Tidbits from the election

There is so much to write about, but I have a few notebook items. For those who aren't familiar with a journalism beat, notebook items are tidbits of observation that don't fit neatly into an article.

-- The voting turnout was a bit higher than in 2004, but nowhere near what it has been. Cynicism of the last few cycles doesn't help voter turnout. The Canadian people really seem to not want another election soon. The best way to do this, of course, is to elect a majority.

-- Jack Layton and Olivia Chow are the second husband-wife combo in the House of Commons. Chow had tried before twice to get in before winning. Canadian law allows you to run in a different riding that you live in.

-- In the last government, Liberals had at least 1 MP in every province and territory. This time, the Liberals were shutout in Alberta and Western Arctic in the Northwest Territories. The Conservatives were only shutout in Prince Edward Island, the Yukon, and Nunavut (each territory only has 1 MP).

-- Belinda Stronach and Michael Ignatieff won their seats for the Liberals. Stronach ran her first race since switching from the Conservatives. Well, she does know what is like to be a back-bencher. Ignatieff, who can be described as controversial, won his first race. Both Stronach and Ignatieff are considered possibilities for a new Liberal Party leader.

-- Stronach and Ignatieff are just two names being brandied to replace Paul Martin. Other major names include Martin Cauchon, John Manley, Maurizio Bevilacqua, and Frank McKenna. The former New Brunswick Liberal premier, McKenna currently serves as ambassador to the U.S. If McKenna is serious, being ambassador puts Harper in a bad spot, since Harper has to work with McKenna.

-- Top Liberal Party leaders who lost on Monday include Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan (Edmonton) and House Leader Tony Valeri (Hamilton). These are just some of the other possible names. The Liberals haven't really had this issue of picking a leader since 1968. The party will try to pick someone who can unite the Chretien wing and the Martin wing. The Conservatives (Kim Campbell) and NDP (Alexa McDonough) have had women at the top of their party, but the Liberals haven't done so to this point. That could change soon.

-- There is surprise that the Bloc Quebecois did not do better, especially with a huge amount of momentum. Losing 3 seats did not help them. It does remain to be seen what the Bloc can do in this new Parliament. Everyone is surprised that the Bloc lost seats to the Conservatives.

-- And finally, on a lighter note, Harper's two children, Ben (9) and Rachel (7) will be the first children living at 24 Sussex Drive since the 1980s. One interesting note to American readers who would not expect this (for the most part) in America, but Harper's wife, Laureen Teskey, keeps her maiden name. In Canada, even in Western Canada, it doesn't seem to be much of an issue.