Canada: Green Party Leader Says Harper Needs Tanks on Parliament Hill

The leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May, said that unless Stephen Harper brings tanks to Parliament Hill, he will have to pack-up his Conservative Party and leave.

In a press conference this morning, Ms May said, “It’s not a parliamentary crisis, unless Mr Harper rings Parliament Hill with tanks and tries to stop the opposition members.” Seemingly settled on the inevitable outcome that the coalition will take power, Ms May didn’t deny that she may be appointed to a senate seat when the governmental reins of Canada are handed over. “We’re supporting the coalition unreservedly and we’re supporting the coalition unconditionally,” Ms May said. She added that her party wouldn’t have a veto, but that it would have influence. “The party that had the best opportunity to form a government was Mr Harper’s party,” she continued. “He’s now blown it. Now it’s time to turn to the other parties to see if they can form a government.” She said the current situation is, “An orderly transfer of government from a party that has lost the confidence of the House (of Commons) to a coalition of responsible parties.” Ms May was not elected to parliament in the last ballot – she lost to Conservative Peter MacKay in the Nova Scotia riding of Central Nova – and neither were any of her other party members. “We don’t have a seat in the House,” she said. “But we have people who will mobilize across this country for what is right. We need to make it clear that the majority of Canadians want a coalition government.”