Liberal MPs Trudeau, Rae dismiss NDP merger talk

The Liberals' interim leader says Canadians still want a government that cares about jobs and health care, and a government that will invest in people, the environment, and work for social justice. Rae also says the want a policy that is built on science, not whim, prejudice or ideology.

CTV News Channel: Justin Trudeau, Liberal MP

The Liberal MP for Papineau, Que. says he has not been convinced that a merger between the Liberals and the NDP would be a viable or desirable option.

CTV News Channel: Tasha Kheiriddin and Scott Reid

The hosts of the upcoming CTV's National Affairs discuss whether the Liberals will be able win back more voters and if Bob Rae should stay as the interim Liberal leader.

Canada AM: Bob Rae, interim leader

The interim Liberal leader says with so much uncertainty in the U.S., the party's top priority is to create an economic strategy that keeps the economy fully employed. He also explains how the Liberals have enough seats to still make a difference.

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Liberal Leader Bob Rae delivers a speech during the Liberal Summer Caucus on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Aug. 29, 2011. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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CTV News.ca Staff

Date: Mon. Aug. 29 2011 9:01 PM ET

Canada's opposition parties are focused on the future, as the New Democrats begin a new era without their charismatic leader Jack Layton and the Liberals renew their objections to merging the two parties together.

New Democrat staffers are moving into offices on Parliament Hill on Monday, where they will serve Acting Leader Nycole Turmel when Parliament resumes next month.

Until recently, the offices were populated by Liberals. But they are being claimed by the New Democrats, who are serving as the Official Opposition for the next four years.

While some pundits have suggested the Liberals should consider merging with the New Democrats to form a stronger alternative to the Conservatives, Liberal MP Justin Trudeau said that such a merger "is not in the cards."

Trudeau said that the Liberals are in a time of "re-think" and need to figure out a way to get back into the political game after suffering a historic defeat in May.

"We need to make sure that we're starting to connect with people," he told CTV News Channel from Ottawa. "But I've never been convinced that a merger is a viable option or a desirable option."

In fact, Trudeau said that the only people talking about combining the parties are reporters.

Brad Lavigne, NDP's national director, said the party is eager to return to Ottawa and to make their late leader proud.

"The party has never been more united than it is today. We've never had as much resolve," Lavigne told reporters in Ottawa on Monday.

"And we've never had such clarity of purpose as we do today coming out of the wonderful outpouring of support for Jack and the family."

Yet after the tragic loss of Layton, who died just a week ago, the party now finds itself dodging questions about who will pick up the leadership mantle from the late NDP leader.

Layton penned a deathbed letter in which he recommended that Turmel stay on as temporary leader until New Democrats elect a permanent successor.

But talk is already rampant about who could be in the race for the top NDP job, with several names emerging as possible leadership candidates. So far, Deputy Leader Thomas Mulcair and party president Brian Topp are two of the most oft-mentioned names.

Toronto-Spadina MP Olivia Chow, the widow of the recently deceased NDP leader, is also rumoured to be a potential leadership candidate.

CTV's Mercedes Stephenson said the early word is that no matter who succeeds Layton in the long term, the next leader will be obliged to continue to uphold the values that resonated with voters in the recent election.

"What NDPers are basically saying is that they see themselves as moving forward on the same values that they came to Official Opposition status with," Stephenson said.

"And that is their social democratic values. And they are saying that really, in particular in Quebec, this is what made them popular."

The New Democrats soared to new heights in the May election, seizing dozens of seats in Quebec and securing Official Opposition status for the first time ever.

Liberals look ahead to future

While the NDP saw new levels of success at the polls, however, the Liberals experienced new depths of failure.

Now a third-ranked party in the House of Commons, the Liberals hold just 34 seats and have been forced to take a hard look at what has made them lose support from Canadian voters.

A series of meetings taking place this week will focus on the rebuilding efforts that lie ahead for the Liberals.

On Monday, Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae said the party needs to change its ways.

"I think we really have to recognize that the party itself has to change, the party has to improve," Rae said.

"We've got to do a better job communicating with the public and communicating with each other."

Rae also dismissed any talk of a merger.

"People are free to talk about whatever they want to talk about, but it's not on my agenda at the moment. I think we really have to focus on the Liberal party."

Rae also dismissed any suggestion that the Liberals will be left out of the limelight in the fall, as a result of their diminished status in the Commons.

Pointing to the fact that New Democrats were able to have their voice heard in the last Parliament, Rae said the Liberals will be able to do the same.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Bob from Sask.
said

Simple backdoor politics by desparate liberals. Why did Bob Rae take on interim leadership? Thinks he can appeal to disgruntled, power hungry liberals. Layton would roll over in the grave. Liberals just don't get it. Let Harper get the job done.

The Big Cee
said

Notice how there are only two sitting party leaders right now, or to put it another way, only two parties actually have a leader in the house, that being the Conservatives and the Greens. A good time to be a conservative, with the top three opposition parties leaderless. Anyhoo, the current issue, isn't one. It's pretty obvious to me that Rae just "brought it up", hoping for some positive spin on it, considering how he can't be the actual leader of the Liberals but a Liberal/NDP coalition, that's a leadership position old Bob could step right into! Just an election away from Prime Minister Rae! Why would the NDP even consider it? I can see the editorial cartoon now: an NDP fortress with Bob at the door, holding flowers! Some people are just so bewildered and desperate, it's pathetic, really.

MARG MM
said

Whether the Liberals and NDP merge or not, it probably won't make any difference. The Liberals have gone too far left, so a merge with the NDP would be feasible, but there would be many Liberals that wouldn't be comfortable as "socialists" and Canadians won't accept a socialist Government any time soon, preferably never. Unless the Liberals try to find a place near the centre, they will continue to be irrelevant. Meanwhile, the Conservatives are doing just fine, and unless they "screw up" bigtime, will likely remain being the Government for some time to come.

cfs_Alberta
said

The NDP will fizzle without Layton. This is definitely a one off. What do they have to offer Canadians? The Liberals need to get rid of Rae and find some true leadership and they will be back. All the ND s in Ottawa should only be renting.

RandS
said

Hey Bob...it's not on the NDP agenda either...after all you LOST!!!

LorraineH
said

As much as I'm annoyed with the Liberals (Federal and Quebec Provincials) I shudder to think that the choice for governing Canada would be just between the Conservatives and NDP. We need a viable Liberal party.

Liberal politicans need to stop talking just to each other and go back to the base (individual ridings) and ask their constituents what they envision for Canada and what they want the Liberal party to stand and fight for. They don't need to communicate to the public they need to listen to the public.

Listen to what we say and then build your Agenda. Don't make your Agenda and tell us what you think we want, need or can afford.

If Rae wants to focus on what the issues that matter to Canadians, he needs to ask us what those issues are.

Steve in Vancouver
said

Of course there is going to be no merger of the NDP and the Liberals. The NDP got rid of Rae and they do not want him back. Rae sunk the NDP ship in Ontario and now the NDP are quite content to sit back on their shore side chairs and watch as Rae sinks the Liberals.

ouifyg
said

Prof Pye Chart has it right again. The liberal party should be ashamed for progressing the current values of the voting public, whatever they may be. That's not democracy! Instead they should be like the harper conservatives and push their own party agenda regardless of what the electorate thinks! That's how our voices are really heard!

Mike Beard
said

No, the NDP don't want these bums. They're fine on their own.

remi from mtl
said

I think some of us are speaking to soon on what will happen on the next election. Harper will be most likely to screw up now since he has a majority that last until 2015, and who knows, maybe the liberals will have a better leader, a better vision, and will be a better alternative for the conservatibe governement.

TwoDogGuy
said

The Liberal party is wondering why it los so manyt votes? The answer is simple. Most Canadians do not have any sense that the Liberal party has a connection of any kind with them. The party seems aloof, disinterested and lacking in empathy in the average Canadian's real needs, desires and concerns. No relationship with the average Canadian and unable to distinguish themselves from the Conservative party,.

Steve
said

The majority of Canadians have always voted liberal and always will. Harper was voted in by only 25% of eligible voters, as soon as the liberals get acceptable leader they will be voted back in and Canada's economy will once again be roaring forward again.

Bulldog
said

It would only serve the best interests of Canada if the NDP and Liberals do merge because it would then expose the left as the ineffectual gong show that it is, thus insuring a very long Conservative majority era.

back and to the left
said

Prof., move on, your repetitious message is old and boring.

TheOtherLowellInBC
said

For those of you who think the conservative party will be ruling the day for the foreseable future, there is a flaw in your reasoning and that rests south of the border. Currently running for the republican aka conservative party leadership are what I am charitably going to call right wing nuts. They stand on ideology that is acceptable only to a small class of americans and their comments grow nuttier by the day. When people start comparing those folks with their canadian counterparts, the harper glow will begin to fade if it hasn't started already.

allan
said

The NDP, as ridiculous as they are, would not want to be even more ridiculous with some of the Liberal members! Especially Bob Rae

Status Quo Quinn
said

The truth is social liberalism is dead as a doornail in Canada and elsewhere. Liberalist countries in Europe are the ones with the serious debt crisis. Coincidence? Not! Liberalism in the form of the democrats in the United States is literally destroying the US economy. Everywhere you look liberalism is a nagging problem except in Bob Rae's world where he says it is enjoying vitality !! Someone please speak to Bob and wake him from his sleep!! Beyond liberalism we have the NDP whose motto is "relativism for the masses" where truth is whatever you want it to be "as long as we have love, love is all you need". Deja vu? The NDP kind of love doesn't pay my mortgage nor feed my kids but it would spend all my money in the form of insane tax hikes.

Jack - AB
said

I prefer they do not merge but with Canada's electoral system it is vote splitting that determines which party wins majority. Notice how the Conservatives are the single party on the right. A multi-party system can never work fairly unless we switch to some type of proportional system and this is never going to happen under Harper. So, if they decide to stay separate then 1 left wing party will have to dominate the other lefty parties and maybe have to win back couple of voters from the right too or else Harper could govern us for many years until he makes a big mistake and people vote him out.

Gary
said

Portraying Prime Minister Harper and the Conservatives as the "Tea Party" north will get the Liberal party nowhere. Canadians are smarter than you think Mr Rae!

Chad in London
said

Now that Jack Layton has passed away, Bob Rae can run for the NDP Leadership...like he should have in the first place.....Good luck to him though..Ontarians have good memories and are still getting over your stint (and stunts) when you Premier.

Longleanlezzi
said

Hmmm. It's an article about the liberal party, yet there is still bleating about the "loss" of Layton. What ever happened to responsible reporting?

Tom
said

gregorydThe Conservative and Reform parties did not share the same ideology. I remember Mr. Harper wanted to fire wall Alberta. I do not recall conservatives supporting that idea. The merger was made because it made political sense .The Liberals will not need the NDP . I believe the Liberals will bounce back over the next four years. If you did not know ,Mr. Layton was a member of the Liberal party earlier in his political life.

lc
said

It took wandering powerless for more than a decade for the right to come to their senses and unite.The left appear to be in the same dilemma with libs clinging to the faint hope they will return to the glory days and the NDP believing they now have a clear path to power.Both parties unrealistic expectations must be making the cons grin from coast to coast to coast.Unite already!

Mary
said

I agree with JIB that the PCs have indeed done much to strengthen our economy, but Harper and his cronies seem to forget that the people of this country are more than just machines born and bred to keep the wheels of the economy turning. Have any of you right weenies bothered to notice the gradually worsening state of our education and health care? I remeber seeing a skit on an episode of THH22M poking fun at the fact that Harper may indeed love Canada, but hates Canadians... never were truer words spoken.

spaz
said

@ Pye Chartt.....The proof of your argument is before us today here in Ontario. Dalton has done nothing but tell lies and find new ways of taxing. Members of his own cabinet where such dismal failures...take the E HEALTH scandal, and David Caplan for example.......the seemingly endless debt retirement charge on hydro. Now.....after 2 terms of taxes, Dalton now wants to buy us with our money....like his newest plan......have doctors make house calls....if you can not get there....they will come.....Pathetic.....after 2 terms that the best he can come up with ???......is it just me, or should Dalton just leave the building ????

ouifyg
said

Just because the old centrist conservative party merged with an extreme right wing party when they lost big in the election doesn't mean that the liberals should now merge with an extreme left wing party. The centre is where it's at and the liberals should stay there so we can have a balanced approach to our country's future once Canadians come to their senses and realize that any extreme views are bad ones.

Chris
said

This is the last breath of the lib party... RIP liberals...

Kevin
said

The Liberals still don't get it. They still think it's a winning strategy to portray Harper (and by extension the 39 per cent of voters who identify with him) as scary extremists.

Rajinder
said

When the Liberals were decimated after the last election they were pointing to a merger but now with the passing of Jack they have conveniently changed their mind. What ever happened to having some core principles and beliefs and sticking to them instead of all this political opportunism.

peter in mb
said

"Bob Rae says NDP merger not on 'agenda' for Liberals" I say Bull S�t. for the last 17 years iv seen the liberals say one thing one day only to flip flop the next day. The fact this is in the news means they are thinking about it. Sorry fibreals but this "Neo-Con" knows you far to well to believe anything you say. Sorry Bob but your party has a long list of lies and broken promises, a very long list at that! and I will never vote for your party again like I did in 1993.

ChrisC, Burnaby
said

I think many rural conservatives will be rethinking their vote when they're sitting in a prison cell for 6 to 12 months because someone threw a few pot seeds on their property and found themselves legally in possesion of a gro-op.

Prof. Pye Chartt
said

As the Liberals have no governing ideology, and have long merely been a shameless party of self-interested, power-hungry vote grubbers who stick their wet finger into the electoral wind, adopt those convictions that are seemingly most popular, purposeful, and expedient, and morph into right-leaning or left-leaning parliamentary pirates when their righteous duty of engrained entitlement calls, I see them as easily bumping the winner-by-default NDP out of Official Opposition next go around. (Michael Ignatieff was a flaming failure, and Quebec is simply having fun strutting its stuff in a new pair of leisure pants.) The reason that I have no respect whatsoever for the Liberal Party of Canada (it stands for nothing, and its only "vision" for the country centers on being in control of the governmental glory) is the same reason that it will likely find its way back into the hearts of ideologically-challenged Canadians. We like to mix things up; not because doing so makes any political sense (in fact, the tugging back and forth degrades our national progress and development), but because, as they say, a change is as good as a rest...when you don't have a compass and don't know where you're going.

GUTSHOT!! in Thunder Bay
said

The Liberals are done because Canadians grew tired of them TELLING us what Canada wants. The NDP will (and have been) follow the Liberals course of self destruction. The Right Wing will rule because they are listening to Canadians instead of talking to them. Bob Rae and his party STILL have not yet realized that fact.

Les from Alberta
said

Bob Rae and Mark Holland... the dinosaur and the extremely ignorant ignoramus..... and the party wonders why the Liberals are going no where fast?

gregoryd
said

Bobby boy tried to form a coalition and I suspect that is one thing that contributed to their demise. If they were to merge I think both the NDP would lose in the long run. There are members of both parties that would leave from such a merger. The merger of the conservatives and reform is different in that their ideology was the same, whereas with the NDP and Libs it is not.

KJ in Kingston Ontario
said

The thing I like about multi-party politics is it gives a place to groups like Green Party of Canada where they can't do a lot of harm -- look at what a small faction like the Tea Party has done to the Republicans in the USA. A two party LEFT/RIGHT model can have serious negative issues --- the strength of Canada's system is it pulls toward the centre and not the lunatic fringe.....

Chris, Alberta
said

Canadians didn't choose a conservative government - get over that spin. Far more Canadians want something other than the Conservatives. Certainly the Conservatives won under the current FPP system but please don't spin that into saying it's what Canadians want. The numbers are VERY clear that isn't true. Besides which despite all promises to the contrary, the Conservatives are playing the game just like the Liberals did. Old school Canadian power politics. It is time for a change. I had hoped that Jack would bring us one...now I'm hoping that someone else will. I'm sick of the same ol' Ottawa BS

GRK from Oakville, ON
said

Remember how bob rae screwed up Ontario as premier way back when........need I say more? A liberal or ndp government is the worst possible thing that could ever happen for our great country. Canada deserves much better than that...... thankfully we have a strong majority Conservative government.

Robert B
said

UMMMMM, isn't Bob Ray an former NDPr? Has he been reformed!!!??

KC BC
said

It seems to me that Canadians have made their choice and want a centre right government for the next while at least. The Liberals could fill that space in the future and cannot ever be counted out. I think the NDP caught the sweet spot in the last election and will decline to where they were before. The Conservatves will be the only buffer against tax, borrow, and spend progressives and hopefully Canadians will continue to resist the temptation to fall for the wonderful promises of utopia and 'free Lunch programs' offered by the left. We just need to look at progressive Europe to see what damage the left can do!

bcken
said

Ray's got the right idea, maybe the first good one a Liberal leader has had in a long time. Forget merging with anybody, start focussing on your base and start working hard for them and your constituents.Let's face it. The right has shot its wad in this country. The CPC lucked out with a majority when the country turned its back on the Libs and split left and right May 2.If the Liberals want back into power, it's there for the taking, but they have to roll up their sleeves and work for it.

DEZ
said

Thank you for taking the time to write and express your views regarding a coalition. Please accept my apologies for the delay in my response, with the session winding down I am taking the opportunity to catch up on past mail and to update you on our Party�s parliamentary work.

Specifically regarding the Liberal Party, as you know, we did make every attempt to advance a progressive agenda that in the end was not supported when Michael Ignatieff took over the Liberal leadership. Since then, Mr. Ignatieff has been dismissive of having any arrangement with the NDP.

I want you to know that I have always approached politics with the hope of finding common ground on important issues and feel confident that my public record (both civic and federal) shows this effort. In Parliament, New Democrats have shown a willingness to work with all parties to get things done for Canadians. As recently as last week, I reinforced our commitment to cooperating with other parties in an interview with the National Post. I said:

�We�d rather see the House of Commons getting things done. Probably more than any other leader, we�ve shown a desire to work with others in the House to try to get some practical results. But it takes two on the dance floor and we�ll have to see whether there�s any willingness on the part of other parties, particularly the government, to respond to the issues we�re raising and work with us on them. The budget will be one of those opportunities for the government to show whether they are listening or not.� (National Post � December 15, 2010)

Moving forward, I can assure you that myself and my team of New Democrat will continue to put practical results ahead of reckless political games. The following link highlights the work our team has carried out in the past year: http://www.ndp.ca/press/2010-layton-reviews-year-achievements. I also invite you to watch my recent interview on CTV�s Power Play where I reflected on the performance of our party in 2010: http://watch.ctv.ca/news/#clip390572

Again, thank you for taking the time to write. Please know that myself and my team of New Democrat MPs will continue to work hard to earn your confidence.

Best wishes for the holiday season!

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)

Leader, Canada`s New Democrats

Diane
said

If the state funeral we saw Saturday was in any way representative of what the NDP represent then I unequivocally want nothing to do with the NDP party. That said, there should be no way the once centrist Liberals unite with the left winged pan-ideological extremists. What I saw was inclusion at the expense of truth and that is not what Canadians want nor represent. Liberals need to redefine who they are and what they represent and hopefully not just another NDP left wing variant.

Paul
said

If the Liberals EVER want another shot at government, they gotta get rid of the old baggage, including Bob Rae. He will NEVER be elected Prime Minister. And they have to shed the left wing slant they got by cozying up the the NDP. They need to rebuild with fresh meat and represent themselves as the truly centerist party. If they do that, they will win.

Lil
said

Wake up, Mr. Rae! You'd better put party ideology aside and do the right thing for the Canadian majority lest we'll be stuck with Steven Harper and his henchmen for the rest of their lives. For the sake of our children, we cannot allow that.

Jon in Burlington
said

I Love reading the dribble you left leaning weenies go on and on about. Harper won the majority vote because most Canadians believed we stay the course on the economy we as a country will be ok. Iggy screwed up because his only theme was "fear Harper" and Jack "no disrespect" only got the seats he did because Quebec was fed up with Duceppe and his constant threats to our nation and looked for a and alternative, he was it. it will be and interesting 4 years. I am glad we have Harper at the helm.

spaz
said

The easiest way for Bob Rae to feel like a somebody again.....to run for leadership of the NDP........wonder what it is like to a an "interm leader of nothing "......

joe canada
said

A merger is about the smartest thing the liberals could do. If they get together with the NDP now it gives them time before the next election to get their platform up and going. I always voted liberal, last election i switched to NDP and don't plan on going liberal until they have MAJOR changes in that party. This would be a step in the right direction.

B.J.
said

I agree with Raj. The Liberals and the NDP are not worth mentioning. The current government is doing well, the country is doing better than most other Western nations, so why rock the boat. Bob Rae is a has been, the Liberals need to focus on a brand new leader, someone with vision, leadership and someone who will listen to the Canadian people for a change. I dont know at this time who that would be, thats their job. They need new blood, and get rid of the "old foggies".

francis in Cranbrook
said

If the Liberals and NDP were to merge, why not include the Bloc. The tri-party would have Quebec sewn up - BUT not much else in Canada.

SF Thomas
said

I have no idea why the media seem so determined to bring up this idea over and over. Neither party is interested in a merger, particularly at the present time. The NDP is going to be focusing on their leadership race and how to keep their party together without Jack Layton as the leader. They may also have to deal with increased media scrutiny that they aren't used to now that they are official opposition. The liberals in contrast are focusing on trying to rebuild their party since they finally have the time without the threat of an imminent election. Counting out the liberals at this point also isn't a good idea. While it is true they lost a lot of 'moderate to center right' support it would be very easy for some of the support to trickle back if people become unsatisfied with the conservatives. The NDP base also isn't rock solid, they attracted a lot of new voters but they are not necessarily dedicated voters which will vote the same way next time.

TEA from Sask
said

Why doesn't Bob Rae run for the leadership of the NDP? He changed parties once, so what's the problem with that?

GUTSHOT!! in Thunder Bay
said

What difference does it make? The needly leftists will always vote left. Theyre too lazy to improve their lives, so they cry for government to do it for them. Face it. The right wing won. The right wing rules. Now the farther the Conservatives take us to the right, the better off we'll all be. Eventually when the left wing grows up, they'll realize that we're supposed to vote for what's best for the country, not for whomever promises them more laziness. Thankfully, the right wing won.. and will continue to do so. The left is finished for the next couple of decades, and as long as people like Bob Rae and Olivia Chow rear their heads, the longer we will live safely under the right wing ideals that built this country.

Jim-Surrey
said

When are the Federal Liberals going to accept that RED IS DEAD??????

Ivan
said

The Liberals would be smart to take a back seat and get their own house in order. Let the NDP flounder with all their neophyte MPs and be the target of Cons. attacks. People will be looking for an alternative next election. It could be the Liberals. Of course, they do run the risk of the NDP doing better than people expect. But that's politics.

Michael W.F. Miles Victoria BC
said

I hope they never merge.
I don't to see any more.
After the HST disaster in BC I would think NDP is a shoe in on the next election

Jeff
said

If the NDP merges with the liberals... you will find there values will become more of a 'left' point of view. And if that happens, the conservatives will become more right wing. bottom line - it will be clear choice for canadian political system - left or right.

Justin
said

Bob Rae - former NDP premier of Ontario.Current leader of the federal Liberal party. lol.Family friend and past boss of globalist - on the run - Maurice Strong. Wolf in sheep's clothing.

Doug ^^^ BC
said

I have to agreee with a few of the points made by "conductor274".A united left would have likely contributed to the Conservative win. But I find it stragne how convenient is was for the "conductor" to leave out so many reatively important facts.The most obvious being that almost no Liberall election victories came with a majority of the votes.50% f the popular vote is extremely rare in Canada.Is it now a fact that all those Liberal governments were illegitimate as well.Or does that rule only apply when there is a Conservative win. Also,I do not think you can assume that all Liberals would support a party that resulted from a merger with the NDP.I was a life long Liberal until I felt betrayed just once to often.But I dod not move to the NDP,I moved to the Conservative Party.And believe me,there are "conservatives" in the Liberal Party of Canada.While thier voices have been silenced by the socialists in the party, I do not believe you can count on them to move to a "united left":.Particularly if socialist policy rules the day. For my part,I hope they do not unite.For now,I prefer the policies of the COnservative Party.But in the future,that may not always be the case.If the Liberals re-invent themselves as a truly centrist party,I can consider returning to that party in the future.If the parties unite under one left wing banner,my ONLY option is to stay with the Conservatives.More socialism is not an option in this family. What is unfortunate for the LPC,is that they may have missed their chance to claim the centre in federal politics.Harper is on the right,for sure,but close enough to the centre to satisfy Liberals with a non socialist perspective.

MikeW
said

Nothing wrong with the current Federal governemnt. They are doing a fine job. Libs and NDP are both dead in the water. Rudderless ships going nowhere fast.The Cons will have a majority for the next 8 - 12 years.Although i do predict that the NDP will drop like a stone once the blind in Quebec see that the NDP can do squat for them

Jim Latimer, Toronto
said

I don't know why the media are making this an issue. When did anyone propose that the NDP merge with the Liberals even though the Liberals had over a hundred seats and the NDP only had 12 or 13 seats?

Brad in ON
said

Do the Liberals really need another election to tell them they need to throw in with the NDP? If they don't merge together I hope in the next election the LIberals are blown out of the water completely. Just get it over with.

Bob,Calgary,Alberta
said

No one should ever count the Liberals out. They are a party with the best record in the Western world at winning elections. They also have no real political philosopy and will do and say what is needed to pull the wool over the eyes of Canadians. Bob Rae is an experienced politico and has the smarts and charm to sell the Liberal party. The NDP in contrast are a disjointed gang of unionists, social workers, teachers and quasi separatists who have now lost their best salesman. I know who I would bet on and it's not the NDP.

T Lee Humphrey
said

That's what the leaders of the Reform / Alliance Parties and the PC's used to say until they got thumped 3 elections in a row and realized that if they ever wanted to form government they had to unite the right... the LIbs and NDP now have to unite the left. Mr Chretien won 3 majority governments never having received a majority of the votes cast in fact he received roughly the same percentage as PM Harper just received in 2 of his 3 majorities so if the country actually wants a majority government to reflect a majority of voters you can't have 5 Federal parties or we can accept that we'll be governed for 4 yrs by a party that achieves 32-35 per cent of the popular vote.

Jon in London ON
said

What a year in Canadian politics! The Greens - a leader with no party, the NDP Orange - a party with no leader, the Liberal Reds - the party that got kicked out of the house, and the Bloc Yellow - the party that never seems able to build a house.

conductor274
said

It's time to wake up and grab a clue Mr Ray. Harper and his attack machine (Sun Media) won't stop and they have captured a majority government with a minority of the votes. The NDP, Liberals and the Green party need to stop fighting against each other and realize you represent the majority of voters in Canada. There's not a lot of difference between you three but there is a common thread, an agreement that you all represent the center left in this country. Don't you realize the damage Harper and his far right wing religious nut jobs are going to do to Canada? You already switched parties from NDP to Liberals so how hard can this be?

My own opinion
said

I would suspect that if we were dealing with a minority government, this would be a concern, but since Harper has complete control over pushing his "protect Canada's wealthiest" agenda through parliament, let the Liberals and NDP utilize this time to elect leaders without the pressures we've witnessed in the past, and strengthen their parties so that in four years when Canadians have had it up to their eyeballs with their foolish decisions in the last election, they can for once make a truly informed voting decision in the best interests of the country and all Canadians.

Raj
said

I think we have a great PM right now, We have a government that seems to run well, I really don't think what these two parties do, or, don't do for the next couple of years even matters.

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Labour Minister Lisa Raitt appears on CTV's Power Play on Monday, May 28, 2012.

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