So now that Lord Ig has wisely and graciously bowed out of an immediate election scrap, all thoughts shall turn to the next main stage tussle. But first a word on the current state of the political nation. To use the Professor’s own criminal analogy; if the Conservatives are “on probation”, the Liberal’s have a “suspended sentence”, the NDP are suffering from a “hung jury” and the Bloc will once again be relegated to “solitary confinement.”

So where does it all lead? I’m guessing a Spring 2010 federal election. Forget about the Liberal budget amendment for quarterly parliamentary updates triggering a snap confidence vote and election. Not going to happen. Because we still have to go through “double secret probation”, “electronic monitoring probation” and “parole” stages before the Liberals are anywhere near capable of fighting an election. And Harper won’t call it for fear of being branded an opportunist. Again.

So all eyes will now turn to the upcoming 2009 BC spring election where the right wing, privatizing, carbon taxing, big Owe, Olympic Liberal government will be put to the test by a kinder, gentler (but still the same old beast) provincial NDP party. Will Gordon Campbell live to see another term? I’m betting yes – despite a rapidly deteriorating economy. If only so he can take his debt-laden bow at the Olympics – along with the PM. Their one saving grace being that CTV is covering the games this year.
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Who are you going to vote for? Here is a list of the major political parties and some information to help you make your voting decision. Happy voting!

Jean Charest, the current leader of the Liberal Party, is hoping to achieve another victory in Quebec. Last election, he barely held onto his Sherbrooke seat as he has been dubbed the “most disliked leader in Quebec’s history.” Charest has been focusing on the economy and how his party will be able to tackle the world financial crisis. The other major issue is the fact that there are many new immigrants who do not know French and the French language is losing its place in the province. Charest welcomes the new immigrants and diverse languages and will not reopen the language debates.

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