That means parties must now brace for the prospect of one of the longest – and costliest – election campaigns in recent Canadian political history. With strip mall rents in Toronto running around $3,000 a month, some would-be MPs are budgeting an additional $5,000 to pay landlords.
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In past election campaigns, the federal Conservatives were fond of scheduling their events early in the day, hoping to set the agenda and force everyone else to talk about their policy pronouncements. That is now out the door as there will be higher costs for staff, longer leases for returning offices, telephones, internet and the like.
By all indications, the prime minister is poised pay a visit to Governor General David Johnston to ask that Parliament be dissolved, kicking off what promises to be a long, hot lead-up to the October 19 federal election.
The kickoff of the election has been the subject of much speculation, with some hypothesizing that Harper will call for an election early in order to bankrupt his opponents, who have raised less money than the Conservative Party.
Federal law requires campaigns to be at least 37 days long, but does not stipulate a maximum duration.
– Due to legislation passed last year by the Harper government, campaign spending limits for parties and candidates will increase by 1/37th for every day longer than 37 days.
Elections Canada estimates that a typical 37-day campaign would cost roughly $375 million to administer.
– The tradition of holding two televised leaders’ debates, the pivotal point of modern election campaigns, will not apply this time. Two Conservative sources said Harper would address the rally.
Amidst churning rumours that the election could be called as early as this weekend, Engage Canada, a political group run by Liberal and NDP supporters and funded in part by union money, has launched yet another anti-Harper ad.
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Unifor economists Jim Stanford and Jordan Brennan tracked government performance from 1946 to 2014 for the report, Rhetoric and Reality: Evaluating Canada’s Economic Record Under the Harper Government. A person can attest for only one other person.
