Canada's coup d'etat: Opposition parties join to overthrow gov't (Part 2)

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Naked Gents Rut


I don't actually know what powers the Governor General has, so I don't know if she actually overstepped her bounds. It does seem like she should've let the coalition take over or dissolved Parliament and called for a new election, however. Prorouging parliament seems like an undemocratic assist to Harper.

PMs generally have almost full control of scheduling in Commons. As long as Michaelle's gained the conditions I iterated previously (limited prorogue, confidence motion, Harper not initiating constitutional crisis by trying to fire her) this is in keeping with at least the spirit of the law (I'm really uncertain as to precedents on prorogues under pressure).

[Victor Galis]

Originally posted by embalmer42

They are counting on voters with short term memories.

Or that Dion's successor will not suck.

[Victor Galis]

Woo! Over the top video I got as a link on Facebook:

http://harperdictatorship.ca/

Actually, I got the exact same clip with different words linked when some guild beat some other guild to get a world first kill in WoW. It seemed funnier then.

[Asher]

The clip is from a terrific movie called Der Untergang.

[Victor Galis]

Originally posted by Asher
The clip is from a terrific movie called Der Untergang.

It seems to be perfect for such parodies. I think I enjoyed it more when applied to WoW because I always saw raid guild organization as a little too fascist for my tastes.

edit: That, and comparing Harper to Hitler tends to have more serious implications.

[notyoueither]

I'm surprised no one has done a Dion version, given the shaking with rage and small man complex.

[Victor Galis]

Originally posted by notyoueither
I'm surprised no one has done a Dion version, given the shaking with rage and small man complex.

It might imply some competence and leadership potential?

[notyoueither]

Good point.

[Imran Siddiqui]

[Wezil]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


PMs generally have almost full control of scheduling in Commons. As long as Michaelle's gained the conditions I iterated previously (limited prorogue, confidence motion, Harper not initiating constitutional crisis by trying to fire her) this is in keeping with at least the spirit of the law (I'm really uncertain as to precedents on prorogues under pressure).

I don't know of any precedent to prorogue to avoid a confidence vote either (I asked earlier and received no response) but granting the request today could prove to be a troubling precedent. It isn't hard to imagine a future PM asking the same.

[KrazyHorse]

Granting one limited time out is not particularly troubling. Granting multiple timeouts with no chance for a confidence motion would be.

[Wezil]

Once is precedent.

Our government in exile does not have confidence.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Wezil
Once is precedent.

Our government in exile does not have confidence.

Uhhh...once is precedent for once, with a promise to table a confidence motion. It is not precedent to ask for a rolling series of prorogues.

[Victor Galis]

Originally posted by Wezil


I don't know of any precedent to prorogue to avoid a confidence vote either (I asked earlier and received no response) but granting the request today could prove to be a troubling precedent. It isn't hard to imagine a future PM asking the same.

Given the timing late in the year and the promise to present a budget upon return, I'm not terribly troubled.

If anything, it's reduced the number of days between the time the government falls and May 2nd. This can only be a good thing.

[notyoueither]

If reports are correct, the next session has to begin with a throne speech. That is an issue of confidence in itself.

I imagine it's the throne speech on day 1, and the budget on day 2, perhaps before voting on the throne speech (I think the throne speech has been voted on in subsequent days before).

The opposition have their choice of kill shots.

As for the prorogument, Harper could have run with Martin's playbook. All opposition days come at the end of the session. They get a chance for a motion of non-confidence sometime in April.