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Constitutional 'logjam' could ensue if Harper wins minority and acts like majority government, say experts

Ignoring confidence vote defeat 'would amount to a sort of informal constitutional coup. Essentially that position he’s taking is he’s not the Prime Minister shackled by the will of the people, he’s the elected president of Canada,' says U of O law professor Mendes.

Conservative Party of Canada photograph
Listen up nation: Prime Minister Stephen Harper pictured at a rally in Edmundston, N.B. He says voters should give him a majority because the opposition will form a coalition.
By TIM NAUMETZ |
Published: Wednesday, 04/20/2011 8:52 pm EDT

PARLIAMENT HILL – The escalating confrontation between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the opposition leaders over whether Mr. Harper will accept a minority government outcome for his party in the May 2 election could lead to a constitutional “logjam” or even worse if Mr. Harper attempts to ignore or avoid a confidence defeat in the new Parliament, law professors say.

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Constitutional 'logjam' could ensue if Harper wins minority and acts like majority government, say experts

Ignoring confidence vote defeat 'would amount to a sort of informal constitutional coup. Essentially that position he’s taking is he’s not the Prime Minister shackled by the will of the people, he’s the elected president of Canada,' says U of O law professor Mendes.

Conservative Party of Canada photograph
Listen up nation: Prime Minister Stephen Harper pictured at a rally in Edmundston, N.B. He says voters should give him a majority because the opposition will form a coalition.
By TIM NAUMETZ | April 20, 2011

PARLIAMENT HILL – The escalating confrontation between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the opposition leaders over whether Mr. Harper will accept a minority government outcome for his party in the May 2 election could lead to a constitutional “logjam” or even worse if Mr. Harper attempts to ignore or avoid a confidence defeat in the new Parliament, law professors say.

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Defence Minister Peter MacKay pictured at the 2011 party.

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