WORLD> America
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WORLD> America
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Canada government may seek to suspend parliament
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-03 15:08 Budget Promised from Jan. 27 Harper, facing his worst crisis since first winning power in January 2006, has promised a budget for January 27 and could seek to shut down Parliament until then.
Opposition legislators accused Harper and his ministers of employing dangerous rhetoric. "They're trying to burn Canada in order to save it," said New Democrat member of Parliament Peter Julien. If Harper lets the confidence vote go ahead, he would face a strong likelihood of losing. The Canadian capital has not seen such tension and political uncertainty since a failed 1995 referendum in Quebec on whether the province should break away from Canada. Under their coalition plan, the opposition parties promise to present a major economic stimulus package as well as help for the struggling auto industry. The parties said the new prime minister would be Dion, who led his party to such a bad defeat on October 14 that he has promised to quit once members choose a replacement in May. The proposed coalition government would stay in power until at least June 30, 2010. Media reaction has been largely negative. Columnist John Ivison of the National Post said the coalition would see Canada becoming "the world's coldest banana republic". But the Globe and Mail, which endorsed Harper in the election, ran a lead article savaging what it called his "horrendous miscalculations" and suggested he consider quitting. It also said Dion was "a humbled and defeated party leader ... (who) has never earned the right to govern." The Conservatives hold 143 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons and need the support of at least one opposition party to remain in power. The Liberals have 77, the Bloc has 49 and the NDP has 37. There are two independents. |
