NationStates Jolt Archive

So Harper has asked the governor general to dissolve parliament, breaking a law he himself helped pass a law creating fixed dates for elections to prevent the ruler of the party in power from calling elections for short term benefits. So in theory, this should break the law and he's probably trying to do it now because he's turned a surplus into a deficit and doesn't want to wait until this is official (good job at being good for the economy) and has a shot at a majority (so he can do things like institute his draconian copyright policies and slash the CBC's budget as well as enforce his moral ideals in cultural funding sorts of things).

Further, the fact that Harper has been on the campaign trail practically since he got elected is really annoying. Why is it that he's had smear campaigns against Dion and a series of ads promoting himself if an election hasn't even been called? Meanwhile, he's making statements to the press to expect the opposition to smear him?!

Also: Harper may boycott debates if the green party is allowed to participate http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080903/may_green_080903/20080903?hub=CTVNewsAt11

Yikes! That doesn't sound very...polite...

Yikes! That doesn't sound very...polite...

Also the issue of not letting the Conservatives actually really talk to journalists when he first got into power, taking more control over what they said, limiting the press and meanwhile criticising the Liberals for a lack of accountability and transparency.

Also: Harper may boycott debates if the green party is allowed to participate

That would make him look so bad, I hope he does it.

Also the issue of not letting the Conservatives actually really talk to journalists when he first got into power, taking more control over what they said, limiting the press and meanwhile criticising the Liberals for a lack of accountability and transparency.
Well, the election before he lost because of nutters going on about how women shouldn't get to choose to "murder" the "babies" in their wombs and I think there were some rather homophobic statements too...

Also, he's trying to get commercials on CBC radio... like, the good thing about CBC radio is that there aren't any commercials, it's just music and chatter.

That would make him look so bad, I hope he does it.
Yeah, I wouldn't mind this at all.

Except that he'd probably put out a line of commercials complaining about liberal censorship or some garbage.

Well, the election before he lost because of nutters going on about how women shouldn't get to choose to "murder" the "babies" in their wombs and I think there were some rather homophobic statements too...


Doubtlessly, and it was politically advantageous move to him because no one called him on it. Personally, I think that the second a Prime Minister starts to control the party as much as he does it should negatively affect him but, alas, no one cared.

Berlusconi must be one of Harper's heroes. Why is it that conservative leaders are so weary of the regular democratic process these days?

Doubtlessly, and it was politically advantageous move to him because no one called him on it. Personally, I think that the second a Prime Minister starts to control the party as much as he does it should negatively affect him but, alas, no one cared.
People cared, but the Liberals kinda fucked things up before so they were more pissed off at them.

On behalf of as many thinking people in the USA who agree with me, I'd like to apologize to thinking persons in Canada for the unwarranted export of our political machinations (Pyrrhicism, unilateralism, disregard for law, etc.) to your country.

I'm sorry. Honestly so fucking sorry.

People cared, but the Liberals kinda fucked things up before so they were more pissed off at them.

Maybe I'm off because I was living in Alberta at the time but I never heard anyone actually care. I mean obviously I can see why they would have turned away from the liberals but I never heard anyone criticising them other than the reporters on the TV. Nothing from the people I talked to, the newspaper articles or letters to the editor. No disagreement or anything just complacency.

On behalf of as many thinking people in the USA who agree with me, I'd like to apologize to thinking persons in Canada for the unwarranted export of our political machinations (Pyrrhicism, unilateralism, disregard for law, etc.) to your country.

I'm sorry. Honestly so fucking sorry.
Are you also going to apologize for the initial American funding of Harper?

...there are at least some American-funded neo-conservative groups in Canada... it's sad that these people (referring strictly to American neo-cons, not Americans in general) can't stop at fucking up their own country.

Maybe I'm off because I was living in Alberta at the time but I never heard anyone actually care. I mean obviously I can see why they would have turned away from the liberals but I never heard anyone criticising them other than the reporters on the TV. Nothing from the people I talked to, the newspaper articles or letters to the editor. No disagreement or anything just complacency.
Maybe. I tend to like the NDP anyways although I usually make sure that my riding isn't going to be close between Liberals and Conservatives first.

Harper being...?

My riding's NDP, and I plan on voting for them unless either the Liberal candidate is particularly good or NDP MP is really bad. (I've recently moved so I've only briefly read up on my NDP rep and she seems all right.)

Harper being...?

Our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.

Harper being...?
Stephen Harper, the current Canadian Prime Minister and resident major douchebag who eats babies.


...who will hopefully not be the Prime Minister much longer (but probably will if the poll numbers remain how they are and accurately predict anything).

My riding's NDP, and I plan on voting for them unless either the Liberal candidate is particularly good or NDP MP is really bad. (I've recently moved so I've only briefly read up on my NDP rep and she seems all right.)
Mine went Liberal last time and I think by a fairly wide margin so I'll probably still vote NDP.

What's Harper like then?

What's Harper like then?

Like this: So Harper has asked the governor general to dissolve parliament, breaking a law he himself helped pass a law creating fixed dates for elections to prevent the ruler of the party in power from calling elections for short term benefits. So in theory, this should break the law and he's probably trying to do it now because he's turned a surplus into a deficit and doesn't want to wait until this is official (good job at being good for the economy) and has a shot at a majority (so he can do things like institute his draconian copyright policies and slash the CBC's budget as well as enforce his moral ideals in cultural funding sorts of things).

Further, the fact that Harper has been on the campaign trail practically since he got elected is really annoying. Why is it that he's had smear campaigns against Dion and a series of ads promoting himself if an election hasn't even been called? Meanwhile, he's making statements to the press to expect the opposition to smear him?!

Also: Harper may boycott debates if the green party is allowed to participate http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080903/may_green_080903/20080903?hub=CTVNewsAt11

Also the issue of not letting the Conservatives actually really talk to journalists when he first got into power, taking more control over what they said, limiting the press and meanwhile criticising the Liberals for a lack of accountability and transparency.

What's Harper like then?
He eats babies.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/70/183742727_2f1afe9d6e.jpg?v=0

Generally he's a jerk who heads a party that used to be not so scary but now it's about half full of very conservative people who want to deny women the right to choose and get rid of same sex marriages, but he keeps a tight leash on these people so they don't make these comments in public anymore and scare voters away from his party. He cries foul when other parties spring elections at times that are convenient (even going so far as to legislate against doing this) but does it himself and he has recently managed to blow a surplus and we'll have a deficit for the first time in more than 10 years thanks to his policies.
When he wasn't Prime Minister, he went to complain to American news networks denouncing then PM Jean Cretien's decision to stay the hell out of Iraq. He's gutted a department looking out for the equality of women, tried to get rid of cultural funding, tried to institute a draconian copyright protection act... the only reason he hasn't revoked the right for same sex couples to marry is that there would be a huge backlash (and well, it would be a huge pain in the ass to do anyways). He's been campaigning ever since he got elected (including smear campaigns when the Liberals elected a new party leader).

There are some other things... but yeah he's a jerk (and super creepy).

EDIT: Dakini answered.

EDIT: Dakini answered.
Aww, I'm sure your answer would have been good too! There are so many things this man does that makes him horrible I know I've missed some... oh! Like his failure of an environmental plan!

No, it was a question and it said "but what are his policies?"

No, it was a question and it said "but what are his policies?"
Oh! Ha ha. :)

So Harper has asked the governor general to dissolve parliament, breaking a law he himself helped pass a law creating fixed dates for elections to prevent the ruler of the party in power from calling elections for short term benefits. So in theory, this should break the law and he's probably trying to do it now because he's turned a surplus into a deficit and doesn't want to wait until this is official (good job at being good for the economy) and has a shot at a majority (so he can do things like institute his draconian copyright policies and slash the CBC's budget as well as enforce his moral ideals in cultural funding sorts of things).

Further, the fact that Harper has been on the campaign trail practically since he got elected is really annoying. Why is it that he's had smear campaigns against Dion and a series of ads promoting himself if an election hasn't even been called? Meanwhile, he's making statements to the press to expect the opposition to smear him?!

Also: Harper may boycott debates if the green party is allowed to participate http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080903/may_green_080903/20080903?hub=CTVNewsAt11

To be fair, Harper isn't 'breaking the law'. He's well within the legal limits of the law, and even the Liberal Party respects that they are at least following 'the letter of the law'. He couldn't do it if it was illegal.

That being said, it's certainly demonstrative of the Conservative Party's Machiavellian way of operating. They brought in fixed election dates because for years the Liberal Party would always call an election when it was most inconvenient for the Conservative Party financially. Being in a minority situation means that the PM can dissolve parliament, and create another term for his party before the economic and political climate turns against him. Better a little lie now, than a sea of problems months ahead of now.

It's good politics for Harper any which way. Even if he comes back with a minority, his party is in good financial shape. The Liberals, the only party any one thinks could oust him, are in poor financial shape. He could come back and continue to run the country like he has a majority simply due to the fact that the Liberals won't be able finance another campaign too soon (not to mention the fact that they would probably have another leadership campaign.)

The rest of the anti-conservative vote is spread too thin to put up a fight against the conservatives. The NDP and Green Parties effectively poll the same.

Like it or not, Harper is doing what is right for his party, if not for the country. The Liberals made a big mistake in electing Dion. It's going to take a failed election to get them to finally find a suitable opponent for Harper.

Also the issue of not letting the Conservatives actually really talk to journalists when he first got into power, taking more control over what they said, limiting the press and meanwhile criticising the Liberals for a lack of accountability and transparency.

This is my primary reason for not voting for them.

The way I see it, Harper's going to come back at least with a large minority, if not a small majority. He's going to win due to our antiquated electoral system. His party learned a hard lesson after over a decade of a divided right.

All of his oponents have bold environmental initiatives. His party will say 'Now's not the time for risking our country's finances of untested initiatives'. It doesn't matter that the majority of Canadians reject his vision. What matters is that more Canadians will follow his one party, while the rest of Canada will be split up between the Liberal/NDP/Green Party sideshow. If we want to see real opposition to the Conservatives, we either need a reformed electoral system based on percentage of popular vote (don't hold your breath), or a united front against the Conservative party. That'll take a few terms in opposition for them to learn that lesson.

In the last election, the opposition claimed that the sky would fall once Harper was in power. Most of the electorate will shrug their shoulders and say 'sky hasn't fallen.' Harper may not be the cuddliest guy in Parliament, but your average centrist voter is going to trust him not to mess up the finances. (At least until the American economy really starts dragging ours down.)

Mine went Liberal last time and I think by a fairly wide margin so I'll probably still vote NDP.

yeah I am not even Canadian but I still come across the boarder every election and vote for them. the NDP is so nice they put us up in a good hotel for a week while I vote.

In the last election, the opposition claimed that the sky would fall once Harper was in power. Most of the electorate will shrug their shoulders and say 'sky hasn't fallen.' Harper may not be the cuddliest guy in Parliament, but your average centrist voter is going to trust him not to mess up the finances. (At least until the American economy really starts dragging ours down.)
Or until they see the brand new deficit.

Or until they see the brand new deficit.

Which is why they're holding the election now.

However, I don't see how any party is going to stop that deficit without cutting spending, can you? The deficit has more to do with the economic turndown in the states and our rising dollar than it does with our government's policies. The conservatives aren't really running things that much differently than the Liberals did.

Which is why they're holding the election now.

However, I don't see how any party is going to stop that deficit without cutting spending, can you? The deficit has more to do with the economic turndown in the states and our rising dollar than it does with our government's policies. The conservatives aren't really running things that much differently than the Liberals did.
Could just put taxes back the way they were.

This would be especially nice if it involved lowering the booze tax to pre-Harper levels. Most regressive tax ever.

So Harper has asked the governor general to dissolve parliament, breaking a law he himself helped pass a law creating fixed dates for elections to prevent the ruler of the party in power from calling elections for short term benefits. So in theory, this should break the law and he's probably trying to do it now because he's turned a surplus into a deficit and doesn't want to wait until this is official (good job at being good for the economy) and has a shot at a majority (so he can do things like institute his draconian copyright policies and slash the CBC's budget as well as enforce his moral ideals in cultural funding sorts of things).

Further, the fact that Harper has been on the campaign trail practically since he got elected is really annoying. Why is it that he's had smear campaigns against Dion and a series of ads promoting himself if an election hasn't even been called? Meanwhile, he's making statements to the press to expect the opposition to smear him?!

Also: Harper may boycott debates if the green party is allowed to participate http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080903/may_green_080903/20080903?hub=CTVNewsAt11

Does Canadian law have some sort of impeachment provision?

Recall elections? Votes of non-confidence? I think that's our closest thing.

Does Canadian law have some sort of impeachment provision?
Not that I know of.

He's technically gone off and decided to let us decide if we want him to remain the PM though. What's sad is that so many people don't seem to care about hypocrisy.

Then my suggestion is to get Canadians to care and vote to get him out of the PM position.

Oh, I have a question: what kind of government is Canada exactly? Are you a full out republic or is Queen Elizabeth still technically your head of state?

Govenor General is our head of state on behalf of the queen. We're lipke the UK only we have a federal system and Quebec.

My comment whether people want to hear it or not is that Harper isn't such a bad guy. He did lower our taxes and now he's trying to lower them more. Besides who likes taxes?

My comment whether people want to hear it or not is that Harper isn't such a bad guy. He did lower our taxes and now he's trying to lower them more. Besides who likes taxes?

Taxes are sometimes necessary. Well, they're always necessary... but that doesn't mean lowering them is a good thing if they come at something elses expense.

I realize that lowering taxes can have side effects but at the same time from a normal citzens point of view it eliminates a lot of annoying in my day.

Govenor General is our head of state on behalf of the queen. We're lipke the UK only we have a federal system and Quebec.

How much push is there for a full republican Canada? I know there's a lot of push for it in Australia but I don't know as much about Canada.

How much push is there for a full republican Canada? I know there's a lot of push for it in Australia but I don't know as much about Canada.

There's talk about senate reform but not a big one for becoming a full republic as a whole.

How much push is there for a full republican Canada? I know there's a lot of push for it in Australia but I don't know as much about Canada.

There's not much of a call for abandoning the monarchy up here. Elizabeth is quite popular, and everytime she makes a visit, she's very well received.

Now, with our boomers aging, that might all change. It really depends on whether Charles or William happens to be our next monarch.

Could just put taxes back the way they were.

This would be especially nice if it involved lowering the booze tax to pre-Harper levels. Most regressive tax ever.

Any government that voted to up GST another 2% would be committing political suicide, particularly in the middle of recession.

Ah, I see. Thank you.

My comment whether people want to hear it or not is that Harper isn't such a bad guy. He did lower our taxes and now he's trying to lower them more. Besides who likes taxes?
He has lowered taxes and slashed programs and is still running a deficit this upcoming year. That's why he's holding the election now: He doesn't want the report about how he turned a surplus into a deficit to come out before an election.

Aside from that, I would much rather have high taxes and good social programs than low taxes and none.

Any government that voted to up GST another 2% would be committing political suicide, particularly in the middle of recession.
He cut income taxes too.


And you would have thought that raising the booze tax would have been committing political suicide, but apparently not.

He has lowered taxes and slashed programs and is still running a deficit this upcoming year. That's why he's holding the election now: He doesn't want the report about how he turned a surplus into a deficit to come out before an election.

Aside from that, I would much rather have high taxes and good social programs than low taxes and none.

And he doesn't want the US election to complete, less it influence our election.

And he doesn't want the US election to complete, less it influence our election.

Haven't heard this one before. (As I said I just moved and my newspapers haven't started coming yet.) Explain, please.

And he doesn't want the US election to complete, less it influence our election.
Yes, I'm sure that the election scheduled next year (as per his law) would be terribly influenced by the US election.

Yes, I'm sure that the election scheduled next year (as per his law) would be terribly influenced by the US election.

How would the various outcomes influence our election?

How would the various outcomes influence our election?
I was being sarcastic. You'll have to wait for Xomic to answer as I'm not sure either.

Haven't heard this one before. (As I said I just moved and my newspapers haven't started coming yet.) Explain, please.

He's worried that if Obama wins, we'd all vote for more liberal candidates, and not his Conservatives.

He's worried that if Obama wins, we'd all vote for more liberal candidates, and not his Conservatives.
Why would people do that? It makes sense that it would affect us, I just can't see the logic behind it... *is stupid*

Why would people do that? It makes sense that it would affect us, I just can't see the logic behind it... *is stupid*
No, I don't think you're stupid. I think that Xomic has pulled this idea out of thin air. I mean, Obama's much more conservative than the Liberal party.

He's worried that if Obama wins, we'd all vote for more liberal candidates, and not his Conservatives.

And that's a bad thing?

No, I don't think you're stupid. I think that Xomic has pulled this idea out of thin air. I mean, Obama's much more conservative than the Liberal party.

That's just what I keep hearing on the various news channels like CBC or CTV.

I assume it has to do with the whole 'Obama' effect they were talking about in the US a few months ago, where they were predicting that other democratic candidates would associate themselves with Obama in an attempt to have his popularity rub off on themselves to further their own campaigns for whatever they're running for (like governor or whatever). I think even one Republican tried doing that.

So I'm guessing they're assuming that, given the popularity of Obama (he's a lot more popular in Canada then McCain or any other candidate, for example), the Liberals or NDP or Greens could use his win in the US election to promote themselves domestically.

No, I don't think you're stupid. I think that Xomic has pulled this idea out of thin air. I mean, Obama's much more conservative than the Liberal party.

More so than Harper, I think.

Are you also going to apologize for the initial American funding of Harper?

...there are at least some American-funded neo-conservative groups in Canada... it's sad that these people (referring strictly to American neo-cons, not Americans in general) can't stop at fucking up their own country.

I had suspected that, given the change in tone of Canadian politics in the last two decades or so. To have it confirmed by an alert Canadian is...too depressing to further contemplate. *searches for gin*

That's just what I keep hearing on the various news channels like CBC or CTV.

I assume it has to do with the whole 'Obama' effect they were talking about in the US a few months ago, where they were predicting that other democratic candidates would associate themselves with Obama in an attempt to have his popularity rub off on themselves to further their own campaigns for whatever they're running for (like governor or whatever). I think even one Republican tried doing that.

So I'm guessing they're assuming that, given the popularity of Obama (he's a lot more popular in Canada then McCain or any other candidate, for example), the Liberals or NDP or Greens could use his win in the US election to promote themselves domestically.

Jack Layton (NDP) has already refferred to 'the winds of change' south of the border, and equating a fall of Bush with the fall of Harper.

It doesn't matter how far left or right Obama is on our scale. He represents the left-wing side of the equation, and a more optimistic worldview. That dynamism that Obama represents has the Canadian electorate more intrigued than our own election. If Obama wins, we're going to want some great upheaval of our own.

Or at least, that's part of what the conservatives are worried about.

Where have all the Canucks gone?!

Anyway, I've noticed in Alberta they were very opposed to Dion's green shift. They saw it as a new NEP, what do the other regions think of it?

yeah I am not even Canadian but I still come across the boarder every election and vote for them. the NDP is so nice they put us up in a good hotel for a week while I vote.

You're not Canadian, but the NDP bus you in to vote?

You're not Canadian, but the NDP bus you in to vote?

I think that that is what you would call bullshit.

Anyway, I've noticed in Alberta they were very opposed to Dion's green shift. They saw it as a new NEP, what do the other regions think of it?

It used to be the Green Party's Green Tax shift, and most people don't really know much about it yet. Alberta, being the centre of the new oil economy, will naturally hate it.

When people see how much the Green Tax shift hits their own pocket books, they may hate it as well. It'll hit commuters more than anything else. Mind you, I'm not as versed in the Liberal's version of it.

I think the NDP probably have the most realistic, carrot-and-stick approach to environmentalism. Our best hope, I think, is if Jack Layton can paint himself as the only 'real' opposition to Stephen Harper. I don't think that will happen. The NDP have no real presence in Quebec (which is needed) and Ontario (the real electoral jackpot) had a 4 year provincial NDP term which tripled our provincial debt. It's tough to imagine a switch from Liberal to NDP en masse.

I think that that is what you would call bullshit.

Methinks so.

It used to be the Green Party's Green Tax shift, and most people don't really know much about it yet. Alberta, being the centre of the new oil economy, will naturally hate it.

When people see how much the Green Tax shift hits their own pocket books, they may hate it as well. It'll hit commuters more than anything else. Mind you, I'm not as versed in the Liberal's version of it.

I think the NDP probably have the most realistic, carrot-and-stick approach to environmentalism. Our best hope, I think, is if Jack Layton can paint himself as the only 'real' opposition to Stephen Harper. I don't think that will happen. The NDP have no real presence in Quebec (which is needed) and Ontario (the real electoral jackpot) had a 4 year provincial NDP term which tripled our provincial debt. It's tough to imagine a switch from Liberal to NDP en masse.

We need another Conservative Party to come out and steal away some of the vote...

We need another Conservative Party to come out and steal away some of the vote...

Which is what used to happen, until the Progressive Conservatives and Reform Party united.

So how do you beat that? You unite the left.

Good Luck!

Yes, but then we'd have an American type system. *shudders*

What we really need is electoral reform.

Yes, but then we'd have an American type system. *shudders*

What we really need is electoral reform.

The last attempt was a miserable failure. I, for one, was totally furious at my fellow ignorant Ontarians. Sure, there was room for improvement, but the majority of people bought into the misinformation campaign.

Much harder to do federally.

The last attempt was a miserable failure. I, for one, was totally furious at my fellow ignorant Ontarians. Sure, there was room for improvement, but the majority of people bought into the misinformation campaign.

Much harder to do federally.

I remember that being an issue of Ontario's provincial election, but not living there at the time I don't know what the 'misinformation' was.

I remember that being an issue of Ontario's provincial election, but not living there at the time I don't know what the 'misinformation' was.

Or was it a referendum?

Or was it a referendum?

It was both. They held the referendum during the election, and the referendum was the second question on the ballot. It was also coincidentally the lowest voter turnout in Ontario's history.

What pissed me off most, was that even among the reform movement, people didn't want to agree on one method of reform. Now, governments can look back on this and say 'clearly, Ontarian's have no interest in electoral reform', where as a large majority of people either didn't understand what was going on, or were just erring on the side of caution. Try telling them that the same system works fine in other countries, but they get lost in the details.

They just decided over the weekend to hold an election. Next month they will have it. They will all vote on paper ballots, plainly marking X's, which will be counted, without any possible dispute, within a day or so. And then the elected officials will be sworn in-- and OUR damned elections, which we have already been agonizing over for more than a year, still won't have happened!

It was both. They held the referendum during the election, and the referendum was the second question on the ballot. It was also coincidentally the lowest voter turnout in Ontario's history.

What pissed me off most, was that even among the reform movement, people didn't want to agree on one method of reform. Now, governments can look back on this and say 'clearly, Ontarian's have no interest in electoral reform', where as a large majority of people either didn't understand what was going on, or were just erring on the side of caution. Try telling them that the same system works fine in other countries, but they get lost in the details.

What was the misinformation campaign? I assume the conservatives where behind it?

Layton actually said he plans to go for the Prime Minister role.

The man's got balls and vision, if nothing else.

We need another Conservative Party to come out and steal away some of the vote...

There are two conservative parties in Canada, the Liberals and the Tories. All this claptrap about "Trudeau Liberals" vs. "...the most right-wing government in history!" is the most phony polarization since Tommy Douglas first imagined Mouseland. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxGyPTndqms)

The NDP have no real presence in Quebec (which is needed) and Ontario (the real electoral jackpot) had a 4 year provincial NDP term which tripled our provincial debt. It's tough to imagine a switch from Liberal to NDP en masse.
The NDP now has Thomas Mulcair in Westmount. It's not much, but having a first MP does give them a better foothold. Also, Jack Layton has been very obviously making efforts to woo us. The NDP is extremely popular among students and other young people who want some real change from the usual Liberal/Conservative alternance, and who aren't interested in voting for the Bloc because it really cannot accomplish anything on the federal scene.

One of my friends from college is even going to be a candidate for the NDP in a riding not far from where I live.

I just wish the rest of Canada would wake up and both realize what a crappy choice Harper is, and how incredibly awesome a Prime Minister Jack Layton would be. I mean, for the love of God, he's got a mustache! No other party leader can boast likewise.

The NDP now has Thomas Mulcair in Westmount. It's not much, but having a first MP does give them a better foothold. Also, Jack Layton has been very obviously making efforts to woo us. The NDP is extremely popular among students and other young people who want some real change from the usual Liberal/Conservative alternance, and who aren't interested in voting for the Bloc because it really cannot accomplish anything on the federal scene.

One of my friends from college is even going to be a candidate for the NDP in a riding not far from where I live.

I just wish the rest of Canada would wake up and both realize what a crappy choice Harper is, and how incredibly awesome a Prime Minister Jack Layton would be. I mean, for the love of God, he's got a mustache! No other party leader can boast likewise.

There's a couple of ridings in Gatineau to watch. Francoise Boivin (http://www.francoiseboivin.com/) was a Liberal MP who was turfed by the Bloc in 2006. She was considered a strong performer in Parliament, but was consumed by malaise over the Liberals, her chances under the NDP are considered fair. Pierre Ducasse (http://www.pierreducasse.ca/hull-aylmer/) is well-liked locally and has been campaigning hard for over a year now, although I wouldn't speculate on his actual chances.

Don't forget Anne Lagacé-Dowson. She has a fair amount of support among the intellectuals and the CBC listening crowd, and she's already been campaigning for weeks. A Quebec breakthrough for the NDP would be awesome, even if it was limited to Montreal and other urban areas.

Don't forget Anne Lagacé-Dowson. She has a fair amount of support among the intellectuals and the CBC listening crowd, and she's already been campaigning for weeks. A Quebec breakthrough for the NDP would be awesome, even if it was limited to Montreal and other urban areas.
There are only two urban areas in Québec: Montréal and Québec city. Considering that Québec city is a hellhole of conservative ridings at the moment *shudders at the thought that Josée Verner is his local representative* that really only leaves Montréal as an option for breakthroughs.

Still, I'd much rather have more NDP MPs in Québec than see the liberals grab those ridings in Eastern Montréal back. Yet more of the "same-old, same-old" doesn't appeal to me.

What was the misinformation campaign? I assume the conservatives where behind it?

Frankly, Conservatives were generally opposed, and the Liberals were opposed without actually opposing it. (They maintained to be 'neutral', but frankly they benefit from the status quo as much as the conservatives.)

The proposed reform was to switch to a version of Mixed-Member Proportional, very similar to the system used in Germany since 1945. The 'No MMP' campaign focused on how 'confusing' it was, how fringe parties with 2 or 3 seats would dominate politics (strangely, independants would do the same, wouldn't they?) and that there would be 17 MMP's not directly elected by ontarians, but chosen by the party.

At any rate, the few really debatable elements of the campaign were torn apart by people who wanted reform, to the point where there will be no immediate plans for reform. If we were even close to the 'supermajority' they asked for, then they may have considered a reworked version, but it fell flat.

I just wish the rest of Canada would wake up and both realize what a crappy choice Harper is, and how incredibly awesome a Prime Minister Jack Layton would be. I mean, for the love of God, he's got a mustache! No other party leader can boast likewise.

There was another politician who had a mustache.

His name was Hitler...

Frankly, Conservatives were generally opposed, and the Liberals were opposed without actually opposing it. (They maintained to be 'neutral', but frankly they benefit from the status quo as much as the conservatives.)

The proposed reform was to switch to a version of Mixed-Member Proportional, very similar to the system used in Germany since 1945. The 'No MMP' campaign focused on how 'confusing' it was, how fringe parties with 2 or 3 seats would dominate politics (strangely, independants would do the same, wouldn't they?) and that there would be 17 MMP's not directly elected by ontarians, but chosen by the party.

At any rate, the few really debatable elements of the campaign were torn apart by people who wanted reform, to the point where there will be no immediate plans for reform. If we were even close to the 'supermajority' they asked for, then they may have considered a reworked version, but it fell flat.
I'd rather see them reform the Parliament to give equal representation for ALL provinces, not a majority of seats for two.

The 'No MMP' campaign focused on how 'confusing' it was

You'd think that if they were too stupid or lazy to understand MMP they'd be better off not voting, eh?

I'd rather see them reform the Parliament to give equal representation for ALL provinces, not a majority of seats for two.

That would imply that therefore each province is equal, regardless of population. That would therefore imply that a single resident of PEI has a lot more electoral power than a single resident of Ontario.

No, provincial/territorial balance was supposed to have been dealt with at the senatorial level. Although, the balance was supposed to be regional, and reflected an earlier time.

Constitutional reform is something that few have the stomach to fight over these days, however.

You'd think that if they were too stupid or lazy to understand MMP they'd be better off not voting, eh?

Well, it's really only confusing if you told people it was confusing. The same people who were confused with MMP were the same people who couldn't figure out why we don't directly elect our Premieres/PMs. Or the concept of 2 votes (1 for a local representative, 1 for a party), just made people suspiscious.

In hindsight, they should have started with something simpler, like instant run-off.

At any rate, the few really debatable elements of the campaign were torn apart by people who wanted reform, to the point where there will be no immediate plans for reform. If we were even close to the 'supermajority' they asked for, then they may have considered a reworked version, but it fell flat.

Ironically, MMP got almost as much popular support as McGuinty's Liberals did. The Liberals won an overwhelming majority government and MMP was declared dead on the table.:mad:

Speaking as a supporter of MMP, I have to say that the "Yes" campaign was pretty lacklustre. Maybe the ludicrous threshold of support McGuinty demanded to pass the measure caused them to give up before they even started, but I thought MMP's supporters did a poor job of getting their message across and made some grievous tactical mistakes. Whose idea was it to sell the lawn signs??!? I can't think of a single political campaign that doesn't give those out for free.

They just decided over the weekend to hold an election. Next month they will have it. They will all vote on paper ballots, plainly marking X's, which will be counted, without any possible dispute, within a day or so. And then the elected officials will be sworn in-- and OUR damned elections, which we have already been agonizing over for more than a year, still won't have happened!
Yeah, hand counting with scrutineers present to look at disputed ballots (ballots marked twice or marked with something identifying [i.e. initials] are removed) gives results.