Nov. 10/05

Opposition Consensus: It’s Time for Canadians to Judge

 

Morning print coverage emphasized opposition parties have reached a consensus that it is time to cooperate on plans to trigger an early election.

Several news reports highlighted phone calls among party leaders and officials, and plans for Conservative, NDP and Bloc leaders to meet to refine strategy for the resumption of Parliament.

Overnight national network coverage undermined the credibility of a proposal by NDP Leader Jack Layton to defeat the minority Liberal government, but avoid a Christmas election campaign. CTV News emphasized a promise by Prime Minister Paul Martin to continue governing, and speculated the Liberals will bring in a pre-election mini-budget offering massive tax cuts.

News reports pointed out Layton’s proposal to defeat the minority Liberal government was immediately questioned by Constitutional experts, who said the government was under no obligation to respect opposition demands for a January election call.

· CTV senior parliamentary correspondent Craig Oliver concluded developments Wednesday minimize the chances of an election campaign during the Christmas holidays, calling Layton’s promise to defeat the Liberals a pre-Christmas lay-away plan.

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ELECTION ANALYSIS 2005

Minority Parliament Countdown

 

Lifeline Communications will provide ongoing daily analysis of national and regional media coverage as news developments build towards the possible collapse of Canada’s first minority parliament in 25 years.

 

Our media analysis will track the tone of news reports, columns, editorials and opinion pieces. Lifeline Communications will assess efforts of political parties to frame national issues, deliver key messages through the news media, and define the ‘ballot question’ voters may decide on election day.

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