Quote:
Originally Posted by ikaris
Well it seems kind of unclear exactly what Harper was suggesting to the GG back in 2004 other than to consider all your options (including allowing a coalition to govern).
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../politics/home
But the Liberals and NDP said those arguments were undercut by Mr. Harper's 2004 letter to then-governor-general Adrienne Clarkson, which requested that she turn to him if Paul Martin's newly elected government were defeated in the Commons.
"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," the 2004 letter stated.
Essentially advising the GG to avoid an election. |
Still very different from an official agreement made in backroom meetings that involved a promise from the bloc to uphold all confidence matters. Working together in a loose agreement where neither party has given up any of their ideology to force it to stick is different than what has happened here. Especially since it was all hypothetical anyway.