Xanthippa's Chamberpot

Here, in Canada, we are likely to have an election soon.  How do I know?

Yesterday, a nice looking gentleman knocked on my door and introduced himself as a candidate in my riding.  Since no election has indeed been called yet, I asked him:  

‘A candidate in what?’ 

He replied:  ‘For the Liberal Party’.

To explain: the sitting Prime Minister (PM) is presiding over a minority  Conservative government.  That means that he cannot pass legislation unless some of the oposition parties – like the Liberal Party, the New Democratic Party, Block Quebecois or the Green Party.  The PM is claiming he might have to ask the Governor General to disolve the Parliament and call an election, because the oposition parties are not willing to talk – and so the legislature is at a stalemate.

The Opposition Leader and head of the Liberal Party, Stephane Dion, is claiming that calling an election now would be prepostrous, that things are working just fine and that no election is necessary.  In fact, he claims that calling an election would be just the PMs whim!  Nobody, according to Mr. Dion, wants or needs an election now – except Mr. Harper, the PM.

OK, so this is the situation: 

• the Liberals claim they don’t want an election and say we don’t need one 
• no election had been called
• a Liberal candidate is knocking on my door

Which is why I had asked him ‘A candidate in WHAT’?

….he was equally as swift on the uptake during the rest of our conversation.  And, yes, I pick on all political candidates, without regard to party, age, sex, and so on.  Most have learned to avoid my door.  This guy was new, I guess.

So, why are the Liberal candidates ‘hitting the streets’ if they are all so convinced there is no need for an election?