Poll after poll confirms it - the public doesn't really want a federal election right now. But you can't help but wonder what might happen if voters actually got a chance to cast their ballots in one of the strangest holding patterns in recent history in Ottawa.
On the one hand, there's Prime Minister Harper and the Conservatives doing damage control over allegations of bribery in the
Chuck Cadman affair.
On the other, there's Liberal leader Stephane Dion seemingly unable to pull the pin on the minority grenade, despite numerous opportunities, including votes on Afghanistan, the crime bill and the federal budget. Some pundits see him as running scared but most agree the Grits simply aren't ready politically or financially to put his still young leadership to the test.
Which brings us to four federal byelections scheduled for March 17th, exactly a week from now. One will be held in Vancouver, another in Saskatchewan and two more will be right here in Toronto. Both of those involve several high profile names.
The biggest is Bob Rae, the former Ontario NDP premier-turned-Liberal, who's trying to get a seat in the House of Commons in Toronto Centre, a riding formerly occupied by the now retired Bill Graham.
Martha Hall-Findlay, a former candidate for the Liberal leadership, is hoping to win the other T.O. seat that's up for grabs in Willowdale.
All the ridings in question are currently held by Liberals and most see this as an interesting test about how a cross section of voters feel about what's going on right now in Ottawa.
Political Specialist Richard Madan quizzed a few people on city streets if they knew of any events that fall on March 17th. It seemed the first thing that popped into people's minds was St. Patrick's Day.
The last time there was a by-election was a few years ago and voter turnout was only 22 per cent. And this time candidates aren't only dealing with really bad weather and an election that falls on St. Patty's day, but now some of the most experienced politicians are admitting there's another campaign that's getting a lot more attention.
"Every night, there are programs about what's happening in the American [presidential] race. People are probably more familiar with that," said Toronto's former mayor Barbara Hall.
Even so-called star candidates' names were lost on some.
"I don't know who that person is," said one local resident pointing to a Bob Rae sign posted on her front lawn.
Elections Canada said a national by-election would cost taxpayers $500,000 on average. And there's ongoing speculation of a general election this spring, which would cost taxpayers another $350 million.
Here's a look at the candidates and how to find out if you're eligible to vote on St. Patrick's Day.
Toronto Centre
Bob Rae (Liberal Party of Canada)
Donald Meredith (Conservative Party of Canada)
El-Farouk Khaki (New Democratic Party)
Chris Tindal (Green Party of Canada)
Doug Plumb (Canadian Action Party)
Liz White (Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada)
Willowdale
Martha Hall Findlay (Liberal Party of Canada)
Maureen Harquail (Conservative Party of Canada)
Rini Ghosh (New Democratic Party)
Lou Carcasole (Green Party of Canada)
Are you qualified to cast your ballot? To find out,
click here.