Canadian Politics: NDP to Back Tories?
Fall Election May Be Avoided Due to Support from the New Democrats
Sep 15, 2009
Despite strong words and aggressive campaign tactics from the Canadian Liberal Party, it appears that the Conservative Party may not see the end of their incumbency just yet. In a move unusual for the New Democratic Party, leader Jack Layton has indicated that his party may support the Conservatives after two initiatives were introduced by the Harper government on September 14th.
Basis of NDP Support: Employment Insurance
According to the September 15th 2009 Globe and Mail article entitled "Layton hints at NDP support for Tories after EI olive branch," the first move by the Harper government seeks to lengthen employment insurance benefits for workers have already paid into EI. The second move will force a confidence vote on Friday, on a budget motion that includes the heavily promoted home renovation tax credit. Throughout the summer, the Harper government has been running advertisements for a tax credit on expenses of more than $1000, but less than $10 000 CDN (Canadian Revenue Agency).
"Our preference remains fighting for the unemployed rather than fighting for a second election," said Jack Layton in an interview on the Hill to the Canadian Press. He suggested that although the two Harper initiatives are a step in the right direction, it is not enough to guarantee the party a continuing government and that the NDP will be closely monitoring the situation.
The Influence of the NDP
Currently, the NDP is the only party standing between the Conservatives and an election.
The Liberal party, under the leadership of Michael Ignatieff, has proclaimed their intentions to push for an election. Operating under the slogan, "We can do better," Ignatieff has begun a media offensive that stresses improving Canada's place in the world. In a speech delivered on September 1st 2009 at the Canadian Club in Ottawa, Igantieff stated, "He [Stephen Harper] doesn’t get that Canada’s in a race — that we’ve got to position our country to compete in the twenty-first century. We’ve got to make Canada a world leader again, and we’ve got to do it now."
The Bloc Québécois, a federal political party that advocates Quebec sovereignty, has stated that it does not support the government and is actively seeking an election.
The Electoral Math: Why the Harper Government is at Risk
Currently, the Conservative party holds 143 of the 308 seats in Canadian Parliament, allowing them to form a minority government. Because they have less than half of the seats, the government is vulnerable to dissolution via a non-confidence vote. If a non-confidence vote passes, the government is considered dissolved and the country moves into a federal election period. Generally, non-confidence votes are faciltiated on budgetary matters, hence the importance of Friday's anticipated vote on a budget motion.
Liberal party holds 77 seats, the Bloc Quebecois holds 49 seats, and the NDP holds 37 seats in Parliament, giving them the power to dissolve the government, if voting together. The support of the NDP, therefore, could protect the Harper government from a successful vote of non-confidence.
 |
