39Th Canadian Federal Election

Issues

• Sponsorship scandal: This issue continues to be a hinderance for the governing Liberals. The Liberals are currently being attacked and will undoubtedly continue to be hammered by the opposition on this issue, particularly by the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois, especially after court hearings in early 2005. Recent signs of a media leak of documentation by a US-based website has intensified the debate and strengthened the opposition.
• Health care: This is a perennial top issue in Canada. Prime Minister Paul Martin increased funding for health care in 2004 by $41 billion, however there are many debates resulting from the announcement. Quebec agreed to a separate deal and that may not be popular in other parts of Canada. In addition, many on the political right, who want a true two-tier system, and left, who want a completely socialized system with absolutely no private influence, are unhappy over the amount of public influence in the system.
• Social issues: While traditionally a non-issue in Canada, the results from the U.S. election of 2004 appear to be motivating the Christian Right, especially in the rural areas, and bringing issues like abortion and same-sex marriage to the forefront, especially after the likely passage of the same-sex marriage bill, expected to be in mid-2005. Most Conservatives are moderately or strongly pro-life, and the large majority oppose legal recognition of same-sex marriage, while the Liberals are generally divided on abortion, they endorsed same-sex marriage as party policy but some members are in strong disagreement. Most of the Bloc Quebecois and most New Democrats are strongly pro-choice and are strong supporters of same-sex marriage. It has been speculated that should an election be held in the spring or summer of 2005, then the recent death of Pope John Paul II could help the Conservatives on social issues, especially among Catholic voters, who are traditionally a strong Liberal support base.
• Fiscal imbalance: All major parties except the Liberals claim that there was a fiscal imbalance between Ottawa and the provinces and speak of plans to reduce it. The Bloc Qubcois is the most vocal party on this issue. Several provincial governments have also spoken out on the issue.
• Taxation: For the Conservatives, significantly lowering taxes to stimulate the economy is a central issue. In 2004, the Conservatives promised to end "corporate welfare" and replace it with tax cuts for all businesses. The Liberals, the Bloc Qubcois and the NDP opposed large tax cuts, and argued that money should instead be spent to improve social programs. Huge surpluses ($9.1 billion in 2004) have increased the appetite for tax cuts. The 2005 budget implemented relatively modest tax cuts which have been denounced by both the right (who demanded much greater tax relief) and the left (who believed corporations and higher-income Canadians should have to pay higher taxes).
• Parliamentary reform: The Conservatives accused the Liberals of perpetuating "undemocratic practices" in Parliament, by limiting the powers of MPs. Martin called for some reform, but it never materialized. The Conservatives promised an elected Senate and standing committee and provincial review of judicial appointments. The NDP spoke of abolishing the Canadian Senate - all parties claim to want to reform it. The appointments of nine Senators on March 24, 2005 has intensified the debate, it has angered many Conservatives, especially in Alberta.
• Electoral reform: The Conservatives promised fixed election dates. The NDP and the Green Party promote the idea of proportional representation voting -- these parties win a considerably smaller proportion of seats in the House of Commons than of the popular vote under the current first past the post system. Meanwhile, referenda will be held in British Columbia in May 2005 on using single transferable vote in future provincial elections and in November 2005 in Prince Edward Island on using mixed proportional representation. Ontario is also considering such reforms. Changes at the provincial level will put pressure on the federal government to make similar changes.
• National Missile Defence: The Bush administration in the U.S. wants Canada to join the missile shield. Most Conservatives (including their party policy) strongly support such a plan, while the Bloc, the NDP and many Liberals strongly oppose it. Prime Minister Martin announced in February 2005 that Canada will not join the missile shield; that has upset some Liberals who supported missile defence.
• Gun registry: Many Conservatives strongly oppose the gun registry while the other parties generally support it. A few Liberal backbenchers have spoken against the registry.
• Parliament stability: Public opinion polls suggest that any new election held soon will result in another minority government. This may reduce the appetite for a new election and punish whoever forced the election.
• Canada-US relations: This issue has divided Canada more than ever since the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Most Conservatives believe that closer relations with the United States (such as a North American security perimeter and deeper integration through NAFTA) are necessary for economic and political reasons. Most of the Bloc and NDP believe that Canada needs to move away from the US, especially with the re-election of Bush in 2004. The Liberals are deeply split, with many on both sides.

Candidates

Territories

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Ontario

Qubec

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland & Labrador

National

Timeline

2004

• November 18 - Outspoken Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish was dismissed from the Liberal caucus by Prime Minister Martin for making statements critical of the Liberal Party and the prime minister. She now sits as an independent.

• December 16 - Liberal MP Lawrence O'Brien died of cancer. A by-election in his riding, Labrador, has not yet been called.

2005

• February 23 - Finance Minister Ralph Goodale presents the 2005 federal budget to the Canadian House of Commons. The Conservatives abstained on the vote, which was held on March 9, ensuring the government's survival for the time-being.
• March 31 - Testimony by Jean Brault, former president of Groupaction at the Gomery Commission is considered so damaging to the Liberals that many speculate that an election may be held soon. The details of the testimony are not publicly revealed due to a publication ban imposed by Mr. Justice Gomery.

External links

• Nodice Elections: Canada

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