Belinda Stronach

Move to the Liberals

In May 2005, Stronach suggested publicly that quickly forcing the next federal election, especially before passing that year's federal budget, was risky and could backfire. http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1115128357918_22?hub=topstories Stephen Harper was advocating an early election, in the wake of testimony at the Gomery Commission damaging to the Liberals. The party planned to bring down the government by voting against an amendment to the budget that the Liberals had made to gain New Democratic Party (NDP) support; this would effectively be a motion of no confidence.

Related Topics:
May - 2005 - Next federal election - That year's federal budget - Gomery Commission - New Democratic Party - Motion of no confidence

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, on May 17, 2005, two days before the crucial vote, Stronach announced that she was "crossing the floor" and joining the Liberal Party. Her decision to join the Liberals was facilitated by former Ontario Liberal Premier David Peterson. Stronach was appointed to the cabinet position of Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and given the portfolio of Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal, charged with overseeing the implementation of the Gomery Inquiry recommendations, upon their release.

Related Topics:
May 17 - 2005 - Crossing the floor - Ontario Liberal - Premier - David Peterson - Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development - Minister responsible for Democratic Renewal - Gomery Inquiry

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Her decision to leave the Conservative Party came after an uneasy relationship with Stephen Harper. In a press conference after leaving the party, she said that Harper was not sensitive to the needs of all parts of the country, and was jeopardizing national unity by allying himself with the Bloc Québécois to bring down the government. http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/05/17/stronach-liberals050517.html She also stated that the party was too focused on Western Canada and "western alienation" instead of having broader focus. During her time in the Conservative Party, she was considered to be one of the few nationally prominent socially liberal Conservatives.

Related Topics:
Bloc Québécois - Western Canada

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stronach's move shifted the balance of power in Parliament and allowed Paul Martin's Liberal minority government to survive. On May 19, 2005, two crucial confidence motions were voted on in the House of Commons. The first vote, on Bill C-43, the original budget proposal approved by all parties, was passed as expected, with 250 for and 54 against. The second vote was on a new budget amendment (Bill C-48) that included C$4.6 billion in additional spending the Liberals negotiated with NDP leader, Jack Layton, to secure the support of NDP MPs. It was on this amendment that the Conservative/Bloc alliance planned to bring down the government. However, the initial vote resulted in a 152-152 tie. It then fell to the Speaker, Peter Milliken, to cast the deciding vote, which he cast in favour of continuing debate, resulting in the survival of the government. The vote carried with a final count of 153 for and 152 against. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15349101-23109,00.html.

Related Topics:
Paul Martin - Minority government - May 19 - 2005 - Bill C-43 - Bill C-48 - Jack Layton - Speaker - Peter Milliken

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stronach's decision to cross the floor has delighted Liberals and New Democrats, who have used the incident in their media efforts to paint the Conservative Party as being too extreme for moderate voters in Ontario.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~