The big, electoral elephant in the room.

Ottawa, we have a problem.

Is it just me or is the prospect of a summer election a terrible, terrible idea? For everyone. All politicians, all parties, all voters, all non-voters and all Canadians in general.

But let's back up. How is it possible that less than a year has gone by since our last federal election and already we are facing the possibility of again going to the polls? Our last federal election came only two years after the 2006 election during which the Tories finally got their minority reign of terror - excuse me - government. The Liberals choice of leader backfired big time because the party became more fragmented and barely able to come to inter-party decisions, let alone be an effective opposition for Harper's conservatives. (Not to mention Harper could bully wee Stephane in the house as much as he pleased without really fearing for a witty English comeback. Admittedly, French debates were another story). Dismayed enough with another election and having to chose the "lesser of evils" (as opposed to the best party for the job), Canadians' apathy towards the politics of their own nation worsened. Millions of dollars were spent on an election which ultimately succeeded only in annoying Canadians - to the point of a records low voter turn out - and in giving Harper's conservatives a slightly larger minority government. But at the end of the day, nothing had seemed to change much in the eyes of most Canadians - money was being spent, paper was being wasted, and all the same major players were, instead of explaining why they were best, crying out on why their opponents were worse.

So, Dion makes arguably his best move since becoming Liberal leader and exits stage right, where Michael Ignatieff enters stage left as interim leader and eventually is chosen by Liberal party members as the official new leader. Oh yeah, and something exciting happened in there and Canadians cared about politics briefly but then Mr. Harper decided to prorogue parliament and we forgot all about it. Now, at first glance, Ignatieff seems almost nightmarish to oppose Stephen Harper. He is well spoken in English and in French (except for that pesky Parisian accent, tisk tisk) - almost too well spoken, often coming off as arrogant and elitist - his presence on the Canadian scene was certainly lacking considering he taught at various Ivy League and prestigious universities for several decades abroad. He is involved in artistic endeavors, he is MP for a relatively affluent neighborhood in Toronto (the horror!) and he is not particularly public about his religious affiliations - though he is Russian Orthodox. He is Harper's anti-Christ. And that is exactly why he is the most suitable leading opposition to the Tories, because it came a time to fight fire with fire. Harper is notorious for his slander attacks and for a strict control of his cabinet and Dion simply did not have the presence to stand up to the constant barrage of finger pointing and mud slinging Harper and his ministers (when they are allowed to speak) are best at. Mr. Ignatieff - Intelligent? Certainly. Arrogant? Maybe. Capable of effectively opposing Harper on the floor? Definitely. It seems to take a lot more to fluster Ignatieff than just accusations and constant references to past Liberal failure. And in a way, that is where his similarity with Harper lies. Because, whether you love him or hate him, Stephen Harper can hold his own on the floor in parliament. He is almost non-chalant about responding to opposing party accusations (particularly when they are made by Layton and the NDP). So here we find Canadians in an interesting position. Because Canadians are getting sick of Harper's slander campaigns, of the Tories deficits and broken promises and of constant cabinet shuffles which make our heads spin.
Now, amidst heated debate over EI, our national deficit (Thanks Flaherty, stand up job as always) and a case of the forgetful ministers' aides, it seems that Ignatieff is in a "tough spot" on whether or not to bring down the Canadian Federal parliament and call an election. Most Canadians, if polled, would say NO MORE ELECTIONS, STOP WASTING OUR MONEY! And rightly so. The incredible amounts of money it takes to put on elections and run campaigns is staggering and could easily be put towards something, ANYTHING but another election! But, Ignatieff insists that the Tories are leaving him little option despite his efforts to create a cohesive government that can make real decisions to help the average Canadian.

The problem is no one is playing grown-up here. The House has become so bitter that instead of deciding what can get done together, it is a constant battle on what cannot get done and how it is everyone else's fault. No one in any party is ever held accountable for anything and as such there is constant ammunition from all sides to point out the inefficiencies of one another.

Enough is enough. This aforesaid summer election would be a terrible idea. You think voter turn out was low in the fall? Try having on mid-July during cottage season. It seems that the idea is so petrifying, most Canadians are acting like it isn't going to happen. Like a sort of national denial, where everyone complains about the government but refuses to consider the distinct possibility that we might actually be going to the polls again for the third time in three years. Denial ain't just a river in Egpyt, it is a political mentality in Canada.
And so, if an election is called? As Russell Peters would say, Somebody's gonna get a hurt real bad.

What Canada does not need is another election. Unless we completely restructure our governmental system, we need to make our Parliament work. There will be a perpetual minority government as long as the parties continue to bicker with each other and instill hopelessness in the hearts of Canadians. The parties need to work together by compromise, negotiation, discussion and most importantly action. Voter confidences needs to be restored and money can be best saved and put towards our economy during this recession. At the very least, parties need to tell us why they are going to do what we need them to - NOT why other parties are not going to do it. Canadians too need to shed their apathy towards politics and speak up, make our voices heard. This is what we want and this is why we do not want an election.

And so we wait with baited breath in hopes of avoiding another election... but ultimately only time and the decisions of our policy makers will tell whether or not we hit the polls in the summer heat. And if this is the case? Vote. That is all there is to it.