MISSION CANADA ASSESS CURRENT POLITICAL TURMOIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 001504 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/10/2018 TAGS: PGOV CA SUBJECT: MISSION CANADA ASSESS CURRENT POLITICAL TURMOIL REF: OTTAWA 1495 Classified By: PolMinCouns Scott Bellard, reason 1.4 (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. Mission Canada reporting officers agreed on December 1 that Prime Minister Harper appears to have badly miscalculated by introducing a divisive political issue (the elimination of public financing for political parties) in the fall economic statement (reftel),when the public expected him to focus on helping the economy. However, there is no public desire for a new federal election. Although the government likely will survive for the time being, PM Harper is in a weakened position, as his reversal on the financing issue as well as on the short-lived ban on strikes by public servants demonstrated. END summary. ¶2. (C) In a bimonthly DVC among Mission Canada reporting officers (and WHA/CAN) on December 1, PolMinCouns described the current political turmoil in the wake of the controversial fall economic statement on November 25, notably an unexpected cut off of public financing for political parties and a ban on strikes by public servants -- both of which the government scrambled over the weekend to rescind. Pundits and politicians alike have been surprised at the vehemence of the opposition's response, especially its ongoing efforts to sort out how to form an alternative coalition government to replace the Conservatives. While some believe that PM Harper made a serious tactical miscalculation that could herald the beginning of the END of his political career, others speculate that the "crisis" may be a deliberate Harper plan to demonstrate opposition ineptitude and impotence. Next political possibilities include: -- the government survives upcoming confidence votes during the week of December 8; -- the government prorogues Parliament and returns in January with a new, more conciliatory Throne Speech and a budget that includes a heftier stimulus package; -- the government asks the Governor General to call a new election, which she does; and, -- the government asks the Governor General to call a new election, which she declines to do and instead asks a coalition of the Liberals and New Democratic Party to form a government. PolMinCouns asked reporting officers how these Ottawa-centric events were playing out in their consular districts, what the reaction to the ongoing turmoil was, whether there is any appetite for a new election, and who will END up receiving the blame for the current controversy. Calgary -------------- ¶3. (C) The political crisis was front page news in Alberta. With the tight Conservative hold on "the West," a new election would not result in any significant changes there, although the Conservatives might pick up a seat in the Northwest Territories. There has been no hue and cry from the core Conservative constituency to make a push to eliminate public funding for political parties, leaving many in confusion about why the Prime Minister had picked this particular fight. Winnipeg -------------- ¶4. (C) Canada's sensible "midwesterners" are following Ottawa events with concern and even consternation. The clear message from the recent Conservative policy convention in Winnipeg -- including from PM Harper himself -- was that this was not the time to focus on ideology, but rather on pragmatic solutions to the current economic crisis. It makes no sense that the Conservatives themselves, therefore, picked an arbitrary fight over political financing in the economic statement, especially since there was no call among the rank-and-file Conservatives to make this a key issue. Halifax QHalifax -------------- ¶5. (C) Atlantic Canada is still hoping that cooler heads will prevail and that the government will focus on the economy rather than political gamesmanship. Some of Halifax's Liberal contacts are hoping that lame-duck Liberal leader Stephane Dion would step down sooner rather than later. Many residents of Atlantic Canada are puzzled by PM Harper's policy measures, as the Conservatives could have been viewed as an economic savior by increasing spending in the province. According to Rookie MP Siobhan Coady, an opposition coalition could be good for Newfoundland-Labrador by giving it representation in Cabinet. But other Atlantic OTTAWA 00001504 002 OF 002 Canada citizens fear that an opposition coalition dependent on Bloc Quebecois support could hurt them, if Quebec favored a "Made in Quebec" energy policy. New Brunswick MP and cabinet Minister Greg Thompson has accused the Liberals of engaging in a power grab. Montreal -------------- ¶6. (C) Some Montreal commentators believe the situation could benefit Quebec Liberal Party leader Jean Charest in the December 8 Quebec provincial election by showing that minority governments do not work. Other analysts believe the crisis in Ottawa, and the potential Bloc Quebecois' "king-maker" role, could instead help the separatist Parti Quebecois. The ongoing drama in Ottawa remains front page news in Montreal. Quebec City -------------- ¶7. (C) Quebec citizens are tired of elections and so voters would likely punish the Conservatives if there were a new federal election any time soon. However, a new federal election would also present the Bloc with a favorable campaign platform, which would focus on cushioning the impact of the U.S. economic crisis, support for the manufacturing and forestry sectors, and possibly construction of a high speed train from Quebec City to Toronto/Windsor. Quebec City mass media is more focused on the provincial elections than on the far-away events in Ottawa. Vancouver -------------- ¶8. (C) There is a perception in Vancouver that the opposition parties, who failed to perform well in the last election, are now trying to seize power through the back door. British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell has criticized PM Harper's lack of a stimulus package. He is also concerned that the government seemed more focused on a possible bailout for the automobile sector (which does not help Vancouver) without apparently considering help for the forestry sector (which is important for BC). Toronto -------------- ¶9. (C) Ontario voters are most concerned by the economy, and not as focused on politics. That being said, the political crisis has generated heavy media coverage in the province. Many voters would like to see greater assistance to the automobile sector, and a bigger economic stimulus package. The Premier of Ontario has proposed cutting provincial government spending. Straw Poll: Harper stays -------------- 10 (C) Following an informal straw poll among Mission Canada reporting officers, there was almost a total consensus that the Harper government will survive -- for the time being, at least -- albeit likely weakened. There is no clear Conservative Party successor to Harper, which could make for a volatile leadership race in the event that a Conservative challenger to Harper were to emerge. By "ruling by fear," Harper has not engendered the level of warmth and friendship that former Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chretien enjoyed with their party caucuses. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS