Canada’s Prime Minister Calls General Elections

Prime Minister Stephen Harper dissolved parliament after holding a meeting on Sunday with Governor-General David Johnston, the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s nominal head of state in this Commonwealth country.

Seriously, voters will be electing all 338 members in Canada’s House of Commons; the whole shebang. There are 30 more seats than in the last election due to redistricting. Yes, the usual polls suggest the race will be tight. But then, if they are anything like the latest American polls, that means a landslide for the right.

Let’s go out on a limb here and actually quote Al Jazeera:

Harper said the election was about “leadership on the big issues that affect us all, our economy and our nation’s security”.

“It’s an election about who will protect our economy in instability and ensure Canada’s future prosperity. The national election is not a popularity contest,” he said.

The economy is expected to be declared officially in recession in September when second quarter GDP figures are released.

Howver, Stephen Poloz, the central bank governor, has already said this month that the economy is in recession.

Harper had planned to present himself as one of the first G7 leaders to post a balanced budget since the global financial crisis, bolstering his image as a strong fiscal manager.

The entire Al Jazeera piece is here.

Former colleagues of Harper admit his long-term goals are to end the once widely entrenched notion that Liberals are somehow the natural party in Canada’s government. Harper wants to redefine Canadian government.

The “New” Democrats are the prime opposition. Green Party and the Bloc Quebecois are also in the race.

The 79-day campaign will be one of the longest in Canadian history.

So, how come Americans have to slog through two solid years of campaigning?

Photo: © Palinchak | Dreamstime.com – Stephen Harper Photo