Canadian Government Falls on No-Confidence Vote

Living so close to Canada I always looked at it with a sort of reverence. They had cleaner cities, lower crime rates, universal health care, and the people are so darn nice. It's quite a large contrast to where I live, Detroit. While they are only a few hundred yards apart, the difference is staggering.

I used to go there all the time. I would go over and enjoy the better selection of beer, better parking, and the casino (this was before Detroit got their three).

We would get to see Canadian television like it was our own. There is a news satire program on CBC called "This hour has 22 minutes" Which would review the week’s news and make fun of it.

This is surprisingly good insight into how Canadian Citizens view their government. The Liberal Party, on the whole, is good. Except for the rampant corruption festering in the party like gangrene.

On the other hand. The Canadian Conservative Party (yes there is one) is just downright scary and weird. Just ask Stephen Harper. They also have a few scandal problems too but hey, who cares, right?

From the Associated Press via Yahoo! News:

A corruption scandal forced a vote of no-confidence Monday that toppled Prime Minister Paul Martin’s minority government, triggering an unusual election campaign during the Christmas holidays.

Canada’s three opposition parties, which control a majority in Parliament, voted against Martin’s government, claiming his Liberal Party no longer has the moral authority to lead the nation.

This vote isn’t suprising. There are three separate conservative parties that hold seats in parliament. Normally they can’t really get along. Except for one little issue. Sticking it to the Liberals!

What’s really going to matter is when the citizens vote in January or Februrary.

The loss means an election for all 308 seats in the lower House of Commons, likely on Jan. 23. Martin and his Cabinet would continue to govern until then.

Opposition leaders last week called for the no-confidence vote after Martin rejected their demands to dissolve Parliament in January and hold early elections in February. Monday’s vote follows a flurry of spending announcements in Ottawa last week, with the government trying to advance its agenda ahead of its demise.

Martin is expected to dissolve the House of Commons on Tuesday and set a firm date for the elections. Under Canadian law, elections must be held on a Monday --unless it falls on a holiday-- and the campaign period is sharply restricted.

For more interesting Canadian news and stuff check out: The Bourque Newswatch (People who know me will be laughing right about now).

Also check out The Rick Mercer Report. The best way to understand Canadian Politics to to watch them make fun of it.

Be sure to check out Rick Mercer's Blog when you get a chance. I’m a fan of his. I would like to be the Rick Mercer of America but I would probably be tortured or shot. It’s the American Way.

Canadian Government Falls on No-Confidence - Yahoo! News