Canadian political fight now being waged on Facebook

by mtippett | December 2, 2008 at 10:48 am

976 views | 8 Recommendations | 10 comments

The fight between the Tories and the opposition parties is being fought on all fronts including a new virtual front within facebook. I personally have been invited to participate in groups from all ends of the spectrum. At this point, it seems that the coalition forces are currently stronger than the Harper backers. The STOP THE COUP DETAT!! group (their caps, not mine) currently has 140 members while the pro-coalition groups have over 7,000.

Here's how the groups describe themselves:

STOP THE COUP DETAT!! - 140 Members

The three federal opposition parties in Canada have agreed on a coalition government to vote down and overthrow our current government.
No matter how you voted in the last election, you must see this is a bloodless coup.

The agreement was brokered by Jean Chretien and Ed Broadbent, two party elders who are currently not elected to the House of Commons.

The coalition would be headed by Stephane Dion, who agreed to step down as leader of the Liberal party of Canada, after their worst electoral defeat in over a century.
According to news reports, there would be 24 ministers in this government..18 Liberals 6 NDP..and anything they accomplish would require the backing of the seperatist Bloc Quebecois.

It's an outrage!!!

If they want to form government, let them call for another election.
The people need to speak!!!!

We Want Canada to Have a Progressive Coalition Government - 701 Members

We have an opportunity to see events unfold this week that would be the most exciting developments in the history of government in Canada.

In response to troubling economic times the Harper government brought forward a budget plan that in fact could make things worse and does nothing to stimulate new economic opportunity. This plan would also remove safety nets, cap wages and undermine the fair funding model for political parties. Worst of all this plan is a direct attack on womens rights, workers rights and other ideologically driven regressive measures.

In response to this the Liberals and the NDP have decided they have had enough of the Harper governments bullying tactics and lack of vision. They have reached an agreement to vote against the Harper government and form a progressive coalition which with the support of the Bloc would bring the kind of change we need.

This would be the most positive, cooperative and forward thinking action in the history of Canada. The vote will happen on December 8th.

Please invite your friends to join this group as part of an effort to demonstrate public support for this progressive coalition.

Canadians for a Progressive Coalition - Coalition Progressiste Canadienne - 6,033 Members

http://www.progressivecoalition.ca/

In 2008 the majority of Canadians voted for a prosperous, fair, and green Canada. Over 60% of voters cast their ballots for parties with progressive platforms. Yet with only 37% of the votes the Conservatives behaved as though they had 100% of the power.

Canadians for a Progressive Coalition are asking the NDP and Liberals to form a coalition government with support from the Bloc Quebecois and counsel from the Greens.

The parties have agreed. The vote is on Dec. 8 and we can expect a massive counter-attack against the Canadian progressive coalition. We need to win the media struggle to show that Canadians support a coalition. We also need to show the MPs we support them.

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eastvanray

at 14:01 on December 2nd, 2008

In addition to those sites this link is to a petition for those of us that do not want a coalition structure where a separatist party holds the balance of power without being allowed to vote on that option (as it was not presented to the voters in the last election.

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/

mtippett

at 14:04 on December 2nd, 2008

According to the site the petition has received:

21342 Total Signatures

Erik Larson

at 20:59 on December 2nd, 2008

And the Canadian Save the Internet petition is just over 14,000- if you're Canadian, sign it!

The integrity of the web is more important than politicians!

Megan Stewart

at 14:42 on December 2nd, 2008

A few Canadians are taking this moment to address our democratic deficiencies and are calling for electoral reform and proportional representation.

But so far, less than 100 people have signed this petition for the National Movement for Electoral Reform. The facebook group counts 1,470 members.

mtippett

at 14:59 on December 2nd, 2008

I just got this sent to me. Apparently the group called, Canadians Against a Liberal/NDP Coalition Gov’t has 18,704 members. The description of the group is as follows:

Last week, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tabled an economic update in the House of Commons to take steps to reduce government spending and to show Canadians politicians are willing to walk the walk, and tighten their belts.

Some of the original measures included cancelling $27 million in tax payer subsidies to political parties ($1.95 per vote, every election, for parties with over 5% of the vote), limiting M.P. salary increases, freezing civil servant salaries, and temporarily ending the right to strike for our civil servants (to ensure stability in the civil service during the worst economic downturn during the Great Depression).

The opposition parties claim a lack of economic stimulus as for their reasoning for a coalition government agreement. Canadians know better than that, and see through their games. We know the only reason the opposition got a backbone was the thought of losing their tax payer subsidies.

Our current Government was planning to take the responsible path of delivering an economic stimulus package in the federal budget in January. This was to wait after hearing the provincial needs in a First Ministers conference, and waiting to see which direction the Obama administration would take (in regards to the auto industry) when Mr. Obama takes office in January.

The opposition is demanding reckless action of throwing money around, without first consulting the provinces first.

Prime Minister Harper, realizing Canadians would not want an election over this issue, removed contentious portions of the economic update including canceling party subsidies, and civil servant's right to strike. He also pushed ahead the budget date to early January.

The opposition parties are power hungry, and will stop at nothing to take hold of power.

In the October 14th election, they never told Canadians they had intentions of forming a coalition government. In fact, Dion, denied this during the election. Centrist, moderate Canadians who voted Liberal didn't necessarily vote for them with the intention they were going to form a coalition with the socialists (NDP) and separatists with full out socialist economics.

The Canadian people have not lost confidence in the Conservative Government. Only the opposition parties have, in their desperate blind grab at power.

Fight for better. Join us in demanding democracy be upheld. The vast majority of Canadians do not want a coalition government with a Prime Minister Dion (rejected by 74% of Canadians), with the socialist NDP, propped up by the separatists who want to destroy this country.

The TSX dropped 9% today. Our country needs stability, and these three stooges antics are adding to the economic turmoil are markets are reeling from.

Shame on the Liberals. Shame on the NDP. Demand better. Demand democracy.

mtippett

at 15:14 on December 2nd, 2008

i just got this in from Joyce Murray, the Liberal MP in my riding:

"Dear Quadra residents and friends,

It has become clear that the Conservative government headed by Stephen Harper has no plan, no political will and no competence to effectively address the economic crisis we currently face. It is also clear that Stephen Harper and his government are intent on governing in a hyper partisan and ideological manner. In light of the critical situation facing our economy, our citizens and our democracy, we have spearheaded the development of a coalition with the opposition parties committed to address this crisis. Because of this coalition agreement, we are ready to govern in the best interests of the people, instead of plunging Canadians into another election.

This historic agreement has few precedents in Canada, however, this kind of cross-Party cooperation is common in many democracies around the world. In their recent fiscal update, the Conservative government had an opportunity to present a plan in response to the current crisis. Your jobs, your pensions and your savings are on the line and you are right to be concerned that now is not the time to play politics. However, they chose instead to table a statement that was heavy in ideology and absent of real help for Canadians facing job losses.

If provided the opportunity to govern, the Liberals will lead a coalition government committed to fiscal responsibility and a progressive agenda. We have already agreed to immediately introduce an Economic Stimulus Package designed to boost the domestic economy. Some of the key policy initiatives of the new government will be the following:
Accelerating infrastructure funding and making substantial new investments, including municipal and inter-provincial projects (i.e. transit, clean energy, water and gateways);
Housing construction and retrofitting;
Investing in key sector strategies (like manufacturing, forestry and automotive) designed not only to create and save jobs, but to support and defend workers; and
The introduction of a cap and trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Prime Minister's office has put together a misinformation campaign to attack the Opposition Parties. They aim to reverse the tide of public opinion that has been against the Conservatives' lack of a real economic plan, coupled with their decision to use Canada's deficit as a tool for partisan purposes. The Conservative war room is up and running, and their attack messages started rolling out across the country on Friday. I believe Canadians want a new kind of politics - a more civil politics focused on what is in the best economic and social interests of Canadians - a politics of working together.

Whether the Opposition Parties vote non-confidence, or the Conservatives attempt to prorogue the House of Commons, it will be up to the Governor General to step in. She will either call an election or inquire whether an alternative government could be formed that would have the confidence of the House of Commons. There is precedent for Governor General to exercise her constitutional authority and do the latter. After all, the great majority of Canadians did not support Stephen Harper's Conservatives this past fall. The three Opposition Parties have many points of agreement upon which to build; you can count on me to pursue the path that I believe best serves the interests of Canadians and the residents of Vancouver Quadra.

More specifics on the coalition agreement (including the formal Accord and policy priorities) can be found by going to www.liberal.ca and www.joycemurray.ca.

As always, I appreciate your continued interest and feedback."

Does anyone have the Conservative material?

mtippett

at 12:40 on December 3rd, 2008

Here is another group with almost 60,000 members:

Last week, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tabled an economic update in the House of Commons to take steps to reduce government spending and to show Canadians politicians are willing to walk the walk, and tighten their belts.

Some of the original measures included canceling $27 million in tax payer subsidies to political parties ($1.95 per vote, every election, for parties with over 5% of the vote), limiting M.P. salary increases, freezing civil servant salaries, and temporarily ending the right to strike for our civil servants (to ensure stability in the civil service during the worst economic downturn during the Great Depression).

The opposition parties claim a lack of economic stimulus as for their reasoning for a coalition government agreement. Canadians know better than that, and see through their games. We know the only reason the opposition got a backbone was the thought of losing their tax payer subsidies.

Our current Government was planning to take the responsible path of delivering an economic stimulus package in the federal budget in January. This was to wait after hearing the provincial needs in a First Ministers conference, and waiting to see which direction the Obama administration would take (in regards to the auto industry) when Mr. Obama takes office in January.

The opposition is demanding reckless action of throwing money around, without first consulting the provinces first.

Prime Minister Harper, realizing Canadians would not want an election over this issue, removed contentious portions of the economic update including canceling party subsidies, and civil servant's right to strike. He also pushed ahead the budget date to early January.

The opposition parties are power hungry, and will stop at nothing to take hold of power.

In the October 14th election, they never told Canadians they had intentions of forming a coalition government. In fact, Dion, denied this during the election. Centrist, moderate Canadians who voted Liberal didn't necessarily vote for them with the intention they were going to form a coalition with the socialists (NDP) and separatists with full out socialist economics.

The Canadian people have not lost confidence in the Conservative Government. Only the opposition parties have, in their desperate blind grab at power.

Fight for better. Join us in demanding democracy be upheld. The vast majority of Canadians do not want a coalition government with a Prime Minister Dion (rejected by 74% of Canadians), with the socialist NDP, propped up by the separatists who want to destroy this country.

The TSX dropped 9% on Monday. Our country needs stability, and these three stooges antics are adding to the economic turmoil our markets are reeling from.

Shame on the Liberals. Shame on the NDP. Demand better. Demand democracy.

Mike Lucas (not verified)

at 16:40 on December 3rd, 2008

Well, this petition "Our Right to Vote on the Coalition Government" now has 180,000 signatures:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CANADIAN/

Strange, almost everyone I talk to is incensed by the idea of this coalition government. This includes people who usually have no political opinions, they're absolutely irate at the possibility of a PM who wasn't elected.

I wish all the parliament (including conservatives) would just work together to govern the country in the most effective way possible. Partisan-ship is sinking this ship.

Larry Badke (not verified)

at 07:13 on December 4th, 2008

I would certainly hope that the Attorney General of Canada will not turn over the governing of this country to a coalition of losers, one of which hasn't the brains to sit in the position of Prime Minister, one that has very sneakily crafted this deal with a separatist party leader that has absolutely no interest in Canada as a whole. This separatist leader in the "coalition of fools" will no doubt pull the plug at the first opportunity it becomes advantageous for Quebec. The Liberals and NDP might as well kiss their butts goodbye in Western Canada regardless of whether or not if this coalition is successful.

mtippett

at 08:38 on December 4th, 2008

The interesting thing about the Bloc's so called 'veto power' is that the only way that the Bloc can kill the coalition is to vote jointly with the Conservatives. So in some sense the Tories have nobody to fear but themselves. You have to wonder what they are afraid of? The worst they can do is agree with Harper's party. This veto argument is not logical imo.