Today is a sad day for democracy in Canada. The Governor-General, Michaëlle Jean, has decided to grant Harper his prorogue. This has nothing to do with what is in the best interest of Canadian people as Harper likes to drone on and on about. This is all about Harper not wanting to lose his job. HE provoked the opposition by trying to take away public party subsidies, HE tried to take away worker's and women's rights, and HE gave us a crap economic platform that wouldn't help anyone.
"For the first time in the history of Canada the prime minister is running away from the parliament of Canada," said Liberal leader Stephane Dion, who headed up the opposition movement against Harper.
This is not what a prorogue should be used for. This is nothing but a power grab from someone whose party was elected by only 38% of the people who bothered to show up at the polls (lowest turnout in history. Around 60% IIRC). The GG is unelected and usually never has to make any decisions, but this...this....I have no words. The coalition represents the voices of 62% of the Canadian public (again, that voted) and they have no confidence in Harper.
We are in hard economic times and he did not even try to come up with any plans to help alleviate the suffering that's going on. Ontario foodbanks are reporting that they expect food shortages b/c of all the recently laid off people. The auto sector is laying people off left and right. I don't know a single person whose family has not been impacted by that (strange isn't it?) Now this. How does this instill confidence in Harper from the people? He disbands the House in a time of economic turmoil.
Even all those people who are buying his bs lines about how the coalition is a bunch of unpatriotic separatists should notice that disbanding parliament during this time of economic woe is VERY BAD.
Now I dislike HuffPo (mostly from the primaries), but I've gotta say I really like this headline: Canadian Leader Shuts Down Parliament In Desperate Attempt To Stay In Power.
The leader of the New Democrats, Jack Layton, also decried Mr. Harper’s move. “He’s put a lock on the door on the House of Commons,” he said. “He refuses to face the people of Canada through their elected representatives.”
Also, something that'll be really interesting given how disgustingly the Tories have been talking about the Québecers is their election on the 8th.
Speculation (pundits, forums, political junkies, and the media) think that we may have another election on March 9th. It’s based a few assumptions: budget vote fails the same week it’s tabled + Harper then requests the G-G call an election + shortest possible election campaign = March 9 election.