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Harper, Ignatieff to study EI Reform during Summer

by albertacowpoke | June 17, 2009 at 03:58 am

140 views | 13 Recommendations | 9 comments

Update: No Summer Election. Stephen Harper, after meeting with Mr. Igantieff all day Tuesday and Wednesday morning, has emerged at a press conference. The Prime Minister said he was pleased that the official opposition would work with him and that the Stimulus would move forward during the the vote on Friday in Parliament. This avoids a Summer Election.

The Prime Minister said that neither he nor Mr. Igantieff put anything concrete on the table in regards to Employment Insurance. He stated that some of his people and those of Mr. Igantieff's would sit down and work out a deal that will help people in Canada.

The number of weeks required to work to be eligible for Employment Insurance varies across Canada from province to province. That is the essence of this issue and that is what the parties need to work out.

Michael Igantieff, on Monday, held a newsconference in which he outlined his demands for support of the minority Canadian government Financial estimate.

In summary he wanted clarification on four points:

1. Employment Insurance 2 Infrastructure 3. Deficit reduction; and

4. ISOTOPs

The full story of demands is here

This morning it is reported that the two men have agreed to study Employment Insurance over the summer, which seems to indicated that a defeat of the government and as a consequence a summer election has been avoided.

The two men met twice yesterday and are expected to meet again today. Very little information has been released on the content of the meeting.

It seems apparent though, that the two men are talking and are trying to make Parliament work. Recent polls have shown that the majority of Canadians do not want a summer election and that they want Parliament to function.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff have agreed to study employment insurance reform during the summer months, a report says, as the two men get ready to hold a second day of talks Wednesday aimed at preventing a summer election.

The political rivals met twice Tuesday in what the prime minister's spokesperson said were "productive" talks to avoid opposition parties toppling the minority Conservative government in a confidence vote later this week on the government's most recent economic progress report.

No other details were provided by either side, suggesting the two leaders could be close to a deal to avert a summer vote they both say no one wants. It's not clear whether they will meet face-to-face on Wednesday or speak by phone or video.

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Paschen

at 04:23 on June 17th, 2009

That is pretty wage, I would say.

Giving Harper more time for what? They do not need a whole summer to study this and come up with what?

It leaves every one in limbo.

Sounds like Japan.

albertacowpoke

at 04:28 on June 17th, 2009

EI is a difficult regional issue. I think what the problem is that because of the amount of money involved they have to find a way to deal with this in a fiscally responsible way. The fact that they.re having a third meeting today, means that at least they.re talking.

As you know, in Canadian Politics, regardless of parties involved in opposition, there is always oppostion without solutions. At least, for once, I see two party leaders apparently working with each other. But perhaps I.m being naive.

Paschen

at 04:33 on June 17th, 2009

Eh, who knows, maybe the unexpected becomes reality and grown ups actually behave as adults for a change. :)

albertacowpoke

at 04:41 on June 17th, 2009

Miracles do happen:)

sivakaran

at 10:36 on June 17th, 2009

Karl, Thanks for posting the story. You beat me to it.

This is purely political win for Ignatieff, at least for now. As for miracles, lets wait and see.

albertacowpoke

at 08:19 on June 19th, 2009

Win or loss is depending which pundit you talk to. I saw an article in the National Post yesterday that called Ignatieff a wolf in sheepclothes. Their perspective was that Ignatieff settled for board of three people from each party to come up with a solution to EI, which Harper was going to do anyways. In the meantime they allege that Ignatieff dropped his other three demands. The results of what is accomplished will determine who the eventual winner is. Both parties have a lot to do in Ontario and Quebec. Harper may never win back Quebec.

albertacowpoke

at 08:23 on June 19th, 2009

Who won is the perspective of the pundit telling the story. I saw an article in the National Post yesterday that called Ignatieff a wolf in sheepsclothes. Their perspective is that Ignatieff after making this demands, accepted a working group to study EI over the summer. They allege that Harper was going to do that anyway. They go on to say that Ignatieff missed all his other demands. Who emerges as the eventual winner will not be determined until after the summer. I hope we are the winners.

Both political parties have a lot of work to do in Ontario and Quebec. Harper may never win back Quebec.