Liberals won't back down

When he attacks the legitimacy of the Liberal/NDP Coalition government-in-waiting, Mr. Harper attacks the legitimacy of the votes of the 63% of Canadians who voted for other parties in the last election. Canadians did not elect Mr. Harper in October; we elected 308 members of parliament whose job is to form and support a government that best expresses, and governs according to, the will of the people. The Coalition has the confidence of OUR elected representatives, and as such, legitimately represents the will of the majority of voters.

Mr. Harper's deliberate obfuscation of this fact by way of a vicious and devastatingly divisive rhetorical attack on other parties in the House (and implicitly on the 63% of Canadians who elected them) is a contemptible attempt to undermine the functioning of Canadian democracy for vindictive, petty and narrowly partisan political purposes. He cannot be trusted and must not be allowed to get away with it.

Mr. Harper must go. Even should a Conservative budget bill be presented to the House on January 26th that meets all the objectives of the Coalition government-in-waiting, support for that budget must be conditional on Mr. Harper's resignation.

Those who understand our parliamentary system know that the Opposition's role is fundamental to how our democracy operates. Mr. Harper has shown that his real desire is to eradicate the elected Opposition and attempt to rule without any accountability to the elected House.

The issue is no longer just the budget and economy, as important as these matters are. The issue is Mr. Harper himself. He has lost the confidence and trust, not just of the House, but of the country. Perhaps such a man, as narrowly self-interested, autocratic, and divisive as he has proven to be, cannot be expected to place the interests of the country ahead of his own and step aside. However, we must insist on it.

Robert Neill
Juliette Merritt
Hamilton, Ontario.

Bob I am glad you are leading the fight to do what is right for Canada. It is shameful that Harper locked the doors on parliament when it was just announced that Canadians faced 71,000 job losses in November. What will December bring? Also GM announced 700 more cuts in February 09. It is time we had a responsible government in Ottawa. It is time for the lying, irresponsible conservatives to be shown the door. Harper's lies began with the income trust debacle and have grown progressively worse. Jan 27 can't come soon enough. Canadians are looking to their government for help and leadership. I know you are up for the challenge!!

I fully support the need to remove the Harper government and was hopping the the GG would deny Harpers request for Prorogation. Now that prorogation has been granted I believe that this signals to us that the GG does not see the coalition as a legitimate governing alternative. If this is the case, then when Stephen Harper loses a confidence vote he will as for a general election and the GG will grant it. Not granting a general election at that time would be inconsistent with her earlier decision to prorogate parliment.

I hope that the Liberal party give this possibility some weight and start preparing for the next election with a new leader that that the country can get behind. I also think that Stephen Harper has created some political liabilites going into the next election. The problem is that he will produce a budget,that he knows will probably not see the light of day, that will repair as much damage as possible. He is a tough opponent - good luck.

I read in the Globe today that you are going to carry the coalition message to the nation. Good luck with that, since you will need lots of luck and then some. In particular, an entirely different message than the same old stuff.

I have lived in Alberta since 1979, and have felt like a lost soul in the wilderness ever since. The NEP (as much as I question conventional Alberta wisdom about having any part to play in the depression that hit Alberta in the early to mid 80'), remains an open sore that is unlikely to heal, as long as the Liberals continue to either 1) take potshots at the oil & gas industry and/or remains mute on incessant attacks against the oilpatch by environmentalists and others who are as adept at the use of hyperbole as our so called Prime Minister and his minions.

Characterisation of heavy oil production as "dirty oil" is unwarranted and an injustice to the many thousands of well meaning employees of the companies that work directly in the oil sands or companies across Canada that support them in terms of manufactured product or services. The importance of heavy oil production to Alberta and the Nation, and concerns of environmentalists are not mutually exclusive. The politician who can meaningfully broker an understanding between these parties should receive tremendous political capital. One Albertan whose views should be pursued, as well as other like minded Liberals from this province is Murray Edwards. I suggest to you that he and others are willing to find common ground, including Frank McKenna with TD Bank.

I read as well today where the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline has been delayed again. A mere $16.2 billion of investment held up by the ministry of the conservative star player, Jim Prentice. But then, what is another 8 months to those who, until now, see no urgency in becoming proative about dealing with the current national and global economic crisis. Clearly Mr Prentice was unwilling to spend political capital to take on the environmentalists in order to have his people adhere to the May 2009 deadline.

Mr Rae, you carry a lot of political baggage. I don't give you much more of a chance of becoming Liberal leader than Mr Dion had for becoming Prime Minister. Having said this I wish you well with your efforts. You are the politician. I encourage you to develop a platform that speaks favorably to the economic contribution made by the primary Alberta industries. When they are doing well, they pay incredible amounts in corporate income taxes, and employee many highly skilled and very well paid people. Within reason, they can also afford to accommodate the environmentalists. It does not need to be an all or nothing proposition.

Dear Bob Rae:

You must work hard to help form a coalition government. The Harper government must fall. Harper's government is an elitist government. It is a government for the rich and by the rich. If Harper ever forms a majority government I know he will try to destroy OHIP and other safety nets that help Canadians work through deficult times. It is the same old Conservative idealology ... markets must work with any government intervention...The market will take care of everything if left to itself. Regulation of markets is bad. Conservative idealology is stupid. It make no sense. I do not think that even the consevatives really belive in what they preach. No one could be that stupid.
I belive the most Canadians do not really understand what the Conservative government stands for. I belive that it is the job of the Liberal government to explain to everyday working Canadains the the Conservative government does not look after their interests but rather the interests of the rich... which most of the time not in the interest of the everyday Canadian.

Free unreguated markets can cause great harm to everyday working class Canadians. They must learn to understand that if Harper elimanted our universal health care system what kind of damage it would do them.

In short Canadians need an education in political science and it is up to leaders like you to educate them so they do not vote for partys that do not work on their behalf.

I hope you become the next Prime Minster Of Canada.

It is in the best interest of the Middle class canadian that the Harper government fall. Make it happen.

Sincerely,

John Di Gasbarro

I salute you for going to the public but I believe that you should take the proverbial 'bull by the horns' and ask Canadians to participate in a pre-budget consultation with the next government, on-line and in town-halls so that through this process it can be truly a more transparent and collaborative method to bring together the various types of trade-offs that now are hidden by lobbying and cronyism.

Invite those "progressives" and those who believe that we should be united and not divided to join us!!!

We, the coalition of the willing, should act as the government of the day to counter the present, sad 'state' of the politics that represent the old way...this is the new way, our way, together we are stronger.

Jack Horwitz
34 Ivy Cresc
Ottawa K1M1X6
(613)749-9771
[email protected]

Mr. Rae, best of luck to you during your cross country tour. There are so many comments I could make about Harper's and Flaherty's ecomonic paper, etc. At least now it is clear that Harper most certainly has a hidden agenda. I will concentrate on just one facet and that is the issue of Pay Equity. I feel ill at the notion that a head of state in a democratic country thinks it is still perfectly acceptable to discriminate on the basis of sex. Please, please stress this "stone age" mentality of Harper's during your tour. Many women may not even be aware of what was presented about this issue because it did not receive a great deal of press coverage. My opinion of you has changed dramatically over the past few days. I was one of many people who took a pay cut during the "Rae Days". Now I see you as the only hope for the Liberal Party and the new Coalition(sorry if I sound a bit Princess Leia/Obi Wan there). I will be sending a cheque in the amount of $100 to the Liberal Party mainly because of your efforts on behalf of the party. Again, best of luck to you.

The rally in Vancouver last night was very powerful. It is good to see so many Canadians out in support of Democracy at it's best. I fully support a coaltion government that can put forward a progressive budget that takes the stuggles of everyday Canadians into account.

Instead of trying to reconcile with the democratically elected MP's in the house Mr. Harper choose to create a crisis withen a crisis. It will be difficult to fight the PR battle against the CPC to convince Canadians that this coaltion more reflective of the divergant views of Canadians then the Conservative party. This is a battle that must be won by the progressive centre that you mention.

The LPC must fight this mis-information and form a progressive government that reflects the majority but does not shun the opposition. This is what I believe Canada wants from the House in January. Best of Luck, there is support behind you that will continue to grow.

Warmest Regards,
Rob Love

Bob, I have been a fan of yours since the days when they said "he's the right guy in the wrong party." I'm hoping you're the right guy in the right party now.

I'm extremely concerned by the state of affairs right now, as I've been very active in the comment pages of the online media and on blogs and Facebook and such... and I've seen the deep anger and genuine frustration of people who truly believe that the coalition/the Liberals/Dion/the Bloc are hijacking Canadian democracy.

I do believe it's essential for you and all Opposition members to keep Harper under pressure to respond progressively in January. But, as a professional communicator, I also see an urgent need for our leaders to tone down the rhetoric and reach out to the many ordinary Canadians who, sadly, have a very tenuous grasp of how our democracy works and how the coalition relates to our democratic process.

The best pressure you can bring to bear on the CPC is show them that their partisan politics is alienating their popular support. Unfortunately, opinion seems to be going the other way right now - many Canadians are casting you and the coalition in the role of partisan usurpers.

I hate that the CPC propoganda machine is working. To fight it, I believe the coalition needs to put on a new face; a face of calm deliberation, understanding, conciliation and statesmanship. It would be the ultimate irony to have Harper claim that position in the hearts of Canadians. Please don't let him have it.

I'm not currently a Liberal memeber but certainly will join the ranks with the excitement that Bob can bring to the leadership contest. What a remarkable day that would be in May!
Bob, you have about 54 days to inform Canadians about the benefits of a coaltion government and the dire need to once and for all get rid of this rotten Conservative buch in Ottawa. Your courage and determination is what makes you unique. Hiding behind a bush and saying nothing will not suffice at this critical time in our nation.
You're just the man to do it.

P.S. Thanks for lunch at the Senator Cafe 10 years ago.

Dan Fraser
Toronto

I would like to add my voice to those Canadians who understand that the Harper government's response to the current crisis reflects their philisophical position i.e. Canadian government in its parlimentary form does not represent the people's will. Please continue with your attemt at forming a viable government that has the support of the house and is within the parameters of our constitution. I expect more from a Prime Minister than bald ambition and a narrow minded agenda that would willingly throw the nation under the bus.
Would you consider in this interem period when the house has been prorogued, selecting a liberal leader with or without convention? Without convention would be expedient, and with convention , if possible, would suck up the media coverage as you face a better funded conservative PR machine.
I am in full support of the coalition and wish you well.
Jim

Thank you for standing up and speaking out so effectively against this action that Mr. Harper has taken to avoid the will of Parliament.

Shutting down Parliament in order to escape a confidence vote is a betrayal of the public trust, and a threat to the integrity of our system of government. Please continue to focus on this, as I believe it is in many ways more important than anything else that has occurred in this crisis.

Mr. Harper has demonstrated today that he is unworthy of the office he (now less-than-legitimately) holds.

The Liberal party has a tremendous opportunity to stand up to him, and it would be incredibly disappointing to see it back down or acquiesce.

Mr. Harper must not be allowed to get away with what he has done today.