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Your Questions: Ask CBC

Don Newman

Tuesday, January 29, 2008 | 03:08 PM ET

Between the possibility of an election looming large and a host of committee hearings, CBC's Ottawa bureau has been busy. With Parliament back in session, the focus returns to national politics.

Will there be a spring election? How will the Harper government handle the Manley report? What influence, if any, will the U.S. presidential campaign have on Ottawa?

Don Newman

On Wednesday, January 30 Senior Parliamentary Editor for CBC News and the host of CBC Newsworld's daily program Politics, Don Newman took your questions.

Read his answer below.

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Comments

Charlene Smith

Woodstock,Ontario

If by some reason the government decides to co-operate and agrees with the Manley report's recommendations,what do you believe the fallout will be IF Canada does as it says it will ,if the key points are not addressed by other countries and we pull our troops out of Afganistan?

Don Newman: It is hard to imagine all of the consequences that could flow from a decision to pull Canadian troops out of Kandahar Province if the conditions of more support are not met by other NATO countries.

In Kandahar the situation could deteriorate rapidly unless NATO suddenly came up with a replacement force. That seems unlikely. If the Alliance can't find 1,000 troops to fight with Canadians that are already there, then finding the 2,500 to replace the Canadians we have on station, plus the extra 1,000 that are needed to make the mission work seems an impossibility.

The Americans would no doubt find troops of their own to take our place. But since we went to Kandahar to help out the U.S., Canadian - American relations would be badly strained by our leaving. As well, the whole future of NATO would be in question because of the European allies unwillingness to help Canadians out. Fairly or not, Canada could find its reputation hurt internationally, and in future finding other countries willing to be allies or partners difficult. Surely it would have been better to think of an exit strategy back in 2006, before rushing into a two year extension of our Afghanistan mission.

Posted January 29, 2008 07:35 PM

Jason Tremendous

Toronto

With rumblings of a possible economic downturn, what effect, if any, will this have on the opposition triggering an election.

Don Newman: Since both the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democrats say they will vote against the government's budget, this really comes down to the question of what the Liberals will do when a budget vote comes. If they abstain as they did last year, the budget will pass. If they join the other two Opposition parties and defeat the budget, an election will be triggered.

When the Liberals met in Kitchener on January 28th and 29th, there were differing opinions among the MPs. Some thought that continuing to abstain on confidence votes hurt the credibility of the party and they have to vote against a budget. Others cautioned that with a deteriorating economy, it could seem irresponsible to trigger an election. A third group believe the impact of the slowing economy will be felt more significantly later this year, and that is the time to trigger an election using the old slogan "Tory times are tough times." The key test will probably be what the government puts in its budget, and what other issues are in play at the time of the confidence votes. Watch closely.

Posted January 29, 2008 07:38 PM

Kenneth Junior

Do the Conservatives have anything to gain by orchestrating an election this spring?

Don Newman: It appears less and less. The economy is softening, the challenge in Afghanistan is growing, and as with every government, the longer it is in office the more events and controversial decisions pile up.

To counterbalance this, the Liberals are getting better organised, the economy could be worse later in the year and what happens in Afghanistan in unpredictable. However, since the Conservatives pushed through a bill fixing the next election in October of 2009, now the decision to have an election in a minority Parliament like this one rests with Opposition. Particularly with the Liberals who until now have been avoiding an election by abstaining on votes that could defeat the government and send the country to the polls. For the government to orchestrate an election would be very difficult.

Posted January 29, 2008 07:40 PM

Johnboy

Brandon

What is behind the PM's pathological hatred for the Canadian Wheat Board, especially the desire to remove barley from CWB control?

Don Newman: There is a constituency in the prairie provinces, and particularily in Alberta and western Saskatchewan, that considers the Canadian Wheat Board and its monopoly on wheat, barley and canola sales as "socialistic." These people historically vote Conservative. When the Liberals were in power some farmers who don't like the CWB tried to sell grain on their own to grain companies in the United States. They were charged. Shortly after that getting rid of the CWB "single desk" monopoly became part of the Conservative platform. The barley issue is slightly different. Most of it is grown for brewing and distilling, and the farmers who grow it think they can do better dealing directly with potential customers.

Posted January 30, 2008 01:41 AM

Wayne N.

Is it true that Harper and Peter McKay do not have a great rapore? If so, who will he turn to in the East for a heavy weight during the next election?

Don Newman: The Harper - MacKay relationship is not a great one. One potential Atlantic heavyweight; Keep your eye on former New Brunswick Conservative Premier Bernard Lord.

Posted January 30, 2008 03:29 PM

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