![Text Box: Nov. 27/05
‘Ground Hog Day’ Election Features ‘Ethics vs. Economy’
Media coverage largely looked past Monday’s historic defeat of the minority Liberal government to canvass themes and issues for Canada’s first winter campaign in 25 years.
In sweeping brush strokes, Sunday news reports predicted another minority government is all but certain, after political parties argue about ethics, accountability, and the economy.
Journalist Andrew Duffy described a ‘Groundhog Day’ election in Ottawa Citizen front page coverage, comparing the current climate to a 1960s minority deadlock between Liberal Leader Lester Pearson and Conservative Leader John Diefenbaker. [Ott Cit A1]
Journalist Jack Aubry positioned the federal election as ‘Ethics’ vs. ‘Economy.’ The news report gave the early edge to the Conservative party for getting ahead of the Liberals with positive policies to clean up the Quebec sponsorship scandal. [Mon Gaz A1]
Sunday election coverage positioned Prime Minister Paul Martin on the defensive for the Liberal government’s last-minute frenzy of costly spending announcements.
Martin also criticized NDP Leader Jack Layton for triggering an early election, and promised the Liberal Party will deal with problems in an open, transparent, and conclusive way. [Cgy Hld A1, Tor Star A4]
In predictable tones, campaign directors traded barbs in Toronto Sun coverage.
Liberal executive director Steven MacKinnon said the Quebec sponsorship scandal has motivated party workers for the winter campaign.
Conservative campaign co-chair John Reynolds said Liberals will not get away with scare mongering again, and predicted the party will double its seats in Ontario and make gains in Atlantic Canada. [Tor Sun 9]
The NDP made news by calling on the RCMP’s Integrated Market Enforcement Team to investigate whether Bay Street insiders had advance word of Finance Minister Ralph Goodale’s election-eve announcement affecting the tax status of income trusts.
Shares of income trusts rose sharply in heavy trading in the hour or two preceding the federal government announcement. [Tor Sun 8]](Nov_27_files/image303.gif)
|
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 |
