Conservative Party Wins Canadian Election

[CHIMO]

In Canada, the ruling Liberal government has been voted out of office after 12 years in power. The Conservative Party's Stephen Harper will be the country's next Prime Minister. "I just telephoned Steven Harper and I offered him my congratulations. The people of Canada have chosen him to lead a minority government. I wish him the best. We differ on many things, but we all share a belief in the potential and the promise of Canada, and the desire in our country to succeed," said Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin. Several analysts called the Conservatives' election less a signal of a rightward tilt in Canadian society than a reflection of general frustration against the ruling Liberal party. The Liberals have caught headlines for a series of government corruption scandals. Conservative Party leader Stephen Harper later spoke last night. "One of the oldest and most enduring Canadian values is democracy. The principle that we can change our government without risking our freedom and our lives," Harper said. "Despite the divisions and discords of an election, the ability to peacefully change and renew our nation's leadership remains one of our countries great strengths." Harper has said he'll reconsider Canada's refusal to join the US' ballistic missile shield program and its signatory status to the Kyoto accords. But Harper's powers will be limited, however, by his party's failure to secure a majority government. Among the high-profile government officials with the ruling Liberal government to lose their seats was Canada's Foreign Minister, Pierre Pettigrew. Pettigrew lost his seat representing Montreal following an unprecedented campaign from members of the city's Haitian community against his re-election. As Foreign Minister, Pettigrew led Canadian policy in Haiti. The Canadian government has come under increased scrutiny amid criticisms it backed the overthrow of Haitian President Jean Bertrand-Aristide and has supported human rights abuses committed by the Haitian National Police.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/24/1516246