Canada: Martin promises new election as scandal grows

The Financial Times ^ | April 23rd, 2005 | By Bernard Simon in Toronto

[M. Espinola]

The Canadian media had little trouble setting up interviews with Paul Martin yesterday as the beleaguered prime minister pulled out the stops to save his Liberal minority government and forestall a general election.

The two main opposition parties, the Conservatives and the separatist Bloc Québécois, suggested that they were eager to capitalise as soon as possible on a billowing scandal over a federal sponsorship and advertising programme in Quebec in the 1990s.

Mr Martin promised in a rare televised speech on Thursday evening that he would call an election within 30 days of publication of a judicial inquiry's report into the sponsorship affair. The inquiry, headed by Justice John Gomery, is expected to complete its work before the end of the year.

The sponsorship programme was set up to blunt the separatist message before and after a closely contested independence referendum in 1995. But fishing and hunting shows and almanacs, among other items organised under the programme, became a gravy train for advertising and public relations firms with close links to the Liberals. Allegations have also surfaced of under-the-counter payments to Liberal campaign organisers.

Some of the most explosive evidence at the inquiry has come from an advertising executive, Jean Brault, who testified that he helped funnel some money from the programme to liberal organisers and is himself facing fraud charges.

Mr Martin said that Judge Gomery should be allowed to complete his work before an election is called.

"Canadians deserve a full and fair accounting of all the facts," he said. Fairness and due process require nothing less."

Stephen Harper, the Conservative leader, responded: "How can we continue - politically, ethically or morally - to prop up a government that is under criminal investigation?"

Mr Harper has said that he will spend next week's parliamentary break considering whether to join the Bloc in introducing a no-confidence motion in the House of Commons. The two parties currently hold 153 out of 308 seats, but they may also find support among three independent MPs.

The left-of-centre New Democrats, with 19 seats, have offered to support the Liberals if they agree to backtrack on a corporate tax reduction included in the last budget, which is still awaiting parliamentary approval. The Liberals hold 132 seats.

If the opposition succeeds with a no-confidence motion, an election is likely to be held in late June, just a year after the last poll.

The opposition parties have been encouraged by polls showing a dramatic slide in Liberal support in recent weeks.

But while the Bloc Québécois is virtually assured of gains, an election would be a bigger gamble for the Conservatives.

Mr Harper, whose stronghold is in western Canada, has struggled to gain support in the vote-rich cities of southern Ontario. The Liberals will seek to portray a Conservative victory as a sure way of fuelling separatist sentiment in Quebec.

Meanwhile, the sponsorship affair has brought the normal work of parliament to a virtual halt, preventing the Liberals from pushing through key elements of their platform, including legalising same-sex marriage, decriminalising the possession of small amounts of marijuana and setting up a national child-care programm

[Betaille]

The conservatives need to call elections NOW. If they let him delay more, the Liberals natural majority will evenutally reunify.

[M. Espinola]

Agreed, as you state this is the best opportunity to secure an overdue victory away from the Liberals.

Conservative Party of Canada