We cats are mindful that True North politics are good for an easy laugh south of the border. Think of Kramer on "Seinfeld," claiming he had to watch a T.V. show in Jerry's apartment because his own set was busy recording the Canadian Parliament.
Well, tant pis, as the French would say. The debate on Parliament Hill this week has been raucous, and much more entertaining than the usual soporific proceedings of Congress. There's been a ton of name-calling, taunts and good old-fashioned insults of the "whited supulcher" type. We cats were waiting for the thunking of members' walking canes and the tossing of wigs.
Long story short, today the Harper government fell. An election is set for May 2, and conventional wisdom has it that this may be the Conservatives' final and best opportunity to win a majority. We cats aren't so sure. But we have a few questions.
The Canadian punditheads are doing a big eye-roll and saying that the voters, being totally not into an election, will return the Tories to power. But what if, after five years of minority stalemate, Canadians decide they're ready for something different? (We cats wonder, particularly since the no-confidence vote occurred not just on a budgetary question but, for the first time in history, amid allegations of contempt of Parliament.)
If not, is it possible that following a Tory victory all three opposition parties will be headed by Quebec politicians — Justin Trudeau (sigh) for the Liberals, Thomas Mulcair for the NDP, and quiconque for the Bloc Quebecois? (Sorry, folks, we just can't keep all those Bloc guys straight.)
Will Stephen Harper attend the Royal Wedding? We know he's been invited. But how can he leave the country less than a week before Election Day? And especially since he needs to protect the 11 seats that the Conservatives currently hold in non-Windsor-worshiping Quebec?
Are we cats allowed to pine for the days when a Prime Minister called on a Governor General who wasn't an old white guy?
Will the opposition parties invoke the Republicans to demonstrate the perils of right-wingers in charge? Sounds like a good campaign strategy to us!
(IMAGE: Stephen Harper is an unappealing Pillsbury doughboy, so we went with Justin. Sue us.)
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