Canadians are headed to the polls in 5 weeks but nobody is really certain why. Prime Minister Harper has even stated his Conservative party won't get a majority which isn't difficult to understand given that there are 5 political parties, although the 5th-the Green Party, has never managed to elect anyone to the House of Commons.
So it's not bad enough that Canadians get bombarded on the U.S. channels with all the American election hoopla, now we are going to get it from the Canadian channels as well.
The good news is that we'll get it over quickly. It's doubtful if anything is going to change much. It looks as though Harper just wants the reassurance that Canadians want his party to rule. It doesn't hurt his chances either that the Conservatives are ahead of the Liberals in the polls.
If the federal election were held today, which of the following parties would you vote for?
| Total % |
| Conservative party | 38 |
| Liberal party | 28 |
| New Democratic Party | 19 |
| Bloc Québécois | 8 |
| Green party | 7 |
| (Source: Environics survey) |
It may well be that Afghanistan becomes the most important issue in this election as many Canadians feel that hearing about Canadian soldiers' deaths every day is becoming too much. The economy of course will be front and centre as well.
So get ready fellow Canucks for the next 5 weeks of long winded speeches, empty promises, scathing attacks, and the odd scandal.