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Dion seeks to avoid election

CAMPBELL CLARK AND BILL CURRY

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:38 AM EDT 10/10/07

Accuses Prime Minister of trying to 'take parliament hostage by creating an endless series of confidence votes.' ...Read the full article

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  1. Guillaume Afleck from Canada writes: I would too If I were him
  2. Bradly Wiebe from Canada writes:
    It's beginning to look like the fat lady is getting ready to sing.
  3. Terry M from Houston, United States writes:

    Wow, I misread the first line of this article, it said:

    “Stephane Dion signalled Tuesday that he will try to sidestep a fall election”.

    I thought it said:

    Stephane Dion signalled Tuesday that he will try to step aside before a fall election”

    Maybe it was his French accent.

    .
  4. James Alexander from no fixed address, Canada writes: Dion is the right lamb for the job, the undertaker.

    The liberal party in canada is dead.

    Have they paid back the money they stole?
  5. Shawn Petriw from Prince George, Canada writes: The real danger (from a Liberal perspective) is not Harper, but the NDP. I believe the NDP could get a larger share of the vote than the Liberals. But even if they don't I believe there will be enough of a split to enable a Tory majority.
  6. Terry M from Houston, United States writes:

    Is this article trying to tell us Dion is just figuring this out now?

    This has been a planned strategy for months now, let’s look back:

    Step 1 – delay Parliament one month and hand down a new throne speech.

    Step 2 – Make the throne speech a matter of confidence and make all following bills a matter of confidence.

    With this strategy Harper is in effect forces the oppositions hand and Dion with his ridiculous demands has painted himself into a corner. Is this check or checkmate?

    If Dion does not vote down the throne speech, this gives Harper a mandate to govern without resistance.

    .
  7. Hunteroffortune Alberta from Canada writes: All quiet from the Liberal posters? Where is Diane/Darrel? Humm, they must be asleep at the wheel, oh wait, shhh, don't wake them up until the 2009 election is over!

    PM Harper is playing chess, the other guys are playing checkers. Game, set, match, oops that's tennis. Whatever game the opposition is trying to play, PM Harper is clearly outplaying them.
  8. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: Hunteroffortune:-- No, I'm awake, but being censored.
  9. Martin Chriton from Waterloo, Canada writes: Dion was a really really weak choice as leader of the Liberals.

    Lets abort this mistake and move on.
  10. Wade Enns from Toronto, Canada writes: PEOPLE IN ONTARIO ARE SHEEP, if the Liberal media uses its usual Liberal media bias people in Ontario go ok, thats what I better do.
    Daltom McGuinty winning an election by promisint to fight school girls who want there books paid for.
    John Tory is too good for Ontario
  11. david sandford from Canada writes: Dion might do well, I think there's been some major changes in his tactics and the people he's surrounding himself with now. things might look very very different in the next month once the fall session starts. it should be interesting at the very least.
  12. jiri Z from Canada writes: I feel so sorry for Dion.

    He may be a nice guy. He may love his dog 'Kyoto'. He may be a liberal leader.

    But for sure he cannot be all three! Not even any two.
  13. Mary Hines from Canada writes: How come the new opinion poll is not front page of the Globe and Mail?.... If it was in the liberal's favor..... it sure would of taken up the entire front page!..... I guess as hard as the liberal owed paper try, they find it more difficult all the time to find negatives to ward the Harper Government..... The Tories are giving us good government, taking a stand on important issues and not being afraid to stand up for Canadians what is best for our Country..... Not flip-flopping at every poll as the liberals do..... Haven't seen much reporting from Gloria lately..... guess her liberal strategist husband is finding it difficult for her to find negatives to say against Mr. Harper....
  14. Mary Hines from Canada writes: David - what are the liberals going to say now that they have appointed a non-member of Parliament - Mr. Rae to be one of his chief critics..... I think there is another revolt going on within the party.... all the liberals, who have been liberals all their lives..... not good enough to speak on behalf of the liberal party?........ What was the talk about appointing a Senator who was not a member of Parliament?.... what are they going to be saying now? Just another way to keep the fuel on the fire for sinking the ship!
  15. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    What has happened to the best political machine the country has ever seen for the last century? Complete and utter turmoil and infighting along with vocal dissent after almost a year of the Leadership convention!

    Many will say this poll is a snapshot of several weeks of this same turmoil, but since it will not go away, nor will the 'Quebec problem,' this could turn out to be a permanent video.

    Dion is finished and has been snookered by both the CPC-NDP-BLOQ, and his own Party. Because of staked out positions, he is in an almost no win situation, and should pray to the almighty that Harper puts his foot into his mouth....not a longshot by any means!

    As I watched Dion last night, and it was refreshing to see a politician answer honestly, I also cringed several times.

    The bottom line is this: Dion has been leader for almost a year now, and the situation is much worse than it was.

    If Mr.Dion was honourable and had the best interests at heart for his Party, he would resign before it is too late. If the Liberal machine sits back and doesn't work Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, the LPC could become a third rate Party. Astonishing!

    .
  16. karol karolak from Canada writes: From the article: 'Yesterday, the Liberal Leader sought to establish a new footing by appointing former Ontario premier and leadership rival Bob Rae as his foreign affairs critic, even though he does not yet hold a seat in the Commons.'

    It looks like race is on to get Bob Rae elected into HoC so Dion can resign and hand over leadership of Liberano Gang to Rae before Iggy turfs Dion and claim Liberano leadership for himself.
  17. Will Scarlet from Canada writes: I guess it is OK for Liberals to delay legislation through committees and the Liberal dominated Senate and then try to accuse Mr. Harper and the Conservatives to try to rubber-stamp it. What hypocrisy! And this bull about Canadians not wanting an election. The majority who respond to this type of poll with a negative probably are the very same ones who can't be bothered to vote on election day anyways.
  18. JEANNE FARINE from Vancouver, Canada writes: What is, I suppose, saddest of all the sad record of gamesmanship being offered to us by adult political operatives, is that their tactical manipulations of the political process makes less visible with every hour real issues of policy, of practical solutions to increasingly serious problems. I would be crass to blame only the Conservatives...Liberals are behaving as their own worst enemies. For the NDP, the aroma of posturing without morality in the hope of some extension of their undeserved tenure in Parliament is all too familiar.

    I continue to hope that the Liberals get back to the focus of what they can offer to the Nation. They have an elected Leader. There are issues on which they more clearly reflect the majority views of the Canadian Public than does the Minority Government party. That Public is now telling the LPC to fix their operational engine, fast. It is not, at the moment offering a massive shift in support to the Harper cause.

    At the risk of dignifying, or at the least exaggerating, the significance of the Harris-Decima Poll that has the Conservative supporters in full frenzy, one is at least entitled to note that the 'Seven Point Gap' consists of a three point drop for the Liberals since the last Decima exercise and a one point rise for the Conservatives...The 'Gap' is hardly evidence of a Tory resurgence, nor even of a breathtaking climb to their level of support at the last election. Not 'Majority' country in view as yet for the Harper crew...They will doubtless up the spending on negative advertising and a never ending spin and distortion of reality for their supporters, who would appear, still, only marginally convinced that they can make another electoral 'success' happen, let alone a majority victory.
  19. p m from Canada writes: Again we hear nothing from the liberals on substance...only politics

    If they would spend more time cleaning up the party and telling people about what they intend to do instead of squabbling amongst themselves and deriding Harper on the way he handles the country rather than the substance of the issues...maybe then we could take them seriously.
  20. James P from Spruce Grove, Canada writes: However fun games may be, I am just glad we are not sending out billions from this country playing Kyoto checkers. For me, as a tax paying Canadian, sending out billions to buy 'credits' was the most foolish gameplan I have ever seen. And with the liberals 'Kyoto bill' that 'makes the government' do just that, they have lost any chance at my vote. This is what I have heard from Dion in the last year -I want to adhere to Kyoto no matter how badly I messed it up when we had a chance at it, yet I will pull the wool down over the publics eyes and say it was all Harpers fault, my supporters get warm and fuzzy when I bash him for things I didn't and couldn't do. -I didn't really think the sponsership scandel was that bad that why I let that nice guy back into my party..Whoops..Maybe not. -Get ready Canada! I am ready to take down this government. I mean they want an election, I don't. Why is everyone picking on me? -Social justice! Social justice! Whatever that means I'm not sure but it sure sounds good, non? - Afganistan! We sent them there, did nothing to support them with proper equipment, voted for them to stay until 2009, and now we despise it. Harper is just a mini Bush! Vote for me, see what I can do--Harper=Bush!!! See?!!? Scared yet my little people? Sorry folks but come on. Hate Harper all you want, its not that hard, but why support Dion? He isn't even close to being a person I find to be truthful. I think he is alot like a guy that would say something like 'hidden agenda' and 'soilders, with guns, in your streets' Not a guy that would say 'This is why you should vote for me' Point A,B,C,D,E,F No he'd rather scare you into your vote--and from the polls it must work with a heck of alot of you. Just doesn't cut it for me.
  21. Mervin Hollingsworth from Saskatoon, Sk., Canada writes: Another climb down for the hapless Dion. A few weeks ago it was we will defeat the throne speech and then a little later it was we will defeat the throne speech unless the four conditions are met. Then, oh let me see, we better see the throne speech before we say whether we will support it. He did the same thing with the last budget saying he would not support it before he even saw it. What kind of leader is this? I will tell you. It is a weak leader who really has no political instincts and one who is fighting to hold onto his job. If the Libs were high in the polls today do you think Dion would not want an election. You bet he would and he wouldn't care what Canadians thought. Power at all cost for these Liberals. He is a hypocrite by saying Canadians don't want an election. I suspect Mr. Harper could simply say if the Liberals don't show up, sit on their hands or abstain from voting on the throne speech that this is sufficient evidence of non confidence and call an election. He would be within his rights. After all if the official opposition does not obviously support the throne speech or does not have the courage to support it then it is tantamount to a vote of non confidence and Harper can simply say it is time for the people to decide. Let's put this foolish Liberal leader out to pasture once and for all. I think the Liberal party will thank Mr. Harper for giving them that opportunity. After all if his party doesn't support Dion why should Canadains.
  22. Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: Dion and his Liberal senatorial pals have hi-jacked government legislation in House committees for months and months and democratically passed House legislation in the Senate forever. It's time to put a stop to it. That's what Harper is doing. Governments need to govern and then elections are held to hold them accountable. This Liberal attempt to regain power through the Senate back-door so they can pass economy wrecking legislation such as their latter-day Kyoto conversion and then have the government take the blame for when the economy goes phttt is too transparent by half.
    Harper has been patient and reasonable with the hi-jacking Liberals and he's putting a stop too it. It's about time.
  23. Don Adams from Canada writes: 'Holding hostage'? Come on Dion. He wants to govern, plans on governing, and putting his legislation through. With a strong opposition, he may have to negotiate, water some things down. With todays No Opposition, he doesn't have to. Oh yeah, I know, the Libbies will be howling, 'not fair', saying Harper's a dictator etc. Rubbish. You play the cards you're dealt, and Harper's been dealt a very strong hand. That's life. That's reality. Suck it up. On one hand, you'd think the Libs would WANT an election, get it over with, get rid of Dion and try to find a decent leader. On the other hand, it doesn't really matter. Canadians have decided, after all the BS from the Cretin and Flipper years that the Libs NEED a major time out, so a new leader isn't going to help much, if any, at this point in time. I'm really looking forward to the throne speech. I hope Harper's finally going to can the long gun registry. I hope he's going for major changes in the criminal code and the court system.... minimum sentancing, switch from attempted rehabilitation in every case, to punishment first, then attempted rehabilitation. I hope he's going to make major changes to the Senate. There's just no way an unelected body of people should be able to hold up legislation the way they did last year. I really hope he's going to come up with major changes to the Young Offenders Act. It's a joke, the way it is right now. Yeah, the Libs and Dippers are going to scream, after all, these things were their pet projects, but THEY'RE BROKEN! Have been since inception. Going to be a real interesting speech.
  24. Dan H from Alta, Canada writes:

    'Mr. Dion charged yesterday that Mr. Harper 'intends to take Parliament hostage with an interminable suite of fabricated confidence crises.''

    What an interesting perspective. How can Harper hold the government hostage when the Liberals will have the power to defeat the throne speech and every bit of legislation afterward? Oh right... the Liberal party would only vote for/against something if it benefits their party; regardless of whether they believe it benefits Canada.
  25. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, the Harper Gov't is Incompetent., Canada writes: I say let's have an election and get it over with. Maybe then, Harper will concentrate on governing, rather than playing 'chess', or spending months on his 'planned strategy' to bring his own gov't down - right? I mean that's what a PM is supposed to do isn't it. Govern the country. Or he REALLY supposed to be campaigning 24/7 for the majority he feels he is entitled to?

    Harper will get another minority. Any other leader, even just slightly less repugnant, would have already won a majority in the last election. He should be thankful for Dion - it's the only thing going for Harper...
  26. John Brown from Maritimes, Canada writes: Don't see many anti Globe and Mail posts so far with the latest poll figures showing the Reformatives having a 7% lead although the whinning re: 'where is the money the Liberals stole' is getting very stale now, that was 2 governments ago. As for the Chess analogy, the move is check which will end in Stalemate with the clear losers being the Canadian people. Harper is no more a strong leader than any of the others in this game and has already demonstrated he can nor will not live up to his promises of open and accountable governance and the proof is in this gambit his puppet masters are playing right now. By making this Throne speech and his many pieces of individual legislation confidence votes he is attempting to force an election outside of the fixed election dates he promised Canadians, clearly demonstrating a lack of respect for the opposition parties to represent fairly represent their electorate; in other words people he is steam-rolling parliament. Well Canada, of the choices we have to lead this country none of them are trustworthy, none are strong leaders and none will be capable of leading Canada on the world stage the big focus is on every man/woman for themselves and screw the rest. I won't be voting in the next election, I hope Steven gets his way, wins his majority government and then we shall see he true colours; if things go well and his mandate is for Canada and Canadians great but if things go bad for Canada and Canadians, I won't have the right to whine and complain but I will have the satisfaction of saying I told you so. Just remember Canada, this could end up being a second term Bush fiasco with many regrets, give him his majority and let him run with it, Conservatives rarely if ever end up serving more than two terms in governance anyway.
  27. John Melnick from High River AB, Canada writes: I seem to remember Dion issuing the first ultimatum awhile back and stating that if there weren't four points in the TS then he would not vote for it. Period. Not 'we want to see certain things' or anything conciliatory like that. And the last Parliament was a joke with Dion leading the troops to vote against anything and everything that the Conservatives proposed - remember the provisions of the terrorism legislation - without even rationally explaining his position. Just 'I said no' to prove how strong he is. Harper is calling his bluff. But then there's the Liberal Senate: haven't seen them so awake in years ..................... Not since they were blowing kazoos in the hallowed halls as they tried to obstruct passage of the GST. You know, the tax that the Liberals solemnly vowed to eliminate and then used to slay the deficit. That GST.
  28. Chris Lalonde from Singapore writes: I suspect the Liberals are going to be in the wilderness for about 7 years. The same should go for the NDP misfits & morons. Like it's 'Big Brother' communism, SOCIALISM IS DEAD guys! Get with the program! Even Europe is abandoning it like the plague. Just look at Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden,etc, etc. Time to reinvent themselves like the Labour Party in the UK...
  29. Pamela Achurch from Peterborough, On, Canada writes: This election/no election nonsense is wearing very thin. As a voter, I am insulted by the assumption that I am too stupid to see the game being played. Both the Conservatives and the Liberals are fearful of being punished for being perceived as the evil agent causing another election. Let's just blame it on the cat and get it over with. The discipline of an election just might get the Liberals to grow up. It might get the Conservatives to flaunt their arrogance over the other parties opening the eyes of many voters. Who knows? Meanwhile, our Parliament is not at work and the psychological sit com goes on. We do have real issues in this country. These games are not amusing.
  30. Mail Man from Toronto, Canada writes: Stephane Dion has not lost yet, I think a campaign will really determine who loses. However, it doesn't look good for Dion. This will be the third campaign for Harper and his team and they are battle-hardened. They learned a lot of lessons, even from the first defeat when Martin formed his minority government. They even learned from the last election when Martin lost and they won. The main scary thing for the liberals is that Stephane Dion is untested. This will be a national campaign and not an Ontario campaign, I am not hopefull of his debating performance or if he will even resonate throughout the country outside of some hopeless Ontario/Toronto locale. I even believe that some Ignatieff (liberal) supporters will not vote for him just to commit sabotage. Its really looking sad.....
  31. Send in the Clowns and Dion too from Canada writes: After hiding for a week I am coming out from under my rock to warn you ..you, you, you, big bully Harper guy dare..

    Dont push me or I'll, I'll, I'll ..warn you again!

    Don't underestimate my slipping polling numbers just because the rest of Canada is finding out what a gutless useless piece of political waste I am.

    Shut up DION you are a pathetic loser too weak to do anything but hide
  32. Send in the Clowns and Dion too from Canada writes: Weak, pathetic, pitiful, ....laughable
    Its what the Liberals deserve for their abuse of the poeple of Canada.

    Go back under you rock Mssr Dion
  33. Send in the Clowns and Dion too from Canada writes: The Posting police are out in full force on this one . Whats the matter boys dont want things to go too rough on the leader.... keep the positive spin?
  34. t scot from Canada writes: If the con members weren't such a bunch of sheep you would see a lot more infighting than what the Liberals are going through. Seems like a lot healthier enviroment than having a dictator leading you.
  35. James C. from Chaozhou, Guangdong, China writes: 'Although he warned Prime Minister Stephen Harper that the Liberals would make him pay if he used election threats to force them to cave in on a rapid series of parliamentary votes' ---------- it reminds me of the guy who warned another guy that he was going to beat him up by slamming his face into the other guys fist.
  36. Ivan y from Toronto, Canada writes:
    This is the right approach by Dion.

    The Throne speech is NOT a mandate to govern... it's an OUTLINE of what a government will do during a session.

    It does NOT spell out details.

    If it was TRULY a MANDATE to govern (as Mr. Harper says it is) then we should all save some money and just disband Parliamentary committees (in fact, parliament for that matter except for 3 days to get all the bills read and voted on) since everything will have already been 'approved' under Mr. Harper's understanding of parliamentary tradition.

    Think of the Tax Dollars we could save if we adopted the soviet model of parliament! We could have the Supreme Canadian meet once every year to pass bills approved by the Paramount Leader!

    If only we could aspire to such greatness!
  37. Tim Bee from Canada writes: I hope Mr. Harper takes note of what happened to Mr. Tory.
    This idea of being in Afghanistan for another quarter century may be the equivalent to religious school funding in an election campaign.
  38. J Williams from Moncton, Canada writes: This article really hit the nail on the head with one statement - 'It's a cat and mouse game' I don't think either leader wants to do anything in the best interest of Canadians. All they want is to stay or return to power. Both leaders act like they are on a middle school playground. What a tribe to run a country!
  39. Catherine Wilkie from Canada writes: Mr. Dion may well be under-estimated by his political foes. His press meeting yesterday went very well. His command of English and his communication has improved surprisingly.
    More, important, though, is what will be needed for the Throne Speech. The LPC has placed new workers in new roles. Time would be a benefit for all to become more seasoned. Not every opposition leader would be capable of taking the inevitable taunting/gloating of a puffed up Harper gov't. But, I believe that Mr. Dion can. His reasoned approach will be needed.
    So, let the Throne Speech happen. Get the House back and finally get some questions answered by this Conservative gov't.
    Sure, they are capable of spending taxpayer's money. But, let's finally see some direction from them.
  40. Michael Crowell from Halifax, Canada writes: Stephane Dion another day, another story. We need an election to rid ourselves of this disease called The Liberal Party. James Alexander from no fixed address: No James they have not paid back the money and I am still waiting. The PM needs to allocate the entire resources of the Federal Government to investigate the Liberal Party top to bottom. Just like they had done to PM Mulroney, spent millions and could not come up with one single charge. With this bunch you have hundreds involved in crimes that will produce charges. Liberal Values you say, I think not.
  41. Ryan Ginger from ottawa, Canada writes: Do ALL conservatives think that the public is just a bunch of sheep? Why is it that right-wingnuts always bleat that tired old line?

    Anyway, I hope they pull the trigger. Don't forget, the Liberal party knows how to quickly mobilize; they would rally around Dion and steal a minority away from Harpey.
  42. Dominik B from Canada writes: Maybe I don't want an election yet, but I would surely like to see leadership in the LPC. We got to give credit to the PM for the strategy. He has indeed pushed Mr Dion in a corner. So what will he do? Stand on his principles and force the election (leadership) or downplay the Throne Speech and it's meaning and twist it so it doesn't look too bad and delay an election? By doing what he does, Mr Harper is squeezing the most out of his minority status. Daring and I like it. If it costs us an election to see leadership on the other side of the HoC, then so be it. A minority government doesn't seem to go anywhere. Unfortunately, there is no majority looming in the mid-term (either CPC or LPC).
  43. D K from Canada writes: If you've got an issue, I've got a tissue.
  44. Anuradha Bose from ottawa, writes: Of course he does-he does not want to be de-throned!
  45. Rick O'Regan from Canada writes: The liberals are making this all too easy for the conservatives. They're playing bantam level while the conservatives are playing NHL. I think they are finally learning that this is the big times and politics is a little different when the tables are turned. For years the conservatives were down and out and the liberals ruled the roost. While the libs were laughing, the conseratives were busy rebuilding and planning strategy to dethrone them. The fruits of their labor appear to be right around the corner. Dion, would you please make up your mind as to weather or not you're going to support the throne speech. It must be tough deciding your course of action based on polls, given that polls change all the time. Maybe you can learn something from Harper, make a decision and stick to it.
  46. pierre lefebvre from Brossard, Canada writes: The Throne Speech will be the opportunity to call an election. Canada deserves a leader of the Opposition with more fiber than Dion. Canadians are hostage to LPC entitlement history. Our vision cannot be blured by Dion and colleagues. They use trip to Afghanistan of Coderre to difuse their true leadership issue. Let`s call an election and send LPC packing for good. Canadians expect better choice of leaders than what Dion offers.
  47. Rita Tasse from Gatineau, Canada writes: Mr. Dion (Liberals) has made comments for weeks that if the throne speech was not exactly as they wanted, explaining practically in details what should be in this throne speech, well I find that along with Bloc Quebecois also dictating what the Bloc wanted in the Throne speech, if I would be Mr. Harper, I would have done the same thing as he does. He is not pushing anyone, he has been pushed for quite a few weeks. I am all for the Conservatives using this tactic. Now it is up to the Liberals (Dion) and Bloc Quebecois (Duceppe) to suffer pushing the Prime Minister.
  48. Gerry Pankhurst from westport ontario, Canada writes: The Dion political career is rapidly taking on all of the attributes of a comic opera, Canadian style. I now note the self acclaimed media pundits are backing away from their virtual guarantee of a fall election and are starting the new prediction of one in the spring. This causes me to wonder about the many usual contributors to this forum who obviously rely on the media to provide them their knowledge of what is going to happen, rather use their own common sense. Are they also going to give up on the fall election to the bitter end or start the weaning process? Here is an excellent opportunity to tune into reality, ignore the media talking heads and think for themselves. I have said from the beginning, there was no spring election coming this year and no fall election either. I stand by my prediction that the election will occur according to the CPC enacted date of October 2009. In the meantime, the CPC can operate as a majority government as Dion's latest of many adopted strategies has further damaged what is left of his and his party's credibility. Watch for retirements and/or defections. Between now and 2009 I would not be surprised to see a change in the LPC leadership, which initself will provide some entertainment (by way of the Iggy/Bobby rivalry) and even a change in the NDP as Mulclair's appeal becomes more widely known.
  49. John Melnick from High River AB, Canada writes: Dion fired the first volley by making three non-negotiable demands for a throne speech. Harper is calling his bluff.
  50. Harvey Mushman from cambridge, Canada writes: For a party so used to setting policy by public opinion polls and focus groups...what the heck does Dion think Canadians opinion of the Liberals will be when they are frequently abscent or abstain from voting in the house to save their own hides? People's opinion of politicians is already low enough...when the MP you send to Ottawa to represent your riding is hiding in a closet somewhere every time a crucial vote is held...I suspect voters are not going to be too happy. Neither are the back bench MP's who will see their re-election hopes go down the drain because of Dion's directions to stay home. Liberal MPs and the Liberal party will become irrelevant and Duceppe, Layton and Harper will be more than glad to exploit that situation. Dion cannot sustain this charade...dissention within the Liberal MP ranks will only grow. In addition to that...I doubt Canadians will percieve Dion's 'run away' (shades of Monty Python) strategy as exhibiting leadership qualities. The Liberals need to vote down the TS, take their lumps in an election...and big lumps they will be...then dump Dion and re-build...for the good of Canada and the LPC. In the meantime...they can always fall back on their partisan senate appointees to continue obstructing the Harper government.
  51. Bob Beal from Edmonton, Canada writes: Terry M: The vote on the throne speech is automatically a matter of confidence because it is the government's overall plan. In practice, no throne speech has ever been defeated. Budgets are also automatically matters of confidence.

    In theory, a prime minister can declare anything to be a confidence matter. In practice, that has been done very rarely, and some might see Harper's plan as an abuse of parliamentary procedure.
  52. D R from Canada writes: So that's one party ready to serve the Canadian people by working for compromise. What about the other three?
  53. Phlegmatic Pundit (I support our nurses) from A rift in the fabric of space-time, Canada writes: We elect these people to govern the country, not to play cynical games. If Harper forces his government's defeat on a bogus confidence vote I would hope the Governor-General would first ask the opposition parties if they could form a coalition that could govern, rather than immediately calling an election. I'm no fan of any of them, and I intensely dislike this type of Machiavellian manipulation - from whomever.
  54. M Horon from Calgary, Canada writes: Dion is what the liberal party needs right now. Just like the alcoholic or drug addict needs to hit bottom before they can begin honest recovery, the liberal party needs to hit bottom before it can begin rebuilding. Dion may very well go into history as the leader that facilitated the process. Like the transition relationship after a divorce, the liberal's affair with Dion is dying it's natural course. As the phoenix rises out of the ashes, Ignatieff will rise out of Dion's demise. Iggy needs to get rid of his American accent, and get honest about his views on the Afghan mission if he is to succeed, otherwise he will just be a facsimile for a leader too...too bad Bob Rae isn't a liberal .....
  55. Dennis Petruk from Canada writes: And who has been holding the government, and by extenson, the legislationput forth by the government, hostage, these 20 months?
    Why the Opposition has, and the unelected, Liberal dominated Senate.

    So what's good for the Opposition, should be good for the government, who has stated, they would prefer, NOT to have an election.

    Dion can spin this any way he wants, but the Opposition has acted like a majority coalition through committees, and used the Liberal dominated Senate to re-write and stall any legislation of consequence, to try and embarrass the government, regardless of the benefit the legislation might have had for Canadians.

    All Harper has done is turned the tables, and now, if we go to an election, the Opposition will definately wear it.

    And who determines if Canadians want an election of not? Just the people in Ontario and Quebec? There's more to Canada than these two provinces.
  56. Yusuf Gad from Canada writes: I'm totally disappointed in Dion. If he doesn't think he has the ability to inspire people to vote for his vision of Canada, then he should step aside and let in a real leader.

    He had 3 great opportunities to force an election and embarrass those that didn't want one 1) Harper's offensive 'Environment' plan 2) Harpers handling of Afghanistan torture cases in late spring (remember that mess?) 3) The high dollar (which he could have easily spun as a case of potential lost jobs). He didn't do anything, and is sitting back for an easy victory to arrive. That's not leadership. And that's not happening.

    Step aside Dion, and let a Liberal with a fully dropped pair take over. In the meantime, I'm voting Green for the foreseeable future. You lost my vote when you couldn't turn Ambrose's handing of the environment into a slam dunk victory for reason, even with a HUGE chunk of Canadians in favor of Kyoto.

    However, praise where praise is due: kudos to Harper for masterfully taking advantage of the Liberals hesitancy. My hat's off.
  57. Guns, SUVs and Hooters from United States writes: Dion makes me yawn
  58. Louis Riel from Canada writes: As I said recently said this is delicious.

    The oh so gleeful spectacle of the Liberal party in disarray, with the same sorry bunch of losers spouting their phantom agenda is a sight to see. Chretien the crook survived for years spewing his lies, after PET destroyed our country with his debt mountain that Mulroney had to defend his record with, and the vultures are finally circling the body. Absolutely delicious.
  59. Robert West from Canada writes: With Dosanjh under a police investigation for fraud perjury and obstruction of justice, Dion is scrambling.
  60. Philip Van Bergen from Hashima, Japan writes: How about John Tory running for the federal Tories? He looks washed
    up in Ontario provincial politics..
    And how about ditching Rae and Dion and getting in some real players
    like Ignatieff? The professor has run his course and the writing is on the wall. While they're at it, tell Rae to renew his NDP card and crawl back
    for forgiveness. He'd do better there for sure.
  61. Laurence L from Toronto, Canada writes: The posts so far illustrate why I'm more and more disgusted by this government than any other because the 'game' is being played so blatantly that it's turning so many people off. Yes, all politics amount to a sort of strategy for the long run, but I'm so tired of the opportunism that Harper exhibits with the failure to act for a more thoughtful and productive term in office. I'm not saying the Liberals, nor any party, is much better either. But it pains me, as this is just causing more and more apathy, and disgust, amongst the Canadian people, especially with immature, vitrolic, and utter ignorant posts by our voting public such as those before mine.
  62. Dennis Petruk from Canada writes: I guess Dion and the Liberals are waking up to the obvious.

    I guess the Leadership 101 classes have begun.

    Too bad the English 101 hasn't kicked in.

    Why would the G&M use two people to write a short article, simply stating, what Canadians have known for a week. Is this, just so Dion can get some exposure he's missed this past week, while in hiding?

    Pathetic!
  63. Scott LaRocque from writes: Each passing day the Dion and the liberals are making themselves less and less relevant. Dion has conceded in his speech that the liberals would get decimated in an election and therefore will avoid one at all costs. Even if the cost is letting the conservatives govern as if they had a majority. Well played Mr Harper. Bravo.
  64. P Scott from Canada writes: Hunteroffortune Alberta from Canada writes: 'Whatever game the opposition is trying to play, PM Harper is clearly outplaying them.'

    Exactly. Harper is playing A GAME while Prime Minister. Isn't he supposed to be GOVERNING?! Not wasting tax payers dollars (not to mention wasted hours in the House) on pushing another election because his ego believes the CONS could actually gain a majority? Head in the sand... or is it sand oil? Power is ugly.
  65. No No No Yes No from Canada writes: Dion just wishes he was half the leader that Harper is. Maybe if Dion learned how to deal with his party (like Harper does) he wouldn't be having these problems!
  66. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: Laurence L from Toronto, Canada writes: 'The posts so far illustrate why I'm more and more disgusted by this government than any other because the 'game' is being played so blatantly that it's turning so many people off. But it pains me, as this is just causing more and more apathy, and disgust, amongst the Canadian people, especially with immature, vitrolic, and utter ignorant posts by our voting public such as those before mine. '

    Laurence - you clearly see yourself as one of the Liberal Elite and feel the need for your party to get back to power so you and your party can socially engineer and educate all of the 'voting public' you describe above as to how to act and think. The problem with your thinking sir is that we as Canadians have the right to free speech and the right to elect the government who will act in our best interests - not the best interests of their party. I know this is hard for you to grasp but being a 'good liberal' does not equate to being a 'good Canadian'.
  67. Al Gorman from Toronto, Canada writes: Dion is irrelevant. Last week he's playing bluff poker with Harper telling him he's picking a fight he'll regret. This week he's hiding in the corner suggesting he doesn't want an election, showing last week's hand. It is inconceivable that the liberals chose Stephan Dion as their leader. The sooner the election is called the sooner Dion loses and the party moves on to another leadership convention. The alternatives aren't much better...Bob Rae or Michael Ignatieff.
  68. Hugo Hall from Calgary, Canada writes: If Dion wants to avoid being tarred as the Liberal Party's version of Stockwell Day, he needs to better define himself and, by extension, his party. His muddled stance on major issues is not helping him. People who want in on Kyoto and out of Afghanistan have a much more vocal advocate in the NDP. People who want a centrist government with relatively competent fiscal management already have it with the Tories. Right now Canadians know precious little about what a Dion government would stand for. At least with the Tories, we know what we are getting.
  69. D. B. from Greater Sask., Canada writes: I saw a shameful display of CPC partisanship by some posters last night. One poster who at least has access to some of the facts (accompanied by an always narrow and slanderous interpretation of them) joined in, at least in one of his incarnations. Another poster refused to address reasoned responses to his attack (!) on Liberals for 'holding up' legislation to raise the age of consent. On that topic- most commentators, including at least one evangelical group, are blaming the stalling of this legislation on the proroguing of Parliament by Harper. We'll see how Harper's sledgehammer approach works out, compared to the wishes of Canadians to see government finally enact good legislation in the environment, health care, law and order, etc.
  70. Ranald Walton from Canada writes: I think I understand Mr Dion's position today: Obstruct government at every opportunity but in the same breath demand no election.

    He can't have it both ways. Either allow the government to govern, or obstruct the government and force an election. That is how our parliamentary system works.

    Respectfully, Dion is talking out of both sides of his face on this issue.

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