Canadians - what do you think about the possible coalition government?

I think I like the idea, because of the terrible policies that the Conservatives were trying to ram down our throats right after an election.

Will it destabilize the country? I was watching question period this afternoon and man, was there ever electricity in the air!

I've never heard of the possibility of a coalition government in Canada before. I sort of like the idea of people having to play nice.

I still don't have a lot of information on it but I also think it might be beneficial to have the conservative party "play nice" with another party. Considering it's a minority government, it would be better for the conservatives since they have to fight so hard for all of their policies right now. Anything's gotta be better than the gov. right now. It might also help Canada avoid recession to the same extent as the United States (recession= broken record, I know).

It's definitely an interesting idea though eh?

I'm not on the up and up with politics, but I'm not sure a coalition will work in the long run.  I just find it hard to imagine three different parties getting along and agreeing on everything when 4 months ago they were all talking smack about each other.  Maybe it's because I just finished watching all of Rome, but I just see a Marc Anthony, Octavian Cesar thing happening, where they agree to play nice and then end up stabbing each other in the back because they want more power.  But then again I really don't know anything about politics, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.  Guess we'll have to wait and see. 

Ha, well history does have the habit of repeating itself, or so i've heard.

does it make sense for a separatist party (The Bloc) to be in power? I dont know.

i like the idea of a coalition.  if you consider how few of us actually voted for the harper government, a coalition makes a lot of sense.  and the last thing we need is another election....

edit: just wanted to add that it would be better if the liberals had a new leader before the coalition was formed.  Prime Minister Ignatief, anyone?

Dear Lord, anyone but Dion!

It certainly is an historic event, and, if nothing else, it's sparking more polictical discussion than the last election did!  Michaëlle Jean has a very difficult decision - and from a non-partisan stance, there is no "correct" choice.  Another election (and another $300 million) would outrage the public, and likely end up with the same result - for the third time!  My guess is that the present Government will suspend parliament without dissolving it, to give time for the inevitable cracks in the coalition to appear and come under public scrutiny.  How it all plays out in the end?  I won't even hazard a guess- but as country, we're floundering without leadership in an economic crisis until something gets resolved.

Original Post by vron082:

Dear Lord, anyone but Dion!

 can't agree with that.  anyone but harper.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

Original Post by vron082:

Dear Lord, anyone but Dion!

 can't agree with that.  anyone but harper.

I've met both (albeit briefly), and they both seem to be victims of public perception. 

Dion is a very intelligent man - brilliant even - but frankly, he lacks charisma and, for lack of a better word, presence.  As a result, he comes across as a bit of a Dilbert. 

First off Dion said during the campaign he wouldn't form a coalition now he does the opposite.  Dion says hes stepping down.  Liberal members are now in a leadership race.  So is Dion still stepping down.  We the people elected the government we wanted.

If this coalition goes through and Dion steps down we are then getting a leader we never elected

I am angrier then ever!!

Original Post by spuckine1:

If this coalition goes through and Dion steps down we are then getting a leader we never elected

Well, technically, we already have a leader that 60% of the population didn't elect.   (80% of the population if you count those who didn't even bother to vote!)

Original Post by spuckine1:

We the people elected the government we wanted.

 

what makes you say that?  the conservatives won less than 38% of the ridings and 38% of the popular vote.  that means that 62% of us DID NOT elect the government we wanted.

and that's with a voter turn-out of only 59%.  so less than 23% of canadians voted for the government we got.

even if you take the position that those who don't vote don't count, this is hardly a representative government. 

edit: split's too fast.

I can't help but wonder why Stephen Harper chose not to wear a red ribbon on Monday - World Aids Day.  It was certainly conspicuous by its absence.

Original Post by trustwomen:

Will it destabilize the country? I was watching question period this afternoon and man, was there ever electricity in the air!

 

A triangle is only stable in geometry; The political ménage a trois is about as *ucked up as the other kind and it will be Canada taking it up the @ss. This little balance of power has a short membre; The time for the Liberal / Opposition Parties to unite was before the election, not after.

I do not want this.

Je ne veux pas ceci.

Original Post by turtles_all_the_way_down:

Original Post by trustwomen:

Will it destabilize the country? I was watching question period this afternoon and man, was there ever electricity in the air!

 

 

A triangle is only stable in geometry; The political ménage a trois is about as *ucked up as the other kind and it will be Canada taking it up the @ss. This little balance of power has a short membre; The time for the Liberal / Opposition Parties to unite was before the election, not after.

 

I do not want this.

Je ne veux pas ceci.

 

 But you do recognize that Dion got the idea from Harper - who, in 2004, advised the Governor General to let him govern - supported by the separatist Bloc - should the Liberal government of Paul Martin fall?

an announcement is imminent; the podium is set up....

aw - no joy.

I think this coalition government is a terrible idea. 

I cannot seriously see these guys working together.  I personally don't want the Separatists as part of a coalition government.  Layton makes me ill and Dion (who seems to be close to having a stroke) is stepping down anyway, so not one decent leader in the coalition.  How can we have any confidence in that gang.  If there was a stable force in that coalition, maybe, but they are coming across as buffoons. (Just now on the news, "Dion is a disaster!") How is that going to give the country stability.

I think that if the Liberals and the NDP were seriously focused on what's best for Canada and not just bringing down Harper, they would have waited for the budget. The election was only seven weeks ago. They may be technically on the side of the law in their actions, but I think morally they are in the wrong.  There could not be a worse time to engage in a political boxing match.  Because of that, I do not trust the motives of the coalition and suspect they are willing to do Canada serious harm, just to engage in political warfare with Harper.

Nobody wins this one.