Top > World > 2006 > January > 2006-01-15

Conservatives Boost Lead in Canada

Striking an ominous tone with a militant drumbeat, a campaign ad airing in Canada recently warns that the election of Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper "would bring a smile to George W. Bush`s face." Another warns "Mr. Harper, the United States is our neighbor, not our nation." The Conservatives, who have been out of power for 12 years, have traditionally favored closer ties to U.S. administrations.

Behind in the polls just two weeks before a parliamentary election, the Liberal Party led by Prime Minister Paul Martin, this week brought what - in Canadian politics - is a most damning indictment: Martin`s opponent is too close to the Americans. After Christmas, the Conservatives, the main opposition, jumped suddenly from behind and now lead the Liberals by 10 percentage points, 38 to 28 percent.

"I understand political expediency," U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins said last month of the anti-American potshots in the campaign. "But the last time I looked, the United States was not on the ballot." In any case, the ads could backfire if seen as desperate. For instance, Mr. Martin`s party quickly withdrew one ad that focused on a proposal by Harper to station Canadian troops closer to cities to help with national disasters and emergencies. 5