Change or I'll take you down: Ignatieff to PM

Shortly after officially taking command of the Liberal Party on Wednesday, Michael Ignatieff had both a warning and an olive branch for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

CTV National News: Interim Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff speaks with Chief Anchor Lloyd Robertson about his appointment and his plans for the future of the Liberal party

The new Interim Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff was everywhere on Wednesday, including sitting down for a few minutes of conversation with CTV National News Chief Anchor Lloyd Robertson.

CTV News: Graham Richardson with the details on Michael Ignatieff's warning for Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Interim Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has taken a hard line with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, saying he would honour the coalition with the NDP if Harper doesn't table an adequate budget.

CTV Newsnet: Interim Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff takes questions

Interim Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff holds a news conference to answer questions regarding the coalition and any negotiations with Stephen Harper.

CTV Newsnet: Robert Fife on what's going on in the Liberal caucus meeting

Bob Rae has reportedly nominated Michael Ignatieff to lead the Liberal Party, and Ignatieff reportedly said the Liberals will defeat the Conservative government at the earliest possible opportunity, but not necessarily if they bring down a budget that is good for the country.

CTV Newsnet: Liza Frulla, Former Liberal MP on what the Liberal's hope to gain with Ignatieff at the helm

As Interim Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff takes the reigns of the Liberal party, he has the opportunity to gain some headway in Quebec.

CTV Newsnet: Transport Minister John Baird and former Liberal MP Paul Zed on Ignatieff's role

The Conservative say they are prepared to work with the Liberals during these uncertain economic times, while the Liberals are off to a fresh start with a new interim leader.

CTV Newsnet: Liberal MPs Michael Savage and Bryon Wilfert, on Bob Rae's decision

Liberals say the party needed to pull together quickly, and Bob Rae put his country and party first when he chose to leave the leadership race.

CTV Newsnet: A Liberal MP and a NDP MP weigh in on the future of the coalition with the new leader

A Liberal MP and a NDP MP share insight on what the future the coalition may look like with Michael Ignatieff as the new leader and discuss how it might vote on the Conservative budget.

CTV Newsnet: Rodger Cuzner, Nova Scotia Liberal MP on the mood in the caucus

The Liberal caucus appears to be in a positive mood, despite criticism of the process being used to choose an interim party leader.

CTV Newsnet: Jason Kenney, Alberta Conservative MP, on the lack of a democratic process

At least one Conservative MP is critical of how the new leader of the Liberals was chosen, and says the rejection of Stephane Dion as leader is a rejection of the coalition.

Canada AM: Sheila Copps, former deputy prime minister, weighs in on the leadership decision

Michael Ignatieff's Liberal leadership ambitions were realized Tuesday when Bob Rae, his only remaining rival, gracefully backed out of the race.

CTV National News: Roger Smith on the moves which left Michael Ignatieff the de-facto leader of the Liberal party

Michael Ignatieff's Liberal leadership ambitions were realized Tuesday when Bob Rae, his only remaining rival, gracefully backed out of the race.

CTV National News: Graham Richardson on the division within the Liberal party and what this means for the coalition

Although Michael Ignatieff is more than qualified to lead the Liberal party, some of its senior members are not happy with how he got that role.

CTV National News: Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife on a day of progress for the Liberal party

The Liberal party has been one of divisions for years now, but stately behaviour from Bob Rae may herald a new era of unity under Michael Ignatieff.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

A A | Email This Email | Print | Comments (507) Tweet

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Dec. 10 2008 11:20 PM ET

Brand new Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said Wednesday he would honour the days-old coalition with the NDP to topple the Conservatives.

"I am prepared to form a coalition government, and to lead that government and provide Canada with the security and stability it needs," Ignatieff said in Ottawa Wednesday afternoon.

"Canadians are worried about their jobs, their savings, and their future. They want stability, they want leadership and they want a government they can trust," said Ignatieff during his inaugural press conference as interim Liberal leader.

Earlier this month, Ignatieff appeared to be lukewarm on the idea of the coalition, which requires support from the Bloc Quebecois to bring down the Tories.

Ignatieff stressed that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives will be defeated in Parliament early next year unless they table a budget which adequately addresses the financial malady gripping the global economy.

Ignatieff, who was crowned interim leader Wednesday afternoon by the party's national executive, added that Harper must take the first step and reach out to the Liberals to avoid losing power.

Still, Ignatieff hinted he would be open to working with the Tories.

"He has to seek and restore the trust that's been broken with other parties," Ignatieff said, choosing his words carefully. "We might oblige."

But Ignatieff told CTV's Mike Duffy Live that to work with the Conservatives in Parliament, the Liberals will require more than just a Tory-backed stimulus package.

"This isn't just about the budget, this is about a prime minister changing the tone in the House of Commons," said Ignatieff, adding that Harper must ditch his "my way or the highway" style of government.

"You can't run a minority Parliament like this: we are fed up with it, we won't have it anymore."

While NDP Leader Jack Layton seems intent on toppling the Tories in January no matter what, Ignatieff struck a more diplomatic tone Wednesday.

"Canadians can't trust us politicians if we say things like 'I'm going to vote against the budget even though I haven't seen it,'" Ignatieff said.

"It seems to me, that (approach) treats the Canadian people with disrespect."

Grit backroom pushes for Ignatieff

Ignatieff became leader after the party consulted with about 800 influential Liberals from across Canada, and follows a caucus meeting held earlier in the day in which MPs also endorsed the new leader.

In a media release, party president Doug Ferguson said Ignatieff will take over the party's top job at a "historic" moment.

"Our interim leader will be called upon to lead our caucus and our party through a volatile Parliament, and a possible federal election in the midst of the worst economic crisis in memory," Ferguson said Wednesday afternoon.

During the Grit caucus meeting in Ottawa Wednesday morning, Bob Rae, who withdrew from the Liberal leadership race Tuesday, nominated Ignatieff for the leadership position.

That nomination was then seconded by another former leadership contender, New Brunswick MP Dominic LeBlanc.

After the nomination, Ignatieff delivered a speech saying the Liberals would respect the coalition but that voting down the Jan. 27 budget was not absolute, CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported Wednesday.

"He's leaving all options open for himself."

Fife also said senior Liberals have told him that they may not need a coalition to form a new government.

"If they do defeat the Conservative government ... Ignatieff will go to the Governor General and say 'We think we can form the government but we don't have to do it with a coalition,'" Fife said.

Fife noted that the NDP and Bloc would have to support the Liberals because they already have expressed opposition to the Conservative government.

Tories plan to strike

Meanwhile, the Tories were already planning their political response.

The strategy will focus on Ignatieff directly, and the Tory national machine has began asking for donations by labelling him a "parachute" leader, The Canadian Press reported Wednesday.

In a message to Conservatives, national campaign chairman Doug Finley slammed Ignatieff for bypassing the Liberal tradition of facing off against rivals during a democratic leadership convention, according to CP.

Conservative Heritage Minister James Moore said on CTV's Mike Duffy Live that his party is looking for Ignatieff to bring forward "reasonable proposals" as Liberal leader.

But Moore had strong words about the proposed coalition, which Ignatieff has not ruled out.

"It's a bunch of platitudes and rhetoric -- there are no specifics in there, no numbers," Moore said of the document the three opposition parties signed.

Ignatieff responded to those reports and called them unproductive and unwelcome at a time of parliamentary crisis.

He added that Harper and the Tories should back away from any aggressive political attacks.

"Look where it's got him, I think he should walk back," said Ignatieff.

In early January, the Liberal caucus will again come together for a three-day strategy meeting.

Then Ignatieff will travel across Canada to try and raise money to help fund the cash-strapped party.

Ignatieff will be named as permanent leader at the Liberal convention in Vancouver next May.

Fife said Ignatieff is a real "game-changer" and the Tories are worried about him.

"He's an international scholar, international well-known journalist, he's smart and he has around him hard-nosed political operatives who know how to play the game of politics," Fife said.

Comments are now closed for this story

davidovich
said

All these Liberals and lefty's on this site are trying to give lessons on how the government of Canada is elected.
Stop!!
We get it, we get it. We on the right aren't as stupid as you think. We know how this coalition garbage works.
It might be legal but it still stinks.
Liberals and other lefties will pay dearly at the polls if they pull this foolishness off.

Ike Klassen Abbotsford
said

Silverfox.
The Liberal skeletons from the sponsorship scandal are still in the closets and these thieves are back again. The whole works should be locked up. They can't even say a sentence without lying. How can we get rid of them?

ann in Barrie
said

Stop this bickering NOW!!!
Get together and work it out Together - The leaders have to put aside this squabbling and get on with working together to find solutions for us...

chuck
said

The coalition is not the answer - the other parties have no mandate to govern.

But Harper needs to listen to the warning. His uber-partisan approach triggered this whole mess in the first place, and his attempts to bully are tired and ineffective. Another election looms if he tries to push through another crap package disguised as a "budget".

There are real issues and problems that all politicians should be focused on. Ignatieff has as much as said that he will work with Harper in good faith. It is up to Harper to respond - or force another election.

Pollyanna. Oakville
said

The biggest problem facing our
Country right now is Partisan Politics. It's not only politicians
who are at it, but many Canadians too. None of this is helping to solve our economic problems. We all look at things from our own perspective. There is a great deal of mud slinging, muck raking, lies, stabbing in the back, and the overall lust for power that is, unfortunately, an ongoing part of the political game. Ordinary Canadians shouldn't be tempted to sink as low. Let us let the Government get on with its job and don't be swayed by biased media reporting. Another election will come soon enough.

Rob
said

All you left wing loonies....you think you have seen money trouble.... Just wait...When this Co goverment tries to take seed...Even if Iggy is PM for 3 months...I hope you have a lot of savings to fall back on...and a concrete job...The Country WILL fall into the biggest money whirlpool Canada has ever seen.

Rob NS
said

Bullsh@t....Same Dion leadership, different suit. The Libs have to get away from this antigoverment type of game! NO to CO Goverment!

KMC (Markham)
said

All this talk of "you don't vote for a Prime Minister. you vote for your local MP..." is more of the same drivel, like the "62% voted against the Conservatives".
The reality is, people do vote for the Prime Minister, whether they're, THEORETICALLY, supposed to or not.
When the Liberal vote tanked, in the last election, to its worst showing EVER, it wasn't because all those Liberal voters suddenly decided they didn't like their local MP,
it was because they couldn't abide the thought of Stephane Dion as Prime Minister. To suggest otherwise, is simply more Liberal playing around with technicalities.

paul
said

lawabidingsimon said
The Tories behave like the ancient Romans.
" Divide et Impera "
Divide and Rule.

They opposed the coalition by pitting the West against the East. The Quebec separatists against the Federalists.
Now they preach about Rae versus Ignatief hoping to split the Grits.

You're surprised?! The LPC under Chretien played the same strategy throughout the 90s prior to a "united" cpc.

Chretien called what 2-3 elections in the space of 10-11 years..the most blatant example was when Stockwell Day became the leader of the conservatives and within a month, Chretien called an election before his 5 year mandate because he knew the conservatives weren't ready for a race and at that time the political map was just as divided i.e. conservative in the west, PLC with a patchwork in QC, dominating Ontario and the Atlantic therefore no parties with real national, broad support. I find it hard to understand why PLC supporters or anyother group are perfectly willing to compromise when its in their own interest but if it's the other guy well it's how dare they do what we would do if we were in the same position

thomas
said

I find the new liberal leader to be just as power-greedy as the previous one. Ignat mentions "trust" yet he seeks to replace the ELECTED PM in what is essentially a coup!

Honest Opinion
said

If any one believe Harper will get a Majority in the next election. You're DEALY WRONG. Dion was the weakest Leader of all time. And That's all Stephen Harper got on Oct. 14. Now with a new Leader from Ontario and Harper are hated by Quebecers right now. Can anyone tell me How can Harper add up all the seats across Canada to get majority??? unless you don't know how to do basic addition.

Mr. Young
said

The Liberals have lied, cheated, and lost billions of dollars. Now they want to join hands with other parties to overthrow the government "WE" put in power. They can't have our trust, we already declared that in the last two elections.

From what I can tell from listening closely to people's conversations, hardly anyone wants a coalition government [at this time].

Stephen Harper is doing the right thing. To bail out the big 3 automakers [temporarily] until they hold their hands out again in 1-4 months is stupid. It's not a good investment.

Where do we draw the line?

--
All politicians should serve 2 terms... one behind bars.

Chris
said

WOW!!!

First, we are seeing legalized treason in the form of a coalition... now we are seeing legalized BLACKMAIL!!! I can't believe what I'm hearing!!! "Put in the budget what WE want and not what's best for Canada or we will crush you!!!"

Hmmm... sounds like the Mafia going to collect rent!!!

Whatever it takes, eh opposition... whatever it takes to steal power!!!

RK in Calgary
said

He said he had reservation about the coalition and then within one day he changed his mind. He finally figured out he stands no chance on an election. The only way for him to grab power is through coalition. How shameful he is after all. He is no different than Dion. He appears in Canada all of a sudden. He is an unknown and I don't trust him. A PhD, Harvard connection really are meaningless in politics. I am looking for something concrete in a leader.

Don
said

I have to laugh at everyone posting how Ignatieff will be PM in January. It isn't going to happen. The GG will not accept the coalition proposal, not because it is supported by the Bloc, but because they, as the decisive votes, are not included inside the government. Only a political naif would think the coalition is workable. We will be going to the polls, end of story.

KMC (Markham)
said

To all you Liberal Party workers, on here, who rather condescendingly suggest that we "don't understand" the system of parliamentary democracy, we fully understand that a) a government can be brought down by a vote of non-confidence and b)a coalition is techically possible.
However, whan the parliamentary system was being devised, the concept of the non-confidence vote was intended to prevent government excesses, a government out of control or doing serious damage to the country and acting against the people. It was never intended as a back-door entry into power by the losing Opposition as is so clearly the case at the moment.
A coalition is also possible, but it is almost always with the agreement of all parties concerned and usually in ainstance in which the difference in seats between the Government and the Opposition is relatively small(id est,not l44 to 76).
Countries that have coalition governents include Germany, where the coalition is ELECTED as a coalition, and Israel, Greece and Italy in which the coalitions are perpetual disasters.
So, we DO understand the system of parliamentary democracy, but we also understand that a technicality was not to be
used as a means by which the Official Opposition, with half the seats in the house, can sieze power from the duly elected Goverment on the basis of the trumped-up, weak excuse of an Economic Update.

Peter
said

So lets talk about the coalition agreement. I assume that this agreement was made with lawyers from all 3 parties present or was it drafted on the back of a napkin? The way I see things is that in order for the Governor General to recognize this agreement it must be a legally binding agreement. So if this is the case then the Liberals, NDP and Bloc must adhere to this agreement for the live of the agreement. (I believe it was for 2 years) The only way I see that a legal agreement can be dissolved is by the parties going to court because Layton has got the Liberals right were he wants them.

Non Partisan
said

It's very bad news for Conservative. Ignatieff is the only option that Canada can deal with the USA. Obama is too smart for Harper. Look Ignatieff and Obama both teaching at Hardvard. They both have similar IQ. Please tell me How can Harper deal with Obama since he came out from University of Alberta ? and only has an MA degree. Harper can only work with Bush because they have the same IQ level. Ask yourself this question....

Between end of Cold War and Afghanistan,
said

there was no need for excessive military spending.

The Canadian Forces had exactly what was required.

Anyone who didn't like it should've got out.

I expect loyalty for the taxes I pay, not sedition and sabotage.

Michael Steele
said

Liberals have sunk to an all time low...An election looks more viable and will benefit all of Canada..we can pore billions into GM we can spend 50 million for an election.

Peter
said

Maybe it is time for the constant chest pounding to stop and the politians start to think seriously about Canadians. King Iggy would be much more palatable if he stood in front of the cameras and announced that he had accepted Mr. Harper's invitation to discuss the economy and possible realistic proposals on the budget. Instead all we get is grandstanding. Maybe it is time for the politicians to knuckle down and actually get to work for we Canadians that work hard to try and survive.

Harper stacks the Senate with 18 cronies because
said

Harper knows he's finished.

Harper knows he will lose the confidence vote after he presents a radical rightist budget wrong for Canada.

Harper knows he will lose the next election, especially if it comes after a term of Liberal-NDP coalition government.

Harper is finished.

Way to Logical
said

Logicalperson�

Well put. But you can't educate some of these Conservatives who learned their Politics, Democracy and the Constitution from American television.

My heart weeps� they need a big hug� it must be hard on them to be so bitter and angry at the Bad, Bad, Bad Country they live in.

LHB in Montreal
said

Way to go Mr. Ignatieff you are a true Liberal - Do what we want or else. You change Mr. Harper because we know Best at everything.

I strongly believe CONTRARY to the Liberals that Canadian are not so easily duped just because their is a new Leasder. It's the same crap. Threats threats threats - IT'S BEGINNING TO BE BORING.

If you were in the private sector you would not acheive very much with that attitude.

What makes your remarks most offensive is I thought you were teaching democracy as well as write about it.

AA
said

The conservative war room is up and running...

Sean TaxPayer
said

Who is this guy? I don't remember seeing his name on my balot! Why should I pay money as a tax payer to help people who make more money then me?

jack
said

Why? Why? Why?

Do People down east still vote for those liberal air heads even though Dion is a complete moron with a shaky campain and they still support a coailion down east with the separatists involved. WHY!!! Do you guys forget the adscam and the billion dollar gun registry boondooggle. Why! use your heads ontario, you make me puke.

Peter in Texas
said

I am disappointed in Ignatieff. Instead of being confrontational with the conservatives, he should rather be focussed on working with them to solve the economic issues facing our nation. Now is not the time to play petty politics. I thought the experience with Dion and Rae would have caused some reflection on what is really important - the fiscal health of Canada.

sammy
said

Looks like the 3 headed monster just turned into a one headed monster.Icky, I mean Iggy. I heard some of the liberals cried when they announced this guy was there new leader. I'm going too cry to if he becomes PM.

senatorial greatgrandchild
said

oh come on now people! how naive can you be? even when voting for a party leader there is a certain amount of the blind leading the blind and king making done. there's always more than one way to skin a cat, this one was done more out in the open...

sharon in ontario
said

My riding elected a conserative representative and she now holds a seat in our Parliament.If I didn't have confidence in Mr. Harper, I would have directed my vote elsewhere.Parliament is elected by the people and we, the cons people, were able to seat more than your people. Simple. Please don't assume you can take my vote and direct it elsewhere because your (political)bosses don't like my (political)boss.

Hi Kids
said

We don't go to the polls to vote for Prime Minister.

Our vote is for the MP Not PM
so for all you Harper fans open a book & learn to read

The end is near
said

Now the Harper-crite stuffs the Senate with Conservative Loyalists� this man is a true hypocrite. His true colours doeth shine through.

Yep, an elected Senate� right after I put my right wing pals in. How do I spell Hypocrite? Harper-crite!

But he has every right� UNDER THE CONSTITUTION!!! Which the Right calls undemocratic? Or is the Constitution now democratic? I don't know what you guys think is democratic anymore� oh yeah, your partisan values and agendas, at any cost to CANADIAN democracy is democratic. Or is not democratic?

Ah the Neo-Cons twisted words and ways.

Ash
said

I'm sure if they call it "The coalition of the Welling" and ask George W to join, Harper will be more than Happy to be in even if he has to plagarize another speach. Ignatieff will also be able to flip flop on his view again !

Jeanne in B.C.
said

well another one that wants to be Prime Minister that wasn't voted in for it. Liberals are sounding like bullies on the school grounds. I will never vote for them again as they are showing the children that if you don't play by my rules I will beat you down. Shame on you Liberals and I will be cutting up my card

What Liberals need to know...
said

What Liberal supporters don't seem to understand which is lost in their lust for power:

1) They LOST very badly weeks ago and don't dictate to Parliament how things will go....they are to cooperate not obfuscate Government.

2) While a Coalition is technically democratic it is immoral and unethical to elicit support from separatists and to grant them a VETO over our government following a conspiracy which started DURING the last election by Jack Layton.

3) Take down this government with your separatist coalition and risk a Canadian revolution because you do not have the moral right to govern - you will have seized it unethically by selling out to separatists.

Bob,Alberta
said

So this guy,elected leader undemocratically will join with the Commie NDP and the Separatists to bring down a democratically elected government if the Conservatives don't bring down a budget that he likes. Of course no one will ever know what the NDP/Libs like because they really haven't got any new ideas on how to combat a worldwide recession
not caused by Canada. All of this proves what the PQ/Bloc have been saying that Canada really doesn't work. One thing I do know is that Canada does not work for the West. Canada has to change. The tyranny of Quebec and Ontario has to end and the regions must have true clout.Why can't Western premiers stand up for their constituents and say to the Ottawa bufoons that this ongoing nonsense is so stupid that it harms all Canadians. I am so fed up with Canada.

Nowonder
said

I believe the best thing for the country right now would be for the Conservatives to work together with the opposition, reach some consensus on the issues that matter and get to work. Wasting another 300 million on another election would be absolutely irresponsible, especially in these economic times.
I like Ignatieff and I believe he will eventually be a good PM, but not now.

schpid
said

I firmly agree. The elected party should ask the opposition for permission to govern and only put out policy with the blessing of the opposition. Just like when the Liberals where in power.
Come on. Lets see the numbers and tell us how YOU would fix it. Just saying your going to do a better job without facts means zero to me.
Put up or shut up and work TOGETHER; it's a two way street

Wiley, Canada
said

Maybe Ignatieff should consider toning down the vitriol & try to work with the gov't. Voters have very good memories; we will never accept a separatist backed socialist coalition & if necessary will make our wishes loud & clear in the next election. You must not doubt our calm, quiet determination.

timothy j
said

2008 canadian election results
according to the results 62.4% did not vote for the conservatives so how dare you say we don't count. We're the majority. If 62.4% of elected mp's have a problem with the minority party in charge, du-ya think maybe they know something. We are lucky, in this country we have a law that enables us to bring down a ruling party that could, potentially do harm to the country. This is politics there more here than meeets the eye.

Joseph
said

Any government that depends on the support of the party that wants to destroy Canada does not provide stability or security.

Iggy should be careful. The GG won't allow the separatists to be part of the government. The govenment fails a confidence vote, there will be an election.

b. hildebrand
said

Ignatioff sounds like a freed caged animal. this will not wash with canadians.

PVT
said

To all the anti-democratic coalition supporters out there spouting off about how "we don't elect a PM - we elect MP's". What a crock. Canadian voters vote for the party they want to win. When was the last time anyone voted against the party they want to win just because they liked a local candidate stripe more than the candidate of their preferred party? Give me a break. Everyone votes for their preferred party and doesn't give two hoots who the local candidate representing that party is.

C Mellin
said

To the Conservatives - get over it, get back to work and do what you were "hired" to do. We need a responsive, caring, intelligent and open Government. If Harper can't change his personality get rid of him.

To the Liberals- hold his feet to the fire. We'll all be watching to see who can get the job done and get this country back on it's feet.

Dave in Saanich
said

Ok Iggy enough is enough.

This is not the USA and the you will be in Ottawa, not the wild west of the the 1800's. So start by acting your age and using the education I have heard so much about.

enough threats. learn to lead and be quick about it. Otherwise enough fed up liberals like myself will support the Conservatives, again.

John in fredericton
said

IF the Libs vote down a reasonable budget in january We need another election. Let's see how many soft Liberal votes go conservative when the Libs are formally in bed with the NDP and the Bloc. The conservatives can outvote the Libs and NDP combined in this parliament. The country voted for a conservative government and a Liberal NDP alliance wasn't even on the table. Put it on the table and see how it plays with voters!

Brian
said

It may be time for Canada's revolution. While coup may not be the appropriate term, and our constitution allows for a coalition, the fact of the matter is that in heart and spirit everybody knows this coalition takeover is wrong.

I hear the left every day blaming Harper for flaming the public but the reality is that these people on the left seem to continue to feel their opinions out weigh every day Canadians, you are terribly wrong.

I feel almost sic to listen to the left biased media try to make the Conservatives out as villians, and the left as saviors... it could not be farther from the truth.

Listen to the people and stop trying to justify your perverse actions because it is possible within our laws, the spirit is wrong, the message is wrong, and your actions are deplorable to many Canadians.

At a time of difficulty we need to pull together and the left side politicians again show they will do anything for their own selfish greed, this time it is different.

If we can not appeal to any love you have for your country, then maybe we can appeal to your own sense of security. You are dragging our country to a point where citizens must stand up for right and wrong and this take over is wrong.

Canadians will rise up.

The movement is growing.

Canadians will resist to our government being ousted for selfish gain, and make no mistake, your twisted comments do nothing but further the resolve of Canadians to stand up for the government we voted for.

For the sake of our country, for the sake of your children, or for the sake of sanity, stop this takeover nonsense. It is wrong, you know in your heart it is wrong, and Canadians will not stand for it.

Jim K
said

So, simply put, this man was never even elected to lead the Liberal Party. His plans include a takeover of the government of Canada, once again without an election. Exactly how does he represent me, or anyone for that matter.
These are scary times. People, give Harper his majority.

Lorne
said

Mr. Tough Guy huh? Going to threaten the PM huh? Well, keep it up, so we can get a Conservative majority to shut you up.

john@laughingmyheadoff.ca
said

He didn't actually say change of I'll take you down did he. That is so grade 7 I cannot believe an adult would say it that's hilarious

Richard in Toronto
said

So did Iggy grow up on his uncle's dairy farm in Quebec or in Upper Canada College? Or maybe Manhattan? Ivory tower all the way, any way. Too out of touch with middle-class Canadians.

matagemasi
said

Your running scared, Tories - I suggest you take Iggy's advice: walk,no,run, down the hill, avoid sucking your thumbs, and stay at the bottom where you belong.

Rick (Ontario)
said

HEY EVERYBODY, DPR from WPG doesn't think we exist. Typical lib sheep mentality. Must be really cold in Winnipeg this evening.

M M B Ont
said

"Change or I'll take you down". Those are strong threatening words from a newly crowned Leader of the Liberals. Iggy goes on to say in the story that the Liberals and NDP have a "HATE" for the Conservatives !
I have had enough of these imbeciles. What a fine example our Leaders are to Canadians especially to our young people.. the future voters of Canada! What a disgrace we are to the world out there to have our Leaders and Parties hating one another ! Canadians have put down Bush, but I have never heard Bush or any American Leader say they hated the other Parties. McCain didn't say this about Obama winning the election. If you Leaders of the Parties cannot work together, then get your sorry asses out of there and let someone else in who wants to work for the Canadian people ! I am sick and tired of these childish games and now IGGY is a big game player ! He should be sent back to where he came from!I shall never vote Liberal or NDP again !

Etana
said

Here is a guy who has been 34 years living in foreign countries. He is 61 years old. Whatever influences that shaped his beliefs, politically or socially, come not from actual experiences within the day to day life in Canada but fom whatever ambiances he was exposed to in foreign lands. I am really scared of what this guy would do to my and your way of life. Most likely much higher taxes, suppression of civil liberties, comitmetnt to international treaties (carbon tax} which will raise the cost of living for everyone,particularly for seniors and the underpriviliged to a point of abject poverty in one of the richest countries in the world. Whenever it comes to a vote, remember all the damage Trudeau and Chretien did to this great country of ours.

Bob from Montreal
said

Wow...I guess the backroom boys win again..absolutely amazing..usually at least they PRETEND that its not all done with schemes and dirty tricks..this time its out in the open and it stinks. What on earth makes Iggy so qualified to be PM? Oh, silly me..he has the backing of the Liberal party kingmakers. I guess after the disaster of the last Liberal leaders convention (Dion) they decided than control shouldn't even LOOK like its in the hands of the rank and file libs....so sad to see the death dance of a once great party.

Andrew
said

I love to read the comments about how Canadians elect a party and not a leader. If you tell me you'd vote for a party, whose leader you can't stand, because you like the leader, then congratulations and I don't believe you. Before you write something, you should believe it first, so save your number crunching of who voted for what party.

I don't think any Canadian will agree with having a "passport baby" running our country. Mr.Ignatieff hasn't lived here so how is he in touch with Canadians??

Jamesy
said

If liberal wants to form coalition gov't, they have to do it without bloc involved in it, if they try it and most likey, they ( NDP and Liberal) will lose more seats on next election because they get bloc into fold. NDP and liberal is better off by dropping coalition altogether.

DennisP
said

I would call on Steven Harper to disolve parliament and call another election....I'll be damned if I would ever consider a government coalition legitimate when comprised mainly of those traitors from Quebec who are only interested in breaking up this country...I suppose that those three parties are ready to vote their individual parties a healthy reimbursement of money to fatten up their party funds in preparation for another election...I say to hell with them....if they can't raise the funds through the usual process, that's too bad for them, and they don't get any from us, the Canadian people.....I'm sick and tired the freeloaders in government....CALL AN ELECTION AND LET'S GET THIS CHARADE OVER WITH....

Jeff
said

And you are?
Who are you?
What experience do you have? Where were you in Canada while in the United States?

Tom
said

So much for co operation. Threats do not work and I guess the new leader does not understand this. I guess nothing has changed. I heard the PM on TV ask the opposition to bring him their ideas, but all I hear is the PM better bring something good down for the economy or else. I do not hear, we are working with the PM. Nothing has changed and this is a total waste of my tax dollar. If these guys were the heads of major companies they would be fired. Opp's these guys are the same breed as the guys running the auto industry and the banks.

Patrick Noreau
said

5.5 millions people voted for Harper and the conservatives. Nobody voted for Ignatieff. Nobody saw his face during the elections. This is not Cuba. Wake up

Joe Torry
said

I feel right at home here among my fellow conservatives. Now where are my speaking points? Oh yeah Iggy is only a little bit Canadian. If you ever live outside our great country for any period of time you become a litle less a Canadian.Isn't that right eh?
God Bless Canada

Margaret
said

And we're supposed to trust a government who changes leaders like the wind? I don't think so.

We need a steady hand at the helm. Not one which flits and waves with the prevailing winds of the separatists and the pseudo-marxists.

Alphamare
said

To Samuel,
Although you may like Michael you are delusional if you think he is Canada's Obama. He is an interesting player and time will tell how he does. Obama he is not.

Former Liberal
said

supposed logical person... we all understand how parliament works smart guy. This proposed coalition government has caused our parliament to be posponed and is causing divisions throughout our country. All at a time when we need good stable leadership(hello, the entire world's economy is tanking and we want to screw Canadians around??). I think it is irresponsible of all involved in the coalition to have caused this disaster.

Rick in Calgary
said

Take you down say "Ignif"...yea right...more like take us all down you Liberano!!

George W.Wexler
said

The new liberal boss cannot topple Harper without the Bloc Quebecois' participation,and if he does directly or indirectly ,tacitly or not, accept the Bloc's contribution to do so, he will be no better than S.Dion,patnering with a group whose sole objective and"raison d'etre"is the destruction of the Canadian Confederation,so that Mr.Ignatieff would sink to the level of the canadian political riffraff and be judged as such.Having recently read his impressive biographical higlights,i doubt that he would stoop so low,but find it disappointing that he would contemplate or threaten such a dastardly move.

Les
said

The last thing Canada needs is another pompus egomaniac. Its not just that the other candidates dropped out, but that they gave everyone the gag order so that they could bring in a new leader now instead of waiting for a convention. There was no opportunity for the candidates and candidates to be to come forward, lobby and sell themselves. This is hardly democracy. Michael Ignatieff has walked into the leadership of the Liberal party without one vote from the Liberal grassroots. The coalition government would be led by Ignatieff as Prime Minister without earning one vote from Canadians. Mandates are earned not taken. Canadians ought to express their will through the ballot box, not have it tossed aside through backroom deals.

Mike
said

Frankly Harper's performance in this crisis is so poor he should step down. Even Crusty the clown is better than he is.

Former Liberal
said

It seems like this guy just forced his way into the liberal leadership position... now he wants to force his way into the PM's job?? Buyer beware of Michael Ignatieff.

Meegs
said

I can't believe that some people think the coalition is bad. Harper called us into elections to end up with the same results. And what has he done since being reelected? NOTHING! This "economic crisis" started before he called an election and he had nothing then and still has nothing. He is supposed to be running a minority government I think it is about time he starts acting like it and cooperate with the opposition leaders.

Ed. Dunchurch
said

When will our elected politicians and civil servants be reducing their car allowances. The last increase in 2008 was purely due to the cost of gas rising to $1.25 litre. It is now $.75 a litre. There should be an immediate rollback.
Lets see just how serious our politicians are in looking out for the Canadian Public.

Halina
said

Why is it the Liberal and NDP leaders are so nasty mouthed?

Robert
said

What a farce. A person who has not paid taxes in Canada for almost 30 years wants to be the Grit leader and PM?
Welcome to the new leader of the Canadian Politburo. Sorry but I can't support this person ... I'll stick with harper and the Conservatives.

Greg in the Hammer
said

Pretty clear the "Old Boys Club" that is the Liberal Party of Canada is willing to do anything to get the keys to 24 Sussex back.

The knives aren't even cleaned and dry after being pulled out of Dion's back and they are already making more ultimatums to our elected Prime Minister.

They have virtually ignored the will of their own membership and annointed their chosen one.

Why? Because they crave power more than democracy. They have palms to grease and friends to give Senate seats to.

They have pet projects to pay for with tax payers money. They know whats best for us and they'll tell you so.......

Just as soon as they figure out how to get rid of that guy from Calgary that happens to be Prime Minister. Oh and has seats in EVERY REGION in this country not just Ontario and
Quebec.

Calgarian
said

Hey Cons� who doesn't allow their members to speak unless he personally okays it, who got rid of media scrums, who only talks to media who he considers friendly? Who kicked out media he doesn't consider friendly to his agenda? Who's a one man show? Have you heard from anyone in the Conservative Ranks besides Harper? Nope.

So c'mon who's the dictator?

Hmmm� Dictator Harper, that's who.

Flora Jin in Mississauga
said

I don't understand Harper's supporters. Yes, you voted for him, but he is minority government, not majority. He has to work with other parties! And every govenment in the world is working on its economy crises, where is Harper? What is Canadian government doing now? People lost their jobs.....

Flora Jin in Mississauga
said

I don't understand Harper's supporters. Yes, you voted for him, but he is minority government, not majoriy. He has to work with other parties! And every govenment in the world is working on its economy crises, where is Harper? What is Canadian government doing now? People lost their jobs.....

Dan
said

Haper calls for his lemmings to choke message boards and any other means to garner support for his cause, and low and behold, look what is happening.

Fact 1. Harper played the same game trying to crawl into the sack with the Bloq before.

Fect 2. He formed a coalition when he built the party he presently heads.

Fact 3. Nowhere does this circumvent democracy. In saying so, he is suggesting the rules of parliment we operate under are unjust.

Lies

Spin

Ignorance

He led us to an election over a claim that parliment wasn't working. No sooner than he is returned he tried to stick it to every other party in what was clearly a means to bankrupt his opposers.

Is that democracy?

Imagine what this guy would have done if he was given a majority.

Canadians need to wake up and realize how wrong he is for our country. He stands for the west, oil and is irrefutably a liar and a hypocrite.

Are we that stupid to relect him?

Bob Cunning
said

In my opinion, Harper shouldn't change anything for Ignatief. Then, when the budget comes down, Ignatief would have to vote against it. At that point, one of 2 things will happen. An election or a coalition government. Canadians do not want either option and I think they would vote Harper back in with a huge majority. Canadians outside Quebec don't want a coalition with the seperatists, period. If Ignatief votes down the budget, he will wear that stain forever...

eastern Bob
said

Wow, lots of words used ... ..traitor..but a lack of knowledg of out system. Its not up to the opposition to do anything other than represent the voters who sent thgem to Parliament. Mr Harper won nothing in October other than he own riding. His party was asked to form the government, because his party won more seats than any other one party. But not a majority. Mr Harper got less votes this time than the last election .... next election he'll loose Ontario and loose power.

Warren
said

In an effort to get rid of an academic with no practical experience who took over the leadership with a back room deal and wanted to do the same with the gov't by working with the ndp and seperatists, the liberals have replaced him with... an academic with no practical experience who has taken power in a back room deal and wants to do the same with the gov't by working with the ndp and separatists.

Who was it that said insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results?

Kenneth N Goertz
said

What happened to the traditional way of choosing a leader? Liberal Party members everywhere weren't asked their opinion. Nevertheless I hope the Liberal caucus behaves like an opposition party that was trounced in a federal election just weeks ago, and consults meaningfully with the governing party to create a budget for these difficult times instead of fantasizing about seizing power undemocratically; because if the result is a premature redoing of the election, I'm positive it woud prove fatal for them as well as the NDP.

logicalperson
said

To all the conservatives who say "my vote didn't count in the last election!!!" if a coalition is formed:

All of you people who say that the coalition does not respect a democratically respected government obviously don't "understand" how a parliament works. The last election did not elect only Mr. Harper or all his other conservatives...it also elected every other MP who have just as much right to be in the house and just as much right to join together and form a government if it comes to that. Hello? Let's see. Liberal seats + NDP seats + support from the Bloc seats = MORE seats than Mr. Harper and all the conservative seats. Pretty simple math. Hello? It's a "parliament" that was elected. Smarten up Canada. The coalition is in it's perfect rights to exist "if" it comes to that. Stop whining people. Understand the principle of a "chosen parliament" vs an election of "a chosen government". Shame on the media and all the conservatives who thrash the Bloc and directly are thrashing Quebecers. The Bloc seats were elected just as much as Mr. Harper's seat, and so for the conservatives to thrash the Bloc support of the coalition, they are basically thrashing the democratic right of Quebecers who voted to put them in the house of commons. The conservative government has become used to "bullying the opposition" and it seems that the conservative supporters/voters and very much getting used to this bully approach. Respect democracy. If the opposition unites, they have the right to form a government. Pretty simple stuff, no? Please re-read if you didn't "get it". Thank you.

Joe Viscount
said

I hear clearly that Mr. Harper had better drop the smuggly arrogant style he has adopted or he's gone. Mr. Harper, it's time to take stock and make a decision on your future, your country's future and act with humility. News flash, you didn't win an election you got less than 38% of the popular vote then attacked your opponents funding in an attempt to remove the capacity of 62% of Canadians to oppose you. Look out Poland this man is on the march. There isn't likely to be a greater invitation to dance than you already have on your card. The ball is in your court.

Truly Canadian
said

I've been reading these comments in the last few days. Just remind any one who write comments, but don't understand our parliamentary system. We canadian don't elect PM or Government. We only go to the poll to elect MP... PERIOD. I hope you must understand this fundamental rule before posting inappropriate comments. That might misleading Canadian. Thank you

Avinash Solomon
said

Finally someone to put Harper in his place and the conservatives have nothing but to take potshots at Ignatieff.
Grow up and get a lesson in Parliamentary Democracy than thinking ours is US democracy!
We elect a Parliament, not a President. Harper is not elected as a Prime minister. He was chosen as the Prime minister by the elected parliament.

Marg in Calgary
said

To DoasIsay;

Great poem - says it all!

kathy
said

I have always encouraged my children to vote. What is the point anymore if it doesn't matter what the people want? Our votes mean nothing, they are like a bunch of spoiled children who want their own way no matter what. If something can't be done to stop this, then what will be next??

Gavin in Oshawa
said

My concern is that all these Liberals are the same smart folks that elected Dion to lead them...please

Ronny - Average Guy and Ex-Liberal
said

Just to clarify for everyone, including IGGY supporters. Going to (or hanging around) a university doesn't make you smart. It just means you were privileged enough to be able to afford it. Academics worry me more than anyone... Especially Harvard types who learn only one thing there...communist-marxist-leftist philosoph.

A concerned soldier who served his country. Pro Pa
said

Once again the Liberal Party threatens to seize power from a duly elected Canadian Government. Michael Ignatieffs comments on Mike Duffy Live today do very little to tone down the overwrought rhetoric of Liberal Senators & Parliamentiary MP's. Indeed, he should review his party's record over the previous 35 years. Not pretty!!

Liberals seem to have collective amnesia. The last time the Liberals held a majority over 13 long, rudderless, dreary years, they ran government like a benevolent dictator. The Finance Minister gutted the Federal Public Service and reduced the Military to a skeleton staff of less than 50000, without decreasing their deployments overseas, while denying us the tools to do the job.

So spare me the political spin and distortion of the facts from the Liberal back-benchers about Stephens Harpers supposed "bullying" tactics!

This man has single handely rescued the country from itself; he could appoint Senators to fill all those lovely vacancies but, instead he would like to see Canadians and the electorate have a say regarding who gets appointed! Now thats democracy.

Unfortunately for Iggy, the electorate has a long memory.Consequently, the Liberal Party will (hopefully) be condemned to a long stint in the Penalty Box for their collective sins.

So lets can the now exctinct coalition and support the GG and the current Conservative government. Otherwise, if we let a Liberal government taqke over they'll:

(a) appoint as many new Senator vacancies as they can in short order;

(b) appoint their buddies to the vacancies in the Public Service;

(c) immediately appoint new Supreme Court Justices to carry on their idealogical programme; and

(d) gut the new Canadian Army and deprive thje Dept of Nat'l Defence with funds they need to operate!

BL
said

I still don't get this stimulus package... I work in the banking industry, and I can see that throwing money around to "stimulate" the economy isn't going to help. Oh, and why should my tax-money go to these companies who obviously mis-managed their money to begin with? But that's the Canadian way... Harper needs to stay on as OUR PM, at least until the WORLD economy starts redeeming itself. Why doesn't anyone else see this, and why aren't the Liberals/NDP/Bloc cognizant of how their three-ring circus is affecting the economy? If I don't get it, how is Jon Stewart or anyone else (except for a few in the parties who advise) supposed to get it?

Brian Appel
said

I can sense a real change in the Liberal Party's dynamic now; something I haven't felt for a number of years.

Though I didn't support him at first, I've heard Michael Ignatieff speak and I believe we have a real heavyweight here; somebody who can go toe to toe with Stephen Harper. Liberals are on the way back; I can feel it!

arrgghh
said

Ignatieff - YOU had better change YOUR stance or Canada will take YOU down. Haven't checked the polls lately? The Tories are up 10 points while all the coalition parties are down.

Go ahead force an election - WE DARE YOU!!!! And wipe you off the map of Canada.

BB in B.C.
said

Lots to read here but I'll add my thoughts. The Liberals and the NDP spent a whole lot of effort painting Harper with the Bush brush now they've crowned their Obama? LOL!!! This professor may or may not have a leg up on the last goof who tried to steal the PM's office but the attacks on Harper are still the same. Personally I almost hope to see a coalition take over because it would be followed by an election in short order and the Libs/NDP/Bloc would all take a big hit after Canada saw how they would run things. The coalition wouldn't last 90 days. Harper can do this country a lot of good but our system requires we give him a majority.

R - ANOTHER PEE'D OFF LIBERAL
said

Iggy, can I have your home address so I can mail back to you the pieces of my LPC membership which just happened to fall into my shredder. You have no more intention to work with government for the benefit of all Canadians than did you predeceasor (Dion). Nice start!

Ryan - Regina
said

Ignatieff - another idiot. How disappointing.

Rikki Toronto
said

From what the constitutional experts have been saying, coalitions are provided for in the constitution in a situation where the party in power has lost the confidence of the House and the formation of such a coalition is parliamentary democracy in action. Yay, coalition!

Rick (Ontario)
said

Go ahead Iggy, bring it down. Then we'll have an election because the GG isn't as stupid as the lib sheep think. And then, Harper will have his majority, the libs will be broke/more in debt, and we won't forget how you and your "party" sold us out.
I find it amazing how this man can live in a foreign country for 30 years, come back for 2 or 3, and now he want's to be PM. Only the libs can come up with something like this. Not to mention letting Layton lead you like a little puppy to the water dish. If I were a lib supporter, I'd be too embarrassed to admit it.
What a truly pathetic excuse for a political party.

God keep our land
said

This is the trend in modern liberalism. Liberals take control without consulting the voters. These people have installed and established the "thought police" and want to control the spoken and even unspoken word.
There is nothing new about any of this.
I am 100% certain that I personally would not do what Ignatieff has done. I would not accept the position of leader of my political party unless the voters had given it to me.
I am disgusted with Ignatieff. He and his liberal pals are a bunch of tyrannical jerks!

Elizabeth S. Hutton
said

So much for the peace I thought there was yesterday!

Get ready my fellow Canadians...we will be at the polls in March!!!

timothy j
said

Mr. Ignatieff is very convincing. His speach and press interview were direct and without political jargon. That's refreshing. I think when Canadians get to know him and listen to a man that does'nt talk circles, he'll become a powerful leader in or country. It's seems he's not just another figure head of the same old political network, much like Obama, Normal. If he's for real, we Canadians have something to look forwad to.

L.A.
said

We just paid $300 Million dollars for an election. The opposition parties are acting like clowns. We have a Conservative Government with a mandate to govern in bad times. Get your act together all of you and do what's right for the country. We need a couple of more resignations - Layton's and Duceppe's would be the high road well taken and not too soon. The country deserves better than this!

FED up in NB
said

The only solution to all this nonsense, is an ELECTION.
Canadians will/should have a voice in all this controversy, I can asure you it does not involve any coalition with separatists.
Canadians deep down know what's right and wrong for CANADA. This coalition overthrow will be repaid with a MAJORITY CONSEVATIVE government.
Canadians are already over taxed,and over worked,and will refuse to pay for everything the BLOC separatists, and NDP/liberals want.
TIME for an ELECTION please...

Adam Whitman
said

LOOK HOW FAST THE LIBERAL DISCOURSE HAS CHANGED:

1st: the Libs VOWED to bring down the government at ALL costs, signing even a pact with the separatists and NDP, irrespective of the government's 2009 budget

NOW: Ignatieff says he will FIRST read the budget and ONLY THEN decide whether to bring the government down or not.

Where is the NDP-BLOC outcry? Isn't this in contravention with their latest coalition pact? Or is it rather because the latest polls have made all these conspirators think twice over?

james from wpg.
said

all talk, no action? change or, i'll will take you down, may i suggest he keep his cocky talk to himself or we the voters will take him down.

gerry in flin flon.
said

no more voting in canada for me.

Kevin P
said

Next leader...

Perhaps one year soon, the Liberals will actually have a policy convention and develop something to sell to Canadians.

At the same time maybe they can try electing a leader instead of appointing one.

Fine examples of Democracy the Liberals are not...

Allan (Vancouver)
said

Keep watching the Daily Show. Jon Stewart will probably get a kick out of this. Way to go Liberals! More fodder for comedians. Less for Canadians.

Gary
said

well I see Liberal arrogance is still alive and well. Wasn't that one of the reasons we turfed them from Gov't last time?

My opinion
said

Iggy seems like a good guy, perhaps also a god leader.
Too bad he's a Liberal!

Sean
said

Ha! Bring down the government all you want, we Canadians will give the Tories the majority they deserve! Good riddance to you and your odd bed fellows the NDP!

Sheryl
said

Does no one out there see that Jack layton started all this with his major partner (BQ) and they used Dion as their puppet. (i am not a liberal supporter)
Harper tried to take away Public tax money that goes to the politcal parties. I would rather the money at this time going somewhere that benefits ALL canadians.
Then power hungry politcal parties.
Sorry but i really don't see how this is all Harper's fault. For those that call harper a BULLY look at what NDP, Liberal, and BQ have done.

O, How sweet it is, AB
said

DJ Wrote "So many dumb and uneducated comments so far by obvious Conservative supporters. You're all without a doubt scared because this is the beginning of the end for the Conservative government as you know it. We have a PM that only 39% of the country actually supports, that is so democratic and lets not forget suspending the House until late January to formulate a recovery plan! Bye bye Conservatives!

Suspending the house is what gave you your new King..lol u should be thanking Harper.
oh and thats right. it was a whole 6.5 days extra. they where off on this friday until the end of january.

HBA. Poli Sci Grad
said

To answer a question posed initially; "where did Ignatieff come from and how did he get in with the insiders so fast?", clearly you are a Conservative, because if you paid atleast a small amount of attention to the previous Liberal leadership race you would know that Ignatieff barely lost out to Dion and it was only due to the support granted by the third place runner to Dion that allowed him to exremely narrowly pass Ignatieff to claim the top spot. That said, limited consultation? The man was wildly popular throughout the leadership race the first time; they consulted 800 influential liberals, that's not limited. Those of us liberals that know what is going on knew that Ignatieff would win hands down, Rae was running because he had to, he was popular the last time, but considering what he did to Ontario as an NDP, voting him leader in this economic crisis, haha sry Mr. Rae, not gonna happen. And I think he knew it. Ironic really that there are people screaming foul about how the liberals conducted themselves, but do you hear Rae saying 'nay' to the decision? Didn't think so.

Congratulations Mr. Ignatieff, I was impressed before, and remain so keep it up and you have my vote.

Ian
said

What right does this guy have to even have a chance to become our PM. He's lived outside of the country for most of the past 40+ years and has a grand total of 2 years and change as a politician. He's been a journalist, filmaker, Professor and writer. Does he have the right stuff to lead our country, let alone in these tough economic times. The people of this country will not accept this, so the best he can hope for is a coalition because the Liberals surely won't get elected with him at the helm. Whatever happened to the solid candidates like Kennedy or Mckenna? The Liberals have made a HUGE gamble here and it will backfire on them.

Terry Redfern
said

ALBERTA IS A POLITICAL RUMP ???
Some Canadian you are. I was born and raised in the West and happen to love the east. What's not to love about the beauty of Eastern Canada.

Jo in Gtown
said

Remember Ignatieff was the party's 2nd choice for leader ... if Dion was their best, then God help us!
Isn't democracy fun?

Canada Goose Whistler
said

We get a liberal government either way, if Harpo dosen't do what the liberals feel is right Micheal Ignatieff becomes Prime Minister of Canada. Nothing can get accomplished with Harper in parlament he can't get along with anyone so please all you Harpo's let it go let democracy run it's course with Micheal as PM

K. from New Glasgow
said

I've been a conservative voter for many years, but lately I've grown tired of the cloak and dagger stuff that Harper pulls... This new Liberal leader sounds to me like a guy who is willing to listen and choose a sensible path forward. I think my conservative days may be drawing to a close!

KRB
said

Form gov't w/o the coalition? So instead of Canada's government representing only 36.7% of the House (the smallest EVER), it will instead only represent 24.7%?!?!?!

We've ceased to be a serious country if that ever happens!!!

Marg in Calgary
said

Don't you just love this quote from Ignatieff?

"Canadians can't trust us politicians if we say things like 'I'm going to vote against the budget even though I haven't seen it,'" Ignatieff said.

"It seems to me, that (approach) treats the Canadian people with disrespect."

What makes him think we actually trust him at all, after the nonsense the Liberals have pulled? Doesn't he think overriding our votes is disrespectful? Obviously, they are clueless, and say one thing but mean something entirely different.

No Liberal Prime Minister for me, thank you. Can't believe a word they say.

Salloum
said

If this type of election and the creation of so called Coalition takes place in Lebanon, War # 5 will starts across the country, talk about Canada wants to teach democracy in other coutnries, what a joke, heh.

D.W. Burlington
said

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Liberals tried to 'steal' the Government via a coalition. Ignatieff has now 'stolen' the Liberal leadership in a backroom deal. This brings to mind Adscam when more 'stealing' took place. Perhaps the Liberal Party should change their name to The Stealth Party.

Barrrie in Osaka, Japan
said

This thing stinks more and more each day. Iggy is no doubt a better leader than Dion and I think that's a fact. But that's where it ends. This guy is an American now wanting to be the PM of Canada and he's still in bed with the NDP and the BQ.
If a non confidence vote goes through I dare Iggy to call for an election and ditch the unholy alliance. Let the public decide the makeup of the Canadian government not a handful of politicians behind closed doors.

charlie
said

One thing puzzles me - how they managed to get a Cone Of Silence large enough to fit all those 800 Liberal elites into while they discussed their plans - and the plan to put Iggy in certainly looks like something created in the Cone Of Silence - right down to not hearing what anyone else was trying to say. Right, Max?

WesternWoes
said

Lets all take a deep breath and RELAX. Reading these comments has given me a headache! Look at what we've become... I mean here we are, citizens of a wonderful country - from coast to coast - bashing one another online based on our beliefs! I'm ashamed to call myself a Canadian at this point. The political parties in this country are starting to divide the very citizens they have sworn to serve! Are we to no longer value one another as people because of our different political ideologies? There are many valid points on both sides of the current political argument, but the fact remains that Canadian politicians have let us all down for years! Read up on your Canadian History - I DARE you! It's up to each and every one of us to inform ourselves so we can make a reasonably sound decision, on any issue. This posturing and finger pointing from east to west makes me sick. I'm Albertan, born and bred, and having traveled from one end of this country to another - it's FULL of friendly, hard working, and generally GOOD people. Are we going to stand idly by while our political leaders turn us against each other? From province to province there seems to be NO solidarity. We truly are a country divided. Perhaps the BQ were right all along...maybe we should all go our separate ways? I'd HATE to see that happen, but with all this resentment is there any other recourse? If we're having so much trouble finding common ground to stand on, maybe we should focus on the one constant ALL Canadians have experienced - the total lack of responsibility ANY political figure/party has shown in the last 20 years...

Fred - Brandon MB
said

Who are the bullies now? Hypocrisy is alive and well on Parliament Hill. I never met a Liberal yet who couldn't abandon his own principles in order to seize power.

Mel in BC
said

Mr Ignatieff is closer to Bush than Harper. 2003: He SUPPORTS the invasion of IRAQ in a magazine essay to the New York Times. Way to go IGGY! I guess living in the US all those years really helps with that moral compass we all carry. This guy is a pure academic. He is from a "political" family, has never run or been in business, and has been sheltered away in private schools his entire life. Wrong man at the wrong time.

Neil. Calgary
said

Seeing as how the Libs trained Canadian politicians on how to win elections at any cost, it is great to see the shoe on the other foot. Anyone remember Stockwell Day trying to get Cretien to quit lying during a televised debate? Anyone rememeber Martin and Cretien of accusing the Cons of a dastardly hidden agenda? Anyone remember attacks on Harper as being too close to the US?

How does that stack up against attacks on Dion's dastardly green shift? How does one defend Iggy's residence in the states for all of these years without coming to the conclusion that he has to be biased towards the US?

The Libs need not complain. They played fast and loose with politics as a game to be won at all costs and won elections for so many years. Now the chickens are coming home to roost.

Iggy is an intelectual/journalist who saw fit to reside in other countries and now he coming home to lead us to the promised land. He is not a proven leader, he has not fought in the trenches, he has not had his ear to the ground and struggled to the top. Lets not pretend that he is ready to lead Canada during a time of great economic crisis.

Curt
said

All those that sent emails to their Liberal MP's you will now be asked to donate to the LPC.
Iggy sounded like "the mouse that roared" at his news conference today.

Immigration
said

I do not know if this Ignatieff will cut it for the Liberal, but I do know that 70% of Canadains will not allow him to reach the Prime Minister position. Study his background what he stands for, Many high profile Canadians officials will be replaced with one week from taking over with his supportive powerful community in Canada who wants to have full control of the Government.

Dresden in Victoria
said

Wow, there are some severely delusional Liberals commenting here.

Harper gets badgered and raked over the coals for supposedly governing like he has a majority when he is in a minority yet it's fine for Ignatieff to try and govern when he's not in power *at all.*

Yes, the Conservative Party should consult with the Liberals and try to compromise somewhat, but at the same time the Liberals have to remember who was elected and not feel that they can set the agenda and have things their way.

So, go ahead and defeat the government Michael...see where you end up - further on the outside than you are now.

Samuel Prime
said

Canadians did not vote for that coalition. The losers parties are hijacking the Canadian democratic process in bad faith---most shameful (esp by Canadian standards). The Harper gov't was the elected will of the Canadian people, so please honor Canadian voters and allow their elected PM govern the nation.

Carole, Saskatoon
said

Matt C in Calgary

You raise an interesting point. Did you scroll down to read the rest of what I said? If you carry a Liberal Party membership and are a Canadian citizen, you also qualify to run for the leadership of the party. You need only garner the support of your peers. Have you considered it?

cristino
said

Ignatieff is already acting
like a dictator, what's more
if he becomes prime minister?
It will be undemocratic if
he became a prime minister
without an election. It is
the voters who elect the PM
and not the party caucus.

V P
said

"Rain": At the end of January, we might have a PM who was elected by nobody

How many times do people need to be reminded? We do *not* elect our Prime Minister in Canada. We elect the representative of our constituency to Parliament. That's it! The closest "thing" to an election of the PM is fact that he might be "elected" by his party. Canadians do not elect the governing party, nor do they elect the PM. They elect MPs.

Brooke V
said

Is this not the same I will bring down Harper when its good for me that Stephane Dion was yapping about all the time? When are the Liberals going to learn

Robert
said

You better listen because Spooky Iggy has spoken!

What unmitigated arrogance - typical of the Liberals!

Dave
said

My God! Watching Iggie is like taking a snooze pill! Is there anything he can do about being so stultifyingly uninteresting a speaker? When this dude hits the campaign trail, he's gonna leave whole audiences in a coma...

bert
said

PM Harper will make him quit also,like all Liberals.If he tries any of his sleazy tricks with PM Harper,Iggy will be made to look like all Liberal fools and have his ass kicked so hard in an election ,he will have a face with two pairs of lips.Made in America Iggy,reminds me of made in France Dion,but with eyebrows.

DPR from WPG
said

Well well, the Cons are back out in full attack mode here. Smells like fear to me. Obviously they are feeling a major threat from Iggy, as well they should be.

The majority of Canadians want a progressive government. Even if the centre & left do not unite formally in a coalition, strategic voting is here to stay. The Cons know that & rightly fear that as they are well aware that they are in the minority. All they can do is keep on sending their supporters to these comment sites, who apparently cannot speak for themselves & deliver their own unique ideas, but instead must by guided by Con website "talking points", lies & trash talk.

Harper's days are numbered.

Mark
said

Who does this guy along with his left wing, undemocratic out of touch Liberal party think they are. Canadians just Democratically trounced them in an election. Their own grass roots are crying foul about their coalition alliance with the socialist NDP and crowning Iggy without a legitimate democratic convention.

As bad as things are economically in the world the sky is not falling in Canada. Yes, manufacturing and the Auto sector need some assistance.

Harper four times in the last week has extended an olive branch and what does Iggy do first opportunity he gets? He starts spewing out more venom and socialist left wing anti-democratic rhetoric. The majority of Canadians have had it with these Liberal & NDP socialists.

If the other parties vote down the budget then let's have an election and let the Canadian people decide, that is democracy in action, not trying to seize power after they lost an election.

Peter D
said

Ok Micheal, bring the Conservatives down! We want a an election and a majority.

Letter to Mr. Ignatieff
said

Dear Mr. Ignatieff,

I heard you threaten the Prime Minister today.

The Prime Minister shares the common-sense, populous-supported understanding that being the WINNER of a "Minority" position in Parliament does not require him or the the Conservatives to take orders from the LOSERS (...are you listening Mr. Ignatieff?).

Rather, the Opposition Liberals and NDP must make all efforts to work with the PM and his party. The PM has said he is willing but are you willing or just grandstanding prior to trying to thrust yourself to power against the will of the majority of Canadians who hate this coalition?

While this self-serving, power-hungry Coalition led by the Liberals, comprised of three partisan LOSERS, has the democratic right to challenge the WINNER, Prime Minister Harper knows (as most of us do) that this selfish band of political rogues lacks the genuine popular support of the Canadian voter.

When Prime Minister Harper prorogued Parliament he most certainly acted in the best interests of Canadians; unlike Dion, Layton, and Duceppe (traitor).

Candians were effectively spared a cruel "democratic" joke, and a Parliament destined to dysfunctional failure do to partisan hypocrisy and the unbridled lust for power we have all come to expect from the Liberal party elite.

I submit Mr. Ignatieff that it is you that should be threatened by us the voters of this country if you do not "tow the line".

J.D.Bradford MD

A. Yaworski
said

Why is it that so many conservative comments here sound like Sarah Palin acolytes??

What's next? "Ignatieff pals around with terrorists and is actually a Muslim extremist!"

Sad nothing new is coming from the right wing camp...

I guess if the Libs want to compete with a party that just tried to abolish the old campaign finance reform, they'll have to go grass roots and web based like Obama did over the past two years.

Change comes to Ottawa, not from it... (couldn't resist the plagerism...)

retired07
said

Ok crown royal IGGY,,,rattle your chains but you do not have enough money nor public support to win an election.
So get with it, put the coalition idea to bed and get out of bed with the seperatists.

It's time to work together. That goes for you and PM Harper.

when is enough enough
said

I Keep reading these blogs that say "all these negative comments towards Ignatieff are a result of the PC supporters being scared. For all of posting them, It would appear to me that most of the Ignatieff bashing is coming from current liberal supporters or up until now liberal supporters. Hmmmm

Alberta is a political rump.
said

Ignore it, Iggy.

Don Bart
said

Te PM has been behaving like a grade school kid, "making the rules of the game change" in the middle of it to suit his own desired outcome. I muse that we do not recognize a man who gambled taxpayer money, $340M+ to see if he could garner a majority,admitting after that he expected a status quo. He trys to bankrupt the other parties through funding cuts & slam the civil servants.. under the false guise of fiscal prudence??? Canadian's do not see him as a man of unification?? Lest he forget that all House of Commons members represent Canadians

Matt in TO
said

Congratulations to Mr.Ignatieff.

I don't agree with how he was coronated by the Liberal caucus (i.e. pressuring Bob Rae to bow out of the leadership race). However, he may turn out to be a competent leader. Time will tell. If he isn't competent, I suspect Mr.Rae and Mr.LeBlanc will have some sharp knives ready.

"He who lives by the sword dies by sword"

Harper has done enough damage to this country.
said

Unless the January budget demonstrates a radical revision of his bad attitude, take his government down.

shame on the liberals
said

Does Iggy think he's going to become an unelected Prime Minister? The arrogance is overwhelming.

Iggy and the Stooges. Only in Canada (and third world communist countries like Cuba and North Korea)

Tokyo Ex-Pat
said

You conservative bloggers seem all intent on bashing Iggy before you even know a darn thing about him. Typical.

Just like a Tory, quick to attack, slow to react. By the time parliament resumes in Janurary there will be no need for a bailout...the auto industry will be gone, the pulp and paper mills will be closed, what do we have left? Oh ya, the Alberta Oil fields. Funny, eh? Anyone else see the pattern here?

I can see the For Sale on Parliament Hill...and a Sold sign in Edmonton/Calgary...

PB
said

After Harper kicked the Liberals out of power, they don't even have money for a leadership campaign.
This indicates that the money stolen in the ad scandal was only a tip of an iseberg: they used to stael a lot more, only we didn't know.

Hypocrite Harper was in bed with Bloc Quebecois
said

Canada's first minority government in a quarter of a century fell on the night of Nov. 28,

2005. The Conservatives, New Democrats and Bloc Qu�b�cois united to defeat Paul Martin's

Liberals by approving a simple motion: "That this House has lost confidence in the

Government."
How can Harper sleep at night? The charlatan has personally done everything he reviles and

obstructs today, starting with making pacts with the BQ for his personal advancement.
Too bad he couldn't use those same uniting skills to be a productive Prime Minister.

pl
said

Run Harper or change. Finally a decent, well educated articulate man who may very well be an older version of the new president-elect. Back to the center and the roots of this Great Country with no fear mongering rhetoric from the well financed right wing, hopefully. Give Iggy a chance.

Pete
said

It is nice to see that the Liberal arrogance continues. There is nothing like trying to seem like you want to work with the current government, only to say the words that everybody knows your going to say. No matter what, the Liberals and/or the coalition will never try to work with the conservatives, no matter what they say, as they only want the power grab. Their true colours are now showing and it doesn't seem to make a difference who leads the party.

Bob H fr Petawawa
said

To all those who call the PM names, I mean real derogatory names. You probably would make good politicians, because of the name calling. There are people in Ottawa that don't belong yes, but at least they're willing to try and run this country. Which is more than I can say for those name callers. They sit back and call the politicians down to the lowest. Well maybe thename callers should act their age, not their shoe size.

Tim in Halifax
said

Frank McKenna and Ralph Goodale are smart men. They both would not touch the leadership role. Ignatief coming in from the US is like moving to a new city and trusting a real estate agent to tell you the "best" area to live. Ignatieff does not know half of the problems he will encounter within the Liberal party. A lamb led to the slaughter. He looks like he will be good for the Liberals. I hope he has a Kevlar vest under that suit jacket....heavy on the armour on the back.

Jon in Calgary
said

To all those who insist that Michael Ignatieff is somehow American because he took a teaching job at the Carr Centre for Human Rights at Harvard University, check your facts. While Ignatieff�s time outside of Canada did indeed include time at Harvard University it�s important to note that he also spent time elsewhere. He spent time in the Middle East and a majority of his time was spent in the United Kingdom. It�s also important to note that Ignatieff frequently returned to Canada, even during the years that he had been living elsewhere. He is and has always been a PROUD Canadian citizen.

To spout off, calling him an American only makes YOU look ignorant. Instead of repeating the incorrect lies that you've found over at CONservative.ca to discredit a man's history that you obviously know nothing about, why not try finding substantive policy points with which you disagree with to discuss?

At a time where Canadian�s are losing their jobs, facing a recession, and watching the clouds build on an uncertain horizon it�s truly pathetic that the best some people can do is throw these ignorant and pathetic lines around.

jonathan in the peg
said

They now have a different leader, but same policies, same entitlement issues. Nothing new

GHW
said

Gee I thought Canada under Harper�s government is fairing better than any other country in the G20. I�m a bit confused; please help me understand the dire situation of our economy relative to the rest of the world and how Harper is responsible for it. Why do we need to replace him again?

BigD Alberta
said

So now the Liberals think a gut that did not live in Canada for years and years is now a good choice for the Prime Minister of Canada? I will stick with Harper thank you, who by the way is not a "George Bush". Even George Bush is not a "George Bush" The special intrest groups will stop at nothing to destroy this country!

Kevin
said

didn't this guy lose to Dion? Poor Liberals are hurting these days.

Westwind
said

No No,

Canadians do not want Count Iggy. You, sir, will be taken down.

Al
said

If Mr. USA or whatever Country he's lived in for many years, thinks that he deserves something special, & particularily embarks on a Coalition, the Liberal Party will melt into oblivion. This is likely their last gasp for many years to come, so they better think long and hard whatthey're about to do. Jack Layton, just go away somewhere to the banana republic.

bsullivan
said

Dear Iggy:
What a loser. Another Professor dictating democracy to the rest of us. This from a guy who got the job by default or the last one standing.
So now we have this loser what is he and the other monsters going to do to Canada.
1. Stimulate the forestry industry. They will force Canadians and USA�s to buy lumber. Also, start another Liberal/left wing trade war with the US, which by the way we always lose.
2. Stimulate the Automotive industry. They force you to by new cars whether you need one or not or will use tax payers money to subsidize the manufacturing of them. Can anyone see another trade war.
3. Start a carbon credit war with Western Canada and Far East Canada. Hence all the upgrading and jobs will move to another country. Now there is intelligent move.
4. Rob Western Canada like the last great Liberal leader?
5. Any other trade wars they can start while driving the economy into the dirt?
6. They all complained about a possible deficit of a few billion. Now we are at 30 BILLION and counting. Sounds like PET�s plan of the 70�s and early 80�s. Anything for greed, corruption and power.

As my female friend (who did not vote Conservative) said �I am so angry at the monsters that the next election I will campaign for the Conservatives�.

Jim in Ontario
said

I'm not impressed...all the Fibbin' Liberals have done is replace one loser with another. All it comes down to is somebody different representing the party which is already in bed with the NDP and is willing to sell the country to the Separist Bloc Quebecois.

ben
said

A couple of things really frustrate me. One is when people contradict themselves and the other is when people get sidetracked from direct causes and do not look at what might have caused something indirectly.
First, I will explain what I mean with the contradiction. People complain that Michael Ignatieff has lived in the States and he might sell of Canada. For this they want to stay with the conservatives. If you really want to look at the selling of off Canadian business to Americans, look at NAFTA. Brian Mulroney signed NAFTA and allowed the current border to be virtually eliminated. Jobs have been lost and foreign ownership is staggering. The conservatives are really calling the kettle black.
The second point is that the people can not see indirect causes and only look at the direct. I am referring to Bob Rae. Under the Liberal leadership of Bob Rae, the Liberals funding was cut by the Chretien government. This was achieved by Chretien eliminating the Canadian Assistance Plan CAP and developing the Canada Health and Social Transfer fund. The significance of this is that the funding was reduced by 40% to the provinces for allocating Health Care. Although it was the Liberal Federal government that hurt the Liberal provincial government the fact remains that the Ontario debt is still not all Bob Rae�s fault. Some times you have to look at the big picture to understand the full concept and who is to blame.

Craig from Toronto
said

I think the libs and ndp strategy of scarring middle to low income folks into believing that a single government can rescue their job or preserve their life savings has been successful. Experienced investors know otherwise. How many people that voted lib or ndp actually know the diff between micro and macro economics?

A government cannot spend its way out of recession, it can however reduce taxes, influence bank rates, etc. Bailout packages are bogus. I don't want any of my tax dollars used for that or paying separatists mps wages.

Bully for Harper, if he is a bully, he is my kind of common sense bully!!!

Drew in NS
said

WoW Iggy don't forget your own words.

"We didn't get the job done"

How are you going to convince Canadians your going to lead now that the Liberal knives have only one back to stab at.

Do you think Sponge Bob is going to let you get away with stealing the leadership. I'm sure he's offering to take it out of Dion's back now.

Myeyeshurt, AB
said

OMG, Someone actually posted a opinion that blames Harper for the world recession... lol... oh we are so naive to believe canada has any impact on world economics, we simply benifit from the rest of the world. we are a net exporter people. Still developing we are..

Larry L
said

What parts of "interim" and "democratic" do some posters not understand? Mr. Ignatieff has been selected as the LPC's temporary (interim) leader in accordance with the LPC's constitution which was constructed and approved by Liberals for Liberals. The LPC will be holding their convention in May at which time the rank and file will have a chance to elect or not elect (democratic) him to continue, or not, as leader.

I am not a member of the LPC so I have absolutely no say in how they choose to run their internal affairs, and neither does the CPC (yet they've already started doing so).

The Reluctant Voter
said

If Iggy is smart, he will truly mean it when he says he will support a reasonable budget. If Harper is smart, he too will try to provide a reasonable budget. I think both realize that an election is not desirable, and I feel that Iggy is truly not desirous to have a coalition government with how the majority of Canadians feel about it. He still feels the need to suggest the threat of coalition because he A) does not want to appear weak, and B) has to keep some of his power-hungry party members happy, but I get the impression that he realizes that a coalition would really sink his party's chances at the next election. Let's hope cooler heads will prevail with the Libs and Conservs (I know they won't with Layton running the NDP)

CONCEITED ARROGANT IGGY
said

Get rid of the coalition and the elected Government will work. Layton, Mulcair and Big Mouth Rae have to go.All NDP's that never change just look at their past.

Who does King Iggy think he is?
Have an election now and the Tories will get the majority.
What a bunch of bozos that are on power trips and want to run our country into the ground.

Matt
said

I think Iggy might be a fine leader for the Liberals.
He could help move them to the center, as they've drifted way too far to the left.

The anti Harper crowd is likely pretty happy, but Iggy isn't a nice guy either.

As far as restoring democracy, Ignatieff wasn't selected by the party. Only appointed by a few of the elite.
As necessary as you think it might be, it is not a very democratic start.

disolutioned liberal
said

what a fool!
He just sealed his and the Liberal fate with Canadians!
I will not vote liberal ever again!

Ian in the West
said

What people like Marc in *Halifax* should *remember* is that we just saw one of the lowest voter turnouts in history. Leftists are *almost always* more politically active and thus more inclined to vote. We don't *really* know how many people supported who. Do I think Harper is doing a good job- NO. But do I want to see Jack and Gilles ruining er sorry, running my country, NO. If the Libs hadn't wasted 2+ billion of my money to take my grandpas duck gun away, and still cling to the mistaken belief that the punks shooting each other care about laws or Canada they might have got my vote.

Les in Rossland
said

No matter what the numbers are that the Tories put on the table in the new budget, the Liberals will not accept it.

They are not after a balanced budget that addresses the economy, they want to be in power: period.

Chris from Newfoundland & Labrador
said

A lot of comments here are bashing Iggy's American resume. I'm sorry, we can have a GG born in Hati but not a Canada-born PM who lived in the US? Stupid. Both are Canadian and both have as much right to serve this country as anyone. Iggy seems to be more in touch with Canadians (ie realizing we care more about keeping our jobs than the PM keeping his) than Harper so what's the problem?

Also, with regards to bashing Iggy's American ties. Aren't the Americans our friends? So lets see, Harper has already alienated Quebec with his attacks on the Bloc (who with 50 seats represent a lot of Quebecers) and now he will alienate the Americans too? Great job there PM. What next? Maybe flare up a debate on abolishing the monarchy and alienating the UK too?

Just tired of this BS
said

So he consulted with the ELITES of the liberal party. Is there any rank and file members who just love how their democratic vote for a liberal leader just got sidetracked.... oh.... interesting dictatorship.

Robin
said

This is too funny.
Who does he think he is
BATMAN

5th Generation Canadian
said

Oh my, Mr. Harper & his conservatives throwing stones about democracy -- after causing the recent crisis and shutting down Parliament instead of facing it? Shame.

They'll be worried about Ignatieff so watch out for a terrible spate of attack ads. If anything like what they did to Dion, the country will choke on more lies and misconceptions.

dave montreal
said

what ever happened to government elect? the country voted for whom they wanted to be represented by, and now the other parties want control. why don't we just remove the right to vote act. this is how other countries started civil wars.

CC - western Canada
said

Please...go ahead and take down the government Iggy. The population of Canada will not tolerate any coalition....and they will not tolerate you putting us into another election.
Political posturing from another academic who thinks he is the savior of the Liberals. If you want to save the Liberals Iggy...rebuild it. Don't put a patch on it.

exAmericanGal
said

Holee molee - this Liberal mentality is downright scary. Who does this guy think he is? Call in the SWAT team for the re-opening of Parliament next month. The Liberals are out to regain their "right to govern".

Carmen
said

This guy's just as bad as the last one. The only difference is his phoney smile. If you watch it again, his smile gives it away, it says "I'm gonna screw you over and I didn't even have to buy you dinner"

R. A. Kukkee
said

Ignatieff's coronation is not democratic no matter how the "800 Liberals" try to spin it.
He has little political experience and hasn't lived in Canada for a great portion of his life. Should his "American" experience now be a free licence to take control of Canada? This from a "Party" that complains that the Conservatives are too close to the Americans.

Let's be honest for once, get real and recognize this move is about seizing political power and moving Canada closer to the United States of America.

Politicians, without exception, say what benefits their personal agendas to the greatest degree. The future is now more uncertain than ever with Ignatieff at the helm of the Liberal party. When will Canadians wake up to that fact?

ALWAYS.

DoasIsay
said

THREE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

T�was three weeks before Christmas, when all through the House
In hopes that a Coalition soon would be there.

The Blocs were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of separatism danced in their heads.

When all across the country there arose such a clatter,
The results of the election, really did matter.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it was Jack Layton, Mr Slick.
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Iggy! now, Duceppe! Now Mays - you vixen!
Let�s unite! Let�s unite! Separatists and all!"

And then, in a twinkling, they heard on the roof
Down the chimney St Harper came with a bound.

He was dressed in gold, from his head to his feet,
The Tories won't accept deceitiful defeat.

His eyes-how they glared! his fists, how clenched!
He stands for democracy, and won�t see it trenched!
For the governor-general soon would appear..

Harper was elected by Canadians, voted in fair,
Not a Weasel, not a Separatist, not the guy with no hair!
With them getting together, it will have to be said,
Canadians will face the future with dread.

Harper spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Shook his head in disgust, then turned to the jerk.
And laying his middle finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a shout,
Trying to teach Canadians, what this is about.
And I heard him exclaim, �ere he drove out of sight,
"This is the end of democracy, C�mon lets fight!"

AZ
said

To Samual:

Are you kidding? how quick the liberals work. Lets rewind and see how quick the liberals were during their 12 yrs in power. Harper did more in the first year with a minority government!!

Quick isn't always the answer either. To bypass a vote for the benefit of speed is not a good thing.

Lastly, with the threats over bringing down the government over the budget, There are about 1000 different thoughts of how to fix the economy so why do the Liberals think theirs is the best? What errogance!! Of the G8, Canada is in the best position, so far I think Harper has done a great job and he was voted to a stronger mandate becuase of it.

Its funny how the Liberals are now acting like the Americans and wanting to throw money to the wind to fix the problem.

az

Scott ONT
said

I love how these guys are playing off the plight of the Canadian people as the governments fault. For crying out loud people it's a global recession. The conservatives are the best poised to weather this storm. We give power to the political left and all hell's gonna break loose

PM
said

The first thing this guy does is threaten to 'take down' the Prime Minister ?

He hasn't even been elected by Liberal party members, much less Canadians !

The Liberals may be short of cash, but as always, they're flush with arrogance.

Ray in Calgary
said

I see that the new Liberal leader has not listen to what Canadians have said over the past two weeks on on what(The bosses)have said.

We do not want to see a coalition, we would however, want an election regardsless if your party finances are up are not.

If you continue to ignore the bosses, we will not forget you when the election happens the next time.

davidovich
said

If Iggy becomes prime minister without going to the polls it will be time for Albertan's to get their rotten tomatoes at the ready if he ever tries to step foot in our true blue province.
Bring it on Iggy!!

Don
said

Take Him Down and the Liberal party will be dead for years

Sue
said

Oh great, so the new IMPORTED Liberal Leader is already threatening the Prime Minister of Canada. Now who do we call a bully. Oh I'm sorry, he's an intellect and educated (YA SURE). You know its sounding more and more to me like the Liberals are the real problem here and not the conservatives. I don't think for one moment that ELECTED Prime Minister Harper or the Conservatives are shaking in their shoes.

Sean McAllister
said

How does repleacing Dion change anything? It doesn't. No one voted for the coalition, and no one voted Mr. Iggy as PM.

Dr J
said

THIS Canadian does not want you and your power hungry lieberal friends...

Richard D
said

Okay, Liberals. You do realised that Ignatieff just handed Harper a gift, right?

Assume he meant every word he just said in his conference. Harper presents a budget, without any clues from the Liberals as to what would be considered "acceptable", and it gets voted down. Now, Harper can go to the public and say "See? They had no intentions of wanting a stable Parliament. They just wanted power." Considering the number of Canadians who are mad at the coalition parties, he'll probably get away with it.

On the other hand, suppose the Liberals vote to accept the budget (because they can't afford an election anyway, and a coalition as unstable as this one won't even be considered by the GG). Now Ignatieff has just betrayed his coalition "partners" and has burned that bridge. That means, unless he wants that election, he will have to keep voting to support Harper until the party is able to afford to run an election campaign.

Good job, Liberals.

b gordon
said

Well you knew this was going to happen. The liberals self destruct with another self promoted insider choice.

They won't be getting my support any time soon. And neither will Mr. Harper.

Once again we're squared off between two undemocratic has-been parties with twenty-five years of destructive policy and out of touch politics.

We've managed to blow yet another historic opportunity for growth and development.

Thanks but no thanks.

B.

CMQ
said

For those stating that 44% of voters voted for Liberals and NDP combined, that is true if you add the two parties vote % together. What is not true is that 44% voted for them to join together and defeat our government. It is a whole different question when you are voting for your party of choice than voting for a coalition. I don't understand why people hold to this type of calculation to support the idea of a coalition.

Another note is, S. Dion stated during the election he would never join with the NDP to form a government. The votes he did receive were for the Liberals working alone, not in conjunction with another party.

As for the coalition to work, no matter how you slice it, add up the % of votes, reality is, without the Bloc, a coalition with the Lib/NDP does not add up to enough seats/votes to stop conservative legislation.

To try and play with the numbers does not make the situation better or more believable. Reality is the conservatives have 143 and the other two much less.

I'd rather see the Liberals and all parties try to work together. I'd like to hear our new Liberal leader say he has accepted an invitation to work on the budget with Harper rather than threaten to topple the government.

New Liberal leader, same old story.... Is Mr Dion still pulling the strings?

Paul Andrews
said

I am reminded of the great Greek leader and orator Cicero, who was jealous of a more successful city-state, Carthage. His hate for Carthage made him to end every speech with "Delenda Carthago est".Carthage must be destroyed!Coalition idiot chant.:Delenda Harper est!

pupcorn19
said

Iggy,PLEASE do not steal my vote..........you are better to walk softly and carry a big stick,rather than yell loudly and join up with two big sticks,NEITHER OF WHOM I voted for; some Libs don't trust Harper YET they ask me to trust Layton and the Bloc

James-Eh!
said

Mandosa in Sarnia,
yes we elected a MINORITY government, one which was supposed to work with the opposition.

Harper broke the government when he decided not to do so, by means of Flaherty's economic update.

How can the opposition break something that's already broken?

The vote in January will only confirm what we already know.

charlie
said

When Ignatieff goes across the country looking for donations, will he be speaking to "unimportant Liberals" meaning the ones who are expected to be paying the freight charges for the Coronation Express? Perhaps he can limit himself to asking those 800 "important" Liberals to pick up the tab.

Ki-Som Victoria BC
said

The Tories are scared, right there, that tells you that he is the man to take them down.

Marty
said

Wow! Just to think of it that just a few years ago he was living in the U.S. and was writing about how he supported torture and was in favor of the Iraq war as well as other subjects. He lived in the U.S. for so long and a few years after coming back he is the leader of the Liberal party. This guy is such an American wanna-be, it's not even funny. Oh, but he's changed his views on certain subject, but by-golly Harper can never change. If Iggy ever becomes PM, we'll become a lot more like our Southern brothers then we ever will under Harper. The Liberals are so twisted in their hypocrisy that its scary and dangerous.

Jay
said

Would you stop misleading us by stating that the Libs and NDP are going to take down the government. They can't and they won't unless they have the full support of the Bloc. Their silent partner. Remember??? So stop saying otherwise.

REDSTAR
said

CHANGE OR I'LL TAKE YOU DOWN.
I guess not much has changed across the room. Not exactly the best start to promote an ayr of co-operation. BUT wait. Co-operation and success in promoting an economic recovery is not what they really want. POWER is what they really want. Nothing has changed since last week. Liberals still feel they are entitled to their entitlements.

Penny Nakahara
said

Not impressed.

Steve H.
said

Quote from larry NL: = Ed Broadbent was the best thing that ever happened to the NDP. Jack has put the NDP in the sewer. unquote....

While I agree with your comment on JL I strongly disagree with your comment on the other individual!! Remember, it was dear Ed that was one of the masterminds of the separatist coalition. Like all NDP'ers he's all blather and no substance. He propped up Liberals on many occasions during the Trudeau years. IMHO, the NDP made a very fatal error by jumping into bed with the separatist Bloc as did the Libs.........Steve...

JD Bermudez, Calgary
said

Nobody's "ramming" Ignatieff down Liberals' throats... he is an interim leader and if there is a powerful backlash against him at the democratic Liberal convention next year, then he'll be pulled down.

As for him having spent years abroad and being an intellectual... that's a BAD thing? Someone with credibility, an education, international experience and vision is BAD? So what if he hasn't been playing the politics game as long as Harper?

Are we going to start voting like the Americans did in the 2000 and 2004 Elections- for the guy we'd most like to have a beer with? I love my drinking buddies, but there are only a select few of them that I'd want to see in government.

Being in the intellectual elite is not the same as being elitist, and it's time that North America woke up to that.

cindy
said

In spite of all the rhetoric...this is good news for Liberals! Now attention can be paid to policy as opposed to another divisive leadership race. It also suggests that perhaps without his whipping boy, Mr. Harper will be confined to policy rather than bullying. Thanks Mr. Harper, for giving the Liberals a chance to rebuild without the cost of a leadership race.

Bruce
said

Meanwhile, the Tories were already planning their political response.

The strategy will focus on Ignatieff directly, and the Tory national machine has began asking for donations by labelling him a "parachute" leader, The Canadian Press reported Wednesday.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!!! same ol' same ol'!! Bank on it! Where is Guy Fawkes when you need him!! LOL

Kris D
said

It's so refreshing to see the Liberals with an intelligent and strong leader.

Methinks Haprer is in trouble.

Brian Leonard
said

Ignatieff- Just one day in control and the rhetoric begins. Now all he offers are -threats and more threats .Where is the conciliation and compromise that the Liberal intend to make.With an attitude like his this is just a renewed sign of the power that the liberals really want and has nothing to do with the economy

D in AB
said

Conservative supporters worried? Actually yes. The thought of a Coalition of Socialists, left leaning Libs and separatists during a financial crisis scares the cr@p out of me, personally! And the polls suggest I'm not alone in that dread. Work with the Conservatives before putting this country through 18+ months of a socialist "Dark Age", or go to another election!

Fool me twice shame on ME
said

The Liberal leadership continue to laugh at Liberal supporters as lame sheep who cant think for themselves obviously and need the "elite" of the party to choose for them because they are incapable.

LPC continues to suffer from, arrogance, pride, sense of entitlement and a lust for power which would even have them ignore the rank and file members.

'Yes Martha, it sure looks like the same ole Liberals with a new feller at the helm pullin' the same ole political tricks.

K. Johnston
said

I watched the news conference and found him to be extremely harsh and full of threats through assumption of what PM Harper might do or not? PM Harper offered to have meetings yesterday, it is well documented. The Libs./left are still playing with fire as far as the separatists go - and now they'll have to worry about the grassroots. But he sure got away with non answers when asked about the financial status of the Libs. They are broke in more ways than one.

Attack ads where invented by Liberals so why is he threatening PM Harper through assumption that IF his ads are deemed attack ads by the minds over at Libs. HQ they will bring down a Gov. God bless Canada and all the sensible people in it!

DG
said

So many dumb and uneducated comments so far by obvious Conservative supporters. You're all without a doubt scared because this is the beginning of the end for the Conservative government as you know it. We have a PM that only 39% of the country actually supports, that is so democratic and lets not forget suspending the House until late January to formulate a recovery plan! Bye bye Conservatives!

Mary
said

Mr Ignatieff said: "Canadians are worried about their jobs, their savings, and their future. They want stability, they want leadership and they want a government they can trust," said Ignatieff during his inaugural press conference as interim Liberal leader." I agree on the surface, but you know what? I still have my job. I still have my savings. I think Harper is a lot more stable than ANYthing I've seen out of the liberals or this appalling coalition debacle. We have leadership. We voted for him en masse. That would indicate trust. I DON'T trust fear mongering statements when Canada is in better financial position than the rest of the G7, and I don't trust a party that will try to overthrow the vote of Canadians and attempt to park a veritably unknown and unelected Liberal appointed leader in as my Prime Minister because a couple of liberal egos just can't bring themselves to collaborate with Harper in the house no matter what it takes. I wouldn't get married to a stranger, and I don't want to be governed by one.

Dave Solonin
said

Isnt it amazing that all the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc and the interim leader are doing is threatening, complaining and WAITING for the Conservative budget! They have already been invited by Harper to join them with their inputs and suggestions but no one has steppred forth
If the Coalition rejects the budget, they better have their own version of a budget ready to present to the Cdn people on Jan 26th.They should be all rolling up their sleeves and preparing a budget to help the economic situation. Is one thing to threaten to take down Gvy of budget unacceptable, but are they planning a budget of their own? Or does Canada have to wait till end of March for one from Coalition?

Same old Lieberal Rhetoric
said

Let me get this straight...The majority (80%) don't want a coalition governemnt and the first thing this Iggy says is he will overthrow the government first chance he gets.. and Harper is the bully???
Get a life people, same old tired rant "Power at all Costs" This guy is great at writing books and being a career student. I work with alot of those people, they are almost the death of the company every three months.
Another Liberal with no common sense, no direction, no vision for Canada just another coward using the media for power.
Try this rhetoric once an election is called, I will be voting Conservative and I am from Ontario!!!!

Ian S. Kirby-Smith
said

WOW! Superhero Ignatief, alien to us Canadians until 2005, is rushing to salvage what is left of the Liberal's pitifully blemished fortunes and our economic hopes. Trouble is the majority of us Canadians don't think we need superhero Ignatief to rescue us, in fact with Bob Rae as his side-kick, and an arrogant bunch of rearend M.P's cheering him on, our economic fortunes are going to be safer in the hands of careful, steady-as-you-go Harper.

Ryan
said

An unelected leader to head an unelected coalition of seperatists....The Dion Days seem to be continuing under the realm of King Michael. Do these guys ever talk to real people outside their bubble?

Western
said

Since his election to Parliament, Ignatieff has been one of the few[42] opposition members supporting the minority Conservative government's commitment to Canadian military activity in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Stephen Harper called a vote in the House of Commons for May 17, 2006 on extending the Canadian Forces current deployment in Afghanistan until February 2009. During the debate, Ignatieff expressed his "unequivocal support for the troops in Afghanistan, for the mission, and also for the renewal of the mission."

Do you or do you not support the Conservative minority government Mr. Ignatieff

Earl (working in Kosovo)
said

who is this guy? I have been working outside of Canada for the past 7 years and 'this guy' is a well known and highly respected individual on the international scene, particularly in crisis areas (Bosnia and Kosovo to name two). He is a complete and reknown intellectual....that's who he is.

Having said all of that, I believe that this attempted hijacking of the Canadian voters is outrageous and as much as I respect the new Liberal leader I hope he activates his intellect and closes this particular sorry chapter in Canadian politics. And I believe he will

Bruce from Calgary
said

Ignatieff: Who are you kidding? Liberals can't even take there pants. Ooops, oh yeah. Ask the Bloc that question?

jon holland
said

HAHAHAHAHA!!!Ignatieff says "canadians want a government they can trust" LIKE WE CAN TRUST THE LIBERALS!!!!!!!!!!!

Western
said

Ignatieff has written extensively on international development, peacekeeping and the international responsibilities of Western nations. Critical of the limited-risk approach practiced by NATO, he says that there should be more active involvement and larger scale deployment of land forces by Western nations in future conflicts in the developing world.

Canadians to Mr. Ignatieff
said

"YOU change or we will take YOU down".

Patric, Ottawa
said

Funny how everyone seems to criticize the coalition for being anti-democratic. Before complaining look at Harper and his clan. They're the anti-democratic ones. After all they've being dragging us down since day one and yet everyone thinks Harper is a God. Think again! It is only fair that the coalition does the same. Time for Canadians to wake up and take a dose of reality!

Scott O'Brien - Ottawa
said

"Canadians are worried about their jobs, their savings, and their future. They want stability, they want leadership and they want a government they can trust,"

They also want a government they VOTED FOR! Obviously this escapes the twits that run the Liberal party. The last thing we need in trying economic times is this mutinous "coalition" that the Canadian people never elected into office.

I still find it amusing that the Liberals had dozens of opportunities to "take the Conservatives down" yet they choose to do it when their FUNDING is is jeopardy. How very Liberal of them.

d
said

We want conservitive look at the votes

John Mapplebeck
said

The government i trust is the one voted in , not the coalition who is trying to get away with a coup.

Ron J. Shou;ldice
said

Just a whiff of power and the Liberal arrogence shows...
with the big "I"

disappointed albertan
said

i'm with Kerry in Calgary on this one.
Who is Ignatieff ?? How does someone thats virtually unknown to most Canadians become a possible temp PM? The 3 stooges really did it this time..Anyway the people I talk to say if there were to be an election now Harper would win his majority because people are disqusted how the stooges are trying to come in the back door for shared power. I never voted Coalition. Even the Libs can't vote on who would be leader. It is a very sad thing thats going on. I love this great country and to see what is happening makes ya just shake your head..

Frank
said

The Liberals, NDP and the Bloc have poisoned this country. This man has lived in the US for 30 years, he should return.
These three parties don't have an agenda for the Canadian people, their egos are too big for that.

This is shameful.

bdw
said

Iggy missed his big chance to say "I'll take you down to Chinatown"

Jim in Saskatoon
said

Hello Michael

Congradulations on your conquest. Now please do the country a favour - resign - please take Jack,Bob and Ralph with you.

In case you have not heard - Canadians do not want a change in the leadership of Canada.

Have a good day!

Chuck in NS
said

Mike:

You guys keep forgetting the Bloc when you talk the coalition talk. What gives?

cindyptolemy
said

yeah it proves it liberals are sneakier than the conservatives.
Canadians want liberals well maybe they should think twice now since the leader of the liberals is barely even a canadian

Griff
said

Why yes, of course.

Let's have a coalition government that no Canadian voted for,

led by a man who was essentially acclaimed for his party's leadership position,

and who was parachuted as the party nominee in his riding over the nomination choice of the local riding association.

Does anyone see a pattern here?

jack
said

If the coalition gets into power it will be a sad day for my Canada and for democracy. Just the fact that the liberals are dealing with separatists is enough to make me puke.

If they get in I am no longer a canadian but just a Albertan!

P.S. what with ontario always voting liberal no matter how retarded there leaders and policys are.

Denis
said

Michael Ignatieff will bring the party back to the center. Moncton

Doug Ontario
said

There is one small detail missing in Mr. Ignatieff's coronation speech. What about a platform instead of just continuing Dion's mantra of blaming everything on the Prime Minister. Does he expect Canadians to support him when all that comes out of the liberal leadership is negative political rhetoric. Let's have an election so we can see some policy debate and let the people decide. This whole political crisis stinks of backroom deals.

BIG-JIM
said

Hello Iggy!

When are you Liberals going to accept the fact that Canadians spoke,we made our choice and that was not you or your party.
You cannot organize your own party funds so you think we will trust you with CANADA'S funds? I don't think so!
Flex your muscles all you want but when we go to the polls we will deflate them even more.
Canada obviously had enough of past Liberal rule and that brought about the last election results.
So shut the mouth till January and lets see what transpires and Mr. Harper's IQ will bury you and make your head spin.
We don't need arrogant opposition we need what Canada voted for and that is all you are, the opposition, who by the way should NOT get public funding!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rhonda Pick
said

WEll!heres the bonus of the Liberal appointment of Mr.Ignatieff.........Now, west of Ontario we can understand,what hes saying.I was a Liberal supporter till this last round of whatever you want call it,didn't we have a election?I'm also of da udder nationality in Canada.Let goverment work and get down to business........Amen

Tanya in Qu�bec
said

Congratulations, Mr. Ignatieff!

And to all of you out there criticizing him for 'having no experience', blah blah blah... they said the same things about Barack Obama... and I don't think I need to spelt out the rest of that story!

I am looking forward to seeing more of Mr. Ignatieff in the near future. BRAVO!!

Steve the Pundit
said

Last I heard, "lack of trust" is not a compelling, productive reason to "take down" a government.

Let me spell it out for these Liberals who seem to need a primer on "democracy":
- if you agree with the government's policies, vote for them
- if you don't, vote against them and face the electorate
- if the electorate agrees with you, you can form the government and attempt to determine policy as you see fit
- if the electorate agrees with the current government, you don't get to make policy. You have to "influence" the government to your way of thinking. Or wait until the next election and try again.

I think the majority of the Canadian public would be prepared to accept some sort of coalition if the electoral results were much closer (in "King-Byng" back in 1926 I think the difference in seats was less than 12). But let's face it: the Liberals got nearly 50% fewer seats than the Conservatives. How can you realistically position yourselves as an alternative to a government that came within 10 seats of a majority?

Bill
said

This article fails to mention the key thing Iggy said over and over....
"I will not negotiate with Harper."

He doesn't care what Harper is willing to do...nor what Canadians want...all he wants is the PM's office.

Layton B in Moncton NB
said

Democracy? The general public do not vote for a party leader. If they choose a leader with rock, paper, scissors that's up to the party. The public does not vote for the PM, they vote for an MP. I think that Ignatieff made an excellent opening statement, he did not rule out supporting the budget by with changes. He offered to work with the government if the Conservatives take the initiative. Conciliatory but tough. Everything Dion should have been but never was. He has my support, so far.

Rob in Edm
said

Just elected Iggy is already to drop the hammer and force an election unless the Lib get there way with the evil coalation.

Nice way to play fair Iggy.

Trent
said

Change or I'll take you down: Ignatieff to PM

Question ~ To Michael Ignatieff. Were you voted in by the Canadian public as leader of the minority government that hold 140 plus seats in the House? Let me answer that for you ~~ NO! You were not voted in. So, where do you get off calling the shots?

Also, how about informing the Canadian public as to which country you paid taxes to for 30 years!!! I'd be willing to bet that it wasn't to Canada. So do you have the right to call the shots? No ~ Pay your dues to the public first!!!

Allan
said

All right enough is enough. I think we need to have the right person elected, I think the Liberals should vote in Sarah Palin, I believe is is available now. And Dion can take her place in Alaska

liz ottawa
said

I just cant get a warm fuzzy from Iggy. I know Harper is not warm but I dont distrust him, this guy I do. Everything he says seems to be about what the cons have done wrong, not what he would do that is so right. And he hasnt been living in this country for a long time, so how Cdn is that??

jake from keats
said

Don't tell me we have just exchanged one arrogant, misfortunate, power - hungry Liberal leader with another one????? What a great start Ingnatieff! It's time you look into the mirror and ask yourself, why Am I chosen to be a leader? Get with it! Work hard @ some compromises to help Canadians stay 'the course'.

John E
said

Well done! Mr. Ignatieff is the interim leader and he has a solid core of seasoned politicians with him. Things in Ottawa just got very interesting indeed. I'm sure Mr. Ignatieff will work with the Conservatives, he knows that Canadians do not want to go back to the polls after Mr. Harper sent us there early and nothing was resolved. However, Mr. Harper must now reach across the floor of the house and table a budget for the times. If he does what is needed I'm certain Mr. Ignatieff will put up with him for a while longer. However, compromise may not be in Mr. Harper's vocabulary and if so Mr. Ignatieff will consider the best interest of Canadians and will vote non-confidence in the PM and will accept the final decision of the GG. Mr. Harper can only run so long, he must come back to the house, he must compromise and he must be contrite.

Laurie
said

This whole scam about the coalition is a joke. The only reason the liberals and ndp and the bloc want to topple our legally elected government is greed. They all know they cannot survive without taxpayers money for their parties. If their own membership will not support them financially, why should the Canadian Taxpayers be forced to. PM Harper was acting responsibly in saying tax dollars should be better spent in helping the economy and those hit hardest by this economic trouble. But iggy, rae, dion, layton and duceppe put themselves and their parties above the interests of Canadians and what is best for our country. PM Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada provide the best and certainly the most honest solution for our country. It is about time these other wannnabees respect the Democracy we live in acknowledge Canadians voted for Mr. Harper and not for them.

PVT
said

"Canadians are worried about their jobs, their savings, and their future. They want stability, they want leadership and they want a government they can trust,"

And how will a coalition with separatists give me a gov't I can trust, stability and economic security? The Bloq already gets over 8 billion per year in transfer payments from Ottawa and they want another billion plus. This is going to help the national economy? Sheesh...

Hanley
said

Where have you ostrich-heads been for the last few years?

Don't you know who Ignatieff is by now?

Sheesh!

If Harper was afraid of merely the idea of a coalition, he can be very afraid now! Maybe he should run to the GG again for help. wah!

Matt C in Calgary
said

Carole from Saskatoon.....

With all due respect Carole, to say that Mr.Ignatieff has "the qualifications to do the job" is not for you or Mr.Ignatieff or the Liberal Caucus to decide. What candidate (regardless of the party) didn't feel that he or she was qualified and would make the best leader? The Liberal Party leader should be decided democratically by the members of the Liberal Party. Forcing a leader to undergo a leadership race gives the electorate a better picture of where that candidate stands on issues. It is true that technically he is only the "interim" leader, but Mr.Rae was obviously pressured by the Liberal Caucus/Party Elite to bow out of the race and effectively guarantee that Mr.Ignatieff will officially become the leader in May.

As someone who has voted for the Liberals (and the Conservatives) in the past, I am not pleased with this circumvention of due process by the Liberal Elite. Keep in mind that that same elite was responsible for putting Paul Martin in power. How did he fair?

For members of the Liberal Party (and all Canadians for that matter) to question Mr.Ignatieff's credentials, experience and the way in which he has been coronated, is prudent and in the long run is in the best interest of the Liberal Party.

cindy ptolemy
said

So this is what we get for a party leader.
Pretty sad days in Canada considering canadians didn't have a choice on this and he is alread threatening the prime minister to take him down.
Who is this guy and how did he manage to become top dog.

Devil's Advocate
said

To Mary and whoever else it may concern:

Mr. Ignatieff was appointed as INTERIM leader of the Liberal Party. I do not think I need to define interim. SO before people make allegations, I wish they would get their facts straight. When a leader steps down, an interim leader must be named. That is exactly what happened when Paul Martin stepped aside following his defeat. No issues were raised at that time. Why the sudden concerns now? If anyone is interested in runnign for the leadership of the Liberal Party, they can still do so and it will be decided at the May Convention which will go move forward as planned. So I still fail to see the undemocratic process. Liberal cardholders and delegates alike, will have their voices heard come May if other candidates choose to run. That is the reality, one that many seem to blatantly ignore.

Pat_from_Mississauga
said

Judging by the CON hysteria on this blog, Ignatieff has Harper and company twisted up into knots. 90% of the postings are from right wingers who are taking their material directly from the CPC website. The CONs are terrified, as well they should be. Ignatieff is not Dione - you neoCON crooks aren't going to push him around - read his lips "Change or I'll take you down." Ignatieff has the amo, Harper is shooting blanks. Enjoy the unemployment lines Harper.

Mutt From Windsor
said

Well, Im not surprised, new "leader" same old rhetoric- give me and my Liberal buddies power at any cost,even without knowing what is in the budget. It has always been and will continue to be all about the Liberal party not about the rest of Canadians. Go ahead make my day, you and your socialist/separtist buddies vote down the budget and give me a choice in who runs this great country at the polls.

Paul L. Maly
said

For everyone who doesn't know or understand Iggy, he's (1) a Canadian; (2) one of the top 100 public intellectuals on the planet; (3) a Member of the House of Commons of Canada; therefore (4) qualified to head any political party to which he is appointed leader; and (5) the best thing to happen to Liberal fortunes for some time; most likely the best thing to happen to Canadian politics for some time as well. Just watch! Go Iggy!

Jason-TO
said

I have to laugh at "conservatives", or what we tend to call conservaive. They seem terrified at the prospect of a smart person actually leading the country and prefer a tired, predictable, terribly partisan, university drop out who brought the country to the brink last week. As for anything being undemocratic I would suggest you look to the dealings by Pete McKay when he sold out a once proud party on a sunday when no one was looking to kooky reformers and canadian alliance. How do you guys choose your MP's anyway or does it not matter? Seems to me to be a process of butt sniffing and assurances they are dumber than rocks.

gary boates
said

Having worked with academics at a leading Canadian University for near 30 years, many of them expatriate Americans... well... lets just say I'm worried.

K. Wilson
said

K in K

Oh goody! Another efite Liberal scholar with all the answers. These answers, of course, come from his many years of experiencing Canadian society and problems while living in the U.S. This is just another political experiment from a bunch of quasi-socialists who think they can spend their way out of our problems! I hope he and his coalition defeat the present gov't and send us all into another election. Then we will express our displeasure at him with our votes for all this political fiddling while Canada economically burns.

Matt in New Glasgow, NS
said

To all the people in Conservative Party Headquarters who have nothing better to do than spam us all with your extreme neo-con rhetoric: Your arguments about Ignatieff being parachuted in from the US are not only weak, they are dead wrong. (Not surprising, considering the source.) Instead of spending your time making post after post of useless drivel, maybe you could make better use of your time working on the problems that our country is facing.

For the record, Mr. Ignatieff was born in Toronto, Ontario, CANADA, the son of a CANADIAN diplomat. Given his father's role as a CANADIAN diplomat, his family moved around throughout his childhood. At age 11, he returned to CANADA to attend Upper CANADA College, where he was elected school prefect, captain of the soccer team, and editor of the yearbook. He also worked on the late Lester B. Pearson's campaign. You know Pearson, he's the guy who gave us our CANADIAN flag (an in a minority Parliament no less), and also won a Nobel Peace Prize. He was ten times the PM Harper could ever dream of being. Ignatieff also worked in CANADA as a youth organizer for the Liberal Party of CANADA. He continued his studies at the University of Toronto (in CANADA), during which time he worked as a part-time reporter at The Globe and Mail, a CANADIAN institution. He went on to teach at UBC (in CANADA), as well as in the United Kingdom the United States and France. His work as a journalist, author, and human righrs champion have earned him global praise. He has received nine honorary doctorates. He was elected by CANADIAN voters in Etobicoke-Lakeshore. Contrast this with Harper who is nothing more than a policy wonk with an economics degree.

Peter Rapsey
said

Be very worried Mr. Harper. Your honesty as a government, your sincerity as a leader, and your tone of disrespect for democratic people that disagree with your views has begun to make Canada a joke.
Although you have the ability to be competent, you can not show us that competence until you realize that the other 307 MPs are as valid and as democratically elected as you, you do not have the moral authority to run my beloved country. Play nice!

Mark
said

The Liberals are completely undemocratic in virtually everything they do, which now includes Crowning their new American leader. They are very far left wing socialists. There is a excellent reason as to Canadians rejected their entire Far left wing socialist agenda 8 weeks ago, not to mention all of the still recent corruption.

If the socialist and undemocratic Liberals want to bring the government down then let's have another Democratic Election and let the CANADIAN PEOPLE choose Democratically who they want to govern Canada.

The majority of Canadians are against the Liberals whether solo, and or the NDP and separatists propping them up, which is why they will continue trying to seize power via coup.

Now comes word that Iggy the Americanized undemocratic crowned leader would like the GG to allow the Liberals without the coalition in tow, allow him and his Far Left un-elected Liberals seize power without an election.

If Iggy/Liberals want to be Prime Minister/govern then earn it and be Democratic for ma change and we can have an election to let the Canadian people decide.

Cliiff in Ottawa
said

It's now 3:45 PM in Ottawa and I have just watched Mr. Ignatieff's press conference. I believe he is still playing political games,unfortunately. I had hopes for him, but do not now! He completely blames Mr. Harper for the political crisis whereas he should also blame all the opposition parties. Harper was unwise to try to tamper with funding arrangements, but the idea was withdrawn the day after it was presented. So, he does listen. He invited the Liberals to make suggestions for the budget,and invited them to meet with him. Ignatieff says only if the Liberals are enticed with promises. The Liberals are trying to act like union negotiators and get Harper to put his cards on the table and will then undoubtedly ask for more than the Tories offer. Here we go again! Despite the cost and delay, if the government is defeated, we must have another election where the opposition will, in my opinion, be more than decimated.

Mary
said

He's FOR the so-called coalition? Just Another guy who isn't listening to Canadians. This IS a power play. So much for what we voted for six weeks ago. Bring on the election. He's toast.

Vic from Dryden
said

It's great to see the Conservatives in such a tailspin over the appointment of a strong opposition leader. Harper will need more than a parachute to protect his position if he doesn't deliver a responsible budget in January. He's probably busy out buying stocks since there's lots of good buys out there now (so he said) and he'll need the extra cash when he loses his job as PM.

RJ
said

Oh Rob, my aren't you are a Math "Whiz"? Sorry 63% rejected the Right of centre parties� ONLY 37% rejected the centre and left of Centre parties.

I can twist numbers too.

P.S. It's not "wizzes"� it's whizzes.

KJ in Kingston Ontario
said

Michael Ignatieff is perhaps smart enough to realize being ordered about by two other coalition leaders much of an accomplishment. I am reminded of the children's school yard comeback to any name calling of WHAT YOU SAY IS WHAT YOU ARE -- but it appears to accurately describe the coalition's players here since they exemplify all the negative traits they used to criticize Prime Minister Harper. The coronation was about as open and transparent as the old East Block Soviet style leader replacement process.

DEFSask
said

Oh Mikey, I'm so scared!!! Bring on the election - it's time for a Conservative majority

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said

So let me get this straight - A guy who just showed up in Canada after thirty years abroad and was acclaimed as a Liberal candidate in a safe Toronto seat is crowned leader of the Liberal party with no democratic race is going to accept a coalition agreement to become prime minister never having served in any kind of government in his life without benefit of an election?

Would it be undiplomatic of me to ask whether or not this is reasonable?

Other people commenting on this have been less diplomatic. Like some of them I find this turn of events to be disagreeable.

I have never much liked Stephen Harper but compared with Michael Ignatieff and his self-satisfied manner I am beginning to appreciate the merits of the current prime minister more and more.

Western Block
said

King Ig - congrats from the your lowly peasants. Do you think we can have an election so we can elect your ass back to Harvard

SHAME!!
said

So being a deligate to the party means absolutely nothing, some democracy at work here going on, I as a Liberal will never endorse a Liberal again. They show no respect for the parties membership SHAME!

Frank
said

I am not surprise that Liberals are choosing a new leader behind closed doors? It would seem that is how they like to conduct business. Mr. Ignatieff lost the party leadership race to Mr. Dion. What does that say about the Liberal party? They should be appointing an interim leader and having a leadership convention as they had planned.
Mr. Michael Ignatieff has lived in the U.K/United States for over 30 years and just recently returned to Canada, at the request of the Liberals. This party has no credibility and they should understand that they are the ones who damaging Canadian Economy and image in the world, as well causing problem with Quebec.

Wendy In Montreal
said

His lordship has arrived to save the day. Out of nowhere comes the next prime minister because he decrees it. Wow, all canadians can now rest easy now that Iggy has arisen.
Next soap starts at 6:00pm

Raj
said

whoa! how about we have an election, because the only way these muppets are getting into power, and taking away seats from the west.Is to grab the power, led by the NDP, and not Iggy!

Bob
said

Hey Devil's Advocate - in spite of your condescending comment, Canadians still know who they voted for, and they have a say, and their vote needs to count. They are the taxpayers, they are Canada, and they determine who will be Prime Minister at the polls. Our government is ultimately set up to be voted on by Canadians FOR Canadians, and no matter how you slice it, Politicians work for us, hopefully because they have a desire to serve their country.

Sarah
said

This budget will pass.

Sorry to any coalition supporters.

John in Calgary
said

I said this the other day:

I still want to see a published list of expectations from the Coalition when it comes to the budget. I don't want to hear after the fact, "it didn't have this it didn't have that." I don't trust the coalition and I want to know if they are arguing for nothing.

I don't think I stimulus package is going to help Canada's economy. We export 85% of our products to the U.S. The U.S is in hard times, so if they're not buying, we're not selling. Do they plan on sending $30b to the U.S. so that they will start buying again?

I don't just want to hear, we need a stimulus package. Ok why do you think that? How is it going to help? To who is it going to go? If a stimulus package is going to go anywhere it should be to developing a greener public transit system across the country. There you go, jobs are made, and it's something we need. VIA rail is a thing of the past we need a high speed train system, just like Europe.

Vic friom Dryden
said

Why are you Conservatives so worried and concerned about how Ignatieff got to be leader? You obviously know that he's a threat to Mr. Harper and your party will lose lots of seats in the next election. By the way, Mary, Conservatives don't get to vote for the Liberal leadership, but you can vote for the Liberal in your riding during the next election.

nicole Berube, Kingston, ON
said

Wow, Ignatieff has been elected and a little more than 800 hard-core liberals have voted for him! I bet anyone that I could get elected in a church basement with as big as a crowd anytime. Anyone could take over from Stephane Dion, even Ignatieff, gosh, even me. Democracy, the liberal way. What a bunch of hypocrits.

DJC From Winnipeg
said

Iggy has spoken.....Let's stick with Steve!

Elizabeth
said

Ignatieff is a very interesting man. Buy yourself one of his books for Christmas and read one of many authored books - very articulate.

This is one man who can stand up to Harper's bullying and he will do it with class.

Joan (Calgary)
said

Yesterday we had Looney Layton and Dopey Dion to lead us to the promised land.

Today, we have Looney Layton and Wigley Iggly.

We need election called in January so that we can tell these gentlemen :-) no thank you.

PVT
said

And some of us thought Harper was in the back pocket of the US. Iggy still has the lint in his hair to prove that's exactly where he came from to usurp control of the once mighty Liberal party. If he were to ever become Prime Minister, Canada would become another US State. I don't trust him one bit.

Dan
said

WOW!!!!, I knew very little of Mr. Ignatieff, it seems he demands respect and he already has mine. He really makes harper look like a spoiled child. The lib's are back big time!!

Ignatieff should go back to the US - NB view
said

I am watching Ignatieff on the news right now. I was hopeful of a great change in the Liberal. After listening him I feel sick!. He is partisian, the PM held out an offer and Ignatieff came across as a partisian almosy American like in his mannerisms and attacks. He turned me off immediately. WOW now I understand why people say he is an American wrapped in the liberal robe. I do not like this man. He should go back tothe US and live his life out there. We don't need this American type politics here in Canada.

LH
said

Thank you Scott in Halifax, I couldn't agree more. Its almost comical how the Liberals now somehow think they are the chosen party when less people voted for them than for the Conservatives, they seem to forget that fact. Or the Liberal supporters seem to believe that a vote for the NDP and Bloc is an immediate vote against the Conservatives (and somehow a vote for the Liberals?), but maybe they should consider that it was a vote against the Liberals, or maybe they actually voted for and believe in the policies of the NDP or the Bloc and it has nothing to do with the Conservatives, or Liberals, just a thought.

Neil, Calgary
said

Fast forward to the future. Insearchofthetruth sits as a newly elected MP. There is no Prime Minister because we do not elect a PM, just MP's. But wait, the Bloc and the Western Separtist Party decide to form a coalition with not only each other but with the NDP. They elect the honourable Gilles Duceppe from Quebec as PM. The Libs and the Cons gnash their teeth but what can be done. This is not illegal.

Goodbye Canada.

Canada Goose Whistler
said

Rod your math missed the 62% that didn't vote for Harper

So much for being a math whiz ha!

Brett in Alberta
said

It really doesn't matter who's the Liberal leader. Because the leader isn't actually the leader of a Liberal party. As we've seen since Paul Martin, as things go bad and bad decisions are made the Liberal leader is just a scape goat. Somebody they can get rid of and blame.

That party is on it's way to being just like the PC's were after 1993. The are going to have to be completely revamped, change their name slightly before anybody has any faith in them again.

New World
said

The way I see it Neo-Cons are NOT about defending democracy or what our forefathers worked hard to build, the reverse is true, Neo-cons are trying to nullify what our forefathers vision of democracy in Canada is, after all the Constitution was written by our forefathers and when the Constitution isn't suiting the Neo-Cons agenda all of a sudden the opposition is "destroying" Democracy. When it comes down to it it's about democracy the way Neo-Cons want it to be, to suit their own partisan wants and values at any cost� even our CANADIAN CONSTITUTION and CANADIAN DEMOCRACY.

"He (Harper) is appealing to people who learned their civics from American television," This says it all.

Moe-Edmonton
said

Harper is a true Canadian patriot and the tough, smart and ecomincally intelligent leader we need right now. When are you people going to see that we need the tough guy in tough times. Wimps!

TD in TO
said

Wow, a new leader of the Liberals... I think the trend is what, like, one every year? Besides, if I wanted to vote for an American, I'd move south. Also, the fact that he is an academic proves that he is book smart only, untried and untested in the REAL world. He can speak well, but I have seen and heard him speak before and he sure cured my insomnia! Etobicoke-Lakeshore should be shaking their heads in disgust because this man is a parachuted candidate and opportunist. If I left the country and re-emerged in 30 years, do you think I'll have a shot at being the Liberal leader and possible PM? Heck, if he can do it... Ignatieff the Canadian Obama? Please! The only thing he has in common with Obama is the American part. Not the super-star everyone hyped him up to be, remember Dion?

David in Saanich
said

Alright folks imagine if the coalition took over as the government with Dion as PM. Within days he would have been replaced by Iggy.
Of course there was another reason to get rid of Dion; he was set up by his own party to fail. The facts are they fired him within days of his coalition with the NDP and after they supported him 100 percent while putting the coalition together. If he wasn't set up to take the fall by Iggy and Rae than the moon is made of cheese.

Laur
said

Hard to say what to take from his comments on the coalition, I hope its dead in the water but now he's saying that the Liberals alone can form the government? How does he figure that when they have no where near enough seats? Is it just me or is this the height of arrogance that he thinks that the NDP and Bloc have to support him, even if there is no coalition, just cause they hate Harper? I hope the NDP and Bloc take this to heart and dissolve this coalition, and realize this country should not be run by this Liberal party who somehow believe they have the right to govern this country even when the majority of its citizens did not vote for them and do not support their policies.

NG - Regina
said

Well I hope Liberals everywhere aren't too insulted after all 800 IMPORTANT Liberal members were consulted. Guess you know where that leaves you.

Mary
said

Last night on CTV a liberal spokesperson said Mr. Ignatieff 's father was a hard working Russian immigrant. He neglected to say that he was a Russian Diplomat. That is an elite person, and a far cry from how he spun it, so why the ommission? Not that there is anything wrong with that, but tell the whole truth, liberals. Canadians can read.

charlie
said

"Consultations with about 800 important Liberals" meaning what - the other Liberals, like the ones paying dues, contributions and the like, are not "important Liberals"? Elitism, anyone? It boggles the mind.

Fa Chili
said

I listened to the new leader of LPC press conference. Very disappointing..same old same old..nothing constructive. If the govt is defeated in late Jan2009..let have an election.

charlie
said

Congratulations, Michael on your victory and the triumph of the democratic process - Liberal style.. I only hope that Bob Rae and his friends give you as much support as you gave to Stephane Dion.

Rob
said

for all you math "wizzes"... don't forget that %93 rejected the bloc, %97 rejected the greens, %82 rejected the dippers and %75 rejected the Lib's. Don't talk to me about who was rejected!

Mike
said

There is something about this guy that makes me very nervous. Dion and Rae were pretty clear were they stood but this guy doesn't seam to commit to anything. He's playing both sides of the street. I sense some "Hidden Agenda".

Mary
said

To Devil's Advocate - My concern with your position is the same as my concern with 'Cookie in TBay's' position, as she stated: 'Right now getting a leader in place so Canadians can get to know him has priority.' Talk about putting the cart before the horse! I kind of like to get to know a Party and a person's proposed positions BEFORE I vote for someone, let alone put him in office by appointment. I don't just vote for someone because 'he's smart.'

Greg in Cambridge
said

Different name, same old liberal policies and procedures.
Cradle to grave...they sure know what's best for you...don't they.

Bianka
said

Marc in Halifax - you've got it bang on.
(note: this comment is from a non-partison girl) :)

Jackie from Calgary
said

On what Fife said: He said the NDP and Block would have to support the Liberals because they already have expressed their hatred towards the Conservative government.

Expressed "hatred"?? I thought they disagreed with the budget. I guess it kind of sums up the mood in Canada right now. I think this is fueled by the media as well. Too many opinions and not enough facts. Some tend to put words in other's mouths or a spin on situations that are just not there. Kind of like adding fuel to the fire. Can these politicians and the pro-liberal media not understand that it is the incessant ranting and raving and finger pointing that turn so many of us off?

Any way you present it the Conservatives got more support Canada wide than the NDP or the Liberals. The Bloc is self serving and doesn't speak for all Canadians from coast to coast, just the chosen few. So they don't count. They don't have my interests at heart. As Canadians, Quebec's interests are served just as well as the rest of Canada's regardless of the Bloc.

Who is this Ignatieff? I certainly, and a good many other people did not vote for him. He never says what he is about other than (lately) how he is going to use the coalition as a threat. Never have I heard any Liberal offer up any solutions or plans other than ranting on about how the Conservatives are out of touch with Canadians. No one asked me and think Prime Minister Harper is doing a stellar job.

Ontario has Ignatieff already as new Prime Minister but remember, some Canadians have very long memories

davidovich
said

Samual says Iggy is Canada's Obama.
It's true. They both decry the right wing neo-cons while adhering to their policies.
Iggy believed in the Iraqi invasion right up to the point he decided to join the Liberal party. He also said torture is an accepted form of interrogation.
Obama said it was not right to invade Iraq but now he has at least two people on his foreign policy team who believed in the invasion since day one - Hillary Clinton as secretary of state and Robert Gates as the defense secretary.
Ignatieff and Obama are the same. They have hijacked the neo-con agenda and are claiming it as their own.

Vic form Dryden
said

Ignatieff was chosen democratically, even if not all Liberals voted. During these times when the Government is unstable and there is an urgent need for opposition leadership, it was the sensible way to proceed. If you don't vote in the next election, Patricia, you will deserve the government that is elected and you shouldn't complain because you didn't exercise your responsibility to vote.

Calgarian
said

Now if only the Neo-Cons could dig through their dirty hypocritical members and find a good man/woman to lead their party, yes, neo-cons it's hard but their must be someone? Anyone?
If Harper is the best you can do� I pity you, truly pity.

Bill from CANADA
said

How much does it cost in contributions to be in the top 800 important Liberal Mr. Leader of the Offical Opposition

colleen thebeau, rimbey
said

If a person was to believe the newscast from last night the next coronation of Ignatieff would be to prime minister. Somehow I don't believe that conservatives are going to be quite so cooperative.
Colleen T

Peter in Oshawa
said

Oh Boy! A new leader, lets all get excited! Great, another dreamer academic with no experience. Why don't we just hand the Tories a majority now. The election will now be a fight to stave off the NDP at best.

DB - Winnipeg
said

Wow, great to see all the Liberal boosters tow the party line and pump up the new 'fearless' leader. Too bad that they'll soon learn that Mr.Ignatieff is more 'conservative' than the 'hated' current leader of the conservatives is.

patricia
said

I can't support the Ignatieff leadership when there wasn't a democratic vote for all members .... this is not how you pick the leader of party that is getting paid with Canadian tax dollars ... between both power hungry leaders (Harper & Ignatieff) we have lost our democracy in this country. I won't be voting for either of these parties, and maybe I won't bother to vote at all .... I can't justify a good reason why .... Canadian vote don't count in this country .... it has become worse than a 3rd world country

Karen
said

"800 important Liberals were consulted". Are the remaining Liberals unimportant?

Vic from Dryden
said

It sounds like the Conservatives are getting really worried by all the negative comments being posted by them. I must say that "Iggy" will be much more democratic than Harper has been, never allowing any Conservative member to speak a word, never mind working with the other parties. Iggy will work with other MPs and will keep his word, unlike Harper who can't be trusted with anything he says, whether it's the next election date or his willingness to work with other members in the House of Commons. The Liberals now have a terrific leader, so lookout Harper.

Carole, Saskatoon
said

A well known comedian once quipped, �If everyone is talking about you, you must be doing something right.� Keep talking folks, these people are obviously doing something right.

Small point, but if Mr. Ignatieff is 61 years old and spent 27 years living and working outside of Canada, then 44.2% of his life was spent outside of the country thus 55.8%, or more than half of his life (and climbing, apparently), was spent in his mother country of Canada. But, as I say, this is a small point. He has the qualifications to do the job. He is a Canadian citizen. He has the unanimous support of his party. He has the backing of his party rivals. That is all we need to know for now. When election time arrives, then the electorate in his riding will get to ask the pertinent questions about his philosophies, policies and plans when he arrives on their doorsteps. If they like him, they will vote for him. All the naysaying in the world will not change that fact.

Our job, as citizens of Canada, is to talk with the candidates in our own ridings, ask pertinent questions to decide if their policies and beliefs coincide with our own, inform ourselves about the platforms of the various parties - then get off our duffs and vote on election night. Those who will not participate in the process of selection, should not complain about the outcome because they willingly allowed things to go in a direction they might not otherwise have done had more people voted.

Gerald from Belleville
said

To clarify this for everyone who thinks otherwise. Harper, the Conservatives, and even the Liberals some time ago are not the ones who "was putting this country into a recession" as a previous poster has stated.

This recession (perhaps even soon a depression!) is the result of global market trends, international trade, volatile markets, etc. It is a global even caused by global factors. It was NOT cause by Harper, nor was it caused by the Liberals before him.

Just take a basic economics course in any university (though anyone who paid attention in high school should be able to figure it out...) and it's easy to see that this recession is not the result of Cons manipulation, incompetence, etc...

Kerry in Calgary
said

I am so sick and tired of everybody thinking this man is qualified for the job as PM because he taught at HArvard and has so many Phd's. BIG DEAL! Stephen Harper has a Masters Degree in Economics and is better qualified based on academic achievements to run the country in times of economic despair, if y'all want to get into the academia side of things. When I studied engineering in university we had so many profs who were Phd's and knew their stuff inside and out, yet they're teaching ability was zero, nil, nada, rien!!

So just because Mr. Ignatief has all these Phd's doesn't make him qualified to be our PM. As we used to say in university, Phd just refers to crap "Piled High & DEEP"! Just like all facets of the Liberal party I suppose! Took the man of knowledge 30 years to return to his home country! Yeah, a true patriot to lead us into the next 4 years!

AylmerBob
said

So what makes the Libs think that the public that was so opposed to a coalition, led by a leader who was soundly defeated in the recent election, and rejected by his party, would now fall behind the same coalition led by a defeated leadership candidate from their last convention, but "picked" by a handful of senior party members?

Democracy, the LPC way !!!

MJB
said

Breaking our democratically elected government?? This is a part of OUR democracy. For those of you who get their politics lessons from CNN you should open up a Canadian Civics textbook.

Gerald from Belleville
said

Correction to my previous post, sometimes I type too quickly.

It's Mr. Ignatieff, not Ingnatieff like I write in my first post. And the phrase "has lived outside of Canada for over 30 years" should read "has lived outside Canada for NEARLY 30 years".

Thanks all.

Ken In Winnipeg
said

It doesn't matter much how much time Ignatieff was out of Canada. In fact it may give him a broader world perspective on things. However, it might also dull his ability to get within the average Canadian's psyche.

The real weakness of having Ignatieff as a leader is the fact he is trained as a history professor. He has spent decades telling students what to think about history not the future. Now he and the liberal elite are telling his new students, Canadians and liberals, that he is the best to lead Canada into the future. Liberals and Canadians are not being offered a choice. Excuse me, but I would rather have Harper who is a trained economist run Canada through these turbulent times.

insearchofthetruth
said

Nobody in Canada voted for Harper to be the Prime Minister. The majority in his constutuency voted for him to be their Member of Parliament. The conservative party voted for him to be leader of the party.
He won less than 154 votes in the last election but he decided to form a Minority government. Meaning that he was confident he could get the support of the other parties.
When he cannot get 154 votes it is a matter of nonconfidence and it is then up to the GG to decide what next.
Now show me the paragraph or subparagraph or appendix in the constutution that says a coalition among elected parties is illegal.
Please also note that those members of the Bloc who are seated in Ottawa have the same Parliamentary rights as Harper or any other member elected to the House.
Show the the document that says that the Bloc is illegal in the present Canadian Parliamentary system.
It would also be legal if the Bloc was to get a member elected in Calgary in a federal election, for example. What the party stands for does not make one party more legitimate than another.
Please read the constitution, my friends.

ND.Gauthier
said

One of the reasons why Harper broke is promise and called a early election was, that his party was putting this country into a recession,the other was that he was very worried that the liberal party would remove Dion and replace him with Iggy... Sleep well Steve Harper.

Practical Average Joe
said

It will be good to have a Liberal leader of Mr. Ignatieff's stature to go up against Mr. Harper. This is what a democracy should be.....a choice between the best.

I don't really mind Mr. Harper leading.....he really has good leadership skills to see us through a tough economic time as this.

I do have a beef with Mr. Harper. By trying to pull that cut-political-funding stunt and the resulting instability, he gave currency speculators a reason to drag our dollar lower than the US one. Bad very bad for cross-border retail outlets shopping.

Still, the silent majority who loves cross-border shopping should take heart. Just did so, the past few days, and in spite of our lousy exchange rate, Americans have more than compensated by putting more deductions on top of stated deductions. In some cases, four compounding deductions on items altogether. Even with American taxes, this still brings the final prices to half of retail prices in Canada without the Canadian taxes. This should bring a Christmas cheer to many.

Gerald from Belleville
said

Here are some interesting facts about Ingnatieff:

Hardcore Academic: Taught and staffed at Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard.

Other Employment: Author, journalist, film-maker.

Place of Residence: England (1978 to 2000), US (2000 to 2005), Canada for the past 3 years...

Actual Political Experience: Elected in 2006, so less than 3 years.

Views on Iraq: Strong supporter of the invasion in 2003. Supported the war in Iraq until 2007, when he began a more serious bid for the leadership position...

Views on Afghanistan: In May 2006, he voted to extend the mission to 2009. He has argued very recently for "the renewal of the mission".

So here's what you get in Ignatieff: an academic with less than 3 years real experience with politics who has supported the invasion of Iraq, has strongly supported the renewal of the mission in Afghanistan, and has lived outside of Canada for over 30 years (nearly half his life).

Sorry, but teaching politics does not a good politician make. He has no real experience in politics, and his political career only began when he was approached by Ian Davey and Daniel Brock, two Liberal organizers looking for a figurehead to dangle to the public.

There's a very small chance he could do some good if elected, but a huge probability he will make Canada crash and burn if he were to become PM.

vince in trenton
said

These comment sections are great. One person says how great this guy is for the Liberals and the next commenter says how much of a band of idiots the Liberals are for putting this AMERICAN in charge. Keep up the comments because they sure do break up the day and some are good for a laugh...

Jessica
said

Make no mistake, the coalition is dead. Iggy is much closer to Harper on most issues than he is to Layton. There will be no more coalition talk from the Liberals. The plan will be to assess public support post-budget, that will determine whether they will defeat the government. The more likely scenario will be some sort of support for the budget, rebuild and fundraise as best they can all summer, and plan for a fall '09 election.

Trent
said

"The Liberals will defeat the Tories at the first viable opportunity but will support next month's federal budget if it's acceptable, Michael Ignatieff told the party's caucus on Wednesday"

So in other words, the Liberals, under the flavour of the week, have no real game plan.

Geesh!!

One has to wonder if these, so called Federal leaders, sleep at night or just lay there wondering if the other will meet them at the playground flag pole after session gets out.

Grow up! Let the public decide!

Robb in Alberta
said

Wow, calling him the Canadain "Obama" is a bit of a stretch isn't it? Most of the posts I have read over the past few months have included some VERY strong opinions about comparrisons between Canadian and American politics and all of which were very negative. However, now it is OK to compared to the US? What has changed? Now most of you WANT a Canadian politician to be like an American politician??

I suspect PM Harper and Mr obama are actually going to get along better than Harper and Bush. My take on this is Harper is much more aligned with the policies of a center line politician like Obama than the current right-wing President.

However, I must admit to delighting in the fact that Canadian politics is finally exciting again.

I think the grassroots of the Liberal party was finally heard by those in the Ivory tower and the extreme left wing of the party miscalculated the support they would get for aligning themselves with the NDP in this "coalition" deal.

I prefer centreist policies to extreme left or right and I think Mr. I and Mr. H may be more aligned in their thinking than most of us are aware. I am predicting the Liberals WILL end up supporting the budget in January because there will be more common ground than differences in the proposed budget for the Liberals and Conservatives.

Kev in T.O.
said

I cannot believe the disorganization and lack of professionalism within the Liberal Party of Canada. Someone needs to take the reigns and rebuild this party using sound fundamentals. Until that is completed they should not entertain the thought of running this country. Ignatieff is smart he knows the coalition cannot survive and he knows the limitations of his party right now. Hopefully he has the leadership qualities necessary to put the proper organizational structure in place. It is necessary for democracy in this country to have at least two established well run parties.

Pete in NB
said

Even though I am a conservative supporter I do find it impressive that Mr Ignatief was named leader of the GLIBeral party with 100% support, oh wait he ran unapossed, suddenly it is less impressive. Even less so now that I find out that they didn't even bother to have those people who payed for a party membership vote.

Now that I run the numbers it seems that a cactus plant that is sitting on my window actually tied Mr Rae and the cactus spent far less on running than Mr Rae did. WHAT A JOKE THEY HAVE BECOME.

Melanie Terrace,BC
said

I'm from the west,but have to admit,even though I've heard about Senate reform from time to time,I never really got to understanding it until very recently.I am totally amazed that we have let this issue linger on for so long.
How can anyone oppose more democracy and more fairness for all regions of Canada? I have heard no reasonable argument against a more democratic Senate.
If reform was going to take place,though,I would rather see it dones by Liberals and Conservatives than by a majority from either party imposing it on us.If Ignatieff wants to show he can work with others,he should get his party involved in rebuilding the Senate.Which it truly a disgrace in it's presnt form.
And lastly,I am concerned that Ignatieff supported the idea of sending Canadian troops to Iraq.I mildlt support the Afghanistan mission,but I think Iraq has been a disaster.I stiil wonder how the Brits and Aussies got sucked into it.I also wonder how the NDP could possible form a coalition with a Liberal leader in favour of all of these wars.If they think Harper is a war monger,what does that make Ignatieff,or the NDP themselves,for that matter??
Fascinating.But I now stand with the west,and Mr.Harper.At least until we get democracy in Canada.

Devil's Advocate
said

It is striking how little people truly know about our political system. What is worse is that many individuals have no clue as to what constitutes a democracy. Whether I'm in favour or opposed to it, I cannot rightfully claim the the coalition is undemocratic because it is, plain and simple. It is entirely legimimate, albeit unprecedentent. Furthermore, I am so tired of reading the opinions of so many out there crying out in the name of democracy. Now there is a problem with the way Ignatieff came to the helm of the Liberal Party. Are you guys kidding me? If valid arguments were presented at the very least, I might take the time to reflect upon them. But claiming that the process was once again undemocratic is completely ridiculous. I'm starting to think that it is the Canadian people that are more corrupt than our failing government. I would recommend to those who like to throw the word democracy around and use the term rather lightly that they inform themselves on due process before uttering any more ridiculous allegations. I do not expect the entire Canadian population to understand the intrinsic details of politics but I am disapointed to see how ignorant a vast majority truly are.

Voter in B.C.
said

Why do people keep talking about the last election. the conservatives were voted in as the official party to lead us through the next four years. So why do the other parties think they can bully there way into running this country. All four parties get your act together and work for the betterment of the Canadian Public and forget about power control. If you defeat the Gov. with a non Confidence vote at the end of January; then let the Canadian Voters decide who should be in control. All of you give your head a shake!

Bruce
said

I find it rather hipocritical that after all these years the liberals were saying that PM Harper is too American for Canada in his policies, so now they go and elect a man (however academically qualified) is more American than PM Harper ever will be.

The Liberals have no clue where they are going or what they are doing, the party is doomed.

Doug from Whitehorse
said

Now, if only the Conservatives would do the same thing.

Adrian Telizyn NE BC
said

The last time the Liberal Party crowned a backpack-toting academic as leader was in 1968 when Canada was stuck with Trudeau.

Look what he did for us in the West: deficits, the NEP, economic ruin, and the infamous salute at Salmon Arm.

Guess what the West will do AGAIN in return: not one Liberal MP west of the Ontario border.

Take that!

LSF
said

All hail King Michael the first!

I wonder what did he promise Rae? The fiefdom of Ontario so he can destroy it again?

I'd rather have a guy with a Masters in Economics leading the country in this situation than any Liberal, regardless of how "well known" he is. Frankly before Ignatieff became a politian, I'd never heard of him.

Long live a democratically elected government!!

E.B. in AB.
said

What is it with the media? They overlook every dirty, rotten, hypocritical thing the liberal party does. Then turn around and misrepresent the intentions of our PM and the elected Conservative government. The reason Canada is in the best economical shape of the G7 for weathering this crisis lands squarely to the credit of the Conservatives under Stephan Harper. You may not like him or how he deals with things, but let us not forget or ignore the great way in which he has managed our economy since he has been our PM. Just because it is not in his 'conservative' nature to blindly throw money at a problem in the hopes it will disappear. Does not make him irresponsible or uncaring. He is an economist and he is what this country needs in the forseeable future.

Clinton Blair
said

I can pretty well guarantee that if the coalition does not try to work with the Conservatives now, and still just wants to grab power without properly listening, and putting in their own ideas into the forthcoming budget, to make it work, then the GG will NOT give them the opportunity to form government, but will call an election, and this would be the ONLY way that we could move forward, because the formation of our government can only be decided by Canadians, no one else.

darren
said

I knew eventually they would find a way to get rid of the NDP in their attempt to get control of the government. I just did not think it would be this fast. They have used Jack Layton like an old rubber boot. Only when they need it. Hey Jack the knives are out watch your back !!

Matt C in Calgary
said

Mr.Ignatieff acknowledges that the NDP and the Bloc "hate the conservatives". You can probably include most of the Liberal MPs as well. All of the MPs, regardless of party affiliation, should be concerned with what is in the best interest for Canada. Hopefully Mr.Ignatieff is reasonable and can view the government with some degree of objectivity, and work with the Conservatives for the betterment of all Canadians. Mr.Rae, Mr.Layton and Ms.May are unfit for political office.

DWR
said

I have just read Mr Ignatieff bio and it is hard to believe that some one that has spent so little time in Canada has the understanding or life experience here to run the country. As well as just being appointed to the position this is a process that circumvents the democratic process completely. So is this the only way the Liberals, NDP and BLOC believe democracy works. It makes me wonder what they will do next.

BReid
said

I would love 1 just one of the "card carrying" PC party members to tell me the "elected" Harper to be their leader...or that the NDP "elected" by common vote Layton...face it folks Political Parties "elect" who is best for the party without a whole lot of consultation from the rank-and-file...not democratic, but that's the waay it is

Doug BC
said

I think "Steve The Pundit" has a pretty good take on things.I'm also greatly encouraged to see people in western Canada becoming much more vocal about the isue of Senate reform. No matter whi sits in parliament,there can NEVER be a democracy in Canada without a democratic Senate.
If we has the "triple E" Senate that the west has been clamouring for over the last few decades,we would not be in this mess.
I spent a lot of years defending Liberal polies.I will do it no more.If they want my vote back,they have to prove themselves worthy of it.No more flip flopping on things like the NEP,wage and price controls,gas taxes,Free trade,GST,crime and justice,just to name a few.Also,accusing HArper of not working with others is very much like the pot calling the kettle black.And "bullying" is a Liberal tradition.It was invented by Cretien with his 38% majority governments.It fits in well with the tax money they stole to run thei pathetic excuse for a party.
I became a Liberal as a teenager,when Trudeau was running to be the leader of the party.It took me 40 years to figure out what liars they are.Democracy in the farthest thing from their minds.It is all about POWER.
Harper is not the best choice,I agree.We do need two effective and viable parties to give Canadians a real choice.I wish the Liberals would rebuild.But they cannot be allowed to return with the same old attitudes.Liberal roots run so deep in the Senate,the Supreme Court,the Civil Service,the CBC,and on and on.
If we want democracy,it will be easier to repair Mr.Harpers party than the Liberal party.We cannot let central Canadian elitists run the entire country.It will be up to western Canada to DEMAND real democracy we can all agree with.

Clint
said

So lets get this right. As long as the government does exactly what the Liberals want then they will continue to hide in the shadows. If not then we will take over. So we have a Liberal government no matter what. What total ass. I say time for an election and let the people of Canada decide once and for all.

Tim
said

This is all Canada needs is an American, that was not elected by grassroots Liberals to manage our country. Seems to me that the liberals are desparate after suffering their biggest defeat in history

Robert in Manitoba
said

Mr Ignatieff is smart to reject the coalition concept. He has no doubt seen the polls indicating 68% of Canadians oppose the coalition concept. By rejecting it, he can rebuild the Liberals as a viable national party, with a good chance of winning the next election, especially if Harper stays on. Had he gone for the coalition, however, many Canadians would have been angry and, upset , hurting his chances and the Liberals chances. Most Canadians don't want the anti-business NDP having ANY influence on economic policy. And, other than separatists, virtually all Canadains oppose having the BQ share power in a coalition.

Mike from Ottawa
said

This situation is unbelievable.

Now let me get this straight.... if the Tories put out a budget that the Liberals can live with and have what THEY want in it, then they won't take their ball and run home. What a crock of crap! This is just blackmail and preventing AN ELECTED government to do judt that, govern! When will this insanity stop. Such sore losers are all these votes who just got beat fair and square. No wonder are children are now being taught that winning isn't everything, give the other guy a chance. No wonder the rest of the world laughs at us. And imagine the perspective of Europe and other countries, allowing seoaratists to vote, collect government cheques and yet still bite the hand that feeds them!!

KMC (Markham)
said

Anyone who's read Ignatieff's mini-biography, in the Globe & Mail of December 8th, cannot possibly consider this man a Liberal.
His support for the Iraq invasion, his support for the war in Afghanistan, his support for the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, his support for extreme interrogation methds, etc., suggest that he would have fitted , quite nicely, into the G.W. Bush administration.His treatment and attitude towards his family render him, in my opinion. a thouroughly unpleasant individual. One thing his leadership of the Liberals does do, is he neutralizes all the Liberal criticism of Stephen Harper,
"If Harper had been in power, we'd have been in Iraq"..."Harper is arrogant"..."Harper is cold and remote"...every one of those criticisms can be said about ignatieff. As far as Ignatieff being the Liberals' panacea, people rarely live up to the expectations. Just remember Paul "Mr.Dithers" Martin.

Bob
said

I already cast my vote for our home-grown Prime Minister. Canadians agreed, too, at the polls. I've seen nothing yet policy wise from the Liberals to change my mind. What budget? What plan? What does Mr. Ignatieff and the party stand for now? Where do the revamped Liberals see Canada going, and how? They need to get this information out into the public.

King of the Hill
said

When does it stop? Why don't we create a second government to actually govern this country and keep this government to perpetually play king of the hill? Don't we need government support now more than ever? The rest of the world is watching and laughing at us, spending/wasting millions of important dollars and time.

BMN
said

How the heck does all this "elect the Senate" rhetoric square with the fact that Harper's been PM for nearly three years now plus presided over the opposition of a minority government for about 18 months and thus far has taken NO major initiatives to reach out to the provinces to make said elected senate happen.

Somehow, the fact there's no elected Senate comes into a conversation about Michael Ignatieff but not Stephen Harper? Who's being naive here?

The polemicists from BOTH sides of the political aisle amuse me on messageboards. "Trudeau did something bad in 1976, which of course means: don't trust Ignatieff." "Mulroney was a disgrace so we should all hate Stephen Harper." And so on.

I'd love it if you could ban references to people and only talk about policies and ideas on messageboards. The discourse would be elevated tenfold.

Randy
said

The jury is still out on whether Ignatieff is the right person for the job or not. But he seems to have brought some calm to this situation and is certainly talking more rational than Dion, Layton and Duceppe combined. I've always voted between Conservative and Liberal and wish we could get to a two party system. The NDP, Bloc and now Green parties just bring chaos to our whole political process. Hopefully cooler heads will prevail.

Cookie in TBay
said

"Does anyone know this man and why ... ?" Do a little research (Google his name) -- there's lots of info. out there. Even though he lived in the United Kingdom for many years and 5 years in the USA he did work on Mike Pearson's campaign waaay back! The political party that prorogued parliament better not be giving any lessons in "democracy". And if there is no one running for a position (for whatever reasons) the only person running is acclaimed. Right now getting a leader in place so Canadians can get to know him has priority.

Mike in Colborne
said

Hey Iggy, force an election, get it over with... AGAIN.

Lorretta
said

The Liberals cannot afford an election,the public does not want one and IGGY will be watching his own back for the next 2 years....because of the back fighting...

DJC From Winnipeg
said

I still can't believe the attitude of the Liberal party. With everything that has just happened, they still feel they are entitled to be in power with or without the voters say. I am totally disgusted with the opportunistic opposition parties. They have no respect for the voters of Canada. They are truely the ones to be scared of.

LHB in Montreal
said

Whow another coronation - remember be last one - Martin. But there again the last time they had a Liberal Leadership Convention, the choice was rather dismal to say the least.

I hope Mr. Ignatieff is smart enough to ask his MPs to stand beside him instead of behind him. It is not as easy to be pushed of the Cliff.

That said, even as a strong consevative, there is hope that he will do what is best for Canada and work seriously and professionnally with the Mr. Harper following the tabling of the budget.

I hope he will use his stature to rebuild the Party, idiologically as well as financially.

This great Country cannot survive democratically or financially without 2 strong Parties.

Mr. Ignatieff you are reported to have written extensively about democracy, I hope you can bring it to your Party. I also hope that when you write your memoirs the title will not be (or should have been) *IT WAS NOT MY FAULT a la
Chretien*.

Also, as a senior who enjoy Question Period on TV I beg of you to bring back civility in the House.

Also, please do not use the old card of Harper lock-out
Paliament as we all know it always closes at this time of year to resume in late January. It is a dead dog and Canadians know it.

Howard
said

Let us hope that the Governor General makes a second good decision, and does not allow the coalition, backed by a separatist party and unable to function without it, to form a governemnt.

She MUST call an election if the coalition forces the Conservatives to fall.

The only precedent she has set for future GG's and PM's is that a coalition must not be propped up by a separatist party determined to destroy the country. No separatists, no problem.

Good for her. Now if the Liberals (who are already backing down and playing CYA, as they always do) do decide to 'take down' the gov't (Iggy's words), they will truly feel the wrath of the Canadian electorate, and we may just see that elusive and long awaited majority for Harper. I suspect Iggy already sees this, and is back peddling to get back on the fence. Let the budget stand or stay in bed with the Non Democratic Party, and spitefully take down Harper, economics and Canada be damned...

Richard L. Provencher
said

I get so tired of hearing Mr. Harper is a bully. Look at how Iggy and the backroom boys bullied Dion and Rae out of the way, without any input from the grassroots. Mr. Harper is good for the country and has steered it well in the face of economic chaos in the world. So far the only thing the Liberals have suggested is: they want to overthrow the government with the colalition support but no seats for the NDP, ha, how things change. Also the other point is they expect Mr. Harper to satisfy them (Liberals) or else. Such a lust for power. Let's call an election and get a Conservative majority so we no longer have to put up with all the games the Liberals like to play. And let's get those 19 Senate vacancies filled immediately with Conservatives to counter the 50 or so the Liberals already have.

JD Ottawa
said

Since many people on this Board seem to be very excited about Mr. Ignatieff's abilities and resume, could someone please tell me, in very clear and specific terms, what he can/ would do for the country as PM? If you are happy about him becoming leader then you must know a lot about his ability to lead.
To answer "he's better than Harper" is really not a very intelligent comment.
In my opinion, being a Professor just means you have lots of time to formulate an idea and then write about it. In the real world, you need to be able to act quickly and think "on your toes". Again, can someone please provide me with a clear example on his resume that will show he has these abilities?

Wayne
said

We have just had an election in October, can we now get on with governing the country and cut out the threats of bringing down the government!

Cambob
said

Finally, the Liberals can expose the Harper-Conservatives secret agenda! Evil Harper has spent the last 20 years reorganizing and strengthening the terryfying right wing lunatics through strong leadership, grassroots campaining and fair, open elections!
Harper should have been living outside of Canada during that time so he would know what Canadians really want.
Honestly, the Libs were torn apart by Cretien and Martin's little king feud. Dion proved so weak and inept that he signed a deal without consulting the major players in the Liberal party, then tendered his resignation in a grainy, late, "HOT AIR" video clip.
Now they have appointed Ignatief to sort out who gets life preservers and who they kick over the side of the boat.
I voted Liberal last time because I wanted a strong Opposition. I will vote Conservative next time because I want Canadian leadership.

VagnF
said

Ok so I could at least understand the agument with the coalition (even if I didn't agree with it).

But the liberals have 66 fewer seats then the conservatives and only got 26% of the popular vote. The liberals are out to lunch if they think they can form a government without an election.

Eastern Bob
said

Yes, According to Wikipedia Ignatieff was out of Canada from 1978-2005 and lecturing at Cambridge, Oxford and Harvard Universities. In 2005 he returned to Canada and ran for Parliament and almost became Liberal Leader. During the same time Harper earned 2 degrees, and was a menber of the PC, Reform, Canadain Alliance and finally the Conservative Party, with a little spell at the National Citizens Coalition lobby group for added measure. I'll take the guy who can make up his mind.

Emae New Brunswick
said

Interesting how polarized folk across Canada are on this issue. I don't support any particular political party and don't much care who the party leader is. When it comes to an election I look first at the people running in my riding and how well they know the local issues; then I look at the leader and how well he or she would govern Canada; I look at the party beliefs and the half-truths they promise. I balance this with my knowledge of Canada, where we sit in the world and how well any similiar policies to the ones proposed have worked in the past. In this case, we just had an election. After only a few weeks, with the world facing an unprecedented economic crisis, our PM gives us an update on the economy. I thought we'd hear how Canada was doing, where the problems were, and ideas on how to position Canada and Canadians to weather the storm. Instead, I heard a partisan motion that would have effectively eliminated any opposition party, an attack on worker rights (NOT that I am a Union supporter!) and an attempt to drive women's pay equity back to the dark ages. This was not what I expected from our PM. I am extremely glad that the Opposition parties came out strongly against him. If we as Canadians love our freedom, our country and democracy, we cannot support Harper in these actions. IF the coalition forms a gov't, I'd prefer that to going to the polls, it will be a shortlived gov't as the coalition likely will only survive 18 months. I have no problem with a party leader leading the country without an election. It's better than a dictator who muzzles MPs and the press!

lowell
said

I can't believe the comments on here. All of a sudden the Dion haters have suddenly become Ignatieff haters. As for not calling it a democratic process. For a harper supporter that is quite hypocritical. They were forced into a time crunch but did do consultation with all of the riding presidents, caucus members who are elected by liberals so it wasn't totally undemocratic.

GHW
said

If they vote down the budget and the GG offers the government to the coalition and if the country survives the unity crisis that would inevitably follow, in the long run it might be the best thing that could happen for the Conservatives. No government is going to stop this world wide recession. If this unpopular coalition takes over and the economy inevitably keeps tanking what do you think will happen to the credibility of the Liberal Party? If Ignatieff is smart he�ll let Harper run the government for a year or two and wait until the economy starts turning around then win an election. On the other hand if he takes control of the government via this coalition, in the next election he�ll be a somewhat illegitimate PM partially responsible for the recession.
It will sure be an interesting day in Canadian politics January 27.

Wes from Ottawa
said

I have to admit that Iggy is far better than bob rae and Dion, however I doubt that he will make a difference with the current economic crisis.

hollinm
said

"He's an international scholar, international well-known journalist, he's smart and he has around him hard-nosed political operatives who know how to play the game of politics," Fife said.

However, is he a leader or just a great b ser? That will be the test for Iggy. He may have all the right words but if he is typical of recent Liberals his rhetoric may not match his actions.
If the sole intent of the Liberal party is to bring down the Conservative government every chance they get that will not endure them to the Canadian public who want the government to function in the interest of all Canadians.
If Iggy continues in the Dion mould of threatening and then running and hiding he will be written off pretty quickly by the public at large.
At last the media has something to talk about other than how mean that Mr. Harper is. However, I would caution the media that their hyperbole could come back to haunt them. Take a breath boys and report the facts instead of inventing editorial comment.
Do you hear me Bob Fife?

Kim
said

Wow, what country do we live in again?
People think Harper is power hungry, this new Liberal leader new from the get go he was going to TAKE the Liberal leadership away from an elected one.
We Canadians really need to pay attention before we lose all our democratic rights.
WAKE UP CANADA !!

Colton
said

Here we go again:
We will take down the government at the first opportunity. ie when the polls favor them.
They don't need a coalition they can go to the GG and say they can form a government without a coalition. So after their throne speech the conservatives can go to the GG and say they can form a government and back and forth, makes a lot of sense, no new taxes, no hacks appointed to the senate, nothing extra for Quebec, no carbon taxes or Kyoto just alternate governing parties every month. Brilliant Iggy and the lib elites, still looking for a back door to get into office rather than have the people decide, oops I forgot you know better than us what we want.

dwigget
said

Well it looks like he's already mastered political double-speak - "defeat at next oppertunity", except perhaps not the budget if it's too their liking. Talk about redundancy... left his options right open.

I am baffled how the Liberal aristocracy sees it fitting to parachute in & appoint a virtual-American to the helm of their party and expect their grassroots to swallow it, especially as the Liberal party is the suppossed champions of a unique, non-American "Canadian identity."

My fear is the grassroots will hold their noses & tow the line.

We need MORE democratization in this country, not less. Last week exemplified that; this does not.

Looks like the next election will be "elitist Lib poster boy" vs. "incumbant control-freak Con meanie". Great options, Canada - we can pat ourselves on the back for this one. Oh, Canada....

Joe P
said

What this is all about is the Liberal's scrambling HARD to get in place for when the economy starts to bounce back, so that they can take the credit.
The economy will bounce back regardless of what the heck our gov't does, it will bounce back with the US's. This is all forecast by the economists, and the Liberal's will do anything to say it was them.

Ronald in Toronto
said

Please note: Right out of the chute, the newly-coronated leader of the Liberals states the primary directive is not to assist Canadians in the proper governance of the country, but to take the government down.

This, in order to replace an elected government with one made up of jilted losers and separatists.

One can only imagine the map in the Liberal offices. That would be the one which stops at Thunder Bay and has another enormous gap where Quebec used to be.

Plus, given the plotting was in full force (look it up) well before the Conservatives even approached the House with a statement, the attempt to make this fiasco/farce Mr. Harper's responsibility stretches the appreciation of all but the most indoctrinated members of the choir.

PB - Toronto
said

I have learned one thing from all this mess. Minority govenments are usless. I have heard about Harpers Bullying but I bullying can be defined as "If you dont do what WE want we will bring down the government". Where is the cooperation I keep keep hearing about? Painfully obvious none is coming from Liberals or NDP and more so even less from the self serving seperatists. So, lets brinjg down the govt and start all over again so we can do this all again at the next throne speech. I see no end to this, unless of course the coup occurs.

What's Next
said

The dumb Liberals continue to shoot themselves in the foot.Ignatieff,their newest leader is the same guy that was defeated by Dion.If thats the case Dion was preceived to be a better chioce.So he combined with Dirty Jack and Duceppe are even worse than before--Right???

Larry NL
said

Just listening to Mike Duffy interviews -- the Liberals are at least willing to hear what the Conservatives next budget will be.
The NDP on the other hand do not even want to listen. As far as Jack Layton is concerned, it is his way or the highway. Jack has to be the sneakiest Canadian politician we have ever had on the hill.
He doesn't have a plan for the Canadian labour force that will ensure people of jobs in January, February etc.. He just wants to through tax dollars to people like the CAW and other unions.
If the Liberals and the Conservatives can reach an agreement to help the financial situation, it may restore some faith in our governments.
As far as Jack Layton is concerned, we don't need his type of dishonesty anywhere in our country.
Ed Broadbent was the best thing that ever happened to the NDP. Jack has put the NDP in the sewer.

Greg - Signs and Wonders
said

Question is.....

Who's spending Christmas at Storoway?

Mr. Dion or Mr. Ignatieff?

Ed. Dunchurch
said

Anyone who watched Mike Duffy Live last night would know that the Liberal Party is broke. They simply cannot run an election campaign in February / March 2009.
It will be very interesting to see if Michael Ignatief rolls the dice with the coalition in January and vote against the Budget and risk an Election being called.

lawabidingsimon
said

The Tories behave like the ancient Romans.
" Divide et Impera "
Divide and Rule.

They opposed the coalition by pitting the West against the East. The Quebec separatists against the Federalists.
Now they preach about Rae versus Ignatief hoping to split the Grits.

Pathetic !!!

Alex (Toronto)
said

Harper engineered this political crisis as a way of using the economic crisis to attack his political enemies. Conservatives wanted to force an election when the Liberals would have been at their weakest. LeBlanc and Rae wisely put their personal ambitions aside for the good of the party and the country, perhaps knowing that the party membership would not forgive them for dividing the party when they most need unity. The party clearly supports Michael Ignatieff, from the caucus down to the membership, and the only purpose of running for leadership now would be to position themselves for the next leadership race. Liberals have responded effectively to the crisis that Harper has created.

As indicated in the comments here, Conservatives would have preferred to face Mr. Rae, who would have been the weaker opponent for them. But Conservatives don't get to choose the leader of the Liberal party.

If Harper had a lick of sense, he'd be on the phone to Ignatieff to work out a compromise budget that included progressive priorities, in order to salvage his budget and his government. More likely, Harper's ego and anger issues won't allow him to treat Ignatieff as a peer, so Harper will refuse to negotiate and instead offer a few progressive-sounding sound bytes, along with his usual ridiculous last-minute surprise, in the hopes of bullying the opposition. That tactic will probably not succeed the way it has in the past.

Spud Light
said

I am a lifelong Liberal, but I am deeply disturbed by the deplorable treatment of Stephane Dion at the hands of his caucus.

Although I was dismayed (though not surprised) by the results of the last election, the Cons must be allowed to do what they were elected to do. The fact that we came this (||) close to a coalition should at least transmit a message to them that we ARE paying attention, and are rather disillusioned by their inaction with regards to the hot button issues of today.

Larry from Saskatoon
said

Indeed we have a level playing field, two center parties with two capable leaders prepared to duke it out for the next election. Perhaps now we can return focus to policies and political issues instead of personal attack adds and attack policies form both sides of the house.

Ed from BC
said

So the Liberals thought Dion was good enough to be PM of Canada, but not good enough to lead their party.

I wonder if Ignatieff will continue using the term "we" when he is talking about Americans, since he considers himself one.

Steve - Toronto
said

I think this is good for the country. I am in no way a Liberal fan, but at least Ignatief will not be fooled by Layton's quick talking and big words. Obviously Layton was able to fool Dion into thinking he had the Liberal interest at heart. Ignatief will be a much tougher sell. I doubt he will join forces with the dark side. The one true blessing from all this is the Sheila Copps is once again a part, albeit small, of the political talk. Just goes to show that cast aside politicians never really die, they simply wait for a crisis to re impose their idealogy on the world.

Peter from Alberta
said

Oh come on people, its not anti-democratic... they all knew he was going to win, his opponents said so themselves when they dropped out. They needed a leader ASAP because Dion was a huge scare for people and really polarized the country.

Ken in BC
said

Right after the last election Rae & others were quoted as saying that they were going to form a coalition.

It had nothing to do with Harper not being able to get along with the opposition..it was the coalition's power grab.

Just what did the Liberals & NDP put forth regarding the budget that Harper rejected?

It is a myth that Harper is hard to get along with..the Liberals, NDP & Bloc got along with him for over 2 years when it suited their needs but not necessarily Canadians.

The new leader of the Liberals will meet with Harper work out a budget or enough opposition members will cross the floor to vote with the Conservative on the new budget in Jan.

The Liberals will do anything to avoid a new election.

The Governor General will not permit the coalition to form the government period.

Dan in Alberta
said

What is it that you think Iggy will do for the people of Canada ? The only thing a Goverment can do is create an enviorment that will allow business to create jobs. In the 90's the Japanese goverment tried all kinds of stimulas packages to boost their economy. The only thing that had any impact, but took awhile to take affect, was the infastructure rebuilding program. Canadians seem to forget about all of the liberal scandals that happened when they were in power. Harper's Goverment hasn't had a scandal, dropped the GST from 7% to 5%, reduced the deficit, brought down the debt and was willing to cut public funding for political parties including his own party. This is obviously a bad goverment. Harper needs to have a scandal or two and send us and our children into further debt in order to be on the same page as the Liberals. I know that the people in the East are hurting but throwing money at a World Wide Economic situation without knowing if it will work is just plain irresponsible.

Steve H.
said

What a performance by a party that supposedly are the champions of democracy in the western world. Ignatieff gets the crown and Bob Rae gets the shaft. The Liberal grassroots are gonna be heard from come next election or maybe they'll stay home like they did last election..........Steve...

My Fellow Canadians
said

And the Liberals claim that Harper is hard to get along with when they form a coalition withe NDP & Bloc, try to get power by the back door, backstab Dion & parachute Iggy in as leader.

Iggy will meet with Harper come to an agreement on the new budget so the Lying Libs can avoid an election that they will surely lose.

The Lib Fibs haven't got the balls to take it to the people of Canada for a vote.

Alberta Believer
said

"Who is Michael Ignatieff, you ask? Hey, weren't you the same guys who were asking the question "who is Obama". If you listened to the news for the past 4 years you would know who Ignatieff was. I'll give you guys a clue - HE'S THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA."

Pat from Mississauga, Iggy (likely your MP) is NOT Mr. Obama, nor will he a relatively uninformed MP on domestic issues cannot carry a debate or the day here in Canada.

You people from central Canada with your voting habits amaze me. You vote Liberal provincially, federally and you're proud of it.

Ever wonder why you're now a HAVE NOT province??? Thank about it.

PJR
said

I would rather have a Prime Minister who once lived among Americans than one who aspires to be one.

How will Harper screw things up next?
said

He always manages to prevent government from working.

CG in NL
said

Well done! And while some may call it undemocratic - let me say desperate times call for desperate measures and Michael Ignatieff is the only man that could bring this 'broke, and (formerly) rudderless party' back to the forefront - which he will do in quick time. He's also more than capable of keeping Harper in check.

Les
said

Its not just that the other candidates dropped out, but that they gave everyone the gag order so that they could bring in a new leader now instead of waiting for a convention. There was no opportunity for the candidates and candidates to be to come forward, lobby and sell themselves. This is hardly democracy. Michael Ignatieff has walked into the leadership of the Liberal party without one vote from the Liberal grassroots. The coalition government would be led by Ignatieff as Prime Minister without earning one vote from Canadians. Mandates are earned not taken. Canadians ought to express their will through the ballot box, not have it tossed aside through backroom deals!

Mary in Calgary
said

Doug on the Island: I feel your comment is way off base. The west does not want to be the main priority. The west wants to be considered, period. After Trudeau decimated the west with his myopic energy policy, (from thriving to rampant business closures, unemployment, bankruptcies and all the social costs those entailed, and no bailouts for our crushed industry) we are within our rights to want proper representation. It's taken a long time, much sacrifice, endurance of trimmed government and fiscal restraint, and many years to build ourselves back up again.

Anne M
said

Could we PLEEEEASE have the media stop kissing the Liberals butts, and have them focus on what needs to be done by the Liberal party to rebuild. Pleeease stop villifying Harper and demonizing the man, he is the best PM for the times we are going through. Iggy's vision should be on what he will do to build credibility for the Liberals, and NOT on overthrowing the gov't.

Chris Hodgson in Ontariariari-oh!
said

Does anyone really know who this is Ignatieff guy is? The liberals crown him king without barely any involvement from their membership.It' just so elitist,the guy is supposed to be some "super intellect" who has been abroad.Sound's like something out of storybook.The truth is ,the guy has been out of Canada for nearly forty years and is parachuted in like some knight in shining armour.These pompous asses in the upper echelon's of the liberal party need to be kicked out on their ear and get some grassroot's organization happening or they're going to increasingly alienate their membership(those few left)and further destroy the liberal party.This fracturing is not healthy for the country as it will only continue to cause instability.

Jim Edmonton
said

I will not lift a finger to help or donate a dime more to this party because of it's denial to the grassroots! This is a scam on democracy, and I have torn up my Liberal Membership Card Today!

Kirk Duff
said

Picking an interim leader in this fashion is normal. The convention in May will confirm it. Nothing wrong here. Lets get on with our lives.

Mat
said

Wow, I truly wonder if the Liberals are aware of what the word democracy really means. While I can't remember the last time I voted for the Conservatives, I do know that they were the party who had more votes than anyone else. The liberals then chose to override the will of the people of the country by trying to stage a bloodless coupe, now because their general was a problem for power, they then staged another coupe within their own party to replace the guy who can't achieve power. The antics of the liberals over the last month have confirmed one thing...I will NEVER vote for the liberals ever again. I thought I lived in a civilized country, trying to ignore the votes of the people and manipulate away power from the government who were voted in by the people so you could have it your selves is not what my county stands for. Can't you please shut up, suck it up and get on with working in the best interests of Canadians (not yourselves).

Sandy
said

When you take the time to learn about this man, you can't help but be impressed. He brings a lot to the table.

Michael (Ottawa)
said

Canada needs two VIABLE parties and currently we only have one.

I will continue to support the Conservatives as they represent the best most reasonable option for Canada despite all the noise being made by NDP supporters and several lost Liberals.

Hopefully Iggy will tighten the bolts on the liberal ship and avoid any rush to power like the mistake Dion made as it will surely render the same results. The Libs need to clean house and rebuild. They need to get rid of ideas like the Green Shift which was being proposed David McGuinty who is somewhat short sighted on the subject.

Iggy is good for the Liberals and hopefully in the long run he will be able to draw this fractured aimless party together and present a credible alternative which it isn' at the current time.

Ed, Toronto
said

Iggy (no disrespect - he called himself that in his campaign literature) was parachuted into my riding and has almost never been seen here since. Except in the last campaign when he nearly ran me over in his Mercedes while talking on the phone. He claims to live 15 minutes from the riding by subway, though I doubt he's ever ridden one. He doesn't even show up anywhere here for photo-ops.

When i first heard him on a TV call-in show, I figured he was doomed, because he actually answered questions. I respect that, but successful politicians never give straight answers. He's learned to be more political, but mostly by parroting the line of supporting the leader. He's apologized for his support of the Iraq invasion and also (in a Macleans interview) for publicly calling himself an American. But I think that, given time, he'll put his foot in his mouth again. He's lived a life of privilege, in ivory towers where you can speak your mind. Now that all eyes are on him, I have my doubts about how he'll work out. Maybe if he runs home to America we might finally get a real rep here in Etobicoke-Lakeshore.

Adam
said

Since this is white noise basically, instead of a huge oppertunity to advertise with a leadership convention allowing canadians to get to know the leader. It appears the liberals are eating just out of the big conservatiove plan for them. The liberal party is in major trouble right now and needs a saviour, that is not the harvard intellect igantiff (or however his name is spelled out, How does he repreasent the average canadian?., we will never really know since he was handed leadership. If anyone gave me 50000 for leadership id run (though i dont think id be allowed by their delegate system). You have to have some sort of leadership race, otherwise its just an unelected appointment. Dark times are ahead for the galatic liberal empire.

A Guenther
said

All I gotta say is thank God the BoC is separate from the government, otherwise Harper would still be denying the recession. I am so sick of Harper and his con jobs and honestly, I have to wonder why people fall for it over and over again. Liberals don't seem to me to be much better, especially with Dion gone, but time will tell I guess.
Where is the integrity? Where is the honesty? Where is the hope?

Mike S (ontario)
said

I'm glad it is not Bob Rae at the helm of the Liberals. I would have feared that he might almost bankrupt Canada as he did as the Ontario NDP leader when his party was elected.

Peter in Edmonton
said

Ctl+F and search this page for, "Steve the Pundit". His post is dead on. The Liberals have lost the the centre to the Conservatives and the whole "unite the Left" mantra is not what most people in Canada who arent currently 21 and attending University are listening to.

John in Toronto
said

This man has participated in politics for 3 years and has set his sights on the PM office? That has to be a new record. What ever happened to paying your dues, gaining experience, and laying solid foundations of political knowledge? I am not denying Mr. Ignatieff is well educated and well spoken. But some of his colleagues must be gnashing their teeth at how he has gained so much power in so short a time

And exactly how long did Harper serve in parliament before he became PM. Not even 2 yrs so again, it's OK if a Conservative can do it but not OK if some one else does it. TYPICAL

Scot
said

So much for Bob Rae's fight to the end. Not surprising
that Bob Rae withdraw his name from the leader's race,
he know he is a weak leader,
just like when he was the NDP premier of ontario. enough said of Bob Rae.

Murray from Saskatchewn
said

Harper is back at it again, saying that he will work with the opposition parties regarding the current economy. Harper said something similar in his acceptance speech after the election, but instead he decided to use his economic update to gut the oppostion parties which got us into the mess and created the coalition.
It is all about Harper first and Canada second. Harper still hasn't appologized to the Canadian public for creating this mess.

George Harper
said

3 days after the election Harper used the world economic crises to not fulfill those election promises. It is now going to be 105 days after the election that Harper is going to table a stimulus package that he hopes get voted down. NO PLAN HARPER RIDES AGAIN

eskiefan
said

Whoa! Democracy is not well served here. In fact it is completely bypassed. It's frightening to think an unelected government with an unelected leader could assume power in Canada. If this is a legal loophole, the law has to be changed to prevent it. Canada is not a corporation where someone can be "fast-tracked" to a high position; it's a country where the leaders are supposed to be voted in by the people.

Valerie in Brantford
said

Ignatieff has no integrity, sneaking in the back door like that! Just because he's got a great education doesn't mean he will represent Canada well........oh yes, he'll represent us all the way to the "state senate" and Mr Obama!(sell out Canada)

Doug on the island in BC
said

Go elected senate. Thats whats really still missing. Its exactly what westerners have asked for the last 30 years. An elected senate ( and one properly distributed ) would have taken the sting out of the whole affair. Instead we have...a senate full of appointed as in not voted for, liberals. Zero conmfort for those not sold on the Libs hidden agenda."

What the west asked for? I thought this is a country that involves all the provinces and not just the west. I live in BC, and let's be clear on this - the senate the way it is does no harm to us. Also, let's remember that Harper now needs to APPOINT to the senate with new members to get things his way, and I have a sneaky feeling that they will be CONS. In the end, it will always be the same story. The CONS and their supporters are former Alliance/Reformers who want the west to be the main priority (unless Harper is looking for votes in Quebec, and then he'll throw money there like he did soon after the first election he won). Furthermore, with all the west talk, we are seeing the agenda of the west (ie, Alberta) looking to separate from the rest of Canada. Does this make Albertans separatists? And if so, what does this make Harper... GASP!!!

ben
said

Although the liberals have a lot of problems, Michael Ignatieff is a great speak, smart and often has great policy initiatives. I often thought that he should have won the liberal race for leader over Stephen Dion. Personally if I had to choose between a NDP/Liberal coalition or a Harper conservative government, I would choose the coalition.

Corey
said

I am not a huge fan of the libs, but I kinda like Iggy. He is a centralist leader and thats what the libs need. I don't think that he was a huge fan of the coalition and he will work with the cons to make something work.
I don't have an issue that he spent so much time out of Canada. It shows that he has foreign experience. However, if he was running for the cons, he would be heavily critisized for it. The left makes a huge deal about any leader that is not from the east. They should try looking not at geography first, but ability. I woundn't really care is someone was from the moon, if they are the best fit, that is the person whom should be chosen.

Steve G
said

I can see by many of the postings here, that the Harper cheerleaders are cowering in the fetal position now.

It'll be entertaining watching Iggy mop the floor with Harper during QP and debates.

Dave in Cold Lake
said

Great, I suppose we�ll all have to bow and call him your royal highness. King Iggy will just parachute in and save the Liberal party from all their worries. At the moment he�s acting all coy about the coalition, but no matter what the Conservatives put in the budget, it�ll be �Harper gave me no choice� and they will fall. I�m sure the Liberals won�t spare a single Taxpayer dollar at Iggy�s coronation as PM.

George Harper
said

70,600 jobs lost in Nov alone, I wonder how many will vote conservative? That is 2353 jobs or 2353 votes the Conservatives have lost a DAY. 105 days since the election to put a stimulus package in place. Wow I wonder how many seats Harpo has handed the Liberals??

Sue
said

Amazing how fast the liberals can work & work together! Harper said canada is doing fine we don't need to do anything, give your head a shake! Harper has also also has shown he can't work with others so the only way this country can move on is to get rid of Lame Duck Harper.
Micheal Ignatieff is a gift from God! Go Coalition!!!

ASpenc
said

If this guy is truly a centrist and does not get in bed with the left or the BQ I could be convinced to vote for him, the same way I voted for PET and J. C. in the past. But if they go with this wicked plot to form a coalition with the BQ as support, all bets are off. That will be a naked power grab without consideration for the future of this country. Do the right thing Iggy and you will make PM some day. Otherwise, your stint as coalition PM will be short!

Ken - Calgary
said

It's not Ignatieff's fault that all of his competitors dropped out of the running. If he's the lone candidate, there is no need for consultation with the party. Now please, would you right wingers stop your whining, and maybe look at replacing your own leader?

George Harper, Toronto
said

Glad to see the Liberals have shown two things of late.
1) they can work with the other parties something Harpo can't do.
2) the Liberals can act fast for the betterment of the country putting ego etc aside.
Harpo used the world economic crises to break in 3 days after the election his election promises. Yet has taken 105 days to bring forward a stimulus package. Almost 1/3 of a year after the election he acts??!!??? I feel Harpo didn't have a plan. His plan was a majority GOv and it didn't happen and now never will

Steve the Pundit
said

I think a lot of the people posting comments here have a poor knowledge of history. The Liberals have traditionally done best with the electorate when they have straddled the "centre" of the political spectrum, moving slightly left or right, whichever way the electoral winds are blowing. This is how the same party can advocate increased government spending and running surpluses in the same breath.

One of the (many) reasons causing the Liberals' current electoral woes is the fact that the Harper Conservatives have made a determined (and successful)effort to take that middle ground. Dion, unwisely, chose to move further left, allowing Harper to consolidate the Conservative position astride the centre, and creating this mpression of the need to "unite the left".

Despite the electorate's flirtation with left-of-centre, big spending policies, most Canadians largely reside in the middle, and Liberals traditionally have had more in common with the Conservatives near the middle than with the NDP to the left.

I suspect Ignatieff will set aside all this "coalition of the left" nonsense and begin to attempt to retake the middle, which will ultimately lead to an electoral battle between the middle-left and middle not-so-left, leaving the NDP, Greens and the Bloc to fight for the crumbs. Should be one heck of a dust-up!

Don Dundas
said

I am willing to give Ignatieff a chance. Two requirements that are non negotiable for my support are: 1) Mr. Rae has left the Liberal Party and 2) Mr Ignatieff distances himself and the Liberal party away from the coalition.

Pat_from_Mississauga
said

I see the CPC blog operatives have been hard at work this morning. Who is Michael Ignatieff, you ask? Hey, weren't you the same guys who were asking the question "who is Obama". If you listened to the news for the past 4 years you would know who Ignatieff was. I'll give you guys a clue - HE'S THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA.

Shannon
said

This man has participated in politics for 3 years and has set his sights on the PM office? That has to be a new record. What ever happened to paying your dues, gaining experience, and laying solid foundations of political knowledge? I am not denying Mr. Ignatieff is well educated and well spoken. But some of his colleagues must be gnashing their teeth at how he has gained so much power in so short a time.

As a supporter of PM Harper, I hope there is a Conservative majority in the next election, with Mr. Harper at the helm. But I do think Mr. Ignatieff will make that goal a much more difficult task for the Conservative party.

Scott in Halifax
said

For Marc in Halifax, if your math is correct, then you would also know that 73% of Canadians did not want the Liberals in power. Wow. That's more than 62% isn't it.

Mike in ON
said

MHB - what does Ignatieff have to do with immigration?

At 61, Mr. Ignatieff has lived and worked outside of Canada for the majority of his adult life. Now, he wants to return, and show what a 'great Canadian he is,' despite the fact that this country was obviously his 3rd choice for employment. He may be an academic, but as recent history has shown, academic intelligence doesn't necessarily equate to common sense. He also has no political experience prior to 2006; so you've got the new leader of the Federal Liberal party, with next-to-zero experience, wanting to become PM? And that doesn't CONCERN you?

Kerry in Calgary
said

What a farce. First they lose the election, lose seats, and decide to expel their leader Stephane Dion. Then, they decide to team up with the Bloc and NDP and have their expelled leader Stephane Dion as the leader of the coaltion and PM if they trounce the government. Suddenly PM Harper pulls a fast one and prorogues parliament, add to that the fact that the majority of Canadians are outraged by this "coalition" and their desire to overthrow the government in what is a Bloddless coup. Now, they step back and say "Hey we don't want this loser Dion as our leader, let's get ridd of him." Then, instead of a democratic vote within the Liberal party to determine a new leader, the "central" core group in Ottawa and the caucus decide Ignatief is the new leader, a man who hasn't even lived in the country for the last 20 years. WHAT A CIRCUS!! Pundits can say what they want about the Conservatives and PM Harper, but at leasat they're organized, professional (forgot to mention Dion's Youtube tape, not much professionalism there)and have their act together. The Liberasls continue to look like a junior Pee Wee hockey Team, trying to compete against the Stanley Cup Champions. I truly hope they vanish into obscurity.

bunny in bc
said

He was parachuted into a 'safe' riding.He said he didn't want to be our PM at one time, he has lived in the UK and The Us more than he ha lived in Canada.He uses the royal WE when talking of the US.It seems to me, this man doesn't know much about Canada.He an prove me wrong of course, by not going along with a colalition.But so far, if I were a betting person,,I would say that would be wrong.

Cass B., New Liskeard, ON
said

Michael Ignatieff was out of the country from 1978 to 2005. Why? Because he was a professor at Oxford, then at Harvard. His job took him out of Canada. He travelled the world. The point is, he came back to Canada. Also, why are many of you so contrary to having a scholar as leader? I think he will be a great leader for the Liberal party. He's exactly what the Liberals--and the country--need right now to counter Harper.

Linda in Vancouver
said

If this is democracy as defined by the Liberal party I'm glad I quit.It's also amazing how people east of Manitoba think tha Harper is a bully.Really?? Have you ever read a newspaper or watched a debate during the last few decades and even wondered why western Canada doesn't vote Liberal??
Duh!! Hello.Get in the game people.BULLYING was invented in central Canada by the Liberal party.Trust me,if Harper has to fight fire with fire,don't be surprised.
I have no personal axe to grind with Ignatieff.But he's just another Ottawa insider.One of the elitists acting as the front man for the same corrupt and power hungry party that I quit 5 years ago.
"Canada's Obama"??? You have got to be kidding me.What are people smoking back there??
I certainly have my issues with Harper.But the Liberal party is a joke.And the idea of a coalition just goes to prove it.And nothing will change until Liberal supporters do the same thing I did.QUIT defending bad policies and bad leaders.
Even if your point about Harper not being a leader was true,how is a Liberal descent to the lowest level of behaviour going to be an improvement for the country?
I was Liberal.Now,I stand with my western Canadian neighbours.If he can rebuiod the party,good for him.But until he proves it,the west MUST NOT allow a return to the dictatorship of central Canada's Liberal Party.
REFORM THE SENATE OR FREE THE WEST!! CHOOSE !!

PrairieDog- Dean R.
said

I am a Tory supporter. Please...believe me....I am anything but "panicked" or "worried". Ignatieff is not a proven man under the extreme pressures. He is just another academic that thinks he knows what's best for the public, instead of listening what the public wants. It is a cycle the Liberals seem to enjoy being in. Harper's dirt is on the table. All politicians have it.....let's see what gets dug up on Ignatieff. It has not even begun yet.

Prime Minister Harper is still # 1
said

I LIKE THE CONSERVATIVES AND I LIKE PRIME MINISTER HARPER TOO.

Good luck Mr. Ignatieff, you certainly have your work cut out for you not having run anything before and taking on this disorderly aimless Liberal party whose dubious track record of theft and scandals are still much in the forefront of voters minds.

shelley
said

Look up Mr. Ignatieff on Google and see how diverse this man is. I would be nothing but proud to see him as our next PM and for a very long time. He will run circles around Harper and the gang.

Marioi Novati
said

Good! I like the decision by the Liberal to put Hon. Michael Ignatief in power. I think he will be a good
Prime Minister of Canada. Please stop fighting and start to work for the new Prime Minister.
Let's stay all together united under this new Chif. Thank you.
Mario Novati

Mark Noble
said

At 61yrs, he's almost as old as Mulroney, McCain and Martin.

Too bad he didn't try being PM in his prime. How can someone who preached to students become a PM? Just because his resume looks brilliant doesn't mean he can't run the country. He's another elitist and even more academic than Dion. I'd be surprised if Canucks vote for him next time around.
Worst of all, I see him as a foreigner as do most other Canadians.

Cale
said

Canada's next Obama?? You've GOT to be kidding.

Sarah Palin's got more governance experience that Mr. Ignatieff.

Bob Rae would have been a much better choice - at least he knew that the party needed to get back to its grassroots.

Mr. Ignatieff is a silver spoon, and elite who will NOT relate with the average Joe of this country.

Of course he was parachuted into this position. I sure didn't get asked if I supported this decision.

How many other liberals here were? Let's see a show of hand?

Nick in Sudbury
said

If Ignatieff is the great leader the Liberals claim then why haven't the Canadian public heard anything from him in the last few weeks?
Does he support or reject the coalition? (we know he signed it because the NDP keep reminding us)
What are his views on the global recession and what does he think government should be doing?
He's been silent.....not a word from this "great leader"
At least Bob Rae had a voice.

Tom in Calgary
said

Want to take over the government without an election? Go Liberal/NDP

Want a party to tell you who you want to represent you? go liberal!!!

All these Einstein's throwing percentages around?

Go elected senate. Thats whats really still missing. Its exactly what westerners have asked for the last 30 years. An elected senate ( and one properly distributed ) would have taken the sting out of the whole affair. Instead we have...a senate full of appointed as in not voted for, liberals. Zero conmfort for those not sold on the Libs hidden agenda.

See a Liberal pattern here? Don't let anybody vote for anything democratically and spew as much hate at the government leader as you can in lieu of policy. Bush is gone? Aim at Harper!

If this new "Obama" LOL wants western support he could try to steal the Elected Senate policy from Harper. He'd be taken more seriously then. Of course based in Toronto he won't know which way west is.

John in Toronto
said

The posters that say this is undemocratic and wrong in the way the leader is being chosen need to realize that if the Tories were is this position they would do EXACTLY the same thing or be sent to oblivion.The tories are worried now because they don't have a lame duck to knock around anymore.
Well, they still have Harper I guess.

Gerry M. NL
said

For anyone who don't know Ignatieff, it's because they are not familar with the party. Ignatieff was always involved with the party and i congratulate him. Wonders never seem to cease with this great party and this time we have another great leader whom i supported and i exspct will serve this great country very well. Thank you Gerry

MHB
said

I am entirely sick of these comments tragetting Ignatiff because of the period he stayed in the US. Now, let's give some rather new info. to our Cons. Canada has Laws!. These laws determine who can be a prime minister and who can not!. Mr. Ignatiff meets all the legal requirments so he can be our next prime minister!. Wake up Cons, this is not Canada as it used to be when we had the head tax on the Chinese immigrants!. Half the population of Canada now are immigrants. Go Micheal and let's send Harper home before the end of January!.

John in Toronto
said

Wow, over the past two days it looks like we have a lot of worried Tory supportors showing up now. What's wrong now,is there now somebody as the leader of the Liberals that will actually stand up to your boy Harper becuase we all know Iggy can run around Steve-O in the brains department.Keep bashing the left Harperites, it's only making it that much stronger. We'll see how the polls reflect this change and I'm betting there will be quite a big difference between last week's numbers and this week's.The more you bash the stronger we get, so bash away, it's working.

UNITE THE LEFT

Popo
said

He'll move the party more towards center, which is the opposite of what Rae would have done and an undoing of some of what Dion's done.

He's only being named an interim leader for now... we all know where the "undemocratic" comments are coming from, Conservative supporters who are still angry that they could lose all their power. Who's power hungry now?

Ignatieff will do a better job of keeping Harper in check than Dion or Rae ever could. Plus he's charismatic and he doesn't have Rae's record... all around, good things for the Liberal party.

Tim McDermott Rawdon NS
said

If Mr Ignatieff is supposed to be the panacea that turns around Liberal fortunes, there are going to be a lot of disappointed card carrying Liberals out there for a long time to come.
The Liberal Party is broke, rudderless, and bereft of any meaningful policies and goals.
Mr Ignatieff might be smart, but that does not make him an effective or experienced leader, and it will not fix the Liberal party for years to come.
I think the Liberal Party has shot itself in hte foot with the coronation of Mr Ignatieff.

Sandra
said

What a crock! The guy leaves the country for 30ish years, then returns to magically become the leader of the Liberal party and potentially the PM of this land? Exactly how does this happen? Canadian politics are a joke. No wonder no one in the world takes us seriously.

Matty
said

The word "crowned" was used and being a liberal he now thinks he is King of Canada. No doubt he figures the minions below him should bow and vote him in during the next election. A shinning example of what the libs truly think of democracy.

Shirlee - SK
said

Would be nice if the new leader has a sense of co-operation. Lets focus on Canada without anymore declines.
Actually with the gas prices down, and as long as you have a job, things are good right now for some of us.

Gid'day
said

Perhaps some dialogue is now possible between the 2 leaders, Harper & Ig. At least Ig hasn't called the PM a liar every sentence, thereby sealing off any reasonable discussion.

Maybe Canada can win this time.

Heather
said

Ignatieff SUPPORTS the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Is no one concerned he'll send OUR troops there????

Showdown coming to the hill
said

The leader that should have been chosen the first time around by the liberals finally gets the job after the Dion "ordeal". Just in time for the budget and ready to bring the house down. Perhaps the liberals should just forget about consulting their members when it comes to choosing leaders, in case they decide Bob Rae would do a better job. Harperites are getting nervous, it would seem... and they should be!
That budget better be sweet candy cane!!!

Canadian
said

It seems to be a change for the better - but doesn't it seem like he's spent more of his life living outside Canada as opposed to inside it??

Jane from Deep River
said

I am amazed at the number of people who feel the Liberals will put a muzzle on things. Harper has one of the worst track records for muzzling his mps, and locking out the media by refusing to allow them to ask questions. This man has been acting and reacting more and more as a dictator rather than an elected member of parliament much less Prime Minister. He has a minority government - the minority part which he has refused to acknowledge. He makes laws (i.e. no elections can be called before a specified amount of time has passed) and then is the first to break the very laws he made. Whispers of a past U.S. President "It isn't breaking the law when the President (Prime Minister?) does it."

Ron - Halifax
said

Surprise ! Surprise ! Looking at all the comments, my only conclusion is that all the Tories think selecting Ignatieff was wrong and all the Liberals think it was right. I doubt there are many non-partisan comments !

Anthony
said

Perhaps Mr. Ignatieff will be more rational and reflective, than hasty Layton or uncaring Duceppe,
that is to try to make our Parliament do, what these people are paid for - work !
Rae as a finance minister ? Good luck, Canada !

Jack - Barrie
said

At 61 Ignatieff has spent 30 years of his life out of the country. He returned in 2005, jumped into politics and immediately made a bid against Dion, for the leadership of the Liberal party.

With no political experience, he now intends to lead the opposition through the worst crisis to occur in Canada, since Heaven knows when.

Way to go, Liberals!

Tim in Smiths Falls
said

The good news is Dion is gone. It's too bad it took him so long to realize he had lost. Too bad we can't fire the whole lot of them and ban their political parties forever. We have to get rid of the mindset that exists within all the current political parties that their only job is to vanquish the opposition, no matter what the cost to the country. Their job, of course, once the election is over, is to research, consider, debate, enact and enforce legislation that serves the people. We have people that can do that. Unfortunately, people of that calibre would not want to serve under the current throat-cutting, self serving system that currently exists.

Bernadette
said

He is another desperate for power and will jump into bed with separalists to. Pathetic, when he lived out of the country all his life now he wants to be the Prime Minister of Canada. Tax would go up like grazy if we would have another Liberal government again and Liberal debhs would be paid in no time with Canadian Tax Payers money. Wake up & smell the coffee, Canadians.

Jeet
said

The Lieberal farce continues. Those on the receiving end of the largesse will love it. Go back to the States and leave us alone. Western separation may finally happen.

Nannie
said

This is the best thing for
the Liberals at this time.
It isn't about Stephane Dion, and Bob Rae, it is about the economy and Canada.
Politics is a rough life and if you cannot take the heat stay out of the kitchen.
Mr. Ignatieff will be the best hope against the Conservatives.
Perhaps, the elected government will do the right things for the country now that the new Liberal leader is on an even playing field.
By, the way, I voted for Stephen Harper but I am not impressed with his performance at this time of economic uncertainty.
I will be closely watching Mr. Ignatieff.

mpdman
said

Don't the other members of the coalition get to vote on the libby�s leader? After all, Jack and Gilles have to nod to everything the libby�s leader says for a few years.

Actually, I am surprised the Libby executive even allows you people to post individual opinions on this site. Soon, all of your views are to be programmed and decreed by those 77 MP�s (Members of POLITBURO) meeting in that smoke-filled room in Ottawa.

Goodbye Democracy � Hello Lib-Orwellians.

Deejay
said

Hopefully this will be the end of Jack Layton & Bob Rae's attempt to hijack the Liberal Party through the facade of forming a coalition.
Maybe now we can get back to governing this country from the centre

Socialism is killing us
said

So the Liberals have an unelected American who hasn't lived in Canada for 30 years leading them. is that the punch line?

Steve in Fredericton
said

Everybody say hello to the new boss... same as the old boss.

There's simply no chance of any honour with any of these "front runners" or "insiders". The fact they are being "chosen" by just a few party brass is a slap in the face to the average Liberal supporter. Take a stand Johnny Grit, tell these Liberal elitists once and for all they can't push you around. Next election, vote ABLNDP (anything but Liberal or NDP).

Larry Lefty
said

As a card carrying Liberal, I want a say in who my leader is going to be. Don't try to stuff this guy down my throat!

Rain (Vancouver)
said

At the end of January, we might have a PM who was elected by nobody, spent 30 years outside of the country, has zero experience managing anything, representing a party with no policies, and willing to hand over power to separatists.

Wow... you couldn't make that up.

Jim - Sarnia
said

The problem in this nation right now stems from ignorant citizens as much as anything else.

Some of the things people write on here is unfortunate. Individuals need to start exploring topics and thinking for themselves. Imagine how great it would be if the comments made on stories like this were actually worth reading.

Marc in Halifax
said

In the US, voters elect the President seperate from the party ...

In Canada, voters elect the party, *not* the leader ... except in the Conservatives case, where there is no party, just the leader with a bunch of toadies ...

For all those out there that have problems with math: ~62% of voters in Canada *rejected* Stephen Harper in the last election ... 37.6% voted *for* him ... 26.2% voted *for* the Liberals ... in fact, if the Liberal/NDP voters actually worked together, instead of seperately, that would have garnered 44.4% of the vote *without* the BQ being involved ...

Add the Green into the mix (remeber, Liberal/NDP/Green all sway the same direction, onto to different degrees) and you are up to 51.2% of the vote ...

The only reason Harper is having such an easy time of it is the same reason the Liberals did for so long ... the Political Left right now is split amongst *3* parties ...

What should worry Harper *isn't* this Coalition taking him down ... what should worry Harper is the 51.2% of voters that *are* on the Left lining up behind the next Liberal leader in order to ensure that he doesn't get in again ...

37.6% of voters really isn't that much ...

Tom
said

This is great news for the country. The Liberals are a lot stronger. This man is intelligent with great organizational skills. The right wing will bring out their personal smears instead of discussing ideas, but Igantieff's communication skills will rise above the dirt.

Jim in Ontario
said

Liberal insiders are dictating who leads the country without consulting the public through an election sounds like a dictatorship and not a democracy. Who are these people anyway??

New leader - maybe a new attitude in Parliament
said

I certainly don't agree with the Liberal party on many fronts and I think they are really screwed up right now but I'm glad they have settled on one leader they think they can be happy with for now at least.

I would like to see the Liberals return to their centrist roots as they are little more than a socialist wing of the NDP party currently.

Canada needs at least two strong parties who cater to mainstream interests of Canadians. We don't need the Greens as environmental issues are now squarely on the table and having that extra party only ensures more chaos and fractious minority governments.

I wish Mr. Ignatieff well and I trust he will cooperate with the Prime Minister in making this Parliament work for a change which wasn't possible under Mr. Dion.

Caper-
said

Harper and all his puppets had better be worried! No way are you going to be able to BULLY now!! Liberals are set to be off to the races! Now Harper has made the Separatists alive and well in Quebec he is in trouble there too!

Peter Medicine Hat
said

Who is Michael Ignatieff? Born in Toronto on May 12 /47. Move to the USA 6 weeks later. Ask to return to Canada in 2004 and run for the Liberal party. This is a great country, you can be Prime Minister in just 4 years. Just another Liberal blunder.

Just go to google and type in who is Michael Ignatieff it gives picture and complete history.

DRH
said

Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick....This is a virtually unknown in the Canadian political world as he has only shown up on the radar in 2005. That being said this man has little to no experience in politics and could be a ticking tome bomb for the near future. So the liberals expect another scholar thrown into the mix, to be the saviour of all us dumb canadians? Come on people its obvious this is the only the next sacrificial lamb in the long list that the liberals have waiting. With them joining hands with the NDP & Bloc heads, they will never garner any momentum or progress until they distance themselves from those leftist gorrillas. Sorry liberal supporters, Harper in a landslide next election.

James
said

If I were Harper, I would be placing a phone call to Ignatieff seeking his support on the budget.
For in Ignatieff, the Liberal have instance credibility, improved fundraising among numerousother benefits. I have seen Ignatieff in the House and his verbal jousting skills are formidable and he is understandable. This is a leader who the Liberals, NDP and Bloc and all Canadians can rally around in the face of the despot Harper.

Doug in Dartmouth
said

Maybe now we can move away from the rhetoric and deal with issues for the good of the country.
The deferring of the right to strike had a lot of merit. Employees don't want strikes;unions do. Contracts are often negotiated without strikes. If your contract is coming up and you fear that a strike may happen, you are likely to save, not spend. Whats the point of stimulating the economy on one hand, and having people afraid to spend. Secondly, strikes put a strain on the social system, such as food banks. Thirdly, if there is a strike, afterwards, people are behind in their payments and it takes months to recover, further restricting the abitity to make new purchases, etc.

tp
said

And you call Harper controlling?

LF
said

I can hardly wait for Bob Rae to be the next finance minister. Then all Canadians can get to experience Rae Days just like Ontario did. The Liberal party will get out of debt, our whole economy will be ruined, and Bob will have a change of heart and switch to another party.
I love Liberal democracy. They don't even kiss you when they do this to you!

Eddie
said

I love it the professor is being replaced by the professor from the US. They dictate to their masses who is going to be incharge while complaining about democracy. That party is dead in the water. All hail tovarisch Layton and his new party that will come out of this.

Harvey Bergen
said

The (admittedly)few liberals west of Kenora are wondering whether the Liberal party is aware that they would also like to have an input into the selection of a leader - which this process definitely did not allow.
Now we get back to the reality of the liberal policy - throw money at a problem rather than a reasoned response.

Samual
said

Micheal Ignatieff is Canada's Obama, it's amazing how quickly the liberal party works.
Hopefully Lame Duck Harper is replaced with a coalition

Mario - Rockland
said

Good, done... Now let's get down to the business of being Honourable Members, shall we?

Mark M
said

"limited consultation..." Yep that pretty much says it all!

snugglebear
said

Does anyone know this man and how he magically got in with the insiders so fast?

Mandosa in Sarnia, Ontario
said

Great, now you can get back to the business of breaking our democratically elected government.

Ronald in Toronto
said

So, this is how the champions of "democracy' operate. Why am I not surprised - again?

This reminds me of the individual who disrobes in front of the plate-glass window while calling anyone who notices a "voyeur" or worse, a "peeping tom".

Profile

Who is Michael Ignatieff?

In many ways, Michael Ignatieff is an unlikely political player.

CTV Video Player

Mike Duffy Live - Wednesday, Dec. 10

What does Michael Ignatieff's acclimation mean for the coalition and the Harper government?

Press conference

Interim Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff takes tough questions from the press at his first conference as leader.

Today's Politics Stories

Quebec student strikes, tuition fees, Montreal, Quebec

Most Viewed News Stories

View More News Stories

Most Talked about Stories

It is about time - as a grandparent I have watched our kids (who were allowed to fail although I do remember some nagging on our part) learn, I have watched our children now micro-manage their children. A big part of it is the fact that there are predators out there and an extreme reluctance on the parents part to alllow freedom that might result in the children becoming victims.

Harvey

Parents must learn to stop meddling, author urges

Got something to say? Share on CTV News

Pick your location

Politics -

News Sections

News Programs

Features

Browse: