Chretien Calls Canadian Elections
Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien on Sunday called a snap federal election for November 27 in a bid to capitalize on his lead in the polls and prevent the further rise in his main conservative opponents, the Canadian Alliance.
The 66-year-old veteran overrode the advice of many in his Liberal caucus and on his staff in heading to the polls now, rather than waiting until the spring as he had originally hinted he would. Reelected to a second term in June 1997, he did not actually have to call an election until mid-2002.
"There are very important choices to make for the future. As we enter an age of large budget surpluses, now is the time to make these choices," Chretien told reporters in Ottawa on Sunday after briefly meeting Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson on dissolving parliament.
"The election campaign begins officially as of this moment but we all know it began unofficially some time ago. Canadians do not want an expensive American-style election that drags on for months and months, and there is nothing more democratic than calling an election.
"It is an opportunity for Canadians to choose between different visions and different values. This election offers two very different visions of Canada, two crystal-clear alternatives," he said.
If Chretien's current strength in the polls, a lead of about 20-25 points, were to translate into actual votes he would be assured of a third successive majority — the first time this would have happened in Canada since 1945.
But he faces a dynamic fresh face, Alliance leader Stockwell Day, 50, who has called for deep tax cuts and smaller government while saying it is time for a change.
The Alliance's predecessor, the Reform Party, surged during the last two federal election campaigns and has emerged this time with a commanding lead among Canada's four main opposition parties.
Chretien formally visited Rideau Hall, residence of Adrienne Clarkson — Canada's governor-general and representative of Queen Elizabeth, the country's head of state — to ask for a dissolution of Parliament to allow the 36-day campaign to get underway.
Former prime minister Joe Clark, now leader of the fifth-place Progressive Conservative Party, warned on Saturday that the Canadian populace would not be amused.
"When a party has been in office too long, has grown unpopular, calls an election for no good reason, it could very easily get turfed out. That could happen with Mr. Chretien and the Liberals," he said in New Brunswick.
The Alliance's Day, a devout evangelical Christian, refused to campaign on Sunday but staged an event across the river from the Houses of Parliament on Saturday hammering on the theme of the ruling party's arrogance.
"Jean Chretien and his friends think they own that building over there. I have news for them — it is owned by the people of Canada and we will take it back on November 27," he said.
In the run-up to the campaign, hretien had said that the differences were never as stark between two leading parties, and Canadians should be allowed to choose, especially given more than $120 billion ($80 billion U.S.) of surpluses forecast for the next five years.
He has sought to paint the Alliance as a narrow, intolerant party that wants to emasculate the federal government and leave the poorer regions and citizens behind. Chretien has also attacked Day's opposition to government funding for abortion and his opposition to expansion of gay rights.
The Alliance, especially under the old Reform banner, draws much of its power base in the more conservative Western Canadian provinces. But it is unclear whether Day's ultra conservative message can make gains in vote-rich Ontario which has long been a bedrock for the Liberals.
Day has countered criticisms with the image of a freedom train, one that reduces the government's reach into people's lives and pockets while at the same time cracking down on crime and being what it sees as more friendly to families.
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