Time to vote, eh?

Reuters reports that Canadian Conservatives led by Stephen Harper are "moving in for the kill" to wrest control of Parliament from the Liberals. Mired in scandal, PM Paul Martin's party may have to face the music at the polls as early as June 27.

Despite the fact that the New Democrat Party (NPD) ultimately whored its 19-seat support to the Liberals in exchange for a budget compromise, the parties' combined votes only add up to 151, with 155 needed to stave off a "no-confidence" vote that would trigger new elections. The deal in question would delay tax cuts for businesses and boost government spending by C$4.6 billion (or US$3.7 billion) over the next two years. The tax cuts in question had the potential to boost economic growth by C$5 billion a year and help create 340,000 jobs. So now Canadians are facing the prospect of spending even more to keep a corrupt government in place. Nice.

The Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois have 153 votes between them. The wildcards here are three independent legislators, one of which has publicly expressed an unwillingness to vote against a new election. Per Reuters:

Three non-confidence motions are winding their way through the machinery of Parliament and the earliest they are likely to be voted on by the House of Commons is May 18 or 19, paving the way for a late June election.

Support for Conservatives is in the lead in recent polling.

Posted by: Gary at 08:45 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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