A Canadian Election in October

The United States isn't the only country holding a national election this fall. Canada is also asking voters to choose which party will lead its next government. Unlike U.S. citizens, Canadians vote for local MPs (Members of Parliament) and the elected MPs in turn choose a party leader, with the leader of the majority party becoming head of the government, the Prime Minister. Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper, age 48 and representing a Calgary district (called a riding), announced this snap election, deciding against waiting for the scheduled nationwide polls set for October 2009, in hopes of improving his party's numbers in Parliament. Since the last vote, in 2006, Harper has run a minority government, one relying on the support of at least one smaller parliamentary party to support legislative moves. Going to the voters now is a risky tactic which may reap benefits or merely return another minority government to power.

The major opposition party, the Liberal Party led by Quebecois Stephane Dion, age 52 and representing a Montreal district, espouses a controversial environmental policy, the Green Shift proposal which features a rather drastic restructuring of the tax system in recognition of importance of fossil fuels and the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. A universal carbon-usage tax, but with exemptions for gasoline, would accompany assorted tax credits and income tax reductions. The plan is a bold one, but possibly too bold and courageous at a time when all energy costs are soaring, plant closings and layoffs are affecting many people, and the economy generally is slowing to a standstill.

The Liberals were in power prior to the Harper government but may not be gaining that distinction again any time soon, even with marginally better results from this new election in October. Still, they have more members than the other opposition parties currently represented in parliament. The Bloc Quebecois, devoted chiefly to the interests of the French-speaking province of Quebec, attracts voters from across the political spectrum; of course, voters in other provinces take little notice of this party's policies. The New Democratic Party is generally regarded as left-center and favoring a progressive and socially active platform. The Green Party promotes environmental initiatives. There are a number of much smaller parties, chiefly without parliamentary representation; some of these form only briefly before an election in order to highlight a single issue.

One interesting character to emerge in time for this election season is Danny Williams, the 58-year-old Premier (similar to governor) of Newfoundland and Labrador. His ABC campaign, with its Anything-But-Conservative slogan, is primarily aimed at arousing distrust of the current Prime Minister and Conservative Party head, Stephen Harper. Conservative candidates hold only two of the seven available seats in the province, but Williams is hoping to deny even those two to the right-wing party. Williams is a popular politician with shrewd media skills.

Additional issues with a likely impact on this election are campaign funding lawsuits tied to the previous election, sending more troops to the NATO engagement in Afghanistan, and alleviating border-crossing headaches which affect trade with the U.S. The candidates will discuss these items, the economy, and other assorted problems in televised debates held in two languages, one in English and one in French, for the benefit of voters in this bilingual nation.

Susan Bourette, "With economy slow, Canada to hold early elections", Christian Science Monitor
"An early appointment with electoral destiny; Canada", The Economist
Craig Offman, "No easy win for Liberals on economy", National Post
"May export anti-Conservative campaign to other provinces: Williams". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation