Would you like to see a one-on-one debate between Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff?

by macleans.ca on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 4:19pm - 61 Comments

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  • vera

    We do need more prisons. The people housed in our prisons are not petty thieves, they are all in there because they committed violent crimes. You have to work really hard to get into one of those prisons in Canada. We let everyone else off with a slap on the wrist for pete sake! As for the jets, if you paid attention you would be aware that it will only cost us 1 cent of every tax dollar to pay for them, if you cancel them it will still cost that much and more to get out of the contract.

  • Rabbit

    Reply to Mars

    Educated yourself before making a stupid comment like you just did. Like they say, "little knowledge is dangerous".

    The coalition did not bring down the government. The government was forced out because it had violated the very norms of democracy, accountability and transparency – the very things that Harper promised at election time but never delivered and instead violated those same principles himself and was found in contempt of Parliament. So if you don't understand what "contempt of Parliament" means, then I will tell you. It means Harper lied to the Partliament about how much the helicopters cost… those useless things that Harper likes, the weaponry that Republicans go for, i.e. Bush in order to support the weapon industry in the USA and Harper has no mind so he either follows the Republicans or quotes the text of an Australian PM word to word in order for Canada to join the war with the USA in Afganistan.
    So Harper lied to the whole of Canada because the MPs sitting in the Parliament were democractically elected by the people of Canada. Please read up before you make stupid comments.

  • Rad44

    Some Canadians are blaming the Bloc for being a separatist party, but forget Alberta. So if you ask me, the Conservatives are a separatist party too because their votes come from Alberta. In fact, unlike Alberta, Quebec does send MPs from other parties, Conservatives, Liberals, etc; Alberta gives all its 78? seats to the Conservatives. So Alberta is in a federal election for itself, what can the province get from Harper. Alberta doesn't care for the country as a whole. It has on many times vowed to separate if it doesn't get the goodies from Harper and what does Harper do? Gives rich tax credits to the big oil companies in Alberta. And is not in favour of the environment or green energy for the same reason so as to not inconvenience the big oil companies. You rub my back and I will rub yours. There was a rich tax credit for the corporations in the last budget few weeks ago. The only difference between Alberta and Quebec is that Quebec is open about it, because of its culture whereas Alberta is not, but then when you look at the logistics of it all, Quebec has more MPs from other parties whereas Alberta has not.

    • Guest

      People in Alberta vote for conservative because it works. Enough people must be voting in conservative in the province duh and that's why its conservative. You clearly must be from the east. If don't know if you know or not but a lot of money comes out of Alberta and is given to other provinces like Quebec and every other have not province in equalization payments. I wouldn't go around saying that Alberta doesn't care about the Country I'd like to see what happened if there were no transfer payments. I'll have you know that the Federal government has done nothing but alienate the west because of the fact the east has more seats in parliament than the west. Your whole point about Quebec having other Mps and not Alberta doesn't make sense. People in Alberta vote conservative where as quebec they choose Bloc. I think you need to rethink your comment. MPS are voted in by the people just remember that.

      • C.L.

        I agree with the previous comment 100%.

        First of all, we already HAD an election and the people spoke. Apparently, the Librocrats didn’t like the outcome,
        so now, we tax payers can have our money wasted on another election!

        I am also sick of the Liberals,NDP & Bloc hindering most all of the progress that is attempted by the Conservative gov. I watch them in the debates in the House, and they have NO interest in actually having an intelligent discussion. They behave like children who pout and stomp their feet because they’re not getting their own way. It’s immature and totally iresponsible, ESPECIALLY at this time when markets are unstable all over the world. The focus should be on real issues,not some power-hungry politicans trying to serve themselves!

  • Tom

    Politicians during an election campaign are forced to bribe as many people that might vote as possible. The ethical politicians (like Harper) have a problem with this, because their conscience won't let them outright lie. The politicians who are just desperate to get elected, will say anything, promise anything, including promising different and opposing programs in different parts of the country, knowing there is a language or indifference barrier. Iggy is such a politician. At best a one-on-one debate would just pressure Harper to do/say things he doesn't want to promise/say. He is constrained by reality.
    Question: of the 93 Red Book; how many promises did the liberals live up too???? Why would they be any different now? They had massive majorities, so no excuse.

    • Holly Stick

      Harper shows no sign of having ethics. He is a repeat liar.

    • Ted

      Are you drinking too much alcohol or have you been asleep or just in denial. He lied about the deficit, he lied about knowing Carson's background of fraud. He lied and is still lying about the cost of his prison & crime bill and the cost of the fighter jets (according to our independent parliamentary audtior). He challenged Iggy to a debate and when Iggy agreed, he changed his mind. His Minister Bev Oda was caught lying to Parliament and he defended her because lying is okay with Stephen Harper. He lied about the Afghan prisoner scandal and will try to block the release of the report. He lied about the costs of the G20 summit and will refuse Canada's Auditor General from releasing her report. He was held in contempt of Parliament because he refuses to tell the truth about his financial estimates because he is making it all up to committ fraud in order to get elected. You are a fool to defend Harper on being honest. Try some other area that just perhaps he might have some credibility.

  • http://www.gregvezina.com Greg Vezina

    YES Democracy 101 FACISM.. ONLY LET THE BIG two in the POLL any Thought thaT THERE MIGHT BE any OTHER opinion OR option IS not allowed.

    was this poll written by harper or does he owen this rag?

  • Ted

    Are you drinking too much alcohol or have you been asleep or just in denial. He lied about the deficit, he lied about knowing Carson's background of fraud. He lied and is still lying about the cost of his prison & crime bill and the cost of the fighter jets (according to our independent parliamentary audtior). He challenged Iggy to a debate and when Iggy agreed, he changed his mind. His Minister Bev Oda was caught lying to Parliament and he defended her because lying is okay with Stephen Harper. He lied about the Afghan prisoner scandal and will try to block the release of the report. He lied about the costs of the G20 summit and will refuse Canada's Auditor General from releasing her report. He was held in contempt of Parliament because he refuses to tell the truth about his financial estimates because he is making it all up to committ fraud in order to get elected. You are a fool to defend Harper on being honest. Try some other area that just perhaps he might have some credibility.

  • James

    Harper, sedating drugs and all, would lose big time. He's a weirdo and comes off creepy as hell on TV. That's why Harper avoids the media. He's such a weirdo that he takes his Harper pills to avoid showing his true self.

  • B. Little

    The Bloc has no right to be viewed as a Federal Party. They are
    a liability to Canada. We will continue to have multi elections
    as long as they are represented in the house.

  • laurie

    Can you ever tell this is an Eastern Canadian Magazine. Do we really have to watch a debate with Igniatieff and Harper? IF THAT IS THIR QUESTION….they are seriously out of touch with readers outside of Ontarios protected realm! Really ?? NOBODY wanted an election in most of this country! And nobody in their right mind would want an election hoping to get a Coalition government that is despised everywhere except outside of Ontario and Quebec . Why is the Bloc a legitimate party? If Ms. May could come up with Legitimate funding to turn Canada Green, we would have heard from her by now so her debate is totally redundant. Like him or not, Harper is doing a decent job. What a waste of time and money ;-(

  • oldfogey

    in all likelihood it would resemble question period.

  • Kelly

    Right on B. Little.

  • Sheila

    If Harper was doing a good job he wouldn't have been turfed for unethical behaviour in the House.

  • guest

    Liberals have also had some unethical behaviours…. just saying

  • Canadian Mom

    Liberals were NEVER charged with Contempt of Parliament or have they ever been found GUILTY of election abuse by Elections Canada either….just saying

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