Results tagged “gillesduceppe”

In a recent article, we described Canadian democracy as "drunken" and "staggering," eliciting the image of a bumbling, well-intentioned dullard saddled with an affliction that, for better or worse, is an effect of his or her environment or circumstances but manifest as failure for reasons entirely their own. Today, with news from Ottawa that two opposition parties are going to supportively wedge themselves under Harper's armpits for a while, we—like others with a shamelessly professed anti-Harper bias—stand by it.

Two months ago, Michael Ignatieff joined Twitter. Under his biography, he clearly stated his objective: Michael Ignatieff for leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Over five weeks, he updated fifteen times ("Is energized by the crowd last night – what a great way to start a week. Off to Ottawa today," he wrote on November 24) and accumulated 754 followers.

One hundred and forty-two minutes: That's how long it took Prime Minister Stephen Harper to emerge from Rideau Hall this morning to announce that Governor General Michaëlle Jean had granted his request to prorogue, or suspend, Parliament until Jan. 26. The first item on the agenda upon the resumption of Parliament will be the presentation of a federal budget. In comments to reporters, the prime minister pledged to try to address the opposition parties' concerns with respect to stimulus for the beleaguered economy. Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion, NDP Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe all say that the possibility of a Liberal-NDP coalition is still in the cards. Click here to discuss Harper's prorogation move and Canada's continuing political drama.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will speak to the nation tonight at 7 p.m. in a televised address that could spell out his plan to stave off defeat at the hands of an unprecedented Liberal-NDP coalition. The address comes in the middle of a public relations blitz from both sides of the political battle, featuring websites, newspaper editorials, and attack ads. Protests are also being organized across the country, including duelling rallies in Toronto planned for Saturday, December 6 at noon, with coalition supporters meeting at Nathan Phillips Square and the anti-coalition side gathering at Queen's Park. Get your placards ready! Click here to discuss the coalition crisis and wildly speculate on Harper's last-ditch plans.

After a weekend of negotiation and conjecture, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion and New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton this afternoon signed an accord pledging to work together in a coalition government until June 30, 2011, should the Conservative government be defeated in a vote of non-confidence. Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe also signed on, agreeing that his party will support the coalition until at least 2010. Under the accord, Stéphane Dion would be prime minister until the Liberal Party picks its new leader in May 2009; the new cabinet would consist of twenty-four members, including six New Democrats, with a Liberal finance minister. Click here to discuss the coalition deal and the unprecedented political drama engulfing the nation.

The Stephen Harper government unveiled its plan for the country in the Throne Speech last night, emphasizing the usual panoply of tax-cuttin', crime fightin', environment dismissin' Conservative virtues. Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe have already stated they will not support the government, while Liberal leader Stéphane Dion will decide whether to force an election after consulting with his caucus. Dion is envied by the other opposition leaders for his massive caucus.

Bad news if you're a lacrosse fan: the 2008 National Lacrosse League season has been cancelled. Pick your joke: 1) "I'm sure all three of you are very disappointed"; 2) "Players are refusing to play until they get reimbursed for their bus tickets"; 3) "My God, this is the national sport we're talking about here! Why isn't Stephen Harper doing something, for the love of God?"; 4) "So, why are the Toronto Rock still offering season tickets for sale on their website?"

Is Hazel McCallion's grip on Missisauga politics slipping? Possibly! However, McCallion's plan to outlive all potential challengers and firmly establish herself as Permanent Mayor of Missisauga by 2243 remains on track, thanks to her mastery of the ancient art of alchemy and her possession of the Philosopher's Stone.

It appears as if most Canadians got what they wanted last night, with the Conservatives achieving a minor minority and PM Paul Martin effectively resigning.

of the candidates.

Things are really heating up of late - especially between the PM and JACK. Other political hotsteppers include Peter McKay, who doesn't mince words when it comes to government corruption. In Stephen Harper's case, phrases like 'wishey-washy' tend to project the inverse of 'tough talk.' Whilst JACK tends to speak plainly, perhaps in attempts to appeal to his working-class base. Gilles Duceppe, surprisingly since he is the most Easterly of the bunch, is the most cowboy-like.

Sorry, since there's such urgency to this post, we weren't able to throw out one of our always hilarious Bloc Party/Bloc Quebecois jokes in here. But feel free to think up one as you read and Torontoist will happily ammend the post. Here goes:

Le mois dernier, M. Gilles Duceppe, chef du Bloc québécois à Ottawa, était l'invité du Club économique de Toronto pour parler de souveraineté aux gens d’affaires de Bay Street ; où on compte d’ailleurs un grand nombre de sièges sociaux qui ont quitté la métropole pour la ville reine dans les années 1990 dans le but de fuir la victoire possible du OUI au Référendum de 1995.