Here is the answer to the coalition question

For the rest of this campaign, when the coalition question comes up, there is one, simple answer: "I support the work of the non-partisan panel of constitutional experts trying to answer these hypothetical questions in the case of an unclear election result.  I will follow the guidelines they set out, based on Canadian law and parliamentary tradition." 

Click the link here to see what I'm talking about. It worked in Britain and New Zealand. 

Or paste this link into your internet browser: http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/961926--ignore-what-canadians-politicians-say-about-a-coalition-government

That's it. If anyone decides they can't go along with this panel's findings, they are admitting that communications spin (we often call it playing with the truth) trumps the law.  And Canadians are not that stupid. Let's let the grownups get on with the conversation, shall we? And have a serious election debate about issues of importance to the country? 

Comments

[Craig]

BIG difference is that they do not involve separatist parties. Would any UK party get in bed with Sinn Fein or Plaid Cymru? Not likely.

[MCBellecourt]

I've done a lot of digging into the coalition legitimacy question back in '08. My conclusions, as a result, are directly reflected in this post, except you worded it far better than I ever could, Ms. Delacourt.

Messrs. Ignatieff, Layton and Duceppe would do well to use a similar response whenever the Harper Conservatives bring it up.

Thank you (again!) for your work!

[Orwell's Bastard]

If only that "simple answer" could fit into a ten-second sound bite without any words longer than two syllables.

I really hope this campaign puts to rest, forever, the fearmongering suggestions that parliamentary coalitions are somehow illegitimate, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Stephen MacLean]

It is hard to believe -- or is it? -- that Ignatieff couldn't (or wouldn't) answer such a fundamental and basic question, especially as it relates to Westminster parliamentary practice, just out of the electoral starting gate.

Will the rest of the campaign get any better?

[MacJack]

I heard a journalist ask a Conservative if their only issue in the campaign was going to be the coalition question. At last! It surprised and resulted in a rather unconvincing response.

The emphasis on a potential coalition- a legitimate though rare parliamentary and democratic option- versus the degradation and contempt for our parliamentary systym is troubling. It is exactly why we need this election and I
find it difficult that it has hijacked coverage and been the main point of emphasis by many journalists.

Don't get me started on that cynical non- budget which is no economic elixir but a series of sound bites with no vision of a Canada I can believe in.

[Rob]

The Bloc is a Separatist party that wants to break-up the country. Do you understand that Susan Delacourt?
The Bloc should not have a say in how the country is run. Have some sense.
Why doesn't Iggy just tell the truth that he is going to side with a coalition if it comes to that? The answer would be that Canadians would reject this coalition and never vote for it so Ignatieff thinks he cannot be honest with the voters.

[Orwell's Bastard]

The Bloc's MPs are democratically elected and enjoy the same mandate from their constituents as MPs of any other stripe. Whether you or I agree with them is irrelevant. Neither you nor I get to decide arbitrarily who does or doesn't get to participate in any parliamentary arrangement. Do you understand that, Rob?

If this stale fearmongering is the best you've got, all you've done is show your moral and intellectual bankruptcy.

[David B]

Each and every seat in Quebec is equal in value to all other seats in Canada in H of C. Bloc members and those who vote them in no doubt have had family members that fought and died along other Canadians in WW I & II and to-day many are serving alongside our brave service members in Afghanistan and Libya ...also serving at sea in the Med. I do not agree with separation but I am proud of these members for taking their case to Ottawa peacefully via our political system..... If only the Middle East could have done the same, let alone other countries they have spilled so much blood over the years. Sadly our politicians and MSM never bring this up to the public.

[Fareed]

Response to Rob | March 26 at 08:56 AM

Yes the Bloc is a separatist party but in 20 years of existence they have been remarkably unsuccessful in their efforts to break up Canada. For their core supporters they like to play up the fact that they believe in Quebec separation but when it comes to the average Quebec voter (who is opposed to Quebec separatism) they know that emphasizing that will doom them electorally.

However, the more salient point is that if the Bloc having a say in federal policy is so opposed by Harper why did he have discussions with them about forming a coalition against the Paul Martin government? And Harper certainly wasn't complaining when he gave the Bloc various legislative goodies in order to gain their support for various Conservative government bills since he came to power.

So why is it that courting the Bloc to support Conservative coalition deals and Conservative government legislation isn't a bad thing but it is if the Opposition even considers it?

And incidentally, a coalition is not an evil undemocratic plot no matter how loudly and often the Harper regime cronies repeat it. Our government is based on the Westminster model in the UK and currently the UK government is a coalition.

[Mark L Kahnt]

@Craig: Sinn Fein joined in a coalition with Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionist Party in the Northern Ireland Legislature. Coalitions are not unknown in Canada - in the first world war, a block of Liberals from English Canada joined with the existing Sir Robert Borden Conservatives to form a "Unionist" government. The Saskatchewan government under Roy Romanow was an NDP - Liberal coalition in its last term.

Agreed, coalitions are rare in Canada, and from past observations I have had, groupings at cross purposes created simply because they aren't "the big party that otherwise always wins" aren't really the best sources for coordinated policies. India had the Janata party to defeat the Congress party, Likud in Israel came about from numerous small parties to rival Labour, while anymore the US Democratic Party seems to be devolving into the Non-Republican party. In the absence of common grounds to get a program through for a period and then develop a new possible platform possibly with another election to show the mandate for it, these groups tend to blow apart and get nothing done.

[Mark from London]

All and well, Susan, but the December 1, 2008 coalition agreement between the Liberals, NDP and BLOC, that tried to take down the Conservative Government right after the last election, is STILL IN EFFECT. Until June 30, 2011, nearly 60 days AFTER voting day. No matter what Ignatieff says.

Don't believe? See this for the document: http://www.stephentaylor.ca/2011/03/coalition-agreement-still-in-effect/

No wonder the Liberals deleted it from their website March 25th!

[Stephen Manning]

It is time for us to recognize that the West-based Conservative Party of Canada is in Ottawa to look after the interest of Alberta primarily. Mr. Harper shows a strong disdain for political parties based in central Canada - " Imagine a coalition of ARCH-CENTRALISTS and Quebec sovereignists trying to work together." (my emphasis).
If Ontario is going to have a fair shake in Ottawa, we need Ontario MPs to be from the Ontario-based political parties, namely Liberal and NDP.

[johnnyk]

Whatever their long-term agenda or philosophy the BQ are democratically-elected.
They also pay taxes in Canada. Why shouldn't they have a say?
Wasn't Harper also a quasi-separatist with his "firewall around Alberta" blather?

[ray harry]

our first past the post electral system is NOT democratic and frankly our only hope for representation is a WORKING minority government - that respects the rule of parliment. if there is anything to fear it's a majority!

[Rob]

Stephen Manning -

You promote regionalism that can lead to the destruction of this country.
Do you think Alberta needs Ontario? NO, it does not.
We should try to promote policies to unite the country, not foster further division. Giving the scumbag Bloc any control of Canada is not a wise move.
I am so glad to hear Mr. Ignatieff has denounced the coalition. Well done.