Local MP says PM's leadership style caused coalition

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Long-time Liberal Carolyn Bennett said Prime Minister Stephen Harper's attitude toward leadership was the key factor in the Liberal-NDP pact that could lead to the toppling of the Conservative government.

The two leading opposition parties signed a deal this week to align and overtake the Harper government, with the Bloc Quebecois promising support for at least 18 months.

Bennett said the opposition parties were shocked Harper seemed to be turning a blind eye to the economic woes facing the country and appeared more set on pushing forward his own agenda than in doing what is best for Canadians.

"He doesn't understand that this is a Parliamentary democracy instead of a presidency," the St. Paul's MP said. "The arithmetic has always been on our side (in terms of elected MPs)."

Bennett said Canada needed economic stimuli to help curb the country's growing economic problems and assist struggling businesses and individuals.

"(Harper) offered nothing in terms of concessions for industries in trouble," she said. "A lot of us felt we needed something significant done to EI but (Harper) set it up like a Crown corporation with a set amount of money available. In these times, it would mean either a decrease in (EI) payments as more and more people qualify, a decrease in the number of people who qualify or an increase in the payroll tax."

The coalition has promised a stimulus package to increase housing and spending on infrastructure in addition to assisting struggling sectors. Under the proposed coalition agreement, the Liberals would choose the new Finance Minister, while the NDP would be given six positions in the 24-member cabinet and six Parliamentary secretary positions.

Bennett said she had great confidence in Stephane Dion as the man to lead the coalition government. MPs Bob Rae, Michael Ignatieff and Dominic LeBlanc, all of whom have announced their intentions to run for the party leadership have also thrown their support behind Dion, though it is expected the current leader will turn over the reins when a new party leader in chosen in May.

Rae, the MP for Toronto Centre, officially filed leadership papers on Monday. The Liberal leadership hopeful did not return the Mirror's calls as of press time.

El-Farouk Khaki, who ran for the New Democrat Party in the two most recent Toronto Centre elections, said he was looking forward to his party having a stronger voice than ever before in federal politics.

"I think it will be a great challenge to be part of a cabinet that's actually making decisions," he said. "I'm sure Jack and the other five New Democrats who will be part of the cabinet will push forth a platform that's progressive."

Khaki said he hopes the coalition comes to fruition and is able to present a strong, unified front, but added one thing he does not want to see is yet another election close on the heels of the recently-concluded October vote.

"The sense I get in talking to people is that Canadians are tired and don't want to go back to the polls again," he said.