Politics Question

[elanya]

So... Considering our current minority government in Canada with the Liberals technicaly in charge, and another Republican(boo!) win in the US... How strong an influence on our politics do you the the US will have over the next four years? Will the minority gov make it easier for them to push us around, or harder, since they have to influence more parties? How much of an influence are they likely to *try* to have, and on what issues?

Comments

[rumor-esq.livejournal.com]

About the same, really. When it comes to Canadian policy, I don't think the US "pushes us around" much. They have influence, but I would not call it undue, I would call it about proportional to their importance as a trading partner. Canada seems rather immune to pressure from US officials.

That said, there are a lot of ministers and the like in Ottawa who tend to *agree* with US viewpoints. And we have our own cronies anyway. In this respect, a minority gov't helps us a bit, but only because it makes the NDP a little powerful.

[balthcat.livejournal.com]

I got the impression before the election (ours) that Martin would be on the right side of the liberal spectrum. Now I hear the media sayin the same thing from time to time...

Maybe Bush will facilitate Martin implementing right-leaning external policies... like trade.

[balthcat.livejournal.com]

...like *IN* trade...

[ladyiolanthe.livejournal.com]

And also, I think with a minority government they are obligated to call an election earlier than four years? I could be wrong on that.

[xypharan.livejournal.com]

They are not obligated. But if they can't put motions through the house then a "vote of non confidence" can be called, with could force them to to call a new election. But if they can keep the opisition "playing nice" like they are at the moment then they could pull off 4 years.

I guess in short version is: They aren't obligated, but they could be if the oposition bands together to force them.