[Eromereorybig]

The Tories are having a heck of a time keeping their minority government in power up in Ottawa. The governor-general -- a Liberal -- honored his request to suspend the parliament. I know Harper wanted to fend off the no-confidence vote by the opposition parties, but I think he might have ended up winning if he had let it go.There seems to be some anger at the Grits and the Dippers for inking a pledge with the separatists, and, according to one national poll, the Tories' approval numbers have actually risen since the controversy began.

(On the substance of the matter, I agree with Harper on the need to cut federal dollars to the parties, at least until there is a different formula for the BQ. While the Liberals, PCs and NDP run nationally, BQ runs in only one province. The effect is that federalist Canadians are subsidizing the separatists to a greater degree than the other parties, which is nuts.)

Dion had a couple of television appearances that could be charitably be called train wrecks. Combine that with the need for the members of the coalition to explain why they're forming an alliance with the BQ just weeks after promising not to make a deal with them, and I think this could have turned into a significant win for Harper. It looks like more Liberals are beginning to see it that way as well. Harper could still call for an election before the Liberals' convention, forcing them to run with Dion still as the head of the party. If the Tories really are polling at around 44 percent, as the poll suggests, they would come out of the election with a clear majority.

Some prominent Liberals also seem to be thinking that the coalition will be a political mess and may end up costing them support even if they succeed in appointing Dion as PM. (At least a few seemed to welcome the cooling-off period created by the suspension.)

Harper still needs to be careful. Having Dion and Duceppe as two of the faces of the coalition has reignited tensions between anglophone and francophone Canada. It has also reignited western indignation at the political strength of Ontario and Quebec. He doesn't want to govern the country through an economic meltdown accompanied by a political meltdown.

BTW, it looks like the crisis has boosted Jean Charest's Liberals in Quebec, and they will cruise to another majority in that province's parliament.

Pretty wild, huh?

[Dreqsqse]

It is interesting how Canada deals with Quebec and how a lot of Canadians feel about it.

Last time I was up around Toronto, one of the running jokes was saying "We are Bloc Quebec. We want to secede ... can we have $80 million?"

Which then led into the other other running joke. "Next election, let's all vote Bloc and give them the government. They won't know what to do with themselves."

It makes the whole situation tougher since they are one of the biggest receiver provinces in the country.

[Eromereorybig]

It makes the whole situation tougher since they are one of the biggest receiver provinces in the country.

Interestingly, that's similar to the situation in Scotland, which is heavily subsidized by transfers from English ratepayers (that's English for "taxpayer"). "We're ready to go it alone without you Sassenachs. By the way, where's our check?"

(Who would have thought that philadelphiaspeaks would have its first post with the word Sassenachs within a month of going live?)

[Eromereorybig]

I really was hoping this would be the first big break-out thread on PS.

[Dreqsqse]

Here is an article on the history of it all in Macleans.

Macleans.ca - Inside a crisis that shook the nation

[Nubtoubrem]

This move fascinated me, so basically you are about to be voted out and an election will be held, you are so afraid of an election because you think you will lose you avoid it. How the hell is that not a bad political move. You basically just told the people that they don't have a chance to exercise their given right to way in on this matter. That would piss me the heck off. Also, the Quebecois who want to break away are a minority at this point. They get votes but aren't what they used to be. The younger voters in particular don't care about this issue.

[Eromereorybig]

This move fascinated me, so basically you are about to be voted out and an election will be held, you are so afraid of an election because you think you will lose you avoid it. How the hell is that not a bad political move. You basically just told the people that they don't have a chance to exercise their given right to way in on this matter. That would piss me the heck off. Also, the Quebecois who want to break away are a minority at this point. They get votes but aren't what they used to be. The younger voters in particular don't care about this issue.

You've got it backwards on the effect of a no-confidence vote. It would not trigger an election; it would instead require the GG to ask someone else to try to assemble a new government. Since Canada elected this parliament only a couple months ago, the new government could be in place -- assuming the coalition would hold -- for just under five years.

You also have the effects of a snap election backwards. The minority government is made up of Conservatives, known in Canada as PCs (for Progressive Conservatives) or Tories. Polling shows that if an election were held today, that not only would the Tories pick up seats, they would likely get an outright majority.

Bear in mind, the Tories won the election less than two months ago. It is the coalition that wants to form a government without seeking a mandate. And remember that the coalition rests on making the BQ a partner in the government, something the Liberals and New Democrats both forswore just weeks ago.

Don't read anything into this as an endorsement of Harper's worst stumbles, such as his Senate-packing plan.

[Brewpralgar]

I really was hoping this would be the first big break-out thread on PS.

RuggerAl say RuggerAl blissfully ignorant of Canadian government. RuggerAl know hockey, hence some of Canada culture, and RuggerAl know maple syrup. Combine with cold fronts, RuggerAl confident that inclusion of word "eh" make RuggerAl fluent in all things relevant Canada.

Illiniwek want topic that go big on PS, try man in USA gov't try legislate law against BCS and National Champion. Or perhaps reiterate positions in city locally such as budget, housing stock, direction in regards to infrastructure/architecture density planning.

Cheers,
RuggerAl

P.S.- From outside, and via Daily Show, move look silly and strikingly American. Man in power fear for keep power, make it so that no one else can oppose. "When the President does it, it's not illegal." Or pick Bush'ism in regards to Executive Power.

[Eromereorybig]

For the record, the GG is a Liberal appointee.