Rumours are running rampant in Ottawa that Stephen Harper could dissolve parliament as early as this weekend.
That would make the upcoming election the longest in modern history, something that prompted fire from National Finance Critic and NDP MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley, Nathan Cullen.
“This is absolutely hubris and will actually cost Canadian taxpayers tens of millions of dollars more just to run the election. Simply because Mr Harper wants in that way.”
“He can make it as long as he wants, we will fight him coast to coast to coast… People are probably already sick of the Conservative ads, well they should hang onto their hats because its about to get much worse.”
Previous elections had set spending limits regardless of their length, but new Conservative legislation passed last year changes things.
By law, elections have to be 37 days long at a minimum, with a party spending limit set at $25M. Now, for every day over 37 days that parliament is dissolved, each party will see their limit raised 1/37th, or $675,000.
Individual candidates will also get an extra $2,700 a day added to their limit as well, setting the stage for the most expensive election in modern Canadian history.