maplesyrup

Hi Neil.F.....I agree with you and all the more reason we need to bring in proportional representation ,so that the minorities, have some kind of representation. I believe that the Ontario liberals are committed to doing it, but we'll have to wait and see. I remember living in Ontario and was stunned when Bob Rae and the NDP took power. Rae's government behaviour, by caving, and not sticking to their election platform, once they got elected, destroyed them, and also damaged the NDP right across the country for quite awile. I notice that they have not been reelected in Ontario since then. I just don't know how the NDP does so well, as they have none of the media, or certainly not the mainstream media supporting them. They must be quite committed to their cause, much mores,o than any other group their size in the country. They probably have 10 times as many NDP supporters as the Liberals or the Conservatives because they don't have the money to compete with Bay Street. I very much respect Chtretien for the new electoral financing act - part of his legacy. --------------------------------------------------------------- John Tory urged to join race to lead Ontario PCs `The more the better': Flaherty by John Benzie in today's t s ] http://www.torontostar.com/NASApp/cs/Conte...ol=968705899037

Hi Neil.F.......political discussions can get heated and people can get worked up over things, but those comments of yours on the previous post are inappropriate and unacceptable. Please remove them and I will remove them here as well. Quote Maplesyrup, I assure you, they can screw things up worse than the Liberals. Can you imagine what would happen if you gave Svend Robinson real power? He's done enough damage as a member of the 5th party in parliament!!!!!!! And if the NDP ever did come to power, it would bring with it other unsavoury characters...like Jaggi Singh for instance. It would be the gutter taking power. Unquote. Disagreeing with someone's point of view is fine, but don't use personal attacks or putdowns. For one thing, it weakens your argument, just like swearing does. Some people believe if you have to swear, you aren't very well educated having such a small vocabularly, and therefore not worth listening to. I don't believe that was your intention Thanks very much.

The Liberals didn't used to be too bad under Chretien, Trudeau, etc., but now, eh? It's just that the NDP are better, and anyway, they have never had a kick at the can. I doubt the NDP could screw things, up any worse than those that have, or have had, power. Hopefully they will be an honest and sensible government with integrity, and most importantly, that they would be very careful with the country's finances.

FastNed....thanks for the political science lesson, however what I stated previously still stands. Al Gore received the most number of actual votes, or popular votes, but because of the Electoral College system he lost. I was just trying to make a point about the unfairness of your system, just like Canada's, that's all. I know, I know, life isn't fair. It's what you make of it, and all that stuff. We have an unfair system here in Canada too with our first-past-the-post system, whereby political parties have obtained majority governments with only high thirties, low forties percent of the popular vote. Many provinces, but not our federal government yet, in Canada are, or will be shortly, exploring some kind of a proportional representation system to make the system more FAIR. By-the-way, whether you are stating that God is for the Democrats, or for the Republicans, either one is an absurd comment.

Many Canadians pride themselves on their medicare system, and yet it is constanyly being berated in the news. We have talked until we are blue in the face. It's time for our governments to act and implement the Romanow report now. Australia is currently exploring including dental care in their medicare plan. Let's beat them to it, and include dental care in Canada's medicare system first, after all the mouth is part of the human body. I just don't understand why it was excluded in the first place. Commission on the Future of Health Care (better known as the Romanow Report) http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/care/romano...now/index1.html Canada Health Act http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/medicare/home.htm

Thank goodness there was a change in government in Ontario. I know now where Peter MaKay can get the $800,000 he needs to enter the federal Conservative leadership race. 'Adviser to Eves left with $917,000 Buyout detailed in secret document Liberal source says Eves' staff cut deal' http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...ol=968350116467 'New Democrat MPP Michael Prue (Beaches-East York) said the sweetheart deal "shows that the rot was very deep within the Conservatives to have done that when they were leaving ..."' Reading this article makes me realize all these labels we throw aroiund, with sweeping generalizations, aren't necessarily very useful. There are good people everywhere, whether they are Conservative, Liberal, NDP, right, left, or upsidedown. And some not so good. All I know is that these government boondoggles, combined with tax loopholes, or tax avoidance schemes, and unfair taxation rates, have got to stop, so that our governments can do what they are supposed to do, for our Canadian citizens. This is absolute nonsense, and hopefully the current Ontario government goes after him, and makes him return every cent, including interest, and costs involved to get the money back. This is a perfect example of why I beleve all governments, at all levels, should have their finances totally out in the open for everyone to see, unless it involves special circumstances like national security, defence, and privacy, such as healthcare information, etc. Last Election Date: October 2, 2003 Latest Year for Next Election: 2008 Results of Last Election Political Parties Popular-------Vote-------Seats Won----Status Liberal Party --------------------46.5------72 seats ------Majority Progressive Conservative ----34.6------24 seats-----Opposition New Democratic Party---------14.7--------07 seats Other------------------------------4.21

Morgan.....Canada/BC has potentially one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the Canadian political scene, and you're focusing on whether or not a couple of consenting adults had sex. Suffice to say, I rest my case. Please don't take my comments personally, as we don't even know each other. We just have different points of view, I guess.

Since when do Conservatives not commit adultery? Who cares who is sleeping with who? It's government policies that matter, because that is what impacts on Canadian citizens. By going off on these tangents, concerning yourself with what people are doing with their personal lives, is one of the main reasons why Conservatives rarely get elected in Canada thses days. Let's keep religion and politics separate. To quote Pierre Elliott Trudeau: 'The state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation.'

- heard on the CBC 'Politics' show today Conservatives will be happy to hear that a new a new conservative magazine is being launched in Canada entitled: 'Western Standard' A fellow who used to write for the National Post named Erza Levant is involved. Who is he? ---------------------------------- -from today's national Post 'Western Standard will be antidote to Maclean's, the CBC' http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpos...3a-458075b0ad03 'Here are my top 10 reasons why I think the Western Standard is going to be the must-read magazine of 2004: 1. There is simply nothing else like it today -- no conservative Canadian news magazine exists. 2. We will cover important news stories that the liberal media ignores -- or even censors. 3. We will report news about conservatives, Christians and other politically incorrect people without disparaging them. 4. We will be the antidote to the CBC's pro-Liberal bias in the 2004 federal election. 5. We will be a true Western voice, with a Western publisher, editor and writers. 6. We will have the best conservative and libertarian columnists in the country -- and from around the world. 7. We have a sense of humour -- unlike most liberal media who take themselves too seriously and seem to regard most jokes as offensive. 8. Two words: pro-beef. 9. Even our ads will be interesting. 10. And, in all seriousness, we will rebuild the public vocabulary of freedom and personal responsibility in Canada.' ----------------------------------------------- -from today's Gloe and Mail by Bruce Cheadle 'Stronach pondering bid for Tory leadership' http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/...Story/National/ 'Ms. Stronach, a telegenic 37-year-old with an impeccable business pedigree, would add significant lustre to a leadership race — and a new federal party — that has so far been dogged by high profile names opting out rather than in.' I guess some folks don't think Harper is the right person.

I don't know many of you live out here on the West coast, but for those of you who don't, there is a television station on Vancouver Island, called the New VI. It seems that ever since the RCMP raid on the BC Legislature on Sunday, December 28, there has been daily shows devoted to this issue on this TV station. Today they had 1 & 1/2 hours devoted to this growing scandal. The Ottawa press corps can try to ignore it all they want, but his story has legs. For example, Norm Spector, who is a regular political commentator on the New VI and also a journalist, contrasted the differences between Paul Martin and Jack Layton today, as the NDP leader held a news conference in Ottawa, asking Martin to suspend the federal Liberal people involved in the police raids: Martin - nervous and uncomfortable Layton - handled the media's difficult questions well, was prepared, impeccable timing, the best he has ever seen him. For most Canadians this is the first time that they are seeing both these men perform in their respective roles, and remember, first impressions are lasting impressions.

Do you think this raid by the RCMP on the BC Legislature will force Prime Minister Martin to postpone his election that was rumoured for around May 10th, 2004?

from the CBC website. http://cbc.ca/stories/2004/01/06/raid_reaction040106 'On Dec. 28, the RCMP and Victoria police raided the offices of two ministerial staffers inside the B.C. legislature in connection with a major drug investigation, carting off hundreds of files. One of the targets of the raid was David Basi, a top aide to B.C. Finance Minister Gary Collins and a senior activist for the recent Martin leadership campaign. The other was Bob Virk, another Martin activist who was an aide to B.C. Transportation Minister Judith Reid.' Police also visited Mark Marissen, Bruce Clark, and Eric Borman. NDP leader Jack Layton at a news conference in Ottawa this afternoon asked Prime Minister Paul Martin: "Why are these people still wielding influence in Canada's governing party? … I think that propriety would suggest that officials step aside during this investigation so that there can be no questions about this matter." ' Layton was asking for the folowing three BC Martin Liberals to step aside: 1 'Mark Marissen ran Martin's Liberal leadership campaign team and will likely be the party's organizer for B.C. in the federal election expected this spring. He's also on the Liberal party's federal executive in B.C.' (Mark Marissen is married to Christy Clark, Deputy Premier and Education Minister in the BC Campbell Liberal Government.) 2 Bruce Clark, chief fundraiser for the B.C. wing of the federal Liberals. Police raided his place. (Bruce Clark is the brother of Christy Clark, Deputy Premier and Education Minister in the BC Campbell Liberal Government.) 3 'Eric Borman, director of operations for the Martin leadership campaign and currently communications director for the federal Liberal party in B.C. Police carried out a raid at a Victoria public relations firm called the Pilot House Group, where Borman is a partner.' I think Mr Layton has a point. The BC Premier Gordon Campbell fired one ministerial assistant, and suspended another ministerial assistant both of whom had ties to the Martin Liberals following the RCMP raid on the BC Legislature. Why doesn't Mr Martin ask his people to step down until this matter gets sorted out? No one is suggesting they did anything wrong, but this is a major police investigation, and for appearances sake, it would be prudent to do so.

Are tax loopholes for the rich in Canada depriving our governments of the opportunity to properly look after the social needs of their citizens? Mapleleafweb provides all Canadians with a great opportunity to have a thorough debate about the important issues, that are on the agenda for the coming federal election. Here is a recently written report by an important Canadian. 'The Repair of Taxation' written by Tom Kent, and published in December, 2003 http://www.caledoninst.org/PDF/553820789.pdf 'Tom Kent was one of the chief architects of postwar Canadian social policy. He played a key role in shaping the policies of the Liberal party during its 1957-63 opposition years and, as Policy Secretary to the Prime minister and a Deputy Minister, was equally active in the implementation of those policies - including medicare - by the Pearson government. In addition to his other roles in public service,j ournalism and education, Mr. Kent has written extensively on political, economic, and social issues. Now a Visiting Fellow in the School of Policy Studies of Queens University, he is a Companion of the Order of Canada. - from today's Toronto Star 'Social policy amid strained resources' http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...ol=968350116795 'Discussions of public policy commonly conclude with the right question in the wrong form. The right question is: Can we afford it? The wrong form is to take it for granted that affordability means "with the present tax system." Today the public good of Canada requires a better tax system. What we have hampers the efficiency of the economy. It blocks progress to a more just society. Politics have allowed it to become not only too unfair but too slack to command public respect. More and more people are in a position to dodge tax. More and more do. Already the consequence has been to paralyze social progress for a generation. Change for the better will not come easily. In federal politics, the advocates of lower rates for present taxes still have some wind in their sails. They want government to recede; corporations and their executives should be taxed less in order that the globalized market economy may work its magic. In truth, the future of the market depends on more government' I think one of Mr Kent's fundamental points is that too many people are somehow avoiding paying their fair share of taxes, and it is impeding our governments' abilities to properly look after our citizens. Please take the time to read Mr Kent's article and contribute your point of view about what I believe will be one, if not the most important issue, in the coming fight for the hearts and minds, of the Canadian voters.

Barbara Yaffe has a column in today's Vancouver Sun entitled: 'Bush backlash factor might benefit Layton' http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouvers...F6-542F0CE5D23B Ms Yaffe often writes about Western alienation in Canadian politics, but today she is focusing on an issue that will impact on our next election in Canada. 'Against that backdrop it should come as no surprise that something of an anti-Bush backlash has arisen in Canada, a country traditionally more at ease with Democrats in the White House. Certainly, there were no similarly strong feelings about Bill Clinton's policies. Mr. Clinton made a strong impression to be sure, but he never influenced Canadians' voting intentions. Given the past year's events, voters can't be blamed for feeling more nationalistic, and proud of their moderation and peace-loving ways. Even those believing Canada must renew its armed forces and rid the world of dictators are turned off by Mr. Bush's bully talk and cowboy tactics. Those dreaming of a gentler world may well look to Mr. Layton and company. New Democrats have been promoting peace and environmental issues. They've spoken for the little guy.' Candians aren't anti-American, but there are still a lot of doubts in Canada about free-trade and NAFTA, and Canadians have different perspectives on issues such as softwood lumber, mad cow, Kyoto, marijuanna, gay marriage, Africa, and Iraq, than do our American friends. ----------------------------------------------- 'PM, Layton in Net Battle' By BILL RODGERS - OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF, SUN MEDIA http://www.canoe.com/CNEWS/Canada/2004/01/.../06/305816.html 'Layton said yesterday, "Canadians know what Paul Martin is all about. They know he's spoken of ideas before but abandoned them to implement conservative policies for his corporate friends the moment he took office."'[ Another example of Canada's changing political landscape.

Howard Dean is starting to campaign like he aready is the Democratic choice for President, staying above the fray, and acting in a more conciliatory fashion towards his Democratic opponents. Last month Dean picked up the support of former Vice-President Al Gore, and yesterday he acquired the backing of former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley, giving the former Vermont governor the backing of both of the leading candidates for the last Democratic presidential nomination. Bradley in making his announcement of support for Howard Dean stated that Dean's candidacy is the best thing that has happened to American politics in decades. Picking up Bradley's support just adds more to the Dean momentum. Dean is leading in the Democratic primary polls, fund-raising, and the American public for their choice of Democratic candidate in the upcoming American election. One wild card is how involved the Clintons are going to get with the campaign of their candidate, Wesley Clark. Their priority one presumes, is the 2008 election, and the Clintons might be a bit concerned about Dean's success so far. I don't think they necessarily want someone to win the presidency for the Democrats this time around, so everything they say must be taken with a grain of salt. If Dean does follow through and win the Democratic nomination, it shows all the signs of being one barn-burner of an election. The Republicans are already feeling the Dean heat, and know Dean is by far the biggest threat to their stranglehold on American national politics. But instead of having a healthy debate about issues and policy, the Republicans are already spending large sums of money on attack ads to defeat his progressive ideas. Great principled behaviour from the so-called moralists.! This time around it looks like Americans will be offered a real choice. And maybe this time around the candidate who gets the most votes from the American voters, will will win the presidency.

'Political rumours concern federal Liberals more than B.C. police raid' By DIRK MEISSNER http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Law/2003/12/31.../301339-cp.html 'Meanwhile, Victoria's police chief reconfirmed Monday that raids conducted on the two offices at the legislature were tied in some way to organized crime and drug smuggling, but provided little new information' '"It's the commercial crime investigation that led us to a number of search warrants being executed, including at the legislature." Although this is definitely creating political difficulties for the BC liberals, there problems might be minuscule compared to the impact this is having on the federal Liberals. Who amongst you had a chance to watch the 6-630 PM show this evening (Monday) on the New VI television station on Vancouver Island. The question was: Should Paul Martin suspend his officials connected with the BC Legislature raid? 90% who participated in the television station web poll said yes. A few of the other points and issues that came up were: Premier Campbell though it was serious enough to fire one person and suspend another person. Why doesn't Paul Martin do the same? Is this connected with mass sign-up campaigns? Is it too close to election time for Martin to intervene without seriously damaging the Liberal election strategy in BC if not the entire country? Where is Canada's national media on this incredible story? Are they on holidays? Same thing about the opposition? Are they on holidays too? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- And here comes what appears to be some Liberal spin...it didn't take long. By Larry Zolf http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_zolf/20040105.html 'Scott Reid, Martin's senior advisor, said: "Paul Martin will not suspend senior election campaign aides and other key supporters who have been caught up in a criminal investigation in a drug trafficking and money laundering scheme." The RCMP has contacted no one in Martin's office and Reid said the scandal obviously deals with "provincial matters."' The problem is that the police raids in connection with the BC legislature had to do primarily with the heirarchy of the Martin Liberals in BC, and not only provincial politics. And just maybe, with a bit of high quality investigative journalism that our Canadian journalists are capable of, Canadians will find out the real truth. It is really quite pathetic, and also unbecoming, to see both Scott Reid and Bill Cunningham, twisting in the wind, trying to mislead Canadians with their nonsensical musings. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." Maybe the truth will be that Canadians don't want a CEO for Prime Minister of Canada, as this is a proud country, and not a business to be bot and sold to the highest bidder. And maybe these investigative journalists will find out as well, that Canadians don't like these, often out of sight, mass flooding of membership meetings, where the real power in our country is decided. This is an example of the kind of "democratic deficit" that Canadians mighrt prefer our new Prime Minister to be focusing on.

Hi Morgan.......thought maybe I had made a mistake about who Rush Limbaugh was, so did a search on the internet and sure enough, I didn't know all about him: 'PRESIDENT BUSH ENLISTS PANEL OF PROMINENT EXPERTS TO COUNTER PREPOSTEROUS LIBERAL CHARGES THAT RUSH LIMBAUGH IS PREJUDICED AGAINST COLOREDS' http://www.whitehouse.org/news/2003/100203.asp How could I have been so wrong? PS Just kidding

Something else which Americans are doing which is constructive and co-operative, is to assist the Europeans in trying to locate Beagle2, to help further our knowledge of space (Mars). I saw a NASA official say that today, on the news, which delighted me no end. And with such marvelous US expertise, they may well pull it off. That would be superb.

'NDP closing in on Liberals' http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/V...bc_poll20040105 This is the second recent poll showing the amazin' change taking place in BC politics. And even more significantly, for BC politics, these polls were taken before the raid on the BC Legislature by the RCMP and Victoia police. 'New poll confirms Liberal numbers dropping' By Damian Inwood in today's Province http://www.canada.com/vancouver/news/story...FD-E031150FDE2F 'It's nice to have the reinforcement of a second poll, to see that we're continuing to gain ground and support," said new NDP Leader Carole James. "I think people are starting to seriously look at New Democrats as an alternative. I think we're on the right track but we have a lot of work to do."'

What do you suppose the Liberal Party of Canada's internal polling is saying? -from today's NDP website January 5, 2004 New Liberal Attack Page 'New Liberal Attack Page Shows NDP's On The Rise - Paul Martin is Worried About The NDP and our Innovative Ideas' http://www.ndp.ca/index.php3 'OTTAWA - The NDP today welcomed the arrival of a new Liberal attack website on leader Jack Layton, the latest proof that the NDP is the party on the rise in federal politics. The page is linked from the main page of the Liberals' website and comes after Paul Martin habitually criticized Layton in year-end interviews. Paul Martin is clearly worried about the NDP's innovative ideas for cities, the environment and our economy, and so he should be. Jack Layton has put more innovative solutions in place on a municipal budget than Martin ever did, sitting on the biggest federal surplus in history.' ----------------------------------------------------------------------- In the Hill Tmes there is an article by John Reynolds saying that the Liberals will put off the election because of the police raids in BC. http://www.thehilltimes.ca/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 'Chretien hard act to follow' by Richard Gwyn http://www.torontostar.com/NASApp/cs/Conte...ist969907618300 'We are an egalitarian society. It's the most fundamental of all the cross-border differences. It's why we've made universal, free, heath care into a national icon. The very rich threaten our national identity. In some profound way they aren't wholly Canadian, or aren't the same as the rest of us as we struggle with mortgages, children's education expenses, taxes.' ----------------------------------- Bulletin: 'Suspect arrested in connection with the raid on the Legislature leaves the country' http://www.cknw.com/news/news_local2.cfm?i...?item=43670&c=1

NDP are sure on a roll today. First Pierre Ducasse from Sept-Isles, announcing that he is running in Manicougan, Quebec (Mulroney's old riding), and now this announcement about Terry Kelly from Nova Scotia: 'East Coast singer seeks federal NDP nomination' http://www.cbc.ca/arts/stories/singpol050104 'Blind since the age of two, Kelly has made a name for himself as a musician and as an athlete. In addition to sharing the stage with artists such as The Rankin Family, Rita MacNeil and Ray Charles, and performing for Queen Elizabeth, he represented Canada at the 1980 Paralympics and was the third blind person in the world to run a mile in under five minutes. Kelly holds honorary doctorates from Saint Mary's University and the University of King's College, and was invested with the Order of Canada in January 2003' 2000 election results: Dartmouth (NDP 2,028) xWendy Lill NDP 13,584 Bernie Boudreau LIB 12,407 Tom McInnis PC 8,085 Jordi Morgan CA 3,282 Charles Spurr ML 85 1997 election results: Dartmouth (Lib 12,619) Wendy Lill NDP 12,270 Michael Savage Lib 10,257 Rob McCleave PC 10,181 John Millar Cody Ref 4,532 Cliff Williams Ind 431 Claude Viau NL 160 How nice it would be to rid the House of Commons of its overabundance of lawyers.

'China And WHO Confirm SARS Case In Guangdong Province' http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/...40105073937.htm ----------------------------------------------------- Dr John Blatherwick (BC) Canada health officials say precautions will prevent SARS from re-occuring in Canada. Canada is tremendously well prepared this time, because we have learned from our last experience. The good thing is that China is moving quickly to isolate, taking encouraging steps. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Risks Seen in China's Plan to Slaughter Cats to Fight SARS' By JIM YARDLEY http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/05/internat...ND-SARS.html?hp 'We do believe the system in Guangdong is working," the W.H.O. representative in Beijing, Henk Bekedam, said. Nonetheless, the reassurances came at the end of a day when concerns about another outbreak of SARS rose across Asia. Health officials in the Philippines quarantined a woman who had developed a fever after a flight from Hong Kong. Her husband was also quarantined with a fever, though it could take several days to determine if the couple was infected with SARS. There were also reports in Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong, that a woman who worked in a wild game market had been hospitalized with symptoms consistent with SARS. A Guangdong health official told the official state media that such reports were "baseless," but confirmed that a worker was hospitalized with a fever related to pneumonia.' -------------------------------------------------- The person with SARS says he has only had contact with a rat. Cat lovers are going to be upset about this one.

Tony Clement considering a run for the Conservative Party leadership. He's from Ontario, bilingual, and former Health Minister in the previous Ontario Government. Chuck Strahl is still considering entering the race. He will decide within the next couple of weeks, so he still has his foot in the door. t's going to be tricky business, this leadership contest, just before the rumoured election call in April. Imagine how badly the Democrats would do right now, with them all attacking each other if the US election was held next month. Fortunately for them, the Democratic choice for president will probably be decided eight months before Americans go to the polls. ---------------------- Peter White of the National Post has an article today entitled: 'Harper's challenge lies in the East' ------------------------- "Lord was no saviour' http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...Story/National/ 'It says a great deal about the state of Canadian politics that Bernard Lord was seen as the saviour of the Official Opposition' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Is it the year of progressive conservative Liberals?' http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/sto...Story/National/ 'Now the profound strategic mistake of 1987 has been acknowledged in the merger of the Alliance and PC parties, but not yet admitted. To succeed, the merger would have to create a new reality under the Conservative banner -- a reality that looks quite a bit like the party of Robert Stanfield, Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney. That reality cannot be expressed by Stephen Harper, who looks to be a shoo-in as the new Conservative leader, and who will officially enter the race next week.' This journalist is rather negative, particularly about Harper, but he usually is, isn't he?

Canada's changing political landscape. Ladies and Gentlemen: Start your engines! First out of the gate in this exciting election (?) year is the NDP. There was this young man from Quebec who ran for the leadership of the NDP last January. His name is Pierre Lacasse and according to key party members he won the convention if not the leadership. Today's National Post has announced that Pierre Lacasse has decided to run in Brian Mulroney's former riding in Manicouagan, Quebec. This will definitely be one of the 'ridings to watch' come election night. 'Star of federal NDP convention to run in Mulroney's old riding' 'NDP firebrand to run in Mulroney's former riding' 'Pierre Ducasse, defeated in 1997, says Quebec politics has changed.' http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id...d1-1819374be6c6 'Ducasse was the talk of the convention in Toronto last year when his fiery speeches generated some of the loudest cheers.' 'Mr Heath pointed out NDP support in Quebec has jumped to almost 10% in Quebec" 'The NDP has never fared well in the riding and Ducasse himself was soundly defeated by Fournier in the 1997 election, but the NDP executive member is hoping the changing political landscape in Quebec could give him a chance.' 'The Bloc is seen as not realy seen as having a "raison d'etre" any more, he said. When you look at the fact that (Bloc leader) Gilles Duceppe is trashing us in every single interview that he does, I think that they recognize there is some potential.' Kind of reminds me about Prime Minister Paul Martin's year end interviews, where he kept mentioning the NDP, don't you think? 2000 election results: Manicouagan (BQ 1,532) 133:134 xGhislain Fournier BQ 11,597 Robert Labadie LIB 7,730 Laurette de Champlain CA 1,201 Gaby-Gabriel Robert PC 830 Normand Caplette NDP 382 1997 election results: Manicouagan (BQ 8,847) Ghislain Fournier BQ 12,208 Andre Maltais Lib 10,675 Michel Allard PC 2,009 Pierre Ducasse NDP 1,041

Canada's looking for a bit more competition, don't you think? The score right now is 1-1, half way through the first period, in the World Junior final in Hesinki, Finland. How many goals do you think Canada will win by this time, eh? (Actually the US has made great strides in hockey in the last few years.) ---------------------- Update: the score is now 3-3. It must be a thrilling game! Another update: Americans in the lead 4-3. 3 Minutes to go! Final update: The United States of America are gold medal winners. Congratulations to Team USA who came from behind a 3-1 lead.