Canpol: Election Imminent?

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by Voltaire
Most Canadians, even if they can agree with the new Conservatives on fiscal issues, tend to be apprehensive regarding the social conservatism of the new party.

That's exactly it.

[St Leo]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Damn. Ain't it a shame you don't have to be a Marxist to care about social justice and the environment.

My point was that our Green Party is not actually that great when it comes to either, but kids get them mixed up with US Greens and Ralph Nader because the name is so similar.

[notyoueither]

You seem to be a vocal critic of everybody who isn't the NDP.

Guess what?

The NDP is not actually that great to anybody who isn't directly connected to the victimhood express. Too many special interests have too big a hand in the party, or that is the perception.

I don't blame some environmentalists from wanting to split off.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Liberals are vaguely split on the issue, and the votes on gay marriage are free votes, so members can vote as they like without fear of party discipline.

This was no more "free" for the Liberals than the Mulroney "free vote" on capital punishment - the Cabinet (quite sizable as you know) was whipped.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by notyoueither
The NDP is not actually that great to anybody who isn't directly connected to the victimhood express. Too many special interests have too big a hand in the party, or that is the perception.

They have been trying to convince us for 40 years now. The results speak for themselves.

[Kontiki]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050517.wpmpm05417/BNStory/Front/

Stronach Crosses Floor to Join Liberal Cabinet

In an explosive development leading up to Thursday's dramatic budget vote, Conservative MP Belinda Stronach has crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party as the new Human Resources Development Minister.

Prime Minister Paul Martin said he met with Ms. Stronach – who had been one of the more outspoken and moderate Conservatives – for a private dinner at 24 Sussex Drive Monday evening and after a lengthy discussion, Ms. Stronach said she felt confident that leaving the Tories was the right decision.

"I'm proud to have Belinda Stronach as part of my team," Mr. Martin said at a press conference in Ottawa Tuesday morning, where the official announcement was made.

He said together, they decided she would be more comfortable serving within the Liberal caucus.

Ms. Stronach said she struggled mightily with the decision.

"I found myself at a crossroads," she said, adding that she has become uncomfortable with the direction that Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has been taking the party.


She takes over from Lucienne Robillard who had been HRDC minister and national campaign co-chair.


The unexpected news boosts the Liberal seat count and could alter the outcome of Thursday's budget vote.


Ms. Stronach's move to the Liberal ranks bolsters the Liberal and NDP to 151 seats in total and decreases the Tory and Bloc numbers to 152.

There are three independent MPs in the House – Carolyn Parrish, Chuck Cadman and David Kilgour.

Ms. Parrish, a former Liberal, has said she would vote with the Liberals, which means they would need only the vote of either Mr. Cadman, a former Tory, or Mr. Kilgour, a former Liberal, to win a confidence vote.

(The Speaker would likely break a tie and would vote for the Liberals.) However, it's still unclear which party Mr. Cadman or Mr. Kilgour will support.


Ms. Stronach, who ran for the Tory leadership a year ago, represents the Ontario riding of Newmarket-Aurora.

She had served as international trade critic for the Conservatives.

With reports from Steven Chase in Ottawa

[KrazyHorse]

That's huge.

[KrazyHorse]

Just saw it myself. Was about to post it.

[Kontiki]

Perhaps nye should come up with another example of moderate Conservatives.

[Jon Miller]

wow...

so what will it take to cause a change of government now?

would the NDP need to switch sides?

Jon Miller

[KrazyHorse]

The Liberal/NDP coalition still doesn't have a majority.

What it does is relieve the pressure on the Liberals to gain all 3 independents (most/all? of whom have ties with the Liberals).

They've gotten a promise of support from 1 of them (parrish)

They need to pick up either Kilgour or Cadman to force a tie (which would throw the vote to the Speaker, a Liberal).

Looks like they'll probably win the budget vote.

[Jon Miller]

yeah..

so what would it take for you to have an election now?

it seems like the people want one

Jon Miller
(maybe I just don't know enough)

[KrazyHorse]

The government will fall if the budget fails. The government will also fall if they lose any other formal confidence vote.

It's still very precarious, but slightly less so. Also big news is that there will be a byelection on May 24(?) in Newfoundland if the government doesn't fall before then.

That seat will almost certainly go to either the Liberals or NDP (conservatives were a distant third in the last election there).

That would provide slightly more breathing room as well.

[Jon Miller]

so the liberals will need to basically piss off one of their own in order to cause an election?

that doesnt' seem right

Jon Miller

[KrazyHorse]

why?