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Tories seize lead in key ridings, poll shows

BRIAN LAGHI

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 9:33 PM EST 07/09/08

Early results in swing constituencies in Quebec, Ontario and B.C. put Conservatives in sight of majority ...Read the full article

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  1. Hugo Hall from Calgary, Canada writes: I never thought I would say this, but I actually feel sorry for Mr. Dion. I really don't think he's any worse than the last few Liberal leaders.

    Funny poll results. Amusing that the Liberals and their friends in the media still use the 'hidden agenda' phrase to describe the Tories when clearly there is not, and never was, one. I'd like to see a poll of whether or not Canadians think the Liberals have a hidden agenda to use the Green Shift as a wealth redistribution tool - I would bet they'd get similar, or worse, poll results than the Tories did re: 'hidden agenda'.
  2. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Everything looks very good for the Conservatives to not only win but get their majority however, this is day 1 of a month long election. Anything can happen and you never know.

    As they say, the poll on election day is the only one that counts.
  3. J Law from Canada writes: Day one and many more to go. Tell me the same news on day 35 and I will think we are making progress.
  4. jack sprat from Canada writes: And harper breaking is own laws and admitting he offered Cadman a deal and the in and out scheme. Pretty short time to amass more criminal allegations and law breaking I'd say.

    If Harper comes clean on te costs of his environmental plan, which is far higher then the Libs, then we'll see he's been lying again.

    He cannot be trusted.
  5. P B from Vancouver BC, Canada writes: The more Canadians see D'Yawn, the more they see Harper as the acceptable alternative. We need stability and only the Conservatives can bring that to Canada.
  6. Golden Phoenix from Ottawa, Canada writes: Day one of the campaign and already the Liberals have lost the election. Dion is a painfully weak leader. The Green Shift is seen as a tax grab. No wonder the Liberals are dead. After this election, the Liberals will be wandering in the wilderness for a decade.
  7. john may from writes: Mr Dion was just interviewd on CBC News saying that a family with an income of $60,000 would save $1,300 in TAXES. Usaing his calculator. A family of 2 parents earning $35,000 and $25,000 with 2 kids under 18 would actually see a reduction of $572 in TAXES. Does he not know his own plan ? Change the numbers to $40,000 and $20,000 and the TAX savings are just $509. For 45,000 and 15,000 and TAX savings are $428 , or change to $30,000 each and TAX savings are $634.
    Where does he get his numbers from ??
  8. Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada writes: This article is a load of BS. Let's take a look at some of the information buried beneath that misleading lead sentence: 'Of the 45 ridings sampled, 17 were won by the Liberals, 16 by the Tories, eight by the Bloc and four by the NDP.' --> I.e., the Libs WON MORE SEATS than the Tories is the swing ridings. Also buried is the fact that the Green Party has 17 percent support in Ontario -- and the article doesn't mention how much support the NDP has, only saying it has 'dropped six points.' Why is this article obfuscating the truth to make it look like the Tories have the advantage? Why, for the second election in a row, is the Globe and Mail suddenly pro-Tory? Could it have anything to do with the money the Tories are throwing at the large media companies right now?
  9. Jesse Winger from Calgary SW, Canada writes: Liberals don't know their butt from a hole in the ground, Canada writes: 'Libz down to 2 seats please.'

    Howdy Ldkntbfahitg! In a friendly mood, I see. ;)

    Only the Cons deserved the 2 seat drubbing - as history has clearly shown.
  10. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Of all the provinces in the last election, only BC was pretty evenly split.
    33% each CPC, LPC, NDP.

    This won't happen again.
    BC will be predominantly CPC.

    Thanx, Gordo, for your ugly carbon tax.

    BC doesn't like it.
    They won't vote for another.
  11. JEFF BRIDGE from Langley, Canada writes: Rally Cry: Harper,Harper,Harper......
  12. Kevin Desmoulin from Toronto, Canada writes: Early results, I think that is a bit off, results are at the end not at the beginning of something, Maybe indications.

    The real poll is one canadians will vote at.
  13. Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada writes: Wow, all the Tory hacks on this board, you could almost forget that barely more than a third of Canada actually support Harpo and the Tories...
  14. Conservative for lower taxes, cheaper gas, less government from Canada writes: The Liberal Party has been high jacked by the socialist left and their new stars Dion, Bob Rae, Martha Findlay, Buzz Hargrove etc. I suspect Canadian free thinkers will return the Conservatives in a land slide.
  15. Reefer Sutherland from The Big Smoke, Canada writes: Interestingly enough, if there are too many polls showing Harper taking a majority, that could drive all the swing voters towards the Liberals (and maybe some NDP and Green). Canadians don't want to risk a Harper majority since he has clearly demonstrated that he is not a person who can be trusted.

    Just wait until we start seeing the video clips of Harper saying one thing and doing just the opposite, not to mention the still unfinished investigations into the Cadman affair and In & Out financing (I wonder if they'll try to pull that trick this election?).

    My prediction - Harper minority and a waste of $300 million. Thanks Mr. PM - we could have used that $300 million in better places.
  16. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes:
    I'm always intrigued when Liberals squeel about 'Wanting their Canada Back'.

    This illustrates the way the Liberals view power.

    The Liberals feel that it is their RIGHT to stack the courts with partisan Liberals, stack the education system with partisan Liberals, stack the public service with partisan Liberals, stack crown corporations with partisan Liberals, stack non-partisan bodies (ahem - like elections Canada) with partisan Liberals.

    The feel it is their RIGHT to spend taxpayer money HOWEVER THEY WISH - including handing cash to groups. They feel ENTITLED to govern Canada and are ANGRY at the conservatives for cutting taxes and WANT IT BACK from the Green Shift so they can give to Toronto Groups and take from Western Canada, Rural Canada and Suburban Canada.

    Canadians have a very important decision to make indeed Mr Dion - they need to decide whether they want a government who prioritizes the economy, Canada's place in the world, fighting crime and restoring the military versus large scale social engineering and massive tax increases on businesses and individuals to give to GTA groups.

    Canada needs to decide..
  17. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Now that Jack Layton has decided that he will focus on the CPC, we have all opposition parties focusing their attacks on the government. Take the poll again in three weeks time. These numbers are bound to change because of the public will be bombarded by criticism of the Harper government.

    Dion is the only real unknown in this campaign (apart from Harper apparently--thus the getting to know me ads). The other leaders have been in leadership roles for quite some time. While Dion's speech immediately after the election call was rigid, his speech in the Ottawa riding was filled with humor and energy. The CPC did themselves a great disservice by trying to paint Dion as incompetent and incapable. If Dion gives many more performances like he did in the Ottawa campaign event, lowering expectations just make it very easy to impress. Those ads will cost them more votes than if they had just left him alone.
  18. Don Portz from Trochu AB, Canada writes: Looks good from my standpoint. However it is only the first day, so lets temper it with some caution. As a previous poster said, the only poll that counts is on election day.

    In the meantime can someone give me the site to review the Liberal Green Plan in detail?? (I am not very computer savvy)
  19. elkay elkay from Canada writes: Re: Jay Brezny. Of course its the money the cons are throwing around. The GM is pro-conservative. The GM will not say anything bad against Harper because he will find a way to punish them. How did my Canada ever get to this evil place. We have lost so much freedom under Harper. Our own media is afraid of him.
  20. Don Adams, the Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: Nothing like a good election to get folks minds off the post summer vacation blues! :-)
  21. Debbie DoesNotHarper from ABadA$$PartofTown, Canada writes: Pictures say 1000 words... and I have only really bad things to say about Harper. Some really bad satire on (t)his subject can be found at www.reallybad.ca.
  22. Hendrick Larose from Canada writes: Bobby Dy,

    Hope springs eternal. Good luck
  23. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Golden Phoenix from Ottawa, Canada writes: 'Day one of the campaign and already the Liberals have lost the election....'

    And with posts like this, it's gonna be a loooong election campaign at that!

    There's an old saying: 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch'.

    Applies to election campaigns as well.
  24. vic w from Canada writes: There is a hidden agenda and it's contained within the fact that: despite claiming that they need this election, the Tories have passed all of their bills. Why break there own law and have this election then?

    But they want the absolute power of a majority to ram through legislation that they know will be unpopular with Canadians.

    This is the Harper agenda - to make us more like the states, and eventually assimilate with the states. He's started by assasinating Canadian culture and manufacturing.

    If he gets a majority, you can kiss your house of sober second though goodbye (the senate)

    If he gets a majority be prepared for plenty of privatization, including medical.

    If he gets a majority be prepared for the gerrymandering of the judicial and political system in Conservative favor.

    If he gets a majority Ontario and Quebec better be prepared to be ignored in the confederation.

    If he gets a majority, you will see free market fundamentalism imposed upon our natural resources.

    If he gets a majority, you can expect to see your sons or daugters crawl off to the wars, subservient of the US.

    If he gets a majority expect our foreign policy to be inlined with the US.

    If he gets a majority, expect our economy to fail to escape from it's inextricable ties with the US, our markets will fail to diversify, and while other markets pull ahead, we'll pul behind.

    All one has to do is look at what has happened to the USA in the last 8 years of George W Bush. Harper is a strong leader alright, but not our leader.
  25. Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada writes: Beer and Popcorn, regarding your 'ahem--elections canada' comment, you may want to do some fack-checking. The head of Elections Canada, Marc Mayrand, was appointed by Stephen Harper himself... That's right, Stephen Harper's OWN PEOPLE believe he broke election law. What does that tell you about Stephen Harper, the people around him, and his ability to govern?
  26. T O from Canada writes: Conservative Majority is going to happen!
  27. JEFF BRIDGE from Langley, Canada writes: Well Written and Well said Beer and Popcorn! Canada needs to decide and they will....Harper,Harper,Harper...
  28. doug rogers from london, Canada writes: Where are all the squeals about the Globe's left wing spin?
  29. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: john may, if you are a two child family making $60,000/yr from a single income and living in rural Alberta, your savings are $1227. If you have two incomes of $30,000 each and living in rural Alberta, you save $1650. If you live in the city and have two $30,000 incomes, you save $1350. If you live in Quebec in the city with the same two incomes, you save $1127. It seems like it is you who cannot enter numbers into an online calculator to get a result.
  30. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: 'I'm always intrigued when Liberals squeel about 'Wanting their Canada Back'....'

    And who, exactly, is squealing this? I mean, I've never run across anyone actually doing this, so please enlighten me!
  31. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada writes: Beer and Popcorn, regarding your 'ahem--elections canada' comment, you may want to do some fack-checking. The head of Elections Canada, Marc Mayrand, was appointed by Stephen Harper himself... That's right, Stephen Harper's OWN PEOPLE believe he broke election law. What does that tell you about Stephen Harper, the people around him, and his ability to govern?

    Jay - if I am not mistaken - it came out during the Gomery inquiry that the Liberal$ handed out several envelopes full of cash during campaigns to various ridings.

    Just wondering - did elections Canada choose to investigate this activity? If not - can you explain why? Thanks
  32. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: vic w from Canada writes: 'There is a hidden agenda....This is the Harper agenda - to make us more like the states, and eventually assimilate with the states.'

    Pray tell, and how do you know this 'hidden agenda?'
  33. steve allan from Canada writes: If you vote for Harper you're going to end up with Mike Harris. Don't complain after he wins a majority and starts his slash and burn operation. It will be too late then.
  34. Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada writes: Yes, Beer and Popcorn, I can easily explain it. You see, the Liberals are merely CORRUPT. When they steal, they don't ask Elections Canada to reimburse what they stole. The Tories do, because they are both CORRUPT and INCOMPETENT. You see the difference there?
  35. Hendrick Larose from Canada writes: Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada writes: Wow, all the Tory hacks on this board, you could almost forget that barely more than a third of Canada actually support Harpo and the Tories...

    =========================================
    With 5 parties in play 1/3rd of the vote may be plenty. I wonder what the liberals will have. Let's say the Conservatives get 34% and the liberals get 25%. That would be 35% more votes for the Conservatives than the Liberals.
  36. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: vic w from Canada writes: 'There is a hidden agenda '

    Vic - Soldiers with guns? Tanks in our streets? In Canada?

    (pronounced Ca-na-duh - like all those nice, non political CBC announcers pronounce it)
  37. Don Adams, the Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: Vic W..... you have a brown line across your eyes....you're down a quart :-) Better head out to the bullsh!t pile to top up! :-)
  38. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: vic w from Canada writes: '...If he gets a majority, you can kiss your house of sober second though goodbye (the senate)...'

    While I do not doubt that, with a majority, Harper would take a run at the Senate, he would be limited by our Constitution (e.g. he couldn't really do anything significant without Provincial consent).

    But who knows what he would be willing to give away for that consent?
  39. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: It is true that Harper's agenda is not hidden but it is also true that Harper no longer speaks about it publicly. There are two parts to his agenda. Non-denominational social conservatism. He has made explicit statements about how the social conservative agenda will be advanced. That is to avoid Christian-specific social conservatism and appeal to shared social conservative values with select immigrant groups. You can see in his attempts to woo the Chinese and East Indian vote which is the last piece of the puzzle that he thinks he needs to complete that social conservative coalition.

    The second part is to remove the fiscal capacity of the federal government to deliver national programs that are geared to address social problems. I understand how this appeals to conservatives and Albertan conservatives and Quebecois in particular. For Quebec nationalists, this is the equivalent of sovereignty association without the need for a referendum.

    I do not believe that if Harper were completely open with Canadians about this that he would be able to maintain the level of support that he has.

    In that sense that Harper articulates his fiscal plans as tax cuts, it also constitutes 'hidden agenda' and I believe that it would cost him significant support outside of Alberta and Quebec if he were open about it. As for the relationship to U.S. Republicans, this refers to the coalition of social conservatives to gradually advance a social conservative agenda. It's not hidden, he's just not speaking about it.
  40. Shawn W from Toronto, Canada writes: Let's face it. Dion does not inspire. At least not in the English language - perhaps he comes across better in French. Until the Liberals put somebody else in the driver's seat, Harper definitely has an advantage.
  41. steve allan from Canada writes: It's a lost cause for the Liberals. I warned Liberals that choosing Dion was the biggest strategic mistake in the history of the party but they didn't listen.

    To stop Harper and his neocon-men you have to vote NDP, it's the only credible alternative.
  42. bob gervitz from United States writes: Even if we accept the poll results as stated, I really have to wonder how so many people can agree that 'the country is on the right track' when there are so many issues that indicate otherwise. Everything from out of control government spending (spending and hiring is occurring at a rate much greater than GDP growth), hapless health authorities (Listeriosis), billions being spent on an unpopular unsuccessful and deadly (for young soldiers), lying politicians (income trusts, election dates, bribery, etc.), economic decline in the heartland (the eradication of manufacturing), still no significant tax breaks (like 10% lower IT rates for all), a parliament that is such an embarrassment (committee antics, bribery, etc.), infrastructure breakdown on an unprecedented scale, growing unemployment, housing crisis (now developing in Canada), credit crunch, environmental degradation (oil sands, melting Ice Cap, etc.), aboriginal poverty, etc.

    Maybe for some people this is 'on the right track', but it sure ain't for me. It's fine with me if people decide they prefer the Cons to the Libs for other reasons, but that they think the country is on the right is just a LITTLE hard to swallow.
  43. D. B. from Greater Sask., Canada writes: The media and the pollsters are trying to bombard and bamboozle us with b.s. Apparently fewer women support the Liberals than they do CPC? Let this crazy spate of polls sputter out, please. Let the campaign begin.
  44. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: Jay Brezny - does taxpayer cash in envelopes to ridings in elections as the Liberals have done not have an impact on the outcome of an election in your view? Why would elections Canada not be concerned about this?

    Also - doesn't each party practice transfers back and forth to the local riding - and has been doing so since the 70's?

    Your logic is not making sense..
  45. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: 'vic w from Canada writes: 'There is a hidden agenda '

    Vic - Soldiers with guns? Tanks in our streets? In Canada?...'

    Sure B&C, use an example that was released unathorized and quickly quashed by the party. It ran on their web site, what? a couple of hours?

    Sorry if a little reality quashes your rant.
  46. JEFF BRIDGE from Langley, Canada writes: Hey Bobby Dy,nobody has to paint Dion as incompetent and incapable,he does a good job of that all by himself....Harper,Harper,Harper...
  47. James MacDonald from Edmonton, Canada writes: We need fixed elections here. How come the man in power can call an election anytime he wants? This is a dictatorhip. I don't care which party is in power elections should be fixed every four years.
  48. Prairie Duststorm from Edmonton, Canada writes: Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Of all the provinces in the last election, only BC was pretty evenly split.
    33% each CPC, LPC, NDP.

    This won't happen again.
    BC will be predominantly CPC.

    Thanx, Gordo, for your ugly carbon tax.

    BC doesn't like it.
    They won't vote for another

    I have family and friends in BC and they are expressing your sentiment. Interesting how a taste of Liberal policy can leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
  49. steve allan from Canada writes: bob gervitz from United States - good post and I tend to agree with your assessment, however the Liberals committed political suicide when they chose Dion as leader of the party. People don't necessarily want to vote for Harper and the Conservatives. They are voting for what they consider the lesser of two evils.

    This election reminds of the Ontario election that brought Mike Harris to power. The people weren't enamored with Harris, it's just that the alternative was so poor. Look how that turned out for Ontario.

    The same thing will happen here, except on a national scale.
  50. He Shoots! He Scores! from Chicago, United States writes: The main thing is to maintain a unified Canada in order to keep the US from crossing the border. I don't care who wins. The BQ are traitors.
  51. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Wow, the CPC war room is certainly busy tonight !

    Thankfully, the hockey season starts soon so I am sure that you will all be quite saddened to hear that I will soon be returning to the more intelligent and more important Canadian news threads ...

    However, majority CPC government ???

    Be-Leaf it when I see it !

    I stand by my original contention that we'll see another CPC minority...

    Cheers
  52. Blaque Jacque Shallaque from Canada writes: Well, I guess that's it then. The election is over. Why bother continuing...

    GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH

    I hate these damn moment to moment polls. As their first 'majority government' bill, the CPC should limit the number of polls to no more than once a month during non-election times, no more than once every 2 weeks during elections.

    Oh well, I can await tomorrows poll will which probably show something totally different.
  53. Sue City from Canada writes: I can't wait until the Libs lose so they will finally get rid of Dion... it's too bad we have to suffer through another Conservative term to do it...
  54. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: James MacDonald from Edmonton, Canada writes: 'We need fixed elections here. How come the man in power can call an election anytime he wants? This is a dictatorhip. I don't care which party is in power elections should be fixed every four years. '

    Good point James. I'm puzzled by this?

    How can the GG even entertain Mr. Harper's request when it runs contrary to his own legislation!? Isn't the GG, by extension, breaking the law?

    Anyone have a logical answer to this?
  55. Don Adams, the Conservative Centrist from Canada writes: James MacDonald, we can do that..... but only if we have a 2 party system ie. no possible chance of a minority Government. You sure you want to go that route?
  56. steve allan from Canada writes: -----Shawn W from Toronto, Canada writes: Let's face it. Dion does not inspire. At least not in the English language - perhaps he comes across better in French. Until the Liberals put somebody else in the driver's seat, Harper definitely has an advantage. -------

    He inspires in French, much like Bill Davis used to inspire!
  57. B. Geo'ff from Oakville, Canada writes: The Conservatives in the time honoured tradition made a series of appointments to board, commissions, crown corporations just before the writ was dropped. So it is time that the Liberals pull a Brian Mulroney to John Turner..... You had a choice and the appointments were just a bunch of tired Reform/Conservative cronies.

    The other media outlets have been polling and their national results are quite similar. Why is the Globe CTV poll so far different. Answer: U use the same pollsters that the Tories had done in the past....... Just a bit biased I say....... You cannot believe everything you read in the G&M.....
  58. West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: jack sprat from Canada writes:

    If Harper comes clean on te costs of his environmental plan, which is far higher then the Libs, then we'll see he's been lying again.

    He cannot be trusted.

    ==============================================

    Baird came straight out and said the CPC plan would cost 8B per year at it`s height.

    He said plain and simple it would hurt...and at a time when the LPC and the rest of the pro Kyoto crowd would not provide an answer on how much their plan would cost or what they would do to offset such costs.

    Afterall, if a plan that costs 8B a year and will hurt people is no good, then how much is a supposedly good plan going to cost
  59. Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascadia, Canada writes: vic w from Canada writes: There is a hidden agenda and it's contained within the fact that: despite claiming that they need this election, the Tories have passed all of their bills. Why break there own law and have this election then?

    Because none of the other parties would guarantee they would allow him to govern until that date. He would be sitting on his a$$ for a whole year and not be able to pass anything.
  60. Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada writes: Beer and Popcorn, try to keep your eye on the ball. It's not that Elections Canada didn't care about the envelopes, it's that they didn't know. When the Liberals steal, it takes a professional auditor with a large staff to figure out where the money came from and where it went. When the Tories steal, they do it by filing a public document with Elections Canada -- hence the Elections Canada investigation. This is why the Libs are CORRUPT but the Tories are CORRUPT and INCOMPETENT. Secondly: Are you seriously defending the Tories' stealing by saying 'everybody else does it too'? And, if you really are using such a weak and worthless argument, please point to any example of an in-and-out scheme used by any other party in any other election in Canada.
  61. Prairie Duststorm from Edmonton, Canada writes: Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: James MacDonald from Edmonton, Canada writes: 'We need fixed elections here. How come the man in power can call an election anytime he wants? This is a dictatorhip. I don't care which party is in power elections should be fixed every four years. '

    Good point James. I'm puzzled by this?

    How can the GG even entertain Mr. Harper's request when it runs contrary to his own legislation!? Isn't the GG, by extension, breaking the law?

    Anyone have a logical answer to this?

    Well if it was breaking the law do you not think the Liberals or the NDP would be smart enough to figure that out? Hmm maybe not.
  62. He Shoots! He Scores! from Chicago, United States writes: 'James MacDonald from Edmonton, Canada writes: How come the man in power can call an election anytime he wants?'

    Because that's the way it works in Canada which is a nation state based primarliy on precedent and unwritten law. The person who calls the election also knows that he can be in the reverse postion in future and acts accordingly. It is the sign of the most advanced form of democracy.

    The US is based upon written law in the form of the US constitution which, though an amazingly important and revolutionary document, leaves stuff up to the lawyers. The US is an intermediate form of democracy that maintains a formal republican system.
  63. Jesse Winger from Calgary SW, Canada writes: Cons used to brag about their 'LAW AND ORDER' platform.

    Harper shamelessly breaks his own election law. Which Conservative, then, is going to finally step forward and tell Harper he's wrong - and then make the arrest?

    Personally, I support politicians who obey the law. Counts out the Cons, so far! :)
  64. john may from writes: Bobby Dy, I sure can get the numbers into the on line calculator. But when I put tmen in like you I get :
    TAX benefits in Quebec City --- $412.
    Dion said TAX . He did not say tax reductions, increases in taxable family benefits. I served on audit committees to keep an eye on managers like you and Dion. I thoroughly understand the claculator but he is not explaining the plan properly, he is attempting to mislead or doesn't understand his own plan. Not good either way. Don't forget one thing, if you are on Workers compensation you get nothing, unless you have a kid.
  65. s c from Canada writes: Get used to lots of polls. The sad part is that they are not accurate but can still sway voters on the election day. If the polls say that Harper is headed for a majority, this could cause swing votes to move away from Harper if they would like to see a conservative minority. If enough swing votes switch, we may even end up with a liberal minority.

    Happened in Ontario when Rae won for the NDP - nobody actually wanted an NDP government but protest and swing votes reacted to polls near the election day. Woke up the next day and no one could believe what happened.
  66. I vote e) none of the above from Vancouver, Canada writes: These parties all have, essentially, the same platform.

    1) Tax and spend
    2) Regulate the choices Canadians have
    3) Engage in a foreign policy of intervention (militarily or economically)
    4) Intervene in our markets based on ideological or political motives
    5) Enlarge the bureaucracy at the taxpayers' expense

    The only argument will be for precisely how the above is to be done.

    If the Libertarian Party runs in my riding, I'll vote for them. If not, it's e) all of the above.
  67. Hogtown Joe from Toronto, Canada writes: This will be a Liberal bloodbath for sure. The only question is how bad will it be? We can then put an end to this ridiculous 'hidden agenda' nonsense, and finally move forward.
  68. will ashling from Canada writes: Mr. Harper and his Harris henchmen are leading Canada into the abyss. Mr. Dion has too much integrity to be a strong politician. Mr. Layton likes his job just the way it is - he will never get by big corp. control. Mr. Duceppe is very astute about Mr. Harper, but knows his time has passed. There will be a Harper majority. Canada will slowly fold deeper into the NWO. The last gasps of freedom, liberty and individuality will be almost silenced, as a dark age emerges. Guard what you cherish, prepare what you need to survive, protect your family, bear the burden of responsibility for yourself. Life is taught in myth, but lived best in truth. For pure truth will always prevail.
  69. Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada writes: Compos Mentis, I have an answer to your question. You see, the first clause of Harper 'fixed-election date' law states that 'nothing in this law shall abridge the power of the Governor-General to dissolve a Parliament and call an election.' The law essentially states that nothing changes. In other words, HARPER WAS LYING when he said he had passed a fixed-date election law. He did no such thing. HARPER CANNOT PASS A FIXED-DATE ELECTION LAW. He has to change to Constitution in order to change how elections run. And we know that no one can change the Constitution, because you can never get all 10 provinces to agree on anything (see Meech Lake, Charlottetown Accord, etc).
  70. charlie brown from Canada writes: To Debbie who wrote: 'Pictures say 1000 words... ' Dear me Debbie, are you choosing leaders based on their photo image? Gosh, who would have chosen JC or even McKenzie King? Pretty shallow basis for making political decisions.
  71. Frangesco Bernard from Windsor, Canada writes: I have been in Canada for many years now; as I remember, every time we had a Conservative Party ruling Canada we always had hard times, and if we have them again expect the worst. What happens after is crucial. Look what Mr. Paul Martin had to do to bring Canada ahead again.
    You want good times, Vote Liberals. The only team with intelligent people.
  72. J D from Calgary, Canada writes: I think that the best message Canadians could send in this next election is to send yet another minority government back to Ottawa.

    This will prevent a significant shift to the right which can be the only motivation for Harper's Conservatives to have called this election in the first place. It will also prevent a crippling shift in favour of Liberal policies (i.e. carbon tax).

    This will keep those of us in the centre happy.

    Minority rules!
  73. vic w from Canada writes: I love how this is supposedly about great leadership.. But eh, most dictators are great leaders, is that what Canada wants?
  74. David Beed from Cole Harbour, Canada writes: I recently tried the Liberal party green calculator,that is after I found the right website. I live in Nova Scotia and Dion's plan is going to punish Nova Scotia Power because they burn coal to make electricity. I will recieve $365.00 in tax refunds after I file and wait 6-8 weeks for my refund. The problem is I will be paying after 5 years 41% more for power every month thanks to the green shift. The net result is I'm out $1263.52 per year just on my power bill. The thing that really pisses me off is Dion won't do anything for the environment but he will build daycares. Dion please go back to the sheltered existence of the U. of Montreal and leave my power bill alone.
  75. Debbie DoesNotHarper from ABadA$$PartofTown, Canada writes: Dear charlie...

    All is fair in love and...
  76. Hogtown Joe from Toronto, Canada writes: vic w from Canada wrote: I love how this is supposedly about great leadership.. But eh, most dictators are great leaders, is that what Canada wants?

    No. We had enough of that with Chretien. Time for a real leader.
  77. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: Jay Brezny from Downtown, Canada

    'everybody else does it too'?

    Jay - each party has moved funds from the local campaign and back - it's the way the law has been interpreted. Why is it only a problem to Elections Canada when the conservatives did it? (which they openly admit?)

    Jay
    'It's not that Elections Canada didn't care about the envelopes, it's that they didn't know. When the Liberals steal, it takes a professional auditor with a large staff to figure out where the money came from and where it went. '

    Gomery has been out for years - how is it that Elections Canada doesn't know that one of the findings was that the Liberals handed out envelopes to candidates with taxpayer cash in them during campaigns? Why don't they care about this?
  78. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascadia, Canada writes: '...Because none of the other parties would guarantee they would allow him to govern until that date. He would be sitting on his a$$ for a whole year and not be able to pass anything. '

    You mean like last year? And what legislation (that was proposed) couldn't Mr. Harper pass?

    This ignores the reality that a minority government is expected to either collaborate with the Opposition parties, or fail.

    That's life baby!
  79. steve allan from Canada writes: Harper is such a hypocrite. Him and his party have pounded the Liberals for years while they were in opposition accusing them of using taxpayers money to bribe the electorate yet in the last week alone they have spent more than $9 billion doling out election goodies.

    I hope Layton makes him eat his words!
  80. J Law from Canada writes: Frangesco Bernard from Windsor

    Do you manufacture brown envelopes by any chance?
  81. Haji Goerges from Canada writes: If the Liberals where smart they would want to lose this election badly,get a compitent leader in place ,regroup for 5 years down the road and maybe reduce the cons to a minority and then maybe win again,but its likely not going to happen that way for a long long time.
  82. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: Hogtown Joe

    We can then put an end to this ridiculous 'hidden agenda'

    Joe - Soldiers with guns? Tanks in our streets - in Canada?

    (Don't forget the war like drum beat in the background and harper's doctored eyes staring forward)
  83. M S from Toronto, Canada writes: Funny how Harper and his Tories worked so hard to court the Orthodox Jewish vote with their pro-Israel platform, and then scheduled an election on the first day of Sukkot. That's like an American Congressman working hard for years to get the African American vote and then voting to abolish Martin Luther King Day.
  84. Wallace McLean from Canada writes: Are there no swing ridings in any of the seven other provinces?

    Not a one?

    Really?
  85. samuel cogley from toronto, Canada writes: vic w, you may want Dion and his carbon tax but i dont. and neither will millions of other canadians. its the greatest gift EVER given by one political party to another. as long as it p!sses off people like you, then Harper is ok by me. as far as i am concerned the best thing harper did was REALLY SCREW the people who were trying to avoid income taxes by burying money in trusts. call harper what you will, but dion and his tax have little chance. especially since winter is coming. Frangesco Bernard, carbon tax, carbon tax,etc,etc,etc. yes liberals were good for taxes, they always were. by the way, why is it that you liberal butt kissers never mention the billion dollars lost by human resources? GOOD JOB HARPER ON THE INCOME TRUSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  86. Compos Mentis from in the Rootin', Tootin' West..., Canada writes: Prairie Duststorm from Edmonton: I asked if anyone had a logical answer - not a stupid one.

    Stupid answers are a dime a dozen around here.

    Thanks for coming out, though.
  87. Prairie Duststorm from Edmonton, Canada writes: vic w from Canada writes: Holy crap, do I really need to talk about what gets done in plain sight?
    This is another reason not to vote liberal - they are thick. The liberals got Canada involved in Afghanistan at the request of NATO we belong to NATO we will be in Afghanistan until we fulfill our committment to NATO or we bring the troops home. What the he11 is the matter with you libs? You are so ashamed of the fact that Chretian sent 2000 illequiped Canadian soldiers to a desert country without even camouflage uniforms that you pretend he did not do it and blame it on Harper.
  88. sly saint from Canada writes: this is going to be a very strange election for me, i have to figure out if i dislike harper enough to vote for dion who is clueless. I hope never again in my life do i face such choices again.
  89. Hogtown Joe from Toronto, Canada writes: steve allan from Canada wrote: Harper is such a hypocrite. ....... I hope Layton makes him eat his words!

    Are you related to Woody Allan?
  90. vic w from Canada writes: If Harper gets selected be prepared to see an incredible increase in civilian surveillance, and decrease in freedoms, on both the internet and the streets (DCMA!)

    If Harper gets elected, be prepared for more environmental disasters and ineffectual responses. The disasters in the settling ponds out in Alberta with waterfowl during the spring migration come to mind.

    If Harper gets elected expect to see more corporate welfare, not less. Ironically their contribution to Ford as of late is sort of like taking away with one hand and giving back with another. Auto jobs were taken away from the GTA, and given to Windsor.

    I can't see why people from Quebec or Ontario would permit Harper to bully them into voting for him, but that's just what's been happening.... The sad bit, is that any charity they get now will probably dissapear as soon as they hit their majority. Then the dismantling of the Ontario-Quebec power base begins.
  91. Pervez Musharraf from Peccavista, Pakistan writes: M S from Toronto, Canada writes: Funny how Harper and his Tories worked so hard to court the Orthodox Jewish vote with their pro-Israel platform, and then scheduled an election on the first day of Sukkot. That's like an American Congressman working hard for years to get the African American vote and then voting to abolish Martin Luther King Day.
    _________________________________________________________

    Advance poll.
  92. Jeanette Paul from Longueuil, Canada writes: Why is the G&M so interested in telling us that the Tories 'seize the lead' on the first full day one, hours before that day one has even started. This article sounds like it is backed by some very strong vested interests. We are not even told what the 'key ridings' are. Is this one of those polls wherein 17 people have been surveyed, yet is accurate to within .000001 percentage points? Who hired the polling company? As a newspaper that is supposedly 'covering' the story, why not tell us first that there will be an election, and give a rundown of the platforms proposed by the various parties?
  93. vic w from Canada writes: The Liberals didn't get so many of us killed, unlike sit up and roll over Harper.

    Bark Harper Bark!

    Now roll over!
  94. Pete Kauchak, Green Tory from Cascadia, Canada writes: Frangesco Bernard from Windsor, Canada writes: I have been in Canada for many years now; as I remember, every time we had a Conservative Party ruling Canada we always had hard times, and if we have them again expect the worst. What happens after is crucial. Look what Mr. Paul Martin had to do to bring Canada ahead again.
    You want good times, Vote Liberals. The only team with intelligent people.

    What does this have to do with the CPC? This is a global slowdown. Anyone with a brain knows that. Martin was fortunate that he had GST revenue pouring in and the free trade agreement - foundations laid by the previous government.
  95. steve allan from Canada writes: -------Wallace McLean from Canada writes: Are there no swing ridings in any of the seven other provinces?

    Not a one?

    Really?-------

    Well, six of the seven other provinces have swing ridings but likely not enough to make a difference. The other province (which I don't even have to name) is not a democracy.
  96. Is there anybody out there? from Salt Spring Island, Canada writes: Canada is as foolish as U.S. voting Bush twice? Go ahead. Harper will savour your stupidity as his lies and deception are unveiled in front of your naive, unsuspecting eyes and you feel freedom slowly slip from your life as you descend into the dark agenda of fascist evangelical rule. Go ahead, fall into four years of sweet sleep in his manipulative arms.
  97. Fuzzy Bare from Canada writes: Jay Brezny... The G&M, if everything else was equal, would probably support the Liberals. If they support the Conservatives, that would suggest a Conservative government would be better for Canada. Some industries fear a huge tax grab, like the Green Shift Tax, could cause a downturn in the economy. There is doubt that the Green Shift Tax will be 'revenue neutral'. The effect of a carbon tax on the cost of electricity, home heating and transportation will make home ownership or renting more costly for the consumer. The promised tax rebate will probably not cover the increased cost for consumers, especially those in the lower to middle income tax bracket. People in higher income brackets will receive much higher tax rebates. A couple earning $60,000 would get about $600 per year rebate. A couple earning $200,000 would receive around $1700 for their rebate. The higher income, two-earner family receives nearly three times as much as a middle income family. The tax rewards the well-to-do, more than the middle income people who need the money for basic expenses, such as home heating, electricity and increased costs for transportation. The increased costs for middle income earners, means less money to spend on goods, which will be bad news for retailers, the media and service providers. The tax grab could lead Canada into a recession. The Green Shift Tax is a poorly thought out and poorly costed out, distributing wealth from one group of Canadians to another. The tax may provide some benefits for selected Canadiand, such as high income earners, but is bad for Canadians in general, in particular for middle income families.
  98. Uncle Fester from Canada writes:

    The Liberals thought that Canadians didn't understand Dion.

    That wasn't the problem after all.