But, local Liberal says he expects "great things" from coalition
Dec 02, 2008 - 04:43 PM
By Jennifer Stone and Kristen Calis
DURHAM -- Two are Tory MPs who say they're hearing from constituents who are "outraged" at the possible overthrow of their government by a coalition of the left.
But Liberal Dan McTeague calls the potential coalition government the most viable solution to the serious problems Canadians currently face.
"I've never gotten so many phone calls, so many e-mails," said Oshawa Conservative MP Colin Carrie. Reaction to the prospect of a left-wing coalition is one of "outrage," he said.
"It's a greater response than when the truck plant announcement was made," he said, alluding to the announcement of the planned closing of an Oshawa GM plant.
Durham Conservative MP Bev Oda said she's hearing the same.
Just seven weeks ago, "people put their support behind the Conservative party and its leader to carefully and prudently manage Canada through this crisis," Ms. Oda said of the current economic situation.
Her party will "do everything legally possible" to prevent the coalition from taking power, Ms. Oda added.
But while the two Tories were questioning how democratic such an overthrow would be, Mr. McTeague said formation of a coalition is enshrined in the Canadian constitution.
"Unusual times sometimes require unique circumstances," said the Pickering-Scarborough East MP Tuesday.
The announcement of a Liberal-NPD-Bloc Quebecois coalition came on the heels of Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's fiscal update, which Mr. McTeague felt focused on settling ideological scores rather than finding solutions to the economic crisis Canadians currently face.
But, Ms. Oda and Dr. Carrie said having the coalition take power will actually slow the process of dealing with issues like a possible auto industry bailout. The Conservatives had decided on a Jan. 27 budget, noted Dr. Carrie.
"If you look at it, whatever scenario you look at, they're not going to be able to come up with any solutions any faster than we are," Ms. Oda said.
Much was being done to deal with the auto industry situation, Dr. Carrie said, pointing to an array of meetings with industry representatives he's had over the last few weeks.
"What people are asking us to do is do it right so we're not back here six months from now," Dr. Carrie said.
The Liberal party has gotten into bed with "separatists" and "socialists" and allowing the Bloc Quebecois to hold the balance of power is unconscionable, he said.
"If people think they're going to do what's best for Canada, they're sorely, sorely mistaken," Dr. Carrie said.
But Mr. McTeague called Prime Minister Stephen Harper "sanctimonious" for criticizing the decision of the three parties, since he was one of three party leaders who signed a letter in 2004 to then-Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. The letter stated the opposition parties to the then-Liberal minority government had been in close consultation and informed her they could dissolve parliament "should the House of Commons fail to support some part of the government's program."
The three parties have a desire to do something about the current economic situation, Mr. McTeague said.
"I expect great things," he said.
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