Text Box: Nov. 23/05 Race to Announce Spending Before Campaign Starts   ‘Frenzy’ and ‘torrent’ were keywords used in many media items to describe a race to make major spending announcements before the Liberal minority government is expected to be defeated Monday night in a non-confidence vote. News reports observed opposition leaders responded to the fast pace with their own series of news conferences, and various pundits declared a surreal atmosphere has descended on Parliament Hill in the dying days of this minority government. Conservative finance critic Monte Solberg estimated last minute spending announcements total about $11 billion. They include: $4.6 billion for new military transport aircraft, $2 billion to resolve aboriginal complaints of abuse at residential schools, $1 billion in aid expected for softwood lumber companies, $4 billion expected to be announced in initiatives at the First Ministers’ Meeting on aboriginal issues, $1 billion expected for farmers, $1.3 billion for labour training in Ontario. Prime Minister Paul Martin received positive coverage for promising a summit on gun violence in response to a plea from victims of several shootings in Toronto. Media coverage highlighted the need for more community and government action in response to urban crime and social problems. Print coverage also generated buzz about the possible Liberal candidacy in Quebec of Marc Garneau, a former astronaut and head of the Canadian Space Agency. Toronto Star columnist Chantal Hebert suggested there are few star candidates this election because raising MP salaries had the reverse effect of keeping minor league players around. Ottawa Citizen front page coverage featured criticism from former Canadian ambassador to the United States Derek Burney, who concluded “uncertain, erratic policy stewardship” from PM Martin has harmed Canada-US relations. A negative Toronto Star editorial said Conservative Leader Stephen Harper is betraying his policy principles with a promise to cut the GST rate. 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