Legal Research

La mort imminente du gouvernement Harper?

By Simon Chester

We edge close to a political crisis and constitutional history. Today the Opposition Parties agreed on an Accord on a Cooperative Government to Address the Present Economic Crisis, which should be read together with the Policy Accord to Address the Present Economic Crisis.

Mr. Dion’s letter to Her Excellency is an essential component since together with Mr. Layton’s parallel letter it makes clear that the Prime Minister may have difficulty maintaining the confidence of the House. I liked La Presse’s line: Les partis de l’opposition ont signé la mort imminente du gouvernement Harper.

And while there isn’t a formal statement here is M. Duceppe’s blog from today

Here is what the Capital Hill Group said:

What Happens Next?
Before the Christmas recess on December 12, the Opposition is entitled to three Opposition Days, on which they set the parliamentary agenda and can move nonconfidence motions. On Friday the Liberals did just that and the vote, originally scheduled for today, has been rescheduled to December 8, 2008. Should the Government fall at that time, it is not yet clear whether the Governor General will heed the advice of the Opposition and look to them to form a government or if she will simply call another general election. To avoid a vote in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Harper could prorogue the House, but that too would require the Governor General?s consent.

Full post as published by Slaw.ca on December 01, 2008 (boomark / email).