Proroguing parliament is a cowardly way out of a sticky situation. Harper should be removed for using this antiquated law. It makes a mockery of the type of government we are supposed to have

Harper has no right to prorogue parliament, he/youwere voted in by the people to govern, So get so back to to work. We voted you in and expect you to be in parliment, getting business done. Must be nice, call a "time out" when things get tough. Canada at the moment is like ship, and the Officer just jumped ship. You are displaying a new level of arrogance. We voted you in, now get back and DO something for the country. Holiday is over, get back to doing the job you voted to do. You have let us down, big time and that will show at the next election. I am fed up!!!!!!!!!!

Then he goes over our elected representatives collective heads, and demands that the GG who was never elected by anyone for anything prorogue parliament, even though that does not reflect the will of parliament.

Harper kept blah-blah-blahing away about how the coalition was not given a democratic mandate to govern, even though by being elected to the house of commons (by a larger total margin than the Conservatives), did in fact give them that mandate. Then he goes over our elected representatives collective heads, and demands that the GG who was never elected by anyone for anything prorogue parliament, even though that does not reflect the will of parliament. Oh and voting in favour of a throne speech delivered only a few weeks after an election does not give Harper carte-blanche to impose some sort of lite-dictatorship. Why isn't the media giving Harper a harder time about his blatant hypocrisy? When will Conservative supporter see through his BS and realize that he will never live up to any promises he's made. This really gives new meaning to the new GnR album title "Chinese Democracy" cause Canada seems to be going more and more that way.

I am Not a Conservative, but I'm getting a bit miffed at the B.S. the Liberal and N.D.P. have been throwing around. Mr. Harper may come across as a bit of a bully, but there is one thing he did not do. He did not start this nonsense. Jack (mealy Mouth) Layton conspired with Mr. Duceppe to bring down the legitimate gov. of Mr. Harpers before parliament even started. I will vote Conservative now.

I think she should grant it or if not call another election. Canada would become the laughingstock of the world for swearing in a new Prime Minister who has already handed in his resignation.

Well I guess Harper can run but he can't hide. Suspending Parliament to save democracy!?! Harper should have the vote on Monday the 8th and then see what the GG decides.

There is plenty of blame to go around on this mess. Harper pushing us to the brink over issues that have little to do with concerns of the overall populace. The "tri-party" coalition seeing an opportunity to gain power and get their turn at the trough. It is all appalling.
To think that we who voted in a government less than two months ago, would be faced with a coalition including a party with a mandate to break up the very country that provides its sanctuary, and led by a man who they deemed inadequate to lead the party (never mind the country), is astounding.

With the monster sized egos and pettiness on the Hill, it seems we are destined to be governed by the complete opposite from what our country needs to bring us through the next 2-4 years.

I personally think this might be the best idea. It is unfortunate that this kind of power struggle is occuring at a time when Canada needs strong leadership

We here in the West feel a massive sense of betrayal that our elected memebrs will be relegated to impotency by this Coup d'etat of a coalition of losers. Unable to get elected, they resort to tactics of deceit and worse when you account for a seperatist party who could care less about the rest of Canada. This is a sad day, but one that will energize the New West into action to defend itself against attack by this gang of thugs who under any other circumstances, would not breath the same air together. The objective is clear and evident, grab power at all costs, and then go after the West. Stay tuned. We are ready and up to the task of defending ourselves

How dare these 3 political parties go about doing what they are planning! The people of Canada elected a minority Conservative government as they felt that this was the best sollution to giving one party total control during these economic times. I honestly feel that if this coalition is allowed to run the government then we are heading down a path of economic disaster, where do they plan to come up with the 30 billion dollars to bailout the auto industry and logging industry? If they are allowed to do this then our deficiet will continue to grow, just as it did when the Liberals were in power! And just imagine the party with the most power will be the Bloc Quebecois, the party that wants to tear Canada apart, just how are they supposed to help the coalition?

Harper should go back to the polls with his true platform:

1) Outlaw abortion
2) Reinstate the death penalty
3) Sentence youth offenders over 10 as adults
4) Eliminate equalisation
5) Do away with human rights tribunals
6) Eliminate the CBC
7) Remove public workers' right to strike

Harper is trying to usurp the democratic will of Parliament. He should accept his fate -- after all, he is the one who started this snowball rolling. The opps have more than the mandate to do this. Harper is finished and he knows it.

great Do it!!!

similar to what Charles I did and cancel all future meetings of Parliament. Good job Harper. Good job.

I think it would be a mistake to porogue parliament. Running away from a challenge is never a good idea. Just ask Stephane Dion. I don't think the coalition is popular among the public, and will likely fall apart before it ever reaches power.

You can prorogue the parliament for now, but you can't prorogue it forever. How can a government function without the support of the majority of the House?

They better prorogue parliament.

Then stack the senate and any empty judicial spots just in case (so the usurpers can't when they mount their coup.)

To those of you who think proroguing would decisively put out this opposition fire, two things to think about.

a) Proroguing is, like calling an election, one of those exercies carried out officially by the Governor-General, though almost always with the consent of the PM. In this situation, the proroguation of parliament to prevent a sure defeat from a non-confidence motion (yes I will make up words) may tick off Jean enough that she denies Harper's request. Hey, this is anarchy, there are no rules anymore.

b) Even if parliament is prorogued, the opposition still have one possible route left. From the G&M blogs:

"There is a school of constitutional thought that the opposition parties can bring down the government without a confidence vote by all of them writing the GG, saying they have lost confidence in the current government and have agreed that a new government should be formed along the terms set out in the letters."

Just some food for thought here; proroguing may not be the be-all-end-all here (that is, if Harper even chooses to do it -- but why wouldn't he? might as well try if he has the option)

Prorogue? Prorogue will not help retain power. Just offer time for the economy to worsen and Canadians to become more frustrated with Conservative partisanship. Remember +60% did not vote for the Conservatives.

Since Parliament has only been in session a few days, when it does resume in January and a non-confidence motion is passed, The Governor General will STILL allow the coalition to become the government.

Prorogue will be a disastrous move and Harper's last stunt as PM.

Canada is a democracy not a tin pot dictatorship.

If the house falls, the GG is advised by the PM? Wrong:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/library/PRBpu...

"If a Prime Minister who has lost a confidence vote asks for a dissolution, the Governor General probably has the discretion to decide whether anyone else is capable of forming a government."

A minority PM must try to win a vote of confidence when Parliament returns, or resign. It is not clear how long the Prime Minister could wait. "Neither is it clear at what point the Governor General could require the Prime Minister to make a decision. According to the written Constitution, a sitting of Parliament is required at least once a year."

To prorogue rather than try to win the vote on Dec. 8 is to refuse to meet the new Parliament. In theory the PM might prorogue until December 2009 on the ground that Parliament must sit once a year. Now that would be seen as a coup. How is proroguing until January any better? Would he be daring the Governor-General to dismiss him? Would the House send the Speaker to assert the rights of Parliament and ask her to do that? Are we back to the days of the Commons fighting against the divine right of kings? Proroguing should not be seriously contemplated.

There are a few comments pointing to replacing the PM. Really, and just what exactly would anyone else have done that would be so much better to warrant that? I think he has done an amazing job for the party, and the Country, during very difficult times.

I expect Harper to do whatever is necessary to cling to power. Hell he already had one of his minions tape the NDP's conference call.

Oh if only it wasn't for the Gomery witch hunt we could have wiped Conservatism out in Canada. What a great day that would have been, it'll still happen of course, Conservatism is of course fundamentally flawed, but it'll just take longer and more good people will have to suffer the consequences of their idiocy.

A very good idea to prorogue. All the lefties are behind the legality of the coalition. If it is within the Prime Minister's power to prorogue then legally he he is bound to do that because the opposition members have obviously all had a mental breakdown and will need a few weeks to come back to their senses.

Way for the Conservatives to copy the Liberals last session. When the going gets tough... DON'T SHOW UP TO THE JOB!

Within the PMs power does not = good governance - it is trying to buy the Tories time to create some mud slinging radio and tv ads. Prime Minister Harper has no real option other than to face Parliament. This is not a dictatorship.

Poroguing a week after the return of parliament? Coming back in January with another speech from the throne? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that would look? How weak? That would be an admission that Stephen Harper has lost the confidence of the house, and is too scared to have it confirmed.

Delaying opposition days is one thing, although we both recall what the Conservatives said when Martin did it. They cried democracy was being murdered. But poroguing? Sure, it's allowed under constitution. But that doesn't make it right. Care to tell me how Harper would have reacted had Martin porogued to avoid going down over adscam? I think we both know the answer.

By the way, what is this now, Harper master plan number three? I thought the opposition was playing into his hands by taking him down and having to govern in a shitty economy? I guess I missed the latest Harper master plan memo.

Enjoy the dinner. I do so miss Harper's John McCallum impressions.

I say: Invite Alaska to join Canada, give them enough seats to add to Harper's present position [He'll likely also pick up Vancouver South] and THEN go for an election. Also guarantee a position for Sarah Palin, and connect the Alaskan oilfields to the Alberta pipelines. Imagine the possibilities. Plan "B": Cascadia with Alaska.

The Canadian people will play this out in favor of the Conservatives. Dion and Layton have now over played their hand. they want to take over running the country without presenting any platform to the voters. These two parties will look like fools because unlike any other parliament they have to have the Bloc vote for any business brought forward.The Bloc will be in the drivers seat to extend their separation agenda. Rae sounds like an idiot who only wants to win under any circumstance even destroying Canada. this is the time for some of the Liberal backbenchers see the peril in all these and demand a stop by threatening to walk across the floor.Anyone who stays in a coalition made up of Bloc support in my mind wants to destroy the country. Only the voter can decide so get mad as hell and start making noise before Dec 8 or our dollar may disappear off the market charts

What all this proves, including many of the comments seen here, is that we should call it quits and ask Washington to take us in, so that we too can call Obama our president for the next 8 years.

Canada is a dysfunctional non-country, a fiction, that should have never been allowed to go ahead in the first place. Both politicians and voters regularly prove that they are not mature adults, but children who need to be taken by the hand and guided through even the simplest tasks in life.

I am proud to say that I am an Albertan; I stopped referring to myself as a Canadian a long time ago, and I would not mind calling myself American in the near future.

So go...

I am not leaving; I am hoping that Canada will be swallowed up by the U.S. one day -- the only way to ever move this "country" ahead.

Harper must go.....Bush's lap dog is done...a lib-NDP coolition is on the way.....Harper blinked and the opposition smelled is fear...bye...bye

PROROGUE OR NOT?
THE P.M OFFICE HAS THE REACTION FROM PARTY #2 AND PARTY #4 WITH PARTY #3 IN THE MAYBE
STATUS.
THE DILLETANTES FROM THE P.P GALLERY FOLLOWED TRIUMPHANTLY,"IT'S ALL THE FAULT OF THE
P.M." THE C.B.C. WERE GLEEFUL, THE C.T.V WAS OUT WITH "YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST" AND
GLOBAL HAS TO CLEAR IT THROUGH CHANNELS.
WE ARE ON THE EVE OF SOMETHING........ WHY NOT TAKE A BREAK, SET RECALL FOR FEBRUARY
ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON ALL.

Welcome to the internet.
http://email.about.com/cs/netiquettetips/qt/et0...

I think Alberta girl nailed it.
Saturday evening (last night) a VERY staunch Liberal/Harper Hater and her husband (one of my best friends) came to my home for dinner. I asked her how she felt about the latest shenannigans in the House and she went ballistic. She said she didn't vote for Harper but thinks "those A$$holes" in opposition should at least give him a chance to govern, and they should stop behaving like fools ready to plunge the country into another expensive election nobody wants, especially right before Christmas. So there you go, Liberals. In spite of all the Liberal nut jobs who post here, there are probably a whole lot of liberals out there who are appalled by the goings on.
As I am a Conservative you can guess how I feel about it. :) Merry Christmas everyone!

More like letting Canadians consider a Government that can't face Parliament while they eat their Christmas dinners and/or get together for their holiday parties. I suppose, though, this is just more of Harper the Master Strategist....had it all planned.

Alan

Hi,

I know this blog is supposed to be a Conservative love-in here so I'll just make my point and butt out.

I didn't support the Cons this election, but I was prepared to trust that Harper would be smart and pragmatic enough to do the right things to guide Canada through this recession in next year or two. Instead, we got this complete partisan brinkmanship, as if there was nothing in the world more important in the world than tweaking the opposition and juicing some tired, discredited Conservative fantasies like union busting and business tax cuts.

Our economy is indeed on sound footings compared to the rest of the world, but the Conservative assertion that this is somehow magically due to just the last 3 years of government is of course indefensible.

Everybody knows how avidly Canadians have followed and approved of the election of Mr Obama in the US. Our appetite for genuine change in Canada is strong too, possibly strong enough to see past the FUD that the conservatives will lay down in the next week. Six months or a year of a functioning coalition government might be a breath of fresh air. Personally, I'm in favour of anything, even some recession-inspired deficit spending, if we finally start up on some neglected infrastructure spending, particularly in transit and transportation. As an upper-middle class professional, the last thing I need is a tax cut. Really. I'd rather see my country function better.

Mr Harper can save this government in the next week, if he truly cares to. here's how:
1) Find some way to back down. Come as close as you possibly can to apologizing.
2) Acknowledge the seriousness of our situation, how important that partisanship is dropped and that all parties work together to get through the next year
3) muzzle the Harris era hacks that are currently so prominent in your cabinet. They screwed Ontario in their time, and Ontario is now the most vulnerable in this recession. We haven't and we won't forget that.
4) Hold your nose and actually run an open cooperative government. Save the ideological projects for when/if you get a majority.

I won't wish Harper good luck, because the next week is entirely up to him, and his actions. No luck involved. I wish him wisdom and patience, and a touch of humility.

Yawn.

So some people can't handle playing with others because they don't have the goods to back up their b.s.? Put a few dirty needles in the playground and then they close it down.

Yawn.

It seems to me as if Canadians would be better off w/ a snap election.

Ah yes. It's undemocratic for the parties who received 60% of the vote to try to form a government, but its completely reasonable for the party who received less than 40% to stifle the will of the House. We sure are seeing the true colours of this government lately.

I believe the Opposition is tired, like the rest of Canada, of Harpers “it’s my way or the highway “attitude. They dropped the gauntlet, standing tall telling Harper to either govern for all Canadians in an adult way or ……
I believe the school yard bully is scared…..

Stephen, Whoever floated that idea last night must have had one too many drinks. Because if the Prime Minister of our government, of our country, would prorogue the House rather than put to a vote the Economic Statement he just proposed as essential to dealing with the economic crisis the country is in ... then he would have proven himself unworthy of the job. He would have proven that he does not put the country first, the economy first, our democracy first.

I believe the Prime Minister is more honourable than that. Take the week to make the case by all means, but don't run away from the consequences of your actions. I think he will be a man and, if making the case doesn't work, will face the music in the end, and do it with dignity and honour.

"I’m at the Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner"

That's easy to believe, given the arrogant madness of this brainchild. It sounds chardonnay-fueled to me. I'm a Con supporter, but if they do this, we sure won't be taling about the Bloc or the NDO over Christmas dinner at my house.

It is a good move. The opposition party(s) are in hysterics, and will do something stupid. Canadians will crucify them for it, but at this time it is best to save taxpayer money. It was important for the Conservative party to let Canada know that the liberal party is still run by the authors of adscam, and the next leader put in place will be will be nothing more than their waterboy. It is out there, that the liberals, ndp and bloc are too lazy to fundraise and do the hardwork it takes to become a democratically elected party.

better this than giving sepratists the balance of power
i am so disgusted in the Libs and NDP.
anything for power I guess

Have you ever thought that maybe bringing the separatists into government would destroy their credentials as such. I think the bloc is on the verge of a breakup. Iggy is very popular among Francophone quebeckers and could bring them onside.

I think , rather than proroguing Parliament , a much better idea and one which would probably resonate with voters would be to hold a referendum on party funding with a simple question :

Taxpayer funding of political parties :
YES ___
NO ___

I like that idea.

Harper pulls a Chretien. Why am I not surprised?

What did we vote for? Where is the principle????? Where is the courage of his convictions???

Cutting and running...

I've been thinking the same thing for the last few days too... PROROGUE... reopen with a new throne speech with a Budget.

The Throne Speech was passed by Parliament on Friday ! So why prorogue, just to introduce a new throne speech, that doesn't make sense. Harper and Flaherty are meeting the Opps more than half way.
Just carry on, Harper has his stronger mandate from the voters, he is interepreting that mandate about right.

I think PM Harper has an easy out of this one and is hiding it. Besides
never being done before,this coalition can just be ignored if they win a
non confidence.Paul Martin ignored a non confidence motion just before
the Cadman affair and he just ignored it.Whats good for the Libs is good
for the Conservatives.And besides who in hell is gonna remove 143
elected MP,s??The Army?The Rcmp?Who would do it if the Conservatives
refused to give power to the coup.

I won't comment on what is or isn't according to parliamentary rules (re: coalition, prorogue) but I will say this.

The opposition wants to bring down this government why? Because initially Harper was going to take away their allowance, now its because the government won't spend its way out of an economic downturn. The last government that did that was Bob Rae's NDP government in Ontario.....I can still remember that the only thing it was successful at doing was create the winning conditions for Mike Harris.
But I digress.
To hobble together this two year coalition, the liberals propose to hand over cabinet posts to the NDP members including economic portfolios.....this means the next budget will be written by Jack Layton....or else Jack will scuttle this coalition real quick.
However, its not just the NDP that Dion will depend on to retain the government side of the house.....he needs the Bloc support as well. The irony should not be lost that the man that claims to have fought separatists, and was the author of the clarity act, now wants to make a deal with the same bunch to gain power. The irony is made even more galling by the how.....wait for it.....they will dismantle official bi-lingualism in Quebec, and in a manner not yet formalized, funnel tax dollars into Quebec ridings....(perhaps they intend to use ad contracts?)
The later part gave me a sense of deja vu...as you can no doubt conclude, but the first came as a complete shock....why?....because the party of Trudeau, the party of the just society, THE PARTY OF OFFICIAL BI-LINGUALISM, now wants to gain power by bribing separatists and destroying something they have accused conservatives of secretly wanting to do for so many years....I am of course refering to the sinister "secret agenda".
So lets look past the outcome of this coalition getting its wish and to that moment immediately after when they now (potentially) have become government.....now what?
My point is that whoever thought of this coalition idea, didn't consider the consequences.
If successful the possible outcomes are as follows:
1- The liberals can no longer claim to be the party of national unity or any pretense of fiscal responsibility
2- The separatists will have their winning conditions
3- A dynamic will be created of a public will to have specific constitutional changes, not a Meech or Charlottetown style, but specific changes dealing with the way Parliament operates ie: the senate and head of state
4- Lastly, I expect this "coalition" to last only long enough to hold its first caucus meeting, after which the GG will either call on Harper to return to government, or call an election where he can point to the leaderless opposition and count off the three previous reasons why the conservatives deserve a majority.

I've come to one conclusion as to the why of all this....its about liberal legacy politics....if Dion doesn't get to sit as PM even temporaryily, the liberal party legacy of every leader becoming PM will be broken. As well as that, their unwritten rule of alternation will be the elepahnt in the room as the francophone members will dispute that its not the leadership that alternates but that liberal PM's should alternate between francophone and anglophone....they want their Quebec PM...damn the ROC.
I know it sounds a bit tinfoil hat, but I can't think of a logical and reasonable theory why (other than just thirst for power) the opposition is thinking so short term?

Thats my subjective opinion anyways.

As for the prorogue or not prorogue. It can't make it any worse...fact is...if it pushes the house into the new year...after Obama get sworn in...it may actually help....sorry still work out the nuances on that one so I'll came back to comment when I do.

Yes prorogue parliament then, just add a 5% across the board income tax decrease to the budget rumours and things will start jumping.Then get elections Canada to insist that the Libs pay off their previous leader convention debt before they hold another one.That should keep them jumping during the Christmas holidays.On top of that,start circulating the rumour that the Gomery inquiry will be opened up again because of new found evidence.That should keep the Libs busy for awhile.

Harper blew it. We had the opportunity to build opposition support around the current economic crisis but he chose to stick his finger in their eye.

How we could expect to get a majority now is beyond me. The libs will win the next election and Harper has to go, then or now, our choice.

Liberals have done this same thing to Parliament time and time again. I think that the public, that seriously has time to think of an alliance government, ...being held up by a treasonous party, ...ran by a leader the voters did not choose, ...in a time of recession, ... with higher taxes as a way to pay for more billions in spending, ...(shall I go on?), will see exactly what this is. A complete power grab by a party that sees it all slipping away. Sharing power with Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe??? Is this what Canada has come to? I for one think Canadians will not allow this abomination to happen.
The rage in the four western provinces would be so great, it just may split this country up and the Bloc would have it's way. All because the Liberals don't like to lose! If the PM can prorogue Parliament,,...I say go for it.

It just may save the country.

If Harper prorogues Parliament it will confirm my worst fear that he knows that the result of a non confidence vote will not be another election (which he would win hands down) but a coalition government (with the balance of power going to Duceppe) affirmed by the GG.

The Torys are not afraid of an election and the Liberals should be, for it would destroy them. That the Libs are pushing for a non confidence vote, and the conservatives are running away tells me that the Libs already know that the N/C vote will not result in an election but in their forming the next government.

Appears that the Conservatives found this out Saturday afternoon. No way do they reverse on this issue otherwise. Something is terribly amiss in Ottawa.

Harper is playing dirty politics and refusing the address the economic needs of Canada.

It is the responsibility of the progressive parties to bind together and help Canadian's make it through this very difficult economic time. Failing to take immediate action may plunge Canada into a much deeper recession than necessary, much like what happened in the US during the Great Depression when the US did not act in a timely matter. And the lose of productive jobs cascaded into a massive lose economic efficiency.

Harper is NOT a Game. You can stop playing political chess now and come back to the real world.

"Had he governed with a quiet dignity and a humble sentiment, he could have been a decent prime minister. But he had chosen personal power over the welfare of Canada, and is now going to suffer for it."

It sure is within the terms of our democratic system.... and I know SH is a big fan of this kinda play.... like remember the time when back in 2005 when:

The fury happened Monday night, when government House Leader Tony Valeri cancelled the upcoming "opposition day" scheduled for Wednesday.

CTV's Mike Duffy told Newsnet the government heard through the grapevine that Conservatives' opposition day motion would have allowed opposition parties to set the timing of future opposition days.

That would have given the Conservatives total control over the timing of a non-confidence vote that could bring down the government.

"When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent ... is when it's rapidly losing its moral authority to govern," Harper told reporters Monday night.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTV...

Do you believe everything Fox North says...take everything CTV says with a grain of salt....remember their pro-conservative preferred press pundits for Harper.

Perfectly to be expected from all you brave Tories.

Wouldn't thisbe admitting, though, that the government has lost the confidence of the House? That's what the opposition -- God bless their efforts -- will argue.

And if that doesn't work maybe Harper can call in the troops? Anything to cling to power.

Just a quick question - say Harper does go through with this and runs from Parliament, what with Jean's second Throne Speech look like? That is one of the consequences of proroguing the House and would make this disparate attempt to cling to power look even more ridiculous. Harper messed up, and now a majority of the House will govern. He may not like the rules, but that is what our system has called for in these situations.

Ian,
until there is a vote, no one knows if PMSH has support of the house.
And the 'coalition' can not ask nor tell the GG to give them power.
If the house falls, the GG is advised by the PM.
If she ignores his advice, we have a constitutional battle.

Proroguing Parliament would most likely backfire. It provides the coalition partners with yet more evidence that Harper does not have the confidence of the House.

I'm wondering though, why it is even necessary for there to be a confidence motion before a sitting parliament. Parliament was not in session, and therefore no confidence motion was voted on, when Harper pulled the plug on his on government in September.

Through his actions, Harper has already demonstrated that he does not have the confidence of the house, so why wait for the formality of a non-confidence motion? If the coalition partners are now ready to form a government they should go the the Governor General immediately, and not wait for Harper to reconvene the house.

In these difficult economic times, Canadians need political stability, which is why a majority government coming out of the Oct. 14 election would have been preferable. What this country most certainly does not need is a developing-country-style coup or putsch. Nor do Canadians deserve to be saddled with a prime minister that a vast majority of them have rejected.

Every poll since December 2006, when Mr. Dion was elected leader of the Liberal Party, has shown that Canadians rank Mr. Dion dead last among their choices for prime minister – behind NDP leader Jack Layton. If such scenario taken from the playbook of the criminal and dictatorial regime of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela were to go forward, Mr. Layton should become prime minister, but certainly not Mr. Dion.

Mr. Harper's timing was certainly off. This is the time to set the economy back on its tracks – not that Canada's economy needs much course-correcting, but some real stimulus would have been nice. However, the subsidy to political parties will have to be abolished one day, because it is undemocratic and, generally, an extremely lousy idea.

In short, many people may be angry at first, but in the long run, it will serve Canada better. After all, Canada's economy is still relatively fine, but it would become a wasteland crater if Dion were ever allowed to act as PM.

This is a bad idea. A terrible idea. All it does is make the CPC look like it has something to hide. Like it believes in nothing but staying in power. All that, to what purpose? When Parliament resumed there would need to be a throne speech. It would be a confidence measure. The NDP/Bloc/Lib coalition could pull the same stunt. And the CPC would have been the government for more than two months without taking almost any action on the economy (at this point, at least the appearance of action is a political, if not an economic, necessity). And when the coalition takes over they would be able immediately to synch up with then-President Obama, making it look easy and the CPC look rigidly ideological or inept or both.

Sure, the coalition would be under stress until then. Sure, the CPC could try to make the Throne Speech so sweet they would never vote it down. Sure, with enough time the pressure grows on the GG to send it to an election rather than a coalition.

But it's an over-reach, just like the party funding was an over-reach. And, just like with the party fundraising, everyone that is not a hyperactive blogger (I don't include you there) or Ottawa insider knows it. Please, Stephen, tell these madmen in Ottawa to listen, or we'll be back to 2001 in no time.

"All it does is make the CPC look like it has something to hide."

Actually abstaining from all candidate debates during the election, and silencing the social conservative portion of the party already makes them look like they have something to hide. Harper is a soulless robot with the personality of drywall, that he would make such a move is not surprising. He is only interested in consolidating power, and to hell with representative democracy.

Totally legitimate move of course, but isn't this the sort of thing that used to make Harper apoplectic when Martin did it?

Also is the whole "Jim Prentice for Leader" thing remotely serious, or did some bloggers just throw that together to stir up trouble? 'Cause the whole "we have tremendous respect for Stephen Harper and the whole caucus... but..." thing is kinda funny. I imagine it's all just sh*t disturbing, but I thought I'd ask someone more in the know.

I know I am speaking for a lot of fellow CPC staffers on the hill when I say that this was a huge mistake on Mr Harpers part.

I just got back to Ottawa, and I am already looking at going home because he royally screwed up the party. We have MPs who were elected to come to Ottawa to manage the business of the federal government. What the PMO has done is paralyze our political system for some perceived short term gain.

The Liberals will always exist, we can beat them, but we will not destroy them, no matter how hard we try. Lets stop this nonsense and get back to governing this country in a responsible manner.

Let me point out, if Paul Martin had tried anything even remotely close to this, the entire Blogging Tories would be up in arms calling for his head (myself included). We kicked those bastards out of power so we could put an end to this bullshit. Its just more of the same.

Might not be a bad idea to let the opposition stew in their own juices for a while with this 500 lb decomposing albatross around their neck.

The more time that goes by the more I think this cabal will collapse under their own ridiculous contradictions which need no reciting.

Let this notion percolate throught the general public for a while. "A coaliltion with the separatist pulling the strings ?!...Dion as PM ?!...NDP Finance minister ?!..etc...?!... my word Martha whats this country coming to..!!" (thought I'd recite them anyway...)

Now who's going to look anti-democratic?

This measure exists within the terms of our democratic system

So does the measures for the coalition to request control if Harper doesn't have the support of the House (which he doesn't).

Harper DOES have the confidence of the house - the opposition passed the Throne Speech on Thursday night which outlined the Conservative mandate and in a democracy this means the green light to proceed with the measures outlined.
This includes the budget being tabled earlier than late March - possibly in January after consultations with the provinces and the G20 and measures for the United State's controlled Big 3 auto in collaboration with the US which is expected in January if not sooner.

So, what changed? Flaherty did not say the update was a mini budget or that it would have full measures - it is an update. In a democracy if the opposition did not like some aspects they debate it and comprimise is reached. So, what really happened????

Everybody knows that Dion began this plot with Layton right after the election. Neither provided any input to the government on ideas for the fiscal crisis - only the BLOC did. This has nothing to do with what Harper did or said - it has to do with Dion refusing to admit he lost the election, put his party millions in debt and himself $700,000 in debt and the only way to "save face" is to be a sneak.

Who loses - all Canadians. Who wins? The L:iberals get their hands on taxpayer money again and Layton and Duceppe get to blackmail taxpayers through Dion.

I would call this the kind of crisis that paroguing is meant for. This country's entire econo9my is at risk and peopl'es livelihoods.

So what should MPs only work the day of the throne speech, then stop doing there jobs? Accepting the throne speech does not mean that the opposition cannot vote against conservative bills, especially when it's Harper himself that keeps turning every bill into a confidence motion.

So are you (as suggested elsewhere) floating this trial balloon or was this coming from the media types?

The demands of the LibDipperBloc :
Do not take away our taxpayer funding
Go into defict and bailout...everyone except Big Oil and banks, NOW

... and once you've done that
-Honor Kyoto, buy carbon credits, NOW
-Shut down the Oilsands, NOW

There will be no end to the demands,
prorouge
and get your ducks in a row PMSH,
cause right now there is only one duck out there,
and it is a sitting duck, the West.

Excellent point Wilson. The power corp. boys are salivating.

Canadians don't want political shenanigans now so close to Xmas. They want no part of another election nor do they want a change of government for reasons they can't understand.

Proroguing the HoCs would push the Opposition up against the wall, hollering that something must be done now with the MSM beating up on the government. To counter that, the Conservative MPs will send out mailers and the Tory blogosphere will have to carry the torch against the screaming Liberal heebie-jeebies ...

"They want no part of another election nor do they want a change of government for reasons they can't understand"

If they don't understand why this government must change, than they're idiots. Anybody who has ever taken a high-school social studies understands that the opposition has a right, in fact an obligation to topple an ineffective government such as the one we have now. Conservatives have a minority government which means they do not have the support of anything nearing the majority of Canadians. Period. Just because enough Canadians see through Harpers BS to keep the Cons out of majority territory, does not mean the Cons have a right to start imposing its will on a nation that for the most part rejected his mandate to rule. Harper is out of control and the Cons all sit back, hands behind their heads screaming "yeah, but at least the trains are running on time!"

Good grief - Harper is forever running away from problems - what a weak man. He only works part-time it seems.

He should be a man and face the challenges.

Enough of this BS - our taxpayer money pays for this time.

Lyn - please explain your asinine statement. Harper just fought an election WHILE he was dealing with an economic crisis. Why do you think Canada is the best economy in the world right now and is in the best position of any country to be weathering this storm. Who has been at the helm over the last three years, Lyn.
Use your head and put two and two together.

Harper has faced the challenges long before you or I or any of the opposition in this god forsaken country even knew there were challenges to be faced. Any you have the audacity to say he should be a man and face the challenges.

Your last statement was right on though, enough of this BS. - our taxpayer money does pay for this stupidity and the fact that the opposition see power as the reason to take down the economic house of cards that has been built by Stephen Harper is exactly that - BULLSHIT>

Grow up Lyn.

Alberta girl...take off your anti liberal blinders and look full in at what Harper has done. He has crippled himself and his goivernment with his nasty tactics. His bluff has been called and lets see how he deals with it. He should resign.

"I’m at the Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner"

Stop slacking off and get back to work. Table 4 needs more rolls.

Shhh... I snuck in. I'm at the bloggers table at the back behind the concrete pillar.

"The opposition will cry foul". Let them cry foul all they want to; this unholy coalition they are cobbling together smells fouler than a rotten dirty diaper.

Harper has made them look even worse, their snivelling about losing their $1.95 per vote. What does Average Joe in the donut shop think about these teat-sucking politicians? Then joining up with socialists and separatists to take power? Dion, Layton and Duceppe look much much worse than Harper does right now. They are all toast once this sordid episode passes.

Actually, who ARE WEAK, are 2 opposition leaders that have to ride the coat tails of a separatist. Look beyond! The country is bigger than 3 metro's and if that is YOUR Canada, have at 'er! The regional polls would indicate other wise! Even from Liberals, at least where I live.
This is feeling like the NEP, 26 years later...EGAD!

Stephen,

Having listened to the talk shows (Roy Green, in particular) and the reaction from Canadians in some of the regional polls, the Conservatives are getting the thumbs up in relation to the coup d'etat.
I would like to see my Prime Minister, visually reassuring Canadians, during this crisis. Not reading but speaking. Frequently, and then yes, wait until January! Cheers!

You really do not understand the meaning of "coup d'etat".

Risk: Right now (in my mind anyways, but I'm admittedly biased) the Libs and NDP are looking desperate for power. That is something we can use against them. If we prorogue Parliament, that makes it harder. I firmly believe that if they wrest control away they will be soundly punished when we go to the polls, but this would be tempered if we were perceived to over-manipulating the system.

Reward: There is a lot at stake here. The Conservatives have a sensible plan for the economy. Changing governments now would throw the country into turmoil, not to mention the markets, and be very very bad for people's sense of confidence. Not to mention the down time while a new ministry got up to speed. It would put us at least a month or two where we are now. It might suck for us, but proroguing Parliament might allow cooler heads to prevail.

But...I think it would be a good idea over the next week to be a little humble and conciliatory and try to save it without it. I doubt it will work because the Liberals' blood lust is up. The only thing that will probably stop them now is their own implosion (though there's a good chance of that). If we can say that we have made a genuine effort at finding some middle ground and the coalition still wants to take Canada down this road, then I think the case for proroguing Parliament is much stronger.

Just my thoughts.

If that isnt an admission of defeat, I dont know what is. We need to think about getting a new leader for this party.

In my view Harper has not only disgraced himself but the whole party and he should step down and name an interim PM until a leadership campaign is called.

There's a rather hateful, disgusting column in the Globe & Mail today by one Scott Reid, "No time for the opposition to back down". It needs to be read and he should be called on it. IMO it's over the top. If he's representing the Liberals in any capacity, we're up against some pretty nasty people.

He's just still hurting about screwing the Liberals two elections ago with the beer and popcorn comments.

However, I think he does reflect the mood, and he's right, this is the only chance to get rid of Harper. Postponing parliament may be the only way to survive.

Why Liz J, I'm really surprised at your Reaction to Reid's commentary.....that's Tory talk and you should love it. Harper tries to shove it down our throats and you seem to like that approach when its a con doing it.

Oh, I kind of want him to do this.

Harper looks weak (running away), and still has to wear the recession.

Agreed. Worst possible move.

Remove.

Good for all IMO.
It can't look any worse than the spectacle of QP.
The Opps will scream, but is there anything this government has done that hasn't been met with howls from the Opps. If it's legal, do it.
The auto industry would have time to put together a feasible plan.
The elected government would be free from Parliament, and could focus on the need and size of a stimulus package.
And constitutional lawyers need to hammer this coalition thing out, or the threats will paralyze this and future governments (even future coalition governments).

I agree,

Bad bad bad idea. If the oppo wants to vote non-confidence, let them and push for an election. If Harper appears afraid of the voters, it would be disastrous.

This would probably be a bad move. The Libs. appear to be in the midst of an internal coup. Better to force them to decide now than to give them the chance to beat you over the head for the next 6 weeks. The optics would be bad even if it is the prudent thing to do.

Wrong, the liberal media elements and the usual rabble are already doing just that, the more time the public has to digest the ramifications of what this coalition would do to the economy the better.

Exactly what I was thinking. It would be an excellent move. They could insert political financing cuts into the budget, which will include a stimulus, and dare the opposition to defeat it.