Canadian Federal Election

From The Hoss's Mouth

Hoss Cents Free Financial Money Magazine now has two major elections to cover. Canada and the United States are running concurrent national elections. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called a Canadian federal election for Oct. 14, 2008. This came as no surprise to Canadians; ads soliciting votes for Stephen Harper were appearing on TV days before the election call.

So what is the Hoss to do? He has already started a series on the American presidential election with posts on:

Democratic National Convention

Obama and McCain Health Care Plans

Obama and McCain Economic Plans

The Canadian federal election will be over nearly a month before the American presidential election, so, The Hoss will concentrate his efforts on that election. He will keep an eye on the American presidential election and provide updates of significant events in that race.

Canada has four major political parties (Conservatives, Liberals, Bloc Quebecois, NDP [New Democratic Party]) and one relatively new but important kid on the block: The Green Party. Though The Green Party is just getting started, they may take enough votes away from the Liberals and/or NDP to allow the Conservatives to form a majority government. Current House of Commons standings:

Party	Leader	Seats
Conservative	Stephen Harper	127
Liberal	Stephane Dion	95
Bloc Quebecois	Gilles Duceppe	48
NDP	Jack Layton	30
Green	Elizabeth May	0
Independent		4
Vacant		4

The Canadian Parliament has a total of 308 seats. To win a majority, a party must win at least 155 seats.

Anything less results in a minority government, which the opposition could defeat at any time.

Stephen Harper is the current Prime Minister and has been operating with a minority government since the last Canadian Federal Election

The Hoss suspects Mr. Harper called this election on the basis of internal polls which may suggest now is his best opportunity to obtain a majority government. The leader of the Liberal Party, Stephane Dion, does not appear to be making friends with the Canadian people; he has promised a carbon tax on gas which is the last thing most Canadians want: yet another gas tax. The NDP have a solid core of supporters, but nowhere near enough to form a government. And the Bloc Quebecois is only in Quebec, but can--and has in the past--won enough seats to become the official opposition.

So the starting gate is open and the race is underway. Being only six weeks long, this race is a sprint to the finish with the winner having his photo taken as Prime Minister of Canada.


Stay on track,

The Hoss


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