Canadian Federal Debates

[TheNewTeddy]

http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/parties_leaders/clips/15755/

Since there was some minor discussion on it, I figured I'd watch the whole thing and summarize it for everyone. It's interesting to see where people stood way back when.

-Opening Statement-

Trudeau says debate is a good thing. Says that not accepting this debate would have been a bad thing. Says a good government must listen to the people.

Stanfield talks about Robert Kennedy. Wants to bring Canadians together. Wants to deal with Housing.

Douglas mentions Quebec and the US. Talks about regional inequality. Says unemployment and poverty are problems.

-Questions on Gun Control-

Trudeau opposes long gun registry

Stanfield points out he could have shot Trudeau in the back of the head in Church, and nobody could have stopped him

Douglas points out mental illness can lead to crime and needs to be dealt with.

-Questions on taxes-

Stanfield commits to remove the 11% sales tax on building materials, and debates some other replacement (GST?) and would keep taxes even on share of GDP

Douglas says taxes are not properly distributed (IE not enough on the rich)

Trudeau points out taxes went down since 1962. Prov and Mun taxes went up.

-Question on Inflation and Fixed Income and the Loonie-

Douglas blames corporations for inflation. Calls for govt to come in with regard to price increases.

Trudeau points out that pensions are growing faster than inflation, and that the govt has passed balanced budgets.

Stanfield says that business and labour and govt should sit down and talk.

-On foreign ownership-

Trudeau wants the Canada Development Corporation.

Stanfield is concerned.

Douglas wants more control over everything. Says the 1962 red book supported the CDC but never went ahead.

-On election promises and increased taxes and equitable taxes-

Stanfield opposes a capital gains tax.

Douglas supports a capital gains tax.

Trudeau neither supports nor opposes a capital gains tax.

-On the economy, and weather it's actually bad or not-

Douglas points out that economic growth is too slow and slowing.

Trudeau quotes the same economic report Douglas did which says otherwise.

Stanfield says our growth is due to the US growth, that we are doing poorly on our own.

-Make public all contributors to campaign-

Trudeau says no. No country does this. Suggests tax free donations, putting a cap on expenses.

Stanfield wants to discuss this in the house. Opposes public donations. Supports fax free donations.

Douglas says the NDP has already made public all it's donations. Supports making everything public.

-Provinces and Federalism and Quebec's status-

Stanfield opposes Quebec having special powers, but recognizes that Quebec has unique needs. Wants to give more power to the provinces.

Douglas supports a strong central government. Wants the provinces to give more powers to the feds. Wants more CPP/QPP stuff.

Trudeau says that giving a province more powers than others is a terrible idea. Asks a West Lothian question.

-On Quebec participating in intl stuff-

Douglas says no. But, provinces need to agree on certain things.

Trudeau says that Douglas agrees with him. Attacks NDP and PC Quebec Lts.

Stanfield Generally agrees with the other two.

-Is the election a referendum on Quebec's future- (1 hr mark)

Trudeau says no. Points out all the various things he wants to do.

Stanfield implies people might think it is, but that there are better ways to do so, like the federal/premiers conference.

Douglas says such a thing would destroy the country. Supports bilingualism.

-On wheat exports being too low, and stored up-

Stanfield blames the Liberals. Says wheat must be sold aggressively.

Douglas says this is a real problem. Is concerned about farmers, wants a guaranteed price. Wants more trade with Red China and the USSR.

Trudeau says that things are better under the Liberals than they were under the Tories.

-On Mortgages-

Douglas says interest rates are far too high. Blames the fixed exchange rate. Wants to direct investment.

Trudeau blames capitalism, says Douglas is crazy. Wants good governance, says he's been spending on these things.

Stanfield says interest rates are far too high. Blames inflation. Says the deficit is to blame.

-Opening Statement-

Caouette says that the other 3 refuse to talk about changes to the financial system, like social credit. Wants to end restrictions on credit. Wants to give interest free loans to Provinces, Municipalities, and School Boards. Wants to decrease taxes. Opposes redistribution of taxes.

-On minority governments and minor parties-

Caouette says minority governments do not have to be a bad thing. Supports social credit.

Trudeau says small parties are neither good nor bad. Says some small parties whine too much.

Stanfield says small parties make debating difficult.

Douglas says the reason small parties win seats is because the old parties are doing a bad job. Predicts a return to a 2 party system (IE the 2011 election)

-On China. Red vs White-

Trudeau says recognition of Peking China is a "necessity".

Stanfield says the only "realistic" policy is to recognize Red China.

Douglas fully supports recognition of Mainland China.

Caouette opposes Communism. Supports Free China.

-On NATO-

Stanfield says that the PC Party supports reassessing the purpose of NATO.

Douglas says the NDP wants to withdraw from NATO. But only the military.

Caouette supports peace. Opposes Canada's part in NATO's military.

Trudeau supports a reassessing.

-On regional inequality and taxes-

Douglas says he wants to fix the problem but may need to raise taxes to do so. Says unemployment reduction would raise revenue.

Caouette says interest rates are too high and that the poor are getting screwed by the government. Supports social credit.

Trudeau outlines the programs that exist to help fix this.

Stanfield does not support increasing taxes to fix this.

-On Balance of Power in Parliament, and the Criminal Code and Abortion and Homosexuality-

Caouette opposes the omnibus criminal bill of Trudeau. Opposes the gays, says that this is a slippery slope, that one day gay men might be able to marry, and then, what of their children! Opposes most Abortion.

Trudeau says the bill does not address Homosexuality, but decency. Implies that a man can not have bumsex with his wife, and that it's nobodies business what two consenting adults do in bedrooms. Wants to separate sin and crime. Supports Abortion on certain conditions.

Stanfield wants the omnibus bill divided. Sort of opposes Abortion on the grounds that many Canadians have problems with it, wants a free vote in Parliament.

Douglas (1:50:50) supports Abortion. Talks about the gays, says it's not a crime, says it's a mental illness. Says it needs to be treated by shrinks, and not throw them in to jail.

-On cutting costs of government etc-

Trudeau says he's frozen the civil service. Says the size of government's civil service has grown less than the GDP.

Stanfield says government needs constant review. Talks about the affordability of medicare.

Douglas refers to an AG report about govt spending too much.

Caouette says cuts are needed to govt. Supports social credit, implies that being unable to pay for things because of lack of money is ridiculous.

-Closing statements.-

Trudeau says govt should support people to achieve their own greatness.

Stanfield says he stands for better government in Canada. Says he offers an alternative.

Douglas says the economy is not moving, wants to know exactly what the other parties will do.

Caouette refers to the other 3, implies that they are bad cause they oppose social credit.

I'm truly shocked at some of what I've heard. Regionalism, Quebec, Taxpayers... sounds like a modern day debate!

I'll do the 1984 debate next.

Edited March 9, 2012 by TheNewTeddy

[j44]

-Questions on Gun Control-

Trudeau opposes long gun registry

Stanfield points out he could have shot Trudeau in the back of the head in Church, and nobody could have stopped him

Both of these are hilarious to me.

[TheNewTeddy]

While I tried to add some humour, and a modern prospective, both points are 100% true This is what they said.

Also, I forgot that 1979 and/or 1980 had a debate - and thus, that will be the debate I do.

Edited March 9, 2012 by TheNewTeddy

[j44]

While I tried to add some humour, and a modern prospective, both points are 100% true This is what they said.

Also, I forgot that 1979 and/or 1980 had a debate - and thus, that will be the debate I do.

Keep it up. This stuff is interesting.

I would love to see what would happen today if Harper told Rae he could shoot him in the back of the head in church. lol