tml12

I don't even live in the West but I feel insulted by that idea. "We'll go down to Quebec, speak French to those people and there'll be no problem once they know us." tml, are you American? One More Thing: No I am not but I think you missed my point. I am not saying that this is what she should do because this is my opinion. I am saying that it is clear Martin appointed Jean for two reasons: 1) To increase Liberal fortunes in Quebec. 2) To show that the Liberal Party is pro-immigrants and can live the "American dream" in Canada. As Governor General, one of her main roles in unity. She needs to visit the West and defend our tradition of monarchy. I am not saying the West is so ignorant that they would buy into it just because of that (it was poorly worded, as I read it again I realized the ambiguity of what I was saying).

I agree and kinda wonder what Clark gets out of continually taking potshots from the sidelines. Seriously, what is he hoping to achieve? Don't be too hasty to come to that conclusion. There are some enclaves on the island that could turn for the party.... Which will hopefully happen. There is a prime example how the Liberals can't think outside the box. It only has to stop working for maybe five to ten percent of the electorate, then Dithers is in huge, huge trouble. Definitely going to be a minority government. "In all likelihood" is far too strong, if you put any faith in these poll results.... Harper has been doing a good job on this count lately. Seriously there has been nothing since Grewal, and that was a pretty strange case which never really hurt the party. ETA, just took a look at the numbers and this is a totally plausible situation. Basically it is the results from the 2004 election with the Liberals losing about four points to the NDs. The CPC basically holds its vote from 2004. Why would somebody who voted CPC in 2004 change their mind? Say the Liberals lose (from 2004 results) eight seats to the bloc, sixteen to the CPC and four to the NDs. New standing = Lib - 107 CPC - 115 BQ - 62 ND - 23 Which is good for the country for a number of reasons. Buh bye Dithers and it gives Harper the chance to show what he can do without giving him free range. btw August I made these projections ASSuming the CPC gets shut out in QC. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I agree with your analysis. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to give Harper a minority government. However, we must also consider that a minority Conservative government wouldn't be THAT much different. Harper would still be restrained, as the Bloc would hold him back on many social and economic issues. And he certainly wouldn't get the support of the NDP or the Liberals. I think it would not give Canadians the chance to see a real Harper government, but it would be a change.

In 1994, the Labour Party adopted a strategy known as "New Labour" and, under New Labour, the Party adopted many neo-liberal reforms. They put these reforms in place once elected in 1997: 1) Giving the Bank of England its own ability to regulate interest rates. 2) Not spend more than the previous Conservative government. 3) Not raise income taxes. 4) Cut benefits to single parents. 5) Championed small government and PPP's (public-private partnerships). 6) Been generally supportive of the business community, abandoning most attempts at privatization and taken a more firm position with the unions. It sounds a lot more like the Charest Liberal government here in Quebec and less like the federal Liberals. However, keep in mind that the Labour Party was never considered the UK's equivalent of our federal Liberals...they were the NDP of the UK.

When I was 15, I would say about 30% of my grade was having sex. Whether or not I think that was correct (or too early, etc.), I certainly don't believe in criminalizing them.

August, I don't disagree with your arguments regarding Martin and Lapierre, and I also believe that moderate separatists are well-intentioned, open-minded people. However, what would you like Jean to do? If she truly wants to bridge the "two solitudes" and not make that some kind of searing-in ceremony BS than she needs to (or at least Martin would love her to) attempt to attract moderate separatists and seem more open to the West.

You make it sound like she was an elected MP. She would probably made an good one for the Liberals in Quebec, but then again the separatist issue would have kept her from being nominated by the Liberals. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> HAHAHA...well, let's put it this way. She better do whatever she does for the sake of her own position.

So here we go again,another Liberal making the news.Think he'll clear his name,or will he be toast? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Because he had a high ranking (and high ranking officials usually find some way out of their own bad deeds) I think he'll get out of it. However, it still doesn't justify what he did and I hope he is prosecuted for his wrongdoings.

Yes, it's just you. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Okay I take "centre-right" back. But if you have been following his transformation of the Labour Party and visited UK-based politicalcompass.org, you should agree, as they do, that New Labour and the Conservatives aren't a whole lot different.

One would think that all the polling firms would just ask a simple, non-leading question, in hopes of getting semi-accurate results, which unfortunately hasn't been happening. I think that these poll numbers are probably right, and they do have a larger sample base. Even as a Liberal supporter, I find the media always trying to bash the Conservatives, which I find to be unfair. If the numbers keep up like this, the election will probably be after the first Gomery report, with the Bloc in the 40's and the Conservatives near 30%. It seems that with Cadman no longer with us, the Conservatives and Bloc, with Kilgour and O'Brian, will probably topple the government with or without the NDP, as they now have the numbers. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I read that too. However, if you're a Liberal supporter I wouldn't be concerned. The November 1 report isn't going to tell us anything we didn't already hear last spring. And, as you probably know in Toronto, Canadians may hate what they're hearing from Gomery...but I do believe enough will be intimidated enough by Harper's right-wing past and Liberal TV commericials to keep the Liberals in power.

Jean initially needs to do the following as Governor General is she wants to make a real attempt to end Canada's "two solitudes:" She is currently being seen as a polarizing figure, even while she elicits "the two solitudes are over." 71% of Quebecers approve of Jean's nomination, but a clear majority also want to dump the position of the Governor General. 38% of the rest of Canada supports Jean's nomination, but a majority nonetheless support the position of the Governor General. Thus, with the eye on Jean for expecially the first six months, I propose: 1) She tours English Canada, but ESPECIALLY western Canada, and makes it EXTREMELY clear with her ardent humility that she is pro-Canada. 2) Affirms support from her constituents in Quebec, even in separatist regions...reassuring moderate separatists that they have a stronger voice in Canada because "she is one of them" (hardcore separatists aren't going to give a shit anyway and probably would question her "frenchness" given she's Haitian.) For the record, I think she will make a fine Governor General and will be a strong voice for Canadians of all nationalities.

thelonius, that is pretty crazy. Your experienc with illicit narcotics matches mine almost exactly. (Assuming that the wheee about mushrooms means it is AWESOME!) I have always thought that certain highs attract certain people. Maybe there is a connection between pot/hash/mushrooms and people who post on message boards. Back to the point of the thread. From everything I can see here in the heart of the Bloc (i.e. Saguenay) it looks like Boisclair is going to run away with this thing. I`m not sure how they are actually selecting the leader (i.e. delegates or universal vote) but he is looking like an easy first ballot winner at this point. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am pretty sure it is a universal vote that will take place via telephone from November 15 to 17. Today's Montreal Gazette puts Boisclair at 39% (compared to Marois at 19%) and 60% of dedicated PQ voters will vote for Boisclair in a provincial election. For the record, only did pot and shrooms (I second that wheeee!!!)

Is it just me or can we assume Tony Blair's Labour Party (i.e. New Labour) at least centre-right? Shocking for anyone who has been following the Labour Party for the last 20 or so years.

I am not sure how you would respond to this question, as it appears that it is basically correct. My take on it is that the price the NDP asks is too high. Health care might get vastly improved, but how long could it be sustained after all the businesses get taxed out of Canada? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is true and, for the record I am not an NDP supporter. However, although I may just vote Liberal, it angers me that Martin calls himself "one of us" when he so obviously uses the private system?

Your goals are noble and your amibitions are high. Regardless of your political views, I think your wanting to get involved in politics is fantastic. Too many teenagers fail to vote, much less get physically involved in politics. There is no doubt that with age comes experience. Since this is the provincial politics forum and I live in Quebec, I know that in 1970 Robert Bourassa was portrayed as immature, as is future PQ hopeful Andre Boisclair. Yet, Canada's youth are less likely to be tainted with nepotism, cronyism, and other negatives that haunt Canada's (and the world's) older politicians. My best to you and I wish you the best of luck. Age is a factor that carries both positive and negative implications. From reading your post, and by your reaching out, I can tell your on the right track...

Right after I got my quick Elwis answer in I got to thinking .... I wonder how much the Americans can kick in? Who does George Bush favor? GO STEPHEN GO! GO STEPHEN GO! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If Stephen Harper became PM: 1) Canada would join missile defence. 2) The beef dispute would end. 3) George Bush would get the first bit of good news he has seen in the last two months.

As long as the NDP sees itself as the guardian of minorities and the enemy of those horrible white straight middle class people, it has no chance of ever gaining power. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You're right. But do you agree that they are the only party with the CLEAR mandate to save the public system?

I think he is a bit more realistic than other PQ people. One thing I hate is ideologues. And frankly, if you aren't willing to hear both sides of the opinion, you are only hurting yourself. Don't dither, yet don't be impulsive. I think Boisclair, regardless of his inexperience, gets this.

Paul Martin uses a private clinic here in Montreal. I don't object to private care, but let's be honest about it and stop being like (we don't have it). Honestly, the more we turn our heads the more we allow the more likely we wake up one day to American-style health care.

So ... it'll be a race. And THAT'S the ace card Stephen's got up his sleeve! And THAT'S how is he going to win! I hope. That is the ONLY way he can win this time around, IMO. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'll give you that...

A friend asked me a question the other day: What would make Canada more right-wing? A whopping 300-seat Conservative majority for four years OR a 1-seat Conservative majority for twelve years? Naturally, one would assume the 300-seat majority. But, my friend (who is Conservative) said that sure any right-wing legislation would pass the Commons BUT would be rejected by the Liberal-dominated Senate (the Liberals currently have 68/105 seats). My question to you: can we SAFELY assume this???

Okay, Three policies I do not like about a party I support: If an election were held today I would vote Liberal. The NDP is a bit too left for me (but, having met Jack Layton I think he is just beyond entertaining), the Bloc (here in Quebec) needs to talk about things other than separation (like they're separatist and for Quebec...but other than that I don't know what they support), and the Conservatives need to stop talking Gomery (I know Gomery sucks but that is not working for them in Ontario) and start talking policy (otherwise it seems like "we have an extreme right agenda but we're hiding behind Gomery") BUT: 1) MISSILE DEFENCE. It sucks and it doesn't make sense and the Bush government is just idiotic...plus the system is already outdated. YET it is abolutely outrageous that the Americans will be making missile defence decisions and then saying "okay Canada, please leave the conference table while we make a decision about how to defend you." And Martin is like "we still want to be notified." Canadians just don't seem to get: LIVING ON THE SAME CONTINENT AS THE WORLD'S ONLY REMAINING SUPERPOWER MEANS WE ARE IN MISSILE DEFENCE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT. It is a flawed program, but we NEED a seat at the table, otherwise our sovereignty dwindles... 2) GAY MARRIAGE. As someone who thought I was gay for many years and have many gay friends, I support gay marriage and know firsthand what it is like to live gay. YET, to me marriage is a religious institution and it should be up to each province and each religious denomination whether or not to allow gay marriage. A civil union is not marriage. 3) HEALTH CARE. The Martin Liberal government is NOT the great protector of Medicare and Paul Martin himself uses a well-known PRIVATE Montreal clinic known to most Montrealers. The Liberals have either got to come clean with Medicare or quit the bullsh*t. And Dosanjh won't write a letter to Quebec because the Liberals are afraid to propel the sovereignty movement. Meanwhile Martin is like "I will not be a good prime minister unless I end western alienation." Enough.

People like politicians who kiss their kids, help old women cross the street, and who buy their suits at Value Village. In other words, behaving like the common, disenfranchised people they aren't. Regardless of how I view his policies, I honestly believe Stephen Harper is a decent guy. But he's a POLICY guy, not a feel-good guy. When Stephen Harper picks up your kids, it doesn't seem real. He's not intentionally being pretentious, but it comes across that way. Jack Layton is a feel-good guy, Martin plays like he's your grandfather, and Duceppe plays the nationalist card. For a Canadian Conservative politician who is not a feel-good guy with no sweet story, there is only one card he can play, and that is the American one. Unfortunately for Stephen Harper, the Liberals are more than happy to play this card for him.

The Liberals plan to dramatically increase immigration is a political strategy and an election ploy to cement their support in the GTA and other Liberal-friendly immigrant areas. For years the Liberals promised to allow foreign students attending Canadian universities to work off-campus (as the U.S. does) but, even after Volpe made the announcement official in May) things are still being "worked out." I don't truly stand behind one party, but when the Conservatives say "what's new?" on immigration issues, they're right.

Living in Quebec, I am a bit ostracized from Conservative Party politics. Thus, after reading an article in the Montreal Gazette today regarding Peter MacKay's secret undermining of Harper's leadership I wondered: 1) Could MacKay be a better leader than Harper? 2) Does he have what it takes to beat the Liberal media machines? 3) Is he an attractive candidate (i.e. will he make people want to vote Conservative?) I am interested in your thoughts...

I am new here on these boards but I will weigh in on this issue first... The PQ doesn't care whether or not Boisclair did coke. What they did care about is that he is moderate and IS MOST ENTRENCHED IN QUEBEC'S YOUTH COMMUNITY. Marois is seen as too hardcore and worn out and no one is taking the other candidates seriously. Quebec is extremely liberal per North American standards on drug use (and Quebec's youth community even more so), thus I think you will find this issue will blow over if, as it seems, Boisclair wins the leadership race (pardon the pun).