OTTAWA — NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair has changed his mind about working with the Liberals.
The Opposition leader was adamant he would never join a coalition with the Grits in an interview with The Huffington Post Canada when he was running for the leadership of the New Democrats. But now is excited about the idea.
"N.O.," he said when asked about a possible coalition government in the March 9, 2012 interview.
The NDP tried to form a coalition with the Liberals in 2008 and then the Grits "lifted their noses up on it," Mulcair said.
Mulcair said the coalition experience with the Liberals taught him everything he needed to know about the party. They're untrustworthy, he said, and pledged never work with them again — in a formal or informal coalition.
"The no is categorical, absolute, irrefutable and non-negotiable. It's no. End of story. Full stop," he said.
On Tuesday, however, the NDP leader seemed completely open to the idea of working with Justin Trudeau's Liberals.
Mulcair told reporters that in 2008 he was part of the team that proposed a coalition with then-Liberal leader Stephane Dion.
"When the crisis hit, I was part of the team that proposed a coalition. We were even willing to make Stéphane Dion the Prime Minister of Canada. That's the type of water we were willing to put in our wine," Mulcair told reporters.
"We've always said that we were willing to work with other parties. We're a progressive party. We want to get results," he declared.
Mulcair added that he would let other parties explain to Canadians why they don't think that that's a good idea.
"The Liberals, as you know, it's part of the historical record, walked away from their signature on that coalition agreement. We've continued to have the sign held up in the '11 campaign which was work together. We're going to continue with that optic," he added.
Trudeau has repeatedly said he's not interested in working with the NDP or the Conservatives in a coalition government.
What caused Mulcair's change of heart? We've asked the NDP leader's office and are waiting for a response.
The Opposition leader was adamant he would never join a coalition with the Grits in an interview with The Huffington Post Canada when he was running for the leadership of the New Democrats. But now is excited about the idea.
"N.O.," he said when asked about a possible coalition government in the March 9, 2012 interview.
The NDP tried to form a coalition with the Liberals in 2008 and then the Grits "lifted their noses up on it," Mulcair said.
Mulcair said the coalition experience with the Liberals taught him everything he needed to know about the party. They're untrustworthy, he said, and pledged never work with them again — in a formal or informal coalition.
"The no is categorical, absolute, irrefutable and non-negotiable. It's no. End of story. Full stop," he said.
On Tuesday, however, the NDP leader seemed completely open to the idea of working with Justin Trudeau's Liberals.
Mulcair told reporters that in 2008 he was part of the team that proposed a coalition with then-Liberal leader Stephane Dion.
"When the crisis hit, I was part of the team that proposed a coalition. We were even willing to make Stéphane Dion the Prime Minister of Canada. That's the type of water we were willing to put in our wine," Mulcair told reporters.
"We've always said that we were willing to work with other parties. We're a progressive party. We want to get results," he declared.
Mulcair added that he would let other parties explain to Canadians why they don't think that that's a good idea.
"The Liberals, as you know, it's part of the historical record, walked away from their signature on that coalition agreement. We've continued to have the sign held up in the '11 campaign which was work together. We're going to continue with that optic," he added.
Trudeau has repeatedly said he's not interested in working with the NDP or the Conservatives in a coalition government.
What caused Mulcair's change of heart? We've asked the NDP leader's office and are waiting for a response.