On responses

There have been several interesting suggestions going around as to how the opposition parties should deal with today's prorogation. But I'll point out off the bat what looks to me to be a significant risk - along with a suggestion as to what to do instead.

I'd see two main problems with any plan - whether based on a protest or an alternative Parliament - which involves the opposition parties staying around Ottawa.

First off, that would involve essentially giving the Cons a free pass in working across the country to spread their message. As it is, the coalition figures to be outgunned in an advertising war - which means that the last thing it can afford to do is to largely confine itself to Ottawa while Con MPs and challengers are working their ridings.

Second, the Cons have already used a campaign message based on running against Ottawa. And by gathering there, the opposition parties would simply reinforce a message which the Cons have already planted in the the public memory - helping the Cons to get on the right side of what looks to be significant public cynicism at the moment.

Which isn't to say that a couple of Ottawa events shouldn't take place. Indeed, it would seem to me a gimme to hold a mock non-confidence vote next Monday, and there may be other times when Parliament Hill can serve as the backdrop for opposition efforts. But for the most part, the opposition parties (and particularly the coalition ones) need to reach out to their ridings and beyond to counter the Cons' push for public support and make it clear that they're listening closely to constituents.

Meanwhile, for the coalition parties in particular, that public presence should feed into a detailed stimulus proposal to trump whatever the Cons would figure to include in their budget. While it's of course impossible to finalize anything without access to the federal civil service, that should involve some effort to work with the provinces and municipalities to highlight specific infrastructure projects which could be fast-tracked, as well as detailed proposals related to green investment, pensions, EI, and the other areas which the coalition has already agreed to deal with.

That way, the Cons won't have much of an argument available that the time required to topple their government would lead to significant delays in implementing a stimulus package. And the coalition will be able to present itself as no less prepared to govern than the Cons when it votes non-confidence.

Aside from that, the one other essential element which I'd draw from the shadow-Parliament type of proposal is for the opposition parties to keep in contact and ensure that their messages reinforce each other (along with the need to topple the Cons). And if they're able to do that despite Harper's best efforts at sabotage in the meantime, then it should serve as a strong indication that the coalition will be stable enough to handle power once the time arises.