Political intrigue
I haven’t posted much on the drama unfolding in Ottawa these days. To tell you the truth I see both sides of the thing. An ustable coalition held hostage by the vested interest of the Bloc may not be the best model of government during these troubling times but a deeply partisan dictatorship with the threat of bringing down parliament as its only trump card is also not the best model. If you are the opposition you are almost forced to try a coalition because continuous elections are in no one’s interest.
So, maybe the Harper Conservatives should try to govern like they are in a minority position and accommodate the other parties to get legislation passed rather than try and steamroll unacceptable (to the opposition) legislation through with the looming threat of election as the only grease.
But it may be too late for the Conservatives. Why else would the Libs try to speed up Iggy’s coronation? They may come back in January with a coalition government, wait until the public backlash subsides, hope they can govern successfully and they go back to the polls looking for a return to Liberal hegemony.
Regardless of who is in power, I would like to see a federal leader that would state unequivocally that federal economic development policies in the Maritimes over the past 25 have not worked and he/she is eager to start a new dialog about new models for growth. Turning ACOA into a pure play inward investment agency (like the Irish IDA) with some trade development functions would be a good place to start.
