3 posts tagged “canadian politics”

Go here to check out a reporter who connected the dots between . . .  Dion's interview with CTV last October in the last week of the election campaign,. . .  the airing and criticism of the whole interview by Mike Duffy, . . . the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council's ruling on the two pieces, and . . . Duffy's appointment to the Senate as a Conservative.

Sighs.

I remember back in October being bummed about the fact that Dion wasn't given a fair shake for, to me, really superficial reasons.  Like the fact that he's very well lettered, experienced and respected academic and politician.  Heaven forbid we have someone intelligent in the PMO!  Sure, folks may not have agreed with his politics or ideas - fine - but that's different than these kind of barbs.

I had heard of the CBSC's ruling a few weeks ago and noticed that is was underplayed.  CTV should have at least hung their heads in shame.

h/t - Constant Vigilance

Man, Canadian politics is getting exciting. 

Yep, that's right.  I used "Canadian politics" and "exciting" in the same sentence without sarcasm. 

I know!

Sure, it's exciting in a geeky, current event watching, this-is-how-a-parliamentary-democracy-can-work kind of way.  But still.

Today's latest is that the Liberals & NDP have been able to form a coalition with Dion at the helm in the event of a non-confidence vote and the GG turns to them instead of sending us back to the polls.  Whee!  Unless, of course, Harper decides to porouge the session, which would either only put off the confidence vote, or else give them a chance to fiddle with their budget/economic package, the bone of contention in this whole thing.

I know that this whole deal is not without its challenges and questions.  Many people don't like the fact that the coalition would be dependent upon the Bloc, given it's basis for existence, but I'm not too fussed over that point.  Maybe I should be.  However, it seems to me that the goals of the Bloc these days have far more to do with looking out for Quebec instead of succeeding. 

Folks are also pointing out that they didn't vote for Dion as PM, which is absolutely true.  However, 60 some percent of Canadians DID NOT vote for Harper... but that's how things work in a parliamentary democracy.  First past the post and all.  Interestingly enough, a coalition gov't taking over in these circumstances... well, that's also the way things can work in a parliamentary democracy, too.

I keep coming back around to the fact that the Conservatives are a minority government.  Good on them for getting to steer the boat, but they don't have complete control over all the oars and so they shouldn't be acting like they do.  Everyone should be, you know, COMPROMISING.

What really gets to me is the stuff the Conservatives tried to pass with a minority government, (taking away civil servants right to strike and removing the per vote funding to parties, for example).  If that's what they try as a minority, I am apprehensive as to the way the wind would blow if they had a majority.

Right now the next 'move' is supposed to come with the vote on Monday the 8th.  Things are looking pretty interesting on the Hill.