TheNewTeddy Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 I also do have a personal bias (everyone does) I think the Federal Government should be about half the size it is now, and provincial governments should be 150% the size they are now. That will obviously skew my views on things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNewTeddy Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Last election the Liberals in NS prosed a spending plan that was twice as high as the NDPs. In PEI since the 60's, the Liberals have campaigned and run the province more to the right than the PC Party. This was true for Ontario as well right up until the Miller-Harris era. If I understand correctly..... NL PC-Centre Lib-Centre to Centre right NDP-Centre left PE PC-Centre Lib-Centre (slightly leaning left under Ghiz) NDP-Centre left Grn-Centre left NS PC-Right Lib-Centre Left NDP-Centre (slightly left) NB PC-Centre Lib-Centre NDP-Centre Left QC PLQ-Centre and Federalist CAQ-Centre to Centre Right PQ-Left and Separatist QS-Hard Left and Separatist ON PC-Centre Right to Right Lib-Centre to Centre Right NDP-Centre Left MB PC-Centre to Centre Right Lib-Centre NDP-Centre to Centre Left SK SKP-Centre Right to Right Lib-Extreme Libertarian NDP-Centre Left AB PC-Centre to Centre Right Lib-Centre to Centre Right NDP-Centre Left to Centre Wld-Right to Hard Right BC Con-Hard Right Lib-Centre Right NDP-Left to Hard Left Grn-Centre to Centre Left YK YKP-Centre Lib-Centre NDP-Centre FED CPC-Centre Right to Hard Right Lib-Centre to Centre Left NDP-Centre Left BQ-Centre Left Grn-Centre to Centre Left Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) NL PC-Centre Lib-Centre to Centre right NDP-Centre left The Liberals are definitely not centre-right. In the 1990's when all governments were reigning in spending and making cuts they brought in some more fiscally conservatives policies but that has not been the case historically or recently. Joey Smallwood said he was a socialist and their recent platform was more centre-left. The NDP have probably been to the left of Jack Layton's NDP. Danny Williams was more fiscally conservative during his few year or two in office but he spent a lot of money when it started rolling in and spent a lot on social programs. Kathy Dunderdale kept up that for the last year but has now vowed to reign in spending, find cuts and to start cutting the province's debt. There are not really any major parties in Atlantic Canada that would be considered to really be on the right. SK SKP-Centre Right to Right Lib-Extreme Libertarian NDP-Centre Left AB PC-Centre to Centre Right Lib-Centre to Centre Right NDP-Centre Left to Centre Wld-Right to Hard Right The Saskatchewan Party has been more populist than anything. The Wildrose is more Libertarian. Outside of balancing the budget I don't believe they're proposing anything socially conservative, Danielle Smith is pro-choice and I believe agrees with legalized prostitution (though it's not a policy). Edited February 21, 2012 by Newfoundlander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evening Star Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) Until recently, I always thought of the OLP as one of the more left-leaning governments on the continent (on the minimum wage, green energy, education, community health care) but increasingly, I'm starting to think they've just been making stuff up as they go along. Edited February 21, 2012 by Evening Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wild Bill Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) ...and to head off future comments, the Ontario PC Party, at times, uses a Reform Alliance playbook. Harper uses one too and it won a majority government. Really? I was an active Reformer practically from the start, I probably have one of the first membership cards issued to someone in Ontario. I served a couple of terms as a riding Director and was involved in policy workshops. I was VERY familiar with the Reform/Alliance "playbook"! That being said, I just don't see any truth in your premise! Could you point out anything specific? Or do you just have some "straw man" cartoon impressions of the Ontario PCs and for what Reform officially stood? I will admit that when a campaign was brewing the Ontario PCs made a few Reform-style noises but nothing specific that I heard - nothing clearly stated to which they could be held. From my perspective, ever since the huge majorities of Mike Harris the Ontario PCs have tried to play it both ways. The party leadership is mostly the old Red Tory gang but they like to wear a more rightwing jersey on occasion to try to attract the votes from that demographic. Without actually having to deliver on any such promises, of course! I've come to believe that the voters of Ontario are so weary of poor government that they are starting to go a bit "loopy". Isn't one definition of insanity is doing the same thing that doesn't work, again and again? The papers are full of stories of massive Liberal budget cuts coming, far deeper than anything ever done by Harris. We have Orgne scandals, money wasted on wind turbine projects being started, shut down and now in litigation from the stranded companies who had committed to build them. To be fair, the Tories keep running VERY bad campaigns! Hudak and his bunch remind me of a high school student council. Actually, that's not fair to many student councils! Anyhow, I would appreciate it if you could back up your premise. Frankly, it looks to me as if you are just some rightwing "basher" who pulled that premise out of your butt! I'm a "utilitarian". I don't care so much as to where an idea comes from as to whether or not it works and/or has a good track record. If it doesn't, to me it's just crap, wherever it originated! Still, I'm always willing to be shown. Go ahead! Show me! Edited February 21, 2012 by Wild Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNewTeddy Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Cutting taxes at a time of deficit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbg Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 I find it very odd that our NDP finance minister has turned out to be somewhat of a fiscal conservative. Some say the most conservative in decades. Didn't Doer in Manitoba and Romanow/Calvert in SK do likewise? I suspect leaders of provinces, without the keys to the printing press, have to govern in a pragmatic and rational manner. Eventually Rae was forced into line by realities. And BC NDP's by being turfed by the voters.In the U.S. it is quite common for deep blue states to elect Republican governments when the fiscal house gets messy. Heck, even New York (Pataki 1994-2006), California (Schwartzegger until 2010 elections) and Massachusetts (Romney) have gone this route. In Canada, I believe that NDP local governments more readily get the message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 Cutting taxes at a time of deficit. Whats wrong with that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evening Star Posted February 21, 2012 Report Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) Didn't Doer in Manitoba and Romanow/Calvert in SK do likewise? I suspect leaders of provinces, without the keys to the printing press, have to govern in a pragmatic and rational manner. Eventually Rae was forced into line by realities. And BC NDP's by being turfed by the voters. In the U.S. it is quite common for deep blue states to elect Republican governments when the fiscal house gets messy. Heck, even New York (Pataki 1994-2006), California (Schwartzegger until 2010 elections) and Massachusetts (Romney) have gone this route. In Canada, I believe that NDP local governments more readily get the message. There's a difference between fiscal responsibility and economic conservatism. Doer was the former but I don't think he (or even Romanow) was really the latter, certainly not by American standards. NS, MB and SK have the highest tax rates on higher income earners after Quebec, for instance: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/fq/txrts-eng.html . They've not followed supply-side economic policy in any sense at all. The NDP governments have not been in a rush to privatize things either: socialized telecommunications and auto insurance corporations are still going strong in SK, for instance. And, of course, Republicans are economically conservative but fiscally irresponsible. Edited February 21, 2012 by Evening Star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiechickin Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 The right wing Wall government in Saskatchewan has hardly been quick to dismantle the NDP legacy of Crown Corporations, mostly because they make economic sense and save/make bazillions of dollars every year for the province. Its nice to have your vehicle insurance, your power bill, and your heat bill governed at cost, and responsible to the Leg, rather than shareholders. CCs rule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 23, 2012 Report Share Posted February 23, 2012 The right wing Wall government in Saskatchewan has hardly been quick to dismantle the NDP legacy of Crown Corporations, mostly because they make economic sense and save/make bazillions of dollars every year for the province. Its nice to have your vehicle insurance, your power bill, and your heat bill governed at cost, and responsible to the Leg, rather than shareholders. CCs rule. It's because Wall is not right-wing, he's a populist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punked Posted February 25, 2012 Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 It's because Wall is not right-wing, he's a populist. A right wing populist. In NS Darrel Dexter is also a populist however he is a left wing populist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundlander Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Brad Wall hasn't done anything particularly right-wing. Spending under his premiership has steadily increased, he intervened when a foreign company tried to buy Potash Corp. and he hash't sold off a bunch of provincial assets or cut government jobs. I think he's definitely someone who is centre-right but he hash't governed that way much. He seems to have been doing a good job though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punked Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 (edited) Brad Wall hasn't done anything particularly right-wing. Spending under his premiership has steadily increased, he intervened when a foreign company tried to buy Potash Corp. and he hash't sold off a bunch of provincial assets or cut government jobs. I think he's definitely someone who is centre-right but he hash't governed that way much. He seems to have been doing a good job though. He passed a right to work law. Please don't tell me he isn't far to the right. Seriously the law was so bad the courts had to over turn it. Edited February 26, 2012 by punked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNewTeddy Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Being anti union is hardly right wing considering what Unions have done over the past 15 years or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Weber Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Being anti union is hardly right wing considering what Unions have done over the past 15 years or so. Really?? Check out the states that have RTW on the books and look at thier voting patterns... Mostly Republican states... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiechickin Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Wall's Saskatchewan Party passed legislation in their first term allowing them to be sole arbitar of who was an 'essential service', and hence, who was eligible to strike. It was all a bit much, and was challenged by many unions, and eventually struck down under a Constitutional challenge. Outside of Saskatchewan people likely never saw the newsshots of Brad Wall admitting his new government went too far, they were young and full of beans, and in future they will only try stunts like this with the cooperation of labour. I found the court-challenge interersting, but I found the Premier's contrition refreshing and to the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNewTeddy Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 Wall and Dexter are both pragmatists, much as McGunity and Redford are. All 4 have very similar ideas and policies despite being from very different political backgrounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j44 Posted May 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 (edited) I just wanted to bump this thread and get some thoughts on the legislative session that just ended. I will post some thoughts soon but I just wanted to hear some thoughts on the stuff in the news and in QP lately. Nova Scotia Power raising rates AGAIN. Education cuts The gov. promising (and putting it into legislation so people will believe one of their promises on taxes) to lower the HST 2% to where it was when they came into office OR some thoughts on some 'scandals'....Talbot House fiasco etc. Also, watching QP I've come to the conclusion that Percy Parris (Min. of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism) is downright stupid. I generally think Ministers and even back benchers have some level of intelligence but I don't see an ounce of it in this man. Edited May 19, 2012 by j44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punked Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 I just wanted to bump this thread and get some thoughts on the legislative session that just ended. I will post some thoughts soon but I just wanted to hear some thoughts on the stuff in the news and in QP lately. Nova Scotia Power raising rates AGAIN. Education cuts The gov. promising (and putting it into legislation so people will believe one of their promises on taxes) to lower the HST 2% to where it was when they came into office OR some thoughts on some 'scandals'....Talbot House fiasco etc. Also, watching QP I've come to the conclusion that Percy Parris (Min. of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism) is downright stupid. I generally think Ministers and even back benchers have some level of intelligence but I don't see an ounce of it in this man. I have heard a lot about these Education cuts but when I looked into them. The Education system in NS has had something a 30% drop in enrollment over the last 10 years and the NDP cut 2% out of its budget. That doesn't seem unreasonable to me. In fact when I looked at the stats NS has one of the highest Teacher to student rations in all of Canada. Why all the whinning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 I just wanted to bump this thread and get some thoughts on the legislative session that just ended. I will post some thoughts soon but I just wanted to hear some thoughts on the stuff in the news and in QP lately. Nova Scotia Power raising rates AGAIN. I thought that the PCs sold off Nova Scotia Power... If that is true, its a private company and of course your rates will go up.. it goes up everywhere there is privatization of power. Education cuts The gov. promising (and putting it into legislation so people will believe one of their promises on taxes) to lower the HST 2% to where it was when they came into office OR some thoughts on some 'scandals'....Talbot House fiasco etc. Also, watching QP I've come to the conclusion that Percy Parris (Min. of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism) is downright stupid. I generally think Ministers and even back benchers have some level of intelligence but I don't see an ounce of it in this man. I thought Dexter referred to himself as a Conservative Progressive in the NDP. Basically, My understanding is the previous PCs were so corrupt they had to go. My guess is that Dexter can govern like an austerity Premier and do what he believe has to be done. I don't have to agree with him, but what choice is their in NS? It could be worse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 I have heard a lot about these Education cuts but when I looked into them. The Education system in NS has had something a 30% drop in enrollment over the last 10 years and the NDP cut 2% out of its budget. That doesn't seem unreasonable to me. In fact when I looked at the stats NS has one of the highest Teacher to student rations in all of Canada. Why all the whinning? The question is do the cuts need to be made, and are they being applied evenly or is the rural areas getting the brunt of the cuts. I have seen this in every government across Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fellowtraveller Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 In Ontario, Quebec, and BC, (and Alberta for that matter) the Liberals use a PC playbook. In the last Saskatchewan election, the Liberals seemed to have used a Ron Paul playbook... I ahve been unable to detect a Liberal playbook in Alberta since the advent of Raj Sherman, I think many seriously disheartened Liberals would describe their 'policies' more as a comic book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j44 Posted May 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 I have heard a lot about these Education cuts but when I looked into them. The Education system in NS has had something a 30% drop in enrollment over the last 10 years and the NDP cut 2% out of its budget. That doesn't seem unreasonable to me. In fact when I looked at the stats NS has one of the highest Teacher to student rations in all of Canada. Why all the whinning? I agree (but I think the decline was 30,000). I would prefer they cut some school board admin. too but that might be a political no go or a battle the NDP don't want to have. In one instance a school board was told to cut 1.7% of their budget and they responded by cutting all 41 librarians in their district. This was obviously a tactic and didn't help the debate. When the opposition screamed murder the Education Minister put a stop to the 41 cuts and she was called undemocratic. Make sense? Nope. I agree with the cuts actually. I don't know the specifics but they seem pretty reasonable. When you get into cutting assistants for special needs kids I get a little confused and it is hard to cut through the political pandering and separate fact from fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punked Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 I agree (but I think the decline was 30,000). I would prefer they cut some school board admin. too but that might be a political no go or a battle the NDP don't want to have. In one instance a school board was told to cut 1.7% of their budget and they responded by cutting all 41 librarians in their district. This was obviously a tactic and didn't help the debate. When the opposition screamed murder the Education Minister put a stop to the 41 cuts and she was called undemocratic. Make sense? Nope. I agree with the cuts actually. I don't know the specifics but they seem pretty reasonable. When you get into cutting assistants for special needs kids I get a little confused and it is hard to cut through the political pandering and separate fact from fiction. Nova Scotia is too small for the need of any school boards. That is just something the Liberals put in so they could blame someone when something wrong happened with education. They are a fall guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.