Now that all the drama on Parliament Hill is over for the next few weeks, it’ll be interesting to see what happens next year (when the session resumes). The NDP-Liberal coalition was planning to take down Prime Minister Stephen Harper with a non-confidence motion set for today, but he immediately went to Governor General Michaelle Jean last week and asked her to prorogue parliament (which she did) until Jan. 26, 2009. According to the coalition, the Prime Minsister has not even attempted to involve the other parties in working out a plan to aid the economy, nor has he any ideas for a stimulus package. The government’s defense to this planned coup attempt supported by the Bloc Quebecois (at least for the next 18 months) is to accuse these opposition parties of conspiring with “separatists” to create political instability undemocratically. From what I can see, this may be the most democratic means of achieving victory in Ottawa, because when parties are working together it gives them a much better chance of governing effectively.
Adam Bemma is a journalist, humanitarian, and media consultant based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Adam Bemma 
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