ETOBICOKE: Ignatieff tells Harper to fix economy

Etobicoke-Lakeshore MP Michael Ignatieff takes over as federal Liberal leader. Etobicoke Guardian file photo

New Liberal leader says coalition stands to defeat government if budget falls short

By TAMARA SHEPHARD

Newly appointed Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff took direct aim at Stephen Harper Wednesday, telling the prime minister to deliver a budget in the “national interest” or face defeat at the hands of the Liberal-NDP coalition.

The Etobicoke-Lakeshore MP said Harper “unleashed a parliamentary crisis” and the “ball is in his court” to regain the trust of parliamentarians and Canadians alike.

NORTH YORK/YORK: Area MPs rally behind Ignatieff

By LISA QUEEN

After years of internal party strife and three weeks of historic turmoil on Parliament Hill, local Liberal MPs are keeping their fingers crossed that their decision Wednesday to hand the reins to new leader Michael Ignatieff signals the beginning of a return to power.

The party has nose-dived since the days when former prime minister Jean Chretien captured three successive majority governments.

Under beleaguered outgoing leader Stephane Dion, the Liberals lost 19 seats in the Oct. 14 federal election, taking them to their worst share of the popular vote since Confederation.

SCARBOROUGH: Harper can stay in office if he behaves: local MPs

Party will not necessarily vote government down in January

By MIKE ADLER

Think way back to the first of December.

Liberals and New Democrats signed a pact to oust the Conservatives, divide up cabinet posts and govern Canada.

The Opposition coalition had a plan for the economy that couldn’t wait and Stephen Harper faced defeat, NDP leader Jack Layton declared, “at the earliest opportunity.”

BEACH/EAST YORK: Pressure is now on Harper, MPs say

Ignatieff right choice to lead Liberals: Minna

JOANNA LAVOIE

It’s been an eventful past few weeks on the federal political front with the Liberal caucus endorsing a new interim leader and the Conservative minority managing to avoid a non-confidence vote that could have forced a federal election.

Despite the turmoil, both Beaches-East York Liberal MP Maria Minna and Toronto-Danforth NDP MP and party leader Jack Layton are confident the plan to join forces against Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government is full steam ahead.

“I think we’re still moving forward,” said Minna, adding that, although the circumstances have changed now that Governor General Michaelle Jean has granted Harper’s request to suspend the House of Commons until Jan. 26, the primary objective remains the same.

VIDEO: Your Opinion (Part II)

What are your views about Parliament being suspended until January and the naming of a new Liberal party leader?

Insidetoronto.com gauges the public’s opinion in Toronto’s Bloor West Village.

Ignatieff endorsed by Liberal caucus

Etobicoke-Lakeshore MP to lead the Grits

By TAMARA SHEPHARD

Liberal MPs and senators unanimously endorsed Michael Ignatieff as interim party leader this afternoon.

The caucus vote clears the way for the Etobicoke-Lakeshore MP to be declared interim leader by the party’s national executive — once it consults with Liberals nationwide.

The Liberals “responded quickly to changing circumstances to offer stability and leadership to Canadians,” Ignatieff said yesterday in a statement.

Direction of party is toward renewal: Liberal MPs

Kennedy and Silva respond to Ignatieff’s appointment

By LISA RAINFORD

Michael Ignatieff’s appointment as the new interim Liberal Party leader is a chance for party renewal, say local MPs, after the Liberal caucus confirmed Ignatieff’s new role this afternoon.

Gerard Kennedy, MP for Parkdale-High Park, and Mario Silva, MP for Davenport, weighed in on the leadership change after a week that saw Stephane Dion step down from his post and leadership hopefuls, Bob Rae and Dominic Leblanc, bow out of the race in a matter of days.

“It’s a curious circumstance,” Kennedy said in an interview with The Villager, “that the party wasn’t able to come up with a broader system. (Ignatieff’s) campaign was predicated on the majority of the membership. It’s disappointing in a respect.”

PM cannot regain confidence of Parliament: Chow

By NORM NELSON

Trinity-Spadina MP Olivia Chow thinks Prime Minister Stephen Harper has just delayed the inevitable.

“We (the NDP) say you can’t run, you can’t hide,” said Chow, speaking to insidetoronto.com following last week’s unprecedented suspension of parliament.

Governor General Michaelle Jean agreed to a request by Harper – in the face of a non-confidence vote by the opposition parties which would have brought down his short-lived government – to suspend parliament until Jan. 26.

VIDEO: Your Opinion (Part I)

People at Yonge-Dundas Square share their thoughts on the possibility of a coalition bringing down the Conservative government.

PHOTO: Leaders attend Coalition Rally

NDP Leader Jack Layton and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion at a Coalition Government Rally Dec. 6 at Nathan Pillips Square. Photo/DAN PEARCE