Harper intent on triggering an election: Layton

"As prime minister, I told I would have been convening the leaders to figure out how we work on these key issues," he said, adding if Harper does trigger an election, he can explain his failure to act on those issues to Canadians.

Layton said, "I got no sense the prime minister is prepared to do what I would do if I were prime minister."

Kory Teneycke, a Harper spokesperson, told reporters after Layton spoke that the NDP had consistently voted non-confidence in the government over the past session.

"It's not a surprise that on the main issues of the day, he does not have the same approach that the government does, and that there's very little room for common ground," he said.

However, Harper hadn't made a decision yet on asking the governor general to drop the writ, Teneycke said.

Duceppe

Harper held a similar, hour-long meeting with Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe at 24 Sussex Drive on Friday. Duceppe emerged saying it appears likely that Harper intends to have an election.

"I think his plan is made," said Duceppe -- who went straight to an election-style rally in Gatineau, Que. after the meeting.

Dmitri Soudas, a Harper spokesperson, said that Duceppe indicated in the meeting that he had no confidence in the government.

Later that day, Harper's aides indicated the prime minister is likely to call an election to be held on Oct. 14 -- which overlaps with a major Jewish holiday.

A centrepiece of Tory democratic reform initiatives in the last election was a law fixing election dates to be held every four years, with the first scheduled for October 2009. Harper has argued that the law only really applies in a majority-government situation.

"He wants an election in the best interests of his party," Duceppe said of Harper.

One constitutional law expert said any move by Harper to unilaterally trigger an election could trigger a court action.

"There is no loophole in the law for Mr. Harper, and it absolutely does not have any relevance to minority government," University of Ottawa law professor Errol Mendes told CTV News on Friday.

Parliament is set to return on Sept. 15, and three byelections are scheduled to take place on Sept. 8.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion has said he can't meet with Harper until after those byelections. The Liberals are expected to do well in all three.

"We take that as evidence that Mr. Dion does not want to talk to the prime minister about any common ground," Teneycke said.

Analysts say Harper wants to trigger a general election before the byelections go ahead and to avoid political storm clouds building on the horizon. That would likely mean an election would be called on Sept. 5 or 6.

As a further sign of a looming campaign, the Tories released some pre-campaign TV ads on Thursday.

Rather than trying to attack Dion, the ads show a softer side of Harper, albiet one with a firm hand on the nation's rudder.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

my take on this
said

Re: Harper is doing a good job

When a Prime Minister isn't a man of his word ... he isn't doing a good job. Stephen Harper has proven he can't be trusted.

Craig
said

I just watched one of the new Conservative Parties pre-election ads. Obviously this election has been pre-planned for a while now. I couldn't help but notice how Prime Minister Harper looked so awkward, trying to look so relaxed at the end. He looked very uncomfortable. Cold as ice. It will be more of the same and a fury of leadership conventions in the next year.

Jim
said

Again,along with other observers,i ask the following question

If all the opposition leaders have been calling for,and apparently wanting an election....why are they now so shy and blaming it all on Harper.

As the ancient Chinese curse goes...'Beware of what you wish for'...

Trying to be reasonable with our funds
said

Hey Max - nothing wrong in being a geek! Nothing wrong in being from Quebec. After being layed off from Dell Canada - an election is an unnessary expense I don't want to pay extra tax on just so some guy can have an easier job. I'm still working my tale off trying to find work in my field.

gilles
said

Why would Harper and his Cons want to call an election on October 14th, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving Monday?

Does he really want the Canadian population to suffer through, Lord knows how many attack and negative adds leading up to Thanksgiving?

If such is the case, I sincerely hope that all eligible electors vent their anger and frustration towards the Cons and Harper : Thanksgiving week-end is for families to come together and to recognize the bounties that Canada has given them. It is not a time for politicians, regardless of their party, to huff and puff and blow promises and nonsense!!!

Shame on you, Mr. Harper if you do call an election on that date.

By the way, will your Con party reimburse the $ 300,000,000 dollars that this useless election will cost?

Go figure...

James Tod
said

In my view, the story in the next election will not be the fall of the Liberals. It will also not be the fall of the Conservatives. Both have strong bases, both will come out with 100+ seats. What will be telling is who gobbles the Bloc vote in Quebec. That's really the party that is going to suffer in this next election. We have seen an NDP presence in Quebec for the first time. And a crumbling of Bloc support in rural Quebec. Will Quebecers take a hard turn to the right, a hard turn to the left or park their votes with Dion, a son of Quebec? That's the true battleground.

TheOracle
said

The election law allows for an election under two circumstances

1. defeat of a minority parliament by the opposition parties (i.e. the loss of a non-confidence vote)

2. the end of the 4 year term of a majority government.

apparently, Mr.Harper intends to add one more

3. temper tamtrum by the serving P.M. because he doensn't like having a minority government and wants to call an election at his convenience and to serve his own agenda

in case you weren't paying attention, the law was intended to prevent an exit thru door number three...

S Revane
said

First off disclosure:
I am a consevative supporter
I did financially support them in the last election

Now my view on the election hype.
If Mr. harper calls an election I will NOT financially support his campaign, however, if the opposition parties defeat the government I will financially support the Conservatives again.

I WILL vote conservative regardless as I see Mr. Harper as the only relevant party leader to choose from and the conservatives as the best option for the times ahead.

Mssrs. Layton and Dion are irrelevant and out of touch with the real world and the day to day lives of Canadians.

Adam
said

The bloc is the only part to gain if an election is called everything else will remain status quo...this whole election idea is nothing more than a waste of tax payer money, and is only designed to further reduce the opposition campaign war chests against a larger election down the road. Everyone but the conservatives will pay for the election dearly, from the tax payers to the oppostion parties...oh and dont worry another oil firm is just ready to donate to the conservative party in calgary

Mike
said

It seems that University of Ottawa law professor Errol Mendes hasn't read the full text of the Canada Elections Act. Part 5, Section 56.1(1)"Nothing in this section affects the powers of the Governor General, including the power to dissolve Parliament at the Governor General’s discretion." Therefore there would certainely be no grounds for a court challenge and no law will broken if an election is called. Sounds like Liberal propaganda to me.

Doug BC
said

Two suggestions come to mind when reading these posts.First,it is not illegal to run political ads prior to a actual election date being set.It just costs money,so it's not done o a regular basis.
And,the legislation regarding fixed election dates is only rigidly applied in majority governments.It would never have been possible to agree t legislation that would deny the opposition the right to defeat a minority government.So that also brought about cllauses that allow the minority government to call an election id parliament is not fuctioning.
Oddly,I find myself asking the same question as "Ontario Taxpayer".What has been happening lately,is that a left wing opposition has been trying to force through left wing legislation that they know Harper cannot support.That way he gets the blame for an early election.In spite of the fact that the opposition has been whining about brining down the government for months.
I was usually a Liberal supporter,but I give him credit for a lot of what he has done,and for not letting the socialists push him around with threats of an election.
It would not surprise me if Layton made demands regarding a carbon tax,or immediate withdrawl from Afghanistan,which Harper would refuse,and Taliban Jack could claim Harper wasn't co-operating.
Clearly Harper has earned my vote if anyone calls an election.I expect another minority,but maybe we do need to push the "re-set" button to get these people working again.

Time for a Conservative Majority
said

Harper has been jerked around in committees, by the Senate, Elections Canada and the Liberal judges, time to give the man a majority to balance things out.

We had the Libs for 13 yrs, surely 4 yrs of a Harper Majority would restore the countries balance as it has always went back and forth, and we went to far one way, we need to go the other for a while.

Happy in Toronto
said

Why have byelections every few months because another Liberal quit??

Lets just give the conservatives there majority for 4 yrs then kick them out.

A PROUD CONSERVATIVE...
said

Most people keep commenting that Harper is going to break his own law about fixed election dates.They need to reread this law and see that it says in the instance of a MAJORITY gouvernment. Harper doesn't have one YET...he will soon...AS for the other 3 blind mice, PM HARPER has called their bluff and is intent on nailing their hids to the wall...PM HARPER again in power...

Oh Boy
said

Wow, it's pretty clear that the trolls are out in force here. The fixed election law was put forward by Harper's Conservatives to prevent the government of the day from calling a $300 million election when the polls suited them (i.e. while they were peaking or before they tanked). "Dysfunction" or "minority" had nothing to do with it and it's a perversion of the record to suggest so. Harper's passed some 29 bills through the House, has several more at Second Reading, passed two budgets and a few other money bills ... this is dysfunction? Don't forget, he also prorogued Parliament last summer, killing his own bills and his MPs have been filibustering their own chaired committees! He's a crass opportunist who refuses to work with other parties. This may please the CTV crowd, but it's sill a sad statement of his commitment to "deeply held principles".

Dan the socialist
said

We need a government that will implement the "Regina Manifesto".

Don
said

I am willing to go to the polls, but voting for Layton is impossible, Duceppe has no candidates outside Quebec, the Liberals couldn't secure my vote at gun point and the Conservatives aren't poised for a majority. That leaves me protest voting for the Greens. Maybe it will catch on... It couldn't be any worse, could it?

We get what we elect
said

I'm curious to see how foolish or how wise Canadians will be come this election.

Canada needs solid unwavering leadership. We need a steady hand on government wheel. We need rational intelligent choices not based on hype and spin or the "green cause de jour". We need a Prime Minister who doesn't change his mind with each Ipso Reid poll that comes out.

We get the government we elect.

TONY
said

HAPER get some different campain ads!!!! on my one channel every break in the show first thing I see is your campain ad explain what your going to do not what you have done. No one cares about the past now! Get something new!!!

Fixed Elections - some people still don't get it
said

Fixed elections are for MAJORITY GOVERNMENTS.. NOT MINORITY GOVERNMENTS like we have now.

Aside from the obvious Liberal spin doctors who occupy these forums trying in desperation to cast aspersions on our Prime Minister some people don't understand the concept of fixed election dates are for MAJORITY governments so the government won't abuse their majority power like Chretin did in the 1990's by calling elections whenever he was high in the polls.

This way you get to ride out your term and the people will judge you on your merits. It is a good piece of legislation and long overdue.

Minority governments require cooperation and if that won't be forthcoming as is the case now the Prime Minister must call an election so the people can decide how to break the deadlock.

It's our democracy in action.

Marcel
said

The Prime Minister (The Bully) will get his election. However, the Canadian public will not give a majority government to the Prime Minister (The Bully) and his Reform/Alliance Party on the day of the election.

Michael: As I see it...
said

Do you really think upon meeting with the Prime Minister that any opposition leader will come from the meeting and declare they had good informed discussions on how they can proceed with Parliament?

The facts as observed by two years of watching the House Of Commons is that Parliament IS in fact dysfunctional because opposition leaders aren't in any way interested in the governance of the country but are solely focused on their own pathetic political careers.

We don't have any opposition leaders who care more about Canada than their own political backside.

Little wonder Parliament is stymied despite the governments attempts to make it work.

Mr. Harper, please cal an election so we can settle this non-sense once and for all.

Mr Allan
said

The conservitive party is the scariest party that I know.Aren't they just oil companys lapdogs anyway?

CG
said

He wants an election ... good; lets have one and get rid of him once and for all !

...
said

"Dion, Duceppe & Layton are all like the little boys who continually cried wolf by saying the conservatives are bad for Canada and they have no confidence in the govt and an election should be called,"

Neither Layton nor Duceppe have denied wanting an election to happen. They've simply stated that they raised issues, and the PM would not co-operate - because the PM's only intent is to have an election before the liberals are "ready" for an election, and some "scandals" might be shown (which the justice system would be cancelled if an election is to happen).

Keith, Halifax
said

The NDP and Bloc were conspiring with the Conservatives to bring the government down last session knowing that it would only make the Conservatives stronger. I hope Layton is going to do anything else to sell out the country.

Tired of the lies
said

Dear Al from Calgary .... 'Harper is doing a good job' ... well insofaras some legislation he is doing a good job. However if you can actually drop the partisan party talk you have to admit that he has done all the same things 'wrong' as previous governments be they Lib or Cons. Then he proceeds to blame all the previous govenments saying that 'they did it too'. When you spend 4 years in the national news telling Canadians that he will take our politics to an honourable and transparent place where you ARE accountable for your actions ... then to not do so makes him a LIAR. Plain and simple and honourable man would forge ahead and make right his promises. Not sure who I am going to vote for this time but I am sure it won't be for him like I did the last time.

Attention: politicians
said

The triggering of this election is not going to be much of an issue with most voters.

You may now resume your normally scheduled wrangling.

David
said

I am disgusted with this current occupant of the PMO. His behaviour is contemptable. He holds the electorate in complete disregard and thinks nothing of squandering or hard earned money on yet another election which will undoubtedly result in yet another minority government.

What is it about the word 'compromise' that this little man does not understand. It is a MINORITY government and compromise and diplomacy are the rule of the day in this situation. Instead he has gone out of his way to alienate all but the very diehard followers of his unforgiving agenda.

His contempt for our Parliamentary system is disgusting and unforgivable. I wish him obscurity and failure.

GaryB
said

Ontario Taxpayer has it right. Layton and Duceppe offered nothing, no reason to believe they would work with the government. As for Dion, he can't even get his head out of the "Arts" long enough to spend an hour discussing the future of our country with the PM. Lets clear the air.

Hugh
said

Shouldn't be a problem for Layton. He has been demanding the Liberals bring down the government almost since the time it was originally elected. He might now get his wish.

Wondering who to vote for now from Calgary
said

I don't know if they really want an election after the recent tv add in which Harper's appearance is very similar to someone who is so impaired that they are doing in a livingroom chair what one would only normally do in a bathroom.

Frankly, the few seconds he shown were more creepy that anything else.

bert
said

Typical baby Liberal response Andy..I dont like any of them so i,ll take my ball and go home.Well only you will know your vote is missing.

Rob
said

Thank God Jack Layton is the leader of the NDP, thereby guaranteeing that they shall never govern this country.

Barry
said

Jack Layton is even more ridiculous than Dion..
If either one of them ever became PM,I would move to someplace where no one knew about Canada.
Reminds me of the Gong Show.

R D
said

The picture doesn't show it, but, I'll bet Layton had HIS nikes on even when he went to the meeting.

Sam
said

As one comment already stated. Like him or hate him - Harper is doing a good job in a difficult situation. Let's avoid this charade next time and give him a majority mandate to govern.

He passed the minority test.

Rob
said

I am so very happy that Jack Layton is the leader of the NDP, thereby guaranteeing that the NDP shall never govern this country

Chris
said

I didnt vote for Harper, but I did agree with the fixed voting day law. Now Harper who is campaigning on tougher laws, is saying its okay for his government to use loopholes. To me this is just hypocritical of all that they say they stand for. On one hand Canadians need tougher and harsher punishments for breaking laws with fewer ways for criminals to get off, and yet our leaders are using a loophole in there own law. A party with no honor. Vancouver B.C

Paul in BC
said

Harper manipulates, he does not govern. Canadians elected a minority government in 2006; as a result the leader of Parliament, Harper, was to govern by consensus. Instead Harper governs by dictating the terms and when he does not get his way he throws a temper and it costs all of us.

Harper can accuse the opposition all he wants but it is Harper's style of governance that made Parliament dysfunctional, not the other MPs.

Scott in BC
said

As a Conservative voter, I was very much in favour of fixed election dates. It bothered me greatly when election dates were set to the advantage of the governing party. Harper is really starting to piss me off.

Craig
said

Andy Stones: you are wrong on this one.

It is not illegal to run political ads during a non-election period. Parties are free to run ads, mail leaflets, what have you at any point in the year. The only reason you don't see it that often is because it is expensive.

However, the Conservative party's base of supporters is vast. Individual donors to the party greatly outnumber the rest of the parties. That is why they can afford to run ads like this.

This also goes to show which party has the biggest ground support. The Conservatives have countless of individual donors across the country whereas the rest remain deep in debt.

And to clear up a myth I keep seeing here. The leaflets and ads are NOT paid by taxpayers. They are paid by the party and it's own funds.

Joe Viscount
said

Okay, it appears that Mr. Harper needs a lesson in parliamentary democracy. Simply put, the majority of Canadians did not vote for his party and the opposition is doing it's job in
representing our opposing views. He should
would wait until October according to his own position expressed last election and allow the electorate to do it's job. His recent posturing and sabre
rattling is almost comic (remember his picture in body armour,reminded me of Elmer Fudd imitating George Bush)
and is doing little other than toadying up to American oil interests at the cost of the wellbeing of true Canadians. Do the right thing and blame yourself Mr. Harper for the lack of support you have from the majority of us. Why not resign if you can't accept the voice of the people. Personally I think He has dealt our nation a major blow through his idiotic support of right wing initiatives that have diminished our position on the world stage.

Peter Mu
said

We (the voters and taxpayers) elected the Liberal MPs to Parliament and pay them. So why is it too much to expect them to do their jobs ?

Why, when it comes to voting on a bill, do they run away and hide ?

Where I work I'm expected to do my job, if I acted the way they do, my employer would pink-slip me.

I'm looking at this election as just that - do your job, or find another one

the old lady
said

Call an election don't call an election. The other majour Party is insignificant to most Canadians. The party of J.L. will probably elect so few members that they will not even have official party status. Bunch of loud mouthed do nothings. The guy in my riding is always fighting for me. I wish he would let me fight my own battles and get down to busines in Ottawa and vote for things that are good for me and the Country. I wish he would quit following Jack Layton's foolish ideas. Who cares what he thinks?

M. Cameron
said

Andy Stones,

It's not even legal for Harper to call an election before the fixed election date that HIS PARTY SET. I seriously think the Conservative Party should be taken to court over breaking this law - their own law, ironically.

Bloc Q
said

Liberals have never stayed away from power for long, this election will for sure result on a Liberal Minority..

Dion needs to play his cards well to pull a majority..

Although I am not a big fan of Dion either, but it is time for Canadians to understand it is the party that rules not the person.

Max N
said

Laughing out loud at this, from the story ...
---
One constitutional law expert said any move by Harper to unilaterally trigger an election could trigger a court action.

"There is no loophole in the law for Mr. Harper, and it absolutely does not have any relevance to minority government," University of Ottawa law professor Errol Mendes told CTV News on Friday.
----
What is it you cons call the parliamentary committees? "Kangaroo courts"? Well, that shows a healthy respect for democracy & civil conduct ... Looks like you can expect more "kangaroo courts" when you have a new minority mandate. Good luck shaking your minority topple-proneness if you're going to continue to bully. (You may soon be facing an all-out gang-up.)

Smitherenzes
said

Harper is intent on an election? Layton and Duceppe have voted against the government on every confidence bill in the last year. Seems they too are intent on an election.

BTW, fixed election dates are obviously for majority governments. Otherwise the opposition would not be able to defeat the government in a minority.

Randy
said

Ontario Taxpayer:

you know people like you make me lol. Dion is the only one who had the guts to tell Harper to stick his meeting where the sun don't shine as far as his ordering him to a audience. A grade school kid could see right through this meeting charade for what it was, just that. What a waste of time. Mr. Harper will come out and blame them for his having to call a Election now. Can't wait for his big announcement Photo op.

Dave H
said

The Harper Government has done more with this minority goverment that the previous 13 years of Liberal rule. They actally gave the tax breaks they promised. Remember the Liberal red Book? They want to be tougher on crime but the other parties were too busy grandstanding and refused to get on board. Dion has no back bone - he cried for the last year about the failures of the Government but when called to task, told his party not to show up for the votes so they would pass. Harper is the only leader to stand up for what was right and did not attend the Olympics. I'll bet the complainers are the same ones that were crying foul last year when they wanted action against the Chinese for the unsafe products being brought into the country. As for the NDP and the Green party...well...enough said. Bring on the election.

Marty from Ontario
said

I really don't get the opposition. For almost two years give or take a few months or so, they were intent on defeating this government. As for the Liberals well let's just say they weren't there yet saying that this government was bad for Canada. Now the opposition are saying they don't want an election when the PM is giving them what they want and have been trying to do. I think the PM Harper is doing an amazing job considering the political situation in the House of Commons. I voted for the Conservatives and will again. Believe or not, I'm from the left of center on the political spectrum. Yep I am. Go! Harper. By the way, I AM a Proud Canadian and not American for all those lefties that keep on saying we are American and most of us don't like Bush. Please post!

Baba Booey
said

With the Liberals and Conservatives in a dead heat by the latest Nanos Research Poll I don't think anyone is smelling Liberal blood in the water.

If Harper engineers his own defeat he's going to have a difficult time explaining why his fixed election date law doesn't apply to him. They've tried to explain it away with the "doesn't apply to minority governments" line but we can all look up the Act online and see the amendment makes no such mention.

I don't think it's that Harper thinks he can win, but instead that it's only down hill for him from here and he wants to ride it out as long as he can.

Instead of an exercise in democracy this is turning into an exercise in futility.

Robin
said

When the writ is dropped, a lawsuit should be brought against the CONS for breaking their own law. Law and Order agenda? Yeah right, when it suits them. Moreover, the fixed election dates legislation applies to both minority or majority governments. Harper lied to Canadians when he claimed that it only applied to majority governments. Harper cannot be trusted and should not get away with his unethical actions.

Lynn
said

Andy,
If you don't vote then they have won. Voter appathy is what the politicians count on. A voting citizen's job doesn't end once you make your mark on the ballot. Remember you make up the many owners of this country. If you don't like the job they are doing then you owe it to yourself, your children and to your fellow citizens to continually speak up. Participating in elections is just a small task of running this country.

ed
said

Andy Stones
Corect me if I am wrong....

Any amount of money can be spent before the writ is dropped

Bob, Calgary
said

So "puff-im-up" Jack intends to apply for the Prime Minister's job. Since recent polls say about 17% of Canadians think he would make the best PM I kinda doubt it. Canadians should remember the horror wrought by NDP governments in B.C. and Ontario in times gone by. The recent surge in prosperity in Saskatchewan after they got rid of Calvert and his gang of union leaders and social tinkerers shows further why the NDPers should never govern this country. The NDP is irrelevant federally but at least they split the left leaning vote and give the Conservatives a chance to govern in this country where most of the populace leans to the left of the political spectrum.

Raymond
said

Rich comments coming from the guy who bemoaned Dion & Layton for NOT bringing down the government last spring.
Sheesh.

Peter S Ottawa
said

I dont care who calls an election. Lets just get it over with and let the parties know they aint gonna mush different then the last couple of election learn how to get along and get things done for the poeple of canada.Liberals start standing up for what your poeple beleive in. Cons stop running the country like you have a majority and NDP and Bloc think of your poeple and what they want aswell.

KC
said

I think Harper wants to play "president of Canada" a little while longer.

I say let the kid have his way. He brought in a security detail that rivals the U.S. presidents'. I'm sure he probably has an eye' on a new plane code named Airforce Mini-Me.

I hate politics. Without true leaders at the helm, we are reduced to name calling children - including myself.

Cam
said

Well..it seems to me the opposition parties have acted like a bunch of chickens...at any other time in the past 35 years, opposition parties would have done anything to trigger an election. They are scared...Period!
Bring it on Steve!

G.J.MEE
said

granted the law for set elections is set every four years, but minority situations can not be part of this law , other wise the minority government could not be defeated by the other parties in the house...thus the law only applies to a majority situation..I would think that Mr Layton and Mr. Duceppe might want to start looking at the close and very close results in some of their wins last election and see where they may lose a few seats.. I believe harper is showing great leadership, none of which the others seem to be able to do..

Andrew
said

Layton said, "I got no sense the prime minister is prepared to do what I would do if I were prime minister."

If that's not an endorsement to vote for Steven Harper, I don't know what is.

WW
said

I don't believe in politics much. To me politics is just a back stabbing, accusing each others, propaganda games and etc:.I watched the question periods all the time because it makes me laugh. I would love to see someone who tells no BS, but nor layton, nor duceppe, nor Dion, nor harper and nor May would ever do that. But affortunetly we cannot do anything about it. It is likely that we gonna see another minority again...

George
said

How disappointing that Layton and the others would agree to sit down with Harper. They knew he was looking for any excuse to have an election. There was no sense going after concessions. They should have had the determination of Dion and made Harper wait until after the by-elections.
Just like we teach our kids... never give in to the bully!

Dave in Surrey
said

One constitutional law expert said any move by Harper to unilaterally trigger an election could trigger a court action.

"There is no loophole in the law for Mr. Harper, and it absolutely does not have any relevance to minority government," University of Ottawa law professor Errol Mendes told CTV News on Friday.

Well hopefully the governor general respects the law and asks the courts if she can close down parliament by a unilateral move by Harper...

Then we can save a bunch of money and not have an election during a time when that money could be spent else where in Canada

Greg in the Hammer
said

For those of you lamenting the FIXED ELECTION DATE legislation.

IT APPLIES ONLY TO MAJORITY GOVERNMENTS.

A minority government is always susceptible to defeat or legislative impasse which is the case now.

The government is NOT BREAKING THE LAW.

Jim in BC
said

So Mr. Harper made no indications that he would do what Layton would do if Layton were PM.

Thank the Lord!

You have my vote Mr. Harper! Keep up the good work!

And BTW, thanks for letting me keep more of my money these last couple of years!

EJ
said

I really admire Harper's leadership skills but I have two contentious issues that need to be addressed before Harper wins my vote.

1) The weakness of the Canadian economy.

2) The price of gasoline.

Al from Calgary
said

Dion, Duceppe & Layton are all like the little boys who continually cried wolf by saying the conservatives are bad for Canada and they have no confidence in the govt and an election should be called, well it looks like their going to get their wish, maybe their internal polling shows that the conservatives are doing better than they think. And to all the liberals who are going to post and say Harper is going to break the law by calling an election, weren't you the same ones calling for an election a few weeks ago when Dion tried to talk tough. Like him or hate him Harper is doing a good job. Lets face it if the liberals sweep all the by elections they will bring down the govt anyway so either way were going to have an election, so we may as well save the cost of the by elections.

Andy Stones
said

Corect me if I am wrong.... but is it illegal acording to election laws to be running election adds before an actual election is called? To boot I just got a call from a Party rep asking for my vote.

For the record, I'm not voting for any one from a major party, they are all too much of a disapointment. If I could, I would rather run against them all then be a voter that has to pick.

MM
said

Why is Harper going through with the charade and dragging this out? Both Duceppe and Layton have now confirmed from their meetings that he is intent on calling one. And since the Tory ads are out in full force (including the one that just popped up to the right this article--funny!), we all know what's coming. What I hope is also coming is a big defeat for Harper and his friends.

Greg in the Hammer
said

Its as if Msrs Dion, Layton and Duceppe think the rest of Canadians don't know how to read or operate the remote of a tv or use the internet. For months Duceppe and Layton have been threatening to bring down the government. As recently as last month Mr Dion said that "Canadians are ready for an election". Now to hear them talk it's the Prime Minister who is responsible for pulling the plug on Parliament.

The need for an election is clear. There is no compromise possible when the governments plans for the country are so divergent from the NDP and the Liberals who seem to be tripping over each other to see who can occupy the furthest left position on the political spectrum. The Bloc? meh, there core group of fanatics will always be there but they are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

Lets get on with this.

Mel from Calgary
said

When Stephen Harper brought in this law he said it was to prevent exactly what he is planning.

Funny the conservatives pride themselves on their tough law and order agenda.

Max
said

Of course PM Harper wants an election. If I was him, and my closest "competition" was a left-wing Liberal geek from Quebec who not even staunch Liberal supporters truly love, I'd lace up my running shoes, too.

As for the over-enthusiastic head of Canada's socialist party ("Happy-Jack" Layton) applying for the job of PM, the receptionist at federal NDP headquarters has an equal chance.

The fun and laughs begin.

Ontario Taxpayer
said

Okay, Harper seems intent on calling an election. My question is this: What concessions did Duceppe and Layton offer to the PM to prevent this from happening? Why is there no mention of this in their statements? The answer is simple...all three leaders smell Liberal blood in the water and all three are ready to pounce in for the kill....!