CTV is reporting that they have confirm John McCallum will take over as interim Liberal leader when Stephane Dion announces his departure on Monday. It may be a rumour spun from a rumour, but it seems likely at this point.
The final results of the 2008 Federal Election are as follows:
It’s a larger minority but a minority by any other name is still the same. Each party leader made their reality acceptance speech as they swallowed the votes given to the them. They all made the promise to work together in parliament and to be more cordial towards one and other – good intentions, for now. The leaders speeches were not indicative of any set issue, aside from Haprer’s focus on the economy – a lesson learned this election for him. The other notable speech performance was Dion’s reaction to CTV placing a camera in his face and asking if he would tell them how he felt – he angryily denied them the answer saying that “the last people I want to speak with is CTV” (obviously reacting to the start stop interview they chose to air).
The parties to watch in this 40th parliament are the Liberals, NDP and Green. This is because the Liberals will want a new leader as soon as the finances are present to do so and until that time they will still want to be seen as an active – important party in the house. They will achieve (or try) this by immediately talking to the other parties listed to find common ground to unite on and display a hard voice against Tory policy. The reason we threw Elizabeth May in there was because of her party’s results tonight. She has a financial debt to repay (as a party) but aside from that, she has no responsibility as a federal party. that means she will be wooed by the Liberals as a promised minister in a future Liberal government or possibly a senator as mentioned on Bourque.com days ago.
Has all that much changed?
Not really, the discourse of the house will decide just how much things have changed and we predict that the Harper Conservatives will play even more chicken with the house as they try to pass more bills in the face of the opposition. Other than those points, there is another Trudeau in the house, we’re down one Conservative-Liberal loudmouth and the Bloc prevented a western Prime Minister a majority. Things are pretty much the same as they always have been in our nation, strong and free (Steve, you can totally ditch the sweaters now).
The election tonight shows a total voter turn out of a dismal 58%. Just over half of Canadians decided to exercise their freedom to vote. Although there was no hard and chiseled issues to be passionate about, voting is an action that is a responsibility of all Canadians. This turn out shows that most Canadians do not take that responsibility seriously.
What type of issue will it take to energize the Canadian public to come out again at the rates once enjoyed at 64%? The apothetic voters of Canada have nothing to complain about should a party choose a path they disagree with.
The election results tonight seemed to be strong determinations and indicators of the Conservative and Liberal leaders’ strength. If Harper could not get a stronger mandate his ability to lead would be questioned as a three time leader with similar results in each election.
Dion however is the strue story of the night, his unwritten number to hit was 110 seats and currently as we wonk, it doesn’t look good. The next question for Mr. Dion will be answered shortly as the Liberal party has a leadership convention in March 2009. Keep you ears on that story throughout the night.
Not surprisingly Garth Turner has been defeated in the riding of Halton, Ontario. That’s the bad news, the good news is some bloggers nowadays can make a good annual living of the trade.
As you watch tonight, you’ll hear some good, old fashioned terms re-coined (those lolly-gagging goldbrickers).
Bell Weather Riding: A riding in which the elected member is always a member of the party that forms government.
These results are not possible due to a dusty old law. Not quite yet, but soon.
Our calendar is booked, the doors locked and the LCD and laptop have a UPS running on them. It’s election night!
We’ll be up all night wonking it up Canadian Election style. Stay tuned for updates (within aged Canadian legal boundaries) as the nation’s new government unfolds.
Policy and platforms aside for a moment – today is a day not to be taken lightly. The spirit of today has been fought for and died for a million times over, and must be respected as a freedom. The respect can be shown in a simple action, voting.
No matter what else you do today, take the time to vote.