Advisors to Prime Minister are convinced — and, as a result, are trying to convince us — that Canada will head to the polls in October. Here's some of the key dates affecting this potential timetable to an election: [Updated: Aug 26 @ 2140 Ottawa time]
- Aug. 26 – Prime Minister Stephen Harper holds morning press conference in Ottawa. Election talk expected to top the charts. Harper then jets north to the Arctic.
- Aug. 26 – Commons Heritage Committee scheduled to meet about funding cuts to the arts in Canada.
- Aug. 27 – Harper in the Arctic; Layton in Denver with the Dems
- Aug. 27 – Commons subcommittee on Oil and Gas and other energy prices scheduled to meet.
- Aug. 28 – Harper in the Arctic; Layton in Denver with the Dems
- Aug. 29 – Harper and Layton return to Ottawa.
- Sept. 1 – Labour Day
- Sept. 2 – Liberal national caucus meets in Winnipeg
- Sept. 3 – Liberal national caucus meeting in Winnipeg
- Sept. 3 – NDP national caucus meets in Hamilton.
- Sept. 4 – Earliest date Governor General Michaelle Jean heads to Beijing for Paralympics.
- Sept. 4 – Ont. Lieutenant Governor David Onley heads to Beijing for Paralympics
- Sept. 4 – Liberal national caucus ends meetings in Winnipeg.
- Sept. 4 – NDP national caucus continues meetings in Hamilton.
- Sept. 5 – Earliest date BQ Leader Gilles Duceppe is available to meet with Harper.
- Sept. 5 – Earliest date floated by PMO for a general election campaign to being.
- Sept. 5 – Latest date Governor General Michaelle Jean heads to Beijing for Paralympics.
- Sept. 5 – NDP national caucus ends meetings in Hamilton.
- Sept. 6 – Governor General Michaelle Jean in Beijing for Paralympics.
- Sept. 7 – Latest date Duceppe is available for a meeting with Harper.
- Sept. 7 – Governor General Michaelle Jean in Beijing for Paralympics.
- Sept. 8 – Byelections to be held in Guelph, Westmount, and St. Lambert.
- Sept. 8 – Governor General Michaelle Jean in Beijing for Paralympics.
- Sept. 9 – Governor General Michaelle Jean in Beijing for Paralympics.
- Sept. 9 – First date proposed by Dion for meeting with Harper.
- Sept. 10 – Governor General Michaelle Jean in Beijing for Paralympics.
- Sept. 11 – Governor General Michaelle Jean back in Ottawa (and ready to dissolve Parliament, if need be.)
- Sept. 15 – House of Commons resumes sitting.
- Oct. 13 – Thanksgiving
- Oct. 14 – Tentative release date for Julie Couillard's autobiography, a potential danger zone for Conservatives depending on what new things she has to say about Maxime Bernier and others.
- Oct. 14 – Possible general election date.
- Oct. 20 – Possible general election date.
Here's one you missed :
“22 August 2008
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will represent Canada at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, to be held on September 6, 2008.”
This means she would have to leave Canada on the 4th or 5th at the latest. Would this have anything to do with the dates Duceppe suggests for a meeting ????
Yes, of course, jad. Thanks for that reminder. It's now added in there. I called the GG's office today. She must be in Beijing on Sept. 6 which means she needs to leave Ottawa on Sept 5 at the latest. Her office says she may even leave on the 4th.
Got another one for you – Liberal Caucus in Winnipeg, September 2 – 4.
And then there is this :
“August 26, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that His Honour the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will represent Canada at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, to be held on September 6, 2008. ”
Curiouser and curiouser ….
Great “question” at the PC David
Question how many people do you know are “dying of eating ham sandwiches??”
Question
Even though BOTH Harper and Dion can force an election anytime in a minority parliament, how come ONLY Harper is asked why he may not respect the “fixed election date” and Dion is never asked why he won't “respect” the fixed election date even though he voted for it and earlier when the liberals where desperate to avoid an election Ralf Goodale begged the PM to pass the legislation.
Isn't it curious only Harper is being questioned about not respecting the fixed election date legislation and Dion is NEVER asked why he DOES NOT respect the legislation that he voted for and agreed too??
Just askin