From CTV today:
Accord dispute creates dissent in Harper cabinet
Updated Mon. Jun. 11 2007 10:10 PM ET - CTV.ca News Staff
CTV News has learned a weekend letter on the Atlantic Accord dispute has left Prime Minister Stephen Harper facing a major cabinet split.
Sources say that Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay feels blindsided by the letter to the editor published Saturday that inflamed matters.
Insiders say that Sandra Buckler, the prime minister's communications director, instructed MacKay to sign the letter, which rejected any side deals with Nova Scotia.
MacKay, a Nova Scotia MP and the senior minister for Atlantic Canada, refused, say sources. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty signed the letter.
And later in the article this scenario:
Liberal senators, who hold a majority, say they might even take up MacDonald's call to defeat the budget.
"If Mr. Harper wants this budget, Mr. Harper is going to have to change this budget," said Liberal Sen. Terry Mercer of Nova Scotia.
Having the Senate vote down the budget would be a vote of non-confidence in the government and an election could result.
"It would be totally irresponsible and it would be unprecedented for the unelected Senate to defeat a budget bill," said Conservative Sen. Marjory LeBreton, the party's house leader.
As we're not experts on the Canadian political process, does this possibility have any validity?
If so, what an intriguing idea . . . .
(Cross-Posted at Moving to Vancouver)
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