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Blog of Adam Daifallah -- author, journalist, law student. Lover of politics, writing, golf, curling, fitness, fashion, bacon and maple products -- not necessarily (but probably) in that order. Partisan of the Anglosphere. Contact me via email at adam@daifallah.com.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Taking stock -- if that's possible
The latest news appears to be that the "train has left the station," according to Bob Fife. There may not be any turning back from plans to topple to the Tory government.
It is still up in the air whether the Governor General will refuse Harper's request to call an election, which, if the government loses the vote next Monday, he will be constitutionally obliged to ask for. Her Excellency may indeed heed the election request, as has been counseled by people like Norman Spector. It would mean a campaign over the Christmas holidays, but there are worse things in life. (This is assuming Harper doesn't prorogue parliament, which is becoming an increasingly plausible possibility.)
That the Liberals are unprincipled is no news to anyone, but that they would move ahead with this particular arrangement -- which gives the Bloc Québécois veto power over every bill to go through the House -- is really unconscionable, even scary. A return to power would also deny the Liberals their necessary time in the wilderness to truly rebuild from the ground up as the Canadian right did in the years following the 1993 election.
The problem is not in itself the fact that the Québec separatists would have increased power, it is the legislative damage that would be done. One long-standing Bloc demand, which has apparently been agreed to, is to have the French Language Charter (known as Bill 101) apply to workplaces that fall under federal jurisdiction inside Quebec -- ie. transportation, telecommunications, federal civil servants, etc.
This would be a devastating blow to bilingualism in this country and especially to English-speaking Quebecers -- particularly when one considers the amount of federally-regulated industries in the province (Bell, CN, CP, Air Canada, etc.) It is also a blow that would be irreversible. (Although it might not hold up in court.)
I would love to hear from the Trudeauvians on this to hear how they feel. Hello Deborah Coyne? Serge Joyal? Justin Trudeau himself? Can they really stomach this? Now is the time to stand up and be counted.
UPDATE: I have been informed by a very credible source that proroguing the House is not an option. There are various financial bills that need passing (money supply motions, etc.) so they must continue sitting.
UPDATE II: Just when you thought the situation couldn't get any more interesting: On the above, I am now told proroguing is indeed possible because the money supply motions could be taken care of via an Order in Council. Proroguing is very much an option being considered, then. But since there are now apparently cracks forming in the coalition, it might not be necessary.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 11:43 AM
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