Well, here we go again. Despite the overwhelmingly progressive values of Canadians, and the general unpopularity of the Conservative Party, Stephen Harper is back in the saddle for another minority term as "our" PM.

Opposition leadership has never looked shakier with Stephane Dion heading out the door tomorrow, Elizabeth May failing lead her party to Ottawa despite a modestly bigger share of the popular vote, and Jack Layton failing to make greater gains in seats because he doesn't realize that attacking the Conservatives, not the Liberals, is the NDP's ticket to success.

In offering some solutions I'd like to go back to a post I wrote back in August of 2006 - Why the Green Party Loses - as it's even more relevant now than it was then. Specifically the following passage:

The number one priority of every Green Party in Canada, both provincial and national, is to ensure that the upcoming referendum on electoral reform is passed in BC. The referendum date is set for the next provincial election in 2009, and if passed it would put BC on the road to electing a proportionally representative government in the election to follow. Based on current voting patterns, that would mean almost 10% of the seats in government going Green. If electoral reform is successful in BC, it is very likely that similar initiatives will take hold in other provinces, clearing the way for the Green Party to become a genuine political force in Canada and for progressive values to gain a stronger voice in Canadian government. But that all depends on the success of this first step.

The date of that referendum is May 17th, and in the wake of a disastrously unrepresentative results from our Federal Election I renew the call that this needs to be the top priority for our country. Progressive organizations and individuals nationwide - first and foremost the federal and provincial Green parties - need to work to ensure that this referendum gains the public support it needs to pass.

Electoral reform is an idea that is gaining traction, with papers across the country beginning to call for serious discussion. BC can give that process a massive boost this spring by being the first in the country to start down the road.

Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May have announced that they will work together to oust Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay from his seat in the next federal election. The move could lead to the Canada's first Green Party Member of Parliament.

Earlier today, Dion announced that the Liberals would not run a candidate in Mackay's Nova Scotia riding of Central Nova during the next federal election where Elizabeth May plans to run. With a second place showing to her credit from November's by-election in London North Centre, May stands and excellent chance of defeating Mackay - a high profile, but vulnerable member of the Conservative Party.

Peter Mackay is best known for his sad sack personal life that includes being publicly and politically dumped by former Conservative Leadership hopeful Belinda Stronach, and later for his high profile date with Condeleeza Rice at a Nova Scotia Tim Horton's. His 'affair' with Rice had the convenient side benefit of deflecting public and media attention away from the secret North American merger discussions that were going on simultaneously in Banff, Alberta.

In short, a three legged dog should be able to beat Mackay, provided they run the right campaign. Best luck to Ms. May!