A campaign video posted to the Nova Scotia Liberal Party’s website referred to the next election on May 30 — problem is, neither a provincial election nor its date has been officially announced.
The video is voiced by a narrator and says, “On May 30, vote Liberal.” It has since been removed from the party’s website.
The video also features Premier Stephen McNeil saying, “I know it hasn’t always been easy, but we’re stronger now than we were four years ago, so let’s keep building on a province with opportunity for everyone.”
At the legislature Friday, McNeil refused to say whether the video was correct — only saying that the party is looking at a number of dates including in the fall. But he also refused to rule out a May 30 election.
“I will tell you we are going to have an election, that’s the only certain thing I can tell you,” McNeil said to reporters.
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For the last several weeks McNeil has been coy about when he will call an election, but has done nothing to stamp out the rampant speculation.
All three parties closing in on a full slate of candidates
The Liberal’s spending spree in the last two months put all parties on high alert for an election. Each is close to nominating a full slate of candidates.
The Liberals say they have candidates selected for Pictou East and Pictou West but the nominations haven’t happened yet. The Progressive Conservatives are still selecting a candidate for Halifax Armdale, and the NDP says all of its candidates are selected but some nominations will happen during the campaign.
There are 51 ridings in Nova Scotia.
As the incumbent party, the Liberals have the upper hand according to Chairman and CEO of Corporate Research Associates Don Mills. He said the Progressive Conservatives have done a “good job” preparing by attracting strong candidates, but said the NDP are “a little further behind.”
He said the NDP haven’t been as strong as the Progressive Conservatives in promoting their team ahead of the election.
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The NDP launched its campaign last weekend but it doesn’t yet have a campaign website. Leader Gary Burrill said that would be up in short order.
“We’re ready to go,” he said. “We will have a website and we’ll have it all in order right away.”
Whether or not the writ is dropped this weekend — the Progressive Conservatives are launching their campaign on Saturday. Leader Jamie Baillie is accusing McNeil of not being “upfront” with Nova Scotians about his election plans.
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He said the apparent gaffe of posting the May election video to the Liberal website is the “strongest argument yet” for fixed election dates.
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