fellowtraveller

It was nothing of the sort prior to 1960. Ottawa was far more autocratic and centralized in decision making then. The good old days are right here right now, not in some mythical time of Perry Como. Much of the dissent in Canada today is due to weak federal governance, an unwillingness to make correct but unpopular-in-the-regions decisions. It has nothing to do with Conservatives or Liberals, both of whom as majority govts act as our Constitution permits and as is their repsonsibility. There is no need to specualte about how the NDP would act if in some alternate univese they gained power, they have given ample notice and sufficient example they would be the same or, if they stick to this asymmetrical federalism baloney- far far worse. The Conservatives DO have the power to tell everyone what to do, that is what govt does. So did the Liberals. The feds have the power defined in the constitution and so do the provinces. So many of our disagrerewemnst are over the interpretation or implementation of that power sharing agreement. You'll have to get over your resentment of our constitution or move to somewhere that embodies your beliefs, like Narnia or Atlantis.

You are living in complete fantasy if you think that endlessly consulting provinces on federal decisions will result in decisions that will leave everybody happy. Of course consultation should be done, but in the end it is the job of the federal govt to make decisions for the benefit of most, not running in circles trying to please everybody like a neurotic poodle. I noticed you completely avoided the concept of asymmtrical federalism, which is what Layton and the NDP propose. We both know they have to somehow stick to this nonsense to have any hope of keeping a few seats in Quebec, but nobody else is fooled. It is just one of the reasons that your speculations about what the NDP would do will remain complete conjecture, nobody wants a federal govt that endorses either asymmetrical federalism or a policy of appeasement to everybody at any cost. Thanks for sticking with that it makes getting elected really easy for the other parties.

What a load of crap. The NDP -Layton- told Quebec one thing about their position on oil revenue, another entirely to Alberta. Of course, he never had the courage to repeat his Quebec comments in Alberta as he never engaged anybody there ever. Why? Because he was a political opportunist like all the rest. His actions and words in the last federal campaign were the exact opposite of what you claim for your party. And... it worked. many seats in Quebec. JUst tell them what they want to hear.... Could you possibly dredge up blander campaign slogans than you have in this post?

Wrong. There cannot be compromise, significant compromise on an issue as basic as the dissolution of the country. This kind of 'thinking' led to two votes on separation, the second of which came within a whisker of succeeding. Asymmetrical separatism, the style of Paul Martin and now the NDP, is a recipe for extreme resentment and chronic widespread dissent from every quarter of Canada.

Of course Ontario choooses: delivery of social services like welfare or housing subsidies- in addition to the monster programs health and education- are all Ontario responsibilities. Much of the money comes from the feds via transfer (and lately equalization) payments.Nothing prevents Ontario from increasing provincial taxes and spending more on their own initiative. Well, nothing but a lack of political will and the ever-popular demonization of the federal government in an attempt to deflect attention away from provincial economic mismanagement. McGuinty needs scapegoats, and he needs them now. Every region or province attempts this, and given the track record success of Quebec in leveraging political clout into cash, why not try? In reality, Ontario is ideally sited for this approach with so many federal votes/seats up for grabs. On the other hand, without the leverage of cultural xenophobia that Quebec can bring, McGuinty will have a much harder job rallying the electorate against the feds in Ontario.

I'm not sure what your point is- that AB politicians go door to door kissing ass? Not strictly an Albertan pastime, is it? Or that subsidized housing exists? Where did you think our money goes, or some of it? I am again missing your point. Ontario can spend whatebver it likes, social services are provincial policies. Oh, and wlefare is just one example of social service. I'm saying don't come here for welfare payments, they are pretty strict on who gets it and why, have been since about 1995. Actually, you are one of those who have some illusions about Alberta. We spend more than other provinces per capita on health care, and have done so for a long time. It is not any secret, nothing is in the background and it is not an accident or an ideological choice. We do it because we can. Please remove your ideological blinkers and shed your bigotry and preconceptions towards your fellow Canadians.

Ontario is a net contributor. So what? Ontario chooses to spend less than other provinces on common social services. So what? Spend more if you want to. Please, put your strawman away.

I feel very strongly that I do not want to get caught.

What a bizarre statement.The West and particualry Alberta have been giving more than they get for about 40 years. You very rarely hear anybody blubbering about it in Alberta. Ontario has a couple of shitty years and the whining is deafening, starting with the premier. Did he write the pathetic piece you linked to? You're the bitter one.

Yes, but only the insufferably pompous NDP pretends otherwise. Funny, all those majority NDP governments in Saskatchewan and Manitoba and they never found the time to implement proprep.

Yes, Alberta spends a lot of money on education and healhcare, always has.We care about the sick and our children here. Don't worry, we'll look after you too. But don't come here expecting welfare.

There, fixed it for you

But only one of those has the ultimate trick up their sleeves: billions of dollars. Guess who?

Translation: NDP 'principles' are a matter of convenience

comedic genius

Bad news - you won't qualify. Alberta reserves welfare for the needy, not the lazy.If you are employable and do not have dependents you get zero. If you wish to suckle on the public teat head for the coast. Either one.

Not quite: the NDP support proportional representation when it benefits them and are silent when it does not. Two examples of when they fall strangely silent are when they are/were govts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.Nary a hint of proprep then.

where-having just lost an election- they'd be turned away. Some people are just sore losers.

Danielle Smth will move ahead of the NDP, who have two seats. There is no 'appear' to have taken Liberal support, it is reality. And that is a clean, surgical switch: no Liberals went to Wildrose, and none to the generally moribund NDP either. 'People thought Harper was right wing'. Maybe in 2006, but by 2010 that is clearly untrue. The Federal Tories and Harper succeded in appearing as centrist, and that is what won them a majority. 'Quite well ' for Wildrose would be getting more than 10 seats out of 85.

agreed, So is prorogation, and I am encouraged to learn that you support PM Harper every time he chooses to use it, since legality is your major motivator.

I just got a registered letter that because I live in Alberta, I will get two votes next election. This was privately arranged by Redford and Harper.

So you want to have an election and break from Canadian tradition by not allowing the party with the most seats the opportunity to form a government? Why do you hate Canada? Why do you hate democracy and freedom?

Yep, I called that one a couple of months ago. There are already two right of ways - road and rail- clear across BC already that go to Prince Rupert. Too bad for First Nations, they won't get much if any of the gravy if they take this route. Maybe they should just run the oil pipeline along the path of the already approved massive natural gas pipeline about to be built into Kitimat, or the spur to the existing gas line to Rupert. Nothing dangerous in natural gas, oh no.

You left out the Bloc Quebecois from your demand to the GG. Why do you hate Quebec?

what