Mercer on Harper - funny & accurate

Canada makes the NYT

“This really has been a blow to parliamentary democracy in Canada,” said Nelson Wiseman, a professor of political science at the University of Toronto. “It has lowered the status of the elected Parliament and raised the status of the unelected prime minister.”

Read it here.

Refreshing clarity and perspective from the Greens.

OK, Stevie: 'the people' are speaking.

[PM Harper] has lashed out against unions, against the opposition parties, and most recently--and fatally, in my view--against Quebec. (Good luck with any attempt to form a majority after that foul little effort.) He's made ten enemies for every friend over the past few days. Even if his party survives, he will not.

Thanks blogger - a busy day today!

Harper Burns The Reichstag ... er ... Locks The Doors Of Parliament

We now are a nation run by Order in Council from the Federal Conservative Cabinet table. Democracy has been set aside in the Dominion of Canada. The voice of 62% of Canadians is no longer heard. We have a functioning arrangement where representatives of 36% of the people are running the nation - with no public scrutiny.

This is a sad day for Canada.

[Thanks Buckdog]

Canada, meet the dictator your GG gave you.

Let's suspend the democratic process in the midst of a financial crisis, mKay?
That is the case for now; see you in January.

Constitution and precedent are on coalition's side

The first rule is that when we hold an election we do not directly elect a prime minister. We elect a House of Commons. It is this elected chamber of Parliament that decides who governs the country.

The second rule of parliamentary government is that it is the leaders of the party or coalition of parties that have the confidence of a majority in the House of Commons who have the right to govern.

The rest of the details, in all glorious accuracy here.

Harper's options for continued residence at 24 Sussex.

Interesting times in Canadian federal politics. Unless something dramatic occurs over the next 5 or 6 days - and drama is a distinct possibility - Canada will have it's first coalition government in over 50 years and Stephane Dion will become Prime Minister.

Read the details of Harper's 10 options to avoid this.