Via David Akin;
I am deeply troubled by Mr. Ignatieff’s assertion that he may choose to overturn the democratic result of the federal election.
While I understand that the scenario spelled out by Mr. Ignatieff is within the conventions of our Parliamentary tradition, the last thing our country and our still fragile economic recovery need right now is a period of instability caused by a constitutional dispute over who should be the government.
Morever, Canada is poised to solidify its position as an economic leader in a world that needs the food security and the energy security we can provide. How can we take full advantage of this reality if we are distracted by interminable national political machinations and constitutional wrangling?
The party that wins the most seats on May 2 should be recognized as the government, period. If that were to be the Liberals, I would join with other Canadians in accepting this result and recognizing Mr. Ignatieff as our next Prime Minister. However, if the Conservatives win the most seats but come up short of a majority, I would expect Mr. Ignatieff and his party to accept that result.
The notion that Mr. Ignatieff may choose to not recognize the democratic result of the election and may try to seize power with the support of the other parties, including a party dedicated to the breakup of Canada, is offensive to me and I believe, to most fair-minded Canadians. Voters should choose the government, not separatist MPs.
Ironically, this election was caused by a confidence vote over “contempt for Parliament.” I can think of no greater contempt for Parliament or for Canadian voters than the spectre of a party leader refusing to recognize the democratic outcome of the election.
And to think there are those out there who would love to see some sort of proportional representation. That would be a catastrophe.
Good on Premier Wall for speaking out.
let the attack dogs loose on Mr.Wall, God forbid that any who speak for the good of the people in this country not be slandered and attacked by the entitled left! Alway,s hungry for power no matter how or the price to Canadian people.
Bang on Mr.Wall.
I am mortified at the thought of literally giving the Leftist Loons the keys to the asylum. I am truly dumbfounded that any fiscally conservative Liberal voter could even consider voting for such coalition. I suppose the error in my thinking is the assumption that there ARE some fiscally conservative Liberal voters. Perhaps they are all Loons eh?
Way to go Mr. Wall! Your brilliant political move to the populist center with respect to the BHP attempted take-over of PCS has likely put you in a unique position of trust (somewhat) with Progressives for a conservative politician. I suspect that you are the most well liked and respected politician in the land if you consider both sides of the political spectrum. If Harper’s haters will not listen to Mr. Wall, they will not be swayed by anyone.JMO
Premier Wall has ably posited that which many (most?) Canadians believe. If Mr. Ignatieff and his socialist/separatist bedfellows actually get in a position to usurp power, he can, I think, be comfortable in the knowledge that he will preside over a fractured country. And it will be his doing.
Brad Wall’s voice of caution doesn’t matter and neither will anyone else’s. Apparently, all dissenting votes are evidence of ignorance not concern. According to the MSM intelligent Canadians must keep telling themselves “All that matter is that this is constitutionally legitimate. All that matters is this is constitutionally legitimate…”.
Adler had a good point about the coalition business the last time around:
Imagine if you will, if these professors were confronted with a situation in which their favorite Party, the NDP, had won more than 140 seats in the House of Commons. Imagine if the NDP had double the seat total of the Conservatives. Imagine what would happen if the Conservatives had then gotten together with two other parties, one of them being an Alberta Only party and then perhaps the Christian Heritage Party, one that would be supporting Capital Punishment and Opposing Abortion. Imagine if the Conservative Party with their right of centre coalition partners including a party dedicated to the Independence of Alberta. Imagine if the Conservatives signed a document with these smaller parties and presented that to the Governor General and said, “We have ourselves a legitimate, constitutional, coalition of elected members who have lost confidence in the government led by Jack Layton. He must face the house. He must face defeat, and we must now come to you Governor General, your excellency and pick up the keys to a new government.”
Can you imagine the professors of our elite universities going on the National TV Newscasts, saying “This coalition is very much in keeping with Constitutional Values, Canadian values and there is no reason to go back to the polls. These coalition partners ought to be given a chance to make government work.”
If you can imagine the professors giving their intellectual and moral consent to that, then you can also imagine Pigs flying, Cows barking, and Cockroaches coming up with a cure for cancer.
I remember when our province used to have a premier who had a back bone. Maybe the Wildrose party will change this province back.
Premier Wall is playing to the wonts of most Saskatchewan federal centrists, which is the federal Conservative Party. Premier Wall is a rock star!!!! Is there nothing Premier Wall *can’t* do right?
I wouldn’t have expected so clear and compelling an argument from Wall. Maybe I haven’t been paying close enough attention to him.
Would love to see Ralphy lose his seat in Saskatchewan.
OCHeadlines: Liberals trusted less than NDP, Tories on health care: poll: More Canadians trust the NDP and the Conservatives … http://bit.ly/eJmIoS
The problem with Lieberals is … well, self evident! Some moron – might have been ‘Davenport’ or ‘Bill Stewart’ – called up Charles Adler today and casually threw away 144 years of Canadian Democratic History by saying that there was nothing wrong with Iggy’s intentions and Coalitions like this occur in Europe all the time.
If the undemocratic scoundrels attempt to immorally seize control of our government like Iggy is now hinting they will, then rest assured that I will be attending every protest rally possible here in Vancouver where I live. I hope you all do the same in your communities!
Well said, Premier Brad Wall!
The people who deemed the Harper gov’t to be in contempt of Parliament are basically the same people who brought down the gov’t by voting down the budget. They intend to take over by hook or by crook. It’s called being in cahoots.
They couldn’t care less what the voters want!
Brad Wall for Prime Minister.
Wow Ignatieff has a few skeletons in his closet ay. Would a leadership convention have brought this to light or not. To bad he was appointed. Keep pealing back that onion skin on him. I am looking forward to Jack Layton as the leader of the official opposition, with a conservative majority. To use a line that the liberal’s used to use at nauseum…it’s time.
Wall’s last line has the makings of a Tory ad.
There does seem to be some misunderstanding on our side of the fence on this issue. The phrase “seize power” seems to be a recurring point but it not a correct one. Whereas, the coalition is correct in terms of the legality of what they might ask the GG to do, they are not pointing out that the GG has an equal legal power to look all three of them in the face, say “No”, and set a second election date for later in the summer. In addition to the legal authority vested in the Office of the Governor General, the morals and ethics of the matter do side with the GG saying no as pointed out by Premier Wall.
I posted something in the other thread; most is reposted here as it really belongs here.
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I did and do appreciate Mr. Ignatieff’s new found honesty regarding the issue of the coalition (formal or informal). Now that he has admitted what we all knew was the real motivation for the election, it might be useful to consider the role of the Governor General in all this. The reason I say that is that I am not convinced that Mr Harper’s 2 scenarios are the complete picture. The way I see it, there are 4 possibilities.
Mr Harper says there are only 2 possibilities: the coalition or a majority CPC government. These are certainly 2 of the 4 possibilities but there are 2 more. He said before the election something like “they will deny it every day of the election, but the next day they will do it.” Up until yesterday, he was correct about the Liberals regarding the first part of his statement. The second part is the issue. There is a difference between “they will do it” and “they will request permission from the GG to do it”. I, like Mr. Harper, am not in doubt about the desire by the 3 parties for a coalition; it is the certainty of it happening that I doubt although I concede that the GG could make a bad decision and we could have a coalition government. That is only in the event that the GG makes a bad decision. He will have to consider the factors. The third possibility follows.
First, the GG needs to ensure that any government that is formed is in Canada’s best interests. He will weigh two decisions that are both within the letter of the law: the idea of the coalition as it would work out in practice, and the idea of dissolving Parliament and calling another election in the summer. Yesterday, Mr. Layton called the idea of a second election in 2011 ridiculous. Hopefully, the GG will be more thoughtful in his analysis.
The GG will need to see through the optics of the 2008 written deal where the role of the Bloc was not mentioned as part of the formal Coalition but the Bloc did agree to not vote non-confidence to bring down the coalition government for a specified period of time. The GG will need to see through this because an agreement to simply not vote non-confidence does include being absent from the House during a vote. An absent Bloc vote during a non-confidence vote would ensure the Conservatives could bring down a Liberal/NDP Coalition government at any opportunity if they hold more seats than the combined Liberals and NDP. Therefore, a simply agreement to not vote non-confidence is insufficient; an agreement to always vote confidence over a specified period of time would be required. In essence, a formal Coalition agreement between all 3 parties would be required; it would need to be even stronger than the 2008 agreement.
Although the idea of Quebec separating is somewhat dubious, the GG should give some weight to the idea that a Bloc supported Coalition would increase the odds of the Bloc pursuing its agenda, and should it accomplish that agenda in its entirety, an instant Conservative majority would emerge. However, I am unsure as to how much weight the GG should give to this argument.
There are other more political arguments that can be used against the idea of the Coalition, but the main point is that the GG will need to be convinced that the government can actually govern and that it is in Canada’s interests. So while Mr. Layton may be right in saying that it would be ridiculous to have two elections in 2011, the GG may decide that the idea of a Coalition is even more ridiculous and a second, summer 2011 election would be called.
The fourth possibility is that in a minority Conservative government, Mr. Harper modifies the budget oh so slightly, and gives one of the parties wiggle room to go back on their campaign promise to vote against the budget and things carry on as they have over the last 5 years.
What Iggy and his enablers don’t touch is the fact that a rapid defeat of PMSH’s likely minority will probably have an effect on our financial markets. This coupled with the very thin ice the American economy is skating on now would cause an erosion of our markets. Do we want to take that risk?
Thank you Premier Wall.
Certainly a much more worthy contribution to the national debate than offered by the increasingly silly Ms. Atwood in the Mop and Pail today. I am sure her column spurred many titters among the Rosedale crowd. But seriously, who would you by a vacuum from? Iggy or Steve. I am not sure Iggy knows what one looks like.
Very clever Maggie. I can only hope that that machine you famously bought to sign your books penned that article and not you.
As it turns out, I was a few hours out front of our Premier.
Further to my above post, suppose that the GG does make the wrong decision and gives the green light to the Coalition to form a government. There is another letter of the law issue.
The Conservative controlled Senate has power to delay passage of bills long enough to outlast the time for the average Canadian minority government which is 18-24 months.
A Coalition even of the type being considered is in theory legal; however, this Coalition would not have any power in practice.
It would be interesting to see such a situation in action. I wonder if we would hear the MSM refer to the Canadian Senate as the House of “sober second thought” if it simply “rose up”, “rose up”, “rose up” and stalled all the bills attempted by a legally permitted but morally illegitimate Coalition government.
Mr Wall has cajoles. Bravo, sir.
I’ve always been a federalist, but if Brad Wall ran for Prime Minister of Western Canada, he’d have my vote.
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I’m afeared that the new Minority Government to be foisted upon us will not last long.
Certain “Canadian” wannabe destroyers of democracy as we have known it, have been, and are, plotting to take-over as a coalition of losers.
Though such an arrangement may be “legal”, think of the consequences. The resultant governing coalition will be composed of a significant number of members dedicated to tear the HofC apart.
Bookmark this page.
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Ignatieff-putting the ‘RECKLESS’ in reckless coalition.
Brent, it would be interesting but best avoided.
Ezra did a good job on Iggy this afternoon.
Iggy will envoke a coalition at his extreme peril.
wnmc:
Agreed. My point is that I am expecting the GG to be aware of these issues and, therefore, the Coalition is not as simple as simply adding the anti-Conservative votes. It is easy to say “we all don’t want Harper in charge”. It is much more difficult to explain to the GG how they would govern. That is the question they will have to answer.
Bravo Mr. Brad Wall! One Premier in this nation is thinking about the fate of this nation and the citizens living in this nation. Where is Red Ed? The rest of the premiers are of no account because they are Dipper or Dipper lite, just like the Troika!
PMSH has been informing the Canadian people of the chaotic fate awaiting Canada, should the CPC not gain a majority, since the onset of this election. The Troika ‘Treaty’ is a ‘living’ document – having ‘life’ until June 11/11. The Troika (Liberanos/Dippers/Blocheads), should they steal power, will bankrupt English Canada (esp.the west) to appease Ducippi because Ducippi will enable the fraud to exist. Ducippi will be the de facto Prime Minister, Jacko or Icky will go to the parties. Canadians will foot the bill for all the $$ it will cost to maintain the fraud that will be the Toika in power. Canada would turn into an economic wasteland overnight (May 2nd/May 3rd).
The carbon tax ( a cash cow favorite of all three Bolshevic head clowns) will shut down all oil gas production and NFLD can kiss the Lower Churchill project good-bye. Ont/Que will cut the ROC off at the knees before we have time to clear out of the country.
If Canadians fall for the Troika ‘coalition is O.K.’ fraud that the msm cheerleaders are spreading in favor of their chosen gument (the Troika) then they are a truly stupid nation, deserving of the poverty that their foolish arrogance will earn them.
Wise up Canada, wise up!
If ..only..we..in..Ontario had a Premier like that,I am so depressed.McGuinty,free to a good home,any takers.
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and just think… iggy’s little government toppling exercise
is only costing us 300 million dollars.
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I won’t reconize a coalition government as legal or ethical, I’ve had enough of the power mongering left negating the will of the electorate. Never in my wildest’s dreams would I suspect a Canadian of convienance could walk into this nation and take what he can’t win in an election. A coalition government will cause our stock market to come to a screeching halt, our economy will tank because of their carbon credit scam and the one billion they promised the Bloc comes out of our pockets/paychecks without our consent.
greyburr Is he neutered?
I don’t think this will play on the CBC….
They actually bent the Iggy over and beat him on the head until he agreed to the Troika coalition. AKA as the “UN/EU Party of Canada”
Game on CBC.. it’s the UN vs all Canadians
Thank you Brad Wall.
Not only did the Liberals steal our money…now they want to steal the results of our election.
OMG!
Thank you Brad Wall…canadians r lucky to have such a man as he.
Muchos gracias Premier Wall! The last paragraph is brilliant.
Phillip G. Shaw: ” ‘AKA as the ‘UN/EU Party of Canada’ Game on CBC.. it’s the UN vs all Canadians”
They think we are too stupid to catch on.
Nice try.
Stelmach made a statement about the Libs and dips putting the oilsands in peril
He should now step to the mike on this
Actually so should all the provinces ,I can see a federal liberal intrusion into all elections as the next step
Mr. Weston you make some good points. But. If the CPC have a razor thin majority of only a couple of seats then they do have to work with the Opposition. In Normal Circumstance in the Westminister Tradition. But this situation in Canada has never happened anywhere at anytime in the whole wide world with a Westminister Parliament. Were you have an avowed Separatist Party whose only aim is the breakup of the country by means fair or foul. For the NDP and the Libs to seek the help of the Bloc is basically a Treason against the Crown. It is in no way acceptable for the GG to ignore this fact. If he accedes to the wishes of the NDP/Lib/Bloc SEPARATIST PARTIES he himself the GG would be committing TREASON. The Bloc have no seats outside of Quebec. Therefore they should never ever be allowed to hold the WHIPHAND on the rest of Canada. In fact if this is allowed every Premier in Canada should publicly take a stand and bring on a real Constitutional Crisis and cut off all moneys flowing into Ottawa. Lets really show the Liberals and Iggy what can Rise Up…..They are playing with fire….
wanna trade ? you get stelmach for Premier Wall
Well-said, Mr. Wall! My sentiments exactly.
As one commenter at SunTV put it, this election and talk of a coalition of losers is contempt of democracy.
What really annoyed me yesterday when Rae was asked by David Akin about a coalition of the LPC, NDP, and the Bloc Quebecois, was Bob Rae’s shrug and his saying “I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”
He’s contemptuous of anyone/any party that doesn’t fall into lockstep with his left-lib ideas. His dream is “to unite the Left” and if that means bashing the Conservatives and giving the finger to CPC supporters across Canada, he’s OK with that.
Bob Rae is contemptuous of democracy, not exactly a foreign concept to Leftists the world over.
Canada’s nightmare.
I would advise Western Canadians to start writing to their Premiers, to grow aset, Premier Wall exempted he has already manned up for us all. Or if in Alberta, call the free call 310-0000 and ask for the Premier’s office and tell him to get a set. Also maybe an email to daniellesmith@wildrosealliance.ca and ask her to put the spurs on step in for the Lame Duck Stelmach and defend the rights of Albertan’s. From what I see, the Libs/NDP/Bloc are all Separatist Parties and should be called Separatists from now on….
Iggy says Harper has contempt for Parliament.
I say Iggy has contempt for Canada.
McGuinty,free to a good home,any takers.
I wouldn’t even stipulate that it has to be a “good” home.
292 woeds that reflect my opinion entirely….
292 WORDs that reflect my opinion entirely….
Stelmach will probably step up, right now he is a little tentative because of the beating the global warming lunatics have hammered Alberta with the last few years. That globall warming thing sure worked out good for Suzuki Gore Strong etc, I’m sure their accounts are overflowing with ill-gotten gains from morons. Wall made a great speech and Canada needs to look at the high stakes, and what is happening around the world presently. There is a reason this slime Iggula and his troika brought down and Honest Harper Govt. , and it has nothing to do with trumped up contempt. It is timing people, in order to bring about a new currency and control, certian big money people gave us Iggula, with orders to destabilize one of the only stable countries in the Northern Hemisphere right now. Thanks for aiding and abbetting CBC CTV Globe Star etc. what could turn out to be the destruction of Canada if people were ever dumb enough to vote this evil professor in.
My feeling is that it will be close to a majority for PMSH. Shy by perhaps a half dozen seats. Lets not forget the time honoured tradition of crossing the floor (Hey Belinda, where you at now?). If PMSH forms the government he has the option of offering plums to members in other parties.
The poll numbers indicate that the Liberals and the NDP combined will not have enough seats to form a government without the BLOQ. Forming a working government that would palatable to the GG and the Canadian public would not be possible.
bartinsky: “There is a reason this slime Iggula and his troika brought down and Honest Harper Govt. , and it has nothing to do with trumped up contempt. It is timing people, in order to bring about a new currency and control, certian big money people gave us Iggula, with orders to destabilize one of the only stable countries in the Northern Hemisphere right now.”
Bartinsky, this should be posted all over the Canadian cyber world. This is EXACTLY the PLAN.
Thanks for laying it out so accurately.
It is an example of the Sore Loser Syndrome. For a man whose platform was democracy, how interesting we should see the true colours (Canadian spelling) of this American poseur.
Suppose after the vote that the NDP and BQ have the same number of seats, the LPC loses 2 and the CPC gains 2. Could Ig really expect the keys be turned over to him when Canadians find him less appealing than before?