Harper denies coalition plans with Bloc Quebecois

[Vincent_2002]

Harper denies coalition plans with Bloc Quebecois


Canadian Press


Thursday, March 18, 2004

Conservative party leadership candidate Stephen Harper. (CP/Tom Hanson)




HALIFAX -- Conservative leadership front-runner Stephen Harper rejected claims Wednesday that he would form a coalition with the Bloc Quebecois.

Harper, who also claims the prime minister has plans to form a coalition with the NDP in the event of a minority government, challenged Paul Martin to abandon any such move. "I do not see us making a deal with the separatists and I think Mr. Martin should rule out making a deal with the socialists," said Harper from Ottawa in an interview with the Atlantic regional ATV network.

Harper said an arrangement with the Bloc wouldn't work because the Quebec party - which he said is dedicated to the "breakup" of the country - doesn't share the fundamental philosophies of the Conservative Party of Canada.

And he said certain NDP policies could be just as damaging to Canada's well-being.

"I think . . . having a party in there that is anti-free trade, anti-free enterprise, against the limited fiscal progress the Liberals have made, that would be anti-American in security and defence matters in this day and age, I think that's an anachronism," said Harper. "They . . . would do the country a lot of harm. The Bloc, from Ottawa, can't actually do the country much harm although I don't view it as a very positive force."

Harper is up against Belinda Stronach, the former CEO of Magna International, and former Ontario health minister Tony Clement.

About 251,000 party memberships were sold before the Feb. 29 cutoff date. Harper said he anticipates between 30 and 50 per cent will actually cast a ballot.

© The Canadian Press 2004

 

[Andem]

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that any NDP government would be harmful to this country. Look at what they did to Ontario many years ago when they ran the province.

I can understand that the Conservatives doing that however, but it might be what we NEED to get the liberals out of power once and for all.

I have to admit, I do support a small number of things the liberals have done, including staying out of Iraq, which I'm sure the conservatives would have LOVED to get their hands into.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Instead of always looking at the Rae government when you consider the NDP, you should look at the whole country. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have done well under NDP governments. BC hasn't done badly under them.

Also look at the policies. The NDP has some, the Conservatives have only one...to do as the US tells them.

If you insist on comparing everything to the Rae government, keep in mind that it was them who got the economic recovery happening too.