http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...201?hub=QPeriod


Leadership candidates agree to Dion as PM
Updated Mon. Dec. 1 2008 2:02 PM ET



The three main contenders to replace Liberal Leader Stephane Dion announced on Monday their unanimous agreement that Dion should lead a coalition with the NDP and serve as interim prime minister if the government is brought down.

Speaking outside of the Liberal caucus meeting, Dominic LeBlanc, standing shoulder to shoulder with Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff, said they all back the deal forged with the NDP.

"The accord that was presented to us received unanimous support and the other issue which is very important is we decided the only person and the best person to lead and form a coalition government is the elected leader of our party, the leader of the opposition Stephane Dion," LeBlanc said.

Ignatieff echoed his words, saying the coalition deal is economically responsible, preserves Liberal ideals and upholds Dion as party leader until May, when a leadership convention will be held.

"We are at one, the three of us, that the only person who can lead the party is the duly elected leader of the party Mr. Stephane Dion," Ignatieff said.

Rae described the meeting as historic, positive, upbeat and moving.

Earlier Monday the candidates met with Dion, who presented them with the draft agreement that has been negotiated with the New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois, who would support the coalition from outside of government.

"They agreed that the terms were good, and they went to the Liberal caucus, where we are told they unanimously said they support Mr. Dion in being the leader," said CTV's Mike Duffy.

The current political storm erupted last week after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty unveiled his economic update -- a blueprint that contained no stimulus package, temporarily shut down public servants' ability to strike and outlined plans to slash public funding for political parties.

As a confidence motion the fiscal update must pass in the House of Commons or the government would fall.

Almost immediately after Flaherty's announcement, opposition parties began meeting to discuss forming a coalition.

Details have been in the finalization process over the weekend and on Monday as party members worked to hammer out an agreement to topple the Conservatives.

Economic guidance

CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife reported earlier Monday that a high-profile, four-person economic panel would guide a Liberal-NDP coalition government on finance matters.

The group would comprise Frank McKenna, Paul Martin, John Manley and Roy Romanow.

"This is a way to assure Canadians the economy would be managed properly," Fife told CTV Newsnet.

The panel of "wise men" would help the new government navigate the current global economic turbulence, he said.

The list includes three Liberals and one New Democrat, though none currently hold elected office.

McKenna is a former Liberal premier of New Brunswick and ambassador to the U.S., Martin is a former Liberal finance minister and prime minister, Manley is a former Liberal finance minister and foreign affairs minister, and Romanow is a former New Democrat premier of Saskatchewan.

Fife reported earlier Monday that the cabinet formed under the coalition would include both Liberal and NDP ministers. The Liberals would take 18 cabinet seats, while the NDP would get six.

Fife also reported that the coalition government would introduce a $30-billion economic stimulus package and roll back $50 billion in planned corporate tax cuts.

He said that an adviser to NDP Leader Jack Layton informed the party caucus of the plans on Sunday. The conversation was taped by Conservatives.

Tape suggests dissension

The tape also reveals some dissension among New Democrats on the notion of forming a coalition.

MP Charlie Angus can be heard saying that NDP efforts to win over the Liberals, rather than the public, are "insane" and "disastrous."

Layton then responds by saying that in order to win over the Liberals, the NDP needs to create public support and that "it's the Liberals that have all the nervousness and could screw this up."

Layton goes on to call the current situation a "game of chicken." If it doesn't result in a coalition, Layton says, there are only two other options: either the NDP will have to help support the Conservatives, or there will be another election, less than two months after Canadians went to the polls.

"And that's the game of chicken that we're trying to get out of, by a much more hopeful alternative," Layton says.

New Democrat MP Peter Julian also weighs in on the tape, saying the party must be prepared to drop the deal if it starts to go south.

"If we don't think this is going to be solid, if we don't think we're going to be able to attain our objectives, the cost of walking away is far, far smaller than the ultimate cost in the long term," Julian says.

'Power grab'

Conservative Transport Minister John Baird slammed the opposition's moves as nothing more than a back-door power grab.

"I think this is all about the opposition wanting to take power without an election," Baird told Canada AM. "They don't want to earn the right to govern they just want to take it."

He said it is "insane" that the Liberal party, which received its poorest showing since Confederation in the last election, could end up in government.

He said the Conservatives wanted to "lead by example" with their plan to cut political party funding, and are disappointed with the opposition parties for not following suit.

double post? I had a flood error?

This post has been edited by Nat: Dec 1 2008, 11:25 AM

It will be an Liberal/NDP coalition supported by the Bloc.
Bloc will actually be considered opposition still.
Harper the bully will finally see the skinny kid defend himself. Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!

F.ck Quebec & Ontario.

It's called, MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO.

The Liberals & NDP do not want to lose power, so they will sleep with the Bloc to do it.

I will support Harper & the democratically elected Conservative government.

I call for CIVIL WAR if the coalition happens without a vote.

I would love to see BC, WA, AK, AB & SK break away and form a new country.

Who's with me!

And what do you know.

Jack sh1t in my opinion.

May you are in a bad mood today! Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!
I know that the majority in parliament isn't the conservatives but the opposition so who is really in control.
How could Harper be so stupid not to see that.

So he makes tough calls.

There is a global economic crisis happening.

Open your eyes.

Fck them & their politics.

If there was CIVIL WAR, I would join the Conservatives & fight for democracy.

Fck. GM, Ford & the CAW too. There time will come soon because of bad management in the past.

Do you think Canada is the only country in the world?

LOL

But he has been making the wrong calls. As I told you before the election he's was taking us in deficit, guess I was correct then.
The Liberals even with the NDP attached will be better money managers then the Harper conservatives!

LOL

I remember the Liberals whining about MP pay freeze & cuts like flying economy class rather than business class.

I think the Conservatives were trying to run the government like their household.

In my household, we have cut back on luxury purchases too.

So what.

F.ckin idiots.

ASS U ME

Where were the Liberals & NDP when the Harper & Flaherty were meeting with the G8, G20 & central bank heads.

LOL

You know nothing but yet you assume like the blue collar fool that you are.

The problem in Canada is that we have the Liberals, NDP & Bloc all playing politics to gain control and the masses of sheep as followers that really do not know any better.

They all forget the rest of the countries out there all out competing us because we have too many stupid fools here.

This post has been edited by StraightTalk: Dec 1 2008, 11:55 AM

Now Yur Takin' Mate!

You're the fool not me I knew after the election the Harper couldn't hold power for more than a year. Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!

LOL

Your right, too many people trying to get power.

Isn't it funny how Dion may be the next PM.

Then the Liberals will have another fight amongst themselves over leadership again.

Canadian politics. We are the laughing stock of the world.

LOL

NAT enlighten us as to who you voted for or if you didn't get off your ass who you would have voted for. As you claim to know it all why did the TSN plunge so drastic today with the news that what you claim (NDP/Liberal) will take over the country.
I would also like to know if you think Harper should have sunk more money in to the auto industry.
Lastly what did harper do to piss you off so much policy or other.
WE ALL WANT TO UNDERSTAND YOUR HATE but you don't explain yourself. you are a poor commuicator

I don't know about NAT but I can definitely tell you it all boils down to:

MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Throughout history, it is all the same.

I think the Liberals, NDP & Bloc know that if the Conservatives do a good job of tackling a tough situation, then there time (their cushy pay & positions) are all compromised (including the status of Ontario & Quebec).

Already, I am sure many people from Ontario & Quebec are leaving for greener pastures in the west & east.

I've voted in every election since I was 19, I've never skipped one.

I was a conservative but learned with Mulroney that they don't know sh!t about finances! I've never made that error again conservative only means socially conservative not conservative spending!

Don't play party politics.

That's your mistake.

I didn't see the Conservatives spending frivolously. Did you?

I think the NDP, Liberals & Bloc want more spending (and not freezing MP salaries & cutting cushy extras like flying business class & inhouse full-time massage therapist).

And when we are going through a global economic crisis, do we need more inefficiency & new cabinet positions.

LOL -- nothing will get done.

This post has been edited by StraightTalk: Dec 1 2008, 12:48 PM

peter mckay for new conservative leader.

Nat YOU ARE A POOR COMMUNICATER. I ASKES SEVERAL SIMPLY QUESTIONS of which you only gave a parital answer to one. Glad you voted now can you answer the questions. Surely they were not to tough for you. I don't need to ask them again as they are still on this thread and I know you are smart enough to find them. If you are not smart enough maybe you should nt vote at all.

Its the leader not so much the party and as far as the economy goes they all have had their hands in it so no party is exempt as politicians have been know to go left to right all depending on what the circumstances dictate. The Federal NDP and the Bloc parties do not stand a chance of winning any Federal election and lets not forget Dion's Green Shift Tax on energy which would have a real negative impact on the economy and how he comes across more as a door mat that a leader. Investors will find safer places for their money as Canada's politicians ploy for power.

This post has been edited by universal child: Dec 1 2008, 01:02 PM

Fife reported earlier Monday that the cabinet formed under the coalition would include both Liberal and NDP ministers. The Liberals would take 18 cabinet seats, while the NDP would get six.

Fife also reported that the coalition government would introduce a $30-billion economic stimulus package (mostly for the Ontario auto industry -- bailing out US GM & Ford) and roll back $50 billion in planned corporate tax cuts.

He said that an adviser to NDP Leader Jack Layton informed the party caucus of the plans on Sunday. The conversation was taped by Conservatives.

Tape suggests dissension

The tape also reveals some dissension among New Democrats on the notion of forming a coalition.

MP Charlie Angus can be heard saying that NDP efforts to win over the Liberals, rather than the public, are "insane" and "disastrous."

Layton then responds by saying that in order to win over the Liberals, the NDP needs to create public support and that "it's the Liberals that have all the nervousness and could screw this up."

Layton goes on to call the current situation a "game of chicken." If it doesn't result in a coalition, Layton says, there are only two other options: either the NDP will have to help support the Conservatives, or there will be another election, less than two months after Canadians went to the polls.

"And that's the game of chicken that we're trying to get out of, by a much more hopeful alternative," Layton says.

New Democrat MP Peter Julian also weighs in on the tape, saying the party must be prepared to drop the deal if it starts to go south.

"If we don't think this is going to be solid, if we don't think we're going to be able to attain our objectives, the cost of walking away is far, far smaller than the ultimate cost in the long term," Julian says.

'Power grab'

Conservative Transport Minister John Baird slammed the opposition's moves as nothing more than a back-door power grab.

"I think this is all about the opposition wanting to take power without an election," Baird told Canada AM. "They don't want to earn the right to govern they just want to take it."

He said it is "insane" that the Liberal party, which received its poorest showing since Confederation in the last election, could end up in government.

He said the Conservatives wanted to "lead by example" with their plan to cut political party funding, and are disappointed with the opposition parties for not following suit.

This post has been edited by StraightTalk: Dec 1 2008, 01:01 PM

I would like to threaten, and reach equilibrium as a demand, but I would not like to see Canada break apart in full. I would like Quebec to piss off though. Well play by the rules the rest of us do, or piss off.

What harm is there in simply letting the Harper & the Conservatives get the job done?

We don't need more inefficiency.

Do you know how long it will take a new leader to get comfortable & do something prudent during harsh economic times?

What company out there would do that?

No wonder the TSX is plunging due to inefficiency & the fact that the new Coalition government will tax the sh1t out of them.

STUPID

LOL

This post has been edited by StraightTalk: Dec 1 2008, 01:06 PM

Thank the proposed Coalition (Liberals, NDP & Bloc) for further creating political uncertainty & as a result another big down day for the TSX.

Thanks for looking out for people with RRSPs!!!! F.ckin tards.

I wouldn't be suprised if they all sold before releasing the bad news. Someone should look into their stock market trades in the past week.

And why the added Tax I ask as we already have one in BC at a time when the cost of doing business and running a household are out of control and an added tax is not a deterrent to park your car but rather a deterrent to eat. The tax has done nothing for the environment or the economy expect further bring her down. Martin is the guy who put the Speculation in the market causing for high risk investments so he and a selected few could have it all. I always found it kinda peculiar that Martin endorsed the former finance minster of BC, who guit his job over allegations of corruption as Smarty Marty gives his airline business the blessing. Martin was connected through his campaign manager and BC'S attorney general also quit as I recall and has been trying to get back on the scene since as with civil city. In Alberta they are coming up with a cost to drivers of vehicles rather than those who don't drive as a deterient to pollute but like I said its not needed at his time as many park their cars as can not afford to drive. And those who can't its business as usual and boy its hurting.