Platform Content

I found it interesting that by looking at what the different parties choose how to word and what to emphasize you can learn a lot about the parties themselves. The Conservative Party focuses a lot on Stephen Harper as leader and nationalistic pride. The title is called "The True North Strong and Free: Stephen Harper's Plan for Canada" 42 pictures were included and save two all had Harper included. another picture has of the Canadian flag. After so much emphasis has been put on Leadership it is not surprising that the sentence "A re-elected Conservative Government led by Stephen Harper" is referenced 76 times.

In contrast to the Conservatives clear focus on an individual leader, the Liberals took a different approach. Since Dion took such a slam on his "leadership capabilities" he was only mentioned on three pages out of 70. It would appear as though they are trying to promote the party as a whole instead of a single man, unlike the conservatives. There is only a single picture of Stéphane Dion on the last page.

The NDP was also focused on Jack Layton as the leader, similarly to the Conservatives. Layton was voted second best in ability to lead, I believe. However, his platform includes more emphasis on families and Jack Layton relating to the Canadian people; that he understands them. The platform includes a description of Layton as a "Prime Minister on your family's side, for a change." only one picture does not include Layton, which is comprised of children wearing Layton shirts.