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Canada set for credit crunch poll Canada holds credit crunch poll
(about 2 hours later)
Canada is holding its third general election in four years, with the global financial crisis looming over the poll.Canada is holding its third general election in four years, with the global financial crisis looming over the poll.
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.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.
Opinion polls suggest his party is on course to win but without a majority.Opinion polls suggest his party is on course to win but without a 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). The main challenge comes from the official opposition, the Liberals led by Stephane Dion. The first polls opened at 0830 local time (1100 GMT).
Voting concludes on Canada's Pacific coast at 0200 GMT on Wednesday, with results expected shortly after that.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.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 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 was criticised during the campaign for not showing enough empathy with Canadians who have lost money during the upheaval on the stock markets.But he was criticised during the campaign for not showing enough empathy with Canadians who have lost money during the upheaval on the stock markets.
Mr Harper's main rival, Liberal leader Stephane Dion, has been promoting an ambitious green carbon tax plan.Mr Harper's main rival, Liberal leader Stephane Dion, has been promoting an ambitious green carbon tax plan.
But Mr Dion, a French Canadian from Quebec, has had difficulty connecting with voters, our correspondent says.But Mr Dion, a French Canadian from Quebec, has had difficulty connecting with voters, our correspondent says.
This could lead to a split of votes between the opposition, the Liberals and two smaller parties, the New Democrats and the Greens.This could lead to a split of votes between the opposition, the Liberals and two smaller parties, the New Democrats and the Greens.
The Bloc Quebecois is set for a close battle to retain its dominance in French-speaking Quebec.The Bloc Quebecois is set for a close battle to retain its dominance in French-speaking Quebec.