Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

'Democratic right'

by Aaron Wherry on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 9:07pm - 38 Comments

“And the Opposition does not have the democratic right to impose a coalition with the separatists they promised voters would never happen.”

From Stephen Harper’s remarks tonight.

Is that fundamentally correct? Is there anything in our democracy or rules of Parliament that bars such a thing as this coalition from going forward?

Deleted.

Let’s rephrase that. Shouldn’t have used the L-word. It’s too loaded and implies an accusation that was not intended. A year of watching Question Period should have taught me how poorly we are served by the careless use of language. Apologies.

The questions above are asked honestly out of legitimate confusion. I actually tend to agree there’s a way to read that sentence as not incorrect.

Tags: Bloc Québécois, coalition government, conservatives, Gilles Duceppe, house of commons, Jack Layton, liberals, NDP, Parliament, Stéphane Dion, Stephen Harper

More by Aaron Wherry

Erin Weary

How inane.

Maybe it’s the “parliamentary democratic” right you’re referring to?
Emmett

Puhleeze. Everybody’s been invoking the language of “rights” around this thing. Today, Justin Trudeau said he has a right to go vote non-confidence before January… whatever.
Lord Bob

I read that as more a statement on morality than legality. But it was spectacularly clear, and the instant I read your interpretation, I started to waver. And, frankly, the question on legality is much more interesting since the question on morality seems to own every comment thread here. :P
Terry

Come now Aaron, people say “you have no right” all the time when the law says quite clearly that they do.

It is possible to violate the spirit while maintaining the literal letter of the law, or for the laws themselves to be unjust.

Is there a democratic spirit of principles behind laws and parliamentary procedures, and is the opposition acting in bad faith with the Canadian people? That’s something only an election can resolve one way or the other.
Mike T.

No.

Yes.
David

Stephen Harper, parsimonious with the truth? Never! Say it isn’t so!
Chris

To say they don’t have a democratic right is not say that somehow the move would be unconstitutional. However, it is saying that the opposition parties have no mandate to form a coalition government. They did not run on the basis of doing so and allow the voters to pass judgment on that. If you wish democratic legitimacy you should put your plans to the voters and let them decide who is to govern them.
Sam

lame.
kody

And BLOG CENTRAL’s downward spiral into the bowls of the far left fever swamp

continues unabated.

When does Ti-guy get his own post?

I’m assuming any day now.
DianeG

“the democratic right to IMPOSE a coaltion” Talk about twisting the facts !

It’s already been established that the Conservatives do not enjoy the confidence of the House of Commons. The Coaltion has been formed, not imposed. etc. etc. etc.
DianeG

“IMPOSE a coalition” ? Hah. If that were possible, make it so and beam me up Scotty while you’re at it.
DianeG

“IMPOSE a coaltiosn” say wayt? Beam me up Scotty we must be on another planet.
http://myblahg.com Robert McClelland

If you wish democratic legitimacy you should put your plans to the voters and let them decide who is to govern them.

Did Harper do that? Did Harper say he was going to attack the opposition parties by cutting their funding. Did Harper say he was going to suspend the right to strike. Did Harper say he was going to attack pay equity. Did Harper say he was going to start selling off Canadian assets.

Clearly Harper didn’t put his plans to the voters so they could decide so why do you insist the opposition parties need to.
Ti-Guy

When does Ti-guy get his own post?

Perhaps I already do. How do you think I spend
so much time on here if I wasn’t getting paid for it?
Pol

Stephen Harper Lied again to Canadians? really> noooooooooooooo it can’t be! noooooooooooooo………

The biggest liar in Canadian history lied again? noooooooo? really?????
Aaron Wherry

All right, all right. Refer to added note. I’ll try harder to keep my wits about me. Everyone play nice.

P.S. Erin Weary? If that is, by any chance, an homage of sorts, my parents would probably prefer that you amend it to Erin Wary. Rhymes with cherry. If that is your real name, carry on.
Mike T.

If a liar can get people to back down from calling him a liar, how are the people being lied to being adequately served?
Mackee

Rule of law in Canada!!!
What is it about that that people don’t understand?!
Why are so many average Canadians so stupid and ignorant about the rules that dictate our Parliament, country and democracy?
People need to go back and get a university education or at least a high school education.
Terry

Mackee> People thought they elected a government, then the supporters of that government are told through the use of extraordinary and rarely used powers that they might see their government ousted from power.

Why are people so shocked that people are upset, and then assuming that calling them ignorant is a way to win them over to the idea?
Mackee

But ”people” do not directly elect a governement. They elect Members of Parliament who then go to the House and form governement within those elected members.
Just because it doesn’t happen often doesn’t mean it is not applicable.
Of course I wouldn’t expect the average joe shmoe on the street to understand this. But in times of constitutional crisis it is up to the higher minds, the educated people to sort this out.
Jody

Word is out that a half hour after the speech people in Halton on the Conservative list started getting urgent calls asking for $500 donations. So the real reason for Harper’s TV time may be a hijacking of the public airwaves for a CPC fundraising drive.
Mike T.

You mean Conservative pleas for $$ were silent for a full half hour?
Francien Verhoeven

Jody,

“Word is out that a half hour after the speech people in Halton on the Conservative list started getting urgent calls asking for $500 donations. So the real reason for Harper’s TV time may be a hijacking of the public airwaves for a CPC fundraising drive.”

That is good news indeed. I hope the Liberal are able to do the same thing. How much do you think the LIberals should ask for letting Dion take charge? A penny for your thoughts……..
Jody

I don’t feed trolls.
Patrick

Let’s call things by their names. The prime minister and others speaking on behalf of the government have lied repeatedly over the past week, and it is plain for all to see. They lied in question period about something as trivial as flags in the background. They have mischaracterized what the proposed coalition agreement involves. They have secretly taped another party’s confidential caucus meeting and released the transcript. They have repeatedly tried to mislead Canadians about how our system of government works. In an effort to stir up public opinion and maintain power, many in government have resorted to the language of treason, sedition, and “un-Canadianness”. Last time I checked, no one is proposing overthrowing our democratic system through the use of force.

I don’t support the direction the coalition intends to take the government in — in fact I would prefer a more cautious, conservative approach to the economy rather than massive spending — but at the very least the Liberals and NDP have not been blatantly lying to the public. I’ll take that over the likes of Stephen Harper (“separatist coalition”), Dean Del Mastro (“traitors”), and Bob Dechert (“It’s as close to treason and sedition as I can imagine.”).