|
|
"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
|
Layton: Harper must 'reach out' to avoid election
|
|---|
| Parent(s) |
Race
|
| Contributor | Craverguy |
| Last Edited | Craverguy Sep 03, 2009 08:25pm |
| Logged |
0
|
| Category | Statement |
| Author | Joanna Smith |
| News Date | Thursday, September 3, 2009 09:10:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | OTTAWA – Jack Layton said today an election is up to Prime Minister Stephen Harper because his New Democrats would prefer action on employment insurance and other key issues over heading to the polls.
"The Prime Minister has a responsibility to understand that he cannot govern alone. Canadians did not give the Conservatives a majority. They elected a minority parliament, which calls upon the government to work to find common ground and to work together where possible," the NDP leader said at a news conference in Halifax after having laid low since the Liberals said they would topple the government at the earliest opportunity.
"The NDP takes that responsibility seriously. We would prefer to see the government work properly rather than having a fourth election in five years," Layton said. "If Mr. Harper wants to avoid an election he must reach out to the opposition parties. If he fails to do so, then we have an election."
In the 308-seat House of Commons, the Conservatives hold 143 seats, the Liberals 77, the Bloc 48 and the NDP 36. (There is one independent MP and there are three vacancies.)
To trigger an election, all three opposition parties would have to vote to defeat the government. |
| Share |
|
|
2¢
|
|
| Article | Read Full Article |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
|
