Want a coalition with that coffee?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/03/2011 (5533 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Free Press checked in with a few Tim Hortons voters in St. Boniface to gauge reaction to the issue that has dominated the campaign so far — the spectre of a coalition government.

John Anderson

Information technology worker and St. Boniface resident

How do you feel about the idea of a coalition government?

No chance. I don’t like it at all. I’m a Conservative and I don’t find you can have a strong enough foundation for it to properly run the country.

Do you believe Michael Ignatieff when he says he won’t form a coalition?

No. I’ve kind of researched it and watched and I don’t necessarily believe what he has to say.

Harper has spoken about the idea of co-operation or coalition with the other parties. Would you want to see Harper form a coalition?

If it’s going to benefit him, but I just don’t think you can have a strong democracy with a coalition. If it’s going to be weak, then no, I wouldn’t want it at all. I don’t think it helps our country at all.

Louise Voyer

St. Boniface resident and part-time real estate agent

What do you think about the idea of a coalition government?

Well, if it means we’ll have fewer elections and the party in power will get a few more things done without constantly fighting… the fighting in the government is just very upsetting.

So you’d be OK with a coalition if it meant some stability?

Well, it depends on who the coalition is with. I really hope the Conservatives win again. (Harper) isn’t the most up-front about things but I think he’s done a good job and our country has done well through this recession and I’d like to see him stay in power.

Bill Maretzki

Construction estimator and resident of Winnipeg South Centre

How do you feel about the idea of a coalition government?

I don’t feel very positive about it, mainly because of the fact that a Quebec-based party would then have a lot of influence in the governing of the country.

What if it was a coalition that excluded the Bloc Québécois?

I might be OK with that because I think it’s part of our Constitution. If it’s with the Bloc, it doesn’t seem right to right me because it’s a regional party.

Do you think Ignatieff would form a coalition if he was in a minority position?

I think he might. He may genuinely believe what he is saying now, but when the situation comes around a couple of months later or a month later with a budget, he may change his mind.

Would you ever have any problem with Harper forming a coalition?

I would rather they not. I would rather nobody forms a coalition.

Hetty Vanderput

Retired, lives in the Portage-Lisgar riding

Would you ever feel comfortable with a coalition government?

Oh, definitely, because my vote might mean something. Right now, my vote does not count in our riding because the Conservatives always get in.

Who would you be leaning toward voting for?

Well, I took the CBC (Vote Compass) questionnaire and am leaning toward the Greens. I surprised myself!

Which parties would you like to see form a coalition?

There’s only one choice and that’s the Liberals and NDP, and the Greens, I guess.

And what about the Bloc? They’re always the sticking point.

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Well, it’s a bit of a problem, but if the Greens and Liberals and NDP were together forming a government…

What if Harper formed a coalition, which he maybe started to do a few years ago?

That’s right, and now it’s coming back to haunt him. No, I’d like to see a change in government. Make a note, I’d like proportional representation.

— Mary Agnes Welch