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
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