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Welcome to the first in a series of daily wrap-ups of cross-Canada election coverage. VanRamblings will strive each day to bring issues of importance to Canadians to the fore, and point you towards the most provocative election commentary published on the ’Net each day.
Canadians have elected eight minority governments over 37 campaigns, and those governments have created pivotal law: universal medicare, housing co-operatives, the Canada Pension Plan, and official bilingualism.
Tonight’s Decision Canada coverage begins with a video report (RealPlayer required) by CBC’s Susan Bonner, in Ottawa.
Not everyone agrees that a minority government is in the offing, though.
Kevin Brennan, one of the moderators at Tilting at Windmills, believes that we’ll see “An uptick in Conservative support in the next couple of weeks, followed by a substantial drop in NDP support as people move to the Liberals to prevent a Conservative win. And if a third to half of NDPers do that, Paul Martin will win his majority after all.”
That certainly isn’t a belief shared by Conservative leader Stephen Harper, who says in this Globe and Mail article, that he’s seeking advice from a “large number of Conservatives across the country on what would need to be done on transition.”
Oh, poor, poor federal NDP leader Jack Layton, who’s already contemplating the role his party would play in a Liberal minority government. In today’s Winnipeg Free Press, University of Calgary professor Keith Archer poses the question Will (The) NDP Hold the Axe?, and portends the consequences.
And, do you really believe that Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe has formally ruled out an alliance with the ‘new’ Conservatives should they win the plurality of seats necessary to be considered for government?
Meanwhile, Globe and Mail columnist Roy McGregor writes that “a minority government can hold an enormous attraction — especially when that country is not likely to do much harm to itself or to anyone else by having a government that could blow up at any given moment.” The real thrust of his piece, though, is captured in the headline, ‘Minority governments give Canadians what they like: a lot more grist for griping’.
Okay, okay — hold on one damn minute!
As Arjun Singh writes, “I am really surprised with the tone of what I am reading today. PM turns to Chretien’s people. Harper planning a freaking transition. We got FOUR weeks left. It’s anybody’s election.”
In other news of the day, former Progressive Conservative Finance Minister John Crosbie has decided not to run in the Newfoundland riding of Avalon, averring, “I have reviewed all the considerations that should govern my decision and the primary considerations … are the first effect of my decision on my wife of 51 years, my family of children and grandchildren.”
In ‘breaking news’ from Globe reporters unwired:
- No kidding around here: Paul Martin’s campaign wound down today in Saskatoon at one of the more clichéd political events — a ‘question and answer’ session with high-school students, at Holy Cross high school.
- From Campbell Clark, this unfortunate insight: Paul Martin is clearly the put-down king of his own government. At almost every event where a cabinet minister is present, the prime minister manages to slip in a joke at their expense. In Victoria last week, it was Environment Minister David Anderson’s turn. As Mr. Martin addressed a group of WW II veterans, he said talking to them was a great honour for someone of his generation — “or even for someone of the older generation that David Anderson represents.” While visiting Holy Cross high school, famed for its great sports teams, Mr. Martin began his speech by saying, “and I’m here with (Finance Minister) Ralph Goodale, who is not one of Saskatchewan’s great athletes.” Are there any psychologists reading this who would like to comment on Martin’s untoward conduct towards his colleagues?
- Then there’s this hootenanny clip of Jack Layton.
And, finally tonight, some insight into what passes for Liberal humour. Just to think, former National Post columnist — and This Hour Has 22 Minutes writer — Scott Feschuk is onboard the Martin team as a speechwriter.
