Article from the National Post so you are up to speed.

National Post wrote:

Harper pleads for more time as Liberals seek to lead coalition government for next 30 months

David Akin, Mike De Souza, Andrew Mayeda and Juliet O'neill, Canwest News Service  Published: Tuesday, December 02, 2008

OTTAWA - The three opposition leaders signed a historic accord yesterday, agreeing to topple the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the first opportunity, likely next Monday, and promising "bold steps" on an economic stimulus package.

Last night at a Christmas party for Conservative staffers at an Ottawa hotel, Mr. Harper told supporters the country's very unity was at stake.

"We will use all legal means to resist this undemocratic seizure of power," he said.

But he might have but one chance to stop them. He can prorogue -- or suspend -- Parliament this week, essentially shutting it down until he and his party can return to the House of Commons early in the new year with a budget.

Even on that point, though, there are some constitutional experts who may argue a prime minister cannot prorogue Parliament simply to avoid a confidence motion he surely knows he will lose.

Liberal leader Stephane Dion said yesterday the coalition he will lead will be a "stable, effective alternative" to the governing Conservatives.

"Given the critical situation facing our fellow citizens and the refusal and inability of the Harper government to deal with this critical situation, the opposition parties have decided that it was now time to take action," Mr. Dion said at the accord signing, flanked by NDP leader Jack Layton and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe.

"I would certainly not want to find myself governing this economy today, and in this position, under a situation where I was required to follow socialist economics and be at the behest of the veto of the separatists," Mr. Harper said in the Commons, just before the accord was signed.

He urged the opposition to at least wait for his government to table a budget on Jan. 27.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty accused the opposition of having no confidence in the economy. "They would rather make a deal with the devil.''

"This is a coalition that's supported by separatists, people who would break up our country," Environment Minister Jim Prentice said.

"This is a serious situation. It is irresponsible and it is undemocratic," he said.

Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe said his party is ready to support the coalition because the Conservatives chose partisan games based on ideological beliefs instead of considering the interests of Quebecers and Canadians.

"Since last Friday, the Conservatives have retreated on some points, but nothing could restore the trust that was broken by Stephen Harper," Mr. Duceppe said.

"In front of the urgency to act on the economic crisis, we started negotiations with the other opposition parties. Each one showed openness and a willingness to make compromises, which allowed us to reach an agreement."

Governor-GeneralMichaelle Jean will play a key and historic role in any potential turn of events.

If, for example, Mr. Harper loses a confidence vote next week, he can ask Ms. Jean to dissolve Parliament so that another general election could be held.

The Conservatives, in preparation for this possibility, have already put down a deposit on a campaign plane and buses.

But some constitutional experts -- and even many Conservatives-- believe Ms. Jean will exercise her constitutional option to invite Mr. Dion to form a government. The actions Ms. Jean would take if asked to prorogue Parliament two weeks after a Throne Speech is less clear. It is an issue no Canadian governor-general has had to face.

Mr. Prentice would not say if the government will ask for Parliament to be prorogued, saying only that "the government will consider all steps that are reasonable, to protect the interests of our country, and the interests of Canadians."

Earlier in the day, National Revenue Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said prorogation was an option the government was considering.

"We're realizing that no matter what we had come out with in the economic statement, their game plan was set. It's a kind of coup d'etat," Mr. Blackburn said.

Ms. Jean is travelling this week on state visits to some European countries. She is scheduled to return on Friday.

In any event, Mr. Dion appears poised to become Canada's 23rd prime minister, at the head of a coalition Liberal-NDP government, if the government loses a confidence vote next week or, should the Governor-General grant Mr. Harper's request to prorogue Parliament, as soon as he recalls Parliament.

Under the terms of the accord signed by the opposition leaders and made public yesterday, the size of the Cabinet is set at 24 plus the prime minister, with six Cabinet spots reserved for NDP MPs. The accord specifies that the position of finance minister will be filled by a Liberal MP.

Mr. Dion will remain prime minister so long as he is leader of the Liberal party. As he has given his intention to resign effective May 2, the winner of the Liberal leadership race -- the declared contestants are Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc -- will become prime minister on assuming the leadership of the Liberal party.

"My commitment is to give, May 2, to my successor a strong government with a stronger Canada able to face the storm, and it's what I will do. I am honoured to do that," Mr. Dion said.

It is possible and even likely that Mr. Ignatieff and Mr. Rae will be asked into Cabinet. Mr. Dion said he would choose "the best talents and skills regardless of the leadership race" in the Liberal and NDP caucuses for his Cabinet.

The deal between the NDP and Liberals will expire on June 30, 2011.

The Bloc has agreed to vote with the coalition on any matters of confidence, but only for the next 18 months.

The Liberals and New Democrats have a total of 114 seats in the 308-seat Parliament. The Conservatives have 143, just 12 short of a majority.

The coalition leaders could not provide detailed spending estimates on their fiscal stimulus plan and said they could not say when they will introduce it until they learn what the government will do. But they did agree to accelerate infrastructure spending, construction and retrofit spending on housing, make strategic investments in key sectors such as manufacturing, forestry and auto manufacturing.

The coalition also proposes a new agency to reform Employment Insurance and introduce reforms to reduce minimum withdrawals from RRSPs.

The reaction from provincial premiers to the crisis was mixed.

QuebecPremier JeanCharest said Quebecers and Canadians made their choice in the Oct. 14 federal election and the result is the political instability of a minority government.

"Political instability and economic instability make a bad mix," Mr. Charest told reporters. "We can't rewrite history in reverse and question the choice the voters made."

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach urged the federal leaders to put "selfishness" aside and instead focus on governing the country through the global economic crisis. "Put Canada first and stop the nonsense," Mr. Stelmach said yesterday at the legislature.

Members of the coalition, however, are looking ahead.

"We believe there are steps that can be take very rapidly, bold steps," said Mr. Layton. "There will be a sense of urgency, focus and determination on the need to address the economic crisis, using those tools which can produce the most rapid action possible."

The coalition is proposing reforms on bankruptcy laws to protect pensions and a support program for elderly workers who have lost their jobs to help them make the transition to retirement. Notably, Mr. Dion said the corporate tax cut program announced by the Conservatives in the 2008 budget would proceed.

The corporate income tax rate is to drop to 19% from 19.5% next year and will drop to 15% by 2012, giving Canada one of the lowest corporate income tax rates in the world.

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DION' S LETTER

The following is the text of Liberal leader Stephane Dion's letter to Governor-General Michaelle Jean, requesting she call upon him to form a coalition government with the NDP and supported by the Bloc Quebecois.

Excellency,

As Leader of the Official Opposition, I wish to inform you that, as of this writing, the opposition parties, who together constitute a majority in the House of Commons, have been in close consultation concerning the failure of the Conservative government to address the impact of the global economic crisis on Canadians.

As a result, I wish to inform you that my party and the other two opposition parties have lost confidence in this Conservative government.

The Liberal Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party of Canada are resolved to form a new government and to this end we have the support of the Bloc Quebecois for a period of 18 months. This new government will effectively, prudently, promptly and competently address the best interests of the people of Canada in these critical economic times. In light of the significant economic challenges facing our citizens, and that the last federal election was held less than two months ago, we respectfully request that, should a call for dissolution arise, you consider exercising your constitutional authority to call on the Leader of the Official Opposition to form a new collaborative government with the New Democratic Party of Canada and supported by the Bloc Quebecois. This new government should be allowed to demonstrate it has the confidence of the House of Commons.

Your attention to this matter is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Hon. Stephane Dion, P. C., M. P. Leader of the Official Opposition; Leader, the Liberal Party of Canada

Long article I know. Doesn't hurt to be knowledgeable in foreign affairs, especially those of your neighbours.

Link: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story. … 03&p=1

Oh it's not about the east and west competition. I haven't seen nor heard of these parties asking their electorate if they wanted this done. Just the decision to forego the democratic process and screw us all over...again.

mattmayhem wrote:

Anon K wrote:

Oh it's not about the east and west competition. I haven't seen nor heard of these parties asking their electorate if they wanted this done. Just the decision to forego the democratic process and screw us all over...again.

True,
I dont even think most liberals are comfortable with Dion leading...let alone anyone who supports other parties.

I should go drive by his office at high rev with my headers and exhaust to show my dis-content, lol.

We should do a sychronized myspecv attack all across the country, lol.  Wasnt there talk of Dion stepping down a month ago or so or am i just crazy?  This whole situation has completely astonished me.  I was watching the news last night and they were talking about this whole situation and i turned and said to my girlfriend, we are living in Canada right?

mattmayhem wrote:

Kristin I know you guys out west must be even more pissed off than I am! Sorry eastern Canada drags you guys down I really am !

I'm from Quebec and find this stupid as well, don't blame that one on us!

mattmayhem wrote:

I say if they wanna do this 3rd world style overthrow lets go alll the way. Loser gets shot on national TV!

QFT.

I'm from quebec city itself, or close enough that it doesn't matter haha.

This is not something I voted for and I honestly think a crock of shit is going to come out of it. I guess all we can do is watch and wait since no elections have been started.