Canada Crisis Part Deux

The political antics continue north of the border as the incumbent Conservative government and the new opposition coalition battle for position in advance of the possible change of power next week.

Both sides have been releasing radio and TV ads to try and win support for their side. The battle is centered over a proposal by the government to drop public funding for the various political parties. Canadian PM Harper is reportedly considering suspending Parliament to avoid the scheduled December 8th vote.

Even though there were just elections a few months ago he could also try to call a new election. But the Canadian Governor General (who acts as the Queen’s agent) would have to approve the election request and could deny the move to an election since there would be a viable alternative to take over the government 

Needless to say this has sparked a lot of debate about what role a supposedly symbolic leader should plan in the political process.

Harper has also made an issue of the fact that the new coalition would include the Bloc Québécois. Since the Bloc is, at least in theory, dedicated to the secession of Quebec from Canada, there is a certain incongruity about having them be part of a government they want to withdraw from.

There is also controversy over the fact that Liberal leader Stephane Dion is at least as unpopular (if not more so) than Harper, so it would seem to be shifting from one bad situation to another.

At the same time, Harper certainly seems to have stolen the title of ‘worst use of an election victory’ from President Bush by crashing and burning in just seven weeks.