Is a coalition the way to go?

The media has latched on to the Conservative term, and everywhere you see the idea of a coalition government described as a “power grab”. Unelected parties want to usurp the authority of the democratically elected government and take over against the will of the people. Appalling!

But is it? Is that what is happening? Stephen Harper is running a minority government, meaning that the majority of the people in this country voted against him – voted, in fact, for the Liberals, NDP and Bloc. A coalition of these three parties, therefore (the Bloc is not an official member, but is supporting the coalition) is representative of the majority of the people of Canada.

Harper dismissed the last Parliament and called an election in the hopes of winning a majority. He failed. He has not, however, allowed that to stop him from governing like he has Presidential powers, sweaters notwithstanding. If he is allowed to remain in office, we can expect more of the same. More tax breaks for big corporations, attempts to destroy the other parties, and more concern over a possible federal deficit than over food, housing and jobs for the people he supposedly represents.

Mr. Harper noted, with disgust, that if a coalition were to take over Canada would be ruled by “socialists and separatists”. He neglects to point out, or attempts to ignore, that these are the people that the majority of the country voted for. Presumably, then, he feels Canadians are not fit to run Canada.

Would Stéphane Dion make a good Prime Minister? Possibly. In any case, his reign will be short-term, and he will have support. I find it unlikely that he will be worse than a man who, in less than two months, has prompted the first serious attempt at a coalition government since WWI.

Harper, of course, says he will do everything “legal” to prevent being removed from office. Canadians should take note that this does not include developing a stimulus package to deal with the economy. It may include proroguing Parliament – shutting down the House without a vote so that he cannot be defeated. That, Mr. Harper, is undemocratic.

It appears that the Governor General, normally a figurehead in this country, may have the last word in this. She must approve a request to prorogue, the takeover by a coalition, or yet another election. Let us hope that she makes a wise decision.