That said, the polls are not meaningless.
A majority Conservative government would be in a position to pass whatever legislation in wanted without the hindrance of other parties or their views.
Perhaps this is what Canadians want -- but my sense is that the last Parliament, with the give and take amongst the various Parties worked fairly well.
Another minority term would not necessarily be so terrible. But that's not an easy argument to make -- vote against the Conservatives so as to ensure they proceed carefully once they win.
Frankly the better approach for Liberals is to say 'Our Party is better for Canada. Give us a mandate to govern'.
The Conservatives have done well insofar as they have adopted Liberal positions. The Conservative's best argument is that they are slightly bluer Liberals -- basically centre right, but only a little right and not an agent of radical change. They have to argue, in effect, elect us and we will still be what you already have. But remember, the Conservatives are not a middle of the spectrum Party -- the Red Tories are an extinct breed federally. (Pragmatic and sensible Tories exist but they aren't even slightly leftist).
Liberals are a big tent Party and, while focused on the centre, have room for those both right and left of the middle. (I am certainly on the right within the Liberal fold).
A Liberal majority government would be the same as a Liberal minority government -- broadly central, socially liberal, fiscally conservative.
A Conservative majority government might be the same as the minority has been -- but I doubt it. Without minority status and without a left wing in the Party to keep happy the Conservatives will inevitably drift right.
Fearing Harper could win a majority, rivals sound early alarm
CAMPBELL CLARK AND DANIEL LEBLANC From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Stephen Harper's opponents are breaking out sharp early warnings as polls suggest the Conservatives are rising toward majority-government territory, with the Bloc Québécois already saying the Tories are close, and the Liberals planning to start the campaign on an attack footing.
Even before the campaign begins Sunday, Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe issued the kind of stop-a-majority plea that is usually a last-ditch tactic. The Liberals, reluctant to follow suit because it implies they are ceding their chance at power, nonetheless hinted that the prospect of a Tory majority might shake up voters.
In Montreal on Friday, Mr. Duceppe used the Conservatives' boost in the polls to argue that Quebeckers must elect Bloc MPs or Mr. Harper will have free rein.
"His objective is to enact his hidden agenda in its entirety, in a majority government," Mr. Duceppe said at a news conference."That's what he wants, a majority government, and let's not fool ourselves, a majority is within his reach." The Liberals are preparing to open the campaign by attacking Mr. Harper's record in an attempt to hobble his advantage in the rankings as best person to be prime minister. They will leave their own platform for a second wave.
And while Liberal strategists deem an overt plea to prevent a Tory majority a strategic mistake – because it would imply they don't expect to win – some hinted the polls on the eve of this election campaign might at least shake up their voters.
"Canadians … will always have a thought in the back of their mind, which is, 'Imagine if this were a majority Conservative government,'" said Montreal Liberal MP Denis Coderre.The party's national campaign co-chairman, Senator David Smith, said: "A lot of people will be thinking that to themselves. But I'm not saying it."
On Friday, Mr. Harper removed any lingering doubts that he will call an election when his office announced he will visit Governor-General Michaëlle Jean tomorrow morning at 8:05 to ask her to dissolve Parliament. Election day is expected to be Oct. 14.
Mr. Harper directly called the head of the Canadian Jewish Congress to explain his decision to hold the vote at the start of the Jewish celebration of Sukkot, noting that people can vote in advance polls.
And on the last working day before the writ is dropped, Mr. Harper nominated a new Supreme Court judge, Thomas Cromwell, made a raft of political appointments and struck a deal with General Motors in which the company will commit to production and investment in two Ontario plants.
A Strategic Counsel poll in Tuesday's Globe and Mail showed that the Conservatives have 37 per cent support, placing them within striking distance of a majority government, typically reached at about 40 per cent.
On Thursday, the CBC released an Environics survey showing the Conservatives at 38 per cent, the Liberals at 28 per cent and the NDP at 19 per cent.
And a new poll by Innovative Research Group also shows the Tories moving in on majority territory.
Innovative Research Group does not re-distribute undecided voters in its surveys, but instead counts respondents that say they will vote for a party or are leaning toward it. And its results give the Conservatives a strong lead, with 36 per cent, compared with 29 per cent for the Liberals and 13 per cent for the NDP.
Full story here:
http://m.avantgo.com/ui?ag_url=52616e646f6d4956797ebed392be4fcfa59b2bf289f447c6c02bee8704e2efa18429fbbca057f60b8dc3c2c55d4b9f6507b520d28795820ae530cc4c62bebe3b469bdc3b6e042abda5a63844806b8af0&ag_channel=4179&showNav=0&ms=globeandmail
James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
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1 comment:
I have actually had my Federal Income Tax reduced for the first time in DECADES. We have avoided the crazy liberal scheme of minding other peoples children at tax-payers expense.
Am I happy with the present govt? Not entirely, they, like their predessors spend too much, and in my opinion taxes across the board are still too high. I would like to see MUCH LESS Government in Canada. If we don't make it possible for Canadians with new ideas and technologies to succeed in Canada, then they will continue to do what they have done for decades . . . GO ELSEWHERE!
Dion's carbon tax scheme is just plain nuts . . . this will drive inflation and continue to hamstring Canadian industry. Just look at the results in Ontario and Quebec of decades of interference.
Do I see any hope for Canada's future . . . not really . . . because too many Canadians now depend on the government. The "Entitlement Society" in Canada is growing larger by the day. The hard-working individualist is becoming an endangered species.
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