Immigration changes unfair, critics charge

[AngusThermopyle]

If they did care, they'd dump Harper and pick a leader who could actually win a majority by appealing to centrist voters.

Thats pretty good. Criticize Harper for his leadership skills. Have you by any chance noticed the absolutely stellar leaders the other parties are fielding at the moment?

The others couldn't win a pissing match if they were locked in an outhouse.

[Argus]

Immigration Minister Diane Finley: "We have to make it easier to get more people here faster."

Yes, but that does not at all mean the same as "We have to take in more people than we are now."

[Argus]

Monte Solberg. The 2007 immigration target was a 5.2% increase over the 2006 target according to Finley's predecessor:

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics...464&k=65299

From the story:

The Tory government has set one of the most aggressive immigration targets in the last 15 years in a move that some immigration experts say is carefully designed to woo votes among new Canadians

So as with the Liberals, immigration is not governed by what is best for Canada but what is best, politically, for the party in power. Disappointing, but hardly a surprise.

[normanchateau]

Thats pretty good. Criticize Harper for his leadership skills. Have you by any chance noticed the absolutely stellar leaders the other parties are fielding at the moment?

I'm not claiming his opponents have stellar leadership skills. However, Harper's leadership skills are not of much help to his party given that most Canadians are centrists. Harper got elected because Canadians were angry with the Liberals, not because Canadians suddenly embraced social conservatism. Harper remains lower in most polls today than when he won the election in January, 2006. That he can't rise much higher than Dion, despite the advantages of incumbency and the greatest increase in federal spending in the history of Canada, does not bode well for Harper as leader.

[normanchateau]

Yes, but that does not at all mean the same as "We have to take in more people than we are now."

Agreed

[normanchateau]

So as with the Liberals, immigration is not governed by what is best for Canada but what is best, politically, for the party in power.

It would be difficult to argue against the notion that major federal parties are determined to court the immigrant vote.

[scribblet]

Thats pretty good. Criticize Harper for his leadership skills. Have you by any chance noticed the absolutely stellar leaders the other parties are fielding at the moment?

The others couldn't win a pissing match if they were locked in an outhouse.

Have to agree on that one, and certainly we now have a PM we can be proud of, rather than say - bumbling Dion, or Chretien.

However, Canadians are so brainwashed with Left wing proganda that voters are still gullible enough to buy into the rhetoric and smears. You can bet the next Federal election will see a lot of negative attack ads from the Liberals as they do not have much else to go on.

[normanchateau]

The others couldn't win a pissing match if they were locked in an outhouse.

So why is Harper tied with Dion in most polls?

[jdobbin]

Harper got elected because Canadians were angry with the Liberals, not because Canadians suddenly embraced social conservatism.

Harper benefited from the RCMP ensuring that Ralph Goodale's name was listed in an investigation during the election. Five RCMP senior officers declined to be questioned by the Complaints Commissioner on the whole affair.

The issue of whether the RCMP tried to influence the election remains unanswered.

[normanchateau]

Harper benefited from the RCMP ensuring that Ralph Goodale's name was listed in an investigation during the election. Five RCMP senior officers declined to be questioned by the Complaints Commissioner on the whole affair.

The issue of whether the RCMP tried to influence the election remains unanswered.

Thanks for reminding me that was the turning point. I wonder why the Conservatives haven't called an inquiry into finding out why the RCMP investigated Goodale and whether the RCMP initiated or was asked to do so.

[guyser]

So why is Harper tied with Dion in most polls?

They both like golden showers ?

or

They are both piss poor at being charismatic?

[guyser]

and certainly we now have a PM we can be proud of,

We do? Who is he? It sure isnt Harper. (none are any better tho)

[normanchateau]

and certainly we now have a PM we can be proud of

It depends on how you define "we".

Some Canadians aren't proud of a PM who would impose mandatory six month jail sentences for one marijuana plant. A majority of Canadians favour legalization yet Harper has moved to criminalize further:

http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/16300

Some Canadians aren't proud of a PM who would attempt to take away their legal right to marry under the guise of re-visiting the definition of traditional marriage.

Some Canadians aren't proud of a PM who has acknowledged on tape that financial considerations were offered to a dying MP in an unsuccessful attempt to change his vote.

Some Canadians aren't proud of a PM who has increased government spending by more than any PM in the history of Canada.

Some Canadians aren't proud of a PM who has squandered a multibillion dollar surplus on handouts to Quebec while failing to lower income tax rates.

[scribblet]

We do? Who is he? It sure isnt Harper. (none are any better tho)

I believe it is Harper of course, one of our better PMs so far

[normanchateau]

It sure isnt Harper.

It depends on the criterion. If the criterion is the largest increase in government spending in the history of Canada and squandering the multibillion dollar surplus while convincing his gullible supporters that he's actually a fiscal conservative who's only pretending to be a big spender in order to win a majority, Harper's the man:

http://andrewcoyne.com/columns/2007/03/fla...ig-spenders.php

[guyser]

I believe it is Harper of course, one of our better PMs so far this century

Better now....you can say that, but not "we" .

[normanchateau]

I believe it is Harper of course, one of our better PMs so far this century

Yes, he ranks number three so far.

[scribblet]

Better now....you can say that, but not "we" .

It was the 'royal we' LOL

[Argus]

Harper benefited from the RCMP ensuring that Ralph Goodale's name was listed in an investigation during the election. Five RCMP senior officers declined to be questioned by the Complaints Commissioner on the whole affair.

The issue of whether the RCMP tried to influence the election remains unanswered.

It was answered by the ombudsman last week, who said no.

[jdobbin]

It was answered by the ombudsman last week, who said no.

Actually, he said he wasn't sure. Part of the reason is because five RCMP refused to see him and state why Goodale was listed in the investigation.

[scribblet]

(scriblett @ Apr 4 2008, 02:36 PM) *

I believe it is Harper of course, one of our better PMs so far this century

]Better now....you can say that, but not "we"

I didn`t say that, you`ve changed my post in the quote - that is not ethical.

Edited April 6, 2008 by scriblett

[guyser]

I didn`t say that, you`ve changed my post in the quote - that is not ethical.

You cant be serious.

[Moonlight Graham]

Here's something they should change, and its not racist: If you are a doctor or a nurse you go to the front of the line. Tadow!

[Argus]

Here's something they should change, and its not racist: If you are a doctor or a nurse you go to the front of the line. Tadow!

Okay, and people like you who believe in this can be in that special group who winds up being treated by these "doctors" and "nurses" from Asshat Albania who speak little or no English.

[Topaz]

One Tory commented that the Libs had 50,000 at the beginning of Chretien term and when the tories took it over they were 800,000. The reasoning for that is everyone now wants to come to Canada because of our healthcare, besides the fact they may have family here. If the Tories start to fast track people through how many "terrorists" could get in. Perhaps, Harper wants more mexicans in to take up the lower level jobs and help Bush out, and to help with the NAU come to be in the future.