shoop

That's the issue with the NDs, and the real reason why they will never form government nationally. No understanding of economics or tax policy. Here is a well-thought out way to alleviate the burden of the GST on poor Canadians. The GST rebate targets the poor directly. Why not increase the amount of the GST rebate? Increase the threshold income for eligibility to receive the rebate? Reducing the GST across the board would cost billions and put more money in the pockets of "the rich", as well as "the poor".

There was that string of the minority governments in 1962-1963-1965 where both the Liberals and the Conservatives were lead by men (Pearson and Diefenbaker) with regional pockets of support, but lacking the gravitas to appeal to voters across the nation. The minority governments ended by the time of the 1968 election when both parties had picked new leaders. Does anybody see either Harper or Martin leading their parties into another election if the polls stay as they are in a 2005/06 election? Martin is gone without a majority, period. Harper is gone without a win. Guess he's lucky in that a CPC minority government would save his job.

Good explanation from today's Globe. Martin flies out for the fundraiser but fits in the Canada West Foundation meeting so the Liberal party isn't on the hook for expenses for the flight.

Martin can definitely try that, but there is a reasonable question all three opposition leaders can ask in response. What has he done to prove he deserves to be trusted with a majority? Thankfully that picture will be long forgotten by the time of the next election.

Which poll?

I am no fan of Parrish either. She isn't my MP, and likely won't be back after the next election. If she can inflict some damage on the Liberals on her way out the door, power to her...

Hey mirror, why don't you give a couple of examples of these "tax loopholes" you find unfair?

I really don't think anybody in Ontario cares if the Liberals head out west at the end of August. What issue or policy is he attempting to meet Albertans half way on? If there is some sort of future conflict with Alberta what can he point to from this trip? As Sparhawk said the Liberal caucus should try and incorporate all of Canada. Besides the $175K raised from the big wig dinner plus another boatload of cash from a less expensive, but much more well-attended dinner, doesn't hurt.

That's very sad news. Strahl is an honourable man who has served his constituents well. Best wishes Chuck.

My vibe would be that she tried to get back into caucus and PM Dithers finally decided no. Parrish is definitely going to be a thorn in the Liberals side this session. If she is bitter and runs as an independent that could really hurt the Liberals in the riding. A riding that voted PC as recently as 1988. Warwick - the only reason for PM Dithers to try and force an election this early is if he has an inkling that the Gomery report is going to be dynamite to him. but you never know. He would be lucky to hold onto the seats he has at this point.

Martin was talking about a historic breakthrough in Alberta not all that long ago. Is he willing to align his social policies more with those of the average Albertan to do so? If not, the cynicism is deserved.

Hmmmm, tens of thousands of Canadians in the manufacturing sector thrown out of work. Government open to billions of dollars in liability from litigation. Cancelling NAFTA would be political suicide, thankfully NAFTA will not be abrogated.

Good thread mirror. This is very interesting news. Layton is the key to a fall election. I would guess that all four parties have most, if not all, of their candidates nominated for the election and probably have lawn signs, posters, etc. ready to go. It will be interesting to see what the Liberals fight the election on. If the bloc-CPC coalition had worked in the spring it would have been very easy to make the central theme of the election about stopping this 'unholy alliance'. With the Nds joining the fray against the Liberals it will be all about Gomery v. stop the scary Conservatives (replace with Bloc in Quebec.) Kinda tough to campaign on an unnecessarily early election call when ALL the opposition leaders in the house pushed for it. Plus we are getting close to the historical lifespan for mnority governments, yada yada.

Which poll? Link? Try and start a legitimate debate and unnamed pollsters resort to trolling without any suppor of their positions. Glad the forum rules are so strictly enforced.

Let's look at the last three national polls. Lib CPC ND Green BQ 36 28 17 6 12 19 undecided - Ipsos (August 22nd) 39 25 19 5 13 14 undecided - SES (August 15th) 34 31 20 4 11 11 undecided Environics (Aug 10th) 36 28 19 5 12 15 undecided Average 36.7 29.6 15.7 4.3 12.4 2004 Election Looking bad for the Liberals entering the election. Gomery inquiry plus their history of losing votes. "The Liberals have not moved as one would have expected them to move," Mr. Bricker said. "They are still at the level they were going into the last federal election campaign, and we know they have a tendency to lose support during the course of a campaign." The big questions are the undecided and where the soft support parked with the NDs goes....

The CPC is committed to single tier health care. www.conservatives.ca

A big part of the rise in gas prices is stability of supply concerns. There are questions about how stable the oil supply is in Saudia Arabia (new king), Venezuela, Russia, Iraq... The Saudia Arabian concerns appear to have been unfounded. Venezuela and Russia are slowly getting better. Not guaranteeing it will go down, but that is my guess...

Mirror, Why did Layton abandon proportional representation during the non-confidence vote? It is more of a priority for the NDs than the Conservatives. That was the best chance Layton has had as leader to force his agenda. Seriously, it isn't a priority for the Conservatives? Please build a valid, case for why it should be without the kneejerk insult about being in freefall.

Sparhawk, valid points but not worth the effort. Mirror is just trying to get a rise out of you and it worked. Harper could win a majority and Mirror would be posting about the Conservatives in freefall. (You do remember that Decima poll that he hasn't mentioned again because it doesn't confirm his baiting activity.) Greg has made a general post about "bad behaviour" in the forums, but it isn't being applied equally. Mirror continues to start fights on the boards, call names and get away with it. That is the price we have to pay for the privilege of being on these boards. Constant bullying, name calling and harrassment by Mirror. He is above reproach, can call people names and tell them to shut up without public rebuke by Greg. As the old saying goes "the best way to deal with a pest is to ignore them."

The price of gas has dropped in the past. Look for oil to recede to $50 US a barrel in the fall. Would you like a phone call or a PM when the price drops?

Quit lying!

Dude, I'm rational and make fair comments when not repeatedly attacked and put down by childish, unnamed, individuals. The tone on this boards would improve tremendously if people would actually take the time to read posts instead of just jumping in and trying to put people down. Take a look at my posting history. There are many posts where I concede people have valid points. Of course things sink to the schoolyard level when people are bullied, insulted and put down.

I think the poll is pretty tough to analyze for historic trends before the founding of the CPC without answering that question.

No, not at all. There was no reason for her to give up millions of dollars a year as head of Magna unless she was going to become PM. She'll never do that with the Liberals. Woo hoo, her best case will be to get another portfolio for six months or so IF PM Dithers squeaks out another minority. Once a leadership review is held she'll be swept outta cabinet by the unlucky sap who replaces Martin. Worst case for poor Belinda, Harper wins and she gets to pine across the aisle at former love, current Deputy PM Peter....

I recently read an article that the Mint has rejected the idea of a five dollar coin. Market research indicated there would be huge public opinion against it.