This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7602864.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Canadian PM calls snap election | Canadian PM calls snap election |
(20 minutes later) | |
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called an early election for 14 October in a bid to strengthen his minority Conservative government. | Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called an early election for 14 October in a bid to strengthen his minority Conservative government. |
He met Governor General Michaelle Jean - the representative of Canada's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II - to request the dissolution of parliament. | He met Governor General Michaelle Jean - the representative of Canada's head of state, Queen Elizabeth II - to request the dissolution of parliament. |
The latest polls indicate the Conservatives are ahead of the opposition Liberals. | The latest polls indicate the Conservatives are ahead of the opposition Liberals. |
The PM, elected in 2006, has complained that parliament is deadlocked. | The PM, elected in 2006, has complained that parliament is deadlocked. |
The vote will be Canada's third national election in four years. | The vote will be Canada's third national election in four years. |
Economic issues | Economic issues |
Mr Harper's government has needed the support of the main opposition parties, the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois, to pass legislation and adopt budgets. | Mr Harper's government has needed the support of the main opposition parties, the Liberals and the Bloc Quebecois, to pass legislation and adopt budgets. |
The election call had been widely expected, with Mr Harper complaining in recent weeks that parliament was "dysfunctional". | The election call had been widely expected, with Mr Harper complaining in recent weeks that parliament was "dysfunctional". |
Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble Stephen Harper | Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble Stephen Harper |
Holding the election this year breaks Mr Harper's own fixed-date election law, something he had said was necessary to prevent prime ministers calling elections when polls indicated they were in a favourable position. | |
Mr Harper has made it clear he is running on economic issues and criticised the Liberals' plan to tax greenhouse gas polluters while cutting other taxes. | Mr Harper has made it clear he is running on economic issues and criticised the Liberals' plan to tax greenhouse gas polluters while cutting other taxes. |
"Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble," Mr Harper said in a statement. | "Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble," Mr Harper said in a statement. |
"They will choose between direction or uncertainty; between common sense or risky experiments; between steadiness or recklessness." | "They will choose between direction or uncertainty; between common sense or risky experiments; between steadiness or recklessness." |
The opposition leaders are expected to make their own addresses later on Sunday. | The opposition leaders are expected to make their own addresses later on Sunday. |
Favourable polls | Favourable polls |
Mr Harper led the Conservatives to victory in the 2006 election, ending 12 years of Liberal government. | Mr Harper led the Conservatives to victory in the 2006 election, ending 12 years of Liberal government. |
The party heads into the election with 127 of parliament's 308 seats. The Liberals have 95, the Bloc Quebecois has 48 and the New Democratic Party (NDP) 30. | The party heads into the election with 127 of parliament's 308 seats. The Liberals have 95, the Bloc Quebecois has 48 and the New Democratic Party (NDP) 30. |
There are three Independent MPs, the Green Party has one seat and four are vacant. | There are three Independent MPs, the Green Party has one seat and four are vacant. |
Opposition Liberal leader Stephane Dion proposes taxing polluters | Opposition Liberal leader Stephane Dion proposes taxing polluters |
An opinion poll held last week suggested support for the Conservatives had grown over the summer. | An opinion poll held last week suggested support for the Conservatives had grown over the summer. |
The Environics survey suggested that 38% of Canadians would vote for the Conservatives; 28% for the Liberals; 19% for the NDP, eight for the Bloc Quebecois and seven for the Greens. | The Environics survey suggested that 38% of Canadians would vote for the Conservatives; 28% for the Liberals; 19% for the NDP, eight for the Bloc Quebecois and seven for the Greens. |
The figures put the Conservatives within striking distance of a majority government, Donna Dasko, senior vice-president of Environics Research Group, told CBC News. | The figures put the Conservatives within striking distance of a majority government, Donna Dasko, senior vice-president of Environics Research Group, told CBC News. |
The leader of the separatist Bloc Quebecois, Gilles Duceppe, said his party was best positioned to stop the Conservatives gaining a majority. | The leader of the separatist Bloc Quebecois, Gilles Duceppe, said his party was best positioned to stop the Conservatives gaining a majority. |
The same Environics poll indicated increased support for the Conservatives in Quebec, where separatist ardour has faded in recent years. | The same Environics poll indicated increased support for the Conservatives in Quebec, where separatist ardour has faded in recent years. |
Liberal leader Stephane Dion is staking his command of the party on his "Green Shift" plan, which would tax polluters but reduce other taxes. | Liberal leader Stephane Dion is staking his command of the party on his "Green Shift" plan, which would tax polluters but reduce other taxes. |
If his party does not do well on 14 October, his leadership will likely come under scrutiny at a party convention in December. | If his party does not do well on 14 October, his leadership will likely come under scrutiny at a party convention in December. |
Mr Dion has described Mr Harper as Canada's most right-wing prime minister in history. | Mr Dion has described Mr Harper as Canada's most right-wing prime minister in history. |
Mr Harper supported the Iraq war while in opposition and withdrew Canada from the Kyoto Protocol that aims to cut greenhouse gases. He has also increased Canada's troop commitment to Afghanistan. | Mr Harper supported the Iraq war while in opposition and withdrew Canada from the Kyoto Protocol that aims to cut greenhouse gases. He has also increased Canada's troop commitment to Afghanistan. |