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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, capital of Canada, September 7, 2008. Harper on Sunday announced that the 39th Parliament has been dissolved and an election will be held on October 14. [Yang Shilong/Xinhua] |
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Sunday announced that the 39th Parliament has been dissolved and an election will be held on October 14.
Harper made the announcement after meeting Governor General Michaelle Jean, who holds the ceremonial power to dissolve Parliament.
"Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble," Harper said at a press conference at the Governor General's residence in Ottawa.
"They will choose between direction or uncertainty; between common sense or risky experiments; between steadiness or recklessness."
Harper's minority Conservative government came to power in the January 2006 election following 12 straight years of Liberal rule. With only 127 seats in the 308-seat Parliament, it was Canada's longest parliamentary minority since the 1920s.
This will be Canada's third national ballot in the past four years. Recent polls have put the Conservatives at 38 percent of public support, short of the 40 percent needed for a majority government. Analysts said the election is very likely to result in another minority Conservative government. The Liberals only got 28 percent of support.
The Liberals occupied 95 seats in the House of Commons, Bloc Quebecois 48, the New Democrats 30 and Greens one. Three seats were held by independents, and four were vacant.
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Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, capital of Canada, Sept. 7, 2008. Harper on Sunday announced that the 39th Parliament has been dissolved and an election will be held on Oct. 14. [Yang Shilong/Xinhua] |
(Xinhua News Agency September 8, 2008)
