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ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Tea leaves point to fall federal election, Liberal majority

Jul 14, 2021 | 4:00 AM

SUDDENLY, A FEDERAL ELECTION is very much a topic of conversation. Oh, we’d always had our suspicions that we’d have to go to the polls again this fall, but it’s a near-certainty now.

In Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding, the parties are getting into campaign mode. The NDP has already confirmed its candidate, the Conservatives have several would-be replacements for retiring MP Cathy McLeod, and there’s chatter about the Liberal nomination. The Greens will come up with somebody and even the People’s Party of Canada has a candidate ready to go.

And the signs — no pun intended — are everywhere on the federal scene. Justin Trudeau is handing out money for major infrastructure projects and programs and he’s shaven off his beard and gotten a haircut. A clean-cut image is much better for the campaign trail. Other party leaders are sounding more and more resigned to having to fight an election this year, which isn’t necessarily a good thing from their point of view. The federal NDP, though clearly tired of propping up the minority Liberals, still aren’t ready to fight another election. Conservative leader Erin O’Toole has yet to establish himself as a credible alternative, and the Greens are imploding.

For Trudeau, the timing couldn’t be better. The country is coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, business is open again, and Canadians are feeling better about the future.

Despite all his political troubles, Trudeau remains surprisingly popular. Though a new one could pop up any second, the scandals that have plagued him are fading from the Canadian consciousness.

A new Angus Reid Institute poll released yesterday showed voters will place high importance on green energy and stopping climate change. With the Tories stumbling over the carbon pricing issue, this is great news for the Liberals.

So, count on a federal election being called for September or October, two years earlier than the scheduled date. And the prospects for a Liberal majority are strong.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.