Christmastime election?

It's difficult to know when an election is coming in the parliamentary system. However, it is a bit easier in a minority government. The current target is November 28, though that is subject to change.

Conventional wisdom is that nobody wants an election around Christmas and the New Year. Yet, the opposition is eager to get things started.

Prime Minister Paul Martin has repeated vowed he won't give in to opposition demands for an election in early January. Martin said he is sticking to his plan to call a vote after the second Gomery report into the sponsorship scandal, scheduled to be released in early February.

To be fair, his critics would tear into him for going back on a promise. So, for Martin's sake, he's better off staying where he is. If the other major three parties agree to push for an election, he won't have a say in it anyway.

There will be a federal election in Canada before the snow thaws -- that is a virtual guarantee. The question that needs to be asked is "Does an earlier election, specifically a Christmas election, help any of the parties wanting to be in charge?"

If the Liberals retain power, and maybe even pick up a few seats, the blame will be in the hands of the opposition for calling a holiday election.

Yes, it's only a 5-week election period. But the periods have been getting nastier, and that spirit will infiltrate the joyous season that is December. That is not a combination that will make potential voters happy.

The opposition parties need to put as much pressure on Martin as they can. But they would benefit on waiting, even after Christmas, to call for an election.

Whenever that election is called, Canadian Corner will be there to bring it to you.