"Then, just five weeks after they voted to give the Conservative government a stronger mandate, they nearly ended up with an entirely different "coalition" government that was never even a choice on the ballot."

???????

A stronger mandate? How about "the stronger mandate, but not a majority". That means that proposals being brought must receive the approval of members of other parties, whether a single party or several parties.

That failed. You ought to have known that it would fail by polling members beforehand what they might support.

You could also have made an agreement with another party to come up with a coalition. But it appears that you felt that such a coalition was not on the ballot, whether led by youo or another party. Thus you obviously did not consider that.

In conclusion, you failed on two accounts to show that you could govern with the hand that the people of Canada dealt you.

Let us see whether you take that lesson, do the work that needs to be done by any prudent group in your situation, keep us out of yet another election, and start governing this country with some reasonable proposals which a "partnership" of MPs can support for the benefit of all in Canada in these economic times.

Learn to govern a bit more wisely in 2009.

He just can't stay away from bashing the others instead of just pointing out and promoting the merits of his own party!

"I've seen many intriguing developments in Canada's political scene..."

Yes, many of them instigated and provoked by your own PM who likes to rule like an autocrat.

It is my hope that 2009 will bring in a new attitude, a new behavior, a new unity, a new agreement, a new style, a fresh perspective to govern this great country of ours. We have so much, we should be content.

I hope I have this right but one of the tax cuts is for those with low incomes. That tax cut is supposedly $40 per year. Now that is not going to help seniors on fixed incomes to even pay their increased gas bills. It will be a tragedy if people who built this country are unable to stay in their own homes.

I cannot wait for the new Senator and Jay /Dick to do all these wonderful things for the North - at this time of year with another carbon tax (Gordo's) to be dealt out - yes Lamb you are right - for seniors it will mean absolutley nothing to them.
Maybe the 3 lame ducks can get the forestry workers back to work and get involve with Pr. Rupert port before more workers are out of work.

I don't like that Jay Hill has a double standard when it comes to human rights. He can not bring himself to speak out against the atrocities in Gaza and support Canadian values of mutilculturalism and equal rights for all in the human race.

We have witnessed our government, that Jay Hill represents, support 100% the use of tanks, war planes and helicopters, 1000 pound missiles and gun boats to blockade and bomb urban centers with no defenses. Bombing a whole population in collective punishment for resistance to an occupation that can only be described as theocratic aparthide with a generational genocide of the native population.

Generational genocide of a native population through blockades, starvation, and violence is not a Canadian value?

Apartihide policies anywhere else in the world are not Canadian values?

Theocratic based rights are not Canadian values?

Using F-16 to rain missiles down on a defenseless city are not Canadian values?

Blockading food and humanitarian supplies like basic medical needs are not Canadian values?

Targeting innocent civilians in crowded refugee camps to reach a sole terrorist are not Canadian values (ie kill em all and let god sort it out)?

These acts sanctioned by our conservative government put our own troops at risk in Afghanistan and put our country at risk of reprisals for supporting an unjust regime in Israel with what they do to the Muslims. How can supporting these atrocities be a Canadian interest much less a value?

So why does our 'conservative' government of Jay Hill support all these abominations to Canadian values and Canadian interests?

Does this government represent Canadians or Israel? To me the only answer is Israel first and Canadian interest second... which raises the question of why... is it partisan politics with a hidden agenda... is it foreign influences in our political system... is it non-profit societies with too much political influence... or is it just the values Jay holds and he doesn't want to talk about it?

IMO Canada should not support the two-state solution. because that is institutionalized aparthide where it gives Israel the right to not respect the rights of the Palestinians. Canada should support one country, one people, one vote per citizen and a nation that respects all its peoples and all its religions... Canada should support Canadian values... and above all a nation that respect international law and the Geneva conventions on war, and enforced by international bodies like the UN.

Jay Hill has a moral failing that he owns because he refuses to speak up for Canadian values and instead supports a regime and its actions that is contrary to everything Canadians hold as basic human rights. This is how history will record Jay and his government in regards to the atrocities taking place in the middle east.

Jay Hill should answer these very important concerns, and so should our 'conservative' government. Canada should not be held hostage by Israel or America when it comes to our moral values... we should be independent and sovereign in expressing the values of our country.

First, best of the New Year to all. And congratulations to Jay Hill on your landslide win here in our most recent election. We deserve a voice in cabinet.

Now, sorry Jay - but you deserve this and I'm a little pissed off.

Some thoughts.

1) A coalition is always on the ballot in Canada's parliamentary system. You and Steven Harper always knew this. You state your adherence and knowledge of it at www.conservative.ca (just google principles of the conservative party Canada) or click on the link http://www.conservative.ca/EN/4679

That's why you try so hard to get a majority. I believe I learned this in grade 10 social studies.

2) Harper, the silly bugger, wrote a letter to the then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to form a coalition with the Party Quebecois in 2004. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081201.wPOLcoalition1201/BNStory/politics/home About halfway down.

3) Your leader has complained of a dysfunctional parliament as the reason he violated his own law in calling a snap election, and had a longer summer break this year than my children, yet,

4) You got caught circulating a 200 page manual on how to obstruct and interfere with committees and parliamentary procedure in 2007.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070518/tories_parliament_070518/20070518

5) So being myself a bear of very little brain, and if I am to assume that you're a reasonably bright fellow (being a member of parliament for some 15 years and a party whip and all) I am forced to conclude that,

a) Steven Harper has totally abandoned the principles of the conservative party in his failed attempt to win a majority for the second time in spite of an incredibly weak opposition.

b) He's risked the well-being of this country for his own ego re: Quebecois anger.

c) He will most likely never get another conservative seat in Quebec and therefore never get a majority - please see above.

d) He is hated by the opposition parties now (so no coalition either most likely).

e) We need a new leader in Canada. Either a new conservative leader or liberal leader. The liberals have one and he will most likely poll well once he starts to point out many of the gaffs Steven Harper has made. Harvard is not the kind of place to hire a Stephan.

f) Therefore knives have to be out for Steven Harper within your own party. You've got a rough job ahead of you, for they have to be out for you as well.

Oh yeah - Steve's a hypocrite who thinks I'm stupid. I could say that angers me but you don't care about that. So lets just say that it doesn't poll well - see what happened to Mulroony.

First, best of the New Year to all. And congratulations to Jay Hill on your landslide win here in our most recent election. We deserve a voice in cabinet.

Now, sorry Jay - but you deserve this and I'm a little pissed off.

Some thoughts.

1) A coalition is always on the ballot in Canada's parliamentary system. You and Steven Harper always knew this. You state your adherence and knowledge of it at www.conservative.ca (just google principles of the conservative party Canada) or click on the link http://www.conservative.ca/EN/4679

That's why you try so hard to get a majority. I believe I learned this in grade 10 social studies.

2) Harper, the silly bugger, wrote a letter to the then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to form a coalition with the Party Quebecois in 2004. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081201.wPOLcoalition1201/BNStory/politics/home About halfway down.

3) Your leader has complained of a dysfunctional parliament as the reason he violated his own law in calling a snap election, and had a longer summer break this year than my children, yet,

4) You got caught circulating a 200 page manual on how to obstruct and interfere with committees and parliamentary procedure in 2007.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070518/tories_parliament_070518/20070518

5) So being myself a bear of very little brain, and if I am to assume that you're a reasonably bright fellow (being a member of parliament for some 15 years and a party whip and all) I am forced to conclude that,

a) Steven Harper has totally abandoned the principles of the conservative party in his failed attempt to win a majority for the second time in spite of an incredibly weak opposition.

b) He's risked the well-being of this country for his own ego re: Quebecois anger.

c) He will most likely never get another conservative seat in Quebec and therefore never get a majority - please see above.

d) He is hated by the opposition parties now (so no coalition either most likely).

e) We need a new leader in Canada. Either a new conservative leader or liberal leader. The liberals have one and he will most likely poll well once he starts to point out many of the gaffs Steven Harper has made. Harvard is not the kind of place to hire a Stephan.

f) Therefore knives have to be out for Steven Harper within your own party. You've got a rough job ahead of you, for they have to be out for you as well.

Oh yeah - Steve's a hypocrite who thinks I'm stupid. I could say that angers me but you don't care about that. So lets just say that it doesn't poll well - see what happened to Mulroony.

First, best of the New Year to all. And congratulations to Jay Hill on your landslide win here in our most recent election. We deserve a voice in cabinet.

Now, sorry Jay - but you deserve this and I'm a little pissed off.

Some thoughts.

1) A coalition is always on the ballot in Canada's parliamentary system. You and Steven Harper always knew this. You state your adherence and knowledge of it at www.conservative.ca (just google principles of the conservative party Canada) or click on the link http://www.conservative.ca/EN/4679

That's why you try so hard to get a majority. I believe I learned this in grade 10 social studies.

2) Harper, the silly bugger, wrote a letter to the then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to form a coalition with the Party Quebecois in 2004. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081201.wPOLcoalition1201/BNStory/politics/home About halfway down.

3) Your leader has complained of a dysfunctional parliament as the reason he violated his own law in calling a snap election, and had a longer summer break this year than my children, yet,

4) You got caught circulating a 200 page manual on how to obstruct and interfere with committees and parliamentary procedure in 2007.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070518/tories_parliament_070518/20070518

5) So being myself a bear of very little brain, and if I am to assume that you're a reasonably bright fellow (being a member of parliament for some 15 years and a party whip and all) I am forced to conclude that,

a) Steven Harper has totally abandoned the principles of the conservative party in his failed attempt to win a majority for the second time in spite of an incredibly weak opposition.

b) He's risked the well-being of this country for his own ego re: Quebecois anger.

c) He will most likely never get another conservative seat in Quebec and therefore never get a majority - please see above.

d) He is hated by the opposition parties now (so no coalition either most likely).

e) We need a new leader in Canada. Either a new conservative leader or liberal leader. The liberals have one and he will most likely poll well once he starts to point out many of the gaffs Steven Harper has made. Harvard is not the kind of place to hire a Stephan.

f) Therefore knives have to be out for Steven Harper within your own party. You've got a rough job ahead of you, for they have to be out for you as well.

Oh yeah - Steve's a hypocrite who thinks I'm stupid. I could say that angers me but you don't care about that. So lets just say that it doesn't poll well - see what happened to Mulroony.

First, best of the New Year to all. And congratulations to Jay Hill on your landslide win here in our most recent election. We deserve a voice in cabinet.

Now, sorry Jay - but you deserve this and I'm a little pissed off.

Some thoughts.

1) A coalition is always on the ballot in Canada's parliamentary system. You and Steven Harper always knew this. You state your adherence and knowledge of it at www.conservative.ca (just google principles of the conservative party Canada) or click on the link http://www.conservative.ca/EN/4679

That's why you try so hard to get a majority. I believe I learned this in grade 10 social studies.

2) Harper, the silly bugger, wrote a letter to the then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to form a coalition with the Party Quebecois in 2004. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081201.wPOLcoalition1201/BNStory/politics/home About halfway down.

3) Your leader has complained of a dysfunctional parliament as the reason he violated his own law in calling a snap election, and had a longer summer break this year than my children, yet,

4) You got caught circulating a 200 page manual on how to obstruct and interfere with committees and parliamentary procedure in 2007.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070518/tories_parliament_070518/20070518

5) So being myself a bear of very little brain, and if I am to assume that you're a reasonably bright fellow (being a member of parliament for some 15 years and a party whip and all) I am forced to conclude that,

a) Steven Harper has totally abandoned the principles of the conservative party in his failed attempt to win a majority for the second time in spite of an incredibly weak opposition.

b) He's risked the well-being of this country for his own ego re: Quebecois anger.

c) He will most likely never get another conservative seat in Quebec and therefore never get a majority - please see above.

d) He is hated by the opposition parties now (so no coalition either most likely).

e) We need a new leader in Canada. Either a new conservative leader or liberal leader. The liberals have one and he will most likely poll well once he starts to point out many of the gaffs Steven Harper has made. Harvard is not the kind of place to hire a Stephan.

f) Therefore knives have to be out for Steven Harper within your own party. You've got a rough job ahead of you, for they have to be out for you as well.

Oh yeah - Steve's a hypocrite who thinks I'm stupid. I could say that angers me but you don't care about that. So lets just say that it doesn't poll well - see what happened to Mulroony.

Apoliticalgeek: "Now, sorry Jay - but you deserve this and I'm a little p*ssed off."

More than a little, I would say, because you rubbed it in four times! Obviously Jay doesn't like coalitions at all, although coalitions are a basic right of all other democracies.

Ah well, 2009 should be an interesting year!

Cheers!

happy new year to everyone. i seen jay on ckpg news last night he must think the PC are perfect what he should do is quit he has done nothing for the people of the north who will have been laid off in the forest indusrty he should be upfront with the people of the north he only going to do what harper tells him to do it has been a year and jay has done nothing to help people to get EI extensions but it it come down to him getting a wage increase it would be done tomorrow . I think that the people we elect shpould represent every one in the riding they got elected in and not just the big companies and the rich
the PC government has come out with TAX free savings account. You can put $5000.00 a yr and when you use this money you will not have to pay taxes on this money. This would bet great if people could afford to save $5000.00 yr most people can't afford to put money into RRSP.What this government should do is help the people in the country the most the poor and the unemployed and stop filling the pockets of the rich. harper and hill should wake up from this dream that they are having and remember they are not respresenting the people of Canada with what they have done so far since they were elected. They should get a back bone like Premier Williams and make sure they represent all the people of Canada.

Imagine what kind of representation we would have with someone from one of the other parties? I say be thankful and count your blessings. It could be a whole lot worse.

Oh, Prime Minister Harper and MP Jay Hill would probably respond more willingly if you addressed them with a little more respect. Off the cuff remarks and a lack of respect for our elected officials does nothing to garner co-operation. Just a thought.

Why is it that people cannot learn to lay off the 'refresh' button when they post? This is why we get multiples!

And apoliticalgeek hit it four times! No patience or what?