Canadian Federal Election

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

No he wasn't. He was no policy genius but he was generally a capable administrator. He had a pretty strong cabinet. He only went off the rails towards the end when he had his majority.

The worst Prime Minister in living memory was unquestionably Justin Trudeau (unless you were an admirer of performative virtue signaling and enthusiastic social justice activism). JT destroyed the Canadian economy. Good riddance!!!!

Thank God the Liberals have a centrist back in control...........

Agreed Harper was much more tolerable before the majority, but I was a lot younger and more idealistic during his time in office, and in university when he got his majority.

I appreciate now that Harper was not about performative virtue signalling and social justice activism (though, his social views weren't great), and he did do some things better than Trudeau, but I still think that Harper set up Trudeau and Canada to fail in a lot of ways. Trudeau gets most of the blame for letting immigration, temporary workers, and a mass influx of foreign students get out of hand, but that all started under Harper.

I dislike both Harper and Trudeau, but I dislike Harper more, because he was a total sneak.

I think a part of the reason why PP was doing relatively well with 18-25 year old males is that they are mostly too young to remember Stephen Harper, and his attack dog, Pierre Poilievre.

What Harper has been doing since he left office, with the International Democratic Union, is concerning to say the least. Harper's international organization might have played a part in helping Trump get back in the White House.

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Mulroney's Achilles heel was Meech Lake. His heart was in the right place on this file, but he underestimated how difficult it would be to herd all of Canada's cats in the same direction. This led to a political crisis of his own making, but, I don't generally hold him at fault. He meant well.

He negotiated free trade with the US. This seemed a good idea at the time and led to an era of prosperity. In Trumpian retrospect, free trade left Canada vulnerable. Again, I don't necessarily hold Mulroney to blame. Who could have predicted Adolf Drumpf???

Mulroney was an activist interventionist in foreign affairs and punched well above his weight here. He is well regarded in his efforts to end apartheid in South Africa.

Whether you like him or not, I don't think anyone would argue that Mulroney was not one of Canada's most consequential Prime Ministers.

He was consequential alright, but not in a good way, imo. Selling off Petro Canada was a terrible decision, as was gutting VIA. In general, his privatization schemes did not leave Canada better off in the long term, and he took a lot of credit for the short term benefits of those decisions. Same could be said for Harper with his boneheaded decision to sell the Canadian Wheat Board.

However, unlike Harper, Mulroney was a very likeable guy, and a great public speaker. I see why people still think fondly of Mulroney, but I really feel he sold the country out with his short sighted policies.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by Hecate

Seeing how it was the liberals who denied Jews refuge in Canada during the holocaust, I find this very offensive. To even compare the holocaust to what’s happening in gaza is ridiculous. The Jews weren’t repeatedly attacking the Germans for the past century and Throwing bricks at little old ladies.

The fact that you cannot denounce the antisemitism occurring in Canada or even acknowledge how the Palestinians got themselves into this mess, tells me you’d be the one denying them refuge.

I think it is fair to say that most people with empathy, do not support the forced starvation or annihilation of any group of people, whether it be Palestinians, Jews, Ukrainians, or anyone else. As Canadians, I like to think most share my opinion.

I actually feel sorry for you. Justifying war crimes, especially the murder of innocent people, due to partisan politics, is disgusting IMHO. The irony of your post, is that what happened to the Jews in the Holocaust, is happening to the people of Gaza today. At any rate, this is getting off-topic.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

The Liberals could literally run the best leader in the world of all time and the Conservatives could run a broken toaster promising to electrocute everyone's kids as their leader and Saskatchewan would still pick the broken toaster.

I don't understand my province. At all.

I noticed that Saskatchewan is actually ahead of Alberta, in terms of support for the Conservatives. I would have thought the Liberals had a good chance of winning at least one seat in Regina and Saskatoon. Edmonton could flip 3-4 seats from CPC to LPC. Calgary may flip 1-2 seats.

In Manitoba, it's always the same. Every riding in rural Manitoba (except for Churchill) is won by the CPC. The Liberals and NDP usually battle for Winnipeg, although it looks like most seats will be won by the Liberals.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

I actually feel sorry for you. Justifying war crimes, especially the murder of innocent people, due to partisan politics, is disgusting IMHO. The irony of your post, is that what happened to the Jews in the Holocaust, is happening to the people of Gaza today.

Besides being totally ridiculous this statement has nothing to do with the Canadian election. Pro Israel voices may be switching their votes to the only party unequivocally supporting Israel but there seems to be no pro Palestinian vote trying to punish the Liberals for being not pure enough. Maybe they saw how that worked out for those that abstained or voted Trump. Meanwhile at least US opinion on the issue actually matters.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

I actually feel sorry for you. Justifying war crimes, especially the murder of innocent people, due to partisan politics, is disgusting IMHO.

Wow, just wow. It's like October 7, 2023 never happened.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Besides being totally ridiculous this statement has nothing to do with the Canadian election. Pro Israel voices may be switching their votes to the only party unequivocally supporting Israel but there seems to be no pro Palestinian vote trying to punish the Liberals for being not pure enough. Maybe they saw how that worked out for those that abstained or voted Trump. Meanwhile at least US opinion on the issue actually matters.

Last time I checked the Canadian demographics, Muslims now outnumber Jews by at least 4 to 1. On top of that, Carney has already spoken out against what is happening in Gaza, while (predictably so), Poilievre and the CPC support Israel unconditionally.

If Canada wants to move in a new direction, and move away from the United States, I would even suggest recognising the State of Palestine. Muslim countries would look very favourably upon this, even if it were just symbolic. Considering there are over 2 Billion of them, it would be in Canada's best interest to do so.

[Marshsparrow]

I'm more concerned with reconciliation and Indigenous issues than global middle east ones.

CPC and Pierre do not have a good record for reconciliation and want us to revert to celebration of everything John A again.

This requires more attention and focus.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by travis3000

I can guarantee you and Lio will come reporting that Carney sucked, Quebec is heading to a Bloc landslide and the Liberals will be reduced to their 15 seat Montreal base (just like you said in 2015, 2019, 2021).

Cool story bro, if that's actually what we did.

In fact, we generally base ourselves on polls and what we hear and read out there. Until fairly recently the polls were disastrous for the Liberals in Quebec (as in most other parts of Canada) aside from their bastions in western Montreal and the Outaouais.

But yes at the moment the Liberals' numbers are awesome. So great that it's a legit question if they can keep it up. So far so good for them.

As for the 2021 election, of the Liberals' 35 seats won in Quebec I only count 7 that are outside of Montreal and its immediate suburbs and the Outaouais. And of those 7, 3 are in the Eastern Townships in ridings with higher than usual (for Quebec) percentages of anglos.

The areas of Quebec where francophones are close to 100% of the population were dominated by the Bloc with some Conservative ridings here and there and a tiny number of Liberal outposts.

This will change dramatically on April 28 if the polling numbers hold up.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

I noticed that Saskatchewan is actually ahead of Alberta, in terms of support for the Conservatives. I would have thought the Liberals had a good chance of winning at least one seat in Regina and Saskatoon. Edmonton could flip 3-4 seats from CPC to LPC. Calgary may flip 1-2 seats.

In Manitoba, it's always the same. Every riding in rural Manitoba (except for Churchill) is won by the CPC. The Liberals and NDP usually battle for Winnipeg, although it looks like most seats will be won by the Liberals.

The polling is province and there is a reasonable difference between urban and rural. It is probably closer to 50-50 in the cities. They will all be close in the cities. Maybe 60% towards the L in Saskatoon-University. But outside the cities, the province is probably 65% C, 15% PPC, and 20% L.

As I said. A broken toaster could run for the C's in this province and still get elected. I'm hoping I am surprised in the election, but the hatred of any social conscience in this province is astounding.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

I'm more concerned with reconciliation and Indigenous issues than global middle east ones.

CPC and Pierre do not have a good record for reconciliation and want us to revert to celebration of everything John A again.

This requires more attention and focus.

Agreed lets not import other peoples problems when we have our own. Though I prefer the Conservative approach rather than endless self-flagellation and pretending we are some unique dark force in history when we are one of the shining. Let's not go as far as lionizing him as the Americans do with their "founding fathers" but pretending the very rational and widely supported idea of schools to integrate Indigenous Canadians into the Christian western culture of Canada was somehow a permanent indictment of him.

As for the Liberals. Are we more reconciled than in 2015 and what exactly would success be?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Last time I checked the Canadian demographics, Muslims now outnumber Jews by at least 4 to 1. On top of that, Carney has already spoken out against what is happening in Gaza, while (predictably so), Poilievre and the CPC support Israel unconditionally.

If Canada wants to move in a new direction, and move away from the United States, I would even suggest recognising the State of Palestine. Muslim countries would look very favourably upon this, even if it were just symbolic. Considering there are over 2 Billion of them, it would be in Canada's best interest to do so.

This has to be one of the most electoralist/clientalist/client politics/identity politics/ethno-politics posts I've ever read.

At least it's honest, though.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

I'm more concerned with reconciliation and Indigenous issues than global middle east ones.

CPC and Pierre do not have a good record for reconciliation and want us to revert to celebration of everything John A again.

This requires more attention and focus.

Poilievre has a very poor track record, when it comes to relations with our Indigenous peoples. As late as last month, when he was touring the Arctic, he did not bother to consult with Inuit groups, when promising to build a new military base. Carney toured the Arctic as well after returning from Europe, but he was wise enough to meet with Inuit leaders for consultation.

As for John A MacDonald. I do not agree with erasing our history. MacDonald was the first PM of Canada, and was a product of his time. I think we should leave our history alone. If anything, we can learn from our past.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by Acajack

This has to be one of the most clientalist/client politics/identity politics/ethno-politics posts I've ever read.

At least it's honest, though.

Judging from the replies, I can see I struck a nerve with Maple MAGA...

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by travis3000

For this magic formula to work, turnout for under 50 men would have to increase substantially, while older men and women voters do not rise.

I think we will see good turnout for this one relative to recent elections, big stakes on the line.

[hipster duck]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Last time I checked the Canadian demographics, Muslims now outnumber Jews by at least 4 to 1. On top of that, Carney has already spoken out against what is happening in Gaza, while (predictably so), Poilievre and the CPC support Israel unconditionally.

If Canada wants to move in a new direction, and move away from the United States, I would even suggest recognising the State of Palestine. Muslim countries would look very favourably upon this, even if it were just symbolic. Considering there are over 2 Billion of them, it would be in Canada's best interest to do so.

I wouldn't go quite that far, but I do agree that the Conservative's unconditional support for Israel tests my patience.

Irrespective of what you think about the State of Israel's actions, I'm not sure what strategic sense it makes to support Israel unwaveringly. Israel is not really of any strategic importance to Canada, or vice versa. Our annual trade is a paltry $2 billion, we can't give them any military support, and we don't have any pull in Middle East geopolitics. Do the Israelis even know if we're cozying up to them?

At best, being rah rah Israel might win you a couple of seats up and down Bathurst street in Greater Toronto in a down year for the Liberals. The heavily-Jewish ridings of Montreal are such Liberal locks that they were even poised to go Liberal if Justin Trudeau stayed on.

The Conservative candidate in my riding (which is one of those GTA ridings) is a failed mayoral candidate from 20 years ago that only tweets about Israel, and that is a huge negative in my books. Even before JT stepped down and I was unsure who I was going to vote for, her constant banging of the Israel drum was so unappealing to me that I was considering throwing my vote to the Rhinos, or whatever.

I think the CPC's support for Israel is basically braindead aping of US conservative culture, even though the stakes there are completely different. As we all know, the US does have leverage in the Middle East, it does supply Israel with billions in aid and military support, and there is a large evangelical voter base that really believes that the 1948 State of Israel is a biblical prophecy.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

As for John A MacDonald. I do not agree with erasing our history. MacDonald was the first PM of Canada, and was a product of his time. I think we should leave our history alone. If anything, we can learn from our past.

Agreed.

We don't have to picture him next to a cherry tree with an axe like our American cousins do with George Washington, but we at least have to recognize him (and Cartier) as the fathers of our country, and creators of one of the better nations on this planet. Sir John A. also oversaw most of the historical expansion of our country to include the west and the Arctic, and had the foresight to see the need for the NWMP and the CPR to secure the west from Yankee expansionism. His faults should also be acknowledged, but, Canada would not be Canada without Sir John A.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Apparently a huge number of people could be attempting to cross our borders in the next weeks and months.

According to what and who? I don't understand these random fly by posts of yours.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

Poilievre has a very poor track record, when it comes to relations with our Indigenous peoples. As late as last month, when he was touring the Arctic, he did not bother to consult with Inuit groups, when promising to build a new military base. Carney toured the Arctic as well after returning from Europe, but he was wise enough to meet with Inuit leaders for consultation.

He isn't the government and doesn't need to consult. There is no veto so he might consult on the location and other details but he can absolutely declare he is building a base if that is what he thinks is best for Canada. Of course the real consultations are bribes and fees to discuss and delay every project. Poilievre's poor track record is not giving into the grievance politics.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

According to what and who? I don't understand these random fly by posts of yours.

Radio-Canada. Look up the thread.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Acajack

The debates are going to be very interesting. Especially the French one.

That could be the make or break between a Carney majority or a minority.

Has any debate really mattered in the last 20 years?