CanPol: Thread of the Year Edition

[Richelieu]

Well, i would tend to agree, but then again i think the Liberals are even more likely to break their promises. It's in their party culture IMO.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Richelieu


But it may be one that will swing others towards the PC. It's one more step towards the center. They're starting to occupy some of the ground that Canadians traditionally assign to the Libs: and some of those Canadians do want to get rid of the corrupt Liberals.

Richelieu my disagreement with harper is that I think that gay marriage should be condsidered over as an issue. IMHO it exists and should exist. Harper's recent move is TOWARD my position but still not far enough for me. That said , this issue will not determine my vote.

Your last sentence pretty much described my position. I am sick of Liberal corruption and and am willing to give someone else a chance to do better.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
It definitely swings me slightly in their favor. It still ain't good enough for me, I don't trust politician promises.

Its true that many are broken but with an opposition politician you don't have much other way to judge their policies than what they say they might do.

With both Harper and Layton, I tend to believe they will TRY to do as they promise. I believe martin and the Liberals will say or do anything to get elected. I'm actually waiting for the flood of Liberal attck ads I expect to flood out just after New Years

[Kontiki]

I'm curious why the NDP can't get any traction in Quebec. Can any Quebec natives (or anyone else who might know the answer to this) fill me in?

[Ninot]

Well I know for sure in my case, I'm a strategic voter. I dont want Liberals to win, so I vote for the strongest other candidate, which happens to be BQ.

I dont think NDP even run a candidate in my riding. I know they do in others tho.

[Richelieu]

Kontiki: No party history at all. I think Philip Edmunston may have been elected under the NDP banner at some point, years ago. And Ed Broadbent was seen as an OK guy but nothing more. They're just completely absent from the scene.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Ninot
Well I know for sure in my case, I'm a strategic voter. I dont want Liberals to win, so I vote for the strongest other candidate, which happens to be BQ.

I dont think NDP even run a candidate in my riding. I know they do in others tho.

I was pretty sure that they ran a candidate in every riding as a matter of policy.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Kontiki
I'm curious why the NDP can't get any traction in Quebec. Can any Quebec natives (or anyone else who might know the answer to this) fill me in?

French voters don't even think about them when voting. The problem, I think, is one of image. Many of the NDP's policies fall squarely in line with much of Quebec.

The other possible problem is that there is a large positive correlation between being a leftist Quebecer and being separatist. If so, then lefties will choose to vote Bloc instead of NDP because they are additionally a separatist party.

Unfortunately that leaves leftist federalists like myself out in the cold.

[notyoueither]

Anyone watch the whole debate? I only caught the very end.

[joncha]

I watched most of it. Nothing terribly interesting or surprising.

Harper did clarify that he wouldn't reduce GST rebates, though.

[CrONoS]

Another post from the frenchy trying to speak in english:

.... NPD.
I voted for NPD at the two elections. In many popular part of my city(Quebec City) NPD are having quality reprensentant; guy and woman well known in the community. And many people who are leftist thinks to vote for the NPD.(Even as a "right-wing", I hate to see a strong right-wing party at the head of a country, I like to see the opposite force in good strenght).

Younger, I used to live in one of the most intello/arty/separatist/bourgeois region of Quebec(Borduas circonscription; Mainly Beloeil and St-Hillaire) 30 min at east from Montreal. But many parents of my friends was ready to vote for NPD over the BQ if they see the BQ was not doing the right job at Ottawa.

But the Bloc Quebecois seem to do a good job at Ottawa, but I just cant understand the principe to see a separatist party at Ottawa. My opinion is; as long as the province of Quebec are a part of the Canada, I better vote for a party who can help our country to become better, and so our province.

See ya,

[notyoueither]

Nice to hear from you cronos.

[notyoueither]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canadavotes2006/national/2005/12/16/topdebate051216.html

Round 2 of debates sparks bigger fireworks
Last Updated Fri, 16 Dec 2005 23:59:27 EST
CBC News
The leaders of the four main parties traded sharp jabs during the second election debate, with some of the most heated exchanges sparked by same-sex marriage, Canada-U.S. relations and Quebec sovereignty.

The two-hour debate on Friday night was much more fiery than the French-language version a day earlier.

English-language leader's debate (Runs 1:59:43)

FROM DEC. 15, 2005: First debate produces few fireworks

It kicked off with Liberal Leader Paul Martin, Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe and NDP Leader Jack Layton ganging up on Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, who opposes same-sex marriage.

Harper repeated his position that he would hold a free vote on the issue if his party formed the government. As in Thursday's debate, he pledged not to use the notwithstanding clause to change the law.

Martin said Harper would have to invoke the notwithstanding clause, and promised that he would defend the Charter of Rights.

"If you can't defend the Charter of Rights, you've got to ask why you want to be prime minister. I will defend the Charter of Rights and I will not bring forth new legislation," Martin charged.

Is Martin running for the Supreme Court?

[notyoueither]

What would the problem be with saying that man and woman can 'marry', and that same sex couples can 'unite', if both have the same legal rights and priviledges?

Oh damn, there's churches wanting to marry same sex couples.

Tell you what, why not get the fed out of the business of marriage and simply recording all the various 'unions', no matter how each denomination sees the combinations?

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by cronos_qc
Another post from the frenchy trying to speak in english:

.... NPD.
I voted for NPD at the two elections. In many popular part of my city(Quebec City) NPD are having quality reprensentant; guy and woman well known in the community. And many people who are leftist thinks to vote for the NPD.(Even as a "right-wing", I hate to see a strong right-wing party at the head of a country, I like to see the opposite force in good strenght).

Younger, I used to live in one of the most intello/arty/separatist/bourgeois region of Quebec(Borduas circonscription; Mainly Beloeil and St-Hillaire) 30 min at east from Montreal. But many parents of my friends was ready to vote for NPD over the BQ if they see the BQ was not doing the right job at Ottawa.

But the Bloc Quebecois seem to do a good job at Ottawa, but I just can understand the principe to see a separatist party at Ottawa. My opinion is; as long as the province of Quebec are a part of the Canada, I better vote for a party who can help our country to become better, and so our province.

See ya,

You're English is good