So now that Lord Ig has wisely and graciously bowed out of an immediate election scrap, all thoughts shall turn to the next main stage tussle. But first a word on the current state of the political nation. To use the Professor’s own criminal analogy; if the Conservatives are “on probation”, the Liberal’s have a “suspended sentence”, the NDP are suffering from a “hung jury” and the Bloc will once again be relegated to “solitary confinement.”

So where does it all lead? I’m guessing a Spring 2010 federal election. Forget about the Liberal budget amendment for quarterly parliamentary updates triggering a snap confidence vote and election. Not going to happen. Because we still have to go through “double secret probation”, “electronic monitoring probation” and “parole” stages before the Liberals are anywhere near capable of fighting an election. And Harper won’t call it for fear of being branded an opportunist. Again.

So all eyes will now turn to the upcoming 2009 BC spring election where the right wing, privatizing, carbon taxing, big Owe, Olympic Liberal government will be put to the test by a kinder, gentler (but still the same old beast) provincial NDP party. Will Gordon Campbell live to see another term? I’m betting yes – despite a rapidly deteriorating economy. If only so he can take his debt-laden bow at the Olympics – along with the PM. Their one saving grace being that CTV is covering the games this year.
(more…)

As reported by Michael Sheps, MPPs were summoned to Queen’s Park today in order to attempt to pass a bill that would immediately send York University strikers back to work and resume classes for 50,000 students. The strike will soon enter its 82nd day, and both York and CUPE 3903 union representatives are at a deadlock.

The back-to-work legislation could have ended the strike at York University, but the NDP’s eight members voted against early passage, arguing that an end to the 11-week-old labour dispute should not be forced by the government. They argued that the bargaining process should still be given a chance.

So what happens next?
(more…)

Could it be true? That the NDP party is going to become redundant in the next federal election. I sure hope so for the sake of a renewed federal Liberal party and a stronger two party system. After all, for a country of 30 million persons, do we really need five “national” political parties?

While the great infrastructure begging contest goes on in earnest, the NDP is sending clear signals that they’ll likely vote against the upcoming federal budget – no matter what it contains. Apparently, they’ve been overcome by the scent of power and would like to chance it on their own coalition terms.

Government cheques for everyone!
(more…)

The economy is fine... I promise!

I think Harper must be dizzy from all the turning around he has been doing about the economy. Harper had been saying for weeks and weeks that the economy was fine – both before and after the election. Then part way into November, he stopped and headed in the other direction, announcing that this is the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The next natural step would be to have his finance minister announce a sound economic plan to stimulate the economy to try and lessen the impact of this crisis. However, it appears that Harper, in his dizzy state, turned around once more and decided that the situation is not as bad as it seems.

This leaves Canada with no stimulus package in what is projected to be a very serious global recession. This has also left Canada with millions of angry individuals who are scared they might lose their jobs or may not be able to support their families. Included in those millions are a few important people such as the members of the Liberal, NDP, and Bloq Parties.
(more…)