Poor Kelly McParland

Despite following politics in Canada for quite a number of years, Mr. McParland is confused about the way parliament works. Mr. McParland seems to believe that a government should be able to pass any legislation it wants, even if it does not command a majority of the seats in the House of Commons. He also seems to believe that the party that wins a plurality of seats in the House (as opposed to a majority of the seats, or God forbid, a majority of the vote), should be invested with absolute power. This seems to be a common misconception among supporters of the Conservative Party of Canada, so Mr. McParland should not feel himself singled out.

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The Guns Of September

The trains have left the station.

Update: Unless, of course, they haven't.

Update 2:The only voice in the government that matters, is talking in a much more nuanced fashion than his flying monkey.

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Why Is An Election Inevitable

The press is a bit "skeptical" about the Tory view that an election is inevitable. They ask a very, very good question. The Tories have a minority government and need the support of only one other party. Whether we have an election or not is up to the government's willingness to negotiate with other parties, not the Liberals. The Liberals alone have no ability to bring down the government. Why won't they work with the other parties in parliament to avoid an election? John Baird ran away from the press to avoid answering that question.

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Note To Jeff Simpson

All of our governments are minority governments, even the "majorities". I realize our pundits like the trains to run on time and a "majority" makes it easier for governments to ram through spending and tax cuts (or maybe the privatization of health care, eh Mr. Simpson?), but please, spare me the "no more minority governments" crap. What you are asking for is a minority government with enough seats to ignore the opposition. What you are asking for is four years of minority rule with majority power. Why should we be thrilled by that prospect?

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To All Parties

What Pogge said.

Instant Update: This will be the hardest election in years, for me. To vote or not that is the question? Am I just encouraging them by doing so? That is what I am going to have to ponder.

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I Will Believe It When The Writ Is Dropped

We have been here many, many times before. Color me doubtful. We have two months for the Tories to bombard the airwaves with anti-election (dare I say Coup II: Dion's Revenge) ads. More than enough time for the nervous nellies to put the brakes on Iggy. The greater the lead time the Liberals give the Tories, the less likely they are to pull the trigger. I am willing to be pleasantly surprised, but until they actually show up to vote against the government (yes, I wouldn't put it past them to pull a "We voted against the government with the 20 Liberals who bothered to show up"), I remain unimpressed.

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Who Is Engaged In Class Warfare?

Leftists are accused of "class warfare" for opposing tunnels to airports, while shutting people out of mass transit so visiting Pan Am Games poobahs can have a train to themselves is treated as normal.

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