PANTHER POST

Page 15 December2008 NATIONAL COdITON ic

I: It’s said that Harper could stop the non-confidence mo-

tion the Liberals plan on in-

troducing via procedural tac- tics. What could he do and how likely is this to happen? CM: Harper has the op- tion of post-poning the day of reckoning by asking the Governor General for the prorogation of Parliament, which is the ending of the Parliamentary session until ~ late January when the budget is expected to be introduced. In the interim, he could strengthen the economic stimulus package that the opposition is requesting, and engage in a bit of public rela- tions campaign to undermine the confidence of Canadians in the proposed coalition. In particular, he could point

out the role of the separatist Bloc as a key player in this coalition.

I: After three minority Par-

- liaments in succession, most

polls say Canadians want a stable federal government. Do you think that this new coalition can bring the Cana- dian people what they want, or are they just as likely to fall as the current Conserva- tives?

CM: While the proposed al-

liance is being presented as a Liberal/NDP coalition, the durability of the government would be dependent on the support of the Bloc. If the Governor General —assum- ing the government loses a

confidence vote — gives the

opposition the right to form

a government, then the focus

will be on how long the three parties can keep policy dis- agreements at bay. :

Moreover, if Stéphane Dion is selected as the in- terim Prime Minister under the proposed coalition, what happens when the Liberal Party selects a new leader next year? If a new Liberal leader takes the party in a new direction, that could jeopardize the longevity of the proposed coalition.

I: There is also talk that Stelmach would try and launch a constitutional chal- lenge. Would this be pos- sible, and do you know on

what grounds could a case.

be made? CM: I just don’t understand

- why a provincial government

would launch a constitution- al challenge against a legally constituted federal govern-

ment, assuming it comes to power under the country’s constitutional conventions.

Again, this would be a wrong-headed approach to the issue, and exacerbate the climate of uncertainty. What the provincial govern- ment can do is to make sure

that the new government

does not adversely affect the province’s energy sector, for instance, if the proposed government embarks on an aggressive climate change policy that it doesn’t have a mandate to implement.

Instead of constitutional challenges, which are un- likely to succeed, the prov- ince must be vigilant against any challenges to undermine the relative economic perfor- mance of the province.

I: And finally, if the non- confidence motion doesn’t

go ahead as planned, how likely is it that we will be going back the polls within the year?

CM: It is likely that we could be headed back to the polls within two years. In the unlikely event that Harper survives, he is going to be facing an aggressive and emboldened opposition. ° If the new proposed coalition comes into being, it could be undermined by policy dis- agreements, popular back- lash in Western Canada, and the negative consequences of the economic downturn should the anticipated stim- ulus package fail to change the economic fortunes of the country.

This political crisis is the last thing the country needs in these uncertain economic times.

Queen’s cancels homecoming to combat massive street party Party had two riot squads, 138 arrests, more than 600 fines, and 8,000 people

TORONTO (CUP) -— Two riot squads, 138 arrests, more than 600 fines, and 8,000 people at an illegal, all-night street party made for a $300,000 policing bill. By the numbers, Queen’s University Homecoming this year was a thing to behold.

If you missed it, though, you’ll have to wait at least

two years to attend the next

one. _ At a press conference on Tuesday, Queen’s Univer- sity Principal Tom Williams announced that in 2009 and 2010, his school would change the annual fall tra- dition to a “homecoming- ~ styled” reunion in May.

It’s the latest and most dras- tic step Queen’s has taken to

battle the massive, infamous Aberdeen Street party that has become __ inextricably linked with Homecoming. Though unsanctioned, the bash is always held the same weekend as Homecoming. In 2005, it turned into a riot when people flipped a car and set it on fire, and hurled

‘ bottles at police.

Last year, one sergeant called the event a “success,” with only 54 people arrest- ed,

This year, a 35 year-old was hospitalized with life-threat-

ening injuries after being

assaulted by a 19 year-old from Ottawa in town for the party.

“While Homecoming is not in itself the problem —

Homecoming does not cause the Aberdeen Street gather-

‘ing — I believe moving fall

Homecoming is an essential part of the solution,” said Principal Williams.

Not all students agree. Leah McPherson, a first-year Queen’s student, said that “simply a ban or stricter se- curity on the Aberdeen street party would suffice.” “Homecoming is about the pride we as students get to feel from attending this school and seeing all the brilliant minds who have graduated walk the football field during halftime,” said McPherson. “Without that, the school loses connection with the past and current students.

Students climb on a flipped car at the infamous 2005 Homecoming. Jaimmie Riley - The Strand