Trudeau says he would never support a Harper minority
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau served notice Tuesday that he would seek to defeat a Stephen Harper government on its first speech from the throne should the Conservatives emerge with a minority on Oct. 19.
“I have spent my entire political career fighting against Mr. Harper’s narrow and meaner vision of what Canada can be and what the government should do,” Trudeau told reporters. “There are no circumstances in which I would support Stephen Harper to continue.”
But when asked whether the Liberals could play a role in installing Canada’s first-ever NDP federal government, he left the door open to co-operation.
“One of the nice things about elections is that it is Canadians who get to decide who sits in their Parliament,” he said. “And the Liberal party has always been open in minority situations to working with other members of the House to pass legislation that serves Canadians.”
Trudeau said he remains confident of victory in the upcoming election, boasting that his program is the only one that will allow the middle class to thrive and grow. He accused NDP Leader Tom Mulcair of offering “empty promises” that won’t take effect for years.
But even when a reporter noted that some political analysts believe it would be a “death knell” for the Liberals if they were to smooth the way for an NDP government, Trudeau refused to dismiss the possibility.
Polls show the parties in a tight, three-way race, making a minority outcome possible. Trudeau has previously ruled out a formal coalition with the NDP, but on Tuesday he said there are ways the two parties could co-operate for the good of the country.
This is the first time Trudeau has been so categorical about his refusal to prop up a Harper-led minority for even the shortest length of time. The vote on the speech from the throne opening a new session of Parliament is considered a vote of confidence in the government, and its defeat could create a scenario where the NDP and Liberals join forces to obtain the confidence of the House. Trudeau’s comments came as he arrived in Montreal to prepare for Thursday’s first French-language debate.
On a hotel patio overlooking the Place des Arts, Trudeau promised $380 million in additional spending for the cultural sector. He said a Liberal government would immediately add $150 million to the CBC’s annual budget, reversing Conservative cuts. The Canada Council for the Arts would see its budget double to $360 million, while another $50 million would go to Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board and to international cultural promotion programs.
“After 10 long years under Stephen Harper, we know he won’t help our arts and culture sector. In fact, they’re under attack,” Trudeau said. He said Mulcair cannot help the cultural sector because he is restricted by his promise to balance the budget.
“People will have to wait two or three elections or more for what he’s promising,” he said.