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Canada votes in general election Canada set for credit crunch poll
(30 minutes later)
Canadians go to the polls on Tuesday for their third election in four years. Canada is holding its third general election in four years, with the global financial crisis looming over the poll.
The conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, who has headed a minority government since 2006, called the election to try to win a majority. Conservative PM Stephen Harper, who has headed a minority government since 2006, called the snap poll in a bid to secure a majority in parliament.
The main challenge comes from Stephane Dion of the Liberal Party, with the global markets crisis the major issue. Polls open at 0830 local (1100 GMT). Opinion polls suggest his party is on course to win but without a majority.
Voter surveys suggest the Conservative Party is set to win but could fail to clinch a parliamentary majority. The main challenge comes from the official opposition, the Liberals led by Stephane Dion. The first polls open at 0830 local time (1100 GMT).
Voting concludes on Canada's Pacific coast at 0200 GMT on Wednesday, with results expected shortly after that.
Voter surveys have suggested market turmoil may have derailed Mr Harper's hopes of securing a majority, the BBC's Lee Carter reports from Toronto.
Canada is the first big economic power to go to the polls to elect a new government since the financial crisis.Canada is the first big economic power to go to the polls to elect a new government since the financial crisis.
Mr Harper called the snap election last month amid hopes in his party that they could secure a majority. Mr Harper called the election last month amid hopes in his party that they could secure a majority.
But he has come under sustained criticism amid perceptions he has not shown enough empathy with Canadians who have lost money during the upheaval on the stock markets, says the BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto. But he was criticised during the campaign for showing enough empathy with Canadians who have lost money during the upheaval on the stock markets.
'Distortion and dishonesty' Mr Harper's main rival, Liberal leader Stephane Dion, has been promoting an ambitious green carbon tax plan.
He has reworked his message to try to convince Canadians that he is the one to be at the helm of the economy in such difficult times, our correspondent says. But Mr Dion, a French Canadian from Quebec, has had difficulty connecting with voters, our correspondent says.
Stephane Dion's level of proficiency in English has been criticised This could lead to a split of votes between the opposition, the Liberals and two smaller parties, the New Democrats and the Greens.
"At this crucial moment for our economy we need a realistic and credible plan to protect our jobs, our savings, and our future," he told a weekend rally. The Bloc Quebecois is set for a close battle to retain its dominance in French-speaking Quebec.
Mr Dion, a French Canadian from Quebec, has been criticised as a weak leader with difficulty communicating in English.
"Stephen Harper's agenda is one of distortion and dishonesty. He may speak better English than I do. But I speak the truth better in both official languages than him," Mr Dion said recently.
Two of the smaller parties, the New Democrats and the Greens have seen their polling numbers rise, while the Bloc Quebecois will fight a close battle to retain its dominance in French-speaking Quebec.