Will there be a Fall 2007 election?

[August1991]

Stephen Harper passed an unremarked milestone a few days ago. His minority government lasted longer than Paul Martin's. (Harper did this without any of the histrionics either.)

It's a certainty too that this government will last longer than Pearson's first government (1963-65) and it will likely last longer than Trudeau's 1972-74 minority.

After that, only Pearson's 1965-68 minority will have had more longevity (excepting King's 1920s governments which amounted to "coalitions" with the Progressives).

Here's a link to minority details.

All this matters because the *scary, scary* Harper argument also portrayed Harper as being rigid, doctrinaire, authoritarian and unable to work with others. Well, it appears that Harper is more co-operative than most of the PMs in our past.

Anyway, I'm sure the political talk this summer will turn around the chance of a Fall election.

[jdobbin]

All this matters because the *scary, scary* Harper argument also portrayed Harper as being rigid, doctrinaire, authoritarian and unable to work with others. Well, it appears that Harper is more co-operative than most of the PMs in our past.

Anyway, I'm sure the political talk this summer will turn around the chance of a Fall election.

From who? Harper is constrained by his own law about when he can call an election.

The Opposition might decide to go but why would the BQ pass up the sweet deals it gets in every budget?

Harper is not seen by Canadians as being the person to vote in for a majority. *Every* single poll from the election to today has repeated that mantra.

The last several week of Parliament saw the Opposition setting the agenda. Harper is going to have to come up with a plan that doesn't go south like his last budget.

[cynic43]

All this matters because the *scary, scary* Harper argument also portrayed Harper as being rigid, doctrinaire, authoritarian and unable to work with others. Well, it appears that Harper is more co-operative than most of the PMs in our past.

Anyway, I'm sure the political talk this summer will turn around the chance of a Fall election.

From who? Harper is constrained by his own law about when he can call an election.

The Opposition might decide to go but why would the BQ pass up the sweet deals it gets in every budget?

Harper is not seen by Canadians as being the person to vote in for a majority. *Every* single poll from the election to today has repeated that mantra.

The last several week of Parliament saw the Opposition setting the agenda. Harper is going to have to come up with a plan that doesn't go south like his last budget.

[Michael Bluth]

All this matters because the *scary, scary* Harper argument also portrayed Harper as being rigid, doctrinaire, authoritarian and unable to work with others. Well, it appears that Harper is more co-operative than most of the PMs in our past.

Anyway, I'm sure the political talk this summer will turn around the chance of a Fall election.

Either we go this fall, or wait until the fixed election date.

I think we will probably end up waiting.

The public appears to prefer the option of keeping this government around over going to the polls again.

[Canuck E Stan]

The public appears to prefer the option of keeping this government around ......

That's why I think a late November election would keep this government around even longer.

The issue?

Most likely the forcing of Kyoto deadlines on the government by the opposition.

This is one issue Harper says is impossible to achieve, and has already asked Dion to present the Liberal plan(for the good of the nation).

In order to meet that deadline, Dion and the opposition have better be ready to face the music from the voters if it means some kind of financial hardship by Canadians to achieve it.

If the Liberals are going to force the hand, they better tell everyone how it can be done without economic hardship to the country.They have had many years to achieve it,and didn't. They better tell Canadians how it can be done in even less time,especially when they didn't do it during their majority government.

Election...late November 2007.

[Michael Bluth]

That's why I think a late November election would keep this government around even longer.

The issue?

Most likely the forcing of Kyoto deadlines on the government by the opposition.

This is one issue Harper says is impossible to achieve, and has already asked Dion to present the Liberal plan(for the good of the nation).

In order to meet that deadline, Dion and the opposition have better be ready to face the music from the voters if it means some kind of financial hardship by Canadians to achieve it.

If the Liberals are going to force the hand, they better tell everyone how it can be done without economic hardship to the country.They have had many years to achieve it,and didn't. They better tell Canadians how it can be done in even less time,especially when they didn't do it during their majority government.

Election...late November 2007.

You could be right. By basically announcing that Canada will leave Afghanistant at the end of the current mission he has neutrailzed it as a campaign issue. Harper said he favours extending but won't do so without ALL party agreement. That won't happen so we have a set exit date. Issue nuetralized.

An election about Kyoto is a great idea.

[mcqueen625]

All this matters because the *scary, scary* Harper argument also portrayed Harper as being rigid, doctrinaire, authoritarian and unable to work with others. Well, it appears that Harper is more co-operative than most of the PMs in our past.

Anyway, I'm sure the political talk this summer will turn around the chance of a Fall election.

From who? Harper is constrained by his own law about when he can call an election.

The Opposition might decide to go but why would the BQ pass up the sweet deals it gets in every budget?

Harper is not seen by Canadians as being the person to vote in for a majority. *Every* single poll from the election to today has repeated that mantra.

The last several week of Parliament saw the Opposition setting the agenda. Harper is going to have to come up with a plan that doesn't go south like his last budget.

I would certainly rather have Harper than Dion or Layton. At least he doesn't want already overtaxed Canadians to pay for even more useless social programs. I have had quite enough of government wanting to play "Big Brother" from birth to death. What little money I have left after I pay more than my share of taxes, I want to keep, and decide for myself where to spend this money. I know my priorities are not that of those who want government to be all things to all people.

[BC_chick]

What little money I have left after I pay more than my share of taxes, I want to keep, and decide for myself where to spend this money. I know my priorities are not that of those who want government to be all things to all people.

If you think you're paying less income taxes with Steve, you're sadly mistaken. The Tories just reshuffled priorities in spending... nothing happened to your income tax. If you're in the low tax-bracket, in fact, your taxes went up.

[Michael Bluth]

If you think you're paying less income taxes with Steve, you're sadly mistaken. The Tories just reshuffled priorities in spending... nothing happened to your income tax. If you're in the low tax-bracket, in fact, your taxes went up.

Weren't you complaining about paid posters?

Or is it OK if it is completely misleading, but against the Conservatives.

[jdobbin]

I would certainly rather have Harper than Dion or Layton. At least he doesn't want already overtaxed Canadians to pay for even more useless social programs. I have had quite enough of government wanting to play "Big Brother" from birth to death. What little money I have left after I pay more than my share of taxes, I want to keep, and decide for myself where to spend this money. I know my priorities are not that of those who want government to be all things to all people.

Harper had one of the biggest spending budgets of all time this year.

You can bet that the next budget will be equally full of goodies for the province that Harper needs to win in the next election.

Another GST cut is a poor choice for tax reduction. A split income tax will be hugely costly as well as unfair to many people.

If you want honest tax cuts, hope that Harper will reduce individual income taxes. He hasn't said he will do that.

[jbg]

The last several week of Parliament saw the Opposition setting the agenda. Harper is going to have to come up with a plan that doesn't go south like his last budget.

Huh? When did that happen? I mussed have missed it. Did the GG miss it too?

[geoffrey]

If you think you're paying less income taxes with Steve, you're sadly mistaken. The Tories just reshuffled priorities in spending... nothing happened to your income tax. If you're in the low tax-bracket, in fact, your taxes went up.

Weren't you complaining about paid posters?

Or is it OK if it is completely misleading, but against the Conservatives.

How is that misleading? The CPC raised taxes on the lowest tax bracket. There is no spin possible on a factual statement. 15% to 15.5% is an increase. What else do you need?

Government expenditures increased by many times that of inflation. That means they are spending a larger chunk of the pie. That means less pie for you and I.

Meaning taxes went up. No if, ands or buts. Taxes went up under Steve.

--

Fall 2007 election? I don't know. How are the opposition parties war chests looking?

[WestViking]

How is that misleading? The CPC raised taxes on the lowest tax bracket. There is no spin possible on a factual statement. 15% to 15.5% is an increase. What else do you need?

Government expenditures increased by many times that of inflation. That means they are spending a larger chunk of the pie. That means less pie for you and I.

Meaning taxes went up. No if, ands or buts. Taxes went up under Steve.

--

Fall 2007 election? I don't know. How are the opposition parties war chests looking?

Really? Exactly when did the lowest tax bracket drop to 15%? I really would like to know.

You seem to have missed the 14.29% reduction is the GST.

[WestViking]

The last several week of Parliament saw the Opposition setting the agenda. Harper is going to have to come up with a plan that doesn't go south like his last budget.

THe budget Bill passed the Senate 45 to 21 last Friday and has received Royal Assent.

[jdobbin]

Huh? When did that happen? I mussed have missed it. Did the GG miss it too?

You missed the three provinces who have rejected the budget? You missed how Flaherty had to change his budget bill when corporations opposed one of the measures?

[WestViking]

Huh? When did that happen? I mussed have missed it. Did the GG miss it too?

You missed the three provinces who have rejected the budget? You missed how Flaherty had to change his budget bill when corporations opposed one of the measures?

Since when do provinces vote on a federal budget? Budget terms on tax breaks for foreign investmetns were modified prior to the budget passing in the commons as I recall, however main provision of the budget are now law. Money can flow.

[jdobbin]

Since when do provinces vote on a federal budget? Budget terms on tax breaks for foreign investmetns were modified prior to the budget passing in the commons as I recall, however main provision of the budget are now law. Money can flow.

I didn't say the budget didn't pass. I said it went south as soon as it went out the gate. Harper ought to be happy that he didn't go into a spring election on that budget.

[jdobbin]

THe budget Bill passed the Senate 45 to 21 last Friday and has received Royal Assent.

And it has been accepted with universal acclaim by the country? Nope. If that was to be an election budget, it certainly didn't fit the bill.

You make it sound like the last weeks were triumphant ones for the Tories. You really think so?

[Who's Doing What?]

The CPC has paid for this minority govt's longevity with generous donations to the province of quecbec and it's "quebec first" federal party, at the expense of the rest of the country(ok Alberta and Ontario but still).

There will be no election as long as the BQ keeps getting 9 and 10 figure cheques handed to quebec.

[hiti]

How is that misleading? The CPC raised taxes on the lowest tax bracket. There is no spin possible on a factual statement. 15% to 15.5% is an increase. What else do you need?

Government expenditures increased by many times that of inflation. That means they are spending a larger chunk of the pie. That means less pie for you and I.

Meaning taxes went up. No if, ands or buts. Taxes went up under Steve.

--

Fall 2007 election? I don't know. How are the opposition parties war chests looking?

Really? Exactly when did the lowest tax bracket drop to 15%? I really would like to know.

You seem to have missed the 14.29% reduction is the GST.

Where were you during the year 2005 when everyone was paying 15% on personal income tax and the personal exemption had been raised by $500 with more to come under a Liberal government???

As for the stupid GST reduction........I'm not spending $40,000 on GST taxable goods just to save what I saved with Paul Martin as PM. That 14.29% means dick all the the average Canadian. Steve and Flim Flam can shove their GST cuts where the sun don't shine.

[jbg]

Huh? When did that happen? I mussed have missed it. Did the GG miss it too?

You missed the three provinces who have rejected the budget? You missed how Flaherty had to change his budget bill when corporations opposed one of the measures?

Since when do provinces vote on a federal budget? Budget terms on tax breaks for foreign investmetns were modified prior to the budget passing in the commons as I recall, however main provision of the budget are now law. Money can flow.

I'm an American who doesn't know much about Canada. I was wondering the same thing though. Our states don't vote on budgets, at least since the States lost their role in electing Senators in 1912.

[WestViking]

Really? Exactly when did the lowest tax bracket drop to 15%? I really would like to know.

Where were you during the year 2005 when everyone was paying 15% on personal income tax and the personal exemption had been raised by $500 with more to come under a Liberal government???

If you can't answer the question, why bother to reply? Exactly when did the 15% tax take effect?

[geoffrey]

Really? Exactly when did the lowest tax bracket drop to 15%? I really would like to know.

Ever see a 2006 tax form before the CPC budget reverse it? The Liberal tax cut was law.

You seem to have missed the 14.29% reduction is the GST.

You must have missed the fact that government expenditures increased faster than the GDP. Do you know what that means? The government has more money. And do you know what that means? We have less.

[WestViking]

THe budget Bill passed the Senate 45 to 21 last Friday and has received Royal Assent.

And it has been accepted with universal acclaim by the country? Nope. If that was to be an election budget, it certainly didn't fit the bill.

You make it sound like the last weeks were triumphant ones for the Tories. You really think so?

You see no such thing in my reply above.

[sharkman]

Harper had one of the biggest spending budgets of all time this year.

You can bet that the next budget will be equally full of goodies for the province that Harper needs to win in the next election.

Another GST cut is a poor choice for tax reduction. A split income tax will be hugely costly as well as unfair to many people.

If you want honest tax cuts, hope that Harper will reduce individual income taxes. He hasn't said he will do that.

You conveniently omit that revenues, which budgets are drawn from, are at an all time high. So of course this budget would have higher spending, and of course next year probably will too.

The Tories will cut taxes when the election is called, and level headed people will like them for it. Some left wingers will want to give the tax cuts back, however. Ignore them.