Categories: Polls

Should Parliament impose limits on the prime minister's powers?

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by macleans.ca on Sunday, February 28, 2010 6:53pm - 50 Comments

http://intensedebate.com/people/SteveWBCanada SteveWBCanada

Our parliamentary system essentially elects a prime minister who is our nation's dictator until the next election. If we are dissatisfied with his/her performance, we simply vote for a different party at the next election. Remember the Conservative party of two? That was our revenge against Brian Mulroney. If enough Canadians are seriously dissatisfied with Harper's performance, which I doubt (it's only the chattering classes who seem preoccupied about it), we will deliver our verdict. Until then, chill out, drink beer, and watch more hockey games.

http://intensedebate.com/people/ChrisWPG ChrisWPG

And here I thought the PMO had stricken the words “chattering classes“ from the CPC`s war room talking points….
http://intensedebate.com/people/geogine geo

Exactly what is the chattering class according to you SteveWBCanada? The 70% or so that will not vote for a conservative?

Derek

Or the 70% that will n ot vote for a Liberal?

http://Overgrow.ning.com ElectroPig

What you mention is actually the real problem. I have termed this process "See-Saw Voting", and it goes like this:

1) We're voting in "Party 'A'" They will fix everything that's wrong in the world!
2) Party 'A' lied! They caused more problems than the last ones did!!!
3) We'll show them! We're voting in "Party 'B'" this time!
4) Party 'B' lied! They caused more problems than the last ones did!!!
5) We'll show them! We're voting in "Party 'A'" this time!
6) GOTO 2

It's amazingly simple how to fix this process…DO NOT VOTE IN ANY ESTABLISHED PARTY. Vote green. Hell, vote in the marijuana party for all I care…fact is that the NDP, Liberals and Conseratives have ALL played a part in what amounts to the destruction of Canada, and NONE OF THEM DESERVE TO BE IN POWER ANY LONGER.

They're only going to make things worse, tighten controls on the citizens who PAY THEIR SALARIES, and destroy the country with a million tiny cuts…but none of them in taxation.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

Bert

The chattering class has enough voters that they control the balance of power now, big mistake Stevie Longnose. 3rd strike in your quest for a majority. comming up.
marcel

Mr. Harper is still better than either the liberals who are lead by a man who only wants to be king , or the NDP who are lead by a man who would be great selling snake oil , and kissing butt.
Too bad the Cons. don’t have a majority , just maybe the country could get something done , rather than listen to the whining opposition . All parties really should get a grip on the real world and get Canada moving again , But nope whine and thump fists groan and moan is all they seem capable of.

Bob

Ditto Macel

Micheline

You don't think Harper killed the economy bad enough, now we should give him a majority? You have to be kidding or you don't know f— all about politics. What are you going to do when Harper gets kicked out, welfare or unemployment?

wafer

Harper killed the economy?? Micheline, not only do you know nothing about politics you know nothing about economics.

cinderella

I am politically challenged. However, as a senior, on a fixed low income, I was upset by P.M. Harper giving funds to Campbell to force the HST through. As a senior, I have no tax write offs, so the tax man takes a chunk, even if you are living in poverty. Food costs have gone up by 27%, in two years. We have the carbon tax. The HST, is going to cost, 7% more, for heat, hydro, cable and phone. There has been a sharp rise in homeless seniors, right now. The HST, will cause, many more homeless seniors. I know, I will not be able to stay in my house, I have already sold my car, to catch up on bills. Because of massive lay offs, my house isn't selling. Our governing officials, are out of touch, they don't see the plight, of seniors, being made homeless by this unfair tax. I have contributed 35 working years, to this country. The only way, seniors can cut back, is, reducing, their food, and utilities. My furnace is set at 15, for the day and 10 for overnight. Only one light on at a time. Laundry washed in cold water, and clothes hung up to dry. And, no meat. The HST, as I say, will put seniors on the street. And Harper, ignores this, and Campbell and Hansen, ignore us too. Even Iggy, isn't truthfull, he said no, HST, and he then threatened his caucus, to vote yes, or else. I have voted for P.M. Harper, all along, but, I feel let down.

pineapple express

Yes, cinderella, B.C. does have a carbon tax, instituted by your provincial government not by the Conservative federal government. No other province in Canada has such a tax, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Liberal government in Ontario acted in the same way. I, too, am a retired senior, 37 years in the workforce. Our thermostats are set for 19 through the day & 12 at night ; with frequent -30 temps & howling winds during winter we do find we have to don extra layers of clothing. I really am looking forward to spring for once daytime outydoor temps rise above 8 degrees, it will be a joy to be able to hang out the laundry again….and in case you or others are thinking it…..I am NOT a greenie!
Guest

You do have income tax write offs not available to non-seniors. Seniors get an "age amount", and they get to split their (pension) income with their partner and consequently pay less income tax. And, in BC Seniors can defer you property taxes.

Further, OAP and CPP are not "fixed" income, they are adjusted for inflation. Your income is not "fixed", it is adjusted.

Don't let your politics get in the way accurate reporting.

http://www.alanrudrum.com Alan Rudrum

The past tense of the verb to lead is led, not lead. No surprise that illiterates love Harper.

I have been following Ignatieff ever since I reviewed his very first book, and it is clear that he is ten times more intelligent AND more ethical than Harper. All Harper has is low cunning, complete disregard for the many promises he has made, vindictiveness, and a desire to stay in power at whatever cost.

http://intensedebate.com/people/bananapatch bananapatch

I think the PMO's office is indeed far too powerful. But I don't feel bothered by the recent prorogation, so I couldn't answer the poll question.

guest

I suspect you, I and many others aren't much bothered by prorogation for two reasons: 1) it's difficult to spell, and 2) parliament is proving to be irrelevant and annoying…
cheers,

K Morton

I think we need some better rule on how parliament operates. The idea of non confidence votes should be turfed for starters. We the electorate will decide at election time how well the ruling party has done, not a few self serving MPs looking for headlines. Along with this would be fixed election dates and fixed dates for sitting. With our present system there is no way a minority government can do anything so we cannot judge their performance. I would also be in favor of a max three terms for a PM as well.

tobyornottoby

There's a country that has those things (fixed election dates, term limits, no votes of non-confidence). It isn't far away if you're a fan. Of course they also have an independent legislative branch that checks the spending of the Executive and can hold up things when one party doesn't have a majority.

Mountainroost

I think you are getting Ignatieff and Harper confused. Harper is the one that shuts down Parliament when the going gets sticky so he can keep power.
Harper is the one that tries to sue everyone if they make nasty comments while endorsing attack ads on all and sundry
Harper is the one who thinks the Senate should be a rubber stamp of the Commons so he can push thorugh legislation generated by a government with only 37% support in the last election.
Harper is the one whose government fires public servants who disagree with government policy.

Now what exactly has Ignatieff done?????

http://intensedebate.com/people/minaka minaka

Good question about Iggy. He's spent most of his adult life elsewhere and now thinks he's qualified to run a country like his Harvard professorship. He opens his mouth to change feet.
http://intensedebate.com/people/bananapatch bananapatch

> Now what exactly has Ignatieff done?????

Nothing. Absolutely nothing at all.

Cranky….

I'll say YES if it applies only to the left.

:)

http://intensedebate.com/people/Thwim Thwim

Sadly, while you may be speaking in jest, there's a lot of people who actually agree with that statement.

Jaded Iris

Just about time for the Republic of Canada, I'd say.
I am looking forward to the majority of voters ruling in a referendum .
Bi-pass those self serving politicians before we get the life blood sucked out of us lowly tax payers
http://www.centralparty.ca CENTRAL PARTY

What this country needs is political reform. The Central Party of Canada is presently organizing to register as a federal party and intends to run candidates in future elections. The shutting down of Parliament was PM Harpers way of being unaccountable. The throne speech today proves it.

http://www.centralparty.ca
wafer

Progation may be distateful and unproductive however because of the structure of our government the Prime Minister needs some protection from the possibility of an unsactioned group of political leaders trying to sabotage our government for their personal gain and agendas because there is no other way those losers could gain the big chair.

Thomas Parr

Hey wafer: I got to go with you…….liberalism, and socialism would kill this country faster than ever.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Thwim Thwim

Unsanctioned? In case you weren't aware, every MP up there was elected by the people of that riding. Are you saying some Canadians are worth less than others?

Julie

In both P.M. Harper, and Campbell's, speeches from the throne, there really wasn't anything to look forward to, no answers, to fix the problems, we citizens are facing. BC, is in terrible financial condition. There are no jobs, people have lost everything, and the last thing we need is the HST, that will just cause more people to become homeless. I think, Mr. Harper should take a page from New Zea Lands book. There was a stop, put to corruption, they made taxes fair for everyone, big business, doesn't call the terms, as they do in Canada. Corruption kills country's, that is the first thing, that needs to be done, get rid of corruption.

Thomas Parr

Julie perhaps you don't remember what New Zealand went through with a single economy (sheep, mutton or lamb) or whatever you want to call it. The country declared bankruptcy and had to start all over again. The only cars that could be purchased in New Zealand for years were second hand cars from Japan. Methinks you are a "Laytonite"

Drew

When it was Chretien and Trudeau doing the proroguing, there was not a word of protest from the presently hyperventilating leftist crowd that simply can't stand the same powers in the hands of a Conservative Prime MInister.

Leftists can mark this comment down as they do anything that calls them on their hypocrisy, since truth is like kryptonite to them, but it doesn't alter the fact: Proroguing by liberal PM….crickets chirping. Proroguing by conservative PM…treated like a capital crime.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Thwim Thwim

Proroguing by Liberal PM in the face of a Parliamentary demand to produce documents, or in the face of a non-confidence motion.. hasn't happened.

Compare apples to apples, not apples to pears.

polistudent

These polls are RIDICULOUS!!!!! How about some middle ground options for one. The power of the PM is excessive, but limiting the powers of prorogation will do nothing to change that.
Arizan1

Marcel – Too bad the Cons. don't have a majority , just maybe the country could get something done , rather than listen to the whining opposition

Too bad Marcel doesn't understand the job of the opposition. The hint is in the name – the official government opposition, possibly, just possibly, there to prevent a government elected by a minority of people, from shovelling through an agenda that most Canadians don't want. Back to school, Marcel.

guest

So…you're saying that MPs who the people don't really want — comprising those in opposition — are somehow responsible for opposing the policies of MPs they do want, as somehow in the common interest. Logic fails. The official opposition does two things: 1) it opposes simply because it's grumpy can't think of anything else to do, and 2) its members hope to hold out for at least 8 years to collect their pensions.
cheers,
tingmiark

you gotta be kidding

months of sequestered meetings to come up with this BS budget, and take some heat off. Can't these guys multi task. The only thing they seem to be good at is handing out payola on cheques with their logo. Makes them look like Santa Clause, then bringing in the HST to pay for it. And as far as the transperancy of the government you'd think harper was CIA hmmm maybe he is.
Gerry

Considering what he has done so far with a minority, imagine what this arrogant, mean-spirited, lying dictator would do if he ever won a majority. Think about it.

Lawrence G.

We better be thinking about it Gerry before he does more permanent damage.

Jeff

It was the Gov. Gen. that proroged government, not the PM. He only asked for it. She Ok’ed it.

ROSS

What a copout

j potter

i think prorogation should be outlawed.,, there is more pressing business
for the govermentto look after besides taking aholiday at our expense.
ROSS

This is how true dictatorships grow into place,when the population is told it's all for their benifit as the gov't whittles away at our rights and freedoms to further their own hidden agenda,which i'm sure this party has. I've never seen so much underhanded moves by any previous gov't in all my 74 yrs. There is a rat in yhe woodpile somewhere and I believe it's in the PMO. "TO MANY SNEAKY MOVES " but so easy to see if people would only open their eyes

Larry

Right on Ross. Too bad the masses don't have the intelligence to see what is happening to us all.
Larry

Rodney Rooster

Really, we are a country still trying to fight out way out of a tricky economical, globally controlled, crisis. Let the man do the job he is good at. I think he is the man to get us on our financial feet again. As long as he doesn't try to change the words to our national anthem!! Discontinuing meetings of parliament just relieved us all of the mad dog fights inspired by the 'loyal' opposition. Now we are going to waste time with the foreign prisoner fiasco! Wake up! These people are the enemy. They blow up our soldiers. They throw acid at women. They are probably laughing their heads off at our woosey, soft ideas – nodding their heads and saying, no problem, we will take over the world as these infidel dogs neuter their own soldiers.

Mary in Calgary

I think Parliament were all happy for the break to a man, with their accompanying point seeking media protestations that seemed done far too softly; along with noticing that many of their faces also simultaneously appeared in Vancouver at the games. I agree on the mad dog fights; opposition seems unable to conduct parliamentary business with statesmanship and decorum that accedes that Stephen Harper is indeed the serving elected Prime Minister, thus they need to work together to get what's needed done. I think Harper probably got a lot of work done along with representing Canada well at the Olympic events and celebrations. If their petty positional bickering rather than the offering of cooperative ideas and real solutions starts again, I will never offer another vote to anyone but Harper.
ROSS

so you think we as a nation should treat others in the same way, as our courageous yound men are fighting against and giving their lives to stop these practices. sounds so much like the government of the das's approach,

Rodney Rooster

It is the big stick that wins. Scratch the surface and find a savage – that ain't going to change.

Mac Savage

It was such a wonderful experience to not be subjected to the nausea that issues forth from the mouths of the opposition during the two weeks of the Olympics; most especially the Canadian responsibility for any Afghanistan "torture". For once the media gave us good news, a happy feeling and a belief, after some initial stumbles, that we could pull it off – and we did! Of course all this news was coming out of VANCOUVER, not ottawa and toronto the supposed centres of the universe (so-sorry all you politicians and political pundits were sent to the dressing rooms for a fortnight). Well now you are back with the “same old, same old”, and I have reverted to turning the sound off to silence the shrill voices of our parliamentarians and the nattering pundits of the press.
Thank you Stephen for these two weeks of bliss!
Julie

Thomas, That is why New Zea Land had to clean up it's act. They had to go back to ground zero, and start over. The corruption was destroying their country. Do you think Canada has no corruption? Once government allows corruption in their ranks, it filters down to every government agency and service. Campbell and Hansen's new budget, is going to destroy, blue collar people, low income people, such as a single mom with two children, earning $8.00. Social Assistance citizens, have, had their $75.00 dollar housing allowance taken away. There has been a sharp rise in seniors becoming homeless right now. Central and northern BC is dead, the people are becoming destitute. These people will become homeless. Big business can pay the political party to favor them. Campbell, gave millions to the banks, gas and oil company's, large corporations and the wealthy. The problem is, the little guy, is who keeps the country running. The massive lay offs, means, there are not enough little guys working to pay for all the corruption. So, Campbell and Hansen went on a, rabid and frenzied, taxing binge. BC, is now the second from the bottom, for the poorest province in Canada. We citizens, can't get rid of Campbell and Hansen, to see if anyone else can save BC. It has to be, Campbell and Hansen, logistics to tax people, who will become homeless. Canada is corrupt to the core. The two top reasons for corruption in Canada are, our politicians and the RCMP. Canada should, start over and the first S.O B. we find corrupt, should be sentenced 30 years in prison. BC is the most corrupt province of all.
Sonny

Harper has the same tools as any good "tradesman" ie., some tools he needs daily, others to use at his discretion. Like any "good tradesman" he is using the tools he has to do the job, while many of his opposition members are not "playing with a full tool box"!