Cult of leader firmly entrenched
OTTAWA—Recently, I read in The Hill Times that youth voter turnout is alarmingly low. Elections Canada cannot encourage people to do their civic duty. Senate Government Leader Claude Carignan stated, “As political parties, it’s up to us to come up with exciting platforms that persuade people it is important to vote. It’s up to us, […]
Repetition works in political advertising
TORONTO—Like all angry young men with a couple of credits in political science, I once denounced government advocacy advertising and political ads during elections. Worse were the American- attack ads. On the former, I thought it was pretty obvious that smoking is bad, exercise is good and we all should insulate our homes. In elections, […]
Speculation increasing that 2015 election writ will be dropped in August
PARLIAMENT HILL—The growing stack of leader debates for the October election, combined with the timing of Finance Canada ads that are still touting billions of dollars in tax breaks and higher child allowance benefits this year, have opposition MPs speculating the Conservative government may kick off the official federal election campaign earlier than anticipated and […]
Hard to sugar coat Conservatives’ polling data
OTTAWA—Buoyed by the victory of their provincial cousins in Alberta, the federal New Democrats have moved into a three-way tie with the Liberals and Conservatives. As the NDP eats into the Liberals’ vote, the Conservatives stand to benefit from a divided centre-left, and remain the favourite to win the most seats in this fall’s election. […]
Conservative Party paid for Laureen Harper fundraising appearances in Nova Scotia
PARLIAMENT HILL—The Conservative Party has confirmed it is footing the bill for a campaign- fundraising tour by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife Laureen Harper, in a bid to help Conservative MP Scott Armstrong fend off a challenge by former Conservative MP Bill Casey in the Nova Scotia electoral district Mr. Armstrong has held since 2009. […]
Laureen Harper scheduled to appear at second fundraiser for Tory MP Armstrong
PARLIAMENT HILL—Laureen Harper’s scheduled appearance at a $150-a-ticket fundraiser Wednesday to help build an election campaign war chest for Nova Scotia Conservative MP Scott Armstrong has prompted the Liberal candidate in the electoral district, former Conservative MP Bill Casey, to question whether Prime Minister Stephen Harper has begun a concerted effort to try to ensure […]
Laureen Harper to appear at fundraiser for Tory MP Armstrong’s riding
PARLIAMENT HILL—Laureen Harper is taking on a new and surprising role as Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife in the lead-up to the Oct. 19 federal election—as the star draw at an election fundraising event for Nova Scotia MP Scott Armstrong. In fact, both of the Harpers are appearing in Mr. Armstrong’s electoral district of Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit […]
PM’s decision to participate in fewer French election debates than English ‘absolutely unacceptable,’ says Trudeau
PARLIAMENT HILL—Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s agreement to take part in a federal election debate schedule that proposes to have fewer debates in French than in English is “absolutely unacceptable,” says Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. While welcoming the possibility of more debates than ever in a Canadian federal election following a surprise deal between the Conservatives […]
Blair favourite to win close race in Scarborough Southwest in next election: poll
OTTAWA—If former Toronto police chief Bill Blair wins the Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest, Ont., he will also be the favourite candidate to win in the federal election this fall, says a new poll released by Forum Research. Mr. Blair led in public opinion polling in the riding with 42 per cent support, compared to […]
Oliver balances economic and political realities in 2015 budget
Crafting a pre-election budget is a lot like juggling knives: The challenge of keeping so many sharp objects simultaneously aloft requires focus, precision and nerves of steel. Against the backdrop of a fall election, Finance Minister Joe Oliver appears to have done a commendable job of balancing both economic and political realities in the 2015 […]
