Coalition aiming to 'steal the government:' Shea
Last Updated: Monday, December 8, 2008 | 6:59 AM AT
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More than 100 Conservative supporters gathered in Charlottetown Saturday to voice their approval of the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and to denounce efforts to defeat it in Parliament.
The Liberals and the NDP delivered a letter to Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean last week saying Harper had lost the confidence of the House of Commons and they were ready to form a coalition government to replace him. However, Harper succeeded in getting Jean to prorogue Parliament before a vote of no confidence could take place.
Egmont MP and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea spoke at the rally in front of Province House.
"It might look very appealing to the Wayne Easters of the world to steal the government," said Shea, referring to the most outspoken Liberal member of the P.E.I. caucus during the Parliamentary crisis.
"They must ask themselves: is it ethical as a Canadian to vest veto power over the country's decisions in a party that has no responsibility for Canada's progress?"
The Liberal-NDP coalition would require the backing of the Bloc Québécois, which has said it would support a coalition government for 18 months.
A rally in support of a coalition government was held last Thursday night, organized by the P.E.I. Federation of Labour.
There have been rallies in support of both sides across the country, and more are expected before Jan. 27 when Parliament resumes to hear the new federal budget.
Corrections and Clarifications
- Gail Shea is the MP for Egmont, not Malpeque as originally reported. Dec. 8, 2008|9:14 a.m. AT
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