Mulcair appears to soften stance against NDP-Liberal coalition government

OTTAWA – Tom Mulcair seems suddenly more open to the idea of a coalition government, now that his New Democrats are in third place behind the ascendant Liberals.

Two years ago, when the Liberals were on their apparent death bed, Mulcair categorically ruled out a coalition.

He said then that the 2008 attempt at forming a Liberal-NDP coalition government had proven the Grits couldn’t be trusted.

He described his anti-coalition position as “categorical, absolute, irrefutable and non-negotiable.”

Now, Mulcair is suggesting he meant only that he wouldn’t agree to run joint candidates during an election.

He says whether a coalition is needed to oust the Conservatives after an election depends on the configuration of the House of Commons after the votes are counted.

And he says New Democrats have always been willing to work with other parties.