Conservative Lead in Upcoming Canada Election May Bode Well -- Or Not
by Chad Groening
June 22, 2004
(AgapePress) - A Canadian pro-family activist says even if his country elects a conservative prime minister later this month, the new leader will not be effective unless the conservatives win a majority in Parliament.Brian Rushfeldt is co-founder and executive director of the Canada Family Action Coalition (CFAC). While he is encouraged by recent polls that have shown a slight conservative lead for the first time in more than a decade, he recognizes it as a mere plurality advantage.
But as the Liberals slip in the polls and Canada faces the possibility of its first minority government since 1980, Rushfeldt notes that such a win would not be without disadvantages. "If we don't have a conservative majority government we are in trouble up here," he says, "because the Bloc Québécois Party, the NDP [New Democratic Party], and the Liberal Party are all very liberal and socialist in their political ideology."
Although the slight conservative lead at present means Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper has a good chance of becoming Canada's next prime minister, Rushfedt notes that this may not be enough to solve the party's problems. He says unless the conservatives can win a clear majority of seats in Parliament, it will be difficult for Harper's administration to get much done.
"When you have a minority conservative government, they really will be hamstrung," Rushfeldt says. "There will be nothing they will be able to do unless they cater and cave in to a lot of the socialist stuff from those other three parties. So, clearly, up here there's a danger of a minority government, for sure."
And due to a bizarre Canadian law, the CFAC spokesman points out, there is another danger. In the event of a minority electoral decision in favor of Harper, he still might not be allowed to become prime minister.
"The Governor General, which is the queen's representative, actually can override the decision if its a minority, and declare another minority a government," Rushfeldt says.
CFAC has worked to mobilize awareness and large-scale public response on a number of pro-family issues affecting Canadians and has also managed to influence some government policy changes. According to the group, its "number one priority" right now is to help Canadian citizens elect a pro-family government in the upcoming federal election on June 28.
