Vancouver King

...yet another interesting fact from the latest EKOS poll: Among university educated respondents, 41% intend to vote NDP, 21% for Conservatives. Does this mean the Tories have the "boor" vote?

Conservatives are 10-12% behind their finish last time around with minimal upside potential. Now that Harper's vision of a fossil fueled energy super power lies in ruins, his foes - as well as the electorate - smells the unmistakeable stench of failure.

TV ads cut both ways. A gov't that has raised character assassination to an art form (ie. Ignatieff) during it's decade in power has absolutely no argument for sympathy when it's victims use the same airwaves to document that gov'ts shortcomings. The Conservative gov't has spent $75 million of tax money designing TV ads to glorify the Conservative party while informing Canadians of programs. When will Conservatives pay some of this expenditure back to the treasury?

...another interesting number from the latest EKOS poll: The NDP is now more popular in Ontario than Quebec (36% vs. 35%) Astonishing.

The senate most certainly will be a key issue in the coming election. In fact, it is already taking a toll on Con/Lib support including the once thought unmovable Conservative core base. Testimony directly linking Harper's PMO to a political cover-up is now timed for early October, probably the final death blow for a tired, undeserving regime. Ask yourselves this: what issues have contributed to the current Con/Lib astonishing decline and more to the point, what issues between now and the election will serve to turn them around?

I am confident counting my chickens 4 months out. The Ontario EKOS numbers point to a seismic shift never before witnessed in public opinion in the province that encompasses fully 40% of all Canadian federal elections. In a lifetime of reading such numbers I have never seen anything that resembles this political shift in the nation's heartland. Mulcair increasingly looks like a winner.

It is obvious Conservative regulars on this forum will soon need an adjusted perspective on reality. A decade of talking down and tormenting their foes appears to be ending. Every new poll another nail in an arrogant, entitled coffin.

.... and now for the highlight number from today's EKOS poll: Ontario federal numbers: NDP - 36 Libs - 26 Cons -26 Is it too early to put the champagne on ice?

I agree completely with your prediction. Despite his take-no-prisoners hammering of the prospect of an opposition coalition, Harper would reach out to Liberals in a heartbeat to prevent Mulcair from forming govt. Conservative treachery knows no boundaries. If the NDP repeat in Quebec there is a real possibility of the party forming a national majority. The timing of Duffy 's forthcoming court case headlines, the NDP's favorable Senate stance, Trudeau's undeniable fading and the prospect of Mulcair savaging Harper in the debates, all bodes well for the NDP. There is something stirring in the electorate and it is not favorable for the old line parties.

CBC reports today: NDP Doubles Support In Atlantic Canada At the Expense of Liberals. "A poll released Wednesday shows many Atlantic Canadian voters are ready to switch from red to orange, with the Liberals' massive lead softening in favor of an NDP surge." "Halifax-based Corporate Research Associates found support for the NDP in the four Atlantic provinces jumped from 14% to 29% in just 3 months. "The poll shows supports for the Liberals dropped from 56% to 43% in the same time period. The support for the Conservatives changed marginally, from 26% to 24%." ............................................................................................ Taken together with Nanos' recent soundings suggesting Mulcair's NDP has edged ahead of it's rivals nationally, expect the old line parties to adjust their political fire towards the far left. The NDP magic in Alberta continues it's national reach.

MacKay can read polls like everyone else. EKOS has the Conservatives at 17% support in Atlantic Canada, which likely means the loss of many seats. A friend in the polling business claims this 17% figure is in free-fall. The description of rats fleeing the floundering ship is an accurate one. With Baird, Flaherty, Prentice and now MacKay history, the Tory front bench consists of wannabe lightweights.

Liberals to blame for loss of auto jobs in Ontario? Harper unloaded remaining $3 billion of GM stock recently to balance the current budget, thus relinquishing any leverage over GM for auto layoffs.

How did the Conservatives miss this one? An ad designed to show Harper's economic acumen featured the CLOSED CAMARO ASSEMBLY PLANT in Ontario. This closure resulted in 1,000 direct, high pay job losses. With the millions in donations the Tories receive one would expect better research on ad symbolism. And round one goes to - not the Conservatives.

Amazing CROP federal numbers for Quebec released today: NDP: 42% Libs: 25 Cons: 15 Bloc: 13 In a desperate effort to retain his Quebec city rump, Harper stumps these ridings today handing out federal funds as he goes. The prospect of a solid NDP Quebec along with the socialists new-found respectability via the Alberta election has the Conservatives running scared.

This poll result underlines the vulnerability of an aging gov't increasingly marked by single theme measures - constant legislation designed to line the pockets of the well off which seriously beggars the middle class. Conservatives are an inch away from releasing a ground swell of disgusted Canadians voters whose sense of fair play has been violated once too often..

Can't wait for Stephen Harper's reaction to this NDP majority. Happy days are here....

You would have to have been there in the 1960's and witnessed Social Credit 's 40 year dynasty destruction to appreciate what is apparently going to take place in Alberta tonight. For 41/2 decades they could run donkeys here with PC colors and get them elected, tonight all the portents say they will collectively declare enough is enough. Political junkies measure their lives on evenings like this.

One hour before polls close! CBC reports huge increase in young people at polling stations - this doesn't bode well for the Dinosaur Party.

Is it too late for predictions? (polls close in about 9 hours). NDP minority and both right wing parties form coalition to prevent the horrors of Alberta's first socialist regime - including the first opportunity to shine light under program rocks in 44 years, resulting in the need for several new white collar prisons. Isn't democracy wonderful?

and how would you describe the closure of Kitsilano's Coast Guard headquarters - Vancouver's only coast guard facility. Did you see the dry docked surface skimmer on CTV last night? - mothballed due to Harper's recent layoffs. Of course with a prime minister in the pocket of BIg Oil it is logical BC,s environment should be sacrificed to Alberta's desire to export tar sands sludge.

In what can only be described as a warm-up to the inevitable main event, Vancouver now cleans up oil spilled in English Bay and off it's beaches. This fuel bunker oil discharge is only the tiniest down payment of an inevitable tanker spill. This, of course, is in the context of Stephen Harper's gutting of west coast Coast Guard local resouces - resulting in a 15 hour delay before the city of Vancouver was notified of the spill by the Feds. Kinder Morgans pipeline will result in a 400% increase in tanker traffic and risk. And what are BC Conservative MPs reaction? "Don't make politics of this situation". Seems even BC Tories cannot resist the allure of Big Oil, Alberta edition.

I wonder if the Prime Minister still clings to his belief that the causes and personal evolution of these terrorists are of no consequence.

How is Trudeau winning my vote? By being the only electable alternative to the current gov't. The next election is only about a year away so allow me to be first in turning away from my first choice - the NDP. Strategic voting might just be the difference in an effort to turn Harper out of office.

Electing a government who works on behalf of working/middle class Canadians instead of corporations/cronies would help. Only a complicit gov't would tolerate the abuses of the temporary workers program and shrug off a dismal jobs report like todays. The reason is simple - they just don't give a damn.

What irony, Harper's rhetoric against the tyrant Putin while pushing at home electoral changes appropriate to a despot.