Only 27 days until Canada’s Federal Election (May 2nd)

     Our American friends are fascinated by Canada’s ability to find a reason (a vote holding the government in contempt of our Parliament), pass a motion of non-confidence to defeat the government, hold a federal election and count the votes all in less than 5 weeks. That’s less time than it took to count the ballot’s for one of Bush’s elections. But to be fair, the USA has a lot more voters than we do.

     The Canadian elections need to be fast because there is sometimes a short time between them. For example, shortest terms for being Prime Minister are:
        - Sir Charles Tupper shortest at 69 days
        - John Turner for 79 days
        - Kim Campbell (first and only female) for 140 days
        - Joe Clark for 273 days

We thought that problem was solved in 2006 with the passing a law requiring  fixed election dates - one every 4 years (except by a vote of non-confidence). Since this law was passed this will be the 3rd election and the only one resulting from a vote of non-confidence (the other two by unprovoked prorogation). Go figure.

    I found it interesting in 1996 when the Official Opposition in the Parliament was the Parti Québécois which was dedicated to the separation of Quebec from the rest of Canada (known currently as the “ROC”). As I recall those days they made an effective opposition party (although a philosophically bizarre political situation).
  
    In the current election campaign the Bloc Québécois (dedicated to promoting Quebec over the ROC) are being demonized as being unfit to be a part of the government because of their policies (or for only existing in Quebec) and hence should not be part of the upcoming political debate. The Green Party is not allowed to be part of the National debate (presumably because they do not have a sitting MP).

    If people or organizations with power can decide who should or should not be heard (based on non existent criteria by ab arbitrary consortium) , that would be a major blow to democracy in Canada. Surely Canadians should be able to hear all 5 official parties in a televised discussion, even if it isn’t really a debate.

     OK,  I agree 5 party leaders in a debate is unwieldy and confusing to watch – let alone to hear. But where is it written that only one debate is allowed? Maybe if our “system” were less strictly controlled by arbitrary rules then more people might get involved in the electoral process. Sport events manage to handle a large number of teams in one-on-one competitions. It could easily be done with the 5 official federal parties. Why not?

     FYI, Canada has 19 registered political parties:

Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada

Bloc Québécois

Canadian Action Party

Christian Heritage Party of Canada

Communist Party of Canada

Conservative Party of Canada

First Peoples National Party of Canada

Green Party of Canada

Liberal Party of Canada

Libertarian Party of Canada

Marijuana Party

Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada

New Democratic Party

People's Political Power Party of Canada

Pirate Party of Canada

Progressive Canadian Party

Rhinoceros Party

United Party of Canada

Western Block Party