Thoughts on Canada's Federal Elections 2008

Here are some thoughts on the 2008 federal elections in Canada:

• Incumbent Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper broke his own rule about fixed election dates, and called for an election early. He floated excuses like "the government has become dysfunctional" and that "he needed a new mandate". Speculation as to why he called an election vary from him seeing the economic woes on the horizon, and wanting an election before things turned bad in Canada, to having elections before the USA ones, to being under the illusion that he would get a majority this time.
• The Liberal party leader (Stephan Dion) had issues with English, his character was less presentable than the others, and the Green Shift carbon tax did not win any hearts and minds.
• The Greens are a main reason why the Liberals lost seats, while they did not gain any. Even party leader Elizabeth May did not get a seat, and they lost one seat they got in by-elections recently. Voters for the Greens would probably have voted Liberal if the Greens were not on the ballot.
• It was a very close race. To see how close the race is, all of Waterloo Region elected Conservatives by a slim margin. Two veteran Liberals (Redman and Telegdi) lost their seats. There were many parties on the ballot in my local riding, like Conservative, Liberal, New Democrat, Communist, Canadian Action, Libertarian, and an Independent. Many of those got a mere 100 votes or so. That could have easily tipped the balance in favor of Telegdi for example, who lost by a mere 40 odd votes. A recount is being done in this case. Vote splitting at work here.
• Voter turnout was at an all time record low (59%). People were not looking forward to an election that cost $290 Million for the same result (a minority Conservative government). The minority government can fall any time if the opposition wants to, although they will be punished at the polls if they do so. So it is money wasted for most people.

How long will this government last? Who will be the new Liberal party leader? All good questions ...