Canadian Elections Roundup
There are some new changes in Canada's political landscape.
Despite Canada's troubled economy, its Conservative Party won the national election earlier this month, but failed to win a majority in Parliament. The country is gearing up for its provincial elections, which could happen this year.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the election in hopes of winning a majority in the 308-seat parliament. The Conservative Party won 143 seats, up from 124 in the last election, while the Liberals were down to 76 from 103.
The Conservative Party's victory could mean fundamental changes for the Canada's Liberal Party. Almost a week after the election Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion today said he will quit the liberal leadership in May. Dion's decision leaves a vacancy in the party. A number of liberal candidates are expected to vie for the leadership position. The elections came as Canada, as well as the Northeast region, struggles to deal with several economic and fiscal issues, but is taking steps to boost its coffers.
Prime Minister Harper announced that the minority government would enact a six-point plan designed to address the country's troubled economy, for example. The plan includes holding a first ministers meeting to discuss the global financial crisis and summoning Parliament to meet in the fall and meeting with European Union leaders to discuss the economic crisis. But the Conservative Party victory and the change in the Liberal Party leadership were just the highlights of a busy two weeks in Canadian politics. In the province of Quebec, François Gendron was elected President of the National Assembly on Oct. 21. Gendron, a member of Party Quebecois, replaced Michel Bissonnet. Bissonnet was elected in September as mayor of Montreal's St. Léonard borough.
The National Assembly of Quebec is the name for the legislative body of the province of Quebec, Canada. Gendron was previously the Second Opposition Group critic for natural resources from April 25, 2007 to May 15, 2007. He was also the Second Opposition Group critic for public service, from Aug. 7, 2008 to Oct. 21, 2008. He graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of Quebec, Rouyn in 1976. Last week's elections are a prime example of how Eastern Canada is linked to the U.S. The eastern region exports wood to the U.S., but the financial troubles of both countries could hurt those exports, said MLA Paula Biggar. "I think it's going to be very important to keep the lines of communication out with the states as well," she said. "We are much intertwined. What happens with the U.S. economy does impact greatly." The Council of State Governments' Eastern Regional Conferences' Eastern Canadian Provinces Committee promotes constructive dialogue between U.S. state officials and their Canadian colleagues in Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island. The committee discusses issues such as border security and trade issues.
For the Canadian Federal elections in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, click here. | 
