ELECTION KICK-OFF HIGHLIGHTS TORY PREPARATIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 001177 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL CA SUBJECT: ELECTION KICK-OFF HIGHLIGHTS TORY PREPARATIONS REF: A. OTTAWA 1171 (Canada Calls Election) ¶B. OTTAWA 632 (Election Preparations) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Prime Minister Harper called a federal election on September 7 for voting ON October 14 (Ref A). Harper emphasized continuity and stability in his first message to voters. Dion branded Harper an extremist. Although Harper signaled the date at least a week in advance -- and most observers have been expecting a fall election for months -- not all the parties appeared equally ready. The Liberals, particularly, experienced opening logistical snafus. The Conservatives have the advantage of incumbency and a well-oiled campaign machine that has been in a high state of readiness for at least a year. End summary ¶2. (SBU) PM Harper kicked-off the Conservative national campaign directly after receiving the Governor General's consent to national elections. Harper delivered a message that underscored continuity and stability, and warned that Liberal leader Stephane Dion was "not worth the risk." After the launch, Harper made his first campaign stop in Quebec City, confirming media reports that the Conservatives will make a big push in Quebec, hoping to build ON the ten seats they won in the Quebec City region in 2006. Harper moved ON to British Columbia and Saskatchewan today to campaign in Liberal-held ridings in suburban Vancouver and Regina, Conservative officials told media, to reinforce the message that the party is ON the offensive. Liberals Offer Stark Choice -------------- ¶3. (U) In contrast to Harper's message of stability, Liberal leader Stephane Dion framed the election as a "stark choice" between his "richer, fairer, greener" Canada and what he called "the most conservative government in our history." He made a direct appeal to Quebecers, underlining his identity as one of them. He vowed to wage an aggressive campaign and railed against "distorted" Conservative attack ads. He admitted to reporters--for the first time--to a hearing disability that he said hampered his English speaking and contributed to his communication difficulties. Dion's campaign START was low-key. His official plane will not be ready until September 10, limiting him to events in Ottawa and Montreal that can be reached by campaign bus. Moreover, he was ON the defensive from media inquiries over his "green" campaign's use of a gas-guzzling Boeing 737. (The Conservatives have had their more fuel efficient Airbus ON retainer since 2004 and the NDP beat the Liberals to Air Canada's only other spare.) ¶4. (U) NDP leader Jack Layton ignored his other opponents and focused exclusively ON the Conservatives, saying he is running to be PM. The tactic is a change for the NDP which traditionally seeks to exert influence, rather than wield power. Layton's first campaign stops will take him to western and northern Canada. Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe appealed to Quebecers to vote Bloc to stave off a Conservative majority government. Duceppe said the Conservatives were extreme and out of step with Quebec values. After his campaign launch in Montreal, he moved to rural Quebec and Trois Rivieres, where party leaders say they need to shore up support. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May portrayed herself as a populist non-politician, and as agent of change, "hope and optimism." Tory War Room's Disciplined Operation -------------- ¶5. (U) Operating from their high-tech "war room" in Ottawa (Ref B), Conservative officials said they will FOLLOW the same formula for every day of the campaign: a 06:00 EST daily policy announcement or Qevery day of the campaign: a 06:00 EST daily policy announcement or briefing by Conservatives MPs, events by PM Harper to reinforce the message, followed by an evening rally. The pattern repeats the Conservatives' successful policy-a-day tactic in the 2006 campaign. However, some media outlets are reportedly balking at taking live video feed from the Conservative war room due to conflict of interest concerns. The Conservatives were the only party to begin running televised ads at least a week before the campaign. The ads focus ON PM Harper as a family man, which media analysts saw as an effort to soften his image and stress his middle-class credentials. Liberal ads will START running ON September 8, according to press reports. Battle of the Campaign Signs -------------- ¶6. (U) Mission Canada posts reported that the Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois were the first off the mark with campaign signs. ON Day Two, Ottawa and Toronto officers reported largely only Conservative campaign signs ON city streets with few from other parties. In Quebec, Montreal and Quebec City officers found that the Bloc Quebecois was the first to erect its signs, although the OTTAWA 00001177 002 OF 002 Conservatives had also begun to post signs in Quebec City. Vancouver, Winnipeg and Halifax reported few or no signs. However, Vancouver said that recent Conservative election-related announcements had raised the party's visibility in the city. Halifax reported that municipal election signs were up, but no federal placards. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Campaign signs are a visible expression of momentum and a test of organizational muscle, activist participation and resources. The Conservatives' deep pockets have enabled them to get off to a strong start. Party officials told us in May that their signs, brochures and campaign materials were already ready to go. They clearly intend to mount an aggressive campaign, making logistics especially important for the Liberals and other opposition parties. WILKINS