Canadian Parliament Dissolves, Election Set for May

The Canadian Parliament was dissolved last week after a vote of confidence was lost by the minority Conservative Government and the current Prime Minister, Stephen Harper. The Liberals, the NDP's and the Bloc Quebecois voted against the proposed budget that the Conservatives brought forward to Parliament, and, as such, caused an election voting against the minority Conservative Government. Because of this vote, Harper asked Governor General David Johnston to dissolve Parliament. This was carried out after the vote was lost by the Conservatives, 156-145. All of the NDP, Liberal and Bloc MP's voted for an election. All Conservative and Independent MP's voted against an election.

The coalition of the Liberals, the NDP's and the Bloc voted for an election because of many different issues. They say the Conservatives have not been honest and open about their policies. They also have a problem with the fact that Harper hired someone with a criminal record and who is under investigation by the RCMP to be one of his top advisors.

Harper has said he thinks many Canadians will be dissapointed that the budget did not pass. He says it was an essential next step in Canada's Economic Action Plan, to help us recover even more from the economic hard times that hit us a few years ago. This is Canada's fourth election in seven years, and I do not think this election is really necessary. If what early polls show is correct, then the Conservatives will stay in power, and may even win a small majority. Elections also cost a lot of money, which all comes from taxpayers. Seeing as many people do not want another election, this will make them even more fed up with the Liberals and NDPs and may even make people who used to vote for them vote for another party. This is an unnecessary election, and will not really make that much of a difference in how Parliament is structured.

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