OK, citizens of the USA -- I'm listening. It seems like Canadians couldn't help but get their two cents in on your last election so I'm willing to listen to your opinion on our election, which will take place next Monday, January the 23rd. Who do you think we should vote for?

The Liberals (headed by current Prime Minister Paul Martin) currently have a minority government but held a majority here for 12 years previous (under Jean Chrétien). They are effectively tied in current polls with the Conservative party (headed by Stephen Harper). The NDP (headed by Jack Layton) is farther left than the Liberals on issues like the environment and health care but are gaining ground on the Liberals as the leftist party of choice because of multiple allegations of corruption within the Liberal party.

Like the US, we don't have proportional representation in Canada. The country is divided into ridings (with approximately the same number of citizens per riding) and each riding has an elected member of parliament. The Prime Minister is the head of the party with the most seats in parliament.

A majority government occurs when the party with the most seats has more than half of the seats in parliament. As a party they can win any vote brought forth in parliament. If no party holds the majority of the seats the party with the most seats is said to have a minority government and must compromise with other parties to win votes brought forth in parliament.

Given the latest polls, there's an excellent chance Canada will continue to have a minority government. However, it is hard to say whether that minority government will be Liberal, Conservative or maybe even NDP.

So what do you think, USA? I'm more than happy to hear your viewpoints.