By calling the election on Sunday – fully 79 days before the long-designated voting day on Oct. 19 – the Conservatives guarantee two things:
First, that the campaign will be the longest in modern Canadian history – more than twice as long as the past two contests, which clocked in at just 37 days apiece.
And second, that they are giving themselves a big advantage over both major opposition parties.
Although Harper positioned the move as “fair,” designed to level the playing field for all parties at a time when the leaders were already out drumming up votes, it’s anything but. As the Conservatives well know, only they are in a position to fully capitalize on the much higher spending limits that come along with a longer campaign. Both the Liberals and New Democrats will struggle to keep up – and that of course is exactly the idea.
This shameless move is yet more evidence – if any was needed – that the Harper Conservatives are long past their sell-by date.
Canadians now have 11 long weeks to listen to the party leaders and make up their minds on who best deserves their support. But one thing is already clear: it’s time for a change in Ottawa, and high time to send the Conservatives packing. We already have the record of more than nine years of the Harper government to come to that conclusion.
The early election call is just the latest confirmation. By dropping the campaign writ so soon, the Conservatives have manipulated the rules to give themselves a significant tactical edge.
In the past four years they have raised much more money than either opposition party, according to official filings with Elections Canada. For the Conservatives, the figure is $69 million, while the Liberals have collected about $43 million and the New Democrats just over $30 million.
Under current election rules, as amended by the Conservative-dominated Parliament, the parties can spend more ($675,000 more, to be exact) for each extra day of a campaign. A conventional 37-day campaign would cap each party at about $25 million, but a 79-day marathon pushes the limit to twice that much, touching $52 million – an amount only the Tories can hope to reach.
Money doesn’t necessarily buy elections, of course, but it sure helps, and a longer campaign gives the Conservatives a chance to flood the airwaves with an unprecedented barrage of advertising at the moment when they calculate voters will be most receptive. Tory riding associations are also flush with cash, so expect a richly financed battle at the local level as well.
Starting the official campaign period now also means independent “third party” groups face severe restrictions on how much they can spend. In practice, it means anti-Conservative lobby groups like the union-backed Engage Canada will have to rein in their activities. Another nice edge for the Tories.
As manipulative as all this is, it’s pretty far down on the list of reasons to dump the Tories. Over the next two and a half months, voters will have a chance to consider Harper’s record and decide if they want more. Among other things, they should keep in mind:
The Conservatives’ regressive social policies, pandering to their “base” at the expense of the least well-off.
Harper’s absence of national leadership on such crucial issues as health care, aboriginal issues and climate change.
The government’s misguided “tough on crime” laws that do nothing to enhance public safety.
The Conservatives’ divisive approach on national security and the dangerous measures in its “anti-terror” bill, C-51.
There’s much more, and thanks to Harper’s decision to call a vote so early, lots of time to debate it. The real issue is what’s the best alternative to this badly flawed government.
Source: thestar.com/
Author: Editorial
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