Problems are definately occuring for the newly elected Conservative Goverment that reigns with a minority government on Canada's Parliament Hill. Angered by the domineering attitude of the governing Conservative Party, the Liberal, NDP and Bloc Quebecois Parties which comprise the three other main political parties of Canada, are now in discussions to form a Progressive Coalition Government to prevent the Conservatives from attempting to exercise total control within the government offices of Canada.

The Conservative party currently holds 143 seats of Parliament while the Liberal, NDP and Bloc Quebecois fill the other 163 seats. This is obviously not a Conservative majority government, but Mr. Harper has been acting as though it is, and this refusal to work with the other house members may lead to the political suicide of his Conservative Government Party.

From smudging the figures within Canada's dwindling coffers, to tapping the telephone lines of his political rivals, has Mr. Harper finally stepped over the boundries of political acceptance?

All the country can do is sit and watch as these historical events unfold.

Although it seemed that Mr. Stephane Dion may yet have his chance to sit as the Prime Minister of Canada, that is something that will not occur. On December 9th, 2008 Mr. Dion stepped down as leader of the Liberal Party so that Michael Ignatieff could replace him as leader of Canada's Official Opposition Party. 

Although this is a signaficant shift within the Liberal Party, the move underway between the Liberal, NDP and Bloc Quebecois to work together as a coalition in order to prevent the conservatives from exercising total control over Canada's Parliament Hill, is still in place. 

The New Coalition Party itself would be comprised of members from the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party. The Bloc Quebecois has pledged to offer support within the Government House for this new coalition for the upcoming eighteen months which would mean that the Coalition Party would have a majority government in Parliament. The Green Party which received almost a million votes has also thrown their support in the direction of this coalition.

Should you wish to show your support for the creation of this party, you can find a petition in support of the formation of a progressive coalition here: http://progressivecoalition.ca/

Thank you Mr. Dion for so honorably serving the needs of your party and your country.

Considered one of the "Greener" major party leaders, Mr. Dion came into the last election equipped with a past reputation of environmental consciousness. Appointed as Environment Minister in July 2004, during his time in this position Mr. Dion is known to have helped create one of the "Greenest Budgets" to be implemented since Confederation. This is an attitude and lifestyle that he brought with him into the 2008 Election Campaign.

Stephane Dion was born September 28, 1955 in Quebec City. He was first elected into office in 1996 in the riding of Saint Laurent Cartierville in Quebec. He was re-elected in that same riding in 1997, 2000, 2004 and 2006. On December 2, 2006, Stephane Dion was chosen to be the eleventh leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. It is Mr. Dion's three stem policy of focusing on economic issues and social justice while still striving for "environmental sustainability" that is believed to have earned him this position.

As for my personal opinion? Speaking as a Western Canadian who has a great deal of pride in her country, I wish Mr. Dion, Mr. Ignatieff and the other proposed members of this new coalition well, they have my vote should a Coalition be a neccessary means of governing our country. Somehow I always believed that was what a minority government was in the first place?

Beaver: The famous furry little critter that started the rush to colonize Canada.

Loonie: This one dollar coin is one of many coins and bills that comprise Canadian money. It acquired it's name because the first coin came out featuring a loon on it's front. Subsequent attempts to drift away from having our one dollar coin hosting the distinguished title of "Loonie", have not worked, the Loonie remains to stand tall and strong within the Canadian History Books!

Canada Goose: Our national bird?

Eh!: A Canadian phrase to encompass anything from "Job well done!" to "That is one hot mama!".

Maple Leaf: A leaf that grows upon the mighty Maple Tree, which is a source of nothing other than maple syrup, or Maple sugar. It is also a National symbol of Canada.

Insulin: Famous Canadian medical breakthrough announced in the winter of 1921, credited to two Canadians Sir Frederick Banting, and his assistant Charles Best.

Churchill: Nothing like Parliament Hill. Residing here is approximately one polar bear per every five residents. Rather an exciting little Canadian spot to set up a homestead.

Niagra Falls: Half Canadian and half U.S. these falls sit between the two cities of Niagra Falls, Ontario and Niagra Falls, New York.

Terry Fox: A Canadian Hero. This young lad lived a very short life but he initiated the Marathon Of Hope which lives on in his memory. Over 400 million dollars has been raised in his name for cancer research. Thank you Terry.

Hockey: Canada's National sport.

Wayne Gretzky: A Famous Canadian Hockey Player who was sold to the United States.

 Pamela Anderson: A well recognised Canadian figure.

 Stompin Tom Connors: A National Canadian Cowboy Singer who stomps on boards during his concerts. After his concert these dented boards are auctioned off for charity. (Yep, would take a Canadian to think that one up!).

 Judging Distance: Canadians generally judge distance in spaces of time rather than measurement. For example a neighborhood cafe might be fifteen minutes away while the nearest town is around an hour away. The reason for this unique language lies in the Country's change over to metrics, and the majority of Canadians being forced to live the metric system, but completely unable to figure it out.

Go Canada Go!