Reply #8: To the left of the Liberals is the

[Minstrel Boy]

New Democratic Party (NDP). It's never won federally but has been very influential, and it's formed numerous provincial governments. The NDP's ancestor, the CCF, formed North America's first socialist government when it won Saskatchewan in the '40s. It's thanks to the NDP Canada has universal healthcare.

I'm expecting a good showing from the NDP next federal election. Our new leader (yes, I'm a member), Jack Layton, is extremely competent and commanding, and Paul Martin is going to tack the Liberals further right, leaving the left and even centre-left for the picking.

For the curious:

http://www.ndp.ca/index.php3?language=english