FACTBOX: Issues in Canadian election campaign
(Reuters) - Here are profiles of the largest parties contesting Tuesday's general election in Canada.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY
- Led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, elected in January 2006 after more than 12 years of Liberal rule
- Had 127 of Parliament's 308 seats when election was called
- Emphasizes need for steady hand during financial turmoil, with only small spending and tax cut measures
- Has taken some steps to improve liquidity and promises to do whatever it takes to ease the credit crunch
- Advocates carbon emission limits on big industry but strongly opposes Liberal carbon tax plan
- Pushes crackdown on crime, including giving adult sentences to teen murderers and ending house arrest for serious crime
- Proposes to strengthen the military and do more to defend Arctic sovereignty
LIBERAL PARTY
- Led by former Cabinet minister and professor Stephane Dion
- Governed Canada from 1993-2006 and has run Canada more often than not throughout its history
- Had 95 seats when election was called
- Proposes carbon tax, accompanied by income tax cuts and subsidies for the poor
- Wants meeting with financial authorities within 30 days of taking office to see what can be done to combat market turbulence
- Would adhere to agreement to keep troops in Afghanistan till 2011 but does not rule out military spending cuts Continued...
Analysis
Karzai image in tatters
Just how far Hamid Karzai's reputation has fallen is summed up by a cartoon in the Economist, which shows the newly re-elected Afghan leader seated at a table -- between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Robert Mugabe. Full Article



