The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions released a statement supporting the work of the Canadian Labour Congress during our current parliamentary crisis.

“The economic update delivered by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was a direct attack on collective bargaining, pay equity and collective agreements. It also raised serious and urgent concerns with Canadians because it lacked an economic stimulus package. As a result the government has lost the necessary support in the House of Commons to continue governing and the opposition has come together to propose an alternative. Public information meetings will be held in major cities across Canada. CFNU encourages you to attend the information meetings in your province.”

What is going on in Ottawa?

The minority Conservative government introduced an Economic and Fiscal Update on November 27th, 2008. In order to pass the Update, the government needs at least 12 votes from other parties, as the Conservatives do not hold a majority of the seats.

The three opposition parties oppose the Update on the following grounds:

• The Update did not include adequate measures to stimulate the economy and slow the recession as agreed are needed at the G-20.
• Did not strengthen the social safety net for workers losing their jobs as a result of the economic crisis.
• Placed wage controls on federal public servants and temporarily removed the right to strike.
• Proposed legislation to ban pay equity claims.
• Removed public support for political parties, which is a key component to cleaning up campaign financing and ensuring multi-party democracy.

Since the Update is a Vote of Confidence, their opposition would defeat the government and send Canadians back to the polls. The only other option to an election would be to make a request to the Governor-General to form a Coalition government. This is possible because it is a minority parliament. The Liberals and the NDP have agreed to form a coalition government, with the support of the Bloc for 18 months. The Liberals and the NDP together have only 113 seats in Parliament. This means that they need the Bloc with 50 seats to give them a majority in the House. Any proposals of confidence in the House of Commons would have to be agreed to by the Coalition members before introduction. 

How would a coalition government work?

Is this a coup d’etat? Is it illegitimate? Is it undemocratic?

The majority of Canadians did not vote for Stephan Dion to be Prime Minister. How can he just become Prime Minister?

What would a Coalition government do?

The Conservatives are talking about proroguing. What is that?

Where can I go for more information?  

To find the answers to these questions read the entire article
- CFNU: Hot (or Not) on the Hill