It appears that Canada is headed for an election on October 14 and many are speculating that Obama's coat tails are the reason for the quick trip to the polls by your northern neighbours.
You see, Canadians should not be heading to the polls until October, 2009. In May, 2007, the Canadian Parliament passed the Fixed Election Date Act that should have prevented election calls that are purely politically motivated.
From
http://canadaonline.about.com/...
The Fixed Election Dates Act establishes fixed election dates for Canadian federal elections every four years, except when a government loses a vote on a non-confidence motion, in which case an election would be held immediately.
The Conservative Government of Canada has not lost a vote of non-confidence. Instead, our minority Conservative Government are about to force us into an early election because of their fear that Obama's popularity will spill over into Canada and influence the popularity of the Liberal Party of Canada and its leader Stephane Dion.
http://tvnz.co.nz/...
Some pundits have suggested that Harper might want to get the Canadian vote out of the way before the US presidential election, to avoid the possibility that a victory by Democrat Barack Obama might have coattail effects for Dion.
Conservatives in Canada are, of course, dismissing such an idea.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/...
The Tories dismissed any speculation they are going to the polls early to prevent a bump for the Liberals if Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama wins the election in the United States.
"I've met Stéphane Dion and he's no Barack Obama," said the PMO staffer."
There is no doubt in the minds of many of us in Canada that Harper is calling a quick election to avoid an Obama effect. It is impressive to see what an influence your future President is already having on international affairs.