Harper, Duceppe call for quick election

To no one's surprise, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and Bloc Québécois' Leader Gilles Duceppe are calling for a quick federal election. Their cry is in response to the release of the first part of Justice John Gomery's report on the sponsorship scandal.

Gomery laid the bulk of blame on officials in former Prime Minister Jean Chretien's office and cleared current Prime Minister Paul Martin of responsibility. Martin's opponents feel differently about his role.

Martin has forwarded the Gomery Report to the RCMP for further investigation and moved to expel 10 people from the Liberal party. Speaking to reporters hours after the report was released, Martin pledged that the Liberal Party will repay $1.14 million that had been diverted to its Quebec wing through the sponsorship program.

Whether an election will be called lays at the feet of NDP Leader Jack Layton. Canada is currently in a minority government with the Liberals in charge in a coalition with the NDP.

To refresh your memory (or educate you for the first time), when an election is called, there is a 5-week campaign period. That would put the election around Christmas, which would likely backfire on those calling for the election, namely Harper.

Martin has said he will call for an election 30 days after Gomery's final report comes out. That would place an election in late winter or so. Winter elections are often problematic, given the terrain that must be covered in the campaign, and the subsequent weather.