Ignatieff rules out coalition with NDP, Bloc Quebecois as campaign kicks off
Posted Mar 26, 2011 10:29:26 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA, Ont. – Michael Ignatieff has ruled out a coalition with the New Democrats and Bloc Québécois.
But the Liberal leader told reporters he’s open to working issue-by-issue with other parties, should his party win the election.
However, Ignatieff also said he’s “categorically” ruling out a coalition or even a formal arrangement with the Bloc.
“Whoever leads the party that wins the most seats on election day should be called on to form the government,” Ignatieff said in a statement, issued even before the election was formally called.
“If that is the Liberal party, then I will be required to rapidly seek the confidence of the newly elected Parliament.”
“If our government cannot win the support of the House, then Mr. Harper will be called on to form a government and face the same challenge. That is our Constitution. It is the law of the land”
The coalition question threatened to dog Ignatieff during the campaign as Stephen Harper’s Conservatives raised the spectre of a cabal with the NDP and Bloc Quebecois.
The Tories have accused the Liberals of being in bed with the “socialists and separatists.”
Until Saturday morning’s statement, Ignatieff had been coy about a coalition. He dodged questions after the government fell Friday afternoon, repeating the line that Canadians have a choice between a “blue door” and a “red door,” a reference to the party colours of the Conservatives and Liberals.
