Harper gov’t defeated
Posted March 25, 2011 11:16 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – The Opposition has defeated Prime Minister Stephen Harper‘s minority Conservative government on a motion of non-confidence 156 to 145, which means we are headed for the fourth federal election in seven years.
Speaking on News1130, our Parliament Hill reporter Cormac MacSweeney says MPs from all parties are ready to go. “A lot of MPs have been coming out here, smiling and joking around; they’re really excited to hit the campaign trail and start at least a 36-day battle with the other parties to try and form the next government.”
But there’s still one more formality that has to happen. “We’re not officially in a campaign mode yet,” MacSweeney explains.
“Once the Prime Minister takes the walk across the street from 24 Sussex to Rideau Hall to meet with the Governor General, that’s when the parliament will officially be dissolved and we will be thrown into an election campaign,” he says. “Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be meeting with the Governor General tomorrow.
Harper says the opposition parties have been planning this for a long time. “Unfortunately, Mr. Ignatieff and his coalition partners in the NDP and Bloc Quebecois made abundantly clear that they had already decided they wanted to force an election.”
The PM argues the opposition’s decision to force this election won’t be well-received by Canadians. “[It will be] Canada’s fourth election in seven years; an election Canadians had told them clearly that they do not want.”
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff wouldn’t say whether he’ll try to form a coalition government with the other opposition parties.
Political scientist: It’s an historic day
“It’s the first time that a government has been found in contempt of Parliament — or at least, de facto, by this vote,” explains University of Victoria political scientist Dr. Norman Ruff.
He expects another Conservative minority government when the vote is cast, but is quick to add: “With the caveat ‘the campaign can’t make a difference,’ the most recent numbers suggest that a majority might be within Mr. Harper’s reach.”
Ruff says Harper will focus on the economy while the Opposition seizes on questions of integrity. As for chatter of a Liberal-NDP-Bloc coalition, “I don’t think Canadians are quite so afraid of the notion that you can perhaps get a bit more stability with a coalition,” he says.
“There’s talk about it being contrary to the British parliamentary tradition. [If you] look across the water, lo and behold there is a coalition government in Westminster,” he adds. I think it’s perhaps not so much the boogeyman as it used to be.”
Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff deflected questions about forming a coalition, instead inviting people into the big red tent.
Meanwhile, SFU political science professor Patrick Smith says if Stephen Harper doesn’t win a majority, there could be some major changes coming for the Tories.
“If we end up with the outcome that we have now, I would think the chances of Mr. Harper continuing as Conservative leader — nevermind Prime Minister — are probably limited,” he tells us.
He adds Michael Ignatieff’s job could also be in jeopardy if the Liberals don’t gain seats.
Market reaction
In his brief speech today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper side-stepped the whole contempt of parliament issue; he focused instead on the budget and trying to bolster our economy. But on Baystreet today, it seems investors weren’t too worried about the fall of the Conservative government.
The TSX and the Venture exchanges were in positive territory for all of the trading day. Our loonie did lose some of it’s lustre, however, falling slightly against the greenback.
Who do you plan to vote for?
Which party are you planning on voting for now that we’re in for a federal election? Call the Listener Line at 604-877-6332, tweet us @News1130Radio, or leave a comment below to tell us why.
