This is dated December 2, 2008
In October, Canadians participated their 40th parliamentary election and the Conservatives won 143 parliamentary seats, a clear majority. To wit, the two primary opposition parties (Liberals, New Democrats) combined for only 114 seats. Ergo, the Conservative Party is the majority party and party leader Stephen Harper is a re-elected Prime Minister.
Now, the Canadian Parliament seats 308 Ministers of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons. The 143 seats controlled by the Conservative party is only 46%, not a percentage majority of 50%+1. Therefore, the New Dems and the Liberals have signed onto a formal coalition soliciting the Governor General (an appointed representative of the Queen, and as the Queen is the supreme monarch of the Commonwealth, a figurehead with immense ceremonial power, though it is often never used) to fire Prime Minister Harper. This is technically licit, as Harper and the Conservatives do not hold percentage majority, and the Governor General can in fact overturn his position in the absence of Parliamentary majority.
However, it is clear that the Coalition is in the minority--with only 114 seats to the Conservatives 143. And those seats are conglomerated of individual parties which the Canadian people did not, in fact, vote for. In other words, Canadians as a majority rejected the New Democrat platform and the Liberal platform in favor of the Conservative platform. Likewise, those who did vote for the Liberals did not vote for New Democrats, and those who voted for New Democrats did not vote for Liberals. This is a cynical ploy by parties leadership to subvert their constituency in favor of power--the Liberals become New Democrats, the New Democrats become Liberals, in rejection of their voters clearly stated preference.
Add to the mix the Quebecois Bloc party with 49 seats, and the three "minority" parties combine for a grand total of 163 seats. This is a majority number--but it's comprised of three parties! The Quebecois have promised their support for the coalition to oust Harper and the Conservatives.
Can you say coup? Except there are no tanks; it's all on pretty letterhead. Truly the pen is mightier than the sword--especially in the hands of sore losers.
And you thought American politics were bad.
Here's hoping that Governor General Michelle Jean doesn't succumb to the ridiculous pressure and upholds the vote of the Canadian people for Harper and the Conservatives.
Now, the Canadian Parliament seats 308 Ministers of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons. The 143 seats controlled by the Conservative party is only 46%, not a percentage majority of 50%+1. Therefore, the New Dems and the Liberals have signed onto a formal coalition soliciting the Governor General (an appointed representative of the Queen, and as the Queen is the supreme monarch of the Commonwealth, a figurehead with immense ceremonial power, though it is often never used) to fire Prime Minister Harper. This is technically licit, as Harper and the Conservatives do not hold percentage majority, and the Governor General can in fact overturn his position in the absence of Parliamentary majority.
However, it is clear that the Coalition is in the minority--with only 114 seats to the Conservatives 143. And those seats are conglomerated of individual parties which the Canadian people did not, in fact, vote for. In other words, Canadians as a majority rejected the New Democrat platform and the Liberal platform in favor of the Conservative platform. Likewise, those who did vote for the Liberals did not vote for New Democrats, and those who voted for New Democrats did not vote for Liberals. This is a cynical ploy by parties leadership to subvert their constituency in favor of power--the Liberals become New Democrats, the New Democrats become Liberals, in rejection of their voters clearly stated preference.
Add to the mix the Quebecois Bloc party with 49 seats, and the three "minority" parties combine for a grand total of 163 seats. This is a majority number--but it's comprised of three parties! The Quebecois have promised their support for the coalition to oust Harper and the Conservatives.
Can you say coup? Except there are no tanks; it's all on pretty letterhead. Truly the pen is mightier than the sword--especially in the hands of sore losers.
And you thought American politics were bad.
Here's hoping that Governor General Michelle Jean doesn't succumb to the ridiculous pressure and upholds the vote of the Canadian people for Harper and the Conservatives.
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