Centrist Party of Canada (CEN)

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

Hello Everybody! Today I wish to discuss the creation of a party, which has been on my mind for a very long time.

I, myself, am a Red Tory. I have felt this way as long as I can remember. After reading the history of the old Conservative party to the fall of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, I have long embraced the ideas of social justice, fiscal responsibility, democratic reform, senate reform, fair trade, environmental protection, the rule of law, property rights, an ethical and honest, always promoting cooperation with the other political parties because granted one day if a minority government will happen a party will have to work with them. Also, you must not just talk about cooperation and do the opposite in the House of Commons, but you must also stand by it and regardless of your ideological differences you must treat your opponents with the same respect that you would want back at yourself. The ideologies that I have come up with for this party that I have wanted to show to the public for a long time is that most Canadians reside around the political centre of the political spectrum. The ideologies that I would decide for this party are the ones that the old Progressive Conservative party before it was taken over by the Canadian Alliance party and made into this new Republican clone party. The ideologies would be One Nation Conservatism, Conservatism, Liberal-conservatism, Liberalism, Neoliberalism and Social progressivism.

Since this party would have all these ideologies it would fit into a huge spectrum that most Canadians can identify with especially the ones who are true Red Tories and ones that are unsure of which party to go to and chooses the other because they think that they are any better. I have the party for you, which I have posted on other sites and have gotten favourable results. I have with my brother decided on this idea that most elections are won at the centre. This party intends to be a centre on social policy and on economic policy be centre-right, just like the old Progressive Conservative party.

Sir John A. MacDonald if he were around would agree that Canada is meant to be a country that is concerned about those who are poor and help them out. He also would want a Canada with a balanced foreign policy and a Canada that does not engage in wedge issues like Stephen Harper's government. He would want a Canada that defends our public health care system. He would want a Canada that stands up for human rights for all Canadians and not when it is politically advantagious. Sir John A MacDonald would want all Canadians young and old to come out and vote. If elected into the House of Commons or even as an MP, I would bring to the floor the issues of Democratic Reform to reform the Senate and put Independents into the Senate so all voices are heard and not just Senators from a particular political party. We need a voice for all Canadians and not a particular ideology. That can only be heard from at the centre. At this centre, it can only be heard from people who respect and honor the wishes of Diefenbaker, MacDonald, and all the old Red Tories that were once leaders of this great country.

The other aspect of Democratic Reform that I would institute is the issue of reforming the First Past the Post system and put to a vote to the Canadian people about Proportional Representation. If it loses we have to find out ways of getting youth and people engaged. The way to do this is by finding out what they want and by letting them know the importance that a vote brings and that other people in other countries do not get a chance to vote and they should be lucky to vote.

I believe in the rule of law. We need a balanced approach to tackling crime. One in which that focuses on mandatory minimums as well as rehabilitation programs to help out those people who get placed in jail. We need a balanced approach because the system in the United States has failed and we do not need to copy their model. Another form of legislation that our party intends to focus on is the idea of reducing poverty in this country.

This country put in the House of Commons in 1988 a pledge to make sure that Canada had successfully reduced poverty to 0% by 2000 and this has not transpired yet. Our party intends to make poverty reduction a priority. We also intend to focus on the economy of course and use tax cuts not as a main platform but as a way of stimulating growth. Tax cuts are not the solution to everything, just like social programs. On the issue of taxes, we need to understand that taxes are not our enemy; taxes may for our social services that Canadians take for granted. We must leave tax rates the way they are and never increase them in times of trouble. They must remain stable. We must always engage in providing the facts and not putting down any other parties at any time. If elected into the House of Commons, this will be our main platform which is to ban attack ads and to never allow this kind of stuff in our country again. It is a product of the United States and it distorts the issue.

Canadians need to be shown exactly what they are voting for. All parties are to show exactly what they stand for and other parties are never allowed to criticize but point out what they would do differently in a way to avoid confrontation. Politics is already cynical enough by about 50% of Canadians; it does not have to get worse. Another important plank of our party is the issue regarding the environment, which is to create a cap and trade program that makes companies that exceed the limit to pay a fine, and those monies collected will help to create green jobs and help in environmental protection programs. We intend to use the gas tax to pay for infrastructure programs. We intend to defend the Canadian health care system and to make sure that all health care remains public. If there are any private insurers, they will be fined and driven out of Canada. Canada does not need to copy the American model because it is a failure.

Since this is the case, our party believes in the constitution and believe that it must be abided by. We must follow the rules of the charter as well. Canada is a peacekeeping nation, but that does not mean we will not focus on the military. They do a lot of good work overseas. We will put money into upgrading ships and send funds to areas that are ever hard hit by catastrophe. Another important issue that our party believes in is accountability.

If our party ever got in power we would always press for a website that lays out exactly what money is going for what program and how much it is costing the taxpayers. Our party believes that fiscal responsibility is what is important to Canadians.

Our party believes that Canada is a bilingual country and French and English must always be used in our society. We also have to understand that the people in Quebec have a distinct heritage and should be respected. We must also understand the need of Quebecers as people who care about social justice, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law. The people of Quebec must be heard so our great federation is a whole and never falters.

Our party believes in having a national childcare program compared to one stimulated by tax cuts which does not provide any new spaces. We believe that government has a responsibility to help those in times of trouble. There would have to be stimulus money provided to those who fall within the cracks.

A national EI program would be created in times of trouble. For those people who are already on the streets or have fallen way beyond the cracks, our party would institute social housing programs to help those who are in trouble already. The issue that our party holds dear is the issue regarding students. The main reason why students do not take politics seriously is because politicians do not connect with them. One important way is by giving students relief. Our party has always believed in lowering tuition fees and eventually wiping them out for colleges and universities. Every student should be able to attend a college or university without having to worry about paying for it. This is what we believe as a political party.

We also believe in the right to own property. We believe in farmers and the needs that they face everyday like if they'll survive. In times of strife we intend to focus on government assistance. We need to keep Canada as a constitutional monarchy and one that always wishes to stay that way and never becomes a republic.

Unlike the Progressive Canadian party, which wishes to behave like the two main parties, our Centrist party of Canada is different and one that intends to make Canadian politics a lot more civil and one where Canadians can be proud to be Canadian and one that wishes to get rid of all the squabbling. This is Canada that everyone young and old can truly be proud of.

Edited October 6, 2009 by Gregory Thompson

[ba1614]

Man, it's probably an interesting read but you need to hit enter once in a while and use a couple paragraph breaks.

These old eyes go blurry looking at that! lol

EDIT: Thanks, that's much easier to read.

Edited October 6, 2009 by ba1614

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

I probably should have thought about it but now it's too late to do anything. I wished someone would have reminded me beforehand.

[Smallc]

You can go back and edit it.

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

There were a couple of things I forgot about, which is that I wanted to know if anyone was ever interested because this has been an idea that I just didn't think about but one that I have had for a long time coming. We can set something up because I believe that many Canadians are sick of partisanship from the two main parties and Canada needs a change. I believe also that this party can have a few tweaks to it since the ideas were just off the top of my head in just a couple of minutes. I think that more can transpire from it.

Edited October 6, 2009 by Gregory Thompson

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

I also came up with something just now that I have a feeling that most Canadians choose one or the other is because they know that there is no centrist alternative between the two so they settle with the opposite, but now in Canadian politics there is a big difference between Liberals and Conservatives. The main ideology for my party is Liberal-conservatism, which is combining the best of the two parties and having a centrist social policy like the PCs.

[eyeball]

I believe in the rule of law. We need a balanced approach to tackling crime. One in which that focusses on mandatory minimums as well as rehabilitation programs to help out those people who get placed in jail. We need a balanced approach because the system in the United States has failed and we do not need to copy their model.

You're kidding. You mean you're going to end the war on drugs and dumping money down the bottomless black hole of prohibition? I just can't believe it myself, you must be pulling our leg.

I, myself, am a Red Tory.

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

I never meant anything bad by what I said. The only thing I want to bring to politics is a party that bring civility to the House of Commons. The majority of Canadians support the ideology of the party that me and my brother intend to create; that is all! Sorry for offending you if I did, but I want to restore Canada to the unique state that differentiated itself from the United States. In answering your question on whether our party supports prohibition, I believe that every issue has to be debated because to truly be a party for all Canadians we have to understand where all Canadians stand on the issues of the day! Thank you my friend, eyeball, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Also, our party does not believe in big government or small government but a party that wishes to live within the means of our fiscal framework while at the same time not incurring a fiscal or structural deficit in the process. This is what all Canadians hope for so that no one will be impacted. We also have to take into account the poor and the middle class because they are the most vulnerable in times of trouble. We got to protect everyone!

Edited October 6, 2009 by Gregory Thompson

[Sir Bandelot]

I lke most of what you said, except for the mandaTory minimums part. Judges should be given the discretion in sentencing, based on the specific merits of each case. That's the only path to justice, in my view.

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

Like I said before it is a work in progress and I only think these things but I am an open person so I am willing to compromise!

[Mr.Canada]

Before starting a party you need to secure money. A lot of money or else you'll be like the Communist Party of Canada. A party nobodies heard of.

Look at the Reform Party or Wildrose Alliance for ideas on how to organize yourself to start a party. Having ideals is great but without money nothing will happen. Sad but true.

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

The first thing that I read about on the election's canada site was that you need 240 electoral members. that is one hard thing as well. i am trying to find out what the reform party of canada did. how did they mobilize so many people at one time? i was thinking about having grassroots democracy incorporated into our party's ideology at least that way people can get a better understanding. that is one of things the reforms did so well back in the 80s. I want this thing to be big, but how does one start is the question?

[ToadBrother]

Hello Everybody! Today I wish to discuss the creation of a party, which has been on my mind for a very long time.

I expect that at least once a week, somewhere in Canada, someone decides a new party should be formed.

I, myself, am a Red Tory. I have felt this way as long as I can remember. After reading the history of the old Conservative party to the fall of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, I have long embraced the ideas of social justice, fiscal responsibility, democratic reform, senate reform, fair trade, environmental protection, the rule of law, property rights, an ethical and honest, always promoting cooperation with the other political parties because granted one day if a minority government will happen a party will have to work with them. Also, you must not just talk about cooperation and do the opposite in the House of Commons, but you must also stand by it and regardless of your ideological differences you must treat your opponents with the same respect that you would want back at yourself. The ideologies that I have come up with for this party that I have wanted to show to the public for a long time is that most Canadians reside around the political centre of the political spectrum. The ideologies that I would decide for this party are the ones that the old Progressive Conservative party before it was taken over by the Canadian Alliance party and made into this new Republican clone party. The ideologies would be One Nation Conservatism, Conservatism, Liberal-conservatism, Liberalism, Neoliberalism and Social progressivism.

I see, it will stand for everything.

Since this party would have all these ideologies it would fit into a huge spectrum that most Canadians can identify with

especially the ones who are true Red Tories and ones that are unsure of which party to go to and chooses the other because they think that they are any better.

Most Canadians are Red Tories?

I have the party for you, which I have posted on other sites and have gotten favourable results. I have with my brother decided on this idea that most elections are won at the centre. This party intends to be a centre on social policy and on economic policy be centre-right, just like the old Progressive Conservative party.

Which ended up stuck in a handful of ridings in the Maritimes.

Sir John A. MacDonald if he were around would agree that Canada is meant to be a country that is concerned about those who are poor and help them out.

I'm not sure kudos from dead guys count.

He also would want a Canada with a balanced foreign policy and a Canada that does not engage in wedge issues like Stephen Harper's government.

Have you ever actually read anything about our fine first PM?

He would want a Canada that defends our public health care system.

That's pretty amazing, considering it didn't exist until well nigh a century after his death.

He would want a Canada that stands up for human rights for all Canadians and not when it is politically advantagious. Sir John A MacDonald would want all Canadians young and old to come out and vote. If elected into the House of Commons or even as an MP, I would bring to the floor the issues of Democratic Reform to reform the Senate and put Independents into the Senate so all voices are heard and not just Senators from a particular political party. We need a voice for all Canadians and not a particular ideology. That can only be heard from at the centre. At this centre, it can only be heard from people who respect and honor the wishes of Diefenbaker, MacDonald, and all the old Red Tories that were once leaders of this great country.

So Diefenbaker's signed up too? That's amazing. Imagine what will happen when you get some living supporters.

The other aspect of Democratic Reform that I would institute is the issue of reforming the First Past the Post system and put to a vote to the Canadian people about Proportional Representation. If it loses we have to find out ways of getting youth and people engaged. The way to do this is by finding out what they want and by letting them know the importance that a vote brings and that other people in other countries do not get a chance to vote and they should be lucky to vote.

The first part of this paragraph is great, the second part is just mush.

I believe in the rule of law. We need a balanced approach to tackling crime. One in which that focuses on mandatory minimums as well as rehabilitation programs to help out those people who get placed in jail. We need a balanced approach because the system in the United States has failed and we do not need to copy their model. Another form of legislation that our party intends to focus on is the idea of reducing poverty in this country.

If we're not copying their model, then why mandatory minimum sentences?

This country put in the House of Commons in 1988 a pledge to make sure that Canada had successfully reduced poverty to 0% by 2000 and this has not transpired yet.

That could be because the goal is impossible, somewhere along the lines of "we want every Canadian to have a pony".

Our party intends to make poverty reduction a priority. We also intend to focus on the economy of course and use tax cuts not as a main platform but as a way of stimulating growth. Tax cuts are not the solution to everything, just like social programs.

So you'll cut taxes, but somehow pay for poverty reduction.

On the issue of taxes, we need to understand that taxes are not our enemy; taxes may for our social services that Canadians take for granted. We must leave tax rates the way they are and never increase them in times of trouble. They must remain stable. We must always engage in providing the facts and not putting down any other parties at any time. If elected into the House of Commons, this will be our main platform which is to ban attack ads and to never allow this kind of stuff in our country again. It is a product of the United States and it distorts the issue.

Ban attack ads? I do love how these things tend to devolve into attacks on liberties. If only there was less liberty, we'd all be better off!

Canadians need to be shown exactly what they are voting for. All parties are to show exactly what they stand for and other parties are never allowed to criticize but point out what they would do differently in a way to avoid confrontation.

Never allowed to criticize? You started out claiming Sir John A. was your biggest fan, but now you're beginning to resemble Vladimir Lenin.

Politics is already cynical enough by about 50% of Canadians; it does not have to get worse. Another important plank of our party is the issue regarding the environment, which is to create a cap and trade program that makes companies that exceed the limit to pay a fine, and those monies collected will help to create green jobs and help in environmental protection programs. We intend to use the gas tax to pay for infrastructure programs. We intend to defend the Canadian health care system and to make sure that all health care remains public. If there are any private insurers, they will be fined and driven out of Canada. Canada does not need to copy the American model because it is a failure.

So my private drug and supplemental plan is going to be tossed out the window? What would Sir John A. say?

Since this is the case, our party believes in the constitution and believe that it must be abided by.

By banning a fair chunk of political advertising. You might just want to read that ol' document you claim to want to uphold.

We must follow the rules of the charter as well. Canada is a peacekeeping nation, but that does not mean we will not focus on the military. They do a lot of good work overseas. We will put money into upgrading ships and send funds to areas that are ever hard hit by catastrophe. Another important issue that our party believes in is accountability.

An odd claim, considering Canadians were involved in several wars between 1867 and the Korean War. Strikes me that we weren't peacekeepers at all, but peacemakers.

If our party ever got in power we would always press for a website that lays out exactly what money is going for what program and how much it is costing the taxpayers. Our party believes that fiscal responsibility is what is important to Canadians.

Our party believes that Canada is a bilingual country and French and English must always be used in our society. We also have to understand that the people in Quebec have a distinct heritage and should be respected. We must also understand the need of Quebecers as people who care about social justice, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law. The people of Quebec must be heard so our great federation is a whole and never falters.

They seem to be doing a pretty good job right now being heard.

Our party believes in having a national childcare program compared to one stimulated by tax cuts which does not provide any new spaces. We believe that government has a responsibility to help those in times of trouble. There would have to be stimulus money provided to those who fall within the cracks.

Wow! You throw money around like a drunken sailor.

A national EI program would be created in times of trouble.

Don't we already have one of those?

For those people who are already on the streets or have fallen way beyond the cracks, our party would institute social housing programs to help those who are in trouble already. The issue that our party holds dear is the issue regarding students. The main reason why students do not take politics seriously is because politicians do not connect with them. One important way is by giving students relief. Our party has always believed in lowering tuition fees and eventually wiping them out for colleges and universities. Every student should be able to attend a college or university without having to worry about paying for it. This is what we believe as a political party.

I can't wait until you get to the part where you explain how all of this is paid for.

We also believe in the right to own property. We believe in farmers and the needs that they face everyday like if they'll survive. In times of strife we intend to focus on government assistance. We need to keep Canada as a constitutional monarchy and one that always wishes to stay that way and never becomes a republic.

Unlike the Progressive Canadian party, which wishes to behave like the two main parties, our Centrist party of Canada is different and one that intends to make Canadian politics a lot more civil and one where Canadians can be proud to be Canadian and one that wishes to get rid of all the squabbling. This is Canada that everyone young and old can truly be proud of.

Good luck to you there.

[Smallc]

Actually, you need 250 electors as well as 3 party officers other than the leader. You also need at least one candidate.

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

i hate to say this toadbrother but you are right! i seem to be throwing ideas all over the place. i don't like to talk negatively about other parties, but did the conservatives know what their clear strategy as a party was before they threw a party together. this is just a work in progress. anyways, those are some of the ideas! a party strategy does not happen overnight; it takes years of hard work and collaboration!

[ToadBrother]

Actually, you need 250 electors as well as 3 party officers other than the leader. You also need at least one candidate.

All of which must be living

[Smallc]

That's right, Diefenbaker doesn't count.....not even the dog from Due South with the same name.

[ToadBrother]

That's right, Diefenbaker doesn't count.....not even the dog from Due South with the same name.

Now look here. If this party is good enough for Sir John. A. Macdonald, it's good enough for me!

[Smallc]

Speak for yourself. If it didn't meet up to the standards of Laurier, I ain't buying...and that's final.

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

I only mentioned Diefenbaker and MacDonald's names because I checked the Progressive Canadian site and it even said that this is the party of MacDonald, Diefenbaker, Stanfield, Clark, and Campbell. They were all prominent red tories why not get an idea from that. The fact of the matter is that Tories are centrist and there is nothing centrist about the new Conservative party! You got to start from somewhere and the two main parties do not offer any hope and since 2003 I have not participated in the election process. Joe Clark said it perfectly that he lost his family when the PCs died. I just feel that i am doing all Red Tories a favour by starting this campaign. One last thing is that many people say all these things but I would like to see them try something brave and noble like this. The status quo is simply not good enough. It must be challenged!

[eyeball]

In answering your question on whether our party supports prohibition, I believe that every issue has to be debated because to truly be a party for all Canadians we have to understand where all Canadians stand on the issues of the day! Thank you my friend, eyeball, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Also, our party does not believe in big government or small government but a party that wishes to live within the means of our fiscal framework while at the same time not incurring a fiscal or structural deficit in the process. This is what all Canadians hope for so that no one will be impacted. We also have to take into account the poor and the middle class because they are the most vulnerable in times of trouble. We got to protect everyone!

A simple yes or no is what I was hoping for, but instead I got the non-answer I was expecting.

You definitely sound like a politician alright.

[ToadBrother]

I only mentioned Diefenbaker and MacDonald's names because I checked the Progressive Canadian site and it even said that this is the party of MacDonald, Diefenbaker, Stanfield, Clark, and Campbell.

They were all prominent red tories why not get an idea from that.

I think calling Sir John A. a Red Tory is a considerable stretch. He was a Tory, a member of a party whose roots were very clear in the British Tory movement. The notion of Progressives and ultimately of Red Toryism didn't evolve until later.

The fact of the matter is that Tories are centrist and there is nothing centrist about the new Conservative party! You got to start from somewhere and the two main parties do not offer any hope and since 2003 I have not participated in the election process.

You haven't voted since 2003?

Joe Clark said it perfectly that he lost his family when the PCs died. I just feel that i am doing all Red Tories a favour by starting this campaign. One last thing is that many people say all these things but I would like to see them try something brave and noble like this. The status quo is simply not good enough. It must be challenged!

Well, I for one, have voted in every election since I turned 18 (and that encompasses several civic, provincial and Federal elections). I regularly write my MP, write letters to the editor, contribute on political forums and the like. Maybe that's not as sexy as trying to start a political party, but since I have absolutely no interested in joining, let alone starting, a political party, I feel my contribution certainly isn't insignificant.

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

Don't get me wrong toadwarrior! I am 28 and I only voted in 2000 for the PCs and I can honestly say that was the only elected where I felt like I truly had a voice. There was much more representation and when there is so much today with all the parties governing at the fringes and not around the centre where it matters. Everyone back in 2000 was jockeying for position and competing every second for place and votes and governing around the centre. That is what was good about Canada. Now in politics people are not sure what any of the parties stand for except that they are not getting a clear answer about message and stuff because of all the bickering. I personally have always felt that Canada would do much better with a party for everyone between each of the major parties since every ideology and description must be represented. A lot of parties is always a good thing and that creates more debate. Less parties create confusion and diminishes participation. That is why I like the fact that this new party I hope to create becomes a reality.

[Thomas Kwon]

You're way over your head.

What degree do you have (that is, if you have one)?

[Guest Gregory Thompson]

No one really needs a degree for this kind of stuff! Leadership should be about working together and not about how adversarial a person is like the two major parties. I think that what politics needs is change and a party that works for all Canadians!