Through this cunning combination, therefore, Andrew Scheer would take power, and then relinquish it within a few weeks – perhaps consistent with the Conservative promise to increase efficiency in government?
Andrew Scheer insists, incorrectly, that modern conventions dictate that the party with the most seats takes power following an election in which no party wins a majority. In fact, as numerous articles have reported recently, the governing party (the Liberal party in this instance) is entitled to meet with Parliament to determine if it has the confidence of the House of Commons. All parties other than the Conservatives have put forward progressive policies, and the leader of the NDP has indicated a willingness to support the Liberals while rejecting any possibility of supporting the Conservatives. There is every reason to believe, therefore, that a minority Liberal Government – even one with fewer seats than the Conservatives – would be able to survive votes in the House of Commons (at least for a while). However, let’s follow through on the scenario that Scheer insists is the only proper approach. His Conservatives win a few more seats than the Liberals, while falling short of a majority. Trudeau advises the Governor General that his government is resigning from office, and the Governor General then asks Scheer to form a government. Power changes hands the way Scheer insists it must according to modern conventions. But wait – as they say in all those tiresome TV commercials – Scheer has also insisted that his first act as Prime Minister will be to abolish the carbon tax. Given the composition of the House of Commons, any such action would definitely be defeated, and the Scheer Government would have to resign for losing the confidence of the House.
Through this cunning combination, therefore, Andrew Scheer would take power, and then relinquish it within a few weeks – perhaps consistent with the Conservative promise to increase efficiency in government?
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AuthorC. Richard Tindal, Ph.D is a retired Professor of Government. He taught for 30 years at St. Lawrence College, Kingston and was an occasional Visiting Professor at Queen's University. He has also written and consulted extensively about government. Archives
October 2023
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