Categories: Polls

When should the Liberals attempt to bring down the federal government?

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by macleans.ca on Monday, June 15, 2009 12:07pm - 33 Comments

Tags: conservatives, election, liberals, Michael Ignatieff, poll, Stephen Harper

Mars

Sick & tired of this "Iggy" blackmailing Harper!!!! If I was Harper I'd tell him where 2 go–& welcome an election. Who in their right minds– would vote for an arrogant–pompous–threatening– blackmailing—aloof–"Iggy"–with no platform-policies–principals–convictions of his own–just offering maple syrup– will not do! Do we really want to look a t this Iggy for a term of 4 years? He better look in the mirror & decide–what he really stands for– so far "nothing"!!!!!!

Will

Pretty hilarious. That sounds like a perfect description of Harper. Projection, anyone?

Flipster

Ah yes, Iggy, the Convenient Canadian, vs Harper, a Proud Canadian. This is kinda like Mordicai Richler vs Pierre Burton, or maybe Celine Dion vs Anne Murray. Ig is a pompous wannabe who has bought his way this far, and the only thing between him and his prize is… the millions of Canadians who didn't vote for him. I say bring on the summer run for the roses and watch us all stir from our GI Lager, Labatt's 50 and Moosehead long enough to send him camping in Siberia for good!

deleted3092965

Ohh right, the Iggy as not Canadian enough argument. As flawless as it is beautiful.

And what is the measure used to define what is Canadian? Would it be someone from a smaller-populated province whose views run counter to a majority of Canadians? Perhaps only middle-aged white people with non-visible tattoos? Those from the suburbs who appreciate rural Canada? Perhaps it is only rural Canadians who are truly Canadian anymore?
deleted3092965

(part 2, as there are unspecified length limits…)

As soon as you start compartmentalizing 'Canadians' and defining for them who they are, you cross a line.

As a voter, you can decide for yourself how 'Canadian' you find all the candidates. As a person however, it is pretty deplorable how many people are willing to define other people contrary to how they define themselves.

What gives you the right (or clairvoyance) to tell other people who they are and how to define themselves? Are you a 19 year old scenester or something, trying to be more scene than your friends?

You are Canadian because it is convenient for you; you were likely born into it. Does that make you more Canadian therefore than immigrants? First-generation 'Canadians'? Second-generation? How far back does ones roots have to go (without a few decades anywhere else of course) until one can be a part of this 'Canada' of yours?

/end rant

qss

Canadians have every right to know all about anyone who wants to be Prime minister. Iggy is a Canadian except he is more American, he did not come to Canada to live, he was recruited by the bankrupt, corrupt, devoid of leadership liberals. has not been elected leader, he lost when he ran.
ask any immigrant who has been away from his or her country for 3 decades they no longer understand the country that they have been out of, they care for it even love it but know it as it was 3 decades ago.
Iggy is shallow, he is not a leader, he is out of touch. i cannot believe the liberals, they had plenty of liberals, Makenna, Kopps, and others why bring in a stranger to Canada.

Jon Pertwee

How's the new tinfoil hat fitting? Too tight?

Jon Pertwee

Beautifully put Nich…

ALA

And then the young child pointed out that the Emperor has no clothes on. Now if only the Media will stop taking Harper at his word and actually make him back up his claims with facts, they to will be able to see what exactly Harper is wearing.
Habitant

The option ''Never; the Conservatives should get a full mandate'' should not apply as the Government itself does not necessarily feel obliged to exercise its ''full mandate'' when it does not suit them.

Last year, under the guise of a ''dysfunctional Parliament'', Harper decided he wasn't going to go with the ''full mandate''… Truth is, he figured opportunity knocked, a majority awaited him. Wrong!!!

Today, opportunity has gone and left the Conservatives… The holes they have dug themselves (particularly in Quebec and Ontario) are likely insurmountable. If they want to govern, it 's on this mandate.
The only problem is they do not know how to govern within the confines of the mandates they were issued (minority).

Jon Pertwee

I think they meant Man Date.

Mike Drouillard

I for one am tired of the Liberals getting in the way of progress. If they truly cared about Canada they would stop bickering and start getting things done. Its bad enough we pay the gov't as much as we do for how little time they actually spend at work, you would think they would want to make the most of it.

Will

I'd love to see some specifics on how exactly the Liberals are getting in the way of progress. We wouldn't even have a stimulus package that Harper is so desperate to save if it hadn't been for the threat of the coalition.

wilson

And we would also have a much smaller deficit too.

Jon Pertwee

yeah right, like Jim Flaherty could be trusted to keep your lunch money safe…

Jon Pertwee

I for one am tired of the Conservatives getting in the way of progress. If they truly cared about Canada they would stop bickering and start getting things done. Its bad enough we pay the gov't as much as we do for how little time they actually spend at work, you would think they would want to make the most of it.

Michael

Your statements are unfounded, or if they are founded, they are founded in foolishness and misinformation.

First of all, the Liberals aren't blocking anything. Second of all, even if they were, that's what democracy is about. We didn't elect a dictator, and we don't appoint an unchecked politburo. By suggesting that any MP's are getting in the way of progress, you are also implying that the majority of Canadian voters who didn't vote for the government are undeserving of their fair representation.

Next point.

Politicians work hard. We joke about "summers off" and weeks away from the HoC, but during that time, most politicians are meeting with their constiuency, attending events, and generally being accessible to the electorate…including on weekends, evenings, and everything else.

They are professionals, and deserve the breaks they get. It's such a load of crap to suggest they don't work for their money.

greg

Who cares, the poll indicates exactly what will happen, another consevative minority and the election will just be another waste of time.

Ralph

You are right Greg. It is time we stick to the 4 year platform which Harper had put through, times have changed, it is time to forget the long past ways and implement the 4 year plan and stick to it. We are in a financial crisis, the only ones that win from spending 300 million every year for an election is the news networks which are mostly foreign owned.

Jon Pertwee

4 year plan… sounds so Stalinish. Going to try growing cotton in the Yukon next? Maybe some gulags.

Will

Every poll in the last month has indicated that an election today would result in a Liberal minority.

wilson

So how does that reconcile with the 2 day old poll that read 78% of Canadians don't want an election!

Canadians are not in any mood for a change of government.
Which translates into Canadians thinking a Liberal government wouldn't do anything differently/better than the one we have.

Jon Pertwee

How is that a rebuttal? Canadians never want an election. Who outside of politicos says "Yay we're having an election!" Do you break out the kegger and fire up the bbq and hot tub because the writ is dropped?

Apples and oranges.

Oh yeah, you don't speak for any other Canadian than yourself Wilson.

Ann A,

It is plain to see that most of your comments come from Rt. wing, Ultra rt. wing conservatives. Stephen Harper is a dictator in sheep's clothing. He is waiting to pounce. I don't care where someone comes from out of the blue, as long as he can strip this arrogant woman hating, minority hating phony out in the garbage! Canada deserves better. You business people are being herded like sheep! Stevie is a devious manipulative thing and it is obvious men don't get it. Why do think the caucus is not allowed to speak to the press? His wife will not be interviewed by the media. It is obvious she is too shy and he would not allow it anyway. Wake up Canada! Our rites are being eroded! The gov't tried to bury t he story about Lisa Raitt. They even took it to a high court in Nova Scotia. Thank God they lost. Our democracy is slowing going away. We need some good creative people who are not afraid of The thing that occupies the PM's chair.

wilson

At least Harper was 'elected ' by his party and Canadians to lead the country.

'We need some good creative people who are not afraid of The thing that occupies the PM's chair. '
Oooooh, somebody is very upset.
Bob Rae fan, are we?

Jon Pertwee

Who funded Harper's nomination for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance Wilson? So many unanswered questions about that man you admire, such ethical hypocrisy.
Jon Pertwee

Harper was elected as a member of parliament by the residents of his riding. Regardless of the popularity contest you are implying he was not elected by Canadians.

Sorry, but that is how the system works.

Jon Pertwee

try being a bit nicer to them in the future. And dont give them mentos and diet coke.
Paul

It's a minority government so it's going to fall anyway whether Steven Harper calls an election or the opposition topples it.

If we have an a election at least the poloticians will be lying to our(the people who do vote) face instead of parliment being in session and having them lying to each other with backroom deal after backroom deal.
AaronForJohnTory

JOHN TORY FOR MAYOR!!!!!!!!!
Michael Reynolds

Please tell me where the progress is with the current government? It took the Liberals to force the Reform (they are not Conservative. Joe Clark had been dead set against them and retired when the two parties joined) party to admit Canada was being affected by the global economic downturn. They were in LALA land as well as us thinking where every country in the world is suffering but not Canada. Give me a break. After the farce of the last election, he then admits yeah Canada is suffering just like the rest of the world. Now with BS comment that we are coming out of it. I think I will grow a 2nd head if I were to believe anything that comes out of Harper's mouth and the so called Federal government. I welcome the change when the Liberals are back in power. Then, I'll believe Canada has a fighting chance. I am not one that is in LALA land like the majority of people that believe bucky beaver harper.
kim

This is why we must move to fixed election dates. Now all our elected representatives do is posture and play games instead of running the country. If after four years we don't like them turf them out but in the meantime the conservatives were elected to govern. I will vote against any party that wastes our money by deliberately causes an election.
cinderella

Nothing will ever work as long as corruption reigns in Canada. That is what really governs this country. It is in your face obvious. Look at the monster, Gordon Campbell, convince me, that he isn't corrupt. Every election, we get all the mud slinging politicians and he who lies the best wins. Canada, is #20 on the list of the most corrupt country's, and falling more every day. Guess which are the top two reasons? Our politicians, and the RCMP. Out of all the government agencies, I only found one that isn't corrupt. So, forgive my contempt, that is all I can muster right now.