Stability needed in Ottawa: Nova Scotia premier
Rodney MacDonald, Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative premier, says he's ready to work with whatever government is in place in Ottawa next week.
MacDonald is calling on the political parties to work together, saying stability is needed rnow, not political posturing.
But no matter what happens on Parliament Hill, he said,the province will work with the federal government.
"What we all want to see, and certainly what I want to see, is for the political parties to start focusing less on the politics and more on governing the country," MacDonald said Tuesday.
"And at the end of the day,we will have to work — and will work — with whatever government is in place."
'I have real concerns'
On Monday, the federal Liberals and New Democrats signed a deal to form an unprecedented coalition government if they succeed in ousting the minority Conservative government. The two parties have the backing of the Bloc Québécois.
Though MacDonald said he's anxious for the current political turmoil to end, he won't say what he thinks is the best outcome for Nova Scotia.
"I have real concerns with a coalition where the final say is with a separatist party. That is something which, you know, I have deep concerns about," MacDonald said.
At the same time, he wouldn't say whether he believes a Conservative government is best for the province.
"Well, I believe stability is the most important. And again, we'll work with whatever government is in place," said MacDonald.
Parliament is set to vote on a Liberal no-confidence motion on Dec. 8.
If Stephen Harper's government loses, Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion would request that the Governor General approve the coalition government, which he would head.
Michaëlle Jean could also call an election should the Conservatives lose the vote of confidence or allow the Harper government to suspend the current parliamentary session to avoid a political showdown.
Talk of a coalition government was triggered when Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered his fiscal update last Thursday.
Conservatives on hot seat
Opposition parties blasted the Conservatives for failing to include a stimulus package for the slumping economy, and accused the party of using tumultuous times to try to push through ideologically driven measures they said attacked women and public servants.
The mini-budget originally proposed a three-year ban on the right of civil servants to strike, limits on the ability of women to sue for pay equity and eliminated subsidies for political parties.
The Conservatives have since promised to present their budget on Jan. 27, with the suggestion it will contain a stimulus package, and have eliminated some of the most contentious issues from the fiscal update.
The coalition has vowed to make a stimulus package a priority, proposing a multibillion-dollar plan that includes help for the auto and forestry sectors.
The coalition would have a 24-member cabinet with six New Democrats and 18 Liberals, and would operate with the support of the Bloc Québécois for at least 18 months.