Canadian election set for May 2; fifth in 10 years

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   By Jim Fox

   Vote-weary Canadians will be going to the polls on May 2 for the fifth time in 10 years after Prime Minister Stephen Harper's minority Conservative government was ousted in a non-confidence vote in the House of Commons.

   Unhappy over the federal budget announced on Tuesday and allegations the Conservatives have been in contempt of Parliament, the opposition parties joined to overthrow the government and force an election.

   In Canada's parliamentary system, an election must be held if the elected politicians succeed in outvoting the ruling government on a major bill or for non-confidence.

Canadians could be headed to the polls in May

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canadians could be electing a new government as early as May as opposition parties portray the minority government as unethical and undemocratic.

   It could be that the opposition has finally found an issue to overthrow the government: the possibility that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives might be in contempt of Parliament.

   Led by the Liberals, opposition politicians are attacking the government for its autocratic actions and ethics, while a parliamentary committee is urging the passing of a motion to find the Conservatives in contempt.