Between the Liberals planning to put forth a motion of no confidence on Friday and the lack of party support for the federal budget, there appears to be no escape from heading back to the polls this spring.

The majority of Canadians do not want an election. A recent Harris Decima poll showed 57 per cent of Canadians want the opposition to find a compromise with the government in order to pass the budget.

But the opposition parties constantly let things slide after glancing at the polls. Every time they pass something somewhat controversial according to party lines, it will inevitably be brought up during an election campaign.

Eventually the opposition parties have to take a stand if they want to appear to legitimately act as the opposition.

For the past five years, this is how it has gone. And aside from a few seats won or lost, nothing changes. Why is that?

It’s clear the country does not want Harper to win a majority. Every time in the past few years that polls have shown him coming close, his party immediately and noticeably jumped down a few points in the polls.

A poll conducted by Nanos Research for The Globe and Mail and CTV showed in a leadership index score (which combines results from trust, competence and vision for Canada), Harper faced a sharp drop in the past month as his public support dropped to 82.8 from 98.9.

However, most of the gain did not go to Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, who only jumped three points to about 40 per cent, while NDP leader Jack Layton leapt to 51 from 44.

If we had an election today, would anything change? Aside from Ignatieff, who has yet to make any sort of splash in the polls or resonate with many Canadians, we still have the same uninspiring leaders as the past few elections.

Harper’s cold demeanour, mean-spiritedness, secrecy and lack of accountability combined with scandal and rumours of contempt and law-breaking within the party are not helping to garner votes in areas where the party needs them. Has he taken the Conservatives as far as he can?

Ignatieff’s constant flip-flopping on issues and his all-talk, no-action is not impressing voters. He doesn’t take advantage of the weaknesses in the Conservative party. How long should the Liberal party stick it out with him?

Layton has used past elections to distinguish the NDP from the Liberals. Ignatieff is more conservative than his predecessor, Stephen Dion, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to highlight that difference and snab a few extra seats. But with health issues over the past year, some may view him as frail.

The Green Party’s Elizabeth May has yet to gain a single seat in the House, but has improved the party’s numbers.

A spring election may not bring about drastic changes in House seats, but it sure could bring about changes in party leaders and direction.

Maybe that’s just what Canada needs.