Election Fever

Who would have thought there would be so many surprises coming from the federal election campaign. When the Conservative government fell and an election was called, it looked like it was going to be a useless election and that the status quo would remain.

Now with the election coming up on Monday, things are looking different. Depending on what polls you believe, the Harper government could be pushing towards its first majority government or falling short of the 155 seats needed. Either way, the Conservatives aren't losing this election.

The big surprise is the contrasting fortunes of the Liberals and the NDP. Iggy and the Liberals haven't seemed to connect with Canadians and that disconnect has seen them drop to a distant third in the polls. Steven Harper's dream of the destruction of the Liberals as a centrist-political force might be coming true.

On the other hand, Jack Layton and the NDP have risen like a phoenix. Layton is riding a surge of personal popularity in Quebec. This has translated right across the country. Smilin' Jack seems to have finally broken through.

For an election that people were decrying as a farce and useless, things are starting to get interesting. Canada could be changing in some fundamental ways after this election.

Monday will be an interesting day to see how it all plays out.