CanPol: Thread of the Year Edition

[Starchild]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi


Indeed there was. What were the borders of Quebec back then?

http://collections.ic.gc.ca/charlottetown/map/

1898

A portion of the land purchased by Canada from the Hudson Bay Company in 1868-1869 is given to Quebec by the federal government. As the accompanying map shows, the northern frontier of Quebec passes north of lake Mistassini in Quebec and reaches the mid-point approximately of James Bay.

1912

A further grant of land in the North by the federal government extends the Northern limits of Quebec all the way to Ungava Bay (its present day frontier). See accompanying map.

http://www2.marianopolis.edu/quebechistory/readings/territor.htm

I don't see Quebec ever paying for that land Canada gave them.

Did most of the Western provinces ever pay when they were created?

[Max Webster]

What does a senate actually do?

[RedFred]

Originally posted by Starchild


Did most of the Western provinces ever pay when they were created?

Not all the Western provinces were "created". BC existed as another colony of Great Britain until 1871. Although B.C.'s southern border was poorly defined, the colony went from Pacific to the Rockies and north to 60.

In my view, many of the problems with governing Canada came with the decision to keep increasing the size of Upper and Lower Canada to make Ontario and Quebec the same scale of area as pre-1871 BC.

Even 1867-sized Ontario and Quebec would have dominated Canada, but it would not have been to the same extent as now.

IIRC, Alberta and Saskatchewan were created provinces around the turn of the century, but the Red River Valley of Manitoba was around long before.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Why is this any surprise to anyone? Haven't we heard about scary Harper's hidden agenda for years now.

No, the speech outlines his agenda, not hidden agenda. It shows his political beliefs and those beliefs are not in line with the majority of Canadian who are not conservatives. When a leader has hard rightist views then the chances of people in the middle of the political spectrum voting for him are greatly reduced.

In this campaign, Harper has been trying to position himself as a moderate conservative. The speech belies that spin and shows his true colors.

So it's good night Conservatives.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Max Webster
What does a senate actually do?

Or what should the senate do?

[notyoueither]

Serve as a regionally based check on the power of the PM and the Commons, like it was designed to do?

[Asher]

Originally posted by Tingkai
No, the speech outlines his agenda, not hidden agenda. It shows his political beliefs and those beliefs are not in line with the majority of Canadian who are not conservatives. When a leader has hard rightist views then the chances of people in the middle of the political spectrum voting for him are greatly reduced.

In this campaign, Harper has been trying to position himself as a moderate conservative. The speech belies that spin and shows his true colors.

So it's good night Conservatives.

To be fair, the smartest people know that politicians cater to the tastes of their audience. Given who he was talking to, it should not surprise anyone he said the things he did.

Does anyone here watch "Commander-in-Chief"? If so, do you remember when she uncovered video from the 1960s of her republican nemesis speaking out in favor of segregation? Then she took the high road.

Hollywood having more class than Liberals -- i'm not sure it's "Good night Conservatives". Perhaps that's more wishful thinking on behalf of a Liberal supporter, who evidently is getting some kickbacks himself for all the spin in this thread.

[notyoueither]

There is a very narrow amount of reform possible for the Senate. Changing the Constitution is most likely out of the question (that is why Martin's position is bull crap). Electing the senators, and thereby giving them the legitimacy to use the powers that chamber is granted under our current Constitution is possibly a stretch, but is much more likely to be possible than changing seat distribution.

[notyoueither]

Originally posted by Tingkai
So it's good night Conservatives.

I doubt it. The speech is eight years old, while the electorate is demonstrating some desire for change of the people in power now.

It will confirm the opinions of perople who would never vote for Harper, but I doubt it's gonna swing many undecideds.

[Tingkai]

While Ontario has provided the Liberals with a base of support, Ontario has not used this power to take advantage of the other provinces. Ontario has not demanded special privileges or treatment. In many ways, voters in Ontario have gotten less than voters in other provinces in terms of money.

In terms of political policies, the centrist-leftist beliefs of a majority of Ontario voters are held by many voters throughout the country, including about a third of Albertans.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Kontiki
I think the point that KH is making in regards to "protecting" Ontario isn't that Ontario has been taking its lumps, but rather if you're going to "fix" something, do it in a manner that prevents anyone from shafting someone else. Senate reform shouldn't be an "ah ha! Now's our chance to screw Ontario and Quebec!" type situation. And if it's presented as such, guess what the response from the currently most populous area of the country is going to be?

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by notyoueither

the electorate is demonstrating some desire for change of the people in power now.

A desire for change? I suppose many Canadians would like to see another liberal party, rather than the Liberals in power.

The problem for the Conservatives is that they are stuck in the same voter support range as they have been for the past five to 10 years.

If the Conservatives had a moderate conservative as a leader, they would be in power.

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by Asher

To be fair, the smartest people know that politicians cater to the tastes of their audience. Given who he was talking to, it should not surprise anyone he said the things he did.

Does anyone here watch "Commander-in-Chief"? If so, do you remember when she uncovered video from the 1960s of her republican nemesis speaking out in favor of segregation? Then she took the high road.

Hollywood having more class than Liberals -- i'm not sure it's "Good night Conservatives". Perhaps that's more wishful thinking on behalf of a Liberal supporter, who evidently is getting some kickbacks himself for all the spin in this thread.

Has Harper changed his views? If yes, let's hear about it.

And don't call me no stinking Liberal supporter! I'm an NDPer.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Tingkai
Has Harper changed his views? If yes, let's hear about it.

Isn't that what his campaign is for? Isn't that what we've been hearing?

[Tingkai]

Not really. He's toning down his love for the U.S., but everything else, he still comes off as a Republican conservative.