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December 05, 2008

Will Parliament gridlock in Ottawa end minority government?

As noted in The Guardian, Canada's been under minority government during not only Harper's entire tenure, but before him, with Paul Martin's last liberal government.

Half the problem, to be blunt, is the Bloc Quebecois. Harper is right; it is oppositionist, if not secessionist. (Oh, and there are plenty of Anglophone Liberals in Quebec who are wary, at least, of the Bloc.)

For Americans starting to read about Canadian politics? If you throw out the BC, the Conservatives have the majority, not just a plurality.

Stickings says this is going to take more active leadership in Ottawa. Agreed. That includes stronger campaigning in Quebec, and, as part of the hustings, demanding that the Bloc stand for something Canadian, not just against a lot of things Canadian.

Would I go as far as to hint that Governor General Michaelle Jean was a coward to allow Harper to prorogue? I don't know her well enough other than to say many Canadians consider her a carpetbagger. Also, many political analysts say it would have been an even greater constitutional shock not to grant Harper's request.

For more on yesterday's events, see here.

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