Election results across Canada this year have revealed a popular trend: many voters appreciate a familiar face.
After May's federal election returned Prime Minister Stephen Harper to office with a majority mandate, voters in Ontario, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island all re-elected their governments last week.
That trend is expected to continue on Tuesday when voters in Newfoundland and Labrador and the Yukon go to the polls. And in Saskatchewan, Premier Brad Wall appears to be in no danger of losing next month's election.
According to experts, economic uncertainty and fears of a looming recession may be pushing voters to stay the course and re-elect the government in power.
"There is an appetite for change but not change for change's sake," said federal Liberal strategist Dan Brock on CTV's Question Period.
That prompted this rejoinder from Conservative strategist Guy Giorno: "In Ontario, almost two-thirds did vote for change."
Brad Lavigne, the principal secretary to the federal NDP leader, said the electorate has different perceptions of the three levels of government.
"At the provincial level, people are looking for something different than what they vote for at either the municipal or federal levels.
"We had an election in May at the federal level when we set the direction of the country on a particular course," he added. "What we're seeing in the provincial elections is an answer to (that) 鈥� a check and balance."
In an interview with The Canadian Press, Ryerson University political science professor Bryan Evans said, "I think in the minds of many people, it's time to be cautious."
Harris-Decima pollster Allan Gregg said a worried voter is less likely to take a chance.
"The premium they place on the known and competence is far greater than it has been in the past," he told the news agency.
Newfoundland PCs in lead
The most recent opinion poll in Newfoundland and Labrador puts the ruling Progressive Conservatives well ahead of the New Democratic Party and the Liberals.
The online poll of 708 respondents by the Environics Research Group, which was provided to The Canadian Press, found 38 per cent support among decided voters for the Conservatives, 23 for the NDP and 9 per cent for the Liberals.
Almost a third of those polled were undecided. The online survey concluded last Tuesday.
Because of the non-random nature of online polling, Environics says it is impossible to determine the statistical accuracy of how the poll reflects the opinions of the general population.
The Tories, now headed by Kathy Dunderdale, held 43 seats in the legislature at dissolution, compared to four Liberals and one NDP seat held by the party's leader, Lorraine Michael. Kevin Aylward is the Liberal leader.
The NDP's $142-million package of election promises included plans for universal public child care and all-day kindergarten, publicly funded homecare and rent supplements as well as increased affordable housing.
Dunderdale, whose party has cut taxes by a total of $1.6 billion since 2007, has promised economic restraint. "We will ensure annual provincial expenditures do not grow beyond the level our economy can sustain," she told reporters when the party platform was released. If elected, she will become the first female premier in the province's history.
Yukon Party aims for third term
In the Yukon, the right-of-centre Yukon Party appears poised to return to government for a third straight time in next week's territorial vote. The standings at dissolution were: Yukon Party 10, Liberals 5, NDP 3.
When Premier Darrell Pasloski unveiled his platform, he promised to build on the Yukon's prosperity.
"Yukoners have a choice to make," said Pasloski, who was sworn in this June. "Do they want the territory to continue to prosper and grow under the stewardship of a re-elected Yukon Party government or do they want to change direction and go sideways or backwards?"
Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell vowed his party would bring "a thriving economy, a healthy environment, and a strong social conscience."
NDP leader Elizabeth Hanson has called on voters to decide whether to "re-elect a government that has been in for too long, or we can vote for real change. Change that only the NDP can deliver."
With files from The Canadian Press
