iaink

My position for years has been that Canadas status as a top place to live (according to meaningless international studies) is largely attributable to the government having to do everything in English and French, and therefore getting to interfere half as much as governments in otherwise comparable nations without the language complications...

iaink

Perhaps, but then one wonders why Harper didnt push his agenda harder sooner. I think parties looking at their available campaign funds plays a part thought. I dont think the case you state is really any different to minority governments in the past, its just more expensive to fight an election now isnt it?

Finding a leader is undoubtedly a tricky business. They needed someone without association with the sponsorship scandal etc, and a break from all the Quebec based lawyers of the past. I dont recall anyone jumping out at the time. Ignatiefs weakness has always been that he was not permanently rooted in Canada. If he stays on that will at least demonstrate some commitment. Its not like Harper won first time either. I think he's decent enough, but maybe needs to relax a bit more. If he stays on he will have learned things this time around, it was after all his first experience if major league campaigning (if canada can be considered that).

Atlantic Xpat

Interesting comment and perhaps a surprising decision from Macleans scribe Andrew Coyne.....http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/04/28/a...��but-by-whom/ I find myself in agreement with much he says.

Novocastrian

An interesting theory.

Hmmm.... Belgium.

Steve_P

Harper is no fool he too did not want an election any sooner than now for the same reasons.

People are tired of these things every few years at huge cost? And what do we get as a result?

The same old, same old.

iaink

Strangely (or not) I find I know almost nothing at all about Belgium. What I do think I know probably concerns famous fictitious characters more than anything else. Oh, and beer.

Novocastrian

OK here's a hypothetical result on tuesday morning.

Cons: 134 seats
NDP :90 seats
Liberals: 66 seats
BQ: 20 seats.
Independents: 1 (what's her name with the big hair).

What happens next?

1) Con minority again? Likely not to survive a confidence vote on the Throne Speech.

2) An agreement between the Cons and either the NDP or the Libs (not of course a coalition, or they'd be struck down by God, obviously). Not likely.

3) The GG decides to ask Layton to see if he can form a Government which can enjoy the confidence of the House.

4) A coalition between the Cons and the BQ?

The answer is 4 of course, because Harper will do anything to hang on to power.

airbornesapper

aaHHHH...

Oakvillian

But would Duceppe get into bed with Harper in a bipartisan coalition? I know he has entertained the notion before, but wasn't that with a three-in-a-bed option ganging up on the Libs?

Given the haemorrhaging of votes from the Bloc to NDP in Quebec, I can't see option 3 working if Comrade Jack will need BQ support to make a coalition work. I would agree with your assessment of option 1 - Harper won't get a throne speech through the Commons (he could always prorogue, I suppose...)

Option 2 may have some legs.

iaink

So back to the polls by the Fall then.

DaveLovesDee

As Canada's bilingual, may I suggest we use both official languages.

Deja vu, loosely translated as same ship, different day.

Lord Vader

Lord Harper has prevailed.

GavinR

And finally a bright light has shone on Canadian politics Great result for PM Harper and also Jack Layton. Iggy and Gilles It seems Iggy isn't the only Liberal who flip flops the rest of 'em all flopped over to the NDP.

Steve_P

I can honestly sat I am not pleased with the result and that I do not in the least like or trust Stephen Harper.

That said I sincerely hope he proves my distrust of him wrong.

macadian

Tory majority......'Novo' must be on suicide watch......