By Gurmukh Singh, IANS,
Toronto : Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper Wednesday took to the air in his offensive against the three parties which have joined hands to oust his government.
The opposition Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) – backed from outside by Bloc Quebecois – have joined in a deal to replace the minority Conservative Party government which was voted back into power just two moths ago.
Speaking directly to the nation on television Wednesday, Harper said the opposition move to oust his government will spell disaster for the economy in these difficult times.
The opposition deal, he said, was the negation of the people’s mandate in October which put his party in power.
“The opposition is attempting to impose this deal without your say, without your consent and without your vote,” the prime minister told the Canadians in his telecast.
At a difficult time for the country, he added, “a coalition with separatists (Bloc Quebecois party which wants Quebec province to separate from Canada) cannot help Canada.”
Since the crisis was triggered by his government’s failure in its mini-budget last week to announce a package to stimulate the economy, the prime minister said he is “willing to work with the opposition parties in order to deliver an economic plan that will help Canada navigate perilous economic times.
“In fact, we have already changed some of our own proposals to meet their concerns.”
Liberal leader Stephane Dion, who becomes the next prime minister if the government falls during the trust vote next week, followed the prime minister to the airwaves, assuring Canadians that the coalition posed no threat to the economy.
He said the prime minister “still refuses to propose measures to stimulate the Canadian economy. his mini-budget last week demonstrated that his priority is partisanship and settling ideological scores.”
Meanwhile, Governor General Michaelle Jean, who cut short her visit to Europe to return home Wednesday, will meet the prime minister Thursday.
There is speculation that the prime minister may urge the governor general to prorogue parliament till Jan 27 when the government presents the annual budget.