Canada Chooses 2006

Key Players: Paul Martin | Stephen Harper | Gilles Duceppe| Jack Layton | Jean Chrétien | John Gomery | Michaëlle Jean

Political Parties: Liberal Party | Conservative Party | Bloc Québécois | New Democratic Party (NDP) | Green Party

Frequently Asked Questions

UPDATE: What happened in the Canadian federal election?

Stephen Harper's Conservatives unseated the Liberals, ending nearly 13 continuous years in power for Canada's oldest party. The Liberals dropped to 103 seats from 133. The Conservatives captured 124 seats, more than the 98 seats they hold in the current Parliament but far from the 155-seat outright majority some Conservative strategists had dreamed of winning. Given the trend in polls in the final days before the vote, the result was neither as disastrous for the Liberals as some had predicted nor as definitive for the Conservatives.

The Bloc Quebecois, meanwhile, won 51 seats (down 3) and the New Democratic Party garnered 29 (up 11). One seat went to a radio broadcaster in Quebec City, an independent; the Greens, while polling at almost 5% nationally, did not win any seats outright.

In conceding the election, Martin resigned as leader of the Liberal Party; a contested election may soon determine who will lead the official o pposition in Parliament. Harper's Conservatives gained seats across the nation, including 10 in Quebec -- where they previously had no federal representation. The election of Harper, who represents Calgary, Alberta, marks a historic shift of power from the traditional centers in the east to the energy-rich and increasingly affluent western provinces. He vowed to give more power to provinces and suggested a change that would open the first crack in Canada's traditionally sacrosanct national health care program.

Why is the election happening now?

Canada's unusual winter elections are precipitated by a no-confidence vote passed by the House of Commons on Nov. 28, 2005. Recent political events, most notably the Gomery Commission's investigation of serious charges of criminal corruption, have weakened the governing Liberals (who, under Prime Minister Paul Martin, formed a minority government after the spring 2004 elections). Although the next election was not legally required until 2009, the opposition had enough votes to force the early dissolution of Parliament. Martin had committed to dissolve Parliament within a month of the final Gomery Report (due Feb. 1), but three opposition parties -- the Conservatives, Bloc Québécois and New Democratic Party (NDP) -- forced elections for Jan. 23.

What is the 'sponsorship scandal'?

The sponsorship program began in 1996 as a response to a referendum in which Quebec voted quite narrowly against a proposal to separate from Canada. Funds were allocated by the Liberal Party to promote Canadian unity through cultural and sporting events in Quebec, where separatist sentiment is still strong.

The funds, however, were apparently allocated to advertising firms with close ties to the Quebec branch of the federal Liberal Party. Former members of the Liberal Party have been accused of money laundering and embezzlement. The Gomery Commission, created by Martin to investigate the scandal, criticized former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien but cleared both him and Martin - who served as Chrétiens finance minister - of any direct wrongdoing. Yet charges of corruption have seriously damaged the ruling Liberals in the eyes of a Canadian public that had prized its government's reputation for transparency and probity.

What are the key issues in the upcoming general election?

While no single issue dominates, a number of themes have emerged. Health care is a perennial issue in federal and provincial elections. The Liberals and leftist New Democrats promise to protect the country's nationalized system, while the Conservatives, though quieter on the issue, tend to favor adding a paid, second "tier" and returning more control to the provinces. Allegations of corruption have sparked public concern over a "culture of entitlement" among the Liberal Party, which has ruled with solid majorities from 1993 to 2004 and in a minority role over the last 18 months. Some voters on the right, particularly in western provinces such as Alberta, have grown increasingly restive over the nation's social policies on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. The sponsorship scandal, in turn, has reignited nationalist sentiment in Quebec. Finally, relations with the United States, while still strong, have grown more tense of late and figure prominently in some national debates.

What role will Quebec play in the upcoming vote?

Sentiment is again growing in the overwhelmingly francophone province for separation from Canada, expressed through professed public support for the provincial Parti Québécois and its federal counterpart, the Bloc Québécois. Revelations of kickbacks and Liberal Party malfeasance in attempts to sell an image of Canadian unity have not endeared the ruling party (which currently holds the provincial premiership, in addition to the federal government) to those who long for an independent Quebec.

Paul Martin will appeal to Québécois federalists to vote for the Liberals to prevent vote-splitting, and will assert that he, as a francophone representing a Quebec constituency, is a better choice for prime minister than Stephen Harper of Alberta. Language, identity and regional politics continue to cleave the Canadian electorate.

What role will the U.S. play in the election?

Canadian voters appear divided in their nation's relations with the United States. While Conservatives favor closer engagement with Americans on issues such as continental security and free trade, voters allied with the Bloc, the NDP and the Green Party call for moving further away from U.S. policies - particularly in light of the election of President George W. Bush in 2004. The Liberals appear split on the issue.

Despite these divisions, some form of anti-U.S. sentiment can be detected in many parts of the political and regional spectrum. In the west, U.S. concerns over mad cow disease and agricultural tariffs have sparked resentment, while francophone voters in Quebec are wary of the influence of their powerful anglophone neighbor. Voters are generally united, however, in their revulsion over the U.S. rejection of the Word Trade Organization's final ruling in Canada's favor in a long-simmering dispute over softwood lumber exports; Canadians are now discussing retaliation.

How are governments formed?

The Parliament of Canada has two chambers: the House of Commons with 308 members, elected for a maximum five-year term in single-seat constituencies, and a Senate with 105 appointed members.

The Prime Minister may ask the Governor General - the British Queen's representative in Canada - to call an election at virtually any time, although one must be called within five years of the last election. Traditionally, governments have waited four years between elections, but under Jean Chrétien's Liberal government in the 1990s, elections were held every three-and-a-half years. Parties generally only wait the maximum of five years between elections if they expect to lose, and hope a postponement will allow more time for things to change in their favor. Using the first-past-the-post system, Canadians vote for a member of Parliament to represent them in the House of Commons. Canadians do not vote directly for the Prime Minister, nor do they vote for senators.

The Prime Minister is answerable to, and must maintain the support of, the House of Commons. Thus, whenever the office of Prime Minister falls vacant, the Governor General appoints the person most likely to command the support of the House - normally, the leader of the largest party in the Lower House. The Prime Minister may only stay in office as long as he or she retains the confidence of the House of Commons; Martin lost a no confidence vote on Nov. 28, 2005.

What are the political prospects for a future government?

Current polls suggest that whichever side prevails in the final allocation of parliamentary seats will likely face the burden of governing with the slimmest of margins, if not another minority coalition. For all of the furor over the sponsorship scandal, voters do not yet seem to have settled on an alternative that can successfully appeal to Canada's vastly different regions. The uncertainty that plagued Parliament Hill last year may well continue. Domestic politics aside, the new government will most likely inherit a strong economy, aided by economic growth in the United States, its largest trading partner. Another vote on Quebec sovereignty is not expected until at least 2007, after provincial elections. Faced with a choice between continuity and change, the land of "peace, order and good government" will most likely reflect at least two of its three founding principles.

Key Players

Paul Martin, Prime Minister (Liberals): An MP for a Montreal district since 1988, Martin became finance minister under Chrétien's government in 1993. In that role, he erased a $42 billion deficit, recorded five consecutive budget surpluses, paid down $36 billion in debt and cut taxes cumulatively by $100 billion over 5 years.

While clashing frequently with Chrétien, Martin won control of the Liberal Party - and government - in late 2003. Despite lagging support after the sponsorship scandal (from which he has been cleared of personal responsibility), Martin called elections for 2004 that resulted in the current minority government, which has lasted little more than a year.

Stephen Harper (Conservatives): Harper became leader of the Canadian Alliance, a conservative party with strong appeal in the western regions, in 2002.

The following year he reached an agreement to merge the upstart movement with the Progressive Conservatives (Canada's long-standing, but ailing, party of the right). Under Harper, the Conservative Party has sought to make the sponsorship scandal, ethics and Liberal corruption as central issues in the election.

Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Québécois): An actor's son, former labor leader and resident of Montreal, Duceppe leads 54 members of the Bloc Québécois in Ottawa, a position he has held since 1997. The Bloc is the federal arm of the Parti Québécois, which advocates for Quebec's sovereignty.

 Duceppe has been a strident critic of both Martin's government and the other national leaders.

Jack Layton (New Democratic Party): A former city council member and deputy mayor of Toronto, Layton heads the 19-seat social-democratic NDP delegation in Parliament.

After the sponsorship scandal damaged the Liberals, Martin won Layton's support for a minority government in exchange for the cancellation of proposed corporate tax cuts and increased social spending.

In mid-November, however Layton publicly withdrew his support, saying the government lacked a commitment to ending private health care, thus precipitating the current campaign.

Jean Chrétien: A Quebec native, Chrétien served as prime minister and head of the Liberal Party from November 1993 to December 2003. After working his way through a number of ministerial positions in the Trudeau era, Chrétien was elected head of the Liberals in 1990, going on to oust Progressive Conservative Kim Campbell as prime minister three years later.

 Chrétien used his mastery of the political system (and his large Liberal majorities) to centralize decision-making, win reelection twice and focus on his central project: preventing the dissolution of Canada in the 1995 Quebec referendum.

His efforts were rewarded with a razor thin victory in that province. To that end, he also burdened his successor, Paul Martin, with the ramifications of the sponsorship scandal, a by-product of Chrétien's drive for unity. Chrétien testified before the Gomery Commission last year.

John Gomery: A lawyer from Quebec, Gomery served on the Quebec Superior Court and as president of the Copyright Board of Canada before being tapped to head an investigation into the sponsorship scandal.

On Nov. 1, 2005, Gomery released the first part of his report in which he criticized former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien but cleared him of direct involvement in kickback schemes.

He also exonerated current Prime Minister Paul Martin, who was minister of finance during most of the sponsorship program. His final report on the investigation is due in February.

Michaëlle Jean: Jean was appointed Canada's de facto head of state by Queen Elizabeth II on the recommendation of Prime Minister Martin in September.

Born in Haiti, she is the nation's first black governor general, the representative of the British monarch in the Canadian commonwealth.

Previously, Jean established a network of shelters for women and children across the country and worked in a variety of capacities on issues facing immigrants.

Political Parties

Liberal Party: Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberals hope to recapture their majority, although this appears unlikely; it will require checking Bloc pressure in Quebec and gaining seats in English Canada.

While hampered by the Gomery investigation, the Liberals point to efforts they have already made to tackle corruption. They continue to push for national unity, portraying themselves as the only federalist option in Quebec, where the Conservatives are thought to have little appeal. The Liberals take a strong line on U.S.-Canada issues, such as softwood lumber and defense.

Liberal Party of Canada

Conservative Party: Polls show the Conservatives with a growing national lead over the Liberals, despite continued weakness in Quebec and urban areas. The Conservatives promise to revisit the issue of same-sex marriage (legalized in 2005) in the House of Commons, to lower federal taxes and to seek closer relations with the U.S. government.

Conservative Party of Canada

Bloc Québécois: The Bloc Québécois was very successful in the 2004 election, leaving comparatively few winnable seats- perhaps eight - for the party to target. The party hopes to tap its provincial resources to reopen the matter of independence. The Bloc Québécois only fields candidates in Quebec.

Bloc Québécois

New Democratic Party (NDP): Jack Layton has avoided stating that his social-democratic party's goal is to win the election outright - instead calling for enough New Democrats to be elected to hold the balance of power in a Liberal or Conservative minority government. Political commentators have long held that the NDP's main medium-term goal is to serve as junior partner to the Liberals in Canada's first-ever true coalition government. The NDP rails vociferously against the introduction of private health care.

"New Democratic Party of Canada

Green Party: While no Green candidate has yet been elected in Canada, the party has occasionally polled as high as 19 percent in British Columbia and 10 percent nationwide and could be a factor in particularly close contests. The Greens (like the Liberals and the NDP) oppose a "two-tier" health care system, in addition to calling for a renegotiation of NAFTA and careful stewardship of the nation's vast natural resources.

"Green Party of Canada

Other Resources

Elections Canada: An independent, non-partisan agency reporting directly to Canada's Parliament.

(Sources: The Economist, The Globe & Mail, Le Devoir)