Text Box: Nov. 21/05 Sticking to the Countdown   National media coverage set up the last week of life in Paul Martin’s minority Liberal government, emphasizing all signs point to a winter election campaign and voting day in January. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper received coverage for issuing a Sunday news release, clarifying confusion over comments by Deputy Leader Peter Mackay on CTV’s Question Period about whether Tories will vote against Liberal tax cuts. Harper stated he discussed Parliament’s calendar with NDP Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe, and the Conservatives plan to move a non-confidence motion on Thursday, Nov. 24, to be voted on in the House of Commons on Monday, Nov. 28. Prime Minister Martin played the national unity card in media coverage, which described him as issuing a stern warning to new Parti Quebecois Leader Andre Boisclair, who said he does not feel bound to respect the Clarity Act. National Post front page highlighted a statement from the prime minister declaring the Clarity Act, spelling out rules for separation, represents the “law of the land.” Calgary Herald front page noted Alberta Premier Ralph Klein stirs up more election speculation with a trip to Ottawa Monday, starting a three-week campaign to push his controversial health care reforms. Globe and Mail coverage warned youth and inexperience in the Conservative war room could lead to costly mistakes under pressure. Young staff will be offset with campaign bus attendance by Tory veterans including Hugh Segal and Pierre Claude Nolin. Monday columns and editorial included: Positive National Post editorial, praising PM Martin for a decisive stand in defending Canadian lumber companies and standing up against the United States over softwood trade dispute. Ottawa Citizen columnist Susan Riley examined miscues between Conservative Leader Harper and deputy leader MacKay over tax cuts and election timing. 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.

Resources

Media Links

n Elections Canada

n Liberal Party

n Conservative Party

n NDP

n Green Party

n CTV

n CBC

n Global / CanWest

n Globe and Mail

n Toronto Star