All Torontonians - indeed anyone living in Canada's three major cities - have to be concerned that they have no representation inside the new minority government. Cities are the cultural and economic engines of a country. Not having a voice inside the corridors of power threatens a return to an Ontario Conservative like condition where Toronto's needs were more or less ignored. We aren't exactly sure why there is this schizophrenic divide in the country but we do know that the minority government is unlikely to last long if it decides not to support the cities.

1. Like Deborah Coyne, I am puzzled why the Layton NDP abandoned its coalition with the Liberals to bring down the Martin government. This move exposed Canada’s chief urban areas to the mercy of the Harper Conservatives, for no visible progressive gain. The Liberal scandal was wildly exaggerated, albeit partly by Martin himself to vilify his rival Chretien. The phoney investigation of income trusts was calculated to trip the Liberals in the middle of the election campaign. But Layton happily turned his guns on Liberal scandals forgetting the potent dangers offered by the Harperites.

   Posted by David MacGregor  on  01/24  at  10:29 PM

2. I’m trying to understand the NDP decision from a game theory perspective. Even though the decision to vote against the Liberals has resulted in 10 more seats for the NDP they no longer control the balance of power. Why did they take that chance?

   Posted by  on  01/24  at  10:58 PM

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