caesar

And the Consevatives had to keeping shutting candidates mouths from revealing their plans. Liberals with the NDP coalition should keep government centered nicely; just where I like it

I am happiest to see that Chuck Cadman, INDEPENDENT; former elected Alliance member who was dumped by that party has won the riding. Go Chuck but remember who jettisoned you.

Harper said Canadians were wrong regarding the Iraq invasion; that should have generated his downfall. I regret he got as many votes as he did. The Liberals are not perfect but they beat what Harper had to offer. It took a long time for the Liberals to pay off Mulroney's spending. We are still living with Mulroney"s gst. Then there is Mulroney's poor deal for Canada in the "Free Trade" agreement with the USA. With the NDP behind them; the Liberals better get busy and bring our Health Care back to an adequate level. Provinces are abusing our Health Care dollars HGealth Care is not free; we taxpayers are paying for it; we just are not seeing it. BC's Campbell would rather spend money on the Olympics; The Rav line has been rejected 2x in the last few weeks; they are going to go for another vote.

Hmmm where are all those happy Harperites. Being very quiet tonite. Guess I will add a few more months onto my estimate of how long this minority government will last.

I have no ideas or interest in guessing numbers. It will be a minority government of either Liberal or Conservatives. We will be doing this all again a few months down the road. My guess is 2 to 3 months if Conservatives take power and 7 to 8 for the Liberals. I hope that we learn more about the intentions of the Harper Conservatives and the Paul Martin Liberals to come to a more decisive choice. Although, neither party is going to go too far at first. The NDP would be more compatible with the Liberals; and the Bloc will probably prefer to not shake the tree too quickly while they will have a lot of clout that could erode with a new election. It could be interesting and aggravating to watch. I really don't think it matters now which minority government gains this short termed power. We could even get completely disgusted with both of them and give the NDP a chance. Ho Hum; any good benevolent dictators around; they would be cheaper in the long run and we would know where we stand and what we personally have to budget for. Only half joking. After watching this bunch of political nitwits I am disgusted with the lot of them.

The needed to call an election; they did not have the mandate to rule the country under a Prime Minister that was not at the helm when the last elections took place. It really wasn't in his self interest to call an election before this "scandal" had time to die down. It was not in the Liberals best interests to call an election this quickly. Paul Martin was an excellent Minister of Finance; he did serious cuts but they were necessary to cut down the deficit brought about by the Mulroney (Conservative). Canada is now on better economic footing and may be more able to re fund our social programs. Despite all the industries that needed help from the Federal governmewnt last year; SARS; BEEF; FOREST FIRES; THE LIBERALS DID NOT ADD TO THE DEFICIT The "scandal"s not a real big issue with me. We will get more info and get to the bottom of that issue. Unfortantely, there are always some people who will misuse our money for their own purposes; mulroney was suspect, too though it remains unproven. The Conservatives wish to blow that stability and put us back in debt up to our ears; building a big offensive military to please the aggressive Mr Bush. An increased defensive military is more importants. We can fulfill our international duties with special teams of expert in peace keeping and rebuilding governments and their police forces. Negotiators. We should fund military expertise that workds towards peaceful solutions not force. We do not need to join in pre emptive aggression that has no real justification.

Every party allows their MP to hold differing views. Like the Conservatives though they like them to keep their mouths shut when their views are controversial. Come voting time in parliament; on an important government issue they WILL vote they way they are told to by their leader.If they do not; cabinet minister get back benched; others usually end up sitting as independents or switching parties. The Conservatives will not be this open party that allows their MPs to vote with their conscience.

HAWK; yOU GOT IT BACKWARDS; It was Bush and Co that showed anti Candian leanings. It was Bush who repeatedly showed contempt for Canada. It is the USA that refuses to respect the opinions of other countries. It is the USA that refuses to repect NAFTA decisions that come down against the USA in Canada's favour. It is the USA that refuses to listen to their own appointed panel that said the border should be re-opened to Canadian cattle; that the two industries are so intertwined to be effectively one and the same. Don't blame the Liberals for not kissing Bush's butt. Why should we send our young men to die in Iraq when the majority of Canadians realized that that invasion was not needed nor wise. We did support the REAL war on the terrorists but not this little side trip to Iraq which will only bring about more terrorism and mistrust from the middle east. Read something besides the radical Post and other Can west newspapers, tv stations and radio stations.

I almost hope that the Conservatives do become our next temporary government. They will then eventually have to reveal their true colours and go down in flames. A party does not give out hints of things to come then quickly back off when things get people riled.

HMMM why should teachers and nurses be selected to be criticized for their paycheck and pension benefits; which is really only average. Is it because they are mainly women? HMMMMMMM Don't see you compalining about those over paid doctors now do we.

You must have very money hungry friends that prefer the American dollar to Canadian pride in doing the right thing. We do not need to support our "friends" (Bush has NOT treated Canada as "friends" since taking office.) when they do the wrong thing. Look at all our trade problems with the USA and their refusal to abide by NAFTA agreements when Canada wins. Why have they not opened the border to Canadian beef? Why do they try to blame Canada for everything that goes wrong, terrorists, blackouts, mad cow disease? Canada did support the war on the terrorists. Canada did not support invading a country which was still cooperating with the UN.

I am more WEST than Alberta; I don't particularly care for the Liberal party but certainly do not want a Bush parrotting Harper representing me. Joe Clark and the more centralist conservatives may have got my vote but not Harper. We know what happens when you vote for the other party in contention for leadership here in BC; It just keeps getting worse and cost us a small fortune paying off all the outgoing politicians and theri friends. I am in agreement with Joe Clarke this election. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know. or something to that effect. Harper sends out hints of his agendas; then retreats. He is either indecisive or hiding something. We have right wing "Liberals" in BC trying to make the rich richer; the poor poorer; and us middle income earners get to foot the bills.

That Canadians were AGAINST the invasion of Iraq is common knowledge. Only Alberta showed any interest in following the USA into disgrace. There are 3 countries is North America. Canada leads the way in putting the environment in front of seeking the almighty dollar.

If Quebec, that gets all the gravy from the federal government would quit whining and threatening to separate and TRY to be Canadian; perhaps we would be more tolerant. The French language is not one of the top languages spoken as a first language here in BC but we must have everything manufactured with French language on equal to the English. Meanwhile, Quebec doesn't allow English signs on stores. Makes us regret we did not force you to learn English when the English conquered the French forces in Canada. Our forefathers wanted to allow you to keep your own language and culture. Instead of respect for our respect for your culture; now all we hear is whining.

Harper is very much a Bush parrot. If he is so "intellectual" as some would claim; he would quit putting his foot in his mouth. He hasn't an original thought of his own.

Of course, there are private companies that do the same. My husband is 16 years my senior; I have every right to collect his pension. I didn't come from a poor country; I came from Canada but so what; would you rather that the foreigner spouse was on the welfare roles?

I am not left. I did the political test and ended up nearly smack dab in the center. Unfortunately no party fits my list. vote manipulation has already started at advanced polls. I think we will see more recounts and fights than the Bush/ Gore situation. Ethnic groups are taking over ridings; bringing in people to elect candidates and are now doing the same in the advance polls. The rest of us better get involved if we want candidates that represent our views in the running

Why must that person be fat or ugly??????

No Argus; it is truth and I for one do not want to join the USA in its self destruct mode. Perhaps when Bush get the boot; we can mend fences. However, Harper talks too much like a Bushite to get any respect from me. Mulroney has done enough damage to Canada already.

Polls are just an inaccurate scorecard. Internet polls are useless even with the guard of not voting twice. They are still easily manipulated. People have more than one computer and computer address. I have seen some very distorted internet polls. I really don't give polls or newspapers too much credibility.

Krusty; Read all of what Blix said; don't take one little section taken out of context of the whole report. That was only put in to mollify Bush and co. Read what Blix has to say about the whole situation. Geesh. The legality of the invasion was very dubious. It was morally wrong and strategically nuts. It has not done anything towards putting an end to terrorism; it has made the world much more dangerous.

Reuters Photo Bush Arrives In Ireland (Reuters Video) "The bitter differences of the war are over," Bush told a news conference Yeah, maybe for him; not for me nor many others. By the way; it was NOT a war; it was an invasion. Who does he think he is? Oh, yes, I forgot; he has God"s ear.

I think a lot of the talk about aging population being a drain on Health care is a red herring. We are healthier than previous generation and most of us have decent pensions and/or RRIFs and are still contributing heavily into income tax plus all those other taxes around; lotteries, pst, gst. We built up these systems and the infrastructure and deserve a little respect. Look to the spoilt younger folks who run to the doctor with a broken fingernail The federal government should take back more control of health care. Provincial governments like to use Health Care money for their own little photo op projects. Get some REAL experts on the job and not those politcal patronage appointees that don't know diddly squat about much.

Oh Harper mentions many things that he soon backs away from. I wouldn't bet the house on it but in all this mess I do recall transcort planes being mentioned.