power between competing federalist forces in a minority Parliament. That alone could reignite western separatism and tear Canada apart.

It's un-Canadian and we must demand all these scheming federalist politicians stop selling us out to the Bloc.

They have no right to play Russian roulette with Canada.”

A power play that insults democracy

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/power+play+that+insults+democracy/1020241/story.html

“Canadian taxpayers, you are entitled to a primal scream. Three of the least credible men in Canadian politics are about to seize control of our government in a virtual coup that is perfectly legal, and perfectly wrong.

Imagine, a government run by the soon-to-be-deposed leader of the Liberals, fresh from a decisive rejection by Canadian voters. What stunning disrespect for democracy Stéphane Dion is displaying. For help, he is turning to the leader of the party that has the fewest seats in the House. Even then, they don't have the numbers to form a government, so they are reaching out to a separatist who doesn't give a damn about anything except Quebec.

It's amazing what three men can accomplish once they choose to abandon all principle. Even though Stéphane Dion, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe have dramatically different views on how the country should be run, or even if it should be a country, they have overcome all of that for the shot at power that none of these losers would have had in a sane world. Everyone wins, except Canadians.”

Forget coalition, let the people decide

http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/forget+coalition+people+decide/1019409/story.html

“The idea that two parties totalling 114 MPs can supplant a governing party with 144 seems surreal precisely because it is alien to the Canadian tradition; not illegal, but not quite the Canadian way, either. Our constitution, much of it unwritten, includes an element of tradition and practice, and nothing like this has ever happened before federally. Our only other coalition, during the First World War, arose slowly over an issue of substance, conscription, not overnight because parties feared losing their subsidies.

And the country paid a price; Quebec's alienation from Robert Borden's Unionist government rubbed salt in an old, and still-enduring, division in this country. In that context it's worth noting that in the current crisis some commentators are already speaking of damaging feelings of alienation in strongly Conservative western Canada.

So the precedent should not whet anyone's appetite for coalition. The proper way to choose a government for Canada is at the ballot box, not by cabal and closed-door deal. Yes we're all tired of elections, and yes Harper brought this on himself. But all the same, if the Liberals and New Democrats are determined to punish Harper, then Governor-General Michaëlle Jean should issue a writ for a new election. Let the people decide.”

A false pretext

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081201.wcohartt02/BNStory/politics/home

“Neither Mr. Rae nor Michael Ignatieff should be pleased to see Stéphane Dion anointed as prime minister mere weeks after his humiliation at the polls. What if he decides he likes the job and postpones the planned leadership convention? What policy price would the leadership candidates have to pay by associating themselves with the NDP and the Bloc? What would Trudeau loyalists do when asked to cozy up with those who would destroy Canada? What about those Liberals who are centre-right supporters of our market system, now thrust into liaison with the NDP?

This would be a parody of democracy. To do it on the false pretext that stimulus can't wait when the real motive is far more self-interested, would be asking Her Excellency to participate in a mockery of our system of government.”