Election? Not likely

I agree with Harper (for once) that Canada has a crisis to deal with and, provided the budget addresses the crisis, now is not the time for an election.

When will there be an election? My guess is likely the fall or perhaps spring 2010.

Although meaningless (except as showing a snapshot view) I note we are (slightly) ahead of the Conservatives in the most current polls. That does not mean we should have an election but it does mean the Conservatives will see good reason to work cooperatively. (Even beyond the good of Canada; and the Conservatives do seek that, even if they may go about it the wrong way).

PM changes budget tone; Harper promises Tories will work with opposition
The Kingston Whig-Standard
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Page: 13
Section: News
Byline: BY TOBI COHEN, THE CANADIAN PRESS;
Dateline: MONTREAL

Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered his political rivals an olive branch yesterday as he dialed down last month's heated parliamentary rhetoric and promised a conciliatory approach to a coming federal budget aimed at helping the ailing economy.

The friendly, co-operative tone came as a new poll suggested a resurgent Liberal party under new leader Michael Ignatieff, who was himself pledging to hold the governing Conservatives to account with a pre-budget wish list of his own.

"Now is the time for everybody ... to try and reach consensus if that's possible, but especially to try and work together - federally, provincially, internationally, across party lines - to deal with the problems that everybody knows are urgent and large," Harper said

Harper said he hopes to meet soon with Ignatieff and that final decisions on what will be in the Jan. 27 budget would be made shortly after next week's meeting with provincial premiers.

Now is not the time for "parliamentary games," Harper said - a vague reference to the parliamentary storm that erupted when the opposition sought to overthrow the Conservatives by forming a coalition government under the leadership of former Liberal leader Stephane Dion.

James Morton