So the softwood vote will be tantamount to a confidence motion, huh?

[tuvor]

At least that's what Harper says he considers it to be.

Can someone explain to me why he gets to decide such a thing?

[Spazito]

1. It is the prerogative of the government, I believe, although the

bill/s related to the budget are found to be automatic confidence motions. There are times when the speaker can rule on whether some motions can be confidence motions are not. I had found info on the government site but that was before the cons took over and have completely, imo, made the site almost unusable.

[CHIMO]

2. Because

Within the agreement there is a tax on Canadian lumber under certain scenarios. So it has to be a vote of confidence.

However, it is still awhile before the thing gets to the floor of the commons. So in the meantime we wait for Stevie and his gang to explain the policy while the companies find out such things as their bond ratings will go down the tube with the new plan and they may start raising some objections.

Further I am just waiting for some US fund to bring some of the top executives on the carpet, like they are doing with his lordship, for giving their money away when the courts have sided with the companies.

Just waiting.

So in the meantime Stevie has to act presidential.

[MrPrax]

3. Bob Rae should be pleased...

Rae urges Liberals to risk election over softwood

Updated Fri. Jul. 14 2006 11:02 PM ET

Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- Liberal leadership candidate Bob Rae is urging the party's MPs to vote against the softwood lumber deal, even if it means toppling the minority Conservative government and plunging into an election before the Grits have chosen a new chief.

*Bob running with scissors and SNIP*

Juicy quotes:

"My view to that would be, fine," Rae said in an interview.

"It should be a matter of confidence. It is a terrible, terrible deal and it sets an atrocious precedent for all of our trade negotiations with the U.S."

"The Liberal party can not under any circumstances allow our own internal issues to get in the way of focusing on the importance of this question in the House of Commons,"

"It's kind of a presidential slush fund that's being given to them."

from this CTV story: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060714/rae_softwood_060714?s_name=&no_ads=">Here

Bob's on board for the Good Fight...

but wait, he doesn't have a seat...D'OH

(Bob will climb down faster than you can say, 'Wrzesnewskyj')