Stephen Harper and his conservative government have tabled a bill they want to pass on Monday which will essentially recreate the circumstances of the Great Depression. They want to cut funding to different corporations (opposite of the US bailout), thus saving the government money and causing many people to lose jobs.

They also want to cut funding to all the other political parties, including their own. In Canada, the way government funding for parties works, is that for every vote the party achieves, they get (roughly) $1.90 from the government. So yes, this would cut funding to all parties, giving an incredibly unfair advantage in the future to their party (the party in power).

Now, every other party has been in meetings all day with very powerful higher-ups, and they have tabled a bill that will essentially overthrow the current government. They will go through the Governor General (Canada's tie to the Queen, most important political figure in Canada) to force a full clearing out of Stephen Harper and his affiliates.

The other parties agreed to form a coalition, with Stephan Dion at the temporary helm, and equal representation from all parties in seats in the house of commons.

That is the situation so far, to the best of my knowledge. I personally am 100% in favor of it, because
a) Harper is a terrible leader, and
b) Living through an overthrow of the government would be really, really cool.

What are your thoughts?

Not a big fan of Harper, but I really fucking hate Stephan Dion... so does everyone not from Quebec.

True story, which is why it's good that he's only going to be a temp, and the house would be equal reps from every party, not just people to backup Stephan's idiocy.

I was hoping you were talking about a bloody coup from the ground level, against the establishment. Then I remembered these are Canadians we're talking about. They beat America silly a few times, then decided to turn all cute and cuddly. Now when I think of Canadians in conflict, I imagine carebears shooting rainbows at people.

He's got a point though. The way ahead isn't to bail out failing companies that didn't plan for this eventual collapse of the global economy. The way ahead is to let them fail and absorb eachother. Once the smoke clears, we'll be left with a few megacorporations, each with a monopoly in their own industry, who can then plot and scheme to undermine the world governments, bring down democracy and replace it all with a corporate oligarchy. Then they can start selling us cybernetic implants and the fun can begin.

I would prefer it if they actually had a revolution and stuff, but all in one GIANT paintball/airsoft match (so no one gets badly hurt), that would be awesome.

I live in america so I probably won't be effected, but I would really like to see what happens even if I lived in canada.

Dion had his chance, the Canadian people DID NOT elect him to lead the country, he has no buisiness trying to take it over.

If an election is called I will vote for the conservatives because this is NOT how the system was meant to work.

Aardvark:
I was hoping you were talking about a bloody coup from the ground level, against the establishment. Then I remembered these are Canadians we're talking about. They beat America silly a few times, then decided to turn all cute and cuddly. Now when I think of Canadians in conflict, I imagine carebears shooting rainbows at people.

He's got a point though. The way ahead isn't to bail out failing companies that didn't plan for this eventual collapse of the global economy. The way ahead is to let them fail and absorb eachother. Once the smoke clears, we'll be left with a few megacorporations, each with a monopoly in their own industry, who can then plot and scheme to undermine the world governments, bring down democracy and replace it all with a corporate oligarchy. Then they can start selling us cybernetic implants and the fun can begin.

I really want to agree with the no-bailout thing, but yes, while it crushes the deserving megacorps, it DOES cause hundreds of lower-middle class people to lose their jobs, and thats no good.

PedroSteckecilo:
Dion had his chance, the Canadian people DID NOT elect him to lead the country, he has no buisiness trying to take it over.

If an election is called I will vote for the conservatives because this is NOT how the system was meant to work.

It's not being called to vote just yet. The other parties nominated Dion as the temp leader, just until they get shit settled enough for another election. And without a majority, or even a large enough minority, he will just be a figurehead in a more neutral government. Or so they hope.

I view this move by Harper to be essentially a partisan move, and not a move to assist the Canadian government. He's taking advantage of the Liberals' low cash reserves and upcoming leadership race, and kicking the Greens while they're down. (Dunno about the NDP's funds, but I suspect they're not as well-off as the current incarnation of the Conservatives.)

I truly hope it doesn't come to another election, or even a minority coalition, but I don't want this temporary situation used to create a permanent political advantage for one party either.

-- Steve

CoziestPigeon:

PedroSteckecilo:
Dion had his chance, the Canadian people DID NOT elect him to lead the country, he has no buisiness trying to take it over.

If an election is called I will vote for the conservatives because this is NOT how the system was meant to work.

It's not being called to vote just yet. The other parties nominated Dion as the temp leader, just until they get shit settled enough for another election. And without a majority, or even a large enough minority, he will just be a figurehead in a more neutral government. Or so they hope.

This feels distinctly like a subversion of democracy though. None of them won a majority, they have no right to take over the country like this. Its not democratic and using the Governor General is bad form, that's not what the office is ment to be used for.

Anton P. Nym:
I view this move by Harper to be essentially a partisan move, and not a move to assist the Canadian government. He's taking advantage of the Liberals' low cash reserves and upcoming leadership race, and kicking the Greens while they're down. (Dunno about the NDP's funds, but I suspect they're not as well-off as the current incarnation of the Conservatives.)

I truly hope it doesn't come to another election, or even a minority coalition, but I don't want this temporary situation used to create a permanent political advantage for one party either.

-- Steve

Couldn't have said it better meself.

PedroSteckecilo:

CoziestPigeon:

PedroSteckecilo:
Dion had his chance, the Canadian people DID NOT elect him to lead the country, he has no buisiness trying to take it over.

If an election is called I will vote for the conservatives because this is NOT how the system was meant to work.

It's not being called to vote just yet. The other parties nominated Dion as the temp leader, just until they get shit settled enough for another election. And without a majority, or even a large enough minority, he will just be a figurehead in a more neutral government. Or so they hope.

This feels distinctly like a subversion of democracy though. None of them won a majority, they have no right to take over the country like this. Its not democratic and using the Governor General is bad form, that's not what the office is ment to be used for.

Also true, but when the current PM is apparently trying to 1) run the country into a depression on purpose and 2) start a dictatorship (due to no other parties existing due to him cutting funds) someone needs to do something, and if every other party and THE QUEEN think its right, then that's how it goes.

Hopefully a coalition (I live in Quebec and am starting to get fed up with elections)

I'm not in favor of the Harper Conservative government but for very different reasons than a supposed lack of a bail out ... more like the voiced support for things like a canadian version (see: even more pandering to corporate interests of not allowing public use of copyrighted materials, such as making DRM malware we get in some of our games now into law, so take people to court for copyright infringement and off to jail for what used to be acceptable aka customers = criminals) of the USA Digital Management Copyright Act (DMCA - if I recall what that acronym stands for correctly). Copyright "reform" means less freedom for customers, you know, citizens. What a huge pile of bull shit that is - just look at the mess Genetically Modified Organisms from corporations like Monsanto have been causing for farmers but then imagine it for anything digital as well. If shit like that goes through, it effectively makes modifying programs illegal.

Could you please link your story with some other sources also reporting it? Otherwise I have not seen anything indicating the situation you are putting forth - hasn't the governor general already accepted the Harper Conservative government based off the election results? So far, the only thing close to this is rumors of there being a coalition government between Liberal and NDP, but even then, I do not recall if they have enough seats because of the seats the Bloc occupy.

Aardvark:
I was hoping you were talking about a bloody coup from the ground level, against the establishment. Then I remembered these are Canadians we're talking about. They beat America silly a few times, then decided to turn all cute and cuddly. Now when I think of Canadians in conflict, I imagine carebears shooting rainbows at people.

He's got a point though. The way ahead isn't to bail out failing companies that didn't plan for this eventual collapse of the global economy. The way ahead is to let them fail and absorb eachother. Once the smoke clears, we'll be left with a few megacorporations, each with a monopoly in their own industry, who can then plot and scheme to undermine the world governments, bring down democracy and replace it all with a corporate oligarchy. Then they can start selling us cybernetic implants and the fun can begin.

Carebears shooting rainbows???Hilarious!!! Bring on the cyberneetic implants please.

CanadianWolverine:

Could you please link your story with some other sources also reporting it? Otherwise I have not seen anything indicating the situation you are putting forth - hasn't the governor general already accepted the Harper Conservative government based off the election results? So far, the only thing close to this is rumors of there being a coalition government between Liberal and NDP, but even then, I do not recall if they have enough seats because of the seats the Bloc occupy.

I heard it on 3 different radio stations on the way home, but have to run and can't find a website :( sorry.

CoziestPigeon:

I heard it on 3 different radio stations on the way home, but have to run and can't find a website :( sorry.

Ahh, thanks for the source, sorta. Can you remember which radio stations? I listen to this one mostly myself: http://www.chly.ca/index.php

I'll see what is kicking around, there should be something if its become syndicated news, which is usually what multiple news stations deliver.

Edit: Are you referring to this? http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/28/fed-govt.html

Canada sounds eerily like the southpark christmas special from season 7 at the moment :-D

Wait, is the queen still allowed to just walk in and tell us what to do?

Wouldukindly:
It's reported that when dear old Chretien was asked to comment on the coalition, he replied with 'Je suis na-pas anglais' (i apologize for the spelling or grammar, i'm an anglophone).

Even though I respect Harper for refusing to bailout, the act of a coalition government is completely constitutionally enforced. Still, I can't help but feel like someone just hacked off another one of my rights...

I dislike Dion, hopefully they get a little restructured and put someone who is a leader and not a bureaucrat in power. Also, I worry about how much power the NDP will be able to suck out of this...

Suck out of WHAT?

Sorry, I just had too.

s3cur1tr0n:

Aardvark:
I was hoping you were talking about a bloody coup from the ground level, against the establishment. Then I remembered these are Canadians we're talking about. They beat America silly a few times, then decided to turn all cute and cuddly. Now when I think of Canadians in conflict, I imagine carebears shooting rainbows at people.

He's got a point though. The way ahead isn't to bail out failing companies that didn't plan for this eventual collapse of the global economy. The way ahead is to let them fail and absorb eachother. Once the smoke clears, we'll be left with a few megacorporations, each with a monopoly in their own industry, who can then plot and scheme to undermine the world governments, bring down democracy and replace it all with a corporate oligarchy. Then they can start selling us cybernetic implants and the fun can begin.

Carebears shooting rainbows???Hilarious!!! Bring on the cyberneetic implants please.

You laugh now.

3

2

1

CAREBEARSTARE!!!!!

Oh, and I'm all for a general coalition. Why not get everybody in on running the country?

CoziestPigeon:
Stephen Harper and his conservative government have tabled a bill they want to pass on Monday which will essentially recreate the circumstances of the Great Depression. They want to cut funding to different corporations (opposite of the US bailout), thus saving the government money and causing many people to lose jobs.

you do know that we DON'T need a bailout right? our banks and such are doing VERY well due to our strict regulation of the banks. some of our manufacturing companies are not doing great because they deal a lot with american companies but our economy is very strong and doing a hell of a lot better than the american or british economies

funny during the last election they were saying how Harper was giving money to corps, this seems the exact oposite, so that means if you support them you support a pack of liars. so since they are lying how can they really be trusted now?

you should really pay attention to the Canadian markets and see how well our economy is doing, you'd be surprised. the banks were given money by the gov for 2 reasons, 1 we had it laying around and 2 to keep up with the joneses as it were

Phantom2595:
Wait, is the queen still allowed to just walk in and tell us what to do?

Technically, according to the letter of Canadian law, the governor general is an autocrat in the absence of the Queen - Canadian democracy is a result of conventions and traditions, not actual written law. So yes, the Queen technically still is allowed to just walk in and tell us what to do. In practice, this sort of situation is pretty much the Governor General's only real responsibility/area of influence.

I've been saying for a long time that I'd like to see more coalition governments in Canada, and if it's going to force out the party that I am most politically opposed to, then hell yes I'm for it.

PedroSteckecilo:
Dion had his chance, the Canadian people DID NOT elect him to lead the country, he has no buisiness trying to take it over.

If an election is called I will vote for the conservatives because this is NOT how the system was meant to work.

Correction, no one likes him...

Dion is there till next May, so...

Isn't this a vote of non confidence? It's not really as special as you make it out to be. The last time it happened was in 2005.

Politics in Canada right now are messed up. If we end up seeing two elections within a year it can't be good.

I really don't know who I hate more, Stephane Dion, Jack Layton (is he still the NDP guy?), Stephen Harper, or that Elizabeth May... They all seem very misguided as to how to direct the country in these times (such as what the OP said). If I were to choose between two people however, it would either be Jack Layton or Harper. Don't like me if you don't want to, but thats how I see it.

SuperFriendBFG:

TMAN10112:
I live in america so I probably won't be effected, but I would really like to see what happens even if I lived in canada.

Ignorant words my friend. Did you know that at least 40% of your east coast is powered by Canadian electricity?

To add-on.

Two words:

Oil Sands.

SuperFriendBFG:

LewsTherin:

SuperFriendBFG:

TMAN10112:
I live in america so I probably won't be effected, but I would really like to see what happens even if I lived in canada.

Ignorant words my friend. Did you know that at least 40% of your east coast is powered by Canadian electricity?

To add-on.

Two words:

Oil Sands.

Why yes of course. Ontario's Oil Sands are actually giving us a nice amount of oil... Hmm... Maybe we should go burn the White House for fun again, what do you say my fine friend?

I really meant the ones in Northern Alberta. You know, the ones VISIBLE FROM SPACE

And I'm afraid I'll have to pas on that offer, I'm expecting great things from the person whos about to move in.

Stephen whatawha?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

I think the government should stop worrying about the economy, and start working on infrastructure and our health care.

EDIT: Because the Canadian Economy looks like it's going to be the only one to come out of this crisis more or less the same as before.(maybe if we're REALLY lucky, we'll replace America as the most wealthy nation in the world.)