Monday, December 01, 2008

Days of Our Parliamentary Lives

1. The yet-to-be-named coalition seems poised to bring on Paul Martin, John Manley, Frank McKenna, and Roy Romanow as economic advisors. Smart move.


2. We also have polling! Well, from Quebec, at least.


3. The yet-to-be-named coalition is rumoured to made up of a slimmed down 24 person Cabinet, with the NDP getting 6 Cabinet seats. My guess would be Layton, Mulcair, Comartin, Wasylycia-Leis, Davies, and Duncan – as speculated by Island Liberal.

Reportedly it’s a two and a half year deal, with the Bloc agreeing to support them for the first year. No word on how firm this Bloc commitment is, or what they’re getting in return for their support.

And the same story mentions a 30 billion dollar stimulus package, and the cancellation of those evil Exxon tax cuts you may remember from every single time Jack Layton opened his mouth last campaign. But, there are some other rumours that cutting the cuts won’t be part of the deal so who knows, eh?


4. According to Mike Duffy, Stephane Dion will lead the coalition government.


5. Oh, and according to the Jack Layton tape, Bill Casey might be down with the coalition. It wouldn’t at all surprise me to see him in a Cabinet spot once all is said and done.

Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

Labels:

29 Comments:

  • Dion to be Leader - is this actually happening?

    http://www.ottawacitizen.com/dion+lead+coalition/1017545/story.html

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2:02 p.m.  

  • CBC is also reporting Dion to be the leader of the coalition

    By Blogger Andrew P., at 2:03 p.m.  

  • Dion or an interim leader (Ed Broadbent would be perfect) is better than MI/Rae/LeBlanc.

    By Blogger Jacques Beau Vert, at 2:12 p.m.  

  • I'm loving Dion in the PM spot. What's your reasoning for Broadbent? Surely it's got to be someone at least SITTING in the House?

    By Blogger The Fwanksta, at 2:17 p.m.  

  • The strategic move here by the Conservatives is to prorogue Parliament and give themselves a month of battering back at the “Coalition for Canada” with everything their war room has got. Either that or take a giant leap of faith, let the Coalition form government, and hope that it eventually implodes – taking all the recessionary blame with it. I am really impressed however that the Opposition got its act together to pull this off – very strange times.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 2:23 p.m.  

  • Oh, it does have to be someone sitting in the House, I meant in magical imagine-if idealist land. I just trust Ed Broadbent and most Canadians respect him quite a lot, I think it would add a lot of legitimacy.

    I don't much care for Dion's leadership but I think a professor PM would be terrific - he underwhelms me but I'm certainly not opposed to him.

    By Blogger Jacques Beau Vert, at 2:39 p.m.  

  • I don't think the GG would let Harper prorogue at this point, before he tests the confidence of the House.

    Besides, it would smack of desperation. Better to watch the circus coalition implode.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:42 p.m.  

  • Bill Casey for PM!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:43 p.m.  

  • I think that list of NDP ministers is likely accurate, except Wasylycia-Leis. Dawn Black is more likely.

    The NDP also mentioned Bill Casey being involved on their secret tape. If that's true, he might be offered a cabinet position as well. I'm not sure which party's allotment it would come out of.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:26 p.m.  

  • Judy is a lock. Anita Neville is not getting a cabinet spot, and with no Dippers in Sask, and no Lib's in Alberta. Ralph and Judy and Duncan are logical choices for the West.

    Judy Alphabet would be a very capable health minister or in a variety of social welfare positions.

    It's a shame that Blakie retired. After 30 years in the house it would be nice to see him get into cabinet, plus he would help the coalition get through the house.

    Dosanaj in B.C covers both the Libs and NDP! Same with Rae.

    By Blogger Brent Neill, at 3:36 p.m.  

  • Excellent. The days of Harper are almost over. It was, for lack of a better phrase, an interesting experiment.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:39 p.m.  

  • I wonder if Western Canadians and conservatives who don't like this will have a tax revolt, refusing to collect the GST until this coalition faces the voters. If a few hundred thousand stick together, the feds couldn't do anything.

    By Blogger nuna d. above, at 3:39 p.m.  

  • if judy W-L gets health, i will die on the spot. she's a disaster and after what she did to goodale in 2005, i just can't see it.
    the libs will have veto over which NDP members get in, i am sure.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:41 p.m.  

  • "I wonder if Western Canadians and conservatives who don't like this will have a tax revolt, refusing to collect the GST until this coalition faces the voters. If a few hundred thousand stick together, the feds couldn't do anything."

    We're talking about the same Western Canada, where voter turnout was in the toilet in October's election and Apathy is King? I mean, then, Alberta barely broke 50%; Newfoundland was the only province where less people bothered to show up to the polls.

    Now, I'm sure the hard-cores and die-hard conservatives - meaning, predominantly monochrome, rural, older folks - will grumble and mutter and pledge to not pay their taxes - or whatever - and then..... just do it anyway when nobody seems to care.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:34 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    I secretly am in love with you. Hottie!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:46 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    Laureen and I keep meaning to invite you over; we really admire your honesty and education.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:47 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    What I wouldn't give for your hair and youth. Ah, to be twenty-whatever again...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:49 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    Plans tonight?

    613.555.7502

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:50 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    Behind you, Dan - a dinosaur!!!

    Whatever you do - DON'T MOVE. It can't see you if you don't move!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:51 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    I'm here to save you!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:52 p.m.  

  • I TOLD YOU SO!!! When will you liberals believe that Christ created dinosaurs to give to us oil!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:53 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    I'm for proportional representation.

    SURPRISE!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:56 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    Oh my god, Stephen Harper's face is melting off, he's --- he's HITLER!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:57 p.m.  

  • I was a ghost all along!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:00 p.m.  

  • Dan,

    Not that anything would surprise me at this point.

    You're my pick for the 2009 Canadian Blog Awards - Best Blog, Best Politics Blog, Best Blog Post, Best Blog Series.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:02 p.m.  

  • Did you guys see how Jesus saved me from that dinosaur? Was that a surprise or what?!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:04 p.m.  

  • Is there anywhere to get a non-partisan view of this mess? I am sick of this crap. Bascially if your a grit or dipper, youre happy and if your a tory youre pissed. There doesnt seem to be any honest debate in this. I know if this was the other way around, all the Liberals would be crying fowl. All I know for sure is this is not good for Canada. Compare us to the USA and we look pathetic.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:26 p.m.  

  • Re: Council of Econo Advisors.
    Yes, smart in concept.
    But, wish execution was better.

    How about some actual economists, biz
    leaders, union leaders etc? Rather than
    just some former politicians (Yes,
    finance ministers. Whoopee. 1 or 2
    would suffice.)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:01 p.m.  

  • Wow, there is a great deal of useful data above!

    By Anonymous sex shop, at 1:58 p.m.  

Post a Comment

<< Home