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Seven weeks of nothing but propaganda
Joyeux Noël, folks. It appears that the Governor General has agreed to prorogue parliament until January 27th.
This means we're going to be subjected to seven weeks of propaganda and extra-special hate mongering and the fostering of paranoia on all sides. Because, y'know, the election didn't give us enough of that.
I fully expect that the Conservatives will proceed to demonize Québec as much as possible, since their government pretty much depends on having everyone on the defensive about the Bloc Québécois. As much as I don't like the idea of a separatist party drawing wages from the federal reserve, it also blows my mind that nine out of ten provinces seem to think that Québec is some sort of leech sucking the nation dry, when we're one of the more economically powerful provinces (don't ask me for stats, but I suspect we're not too far behind Alberta and Ontario). The BQ is admittedly a local-interest party, and I don't agree that they should have a federal presence in that regard, but since they're there, there's no sense in demonizing them: at least they don't make any pretense about their true agenda.
Ironically, before the Conservatives came into power and were the official opposition, they very often leaned on the Bloc to pressure the Liberals, and if memory serves he once proposed a coalition with them and the NDP. *checks Google* Yep, here it is:
September 9, 2004
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson,
C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor General
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1
Excellency,
As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program.
We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority.
Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader of the New Democratic Party
Funny how it's no longer legitimate when it's his party in power. :P
Before my Conservative-leaning friends jump down my throat: yes, I know there are many differences between the situation back then and the situation now. I'm just saying, there's a certain amount of irony, here.
In the meantime, Layton is losing more and more of my respect by threatening to push the coalition forward even before Harper has a chance to present his new budget on January 27th. Whether or not Harper is in good faith here is entirely beside the point: there is a token effort being made to placate the house and the public, and it's just going to make him look like a power-mongering asshole if he doesn't let Harper have his say.
In short, the whole situation sucks rocks.
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toughlovemuse pointed me to John Scalzi's very amusing take on the situation. Exploding space monkeys! At least that might make it more entertaining.
This means we're going to be subjected to seven weeks of propaganda and extra-special hate mongering and the fostering of paranoia on all sides. Because, y'know, the election didn't give us enough of that.
I fully expect that the Conservatives will proceed to demonize Québec as much as possible, since their government pretty much depends on having everyone on the defensive about the Bloc Québécois. As much as I don't like the idea of a separatist party drawing wages from the federal reserve, it also blows my mind that nine out of ten provinces seem to think that Québec is some sort of leech sucking the nation dry, when we're one of the more economically powerful provinces (don't ask me for stats, but I suspect we're not too far behind Alberta and Ontario). The BQ is admittedly a local-interest party, and I don't agree that they should have a federal presence in that regard, but since they're there, there's no sense in demonizing them: at least they don't make any pretense about their true agenda.
Ironically, before the Conservatives came into power and were the official opposition, they very often leaned on the Bloc to pressure the Liberals, and if memory serves he once proposed a coalition with them and the NDP. *checks Google* Yep, here it is:
September 9, 2004
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson,
C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D.
Governor General
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A1
Excellency,
As leaders of the opposition parties, we are well aware that, given the Liberal minority government, you could be asked by the Prime Minister to dissolve the 38th Parliament at any time should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program.
We respectfully point out that the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House, have been in close consultation. We believe that, should a request for dissolution arise this should give you cause, as constitutional practice has determined, to consult the opposition leaders and consider all of your options before exercising your constitutional authority.
Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P.
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Gilles Duceppe, M.P.
Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
Jack Layton, M.P.
Leader of the New Democratic Party
Funny how it's no longer legitimate when it's his party in power. :P
Before my Conservative-leaning friends jump down my throat: yes, I know there are many differences between the situation back then and the situation now. I'm just saying, there's a certain amount of irony, here.
In the meantime, Layton is losing more and more of my respect by threatening to push the coalition forward even before Harper has a chance to present his new budget on January 27th. Whether or not Harper is in good faith here is entirely beside the point: there is a token effort being made to placate the house and the public, and it's just going to make him look like a power-mongering asshole if he doesn't let Harper have his say.
In short, the whole situation sucks rocks.
toughlovemuse pointed me to John Scalzi's very amusing take on the situation. Exploding space monkeys! At least that might make it more entertaining.