Canadian PM fends attacks in debate - San Jose Mercury News

Print email police resizeBy does ROB GILLIES associated with PressPosted: 12/04/2011 06: 45: 51 PM PDTUpdated: 12/04/2011 07: 46: 38 PM PDT
Click on photo to enlarge Prime Minister Stephen Harper, left, shakes hands with the leader of the Bloc Québécois Gilles Duceppe, right, as Jack Layton, leader of the new Democratic Party, left, and and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, look at suite he English-language federal election debate in OttawaCanada Tuesday, April 12, 2011. TORONTO - the leaders of four political parties of the Canada clashed in the first debate Tuesday before a federal election next month, with Prime Minister Stephen Harper repel attacks and asking Canadians to a majority government.

Analysts say Michael Ignatieff, Liberal leader of the main opposition needed a strong showing for a chance in the election on May 2. Ignatieff did not shake Harper and he stumbled on its lines prepared.

Polls say that Harper looks set for a third term. This time he asked voters to give him a majority in the House of Commons of 308-Member; He avoided that earlier, wary of being accused of scope of right.

Harper said Canada should focus on the economy and did not need "quarrel" seen in the debate. It is the fourth election in four years, which reflects the failure of the two main parties to obtain a parliamentary majority and leaving successive Governments depend on the voice of the opposition to stay in power.

"We are asking - in an election, we wanted, in a Canadian election did not want that - we are asking Canadians to make a decision: do you want to have this kind of bickering, you want to have another election in two years." Or you want to focus on the economy? Harper said research directly into the camera.

Ignatieff replied: "this is not bickering, Mr. Harper." It is democracy. ?

Accused Ignatieff that Harper did not win the right to a majority because it does not meet.

democratic institutions. He called Harper "a man who will close something, he cannot control."

Harper stirred controversy by suspending the Parliament temporarily and was condemned for failing to inform the Agency fully on essential financial decisions. These issues and its determination to reduce the corporate tax led to queries which brought down his Government and forced the current election.

As Prime Minister, Harper won two elections in a row. Despite the Commander never a majority in Parliament, he was able to move instinctively liberal countries ever more right.

Harper, 51, has progressively lowered taxes of sales and business, an increase in spending on the military and given priority to sovereignty in the Arctic.

Ignatieff, 63, is one of the intellectuals of the Canada: a writer, historian and a TV in the regular Panel in Britain before entering politics. Repeated announcements conservative attack painted Ignatieff of outsider who spent 30 years outside the Canada.

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