original_query: What were the reasons for Chrétien's opposition to the timing of the vote?
query: What were the reasons for Chrétien's opposition to the timing of the 1997 election vote?
answer: Some MPs, including Reg Alcock, opposed the timing of the 1997 election vote due to the devastating Red River Flood in Manitoba. Others felt it was too early to call an election, as the government had only been in power for three and a half years.  The resulting drop in Liberal support likely undermined confidence in Chrétien's leadership.