It would seem to be a bad time for a new Canadian election and there is a question as to whether the opposition in Parliament (three parties whose ambitions clearly are not in sync) would be willing now to unite on a vote of no-confidence and bring down the minority Conservative government of Stephen Harper.
Canada is suffering from the American recession that is now world-wide. Its deficits are growing, but are paltry in comparison to ours, even given the difference in the size of the two countries. Overall, Canada's finances are pretty well managed. Still, if you are a Canadian looking out, rather than an outsider looking in, there is a natural tendency to blame the government in power for whatever is besetting the commonweal.
One might have thought, in these conditions, that the Liberals would bide their time and build up their resources--and their credit with the voters--before trying to precipitate a new election. Now, however, that common sense expectation may be in for a dramatic change.
From an American standpoint, it is hard to see that it will matter much to us whether the Liberals or Conservatives are in power. Both parties are pro-American, but quite prepared to differ with us. The Conservatives are supposed to be the party of competent management and proponents of economic growth, but their recent record could be more inspiring. On one issue that we follow here--the development of passenger rail traffic over the border to help tourism, something that clearly is in Canada's interest, especially leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in British Columbia--the Harper government inexplicably seems to be dragging its feet. We at Discovery Institute are always urging our own government to think more pro-actively about Canadian trade--Canada is our biggest trading partner, after all. But at the moment it is the Canadians who seem to need a bit of a prod.
I think that if I were Mr. Harper I would not want to crouch in a defensive posture, but instead come out with positive vision on the economy and actions to support it, then challenge the opposition to go along or be cited for obstruction. Either way he would win.
But then I am just a Yank--albeit a friendly one--observing the situation from a safe distance. Since Canadian pundits never hesitate to give America advice, I hope they won't mind if we return the compliment from time to time.
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