Memories of Banana Republic ...

Perhaps the posts were based on incorrectly worded news items. Perhaps we are on the eve of an election result that will compound the divisiveness that the Conservatives have fostered and encouraged in this campaign. Perhaps it is the waxing of the moon.

In any event, some progressive bloggers have let an unsavoury tone creep into their thinly veiled accusations about supposed irregularities that occurred around the control of advance polls by Elections Canada, in a specific riding in Québec.

Three Ballot Boxes From Advance Polls Missing In Quebec - Do we need independent observers?

Since when does Elections Canada ask or allow scrutineers from the competing political parties to take ballot boxes home with them overnight?? ...

We are NOT Zimbabwe ... at least not yet ...

Now, I might make a comment about how gracious it is that the rest of Canada allows Québecois people to vote in this election, if one were to judge by the comments made about this so-called fishy business. But I won't.

Line! Overheard during the 2008 federal election.

Gilles Duceppe is the leader of the Bloc Québecois. While many in the so-called RoC - rest of Canada - wonder what role (or political game) the BQ plays in Ottawa and in federal politics, Duceppe reminded me today how refreshing it can be to hear an outsider's perspective.

The so-called "In-and-Out" accounting practices of the Conservative Party during the last federal election, also known as Adscam, were in the process of being scrutinized by the House of Commons Ethics Committee during August. The behaviour of the Con MPs who attended this committe proceedings were observed and live-blogged by Kady O'Malley, a reporter for MacLean's. This issue is important for the BQ because it may involve high-profile Con candidates that Duceppe's party wants to defeat at the polls on October 14th and so Gilles raised it today, when he spoke in Trois-Rivières.

The 'money quote' (pun intended) was Duceppe's response to the Cons grumbling about keeping their eyes on Elections Canada this time. He likened that tactic to criminals who threaten to watch the police for illegal activity.

Meanwhile, in news that remain relevant to the election campaign even though released before the writ was dropped, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation calculated the cost of pre-election spending announcements made by Stephen Harper’s New™ government. Total amount of promised spending as of September 5, 2008: "$8.8-billion, roughly $94-million a day or about $3.9-million every hour ..."

Updated to add: Oh, I forgot to mention this other important money fact. When byelections are cancelled, all the candidates' expenses not covered by donations have to be reimbursed by Elections Canada. So taxpayers will be stuck with a bill for close to $3.5 million. Additionally this election will cost us about $300 million. Just saying.