For the last 8 years, it has been common for internet posters living in Canada to make fun of Americans unmercifully for the election of 2000 (hanging chads, etc.) and various other peculiarities of the American system of government. It appears the old saying is true, "Those in glass houses should not throw stones." Now, the Canadian government is in upheaval as for the first time ever, Canada's Prime Minister has suspended parliament by order of the Queen.
Governor General Michaelle Jean -- the representative of Queen Elizabeth, Canada's head of state -- agreed to Harper's request to shut down Parliament until Jan 26. Parliament was reconvened just weeks ago after the October 14 election.I had no idea the crown still had so much power over our neighbor to the north. Here's hoping when Parliament reconvenes in January, they are able to govern effectively and not shown to be a paper tiger.
Harper's request for suspension was unprecedented. No prime minister had asked for Parliament to be suspended to avoid a confidence vote in the House of Commons.
Such a vote had been set for Monday and the Conservatives almost certainly would have lost it, and faced the possibility of being replaced by a coalition of opposition parties.
6 comments:
I think what Steve Harper did was right for Canadian.
We needs time to cool off, this opposition coalition thing would never work.
In all sincerity, I believe the three opposition parties should sit down work out a merge into a single party, have a unified front and policy, then go to the Canadian people in a formal general election. It is not right to ask to represent us, as they don't even agree with each other.
All they want was for their individual ideals. They are going to destroy the very thing they claim to protect.
I think what Steve Harper did was right for Canadian.
We needs time to cool off, this opposition coalition thing would never work.
In all sincerity, I believe the three opposition parties should sit down work out a merge into a single party, have a unified front and policy, then go to the Canadian people in a formal general election. It is not right to ask to represent us, as they don't even agree with each other.
All they want was for their individual ideals. They are going to destroy the very thing they claim to protect.
This is really crazy situation up here...
Harper fights for time - to do what? Is he going to change the minds of NDP/Liberals/Bloc representatives? After this decision - hardly. Coalition merging into one party? NDP has been criticizing of Liberals for a long time, Dion has been rivaling Bloc ...This will never work...But what is the solution??
Regards,
Jay
Welcome, Canadian readers! Honestly, I am just learning about the Canadian system now. Any resources you can recommend would be welcome.
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