Text Box: Nov. 18/05 Tories May Promise GST Cut   Front page National Post coverage developed a new media message, speculating the Conservative party will promise to cut the GST. The John Ivison column said the Conservatives are considering a proposal to cut the GST rate by two percentage points, providing widespread tax relief and trumping tax cuts announced by Finance Minister Ralph Goodale. After Stephen Harper and other opposition leaders dominated coverage for several days over timing of an early election, Prime Minister Paul Martin achieved a more central role in media coverage. Key messages from PM Martin included: Chiding U.S. President George W. Bush in a meeting at the APEC conference in South Korea, accusing him in front of leaders from Mexico and Peru of undermining free trade. Warning an election campaign in December and January will disrupt holiday periods for several religious groups. Refusing to rule out proroguing Parliament as a tactic to stick to his timetable for a spring election. Other media items suggested the minority Liberal government could fall one week sooner than expected over a confidence vote next Monday or Wednesday on tax cut proposals. Conservative Deputy Leader Peter MacKay said all options are under careful consideration. NDP Leader Jack Layton received coverage for sticking to his proposal for calling the election in January for a vote in February. News reports noted Liberals have already dismissed this idea. In negative tones, Globe and Mail coverage continued to criticize the Liberal government over a contract issued to Liberal campaign manager David Herle for advice to the finance minister on the mini-budget. Conservative opposition argued $320,000 paid to another firm for polling and focus groups was work the Liberals will use in their election campaign. Text Box: Lifeline Communications Group Inc. ‘We make the news make sense’ Text Box: 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.