Liberals, NDP and Bloc to form Coalition: Read the Accord on a Cooperative Government

by Tina Kells | December 1, 2008 at 03:45 pm

734 views | 15 Recommendations | 5 comments

Canada's three opposition parties; the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois may not be in opposition for much longer as the leaders; Stephane Dion, Jack Layton and GillesDuceppe , have drafted an Accord on a Cooperative Government that could see the rivals band together to usurp power from the Conservative minority government and form a Coalition Government.

In reaction to an announcement last week by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty that the Conservatives wanted to rollback negotiated wage increases for federal public servants and limit the right of those workers to strike in reaction, the three opposition parties were put into the tough position of deciding between a Coalition Government and a vote of non-confidence.

Had the three party leaders been unable to reach an agreement to form a Coalition Government Canadians could have seen themselves returning to the polls within weeks of the last election. Flaherty has stated that he wants a budget announcement by January 27, 2009. If the Conservative budget proposal is defeated in parliament there would be a non-confidence call and Canadians would be sent back to the polls.

The Accord on a Cooperative Government agreement reached today would see Liberal leader Stephane Dion take the reigns as interim Prime Minister. Should the coalition bid be successful it will be the first time in 91 years that a sitting minority government has had to hand over power to a unified opposition. Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has sent an official letter to Governor-General Michaëlle Jean challenging the legitimacy of a successful coalition coup.

Preamble to the Accord on a Cooperative Government

An Accord on a Cooperative Government to Address the Present Economic Crisis

This document outlines the key understandings between the Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party of Canada regarding a new cooperative government.

1. Role of caucuses

The Liberal and NDP caucuses will continue to meet as distinct caucuses. They will receive briefings and be consulted as appropriate. Both are entitled to offer advice to the government. The two caucuses may meet jointly as agreed from time to time to jointly address issues. The caucuses will sit next to each other on the government benches.

2. Cabinet

Nothing in this Accord is intended to diminish or alter the power and prerogatives of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister will be the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

The Minister of Finance will be appointed from the Liberal caucus.

The cabinet will be composed of 24 ministers plus the Prime Minister.

Eighteen of these ministers will be appointed from within the Liberal caucus.

Six of these ministers will be appointed from within the NDP caucus, plus six Parliamentary Secretaries, sworn in as Privy Councillors, will also be named from the NDP caucus. In the event the Prime Minister chooses to appoint a larger cabinet, the NDP proportion will be maintained.

The specifics of these cabinet appointments will be made by the Prime Minister in appropriate consultation with the Leader of the NDP.

The rules and practices of cabinet confidentiality and solidarity will be strictly maintained. Normal processes of cabinet appointments and governance in the Canadian federal government will be respected. The cabinet is jointly and collectively accountable to Parliament for its work, including in daily question period.

3. A "no surprises" approach

Within the limits of common sense and the needs of cabinet government, the two parties agree they will work together on a "no surprises" basis.

Furthermore, upon its formation, the government will put in place a permanent consultation mechanism with the Bloc Québécois.

4. Appointments

Both parties are committed to restoring the integrity, transparency and efficiency of the appointments process in the Public Service and in federal bodies like the Supreme Court, the Senate and Commissions like the CRTC.

The Prime Minister will consult the Leader of the NDP as appropriate on appointments.

5. A standing managing committee of the Accord

A standing managing committee of the Accord, chaired by the Prime Minister, will be struck.

It will be composed of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the NDP, and such other persons as the leaders deem appropriate from time to time.

The committee will meet regularly to ensure the good order of the Accord; to deal with key issues that have arisen; to consult on key appointments; and to resolve any disputes which might arise from the Accord (for example, by referring issues relating to the Accord to a trusted committee of experienced, distinguished Canadians).

6. Term of this Accord

This Accord will expire on June 30, 2011 unless renewed.

Agreed on December 1, 2008.

Hon. Stéphane Dion
Leader, Liberal Party of Canada

Hon. Jack Layton
Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada

Conservatives in Crisis: Harper Challenges Legitimacy of a United Opposition

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is not happy with the news that the three opposition parties have reached an agreement to rule as a Coalition Government and would prefer to see Canadians vote for a new leader rather than have one imposed upon them. Harper is having a difficult time facing the reality that the Conservative party could be thrown out of office by a backroom coalition deal.

While a Coalition Government has both constitutional and historic authority in Canada, Harper is asking that the agreement reached between the opposition parties be dismissed by the Governor-General, and that if a non-confidence vote is successful Canadians be sent back to the polls within months of the last election.

The three opposition leaders are drafting a letter to Governor-General Michaëlle Jean in which they formally call on her to allow the formation of a coalition government if the Conservatives are defeated on a confidence motion Dec. 8.

Opposition sources said Monday the drafting of the letter is at an advanced stage, and will be made public with the agreement of the leadership of the Liberal Party, the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois.

The goal is to inform Ms. Jean that a viable alternative to the current government exists within the current Parliament, in the form of a coalition between the Liberal Party and the NDP. The Bloc is expected to promise to support the coalition to survive for at least a year, which would allow for the passage of two budgets.

"We've decided that the only person and the best person to lead and form a coalition government is the elected leader of our party ... Stéphane Dion," said leadership hopeful Dominic LeBlanc.

"We are comfortable with that, we support that and we think that's right."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has raised doubts about the legitimacy of a coalition government, and is expected to urge Ms. Jean to call an election in the event of a defeat in the House.

The opposition letter, in that context, is designed to persuade Ms. Jean to reject the Tory push to send Canada to the polls for a second time in three months.

"She has to be ready to say 'no' to Mr. Harper's request to call an election," an opposition strategist said. "We want to demonstrate that the new Prime Minister would have the confidence of the House."

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Barb Cullen in Nova Scotia (not verified)

at 02:44 on December 3rd, 2008

I see this as parliamentary democracy working as it should. Harper won the Government with less than 38% of the vote. As a Country we did NOT vote for him. We have tolerated his shenanigans for too long. He has systematically worked to dismantle who we are as a people and how we are seen by ourselves and the world. He has gone too far! Thank God our system has mechanisms in place to stop him! A vote for the coalition does not begin to break up the Country. In fact the Bloc has signed on for 18 months. I see this as a unifying process. Go Team!!

Mike Wood

at 20:17 on December 1st, 2008

The enemies of my enemy are my friends. Strange political times we’re witnessing.

Paschen

at 20:52 on December 1st, 2008

This is amassing. A first for Canada and I was about to give up hope.

A coalition in Canada is a first. Good for them.

Bridget (not verified)

at 02:07 on December 2nd, 2008

This really sucks. I'd much rather vote again and go through the democratic process, even if it's inconvenient, than have the government taken over arbitrarily without the rest of Canada having a say. This shouldn't be allowed...but we'll most likely sit and take it, because that's what we do. There are cons to being so 'polite'.

David Trebilcock (not verified)

at 07:33 on December 2nd, 2008

To allow the country to be governed by a cadre help together by a party that seeks to break up the country is absoluelety ridiculous. If, when parliament is dissolved, the Governor General fails to agree to a general election and allows the NDP/Bloc/Liberal coaliton to attempt to govern, she is dispalying disloyality to the constitutuion and to Canada.