AFTER THE FALL
CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN BEGINS: Think this election will be a lot like the last? Think again. This time, the stakes are much higher. Non-confidence motion easily passes 171- 133 Party campaigns set to hit Ontario ridings this week
OTTAWA— Federal politicians have given Canadians the gift of an election for the holidays, wrapping up Parliament and handing their fates to voters to decide late in January. By a vote of 171 to 133, the Commons voted in favour of a motion put forward by Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, backed by the New Democrats and the Bloc Québécois, stating flatly that “ the government no longer has the confidence of the House.”
Crying, “ Let’s get started, time’s- a- wasting,” Prime Minister Paul Martin put a brave face on the defeat when he talked to his Liberal troops last night and announced he’ll call on the Governor General this morning to officially launch an election expected to take place Jan. 23.
All party leaders are expected to fan out and almost immediately hit Ontario this week, which is, along with British Columbia, going to be make-orbreak territory for the Liberals, Conservatives and NDP.
It is the first time that a Canadian minority government has been brought down by an explicit statement of non-confidence from the opposition. In the past, governments have been defeated by votes, budget or otherwise, that were interpreted as confidence measures.
In that aspect, Martin’s minority government did live up to the Prime Minister’s long- ago pledge to “make history.” In terms of duration, though, this fragile Parliament was acutely average — it lasted exactly 17 months — just 27 days short of the average lifespan of minorities in the country’s history.
All leaders used the immediate aftermath of the vote to give a preview of the campaign themes to come, and while all said they intended to be positive and hopeful, there was no mistaking the potential nastiness lurking not far from the surface.
Martin, 67, told his cheering MPs that he’ll proudly put his Liberal record to the verdict of the Canadian people rather
than the judgment of the “ neoConservatives, the separatist Bloc and the NDP.” The Prime Minister, making few allusions to defeat, saying only “the vote didn’t go our way,” made it clear that in the campaign he wants his party to claim ownership of that all- important political commodity of hope.
“ In this campaign, we will hear nothing but pessimism from the opposition and there’s a reason for this. That’s all that they have to offer. They have no positive agenda for Canada. They have nothing good to say, nothing to build on,” Martin said.
“ And that is the fundamental difference between us. We see Canada’s promise and we are determined to build on it.” But Harper was trying to claim that terrain, too. Triumphant, smiling, he told his Conservative caucus that only “ privileged and powerful insiders” had benefited from Liberal rule over the past 12 years.
“ We are looking to the future and we want to try to address the priorities of ordinary Canadians,” Harper said. Warning of the negative campaign to come, he said: “ You all know the coming weeks will not be easy. I have no doubt the Liberals will try to distort our positions. They get so angry, the Liberals, when we tell the truth about their agenda, they have to tell lies about ours,” he said. “ But Canadians have seen this movie before, they know when the Liberals scream about us, it’s just a diversion. It’s like the thief who cries fire in a crowded restaurant, so that when no one’s looking he can clear out the cash register.”
Harper, 46, warned: “When Paul Martin comes after us, as he will, when he comes after me as he’s already planning, take that as the proof we are on the right track. I’m going to have to remind the people he’s the Prime Minister, he’s been in power, and he plans to run against us. What does that tell you about his record?” New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton, who was instrumental in tipping the collapse through his decision to join the other parties in the show of nonconfidence, said last night that the political field in Canada is now “ wide open.”
His campaign promises to be a carefully plotted appeal to the strategic vote, asking Canadians to put New Democrat MPs in Parliament to hold the balance of power so they can play a more formal role as brokers, as they’ve tried to do in the past Parliament.
“ We’re proud of that record. . . . With more members of Parliament we’ll be able to get a lot more done,” said Layton, 55.
“This election will be about electing members of Parliament that get something done for people. I think people have seen a lot of political games.” When the House collapsed last night, the seat standings were 133 Liberals, 98 Conservatives, 53 Bloc Québécois and 18 New Democrats, with four independents. There were two vacancies in the 308- seat Commons. Because of the continuing strength of the Bloc in Quebec, a product of the federal Liberal sponsorship scandal, neither Liberals nor Conservatives are viewed as having realistic hopes of anything but a minority when the election is over.
Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe told the Star that the issues remain the same since last spring, when the government survived a confidence vote. “ It is the same themes: this government’s ethics, but also the fiscal imbalance, and employment insurance,” he said. “ And, on the national level, national security.” Duceppe said he is feeling very strong support on the ground in Quebec, an indication reflected by a poll released by CBC- Radiolast night, which showed the Bloc with 59 per cent support. The last day of this minority Parliament was almost anti- climactic, with the result inevitable. MPs, strategists and aides from all parties spent the day bidding each other farewell, knowing that they’re heading out on the campaign trail just days before the annual Christmaslight display is due to begin on Parliament Hill.
Freezing rain descended on Ottawa early yesterday, snarling traffic and airline schedules, almost as if the weather had conspired to remind politicians of the perils of winter campaigning.
In the minutes leading up to the vote, MPs mingled like old friends on the Commons floor. There were handshakes and hugs with retiring politicians, such as Liberals Claudette Bradshaw and Don Boudria, independent Pat O’Brien and Conservative John Reynolds.
Harper’s wife, Laureen Teskey, and their son and daughter watched the vote from the public gallery. As the vote was about to begin, Harper, with a big smile, exchanged a wave and gave a thumbs-up to his children, who waved back.