Liberals have refused to join in a series of confidence votes against the government, which would force an election they're not yet willing or ready to fight. Now they're using one of their rare opposition days to move what amounts to a non-confidence motion in the other opposition parties instead.

It's almost as if the Libs are intentionally working towards a Conservative majority.

I wonder how much Harper used to bribe Dion?

nobody cares about canada

VonKraut: nobody cares about canada

Nobody cares about your blinkered worldview either. Now scuttle off and let the adults talk amongst themselves while the women come and go, talking of Peterborough.

maybe they could pass a bill compelling Jack Layton to go away.

A Prufrock reference in my green light? How delightful! You sir, are a gentleman and scholar.

The Liberals are a joke and a half right now with their shenanigans.

On a politics show today, a pundit mentioned that there is no reason that they keep propping this government up through abstaining or voting against these various motions (and the NDP is exploiting it on its opposition days to much enjoyment of myself and many others I'm sure) other than their financials are so horrible right now that they'd implode if they went to the polls right now.

Although I think the Conservatives aren't doing themselves too many favours, they do keep bungling the current Cadman debacle.

Would Canada consider voting for an 'agreeable' party?

NDP-Bloc coalition government FTW!

Lawnchair: NDP-Bloc coalition government FTW!

The States would invade instantly.

Lawnchair: NDP-Bloc coalition government FTW!

There was talk last time when the government fell about whether or not the Governor General would allow the opposition to govern rather than call an election. It happened once in history I believe. You would think that Dion would try to work with the NDP and BLOC and convince the GG that they could form a somewhat stable government rather than call an election (it would be in Dion's interests and I doubt that the NDP/Bloc would gain that much more support in an election anyways).

Played right, October might be a perfect time for an election. If Obama is the nominee in the States, he's liked enough in Canada that Dion would be wise to subtly tie himself to the US election hoopla. Obama has enough charisma to spare, and lord knows Dion and a bunch of milquetoast Liberal MPs could stand to borrow some.

Lawnchair: ctober might be a perfect time for an election. If Obama is the nominee in the States, he's liked enough in Canada that Dion would be wise to subtly tie himself to the US election hoopla. Obama has e

I read once that Obama was scheduled to speak at the Liberal convention here or something, but canceled because of a 'scheduling conflict'. Anybody know if this is true?

This is why we need the Rhino party agian.

I think we as Canadians need to get together and engineer a minority government.

If it goes the conservatives way they won't be able to screw around with our social freedoms, and if it goes liberal they can't waste too much of our money.

I wouldn't really be upset by a liberal minority. Liberal majority? scary... Conservative majority... scary...

BoozePenguin: I think we as Canadians need to get together and engineer a minority government.

If it goes the conservatives way they won't be able to screw around with our social freedoms, and if it goes liberal they can't waste too much of our money.

I wouldn't really be upset by a liberal minority. Liberal majority? scary... Conservative majority... scary...

Agreed. I don't have a problem with a minority gov't even if it means we have to vote every 2 years.

great headline subby....lmao

canukles: Lawnchair: NDP-Bloc coalition government FTW!

There was talk last time when the government fell about whether or not the Governor General would allow the opposition to govern rather than call an election. It happened once in history I believe. You would think that Dion would try to work with the NDP and BLOC and convince the GG that they could form a somewhat stable government rather than call an election (it would be in Dion's interests and I doubt that the NDP/Bloc would gain that much more support in an election anyways).

The Bloc is not going to support a Liberal government any more than they would support a Conservative (or probably NDP or even Green) government.

BoozePenguin: I wouldn't really be upset by a liberal minority. Liberal majority? scary... Conservative majority... scary...

Best way to it is strategic NDP votes (even if Layton is the worst possible leader) to keep a working majority from being virtually inevitable.

A constant minority, with a new PM every 24 months, rotating between the Liberals, Conservatives, and Stark Raving Loonies (NDP/Green/Bloc). Works for me.

Maybe I'm missing something about the Canadian political structure, but how could a NDP/Bloc Coalition govern with only 26% of the Commons? I understand the concept of a minority government- but doesn't that still require some kind of plurality for the government?

Churchill2004: Maybe I'm missing something about the Canadian political structure, but how could a NDP/Bloc Coalition govern with only 26% of the Commons? I understand the concept of a minority government- but doesn't that still require some kind of plurality for the government?

Those suggesting it mean with the Liberals, not by themselves.

canukles: Lawnchair: NDP-Bloc coalition government FTW!

There was talk last time when the government fell about whether or not the Governor General would allow the opposition to govern rather than call an election. It happened once in history I believe. You would think that Dion would try to work with the NDP and BLOC and convince the GG that they could form a somewhat stable government rather than call an election (it would be in Dion's interests and I doubt that the NDP/Bloc would gain that much more support in an election anyways).

What you are proposing is drastically different than the King-Byng affair. In that case, the head of the government (King) asked for an election because he feared losing the confidence of the House. The GG (Byng) refused because there had just been an election a few months before, and since King had already resigned, Byng appointed Meighen to form a government.

Anyway, ridiculously vague, but yet still boring, history lesson over. That in no way resembles Dion going to the GG and just asking to form a coalition government after more than two farking years. Plus, seriously, you think Dion can form a government? Really? Everything the man touches turns to shiat.

Nastyboy:

That is full of WIN.

Verrai: Those suggesting it mean with the Liberals, not by themselves

d'oh. Ok.

Churchill2004: Maybe I'm missing something about the Canadian political structure, but how could a NDP/Bloc Coalition govern with only 26% of the Commons? I understand the concept of a minority government- but doesn't that still require some kind of plurality for the government?

Verrai is correct in the likelihood of the bloc forming a coalition gov't with either the NDP or Liberals. And you are correct that they wouldn't be able to with just one party - BOTH opposition parties would have to be part of the coalition which would just make it that more fragile.
We're stuck with minority governments every two years which, I get the feeling, that most Canadians don't mind (I don't anyways).
The Bloc make it very difficult to have either party form a majority.

Churchill2004: Maybe I'm missing something about the Canadian political structure, but how could a NDP/Bloc Coalition govern with only 26% of the Commons? I understand the concept of a minority government- but doesn't that still require some kind of plurality for the government?

At least I was basically joking. But, realize that Bloc/NDP/Green got 32.44% of the popular vote in 2006. More than the grits. Of course, they don't hold the ridings to pull it off in the least bit. It would take a pretty insane scandal/meltdown on the part of both major parties to pull a Bob Rae style vote and get the plurality that way.

Plate of Crazy: sly vague, but yet still boring, history lesson over. That in no way resembles Dion going to the GG and just asking to form a coalition government after more than two farking years. Plus, seriously, you thi

Thanks for the history lesson. I knew it'd be different since separatists weren't in the mix back then anyways.

regarding Dion turning everything he touches into shiat - maybe he could somehow use this power to turn the Bloc into shiat lol.

/Would he step down if he loses another election? That seems to be the pattern lately.
//Guess that'd be one advantage the liberal party would have if an election was called.

IGNATIEFF.

Plate of Crazy
Nastyboy:

That is full of WIN.

meh....law of averages. ;-)

canukles: /Would he step down if he loses another election? That seems to be the pattern lately.
//Guess that'd be one advantage the liberal party would have if an election was called.

I think he'd have to resign if they lost. He certainly hasn't done much to help them since he became leader. Basically, the Grits, no matter what's going on, are a national laughing stock. Liberal MPs are retiring/ announcing retirement left and right, which is already a bad sign for him. If he decided not to step down after losing like Martin did, he'd probably undergo a review and be ousted that way. Although, it being Dion, he might go that route.

I wish someone would get rid of the Bloc. Of course, Dion farked up on that this week by saying he supported PQ rhetoric about forming a national consensus on it. If he'd had stopped there, it would've been great since that's basically the point of the Clarity Act, but he went on to tell the steps after that for the PQ to have a successful referendum to secede. I don't think he meant to suggest that they should, but it was a stupid move.

Seriously, this motion would rock if it were a private member's motion brought forward by a Grit MP. The underlying tone would be, "Thanks for sticking us with this doofus! Fark you!" I would be quite amused.

Nastyboy: Plate of Crazy
Nastyboy:

That is full of WIN.

meh....law of averages. ;-)

I think it rocks, and if I weren't so farkin' lazy, I might have done it myself. Plus, it pretty much sums up the Liberal Party under Dion.

Just hold onto a minority government until the next Trudeau boy is ready to run. Might take a while. I'll wait.

Sigh. If you read TFA, you'll see that the opposition is not sponsoring a bill condemning itself - the Liberals are sponsoring a bill condemning 2 other political parties. Subby, you fail.

RE: Dion

"Dion may be the leader of the opposition, but Krieber is the CEO of Krieber-Dion Inc. She does the banking, writes the cheques, keeps the books, files the taxes and buys all of his clothes - even his underwear. ... "He's colour-blind. You don't leave him in a house alone." ... It's comments like this that have backroom Liberals shaking their heads. Says one, "Many suspect she controls him. She reads his briefing notes. He takes her advice and brings it back to staffers. She's the one people need to go to in order to get to him. Who are people reporting to?" There's even a suggestion circulating in Ottawa that Dion is saving a riding for his wife in the next election."

I am a Liberal but I cannot in good conscience vote for this wuss.

Man, I love the Liberals. This is hilarious.

I mean, how dumb can you get? They're condemning the opposition parties for voting against them in 200 farking 5? Way to brain, morans.

Wow. I mean, I know that the Liberals can't win an election right now (hence why they're not going to vote the budget down and force an election) but god... this move is even worse. Focus on the real enemy, the Tories, you numb-nuts. You don't want to make the NDP or the Bloc your enemies.

funmonger: IGNATIEFF.

YES. I AGREE WITH THIS.

jclimenh: RE: Dion

"Dion may be the leader of the opposition, but Krieber is the CEO of Krieber-Dion Inc. She does the banking, writes the cheques, keeps the books, files the taxes and buys all of his clothes - even his underwear. ... "He's colour-blind. You don't leave him in a house alone." ... It's comments like this that have backroom Liberals shaking their heads. Says one, "Many suspect she controls him. She reads his briefing notes. He takes her advice and brings it back to staffers. She's the one people need to go to in order to get to him. Who are people reporting to?" There's even a suggestion circulating in Ottawa that Dion is saving a riding for his wife in the next election."

I am a Liberal but I cannot in good conscience vote for this wuss.

Haha, Krieber is the Hillary Clinton of Canadian politics!

Doran

The tories are the enemy? Of what? Big government? Tax and spend economic platforms? You prefer the Bloc and the NDP? A separatist federal party with a platform around one single province that blaims failed separatism to the "ethnic" vote, and a member of the socialist international?

I think your priorities are a bit out of whack. large numbers of Canadians are not "enemies", unless your some sort of sick whackjob who sees your Canadian neighbors as "enemies"... Keep the control switching between the tories and the liberals - i don't want to see this country pushed in a radical direction.

The NDP and the Bloc are both radical. The liberals? Center left. The tories? Center right. just keep swapping it's worked for us so far.

BoozePenguin: Doran

The tories are the enemy? Of what? Big government? Tax and spend economic platforms? You prefer the Bloc and the NDP? A separatist federal party with a platform around one single province that blaims failed separatism to the "ethnic" vote, and a member of the socialist international?

I think your priorities are a bit out of whack. large numbers of Canadians are not "enemies", unless your some sort of sick whackjob who sees your Canadian neighbors as "enemies"... Keep the control switching between the tories and the liberals - i don't want to see this country pushed in a radical direction.

The NDP and the Bloc are both radical. The liberals? Center left. The tories? Center right. just keep swapping it's worked for us so far.

When I said "enemy", I meant adversary. Opponent. I didn't mean that they were "traitors". Yeesh.

I prefer Michael Ignatieff leading the Liberals, but that's not happening right now, not the NDP or the Bloc. Dion isn't getting ANYWHERE with fighting the third and fourth parties. They need to focus.

Nastyboy: Plate of Crazy
Nastyboy:

That is full of WIN.

Your alt?

Nastyboy: Plate of Crazy
Nastyboy:

That is full of WIN.

meh....law of averages. ;-)

Why don't you go back to the UK or somewhere else if you hate Canada so much? When I actually met you (With Bob at the Windsor) you didn't seem to be such a dick.