The federal election period hasn't started yet but if you have been watching Canadian television channels, you've likely already seen political advertisements. Only five months to go.
The NDP kicked off their campaign with a commercial titled: Bring change to Ottawa. It features Tom Mulcair saying "You work hard every day to give your family the best. Your government should be there to help your family make ends meet."
It goes on to talk about jobs, growing the economy, and working class values. On the whole, it is a fairly positive message. Certainly not an attack ad although it does steal from the Conservative playbook in appealing to heart-tugging family values.
The Liberals' first advertisement is much darker. It profiles a single day - May 7, 2015 - in the life of the Stephen Harper-led Conservative government.
May 7 featured testimony in the Mike Duffy trial which has to be the single largest political blunder in recent Canadian history. The television spot also points to the careless photographing of Canadian Special Forces personnel during a vanity video for the Prime Minister.
And it points to a fundraising email sent by Pierre Poilievre that was less than honest according to at least one critic.
May 7, 2015, was not a good day for the governing party. Indeed, some might argue it is just one of many not very good days for the Conservatives. They have spent a lot of time suffering from foot-in-mouth disease.
The Liberal commercial ends with their message - this fall is a time for a change to a government that listens to the people and ensures fairness is a priority. Not much substance in that statement.
After all, what party is going to claim that they are not interested in listening to Canadians or deny that fairness for all Canadians should be a priority? Certainly not a party seeking to get elected!
In any case, while this is not an attack ad on a person, such as the prime minister, it does lay out the deficiencies in the Conservatives without promising anything significant on the part of the Liberals.
The Conservatives' first commercial of the campaign, on the other hand, is an entirely different beast.
You might have seen a group of middle-aged, middle-management types sitting around a table apparently discussing potential job applicants. It starts with an older gentleman saying "Let's talk about Justin" and finishes with "Nice hair, though." In between, the group touches on budget, ISIS and legalizing marijuana.
They come to the conclusion that Justin is not the man for the job although one woman says "I am not saying 'no' forever, just not now."
It concludes with a big red "just not ready" sprawled across his resume.
Yes, this is an attack ad targeted at Justin Trudeau and only Justin Trudeau.
The name of the Liberal party isn't even mentioned. In many ways, it is keeping with the philosophical view of government practiced by Prime Minister Harper - that we are electing a leader and the rest of the Members of Parliament don't matter.
It is ironic Mr. Harper sees government this way because he should then be the one answerable for the financial misdeeds of his senators, ministers and party officials.
But taking credit is always easier than taking blame.
In any case, the Liberals have crafted their own reply to the attack ad on Trudeau with a review panel for Harper. Their conclusion? He shouldn't be renewed.
Yes, the silly season of election commercials is in full swing.
The Conservative commercial does raise an interesting question, though.
At one point in the advertisement, the comment is made that "being prime minister is not an entry level job".
Really? If it is not an entry level position then how exactly does one get experience at being a prime minister before taking on the job?
And if the Conservatives contend that someone should be qualified to be prime minister, then their own face should be red. After all, Stephen Harper had zero experience in governance prior to taking on the role.
Yes, he had been a member of Parliament prior to ascending to the top job but always in opposition. He had never sat as a cabinet minister or even an under-secretary. Indeed, he had only been in his position as leader of the Conservatives for two years prior to becoming prime minister.
One could even make the claim that he was a failed leader as he oversaw the demise of the Canadian Alliance!
Harper applied for and got the job as prime minister as an "entry level position".
Of course, one could make the argument that he has done such a poor job, we don't want to take the risk again.
Yes, the parties are off and running.
Only five months to the election.
