Reporter's Notebook

During an election campaign politicians do their best to keep the media busy delivering their message. In this Reporter's Notebook, CBC.ca presents election features that take a closer look at election issues, political spin, and even elections themselves.

Races to watch: District 18, Rustico-Emerald

Liberal MLA Carolyn Bertram is up against a high profile Progressive Conservative candidate. As P.E.I. fire marshal, Dave Blacquiere is well known to Islanders. While Bertram is a sitting MLA, the shift in the electoral map has her running in a district where the Tories won more votes in 2003. The addition of the Green candidate, interim leader Sharon Labchuk, adds the difficulty of calling this race.

John Jeffery reports.

Watch this video feature (runs 4:03)

Races to watch: District 17, Kelly's Cross-Cumberland

This is a riding of neophyte candidates, and as an area the Liberals took in the last election, one that will be key for them if they expect to make any significant gains in this election.

This is traditionally a rural district with strong ties to farming and fishing, but is increasingly becoming a bedroom community for people working in Charlottetown. The Liberals have put forward a candidate with a foot in both camps. An information technology specialist in Charlottetown, Valerie Docherty has strong family ties to farming.

The Progressive Conservatives are running Steven Stead, a young Presbyterian minister. The Greens and NDP also have candidates in this district.

John Jeffery reports.

Watch this video feature (runs 4:05)

Election Unspun: Week Three

A poll showed the Liberals heading for a big win, or was it a virtual tie. Brendan Elliot unwinds some media spin, including what the media means when it talks about "leaked documents."

Listen to this audio feature (runs 11:41)

Election Unspun: Week Two

Now there's a promise of a new school for North Rustico, tax breaks for students, various announcements pertaining to health care. Legislative reporter Brendan Elliott unspins some of the messages the politicians have been doling out over the past week.

Listen to this audio feature (runs 10:44)

Elections Past

There was a time when children voted the same way as their parents, wives the same as their husbands. Many people expected the parties to drive them to the poll, and others had to be persuaded to vote. Party workers often used alcohol, hoping to encourage individuals to vote for their party, and if you didn't enjoy a drink, you might be offered a $5 bill. Polls were held in private homes, communities were close knit, and everyone thought they knew how the other person would mark their ballot.

Bev Murphy takes a look at the particular Island culture of elections past.

Watch this video feature (runs 5:04)

Election Unspun: Week One

The parties were in full spin mode during the first week of the election. It was enough to make you dizzy. Old promises are new again, schools once considered not a priority are now top of the list. And then there's the message the parties are trying to get out about their candidates, and more importantly, their leaders. CBC Radio's legislative reporter Brendan Elliott unspins the spin.

Listen to this audio feature (runs 10:21)

Environment takes the lead

It's as true provincially as it is nationally: the environment, and what political parties are prepared to do to protect it, is a major concern for Islanders.

Late last fall the Geological Survey of Canada released a series of reports on climate change in various provinces. The report on P.E.I. spoke specifically about nitrates. It said nitrate levels in P.E.I.'s ground and surface waters have been going up for the past 15 years. Few dispute that this is linked to the huge increase (up 46 per cent) in hectares planted to potatoes starting in the early 1990's. Scientists say the growing use of chemical fertilizer is the cause.

Elevated nitrates (below 10mg/l) are generally not a concern to healthy adults, but young children and older people with compromised immune systems are at risk. And the discovery of nitrates also raises concerns about pesticide leaching into groundwater.

Now all political parties have laid out specific promises when it comes to protecting the environment.

Ian Petrie reports.

Watch this video feature (runs 7:34)