I know this area is primarily reserved for Americans, but I figured that there should be a spot to discuss the current federal election north of the border. 
A brief history for those unaware:
The Conservative Party currently holds a minority government. They have for the past four years. The minority government is fragile; it can be easily toppled by a non-confidence motion. In March, every other party in the House of Commons voted against the Conservatives' federal budget. This resulted in the federal election that is currently taking place. This government was toppled two years ago (the Conservatives won twice in four years).
Stephen Harper (Conservative Party): Canada's current prime minister. His party has been able to maintain a small lead over the Liberal Party for quite some time.
Michael Ignatieff (Liberal Party): Official leader of the opposition. He lived in the United States for thirty years before coming to Canada in 2006. He entered Canadian politics almost immediately after his entry into Canada. After Stephane Dion stepped down as the Liberal leader, Ignatieff opted to take over. The party has progressively lost popularity. His party has made plans to join a coalition with the NDP and Bloc if Harper wins another minority. He plans on leading the country if this happens.
Jack Layton (New Democratic Party): Leader of Canada's largest social democratic party (essentially socialist). It is gradually gaining popularity and is most often the party of choice for Canada's younger generation. They're trying to be the "alternative" to the Liberals.
Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois): Leader of Canada's most popular separatist party. Considering only Quebecers can vote for the Bloc, they are very limited in what they can do and have little influence.
Elizabeth May (Green Party): An American-born environmentalist and leader of Canada's largest envrionmental party. The party has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, but has technically not yet won a seat. They typically run a candidate in every riding. May was part of a controversy earlier this month when broadcasters refused to allow her to debate with Harper, Ignatieff, Layton, and Duceppe on live television.
What are your thoughts on the election? Have you decided who you are going to vote for yet? Perhaps you are apathetic due to the high number of elections we've in such a short period of time. I'm very excited to be voting on May 2nd (it will be my first election).
A brief history for those unaware:
The Conservative Party currently holds a minority government. They have for the past four years. The minority government is fragile; it can be easily toppled by a non-confidence motion. In March, every other party in the House of Commons voted against the Conservatives' federal budget. This resulted in the federal election that is currently taking place. This government was toppled two years ago (the Conservatives won twice in four years).
Stephen Harper (Conservative Party): Canada's current prime minister. His party has been able to maintain a small lead over the Liberal Party for quite some time.
Michael Ignatieff (Liberal Party): Official leader of the opposition. He lived in the United States for thirty years before coming to Canada in 2006. He entered Canadian politics almost immediately after his entry into Canada. After Stephane Dion stepped down as the Liberal leader, Ignatieff opted to take over. The party has progressively lost popularity. His party has made plans to join a coalition with the NDP and Bloc if Harper wins another minority. He plans on leading the country if this happens.
Jack Layton (New Democratic Party): Leader of Canada's largest social democratic party (essentially socialist). It is gradually gaining popularity and is most often the party of choice for Canada's younger generation. They're trying to be the "alternative" to the Liberals.
Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois): Leader of Canada's most popular separatist party. Considering only Quebecers can vote for the Bloc, they are very limited in what they can do and have little influence.
Elizabeth May (Green Party): An American-born environmentalist and leader of Canada's largest envrionmental party. The party has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, but has technically not yet won a seat. They typically run a candidate in every riding. May was part of a controversy earlier this month when broadcasters refused to allow her to debate with Harper, Ignatieff, Layton, and Duceppe on live television.
What are your thoughts on the election? Have you decided who you are going to vote for yet? Perhaps you are apathetic due to the high number of elections we've in such a short period of time. I'm very excited to be voting on May 2nd (it will be my first election).
