Fall Election: Gamble Or Frustration?

Posted by Laura Steiner Sep 2, 2009

Canadians are sick of federal elections. We've had 3 in the last four years, each resulting in minority governments. There isn't any appetite for one now and yet that's direction we're going. After the federal Liberals had their caucus meeting in Sudbury, their leader Michael Ignatieff came out and announced his party would be pulling its support of the reigning Conservative Government.

Effectively that means if the three opposition parties together vote against the government, we're going to new elections. The NDP are making noises about a possible deal, but that isn't very likely because they're pretty much polar opposite.

This makes the unwanted election unavoidable. From a Liberal standpoint it's a big gamble. They're gambling on Canadians being unhappy enough with Stephen Harper, and the way he's handling the economy to want to vote for them. They're gambling on Canadians forgetting their anger at the party who caused an election in time to go vote. And they're gambling on the fact Canadians will like the policy we see, even if at the moment it is next to nothing but fairly employment insurance reform.

This is a recipe for possible frustration. Suppose Canadians vote a minority government in again? In six months maybe one year we're going to be talking election again. Or the other way; suppose Canadians vote Harper back in with a huge majority unseen since the Mulroney years? Ignatieff is left holding the bag for his big gamble, and the Liberals are reduced to one, maybe two seats at most. And Canada loses an effective opposition.

Whatever happens, it has the potential to be a fairly interesting campaign. Ignatieff is already out making announcements. Today he said that if elected the Liberals would be able to wipe out the deficit without raising taxes. So he's learned; taking a page from Harper's book, attempting to be the one that controls the message.

For more Information please see:

Canada's Liberals, NDP Gear Up For Fall Election

Harper- Ignatieff Reach EI Deal

and: Ignatieff Confirmed As Liberal Leader