Potential Election Dates

[August1991]

There has been discussion of whether we will have a Xmas election or not. Each opposition party has an upcoming opposition day during which a non-confidence motion could be presented and voted the same day, or a following day. In adition, there is a budget measure which could provoke an election call.

Opposition Days -> Election Date

Conservative 15/16 November -> Tues 27 Dec

BQ 17/21 November -> Tues 3 Jan

NDP 22/24 November -> Tues 3 Jan

G & M

A more probable scenario is the confidence vote on Dec. 8, when the Liberal government brings forward its supplementary estimates to announce new spending or provide details on previously announced expenditures.

8 Dec -> Mon 16 Jan

This supposes that we wait the required 36 days but can the period be longer?

57. (1) The Governor in Council shall issue a

proclamation in order for a general election to

be held.

(1.1) The Governor in Council shall make an

order in order for a by-election to be held.

(1.2) The proclamation or order shall

(a) direct the Chief Electoral Officer to issue

a writ to the returning officer for each electoral

district to which the proclamation or

order applies;

( fix the date of issue of the writ; and

© fix the date for voting at the election,

which date must be at least 36 days after the

issue of the writ.

(2) In the case of a general election,

(a) the date of issue of the writ shall be the

same for all electoral districts;

....

58. The Chief Electoral Officer shall issue a

writ in Form 1 of Schedule 1 to the returning

officer for the electoral district in which the

election is to be held without delay after the

proclamation is issued or the order is made by

the Governor in Council.

Canada Elections Act

Under Canada's elections law, a campaign must last at least 36 days, but the Prime Minister can extend it.

G & M

I'm still inclined to believe the Liberals will find a way to obtain NDP support (and simultaneously seek the soft NDP votes they'll need to get a majority). I don't think Martin wants an election just yet.

[shoop]

Of course they will. Layton is just posturing for a better deal. *Everybody* knows that. That is why Harper and Duceppe are waiting for Layton to make his move, because they know if they move first Layton will use them as leverage.

I'm still inclined to believe the Liberals will find a way to obtain NDP support (and simultaneously seek the soft NDP votes they'll need to get a majority).  I don't think Martin wants an election just yet.

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[theloniusfleabag]

Dear August1991,

I'm still inclined to believe the Liberals will find a way to obtain NDP support (and simultaneously seek the soft NDP votes they'll need to get a majority).

I don't believe it. Not with Layton's wording of 'we don't trust the gov't'. IMV, Layton just burned the bridge. I wonder if they think that they have a shot at the title.

I don't think Martin wants an election just yet.

I seriously doubt he wants to ever see another one. Were the PCs to have a better leader, the Liberals would be looking to take a tumble ala Mulroney/Campbell.

That is why Harper and Duceppe are waiting for Layton to make his move, because they know if they move first Layton will use them as leverage.

As shoop points out, it is almost like a velodrome race, each contestant waiting for someone else to move first, and use the 'come from behind' strategy.

However, shoop,

Of course they will. Layton is just posturing for a better deal.

I think it is too late for that. Layton basically said that the NDP doesn't want to share the bed with crooks. If he tries to make a deal and then jumps back in bed with the crooks, he will have tainted himself (and the party) as a harlot.

[August1991]

Paint me wrong.

"We are very clear," Layton told reporters in Vancouver.

"If there's non-confidence motions before the House (of Commons) we'll be voting against confidence.

"We don't believe the government deserves our confidence any longer."

National Post

I don't see how the Tories cannot put a no confidence motion before the House next week. (Too many double negatives there.)

IMV, if Layton means what he says (or in Duceppe's words, Layton walks the talk), the Tories will have to put a confidence motion before the House next week.

I seriously doubt he wants to ever see another one. Were the PCs to have a better leader, the Liberals would be looking to take a tumble ala Mulroney/Campbell.

Thelonious, in that comment (which is so common it deserves a thread topic of its own), you fail to undrestand that Canadian politics have changed because of Quebec. We can no longer have glib politicians who pretend to agree with everyone. For the next decade or so, Canada will have direct politicians.

[shoop]

If the NDs are serious they will put forth a non-confidence motion on their opposition day. That is why the Tories won't do it, they have been double-crossed by Layton too many times.

I don't see how the Tories cannot put a no confidence motion before the House next week.  (Too many double negatives there.)

IMV, the Tories will have to put a confidence motion before the House next week.

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[August1991]

If the NDs are serious they will put forth a non-confidence motion on their opposition day. That is why the Tories won't do it, they have been double-crossed by Layton too many times.

This is Tuesday. Layton has a week to show whether he's angling, or just a flake - or if he's serious. I still think Layton's angling in a flaky manner, but I'm biased.

Martin (or rather Tim Murphy) is seeking a deal - so we'll see Layton's mettle in the next few days.

Harper was burned in the spring but this current approach shows that he is learning how to apply principle to tactics.

[tml12]

If the NDs are serious they will put forth a non-confidence motion on their opposition day. That is why the Tories won't do it, they have been double-crossed by Layton too many times.

This is Tuesday. Layton has a week to show whether he's angling, or just a flake - or if he's serious. I still think Layton's angling in a flaky manner, but I'm biased.

Martin (or rather Tim Murphy) is seeking a deal - so we'll see Layton's mettle in the next few days.

Harper was burned in the spring but this current approach shows that he is learning how to apply principle to tactics.

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I agree with you August about Harper. Layton is rubbing his ass on the fence (pardon the crudeness of that but it's true).

Don't tell me Layton is not trying to get a deal out of the Liberals. Short of actually forming the government, a Liberal minority is the best thing for the NDP>

[Guest eureka]

Of course he is trying to get a "deal." That is both the responsible and intelligent thing to do. His job as a politician and leader of a party is to have legislation favourable to his party's platform.

Harper and Duceppe are both showing their colours by obstructing a minority instaed of trying to make it work. Neither is making any pretense of opposing for ideological reasons. Both are simply saying that they want power and the devil take the nation.

[err]

Harper was burned in the spring but this current approach shows that he is learning how to apply principle to tactics.

But we all saw the big bad wolf putting on grandma's clothes. Everybody knows the story of little Red Riding Hood....

[August1991]

Of course he is trying to get a "deal." That is both the responsible and intelligent thing to do. His job as a politician and leader of a party is to have legislation favourable to his party's platform.

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And everyone will know that we don't have a Liberal government, we have an NDP government. And everyone will know that Paul Martin has no principles - despite what John Gomery says.

Harper was burned in the spring but this current approach shows that he is learning how to apply principle to tactics.

But we all saw the big bad wolf putting on grandma's clothes. Everybody knows the story of little Red Riding Hood....

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Hey, err, it's your guy Layton on the hot seat now. Let's see how he deals with it.

First, the Liberals always seem to make someone else sweat.

Second, Layton has an "easier" choice. He knows Harper will back him up. (In the spring, Harper was out there by himself... on principle.)

[Chimera]

Everyone keeps talking about how the NDP "burned" the Tories & Bloc in the spring. I don't really have a very good memory, but I thought that the NDP had made it clear BEFORE the confidence motion that they had struck a deal with the Libs, and would be supporting them.

[shoop]

But they made that clear AFTER breaking a deal with the Tories and the Bloc.

Everyone keeps talking about how the NDP "burned" the Tories & Bloc in the spring.  I don't really have a very good memory, but I thought that the NDP had made it clear BEFORE the confidence motion that they had struck a deal with the Libs, and would be supporting them.

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[Chimera]

Okay, but as I said, I have a terrible memory. What was that deal?

(honest question)

[shoop]

That depends on who you ask. Suffice it to say that the Conservatives and Bloc felt they were burned badly enough by Layton that they DO NOT trust him anymore.

Okay, but as I said, I have a terrible memory.  What was that deal?

(honest question)

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