Comments on: Harper and the Conservatives Win in Canada

By: Richard Gardner

Richard Gardner — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 18:32:46 +0000

Having watched Harper the other night on CBC take questions, I'd say by US standards he would be middle-of-the-road, maybe slightly to the left (particularly on the state-supported child care issue). So where does that leave the Liberals? And then there is the New Democratic Party (NDP) who are Socialists. Rounding out the 4 Parties of Canada is the Bloc Quebec (BQ), a regional Party.

Having watched Parlimentary minority governments in other countries (but not being familiar with Canada's Constitution), I would expect the course of the new government to be largely directed by any concessions they have to make with another party (likely BQ) to ensure a majority (but not necessarily a coilition government). Think the inclusion of the Green Party into the German system, which resulted with Fischer of the Green Party becoming Foreign Minister.

I've also seen Canadian press about overcoming intertia in trying to shift the patronage-based "Liberalocracy" - not much different than other countries, where the entrenched civil servants resist change.

By: McGehee

McGehee — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 16:29:07 +0000

He makes John Kerry look like a member of the John Birch Society.

Odd, because some Canadians are calling him a right-winger.

Then again, some Americans say the same about Joe Lieberman...

By: DC Loser

DC Loser — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 13:07:44 +0000

Thunderbird and LJD. Don't start popping the champagne bottles yet. Have you guys really read what Harper stands for? He makes John Kerry look like a member of the John Birch Society.

By: LJD

LJD — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 12:29:22 +0000

Wait a second.... I thought we had a deal to send all of our liberal kooks north of the border?
Now what?