Coalition Cemented and Unprecedented

Stephane Dion, along with Jack and Gilles, have gone up the coalition hill. If you haven't heard yet, the Liberals, New Democrats and the Bloc Quebecois have finalized their negotiations on a coalition government. If the current Conservative government falls, Stephane Dion will become the PM and the NDP will receive 25% of the cabinet seats - 6 seats in total. The Bloc will play no formal role in the coalition but has agreed to support the coalition until June 2010, after which it may renew its support.

I don't even know what to say. This is amazing and extraordinary to be proper. But really - and I have whispered this to myself a couple of times - this is crazy. The good crazy, of course, but crazy nonetheless.

This is absolutely unprecedented in Canadian history. Yes we had a coalition during the Great War around the issue of conscription. But this is a governing coalition. The NDP-Liberal government (proposals for names welcome!) will be looking to introduce legislation on a wide variety of fronts. One very amusing instance came during this afternoon's press conference to announce the coalition when a reporter asked Dion whether he would pursue the carbon tax. His answer: "Thanks for reminding me." He went on to explain that it is not part of the agenda for this potential government and that his party, along with the Bloc and NDP, have agreed to introducing a system of cap-and-trade. Good news for the environment.

As they have maintained for days, they are not looking to bring down the government on the issue of public per-vote funding, but rather the complete and utter lack of an economic plan. What theirs looks like will certainly be interesting. They promise a stimulus package. But the fact that they have already pressured the Conservative government to remove their plans on government funding of parties as well as the ban on public service strikes are victories for democracy and for the economy.

The next week will certainly be tense. That tension will be accompanied by a lot of interest and excitement for every politically-tuned Canadian. Many questions arise: Will Harper try to prorogue Parliament? Will the Governor General accept? Will she accept a Liberal-NDP government? Will we go into an election (something no opposition party can afford)? Which MPs receive which cabinet positions? (one interesting suggestion - offer Jim Prentice Environment)

It is well within Harper's rights to prorogue and it wouldn't be surprising. Apparently if he does, there will be supply issues with regards to paying for public servants. But that probably wouldn't stop him. Both his short-term political future as well as his political legacy are at risk. His own supporters have been expressing incredulity at his miscalculations this past week. What is sure is that precedence will continue to be challenged.

The other question is, of course - what about us? What does this mean for the GPC? The best answer I've heard so far was "we're now in third place, on the podium!" - behind the Liberals-NDP and the Bloc. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Until then, stay tuned. Things are moving very, very quickly. As Elizabeth noted, never has the adage that "a week in politics is a lifetime" been more true.