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Speak Up

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said one thing last week that more and more Canadians would agree with - it is time for an election.

Harper urged Liberal leader Stephane Dion to "fish or cut bait" at the wrap-up of a two-day Conservative caucus meeting, challenging the Liberals to defeat the Conservatives on a confidence motion in the House of Commons this fall. That move would defeat the government and trigger an election. If Stephen Harper doesn't have enough intestinal fortitude to pull the plug, Stephane Dion should do just that.

Canadians are tired of watching the leaders of Canada's top political parties play House of Commons chicken: "Do this or I'll call an election, taunts Harper; "Back off on this stance or we will force an election," crows Dionne in countless press conferences on Parliament Hill.

Both leaders seem to have lost sight that Canadian voters are the ones who decided to keep a tight leash on the Conservatives by electing a minority government in January 2006. The message was clear - voters didn't want to reward Liberals and their scandalous behavior while in power, but Canadians weren't certain about some of the Conservative far-right attitudes. For more than two years this newspaper has published editorials urging these politicians to work together and develop joint policy that would appeal to the vast majority of Canadians who inhabit the political centre.

No more. Like two belligerent teenagers in the back of the family mini-van, Harper and Dion deserve more than a time out. The two parties and their leaders are polar opposites, but as poll after poll shows, Canadians are equally split on who they support. If an election was called tomorrow, both sides would have to pull out all the stops to court voters and win the right to govern.

There certainly are lots of issues to debate. Canadians are spooked by sky-high oil prices and worried about the slowing economy. An election would give both parties a chance to clarify their stance on tackling the climate issue and how they can help Canadians conserve energy.

The Liberals have already outlined their carbon tax proposal and how they would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by slashing income taxes and replacing that with a carbon tax. The Conservatives have extensively attacked the Liberal carbon tax policy, but have come up short on their own concrete plans to battle climate change. Wooing voters at the polls would encourage both parties to present and defend their ideas before the public.

There are numerous issues that should spark spirited debate in Canada, like the high costs of food as valuable agricultural commodities are diverted to fuel; the diminishing influence of rural Canada as the country becomes increasingly urbanized; the national obesity rate; or the ongoing forestry crisis.

Facing a cranky public might give some of our political hopefuls a wakeup call on what really is important to the average voter.