ELECTION ANALYSIS 2005

Text Box: Nov. 14/05 Liberals on Life Support National media coverage delivered the message that Prime Minister Paul Martin’s minority Liberal government is limping along on life support, heading for imminent defeat and an election in either mid-February or early January. A Sunday offer from opposition party leaders to call a February election denied the Liberal government front-page coverage Monday morning for its comprehensive mini-budget. Only the Globe and Mail provided prominent attention for what it described as a sweeping plan to cut taxes and improve economic growth and productivity. Overnight broadcast coverage and front page news reports in the National Post, Montreal Gazette, Ottawa Citizen, Calgary Herald and Vancouver Sun all featured an opposition offer to call an election in early January, after passing heating rebates and protection for workers in bankruptcies. The Liberal media response came from House Leader Tony Valeri, who immediately dismissed the opposition request. News reports concluded developments point to a certain Christmas election campaign

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.