Posted on 01/23/2006 9:23:08 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
Canadians today elected a minority Conservative government led by Stephen Harper and Prime Minister Paul Martin said he would step down as leader of the Liberal party. After 13 years of Liberal rule, Canadians elected a government led by Harper that is promising squeaky-clean ethics, a crackdown on crime and lower taxes. In his concession speech at Liberal headquarters in Montreal, Martin said he would not lead the party into another election.
He said he would consult with party official about an orderly transition.
Tory Leader Harper scored a victory in today’s federal election, helped in part by strong, long-sought gains in Ontario and a Liberal collapse of historic proportions in Quebec.
But he was denied a majority government, meaning his administration will be far tamer than the mighty Liberal and Tory majorities of the last 20 years.
With just over 120 seats, Harper will have to rely on the support of at least one opposition party to survive in the 308-seat House of Commons, and every piece of legislation may have to be negotiated.
The Liberals managed to avoid a rout, holding on to just over 100 seats — down from the 133 they won in the 2004 election.
The NDP made gains in B.C. and Toronto, on track for victory in about 30 ridings — up from 19 in 2004.
The separatist Bloc Quebecois was set to take about 50 seats, down from 58 the last time around.
The result was a near reversal of the 2004 election, in which the Liberals took 135 seats and the Tories 99.
With 84 per cent of the vote counted nationally, the Conservatives were at 36 per cent support compared with 30 for the Liberals, 17 for the NDP, 10 for the Bloc, and four for the Green party.
It’s a massive win for Harper, who was dismissed as unelectable less than two years ago when he took the reins of a new party born out of a merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives.
And it’s almost certainly a political death blow to Prime Minister Paul Martin, who will likely be forced to resign soon to make way for a new leader.
Martin, who won his Quebec riding of LaSalle-Emard, told cheering supporters to be proud of Liberal accomplishments — and bide their time.
“We not only believed, we acted on the belief that Canada is strongest as a nation and we endeavoured to ensure that no Canadian is ever left behind.
“There will be another chance, there will be another time.”
As expected, the Conservatives dominated in the West, taking most ridings in the Prairies and scoring a clean sweep in Alberta. But the difference came in Ontario, where they were on track to add about a dozen seats to the 24 they won in 2004.
The Tories also collected a handful of seats in Quebec, a province where they were shut out last time around.
In Atlantic Canada, the anticipated Conservative breakthrough didn’t materialize, delivering only nine of the 32 seats in the region, up just two from the last time around.
The Liberals lost seats everywhere, but suffered the most damage in Ontario, where they were likely to lose about 20 of the 75 ridings they won in 2004.
In Quebec, the Liberals were headed for their second-worst defeat in history — leading in just 14 of the province’s 75 seats. The poorest Liberal showing ever in Quebec was 13 seats in 1882.
Public Works Minister Scott Brison, who defected from the Tories in 2003 after losing a leadership contest, said the Liberals will continue to fight.
Conservative deputy leader Peter MacKay, who was re-elected in Central Nova, said the results show “there is an undeniable and unstoppable sentiment for change in the country.”
The Liberals took a pounding from angry voters upset about government scandal and a rash of urban gun violence, including a brazen Boxing Day shootout in downtown Toronto.
Harper capitalized on those concerns, promising to clean up Liberal corruption and crack down on gun crime.
He also hammered away with crowd-pleasing pledges to shorten medical wait times, reduce the GST and boost military spending.
And he delivered that message every day with a new-found, voter-friendly smile.
As Liberal support in the polls plunged, Martin stepped up his attacks on Harper as a right-wing bogeyman who would run roughshod over minority rights and impose socially conservative mores on the country.
Harper pounded back with equal vigour about Liberal corruption and mismanagement, reminding voters daily about the sponsorship scandal and the Liberal “culture of entitlement.”
Just two years ago, the prospect of Harper as prime minister was almost laughable. He was still battling to lead the newly merged Conservatives and was viewed with suspicion by moderate voters who saw him as an emotionless, right-wing ideologue.
Then the sponsorship scandal really began to take its toll on the Liberals.
It’s unclear how long the new government will survive.
Martin’s minority government lasted 19 months, while Joe Clark’s minority Tory government in 1979 lasted just six. However, Lester Pearson managed to hold together two minority governments in the 1960s.
Many prominent Liberals were among the casualties today, including Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan and Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew.
McLellan’s defeat in Edmonton marked the end of the Liberal presence in Alberta, while Pettigrew was symbolic of the party’s collapse in Quebec.
I wonder how Michael Moore is handling this news.
How long before Martin is hired by an American 'think-tank' of Communists?
Donuts. Lots and lots of donuts. ; )
"I wonder how Michael Moore is handling this news."
I was wondering the same thing. I bet his blog is hot tonight. LOL
Wanking, as per usual.
I wonder if Moore's ever heard of a condition called Repetitive Strain Injury...?
Nonetheless, he certainly should have enough money and personality to retain the condition in perpetuity.
Please explain the Bloc Quebecois party.
I wonder if the manager of the Krispy Kreme near MM's house reads the political news before setting production levels for the day. This one might blindside him tho since is is a foreign election.
I'm with you. I wouldn't have a clue!
His diet is ruined.
Kinda surprised Martin is going to actually abide by a vote this time.
:)
Was Clinton's chippie and Martin's turncoat up for election this time?
WOW, they really did it!!
Bloody fantastic, isn't it!
It really is great. I just hope he is able to make some changes, it isn't always easy as we know.
He's going to make a statement by selling all those stocks, which he doesn't own.
He was so upset he ate Quebec, with an Arctic Ocean chaser.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.