Quote:
Originally Posted by SebC
It bugs me to no end that Harper has been able to get away with so much hypocrisy on this. Further reason why we should not make election about who can raise the most money to yell the loudest.
"The opposition has every right to defeat the government but Stéphane Dion does not have the right to take power without an election."
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper gives the nation a lesson in parliamentary democracy from the foyer of the House of Commons (November 28, 2008)
"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."
- From a letter to then-Governor General Adrienne Clarkson signed by all three opposition leaders: Gilles Duceppe, Jack Layton and Stephen Harper (September 9, 2004)
http://www2.macleans.ca/2008/11/28/a...t-memory-lane/
Edit: extensive interview with Harper on his proposed colation here |
A coalition proposed to dissolve Parliament is completely different than one proposed to govern, especially one in which the Liberals had their weakest election ever, and Dion, possibly the most incompetent leader in the history of Canadian politics, was inviting a strong separatist party led by one of Canada's most astute federal politicians, Gilles Duceppe, an inordinate bargaining position and, an almost certain role in governing the country.