![Text Box: Nov. 30/05
Day 1: Gay Marriage Back on the Agenda
National media coverage concluded Conservative Stephen Harper put the divisive issue of gay marriage back on the social agenda on the first day of a two-month long election campaign.
Various commentators suggested Harper marred an otherwise successful campaign launch by opening the door to changes on Canada’s gay marriage law, and raising questions about whether he would lead a government with a conservative agenda on social issues.
Both network and print media seized on gay marriage as the top election issue for campaign launch coverage.
Developing coverage will likely expand the gay marriage theme further, and draw comparisons to Day 1 missteps by other leaders from previous election campaigns.
Intense media attention to the gay marriage issue trumped coverage for what otherwise would have been a dominant issue, the first public opinion poll of the campaign showing the Liberals and Conservatives tied in public opinion support.
An Ipsos-Reid poll for CanWest - Global News showed both the Liberals and Conservative each with 31 per cent support.
Other prominent coverage emphasized a decision by controversial Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal to quit politics, because of two ongoing investigations into his activities.
[Van Sun A1]
News reports recalled Grewal was at the centre of controversy for secretly taping talks with Liberals about switching sides.
Media items noted Grewal’s wife Nina will still run for re-election in a neighbouring Vancouver riding.](Nov_30_files/image303.gif)
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Minority Parliament Countdown
Lifeline Communications will provide ongoing daily analysis of national and regional media coverage during Canada’s first winter election campaign 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’ issues voters will decide January 23, 2006. |
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