Canadian PM to set election for Oct. 14th

[Iscariot]

That's October 14th, 2008, not 2009. Take some notes, America!

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will later this week ask Governor General Michaëlle Jean to set Oct. 14 as the date for the next federal election, senior government officials said Monday.

Harper will visit Jean at Rideau Hall, her official residence in Ottawa, to establish the election date, the officials told the Canadian Press, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The prime minister will declare that, after having met with all three opposition leaders over the last few days, he no longer has the confidence of Parliament, the sources said. As per tradition, it will then be up to Jean to decide whether to dissolve Parliament and set the election date.

The official election call is expected to be made either Friday or Saturday.

"It will happen between [September] 5th and the 7th," a senior government source told the Canadian Press.

"There will be an election kickoff between Friday and Sunday."

CBC (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/08/31/harper-dion.html)

(Seriously though, I'm interested in hearing thoughts on the actual topic)

[leekohler]

I wish we had that. The last 8 years could have been much better.

[Queso]

I wish we had that.
Ditto. Good old Gordon and Co. are currently busy infighting and thereby causing the Pound to plummet further against both the Euro and the Dollar. The sooner they go the better.

[iJohnHenry]

Opinions??

It's not up to Harper. Too bad if he is in a minority position, but unless there is a vote for non-confidence he cannot just willy-nilly ask the GG to dissolve Parliament.

At least I hope so.

We shall see if she has the cajones to rebuff him.

[it5five]

Hopefully this doesn't work out in Harpers favor. I'll be keeping an eye on the news.

[adroit]

Breaking his own law is just another reason why this man was never worthy to lead this great country.

Hey Stevo, don't let the door hit you ass on the way out!

[greg555]

It seems likely to me that an election will just result in another minority government. So maybe they should work out a compromise and just keep going.

(I'm not real keen on any of the leaders/parties so a functioning minority government is fine with me.)

Greg

[Iscariot]

As of Sunday morning parliament has been dissolved, with the election for the 14th.

[it5five]

Time for me to increase my CBC intake.

[SilvorX]

I really hope that Harper and the Conservatives don't get a majority, as a former Progressive Conservative supporter.. I'd prefer to see the Liberals in power.. Dion hasn't done a great job to prove how he's "better" than Harper, but anything can happen between now and October. I have Reform Tory friends who are fed up with Harper, and I also have Liberal friends who actually helped selected Dion as leader at the convention 2 years ago and are regretting it.

I predict another Conservative minority though. but it's good to see Elizabeth May being allowed as part of the debate now, even if she won't win her seat anyways!: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/09/10/elxn-may-debates.html