Update: I saw a green party ad with Elizabeth May talking about democracy and how everyone should get out and vote. You can watch it here: http://www.greenparty.ca/
The biggest TV part of the Election airs tonight at 9pm on most Canadian stations. The English Debate is very important to English-speaking Canada, but I feel that the ads are too. TV ads are always present from the start of the election to the end. You would think the parties would put more effort into them or in the case of the Liberals at least have some.
I will start with are current leaders, the Conservatives. Their main campaign is “Not Worth the Risk”, referring to Stéphane Dion. This theme is shown in their Gamble series of ads. They say we will lose if we vote for him because he is going to raise taxes and take away the $1200 given to families (which in my opinion a questionable program anyways). I like how the ads give little information, but lots of graphics and sound effects. The best parts though are the 3 word quotes from Dion, no sentences for him. My favourite ad is the Slot machine one (best sound effects and least info):
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/4579/104099
Then there are the fatherly sweater-vest series of ads. In these ads he talks about being a great father, defining Canada and being tough on crime. Are these elections issues? Do other candidates hate veterans and are soft on crime? My favourite is the family ad (because I want my prime minister to be able to play cards AND piano):
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/4579/102768
Finally there are some ads that talk about election issues. There is one attacking him specifically on the $1200 family plan. This ad presents an issue in a direct and straightforward way. So that means 1 out of 11 ads on their website do that.
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/4579/104379
I am sad to that are not showing the ad that ends with the girl saying “I am voting for the first time and I am voting for the Conservative Party of Canada.” There were also other people interviewed who said they like Harper because “He’s a family man” and “Tough on crime.” Too bad I cannot find it anywhere. There are a few other ads I saw before on TV that do not seem to exist anymore.
Next up is the Liberals. I would talk about their ads, but they do not have any. You can check their website for their online Harpernomics Ads. They seem decent enough, but I have never seen any of them on TV.
Next up is the NDP. Their main theme is “A New Kind of Strong.” Everytime I see an NDP ad I think it is a Liberal ad attacking the Conservatives, but then Jack Layton pops up and surprises me. The ads are high quality with sharp and intelligent graphics. There are only 3 NDP ads, but quality over quantity definitely makes a difference. I do not know how reasonable their ideas are, but at least they are straight forward with addressing real issues. My favourite one is the original New Kind of Strong Ad:
If the elections were based solely on TV ads, the NPD would definitely win, but watch the Debate tonight to see the real issues.
