CANADA: Canadian political leaders yesterday made one last cross-country dash on the eve of an election expected to end 12 years of Liberal rule, move Canada to the right and improve ties with the United States.
"This country has the opportunity of electing a new government, to bring the country together, east and west, English and French, city and farm, new Canadians and old. Only one party can do it," Conservative leader Stephen Harper told a morning rally yesterday.
Polls predict that the Conservatives will win today's election but fall short of capturing a majority of the 308 seats in parliament, leaving them dependent on other parties.
The result would be a minority government that analysts say is likely to be short-lived. It is the second election in just 18 months and the third since late 2000.
The centrist Liberals - who took power in late 1993 - campaigned on their fiscal record, reminding people the economy was booming and trying to portray Stephen Harper as an extremist who wanted to scrap freedoms such as gay marriage and abortion.
But prime minister Paul Martin seems likely to fall victim to voter fatigue with the Liberals and a major kickback scandal that hit his government shortly after he took power in December 2003.
"Only a new government can turn the page on the past 13 years of scandal and inaction and get on with addressing the real concerns of ordinary working people," Mr Harper said.
The Conservative leader then flew west for appearances in Manitoba and British Columbia, where Mr Martin began his day before crossing the country back to his home province of Quebec.
If Mr Harper wins, it will be his reward for uniting Canada's two fractious right-wing parties at the end of 2003 and creating the Conservative Party.
Mr Harper would be the first prime minister to have spent most of his life in the conservative Western province of Alberta. He promises to cut taxes, clamp down on crime, boost defence spending and gradually transfer power from the federal government in Ottawa to Canada's 10 provinces. He also wants to ease tensions with Washington.
Paul Martin has consistently attacked the United States over a trade dispute involving exports of softwood lumber and often says Canada must shun what he calls "American-style" health care.
He insists the Liberals can still carry off what would be their fifth consecutive election victory.