Canadians love their Prime Minister.
Some may disagree with his tactics or dislike his personal style but during his most recent appearance it was obvious that the Canadian public and press still have a soft spot for this PM. What’s more, when he speaks, people still listen.
But even his wife was surprised by the call of “four more years” from the enthusiastic crowd on parliament hill. That’s right; Aline Chretien was not expecting the rallying cry for her husband Jean to get back to work leading the Liberals to victory in the next election.
Not so for the former Prime Minister. In fact, he was the guy that brought it up in the first place when he referred to Britain’s William Gladstone who, at the age of 82, won a general election and led a liberal minority government. Jean Chretien, now a vigorous 76 years old, was joking of course. Or was he?
Mr. Chretien was on hand for the unveiling of his official portrait and took advantage of the opportunity to try out some new material. The party he led to majority victory three times is now a shadow of its former greatness so there really wasn’t much to lose. He hasn’t said anything so provocative since his now famous “the proof is the proof” defense.
Canadians across the land recoiled in horror in 2008 at the thought of a coalition government and at that time they may have had good reason. Current events however have made the idea of coalition government in Canada a little more fashionable. Even the Brits are doing it.
The results of the latest British election led to Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron forming a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. It was quickly accomplished with no major uproar and English voters seem to have no problem with the new arrangement.
Wait a minute. Doesn’t our form of government have its roots in the British system? How were they able to resolve this issue like mature adults when the very mention of a coalition government sends our country into a tailspin of insults, accusations and lies? Are we doomed to minority governments forever? Is there a lesson to be learned here?
For one thing, the British seem to take their Parliamentary Democracy more seriously than us and follow the rules like proper ladies and gentlemen. For another, at some level British Parliamentarians treat each other (and the electorate) with dignity and respect. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown stepped aside without whining. No prorogue necessary.
Here in Canada the House of Commons operates like a poorly written sit-com. Most Canadians are united on one front. They don’t really care for or trust the current government any more than they trust or care for any of the alternatives.
If anything, now is a good time to start talking about parliamentary reform before we are forced to the polls once again.
Nevertheless, the comments by our loveable and crafty former PM had the desired effect of fanning the flames of coalition. Suddenly the unspeakable is being spoken again. And politics, as they say, makes for strange bedfellows. Let’s see who might be sleeping with whom.
For years there has been talk, even discussions, about a Liberal/NDP coalition but now the desperate times are leading to desperate measures. One such measure shows Stephen Harper’s Conservative government ousted by just such a coalition, led by Prime Minister Jack Layton. Can you dig it? I’m sure Jack can.
Another scenario has the Conservatives defeated by a brand new party consisting of disaffected Liberals, reconstituted Progressive Conservatives and a few Greens thrown in for good measure.
Coalition governments can be used effectively to unite diverse groups of people from different regions of the country. This is also a good way to bring new and alternate points of view to government.
Stephen Harper says that any Liberal/NDP coalition would ruin the country. He’s pretty sure the Conservatives can accomplish that all by themselves.
It is unlikely that Jean Chretien will be back for four more years. When he was still in office he was referred to as “yesterday’s man.” Even the most fervent Chretienites would balk at the prospect.
However, if he were to form a coalition with another icon like, say Preston Manning, all bets are off. The former prime minister has many friends after 40 years in public life while Manning, still a rambunctious 68 years old, could bring the youth vote.It would be worth it for the political cartoons alone.
Some may disagree with his tactics or dislike his personal style but during his most recent appearance it was obvious that the Canadian public and press still have a soft spot for this PM. What’s more, when he speaks, people still listen.
But even his wife was surprised by the call of “four more years” from the enthusiastic crowd on parliament hill. That’s right; Aline Chretien was not expecting the rallying cry for her husband Jean to get back to work leading the Liberals to victory in the next election.
Not so for the former Prime Minister. In fact, he was the guy that brought it up in the first place when he referred to Britain’s William Gladstone who, at the age of 82, won a general election and led a liberal minority government. Jean Chretien, now a vigorous 76 years old, was joking of course. Or was he?
Mr. Chretien was on hand for the unveiling of his official portrait and took advantage of the opportunity to try out some new material. The party he led to majority victory three times is now a shadow of its former greatness so there really wasn’t much to lose. He hasn’t said anything so provocative since his now famous “the proof is the proof” defense.
Canadians across the land recoiled in horror in 2008 at the thought of a coalition government and at that time they may have had good reason. Current events however have made the idea of coalition government in Canada a little more fashionable. Even the Brits are doing it.
The results of the latest British election led to Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron forming a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. It was quickly accomplished with no major uproar and English voters seem to have no problem with the new arrangement.
Wait a minute. Doesn’t our form of government have its roots in the British system? How were they able to resolve this issue like mature adults when the very mention of a coalition government sends our country into a tailspin of insults, accusations and lies? Are we doomed to minority governments forever? Is there a lesson to be learned here?
For one thing, the British seem to take their Parliamentary Democracy more seriously than us and follow the rules like proper ladies and gentlemen. For another, at some level British Parliamentarians treat each other (and the electorate) with dignity and respect. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown stepped aside without whining. No prorogue necessary.
Here in Canada the House of Commons operates like a poorly written sit-com. Most Canadians are united on one front. They don’t really care for or trust the current government any more than they trust or care for any of the alternatives.
If anything, now is a good time to start talking about parliamentary reform before we are forced to the polls once again.
Nevertheless, the comments by our loveable and crafty former PM had the desired effect of fanning the flames of coalition. Suddenly the unspeakable is being spoken again. And politics, as they say, makes for strange bedfellows. Let’s see who might be sleeping with whom.
For years there has been talk, even discussions, about a Liberal/NDP coalition but now the desperate times are leading to desperate measures. One such measure shows Stephen Harper’s Conservative government ousted by just such a coalition, led by Prime Minister Jack Layton. Can you dig it? I’m sure Jack can.
Another scenario has the Conservatives defeated by a brand new party consisting of disaffected Liberals, reconstituted Progressive Conservatives and a few Greens thrown in for good measure.
Coalition governments can be used effectively to unite diverse groups of people from different regions of the country. This is also a good way to bring new and alternate points of view to government.
Stephen Harper says that any Liberal/NDP coalition would ruin the country. He’s pretty sure the Conservatives can accomplish that all by themselves.
It is unlikely that Jean Chretien will be back for four more years. When he was still in office he was referred to as “yesterday’s man.” Even the most fervent Chretienites would balk at the prospect.
However, if he were to form a coalition with another icon like, say Preston Manning, all bets are off. The former prime minister has many friends after 40 years in public life while Manning, still a rambunctious 68 years old, could bring the youth vote.It would be worth it for the political cartoons alone.
