Federal election June 28
It’s election time again and for Torontonians this will be the third time in nine months voters have headed to the polls.
On May 23, Prime Minister Paul Martin called a federal election for June 28. Martin, who took over from Jean Chretien as leader last December, says he is calling an election now to secure a mandate from the people.
But are voters ready to engage in yet another election?
On Oct. 2, Ontarians elected a new government in Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals and on Nov. 10 a new mayor, David Miller, and city council were also voted in.
However, there are many reasons to call a federal election now, St. Paul’s Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett told the Town Crier. "It was important for Canadians that he (Martin) obtain a fresh mandate as prime minister with a plan for the next four years and to be able to really negotiate properly with the premiers this summer (on healthcare)."
Healthcare is the big issue coming up at the doors in the early stages of campaigning, Bennett said.
But a potential thorn in Martin’s side is the fact that the provincial Liberals delivered a budget with fresh taxes including healthcare premiums costing anyone earning more than $20,000 between $300-$900 a year.
Bennett, whose portfolio is public health, says health is something that impacts much of our quality of life. "Whether it is poverty, the environment and smog days, gun control and affordable housing, food and nutrition (it is all related to health)."
Ultimately the key question that will define the federal campaign is this, "What kind of Canada do you want?" Martin asked May 23.
He was trying to draw a contrast between Liberal and Conservative values. But asking yourself what kind of Canada you want will help determine which party best represents your values?
"I’m going to engage Paul Martin, Stephen Harper and Gilles Duceppe on their records and ideas because it’s time to put hope back into politics," NDP Leader Jack Layton said on May 23. "That’s what this election is about, getting a government that listens to you and who will make positive choices to build a green and prosperous country that leaves no-one behind."
Martin defended his government.
"I’m proud of our record. But I want to do much more. So I will be setting out a plan to do just that," Martin said in front of the Parliament in Ottawa. "And I will be asking for a mandate from the public to act on that plan. That’s why an election is necessary now."
Healthcare is not the only hot issue for voters. Other topics include a new deal for cities, the price of gas (almost half of which is taxes), national security and terrorism, affordable housing, the environment, immigration, homelessness, childcare, the economy and jobs, tax cuts and increases, same sex marriage, and locally the Toronto Port Authority (a federal agency) and island airport bridge.
There are nine political parties registered in this election: Bloc Québécois Canadian Action Party, Communist Party of Canada, Conservative Party of Canada, Green Party of Canada, Liberal Party of Canada, Marijuana Party Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada and the New Democratic Party.
However, traditionally outside Quebec it has really only been the NDP, Liberals and Conservatives/Alliance that have won seats.
Nothing is certain for the Liberals who are rocked by the sponsorship scandal, the impact of the Ontario budget and Martin having to face off against two new leaders in the NDP’s Layton and Harper, who leads the new Conservatives, the newly-merged Tory-Alliance partnership.
At present, the Liberals hold all 22 seats in Toronto and the vast majority in Ontario. Ontario, with more seats than any other province, 106 (up from 103 in 2000), will prove to be the key for any party looking to form government.
In the last election 12.99 million electors cast their ballot (12,857,773 valid ballots). This represented just 61.2 per cent of the electorate, an all-time low.
At present, including byelections held since the 2000 federal vote, here is how the parties stand, according to Elections Canada. The Liberals have 168 seats, the Conservatives 73, the NDP 14, Bloc 33, there are 9 independents and 4 seats are vacant for a total of 301. Seven more ridings including three more in Ontario have been added this time out for a total of 308 seats.
Polling will be done throughout the election campaign. Here are two of the most recent poll results, which asked decided voters which party they’d support.
A Compas poll of May 21 (two days before the election call) showed the Liberals with a minority government winning 39 per cent of the vote, Conservatives with 31 per cent, NDP 17 per cent and the Bloc 11 per cent. An Environics poll of May 25 (two days after the writ was dropped) had the Liberals with 38 per cent, Conservatives 29 per cent, NDP 21 per cent, Bloc with 11 per cent and 1 per cent voting for another party.
You are eligible to vote if you are 18 and a Canadian citizen on polling day. Eligible voters, who have been living away from Canada for less than five consecutive years since their last visit home, can vote under special voting rules. Canadians living in prison can vote. And the homeless or those with no fixed address can vote, but must provide proof of identity and the address where he or she is staying (a shelter or a place they have stayed in the last 24 hours).
Here are some key websites to help keep up-to-date including Elections Canada: GP, Liberals: Liberal, Conservatives: Conservative and New Democratic Party: NDP.
The Town Crier will have full coverage of the main candidates in all ridings in our coverage area prior to the June 28 vote. Visit our website for updates at TownCrierOnline.