Most disapprove of long federal election campaign, but most Conservative voters like it
PARLIAMENT HILL—A majority of Canadians, including a substantial number of Conservative Party supporters, disapprove of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s decision to call a general election earlier than expected this year with an 11-week campaign costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars more than the statutory minimum election period of 37 days, a Forum Research poll […]
Grit Leader Trudeau, Green Leader May only two federal leaders in for debate on women’s issues, Sept. 21
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and Green Party Leader Elizabeth are the only two federal leaders to confirm they will take part in the “Up For Debate,” national leaders’ debate next month dedicated solely to women’s issues, after the coalition of more than 175 women’s groups and allied organizations lobbied all the party leaders. Prime […]
Some 20 PMO staffers on leave, election called
Some 20 staffers in the Prime Minister’s Office have taken leave in the last two weeks ahead of yesterday's start of the federal election, including director of issues management Nick Koolsbergen. Mr. Koolsbergen, a former communications director to Jason Kenney, is no longer listed as a staffer in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on the […]
NDP could win up to five seats in Alberta, but no sea change expected, says pollster
It was a common refrain for NDP MP Linda Duncan. During the 2011 election campaign, she was the party’s only incumbent MP running for re-election in the Conservative heartland of Alberta, and had to repeatedly tell voters that the NDP didn’t support shutting down the oilsands. “There never was a position for a moratorium on […]
‘Nervous’ Liberals say Trudeau should counter Conservative attack ads hard, now
It will be the longest federal election campaign in Canada since 1872 and with the election day only 11 weeks away, some senior Liberals, who had expected smooth sailing only a year ago with their young, charismatic leader at the helm, are “nervous” and even “panicking” at the prospect of the Liberals once again ending […]
Longer campaign means bigger rebates, Conservatives can spend more on ad blitz in final week
By spending an estimated $50-million in the Oct. 19 federal election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives will not only outspend the other federal parties, but will also get a larger rebate back from Elections Canada which will give them an edge over other parties after the election regardless of whether Prime Minister Harper […]
Ka-ching! Cabinet ministers, backbenchers promise billions in new funding in one month
Cabinet ministers and government backbenchers have been busy publicizing new federal government spending across the country, announcing at least an estimated $4.13-billion in new expenditures between June 23 and July 28, according to a review by The Hill Times. On July 30 alone, Conservative MPs and ministers announced a total of $1-billion in government spending. […]
Handicapping election: Conservatives have narrow path to victory, but losing support in battleground seats
TORONTO—From July 24 to 30, Innovative Research Group Inc. conducted an online survey of 2,833 Canadians to explore the underlying dimensions of Canada’s impending election. Like most pollsters, we show the NDP currently in the lead with 33.7 per cent of the decided vote, the Conservatives second at 29.3 per cent and the Liberals third […]
Politics This Morning: Election 2015 Cabinet ministers, backbenchers continue ‘Christmas-in-July’ funding announcements
OTTAWA—Good Friday morning to you. Cabinet ministers and government backbenchers are continuing to make “Christmas-in-July” federal government spending announcements across the country today, and just days before the expected election call on Sunday, Aug. 1. Here’s what’s on for July 31. There's loads. Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea along with Minister of State for Science […]
Political parties facing emotional trauma: Nicholls
OAKVILLE, ONT.—We’re so used to thinking of political parties as rational actors, which strut and fret their hour upon the electoral stage, that we sometimes forget they’re really just associations made up of people. And the people who make up political parties—the partisans, the politicians, the consultants—can be just as prone to irrationality as the […]
