Unless a scandal of epic proportions envelops Canada鈥檚 Conservative government, there will be a spring election.You don鈥檛 have to be a government insider or the Oracle of Delphi to interpret the unmistakable signs.The Tories began running attack ads weeks ago, dusting off slick television presentations they鈥檝e used in the past to portray Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff as a dilettante Canadian.The tone changed recently to present Stephen Harper as a stately prime minister, burning the midnight oil on behalf of all Canadians.Actual signs have appeared in the Comox Valley and no doubt in many ridings across the country trumpeting the federal government鈥檚 economic "action plan" that contributed to Cliffe Avenue roadwork, for example.Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan has been handing out cash (i.e. to Natural Pastures Cheese) and has been raising his profile in his cabinet post as minister of Indian affairs and northern development.Other parties see the signs, too.The NDP is scrambling to choose a candidate after former Vancouver Island North MP Catherine Bell announced recently she would concentrate on running her Courtenay business.Former NDP premier and current federal Opposition health critic Ujjal Dosanjh was in Courtenay on Wednesday to speak at a fundraising dinner. Dosanjh's visit was undoubtedly to boost Vancouver Island North Liberal candidate Mike Holland.As a credible candidate, Holland will change the riding dynamic from the 2008 election in which Duncan wrested the seat back from Bell as the Liberal candidate was a non-factor.Will Harper really ignore his own fixed election date legislation, doing a Chr茅tien and calling an early election for a second straight time?Media speculation predicts an election May 2 or 9 after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty produces a budget March 22 and the minority government loses a confidence vote days later.Here we go again.editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
