Martin sets timetable for Canadian elections

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Looks like Canada will start off the new year with elections.  Here’s an article on BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4471407.stm

[Hatman 🍁]

Apparently it was only like the 5th time in history that a Prime Minister addressed the nation.

Boourns. I want an election NOW! darnit!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Dammit! I wanted elections just after the U.K ones...

[Hatman 🍁]

don't give up hope. It's not up to Martin really, if there's a non confidence vote, which is still very likely then he will be forced to call an election. I kind of got the impression from Haper's reaction that there will still be a spring or summer election.

[Emsworth]

The Liberals and NDP together have 151 MPs, and the Conservatives and the Bloc together have 153. Thus, should a no-confidence motion be moved, much would be left up to the three independents - one of whom was expelled from the Liberal Party, one of whom left the Liberals voluntarily, and one of whom has a right-wing lean. Moreover, the Liberal Speaker would not be able to vote. Thus, should there be a no-confidence motion, it would seem quite likely that the government will fall.

[Hatman 🍁]

Don't forget the up-coming by-election in Labrador. Providing the non-confidence vote happens after the by-election.

[Emsworth]

Don't forget the up-coming by-election in Labrador.

Indeed. I gather that although Labrador has normally fallen to the Liberal Party, it may vote for the Tories, due to the government's recent unpopularity in the area. Another seat lost would be a tremendous blow to Martin, and would probably precipitate a dissolution.

[Hatman 🍁]

The election will be between the Conservative Mayor of Labrador City (lagest city in Labrador) and the Liberal President of the Labrador Métis Nation. I'm not sure on the number of Metis in Labrador (half white, half aboriginal) but Labrador is 35% Aboriginal. So, should be a good race anyways. It appears those are the only 2 candidates, which is unfortunate. Provincially the Liberals have 2 seats, the tories 1 and the NDP 1. 

[minionofmidas]

Unfortunate in which respect? And why isn't the NDP standing?

[Emsworth]

And why isn't the NDP standing?

I'm not sure, but it may be because they didn't fare too well in 2003 (4th place w/ 856 votes, to O'Brien's 5,524).

[Hatman 🍁]

Unfortunate in which respect? And why isn't the NDP standing?

Unfortunate because I support the NDP, and I believe with the right candidate and the wrong liberal candidate, they could win this one.

[Platypus]

Is this the first time the fate of a government has practically been determined by Labrador?

[Hatman 🍁]

Is this the first time the fate of a government has practically been determined by Labrador?

LOL, I wouldn't say it has come to that quite yet.

[Hatman 🍁]

Apparentlly the NDP has now nominated a candidate. Her name is Frances Fry, and I think she is also from Labrador City.

[Emsworth]

Apparentlly the NDP has now nominated a candidate. Her name is Frances Fry, and I think she is also from Labrador City.

A Google search turns up very little information on her. Any idea who she is?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Labrador City... that's in the iron mining area, right?

[Hatman 🍁]

Apparentlly the NDP has now nominated a candidate. Her name is Frances Fry, and I think she is also from Labrador City.

A Google search turns up very little information on her. Any idea who she is?

According to wikipedia, she is the Coordinator of the Labrador West Status of Women Council

[Hatman 🍁]

Labrador City... that's in the iron mining area, right?

Yes, iron mining is the #1 industry in Labrador City.

[Emsworth]

According to wikipedia, she is the Coordinator of the Labrador West Status of Women Council

Coordinator of the Status of Women Council? She sounds like a political nonentity, at least compared to the other two candidates.

[Hatman 🍁]

According to wikipedia, she is the Coordinator of the Labrador West Status of Women Council

Coordinator of the Status of Women Council? She sounds like a political nonentity, at least compared to the other two candidates.

I agree, but it is Labrador West that the NDP holds in the Newfoundland & Labrador House of Assembly. The tories hold the south central distirst, and the Liberals hold the two coastal districts.