2008 Canadian federal election

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Canadian federal election, 2008
← 2006 October 14, 2008 TBD →
308 seats in the 40th Canadian Parliament
  File:Stephen Harper (Official Photo).jpg File:Stephane dion rally head.jpg
Leader Stephen Harper Stéphane Dion Gilles Duceppe
Party Conservative Liberal BQ
Leader since 2004 2006 1997
Leader's seat Calgary Southwest Saint-Laurent—Cartierville Laurier—Sainte-Marie
Last election 124 (127 at dissolution) 103 (95 at dissolution) 51 (48 at dissolution)
  File:LaytonPortrait.jpg
Leader Jack Layton Elizabeth May
Party New Democratic Party Green
Leader since 2003 2006
Leader's seat Toronto—Danforth running in Central Nova
Last election 29 (30 at dissolution) 0 (1 at dissolution)
Incumbent PM

Stephen Harper
Conservative



The 2008 Canadian federal election (more formally, the 40th Canadian General Election) is scheduled to be held October 14, 2008, to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 40th Canadian Parliament. The previous parliament was dissolved by the Governor General on September 7, 2008.

The election call resulted in the cancellation of four federal by-elections that had been scheduled to occur in September.[1]

Background

See also: Fixed election dates in Canada

In 2007, Parliament passed a law fixing federal election dates every four years and scheduling the next election date as October 19, 2009, but the law does not (and constitutionally cannot) limit the powers of the Governor General to dissolve Parliament at any time, such as when opposition parties bring down the government on a vote of confidence.

2006 election

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64.7% of all eligible voters cast ballots in the 2006 federal election. The Conservative Party received the most votes, with 36% of the vote and 124 seats (127 at dissolution). The Liberal Party lowered its total number of seats won to 103 seats (96 at dissolution), taking 30% of the vote. The Bloc Québécois lost three seats, lowering its total to 51 seats (48 at dissolution), with 10.5% of the vote. The New Democratic Party (NDP) retained its seats held at the dissolution of Parliament, and won 11 more, making its total 29 seats (30 at dissolution), with 17.5% of the vote. The Green Party received 4.5% of the vote, a minimal increase from the previous election, but did not win any seats (1 at dissolution). Independents and other parties constituted 1% of the total vote with one independent winning a seat.

Events since the 2006 election

Since the 2006 election, seven Members of Parliament (MPs) have changed party: David Emerson, Wajid Khan and Joe Comuzzi from Liberal to Conservative; Garth Turner from Conservative to Liberal; Blair Wilson from Liberal to Green; Louise Thibault from Bloc Québécois to Independent; and Bill Casey from Conservative to Independent. In by-elections, the NDP gained one seat from the Liberal Party, while the Conservative Party gained two seats, one from the Liberals and one from Bloc Québécois. Four seats were vacant when the election was called: Three previously held by the Liberal Party, one by Bloc Québécois.

The parliament preceding this election is led by the smallest minority ever in the Canadian House of Commons — a government with just 40.6% of the seats — and led by the Conservative Party of Canada. Although the average length of a minority parliament in Canada is 1 year, 5 months, and 22 days, minorities led by the former Progressive Conservative Party tended to be much shorter: the longest previous Conservative minority was just 6 months and 19 days.[2] The 39th Parliament became Canada's longest serving Conservative minority on October 24, 2006.

On May 30, 2006, the Conservatives tabled Bill C-16 which would amend the Canada Elections Act which would provide for fixed election dates. The bill received royal assent on May 3, 2007. The bill states that there will be an election in 2009, and it would be the first to have a fixed election date, the third Monday in October (October 19, 2009). However, despite the bill, on September 7, 2008, the Prime Minister sought the dissolution of the 39th Parliament, and the Governor General agreed to hold a general election on October 14, 2008.

It was rumoured by political pundits that Harper would like to have had an election in early 2007 in hopes of attaining a majority of the Commons seats. However, it was also speculated that he would hold off calling an election until after Quebec held its provincial election, so as to measure the strength of federalist feelings in that province.

On February 15, 2007, The Globe and Mail reported that the Conservatives were preparing for an election expected to be called shortly after the 2007 budget, due on March 19, 2007. Part of the reason for the timing of the election was given as strengthening Conservative poll numbers coupled with the desire to take advantage of the perception that Harper has "better leadership qualities than Liberal counterpart Stéphane Dion".[3]

On March 17, 2007, an internal Conservative Party memo was leaked to The Canadian Press, telling members that they "need to be ready to campaign within the next week". The memo asked members to donate $75 to $150 to help to fund the early stages of the election campaign. None of these predictions for a federal election to occur in 2007 proved true, but the majority of pundits still believed a federal election would be triggered before the fixed election date of October 19, 2009, for sometime in 2008.

Stephen Harper hinted at the possibility of dissolving parliament on August 14, 2008. Speaking in Newfoundland and Labrador, he cited Stéphane Dion as the main player in making Parliament become increasingly "dysfunctional". "I’m going to have to make a judgment in the next little while as to whether or not this Parliament can function productively," Harper said. This came after repeated confidence votes that resulted in the NDP and Bloc parties not voting in favour of the government, and the Liberal Party voting in favour or not attending the vote. Rumours of a possible fall election were further fuelled by Harper's announcement of a fourth federal by-election for September 22 in the Toronto riding of Don Valley West.[4][5]

On August 27, 2008. Harper asked Governor General Michaëlle Jean to cancel her trip to the Paralympic Games in Beijing, adding fuel to speculation that the Prime Minister will seek a dissolution. On September 7, 2008 after much speculation, Harper asked the Governor General to call a federal election on October 14, 2008.

Timeline

Main article: Canadian federal election, 2008 timeline
  • February 6, 2006: Harper Cabinet is sworn in.
  • May 3, 2007: Bill C-16 receives Royal Assent. This bill states that the next election must be held on October 19, 2009, unless there is an earlier dissolution.
  • August 26 2008: Harper indicates he may call an election for the fall of 2008; Parliament could be dissolved as early as the week of September 1-September 6.
  • August 29, 2008: Harper meets with Gilles Duceppe, the leader of the Bloc Québécois in an attempt to find common ground between the Bloc and the Conservatives.
  • August 30, 2008: Harper meets with Jack Layton, the leader of the New Democrats in an attempt to find common ground between the NDP and the Conservatives.
  • September 1, 2008: Harper meets with Stéphane Dion, the leader of the Liberals, in an attempt to find common ground between the Liberals and the Conservatives, and avert the dissolution of Parliament, allowing the fall session to continue as planned. However, after a twenty-minute meeting at 24 Sussex Drive, the PM's official residence, Dion emerges stating there is no common ground between the two parties, and that an election is certain.
  • September 5, 2008: The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announces that Prime Minister Harper will visit the Governor General at 9 am on September 7, 2008 to ask for the dissolution of the 39th Parliament and a general election on October 14, 2008. [6]
  • September 7, 2008: At 8:20 am Eastern Daylight Time, Prime Minister Stephen Harper leaves his official residence at 24 Sussex Drive, and takes a short drive to Rideau Hall, the Governor General's official residence. There, he asks the Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, to call a general election on October 14, 2008. She accepts the request.[7]
  • October 14, 2008: Elections to be held for members of the House of Commons in the 40th Canadian Parliament.[8]
  • November 4, 2008: Writs to be returned to the Chief Election Officer.[8]
  • November 12, 2008: 40th Parliament to convene (subject to change).[8]

Pre-election

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he was considering calling an election because of no cooperation in Parliament, saying "all the signs indicate that this Parliament is at the end of its productiveness," while in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. The Conservative Party of Canada fueled rumours of an oncoming election when it released several campaign adverts that focused on a range of issues, and attacked the Liberal Party of Canada for their proposed carbon tax. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) confirmed that Harper would call an election for October 14 after meeting with New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton and Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe, which gave the Prime Minister little hope that a fall session of Parliament can be productive, PMO officials said.[9] Senior government officials announced on the first of September that Stephen Harper would ask the Governor General Michaëlle Jean to dissolve parliament and call an election for October 14, after he met with Liberal leader Stéphane Dion who called the meeting a "charade". Dion said the two were unable to agree on how to make the upcoming session of Parliament, slated to begin September 15, more productive.

Liberal Party members gathered in Winnipeg on September 2, for a three day caucus meeting which changed from preparing for a new parliamentary session to a strategy session to formulate a plan to attack the Conservatives while healing internal party rifts that have surfaced in recent weeks. Conservatives began spending at least $60 million dollars on pre-election funding projects to a wide variety of institutions and groups. A few announcements have been big, including Industry Minister Jim Prentice's pledge of $25 million for the expansion of the Northlands exhibition facility in Edmonton. But the Tories have also announced a number of smaller projects, including $40,000 for the 2008 55+ Games and $25,000 for the Peace Window of the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Winnipeg. The announcements have also been spread out across the country. The Atlantic region is to get more than $500,000 for youth jobs and eight cultural organizations. The Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia will receive $81,000. Jack Layton attacked the Conservative Party for bribing the public and for doing the same thing they used to complain about the Liberals doing before elections.

A survey conducted by Environics found that 38 per cent of Canadians would vote for the Conservative party if an election were held immediately, 28 per cent would vote for the Liberal party, 19 for the NDP, eight for the Bloc Québécois and seven for the Green party. The poll shows Conservatives taking early leads in Ontario, British Columbia and the Prairies. In Atlantic Canada, Liberals still hold a strong majority, while in Quebec the Bloc Québécois leads while the Conservatives and Liberals are almost tied for second. When asked, most Canadians said the Conservatives would handle the economy better, while most said the Liberals would handle the environment better.

On September 7, Harper officially asked for the dissolution of Parliament, and called for an election on October 14.

Election campaign

The 40th Canadian Federal Election campaign officially began at 8:20 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time when Governor General Michaëlle Jean accepted Stephen Harper's request to dissolve Parliament and call an election for October 14, 2008. The party leaders jumped right into the campaign, with Stéphane Dion attacking the Conservative's record, and rejected the accusation by Harper that the Liberal party is a risky choice. Jack Layton took a more forceful approach than previous elections, in which the New Democratic Party has just tried to maintain a high number of seats in Parliament to influence government. Layton has made it clear he will campaign for the position of prime minister itself this time, but also returned to a longstanding NDP theme: alleged abuses by big business. He promised to stop what he called "ripoffs" by big oil, cellphone and banks, and his attacks are expected to focus on the Conservatives and all but ignore the Liberals. Elizabeth May of the Green Party said Canadians would care enough about the environment to vote for her party, as long as she was able to get into the television debates. Stephen Harper has stated his objection to including the Green Party into television debates because of the similar policies of the Green and Liberal party, and how it would be unfair. Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe said the Conservatives must be prevented from winning a majority, and the BQ is the only party that can do that. Duceppe compared Harper to US President George W. Bush, and said the government is incompetent.

Leaders' Debates

The two Leaders' Debates of 2008, one each in French and English, are currently set to include the leaders of five parties, Stephen Harper of the Conservatives, Stéphane Dion of the Liberals, Jack Layton of the NDP, Gilles Duceppe of the Bloc Québécois and Elizabeth May of the Green Party.

The French language debate is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1 from 8 to 10 p.m. EDT, moderated by Stéphan Bureau, a journalist and host. The English language debate will be on Thursday, October 2 from 9 to 11 p.m. EDT. The moderator will be Steve Paikin of TVOntario.

Participation

Three parties — the Conservatives, the Bloc Québécois and the NDP — opposed the inclusion of the Green Party, citing statements made by Green Party leader Elizabeth May to the effect that the best outcome of the election would be a Liberal-led government, and a deal struck between the Green Party and Liberals where the Liberals would not run in May's riding, Central Nova, and the Green party in Liberal leader Stéphane Dion's riding, Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, which they say make May a "second Liberal candidate".[10]

Stephen Harper and Jack Layton are reported to have said that if the Green Party were included, they would not participate in the Leaders' Debates. Dion said that while he supports May's inclusion, he would not attend if Harper does not, and the Bloc Québécois has stated it will not boycott the debates if May is included.[11] The media consortium in charge of the debate, made up of the CBC, CTV, Global Television and TVA, had decided that it would prefer to broadcast the debates with the four major party leaders, rather than risk not at all or with minimal participation. The Green Party indicated they had begun procedures to lodge a formal complaint with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission,[12][13] as they have in past federal elections.

On September 10, Harper and Layton released statements that they would not oppose May's inclusion in the debate, citing public backlash and protests — with neither acknowledging making the threat of boycotting the debate — and that the media consortium would reconvene to discuss the matter. Layton stated that "debating about the debate" had become a "distraction", and that he had only one condition, that Stephen Harper be there. In response, spokesmen for Stephen Harper announced they would not stand alone in opposition to the Green Party's inclusion in the debates and also changed their position on the matter.[14] Later that day the consortium announced that May would be allowed to participate in the debate.[15]

On September 25, the Christian Heritage Party filed suit to open the debate to all 18 party leaders, on the basis of the Figueroa court decision which held that the elections are for the benefit of the voters and not of the political parties; also, that since corporate donations to political parties have been prohibited, that by only including some parties, the consortium is donating advertising time to some of the parties, while if they include all 18, it qualifies as a news event. A ruling has not yet been issued on this suit.

Issues

Arts

Stephen Harper had cut $45 million from arts funding while in office, a move that drew much criticism from the other leaders and Quebec citizens, with most leaders seeking to restore the funding. The Conservatives have stated that the money is being reallocated to other arts and cultural programs, including various official languages projects, the 400th anniversary of Quebec City and projects connected with the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Winter Olympic Games, although the Conservative's refusal to have a parliamentary review of their cuts and for a moratorium on the measures until the Commons Heritage Committee had a chance to hold hearings on culture and arts funding has most opposition member calling foul.[16]

Both Stéphane Dion and Jack Layton have promised to reverse the cut, with Dion also promising to increase funding to Canada Council for the Arts to $360 million, while Layton also promised to bring income averaging for artists to the national level and providing an annual tax exemption of $20,000 for income earned by copyright and residuals, stating that "one of the key things we must do, before we start giving $50-billion tax giveaways to banks and oil companies, is to protect and promote the arts" and "stable, sure and appropriate funding" for the CBC and Radio-Canada while also protecting Telefilm and the Canadian Television Fund.[16]

Harper has said that he believes that the issue is a "niche topic". A group of Canadian performers, which included Art Hindle, Wendy Crewson and Gorden Pinsent, held a press conference on September 24, saying the cuts would cripple the Canadian arts industry.[17]

Cadman bribe attempt

Main article: Chuck Cadman § Legal controversy

In early 2008 it was alleged that Independent MP Chuck Cadman of Surrey North, who was terminally ill at the time, had been offered a half-million life insurance policy in exchange for voting against the proposted Liberal budget in May 2005, which he turned down. Under section 119 of the Criminal Code of Canada, it is illegal to bribe an MP. Accordingly, Opposition Liberal party Intergovernmental Affairs critic Dominic LeBlanc asked the RCMP in February 2008 to investigate this allegation, that the Conservatives had offered Mr. Cadman a million-dollar life insurance policy in exchange for his support on the budget vote. In May 2008, the RCMP announced that there was not enough evidence to support charges.[18] However Harper later admitted in an August 2008 court deposition that he personally authorized an offer made to Cadman in 2005.[19][20] There is currently an ongoing legal battle between the Liberals and the Conservatives over the matter.

On September 24, while campaigning in Surrey North, Stephen Harper's campaign team barred reporters from talking with the local Conservative candidate, Dona Cadman, who is Chuck Cadman's widow. The campaign team called in the RCMP, and ordered them to "Keep [the reporters] out" while Cadman was taken away by staff. Harper spokesman Kory Teneycke later stated that he had not seen the incident, but the local candidates did not need to be interviewed, that "Local candidates' priority is campaigning in their local ridings, and not talking to the national media", and that it should be enough that they hold daily news conferences with the party's most prominent members.[21]

The incident has reminded people of Conservative tactics during the 2006 election, where attempts by the media to speak with local candidates were stopped by campaign personal, especially the Harold Albrecht incident, where campaign officials forced Albrecht to stay in a restaurant kitchen when journalists attempted to interview him.[21]

Canadian involvement in Afghanistan

Main article: Canada's role in the invasion of Afghanistan

The ongoing involvement of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan may also influence voters. Desmond Morton, a political science professor at McGill University suggested that the Conservatives could be blamed for the war because they have extended the mission twice, despite that it was then Liberal Leader Paul Martin who initiated the mission. Both the Conservatives and Liberals agreed to extend the mission to 2011.[22]

Cities and infrastructure

Toronto Mayor David Miller has spoken out that the parties need to focus more on cities and their infrastructure, stating that 8 out of 10 Canadians live in cities, and that so far only the Green party has revealed a platform on the issue, with a national transit strategy and plans to give cities a permanent revenue source to help fix a growing infrastructure backlog. Miller stated he will not endorse a specific party, but urges people to choose a party that will "help cities thrive". He has however come out in disagreement with Stephen Harper's opinion that "cities are not of national importance".[23]

On September 18, Stéphane Dion pledged to spend more than $70 billion over the next 10 years to improve Canada's infrastructure if elected, and budget surpluses that exceed a $3-billion contingency fund to infrastructure projects, particularly those with a green focus, calling Canada's cities and towns "the engines of our economy". Stephen Harper immediately lashed out at the spending proposal, saying Dion was "promising money no government could afford" and that the Conservative's infrastructure plans "are modest and affordable within the four-year budget we've published".[24]

On September 23, Montreal and Toronto mayors Gérald Tremblay and David Miller laid out their demands for urban municipalities, describing cities' current financial problems as a national issue, saying that cities have become the country's economic, social and cultural development engines and need appropriate support, and that they need better "fiscal tools" to continue their role as Canada's economic engines or the country will suffer. They listed Homelessness, traffic gridlock, crowded buses and overstretched police departments as just a few of the symptoms, that "These problems are too big and too important to be solved on the backs of property taxpayers" and that "in order to remain competitive, transport goods efficiently and attract new talent, our cities require quality infrastructure, affordable housing and first-rate recreational and cultural facilities". Jean Perrault, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and mayor of Sherbrooke, Quebec, has stated that things like the Federal Gas Tax Fund were an important federal commitment, but that more is needed to tackle cities' overwhelming infrastructure needs. [25]

Economy

Polls have suggested that the economy is the major issue, going into this election especially with the resulting high price of gas, along with rising prices of other goods and services, such as food, and the possible impact the current financial crisis may have on Canada. Experts say that Canada has just narrowly dodged a recession, although the economy is in its worst shape since 1991.[26]

Both Dion and Harper have said that the others' plans will lead Canada into a recession, while Dion also stated that Harper has "mismanaged a once-booming economy into one with growth dropping to among the lowest of the G8 nations".[24]

The Conservatives have stated possible negative consequences that could happen to the economy based on Liberal election promises if they were to be elected.[24] As of September 20, 2008, Liberal election promises have totaled in excess of $80 billion spending over the next decade.[27] In contrast, the cost of programs promised by the Conservatives to date is less than $2 billion annually.[27] Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister, has criticized the Liberal's spending promises, saying they are making "mind-boggling" spending plans that he predicts would send Canada into deficit.[27]

Environment

Shortly after the election was called, Harper was criticized for using a four-vehicle motorcade that included a van and SUV to travel the 395 m (1,296 ft) across the street from the door of 24 Sussex Drive to the door of Rideau Hall to dissolve parliament.[7] In return, the Conservatives criticized the Liberal party's decision to use a 29-year-old Boeing 737 for campaigning, saying that the older airplane's poor fuel efficiency demonstrates hypocrisy on environmental matters. Daniel Lauzon, a spokesperson for the Liberals, denied their airplane was substantially less efficient than the Conservatives' Airbus 319.[28]

The Tories have been previously criticized for backing out of Canada's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.[29] Their new plan requires industries to reduce the rate at which they generate greenhouse gases, with a goal of reducing overal emissions by 45 to 65 percent by 2050.[30] The plan has been criticized by groups such as the Sierra Club, who called it "completely inadequate".[31] Criticism has focused on the use of "intensity-based" targets, which means emission reductions are relative to overall production, so overall emissions could potentially increase if production also increases[30]. This is in contrast to a "hard cap" on emissions, where the overall amount cannot increase. The Conservatives' plan includes a hard cap to begin in 2020 or 2025[30], while environmental groups have advocated for an immediate hard cap.[30][31]

The Liberals have developed a "Green Shift" plan, creating a carbon tax that will be coupled with income tax cuts. Criticism of the Green Shift plan has focused on its economic effects, with the Conservatives predicting it would cause a "big recession".[32]

One trucking association claimed the Liberal carbon tax plan could put up to 10,000 jobs in jeopardy in Moncton alone.[33] Environmental activist David Suzuki has come out in support of Dion's plan, saying "To oppose [the carbon tax plan], its just nonsense. It's certainly the way we got to go."[34]

The NDP's plan for the environment has focused on emissions trading, claiming their system will decrease greenhouse emissions by 80% by 2050.[35] The plan includes a series of financial incentives to retrofit public transit systems and transition the economy to be "green-collar". The plan would also halt new tar sands development until emissions have been capped.[36] Layton has also criticized the Liberal carbon tax plan, stating it taxes families instead of polluters.[37]

Equalization

Main article: Anything But Conservative

Danny Williams, the Progressive Conservative premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, has launched a campaign called Anything But Conservative, primarily targeted at Harper and the federal Conservatives. He fervently opposes a Conservative majority, due in part to Harper's promise during the 2006 election to modify the equalization formula to fully share offshore oil revenues with the province, which Williams says Harper has broken, and what Harper has stated he will do with a majority government.[38] Accordingly, virtually all members of the provincial PC caucus are supporting Liberal or NDP candidates in this election.

Listeriosis outbreak

Main article: 2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak

The Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz, who has already come under fire from Canada's food scientists for his handling of the recent listeriosis outbreak[39], has come under more fire for making inappropriate comments, further angering the families of those affected. Ritz had cracked jokes about the outbreak while he was on a conference call with scientists and political staffers Aug. 30, saying the political fallout from the outbreak was "like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts." In addition, when he was informed of a listeriosis-related death in Prince Edward Island, he quipped "Please tell me it's [Liberal agriculture critic] Wayne Easter." Despite calls for Ritz's resignation from the other parties and the public, Stephen Harper has stood by Ritz and rebuffed calls for his resignation.[40]

While most groups are calling for an increase in spending in meat inspection programs in the wake of the listeriosis outbreak, it has been revealed by union officials that the Conservative party plans to cut federal funding to these programs by $3 million, effectively ending their operation in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia[41]

Results

Template:Canadian federal election, 2008

Target seats

The following is a list of ridings which were narrowly lost by the indicated party. For instance, under the Liberal column are the 15 seats in which they came closest to winning but did not. Listed is the name of the riding, followed by the party which was victorious (in parentheses) and the margin, in terms of percentage of the vote, by which the party lost.

These ridings are likely to be targeted by the specified party because the party lost them by a very slim margin in the 2006 election.

Up to 15 are shown, with a maximum margin of victory of 15%.

* Indicates incumbent not running again. To clarify further; this is a list of federal election winners with their party in parentheses, and their margin as a percentage of the vote over the party whose list the seat is on (not the same as the margin of victory if the party potentially "targeting" the seat in that list did not finish second in the previous election).

Conservative Liberal
  1. Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK (Lib) 0.3%*
  2. Brant, ON (Lib) 0.9%
  3. West Nova, NS (Lib) 1.1%
  4. Vancouver Island North, BC (NDP) 1.1%
  5. Oakville, ON (Lib) 1.3%
  6. West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC (Lib) 1.5%
  7. Huron—Bruce, ON (Lib) 1.8%*
  8. London West, ON (Lib) 2.2%
  9. Madawaska—Restigouche, NB (Lib) 2.4%
  10. Newton—North Delta, BC (Lib) 3.6%
  11. Saint Boniface, MB (Lib) 3.6%
  12. Saint John, NB (Lib) 3.6%
  13. Mississauga South, ON (Lib) 4.1%
  14. Richmond, BC (Lib) 4.1%
  15. Random—Burin—St. George's, NL (Lib) 4.7%
  1. Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON (Con) <0.1%
  2. Winnipeg South, MB (Con) 0.3%
  3. Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, ON (Con) 0.4%
  4. Tobique—Mactaquac, NB (Con) 0.9%
  5. St. Catharines, ON (Con) 1.1%
  6. Ahuntsic, QC (BQ) 1.7%
  7. Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC (Con) 1.9%
  8. London—Fanshawe, ON (NDP) 1.9%
  9. Ottawa—Orléans, ON (Con) 2.0%
  10. Simcoe North, ON (Con) 2.0%
  11. Brossard—La Prairie, QC (BQ) 2.2%
  12. Papineau, QC (BQ) 2.2%
  13. Burnaby—Douglas, BC (NDP) 2.6%
  14. Barrie, ON (Con) 2.7%
  15. Kitchener—Conestoga, ON (Con) 2.7%
Bloc Québécois New Democratic
  1. Louis-Hébert, QC (Con) 0.4%
  2. Beauport—Limoilou, QC (Con) 1.6%
  3. Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC (Con) 2.7%
  4. Hull—Aylmer, QC (Lib) 3.3%
  5. Honoré-Mercier, QC (Lib) 3.8%
  6. Pontiac, QC (Con) 5.0%
  7. Laval—Les Îles, QC (Lib) 6.1%
  8. Outremont, QC (Lib) 6.3%¹
  9. Bourassa, QC (Lib) 11.4%
  10. Jonquière—Alma, QC (Con) 12.8%
  11. Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC (Ind) 13.9%
  1. Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON (Lib) 1.0%
  2. Newton—North Delta, BC (Lib) 1.6%
  3. Thunder Bay—Rainy River, ON (Lib) 1.7%
  4. Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing, ON (Lib) 3.7%
  5. Nickel Belt, ON (Lib) 4.6%*
  6. Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC (Lib) 4.6%
  7. Welland, ON (Lib) 4.8%
  8. Oshawa, ON (Con) 5.2%
  9. Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC (Con) 5.2%
  10. Beaches—East York, ON (Lib) 5.4%
  11. Kenora, ON (Lib) 5.7%
  12. Saskatoon—Rosetown—Biggar, SK (Con) 6.5%*
  13. Central Nova, NS (Con) 7.8%
  14. South Shore—St. Margaret's, NS (Con) 8.3%
  15. Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC (Con) 8.3%
Lawn signs for all the major candidates decorate an intersection during the London North Centre by-election

¹ Won by the NDP in a by-election with more than a 15% margin over the Liberals.

Targeted Cabinet ministers

The following Cabinet ministers were elected by a margin of less than 10% in 2006:

  1. Tony Clement, Health and Federal Economic Initiative for Northern Ontario: 0.1% over Lib in Parry Sound—Muskoka, ON
  2. Lawrence Cannon, Transport, Infrastructure and Communities: 5.0% over BQ in Pontiac, QC
  3. Jim Flaherty, Finance: 5.7% over Lib in Whitby—Oshawa, ON
  4. Rob Nicholson, Justice: 5.9% over Lib in Niagara Falls, ON
  5. Peter MacKay, Defence and Atlantic Opportunities: 7.8% over NDP in Central Nova, NS
  6. John Baird, Environment: 9.0% over Lib in Ottawa West—Nepean, ON

Opinion polls

Plot of Opinion Polls during the election period
Main article: Opinion polling in the Canadian federal election, 2008

Candidates

Further information: Canadian federal election, 2008 (candidates)

By party

Incumbent MPs not running for re-election

Conservatives

Liberals

Bloc Québécois

New Democrats

References

  1. ^ "Four byelections ended after general vote called". Canadian Press. CTV Television Network. 2008-09-07. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  2. ^ Key Dates for each Parliament, Parliament of Canada
  3. ^ Tories prepped for March campaign, The Globe and Mail, February 15, 2007
  4. ^ "Harper hints at triggering election". CBC News. 2008-08-14. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  5. ^ "Harper calls a 4th federal by-election, sets stage for possible fall general election". CBC News. 2008-08-17. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  6. ^ "Public events for September 7, 2008". Office of the Prime Minister. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  7. ^ a b "PM talks the talk but doesn't walk to Rideau Hall". CTV News. 2008-09-07. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  8. ^ a b c 3 Three letters patent dissolving Parliament, setting calling election, and summoning a new Parliament.
  9. ^ Layton says no doubt there will be federal election, CBC News, March 21, 2007
  10. ^ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2008). "May to take battle over debate exclusion to court". Retrieved 2008-09-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "Green leader blames Harper, Layton for being barred from debates". canada.com. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  12. ^ "News Release - 2008 Leaders' Debates". CNW group. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  13. ^ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2008). "Greens can't participate in leaders debates, networks rule". Retrieved 2008-09-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  14. ^ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2008). "Harper, Layton willing to let Green leader debate". Retrieved 2008-09-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  15. ^ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2008). "Green leader allowed into debates, networks confirm". Retrieved 2008-09-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  16. ^ a b "Layton vows to reverse Harper arts cuts, bolster culture funding". 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-09-23. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |producer= ignored (help)
  17. ^ "Actors condemn Harper's culture cuts". 2008-09-24. Retrieved 2008-09-24. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |producer= ignored (help)
  18. ^ "No charges to be laid in Cadman Affair: RCMP". CBC News. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  19. ^ Cornell Catana Reporting Services (2008-09-04). "Stephen Harper, Sworn: Cross-Examination by Mr. Paliare" (PDF). Macleans.ca. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  20. ^ Tim Naumetz (2008-09-04). "Harper testifies he authorized offer to Cadman". Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  21. ^ a b "Tories use RCMP to block media from talking to candidate Cadman". CBC News. 2008-09-24. Retrieved 2008-09-24.
  22. ^ "Deaths in Afghanistan could hurt Tory campaign". CTV News. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  23. ^ "Toronto mayor suggests Greens best bet for cities". 2008-09-17. Retrieved 2008-09-17. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |producer= ignored (help)
  24. ^ a b c "Dion promises $70B infrastructure boost". 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-09-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |producer= ignored (help)
  25. ^ "Cities need more power to thrive: mayors". 2008-09-23. Retrieved 2008-09-23. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |producer= ignored (help)
  26. ^ "CTV News Election 2008". Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  27. ^ a b c "Farming aid pushes Liberal pledges past $80B mark". 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  28. ^ Kuitenbrouwer, Peter (2008-09-08). "Fuel use of Liberal campaign jet under attack". The National Post. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  29. ^ Flavelle, Christopher (2008-09-12). "What's the Matter With Canada?". Slate. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  30. ^ a b c d "Tory bill aimed at cutting greenhouse gases in half by 2050". 2006-10-09. Retrieved 2008-09-13. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |producer= ignored (help)
  31. ^ a b "Greens tops, Tories flops in Sierra Club climate-change report card". CBC News. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  32. ^ "Liberal carbon tax threatens national unity, economy: Harper". Canadian Press. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  33. ^ Shipley, David (2008-09-08). "Atlantic director says Liberal proposal jeopardizes 10,000 Hub City jobs, will cost industry another $500M a year". Canadaeast News Service. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  34. ^ "Suzuki slams NDP, Tories, backs Dion's carbon tax". Canadian Press. 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  35. ^ Brennan, Richard (2008-09-12). "Layton hypes green strategy". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  36. ^ Boutet, Chris (2008-09-11). "Layton lays out NDP's environment platform". The National Post. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  37. ^ "Layton calls Liberal carbon tax 'wrong'". Canadian Press. 2008-09-11. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  38. ^ [1]
  39. ^ "Food scientists' union joins opposition calls for Ritz's firing". CBC News. 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  40. ^ "Families angry about Ritz's listeriosis jokes". CBC News. 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  41. ^ "Conservatives to pull out of provincial meat inspection programs if elected: union". CBC News. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
  42. ^ Sask. MP Batters won't run again, citing depression, CBC News, September 2, 2008
  43. ^ Comuzzi won't run in upcoming election, Thunder Bay's Source, September 5, 2008
  44. ^ Veteran St. John's MP Doyle retiring from politics, CBC News, March 13, 2007
  45. ^ Emerson won't run again: sources, The Globe and Mail, September 2, 2008
  46. ^ Thirteen years long enough for MP Ken Epp, Edmonton Journal, August 18, 2006
  47. ^ Sask. Tory MP says he won't run again, CBC News, January 9, 2007
  48. ^ Alta. MP Art Hanger won't run in next election, CTV News, October 10, 2007
  49. ^ Emerson won't run again: sources, The Globe and Mail, September 2, 2008
  50. ^ MP Betty Hinton Will Not Seek Re-election, bettyhinton.ca, October 10, 2007
  51. ^ Longtime Red Deer MP won't pursue sixth term, Calgary Herald, February 8, 2008
  52. ^ Pallister to quit politics, Winnipeg Sun, January 10, 2008
  53. ^ Tory cabinet minister to step down, CanWest News Service, August 3, 2007
  54. ^ Solberg retiring from politics, The Globe and Mail, September 3, 2008
  55. ^ Thompson will leave politics, Edmonton Journal, June 19, 2007
  56. ^ Edmonton-St. Albert MP won't run again, CBC News, August 11, 2006
  57. ^ Longtime MP resigns and opens door for new election candidate, The Brampton Guardian, September 5, 2008
  58. ^ MP Ray Bonin doesn’t plan to run again, Northern Life, November 16, 2006
  59. ^ Etobicoke MP will not run in next election, CBC News, February 21, 2008
  60. ^ It’s my last term as MP, Nancy Karetak-Lindell says, Nunatsiaq News, December 22, 2006
  61. ^ Liberal MPs to step aside in Montreal, The Globe and Mail, December 13, 2006
  62. ^ Time right to retire, Liberal MP Matthews says, CBC News, April 3, 2007
  63. ^ Veteran P.E.I. MP to retire, CBC News, March 7, 2007
  64. ^ Veteran Liberal MP Andy Scott to quit politics, CTV News, March 5, 2007
  65. ^ Veteran MP to retire from politics, The London Free Press, March 7, 2007
  66. ^ Belinda Stronach to quit politics, Toronto Star, April 11, 2007
  67. ^ Outspoken Liberal MP Wappel retiring, CBC News, March 23, 2007
  68. ^ Priest MP leaves politics after pressure from Vatican, CBC News, September 3, 2008
  69. ^ a b L'ancien député progressiste-conservateur André Bachand joint les rangs du PC, Presse canadienne, September 3, 2008
  70. ^ Bloc MP St-Hilaire won't run in next federal vote, CTV News, January 14, 2008
  71. ^ NDP's Bill Blaikie won't seek re-election, CTV News, March 15]], 2007
  72. ^ Alexa McDonough retires from federal politics, CTV News, June 2]], 2008
  73. ^ NDP's Penny Priddy says she won't run again, Vancouver Sun, July 16, 2008

External links

Government links
General links
Election coverage
Opinion polls
Projections and predictions
Blogs
Party websites

Parties with representation in the House of Commons

Parties without representation in the House of Commons


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