Canadian Parliament suspended

[JBillyGirl]

The Governor-General of Canada, at the request of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has approved the prorogation (suspension without dissolution) of the Canadian Parliament. Harper requested this in order to block a vote of no-confidence, which would have triggered a second national election in two months. The Parliament will be shut down until January 26 of next year. Apparently this is unprecedented in Canada.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... refer=home

A question for Canuck types: Is the explanation of the current Canadian political situation in the following website accurate?

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/ ... anada.html

I'm learning all sorts of things today. Who knew that Canadian politics could be interesting?

[a1mamacat]

The Governor-General of Canada, at the request of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has approved the prorogation (suspension without dissolution) of the Canadian Parliament. Harper requested this in order to block a vote of no-confidence, which would have triggered a second national election in two months. The Parliament will be shut down until January 26 of next year. Apparently this is unprecedented in Canada.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... refer=home

A question for Canuck types: Is the explanation of the current Canadian political situation in the following website accurate?

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/ ... anada.html

I'm learning all sorts of things today. Who knew that Canadian politics could be interesting?

It's pretty darned accurate, if a little long-winded. Harper now has about 2 months to attempt to regain the confidence of the house. This ain't gonna happen, and so when they reconvene in January, the Conservatives will present their budget, the Opposition parties will vote non-confidence, Harper will have to go back to Madame Jean and she will either dissolve Parliament and call a new election, or ask the Coalition to form the government.

I predict the Coalition will be asked to form government, as the country cannot stand for a third election within 3 years.

BTW, I agree. Canadian politics is usually so polite and boring. This is lively and so un-Canadian!!!

[MarleysGh0st]

I predict the Coalition will be asked to form government, as the country cannot stand for a third election within 3 years.

Why not?

All three campaigns combined still wouldn't be nearly as long as one of ours!

[ghostjmf]

Holy Hannah.

They were buzzing with this on CBC over Thanksgiving (ours not theirs; I grew up on the border with Our Northern Cousins, so our cable co has to carry their station, as an area station).

Pundits claimed the Liberals & NDP did not have enough votes to swing their own minority coalition, as it would be an even smaller minority than the Conservatives got (which is why the Conservatives got to keep control of the government). Apparently, Harper & co "knew something we didn't know" about the about-to-form coalition size. Or they're just very paranoid. Or both.

I have a feeling they can't suspend Parliament forever.

Can They?

[ghostjmf]

Oh I see. Bloc Quebecois threw in with the Libs & NDP. Now they've got a majority.

What is also amazing is that all the Google's-1st-line web sources on this are, like, from ABC & such, but its ABC Taiwan, Australia, etc.

Where is the CBC? And where are CNN, US versions of the US networks, my beloved PBS, etc.

[a1mamacat]

Oh I see. Bloc Quebecois threw in with the Libs & NDP. Now they've got a majority.

What is also amazing is that all the Google;s-1st-line web sources on this are, like, from ABC & such, but its ABC Taiwan, Australia, etc.

Where is the CBC? And where are CNN, US versions of the US networks, my beloved PBS, etc.

Gotchyer CBC ryecheer...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/12/ ... ml?ref=rss

[ontellen]

If the Liberals would only shake their stupid heads and get rid of Dion NOW, most Canadians would be solidly for the coalition. Either Ignatieff or Rae could then step in as leader. I prefer Rae but a moose would be more articulate than Dion. He already lost the last election for the Liberals and they still won't get rid of him. I know he resigned but until they have a convention and elect a new leader we're stuck with this bumbling dolt. (I'm quoting our local newspaper here).

In this age of electronics, why can't they have a mini-convention by email? For 2 years now, I've been asking what the hell were they thinking when they elected him leader? He may be a smart man but this is the age of image, unfortunately and he comes off as a bumbling schoolboy who can't speak English.

I can't believe we have more political excitement here than in the U.S. Amazing.

[MarleysGh0st]

I can't believe we have more political excitement here than in the U.S. Amazing.

Speaking as just one of your neighbors to the south, you're welcome to have your turn!