I like to regularly peruse The Hill Times, an online Canadian politics and government newsweekly. In yesterday's edition they draw our attention to the fact that both the Conservatives and the Liberals started to run training sessions for their party workers, seemingly in preparation for imminent new elections. What is more: "In preparation for the strong possibility of the next federal election to be called in the next two months, some of the electoral district associations have started to hold their nomination meetings.
Really? Are they up there on Parliament Hill out of their minds? In my personal opinion, and according to my personal observation, Canadians are not exactly enthusiastic about the prospect of having to face another election any time soon. We see both parties and their leadership as still relatively inexperienced (sorry, Mr Harper). Neither of them are convincing enough to make people strongly rally in their support. There are no distinct favourites at this point.
If an election was called, as the rumors make us believe, the result will be yet another minority government whichever side wins. The way things stand, it is anybody's guess which party that might be. The results most probably would be dictated by the whim du jour of the electorate. And don't you think that the people will be influenced much by the "printed material" that is apparently already in preparation right now. Our mail boxes are overpopulated by spam mail as is, both virtual and paper based. Today's electorate is more sensitive to factual news items from TV, radio, general media. We are able to follow, analyze and criticize, the daily actions of our politicians - or at least what is visible for the benefit of the general public.
So what would really be the point of calling an election now? I suppose both parties hope that they can sway public opinion in their favour. But, as I said above, even if enough voters could get fired up enough just to drag their behinds to the nearest polling station, the results will most probably be another government much the same as the present one.
And besides, why on earth would they want to try and make us pay attention to Canadian political battles when it is so much more interesting right now to watch the American elections unfold? I mean, really...!
