In a move sure to enrage those 'progressives' who see a vote for anyone other than the Liberals as an attempt to subvert the natural order, Green Party head Elizabeth May says that she would consider supporting the Conservative Party or anyone else should the upcoming federal election result in a minority government:
“People change their minds when they see the dynamic of a way a Parliament is assembled and maybe think, ‘Killing carbon taxes isn’t such a good idea if the only way I get to be prime minister is by keeping them,’ ” May said.May's declaration comes at a time when there are many within the environmental movement, including Greens themselves, who are upset about her plan to continue with the tar sands rather than rely on imported oil:
“I think it’s really important to communicate with Canadians how our democracy works and that a minority Parliament is the very best thing, if, and this is a big if, you have parties and MPs in Parliament who are committed to working together,” she added.
“By ‘working together’,” CP adds, “she specifically means to slow climate change with policies that drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, don’t build any more oil pipelines, and replace fossil fuels with renewable energy as fast as possible.”
Earlier this month, [Alex] Tyrell [leader of the Green Party of Quebec] launched a website, GreensRising.ca, urging May to change the platform to support a “rapid shut down” of the tar sands/oil sands in the first mandate of a Green government, “while investing heavily to support the estimated 140,000 people who work in the industry,” the Star states.While I find May's idea about continuing with the tar sands quite disconcerting, she defends it by saying it
“would also halt all new development of fossil fuels in Canada—including multi-billion-dollar natural gas export projects—and stop all oil and gas imports from other countries. ... In their place, May proposes that Canada use energy that’s already produced here for domestic needs while the country shifts to 100% renewable energy. By 2050, the Greens would ensure all bitumen produced in Canada would be used only for the petrochemical industry, but May said the country will need to stop burning fossil fuels ‘well before’ that.”No political party is perfect, and while I don't support May's idea about the tar sands, I do applaud her willingness to play well with others. In a political landscaped riven by hyper-partisanship, it is good to see someone with a vision that goes beyond simply acquiring power for its own sake. The common good, so long sacrificed on the altar of venal, craven ambition, may once again give people a modicum of hope for the future.
Politics have never been about perfection, Lorne. They've been about what is pratically possible. They, therefore, require careful calculation -- not just about what, but about who you can realistically can form alliances with.
ReplyDeleteMay's open mind in this regard may ultimately work to the people's benefit, Owen.
DeleteFirst, the Greens need to greatly increase their seats. Then they need a minority government, Liberal or Conservative, that would give Team May the balance of power. Even if both events happen there's still a way to go to believe that either Tory or Libs would go for May's ultimatum. On energy policy, especially fossil fuels, it wouldn't be a reach to imagine whichever mainstream party wins the election, the other would support it on bitumen and pipelines.
ReplyDeleteRemember when Iggy threw in with Harper on the "stimulus budget" that wound up stimulating very little. Harper was vulnerable but the Libs weren't remotely ready to fight an election on the economy and so they folded like a cheap suit. If Trudeau wins I can't imagine Scheer taking the gamble of defeating a Liberal government intent on building pipelines and flooding world markets with bitumen. Why, they'd have Scheer's balls for bookends at the Calgary Petroleum Club.
You make an excellent point here, Mound. Nonetheless, such a minority situation might add some vigour to our system.
DeleteIsn't her point that there isn't going to be a deal with the CPC because they're deranged by oil money and don't actually want to reduce emissions?
ReplyDeleteThat would seem likely, Saskboy.
DeleteI mentioned elsewhere that I bumped into Kent Hehr at the Co:op the other day and he insisted on discussing politics, laugh, and I did put a flea in his ear about a minority government and that I will likely vote Green, which will be a protest vote for sure. I am uncertain about this but I am fervently hoping both the Liberal and Conservative parties know they are 'whistling past the graveyard' this election. Bring back the '60s' .... either it's going to be peace, love and groovy ... or sex, drugs and rock and roll the apocalypse? I am good with either option ... laugh ... being in my '70s. But I lean green. smile
ReplyDeletej a m e s
Green is my choice as well, James. There is no time left to play the games our conventional parties still insist on playing.
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