The most amazing comeback in Canadian political history

Weeks ago, we all thought Stephane Dion would be the first Liberal leader since the 1880s to never become Prime Minister. Now, it looks like he'll get the job - for a little while, anyway:

Liberal caucus members agreed unanimously on Monday that Stéphane Dion will stay on to lead a Liberal-NDP coalition, after the two parties reached a tentative agreement to replace the minority Conservative government.

In an hour-long meeting, Dion received support from all three Liberal MPs vying to replace him as Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae and Dominic LeBlanc, the CBC's Susan Bonner reported from outside the House of Commons.

The three leadership candidates emerged from the meeting together and told reporters they agreed to Dion's presence, but insisted the leadership campaign to replace him will continue "in the normal fashion."

Our new, left-of-centre masters' first order of business: following the lead of our American cousins, and throwing billions of dollars at struggling sectors of the economy:

The Canadian Press reported a source saying mid-Monday that the parties have agreed to present a $30-billion stimulus package that would offer substantial aid to the troubled auto and forestry industries.

The source said the deal also calls for the formation of an economic advisory panel of experts that would include Paul Martin, John Manley, Frank McKenna and Roy Romanow.

Under the proposed deal, the NDP would hold 25 per cent of cabinet positions, while the positions of finance minister, treasury board president and deputy prime minister would be held by Liberals.

The Bloc Québécois would not officially be a part of the coalition, but the new government's survival would depend on its support. [emphasis added]

I'm not looking forward to this train wreck of a government any more than you are. But you have to admit: this wouldn't have happened, had Stephen Harper not decided to press his luck so far.

Damian P.

Posted by damian at December 1, 2008 04:44 PM