Politicians weigh in on coalition government, suspension of Parliament

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This week's announcement of plans by the Liberals and NDP to form a coalition government has local politicians weighing in on what the proposal means for Canadians.

The coalition could have brought down Stephen Harper's Conservative minority government in a non-confidence vote that was originally set for this Monday.

However,, Governor General Michaelle Jean decided Thursday that wasn't going to happen for now as she granted Harper's request to suspend the House of Commons until the Jan. 26. The Conservative government is set to present its budget the following day.

Longtime Beaches-East York MP Maria Minna said that the coalition between the Liberals and the NDP was inevitable because the Conservative Party refused to collaborate with the other parties, especially when it comes to dealing with the global economic crisis' impact on Canada.

"(Stephen Harper) didn't even try to talk to the opposition," Minna said.

"He's governing as if he's a king or the president of a state. He basically ignores the existence of the opposition."

Her primary concern with the Conservative government stems from what she called a "real lack of communication," which Minna said leads to a lack of trust.

"We cannot have any confidence in this Prime Minister."

Minna, who said that she has a responsibility to her voters to provide good government, said the decision is a simple one. "We have two choices, a coalition government and an election or give Harper absolute power," she said.

Minna also said that a coalition government would send a message to the world that Canada is an experienced democracy that demands a strong structure.

"I'm not concerned about the perception of instability," she said, noting that the federal Liberal Party has a strong team. "We have a tremendous amount of expertise."

Marilyn Churley, a former local NDP MPP and cabinet minister who ran unsuccessfully against Minna in the last federal election, agreed.

"Since the Obama election in the U.S., the George Bush/Karl Rove style of politics is over and somebody forget to tell Stephen Harper," she said, adding that politics in Canada is no longer boring.

"He asked for this. He poked a stick in the eye repeatedly of the opposition knowing full-well that he's in the minority."

Churley said the only instability she foresees is if the House of Commons has a protracted break.

"I'm hoping for a quick resolution," she said. "We've got good stable government now. The Conservatives weren't providing that."

Despite the seven-week break announced by Jean, Churley is optimistic that change is on the way.

"Hopefully this will lead to a change in our parliamentary system to proper representation," she said, noting that the opposition parties currently represent 62 per cent of Canadians.

Minna dismissed any concerns about having the Bloc Quebecois' support for the Liberal/NDP coalition because the issues at hand aren't about separating the country but are about social and economic policies.

Further, Churley called Harper's attacks against the Bloc Quebecois "despicable."

"Harper worked with the Bloc to defeat the Martin Liberals. It's hypocritical."

In an e-mail, Caroline Alleslev, who unsuccessfully ran as Beaches-East York's Conservative candidate in the last federal election, said that the Liberal/NDP coalition is a mistake.

She pointed to differences between the Liberal and NDP parties just two months ago when it came to raising taxes.

Alleslev also cited newspaper articles in which Liberal leader Stephane Dion said he could not have a coalition with a party that has a platform that would be damaging to the economy, in reference to the NDP.

"All of this shows that the Liberals' real motivation in bringing down the Conservative government isn't concern for the economy," Alleslev wrote. "I urge everyone in Beaches-East York to contact Maria Minna and demand that if she is really concerned about Canadians and the economy she will do what she can to stop this coalition."