Tail wagging the dog all the way to the polls

Today in the headlines of the National Post, we see the inherent problem with minority governments (Kyoto Bill May Force Election).

All three opposition parties are planning to support the imminent passage of a Liberal private member's bill which would "legally require the Conservative government to abide by the Kyoto protocol's short-term targets". Bill C-288 "calls on Canada to meet its Kyoto commitment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 6% below 1990 levels by 2012."

Constitutional experts say the implications of passing the bill could see Prime Minister Stephen Harper forced to choose between implementing measures to meet Kyoto targets he has called unrealistic or calling a general election.

(...)

The Conservatives fought the bill as it proceeded through successive readings, claiming that if it were passed it would require new spending, something a private member's bill cannot initiate. However, [Liberal] Speaker of the House Peter Milliken ruled yesterday that the bill does not constitute spending for a new and distinct purpose and can proceed to final reading.

So now the Government's hand may be forced. If it attempts to meet these targets, the economy could be seriously affected; a possibility that even Liberal buddy Buzz Hargrove cautions against:

"If somebody were to come out tomorrow and say you have to reach the objective that was laid out initially immediately, you'd almost have to shut down every major industry in the country from oil and gas to the airlines to the auto industry and that just doesn't make sense," he said.

And it makes even less sense in light of the recent bad news from Daimler Chrysler.

The Post cites Patrick Monahan, dean of Osgoode Hall Law School as warning that "the bill, if passed, would legally bind the government to meet its Kyoto obligations."

Therefore, since the government cannot realistically achieve these goals, it may be forced to call an election over the issue.


Personally, I think the opposition will have a lot of 'plainin' to do about why they forced the government's hand on such a contentious and confusing issue that is replete with so-called expert opinion on both sides.

The NDP is likely less than enthusiastic about this charade, since polls suggest that they are losing support to the Greens and Liberals. However, on an ideological basis, they have no choice but to back the bill.

It's clear that the opposition parties are playing a game of political blackmail on the backs of the Canadian taxpayers.



But here is the most telling line of all from the Post article:

Mr. Rodriguez said he is not suggesting how the Conservatives should meet the Kyoto targets. "They are in power. They wanted to run the country, so they have to take the responsibility," he said.

In other words, 'we three opposition parties will dictate to the government what to do, and then when they fail, the Natural Governing Party will be back in power.'

Thus, we see the fatal flaw of a minority government. I hope that Canadians see through the ruse and reward Stephen Harper with a strong majority government which he so rightly deserves.

Then perhaps we can finally get something of significance done in Ottawa, instead of all this political posturing.

* * * *

Updates: Here's the view from the other side of the fence.

-Just listening to QP now. Igghead is asking questions like why is the government scaring Canadians about the economic effects of Kyoto? Perhaps he should ask pal Buzz that question.


-Great letter in today's Post:

It was an interesting week in Canadian politics as the majority of federal MPs voted to continue support for the universally acknowledged to be unachievable Kyoto accord, which remains supported by the majority of Canadians, though the contents of the accord are understood by almost no one...a perfect combination of the dishonesty and opportunism of opposition MPs, and the intellectual apathy and indifference of the Canadian people.

Very well said, Iain G. Foulds of Spruce Grove, Alberta.

Great post by Olaf here, with an interesting debate in comments.