2015 Federal Election Prediction

[g_bambino]

He won't get one.

I see no reason why he wouldn't.

[cybercoma]

No, it'll die if it's still in the Senate; a proroation closes both houses of parliament. Bills also can go back and forth between the Senate and the House of Commons; I don't think it would be workable to have legislation from the previous session coming back to get mixed in with the new session's business in the Commons.

Andrew Coyne was discussing the bill and said that it wouldn't be killed on prorogation, just dissolution. Perhaps he was wrong.

[g_bambino]

Andrew Coyne was discussing the bill and said that it wouldn't be killed on prorogation, just dissolution. Perhaps he was wrong.

Bills which have not received Royal Assent before prorogation are "entirely terminated" and, in order to be proceeded with the new session, must be reintroduced as if they had never existed.

House of Commons Procedure and Practic

That's off the Parliament of Canada website, but I can't access it from my desktop, for some reason, but can via my phone. So, no link. Sorry.

[Smallc]

My understanding is that all bills die with prorogation.

[jacee]

You think it wise to judge the health of the CPC by an internal poll put on by Macleans?

Those are two separate facts.

The CPC is fractured

and

75% of Macleans respondents support Chong's bill.

.

[Guest Derek L]

Those are two separate facts.

The CPC is fractured

and

75% of Macleans respondents support Chong's bill.

.

And how do you come to the conclusion that the CPC is “fractured”? By chance the Macleans online web-poll?

Edited December 10, 2013 by Derek L

[jacee]

I see no reason why he wouldn't.

I can't imagine Harper trying to prorogue this.

That just looks like desperation and weakness.

Not gonna help him in any way.

[Topaz]

The NDP brought forward a motion to increase CPP for seniors and the Tories voted it down because they said it would increase expenses on the businesses and cause unemployment. So why do they have to increase the contribution when the fund has between 185-190 BILLION in the fund???? It's the largest pension fund in Canada, so there reasoning don't add up and I'm sure the people who DO vote, will let them know on election day, whenever Harper decide to call one.

[TimG]

So why do they have to increase the contribution when the fund has between 185-190 BILLION in the fund?

The money in the fund is already needed to pay the benefits promised to people still working. Increasing CPP payments to existing retirees is nothing but theft from the young by the old. The CPC stood up for inter-generational justice and should be commended.

don't add up and I'm sure the people who DO vote, will let them know on election day, whenever Harper decide to call one.

Well the NDP already has the financial idiot vote locked up so it is not clear how they can expand that base. Edited December 10, 2013 by TimG

[jacee]

The money in the fund is already needed to pay the benefits promised to people still working. Increasing CPP payments to existing retirees is nothing but theft from the young by the old. The CPC stood up for inter-generational justice and should be commended.

What a nasty twist of propaganda.

Is that the official CPC 'talking point'?

Nasty boys in short pants write that line?

Well the NDP already has the financial idiot vote locked up so it is not clear how they can expand that base.

Where's the $3.1b Harper lost?

They don't really know/won't tell/didn't keep records?

http://m.hilltimes.com/news/news/2013/12/09/missing-$31-billion-in-anti-terror-funding-largely-accounted-for-says-treasury/36888?mc=+EC5iCXyi3ZOzEt2YaBCDR4T6pgIbd7H6yYvShnJ/mc=μ=aihSXMxpJjwmDsLLggN+R31foPNXRASH3OTh4q+Huiw=

They had to try to "reconstruct" what they might have done with it ... they're just not sure but they think they might be able to account for some of it ... vague on the details though ... and $1.3b is still uncertain, including $94m "Other".

"Other"?

Other what?

Can't the PMO do simple accounting?

Some financial record!

Should we assume that say $100m of that was pork barrel money?

'Sponsorship' money?

How would we know?

.

Edited December 10, 2013 by jacee

[ReeferMadness]

What a nasty twist of propaganda.

Is that the official CPC 'talking point'?

Nasty boys in short pants write that line?

Where's the $3.1b Harper lost?

.

Seems like they found it under the seat cushions.

[TimG]

What a nasty twist of propaganda.

It is not propaganda - it a fact. Now my understanding is the CPP expansion proposals are carefully designed to avoid creating inter-generational injustice but that also means existing seniors have nothing to gain from the expansion and therefore people claiming that seniors would be "mad" about this issue are talking nonsense.

[waldo]

The money in the fund is already needed to pay the benefits promised to people still working. Increasing CPP payments to existing retirees is nothing but theft from the young by the old. The CPC stood up for inter-generational justice and should be commended.

It is not propaganda - it a fact. Now my understanding is the CPP expansion proposals are carefully designed to avoid creating inter-generational injustice but that also means existing seniors have nothing to gain from the expansion and therefore people claiming that seniors would be "mad" about this issue are talking nonsense.

when you follow the PMO short-pant kids talking points... you're bound to get burned! The impetus behind proposed CPP expansion is aimed to improve the lot of the current generation of middle-income earners in their future retirement. The Harper Conservative CPP plan is nothing but another flavour of voluntary 'RRSP-like' contributions... a failed vehicle for the majority of Canadians who choose not to exercise their RRSP contributions.

G&M Editorial: A bigger CPP is the best bet to make retirement savings sufficient

Ottawa’s move last week to flatly reject a provincial pitch to expand the Canada Pension Plan is an unfortunate decision. The federal government is still choosing to back a far less effective retirement savings program.

Ontario and Prince Edward Island have proposed an expansion of the CPP to cover more income, up to a higher level (beyond the present $50,000 cutoff). That would improve future retirement outcomes for the current generation of middle-income earners, who are facing a drop in their standard of living once they retire. Instead, Ottawa remains wedded to the idea of a new, voluntary, private-sector savings program, which would give workers the option of setting aside money in individual savings plans – known as Pooled Registered Pension Plans – that would be offered by financial companies.

Canada’s experience with RRSPs illustrates why another voluntary savings program is not as appealing an option as an expanded CPP. RRSPs have long provided a tax-effective way to save for retirement, yet three out of four eligible tax filers did not contribute one cent into their RRSPs in 2010. Canadians are already sitting on $633-billion of unused RRSP contribution room, and that figure keeps climbing.

The Ontario and PEI plan for a bigger CPP addresses the main defects of Canada’s current retirement system. Because mandatory contributions come straight off paycheques, it ensures those who need the most help in saving will save. Because it is professionally managed at a lower cost than most mutual funds, it promises better returns than most average investors can achieve. And because it is an actual pension plan and not just a savings plan, it gives members a stable income in retirement that is not subject to the volatility of a personal portfolio.

.

[jacee]

It is not propaganda - it a fact. Now my understanding is the CPP expansion proposals are carefully designed to avoid creating inter-generational injustice but that also means existing seniors have nothing to gain from the expansion and therefore people claiming that seniors would be "mad" about this issue are talking nonsense.

It's mean, nasty, divisive.

It's beneath Canadian dignity.

And more nasty here ...

prime-ministers-staffers-attempt-to-control-media-in-south-africa-and-it-doesnt-really-work/

How tacky.

Does this government ever cease being an international embarrassment?

.

[Accountability Now]

And more nasty here ...

prime-ministers-staffers-attempt-to-control-media-in-south-africa-and-it-doesnt-really-work/

How tacky.

Does this government ever cease being an international embarrassment?

.

And here I thought you would be happy as they included Shawn Atleo of the First Nations.

[Topaz]

The Directors of the board get paid big bucks,so there's money for them, who are probably rich on their own accord, there should be money for increases in CPP. 185 billion is a lot on money and today most seniors only live till their 80's. Voters who are affected by this decide will be peeved and will show how peeved at the voting polls. one has to remember also, many of those MP's voting against it, do own their own businesses, talk about conflict of interest.

[Keepitsimple]

It's mean, nasty, divisive.

It's beneath Canadian dignity.

And more nasty here ...

prime-ministers-staffers-attempt-to-control-media-in-south-africa-and-it-doesnt-really-work/

How tacky.

Does this government ever cease being an international embarrassment?

.

Great piece of journalism - a Tweet from a local journalist. The embarrassment is that the Liberal Party handlers decided not to send Justin Trudeau - leader of the Liberal Party. Guess they were afraid he'd open his mouth again. Any sign of that yet in the media?

Edited December 10, 2013 by Keepitsimple

[waldo]

The embarrassment is that the Liberal Party handlers decided not to send Justin Trudeau - leader of the Liberal Party. Guess they were afraid he'd open his mouth again. Any sign of that yet in the media?

the attendance by Irwin Cotler was the right call... former Justice Minister & Attorney General, Cotler has a long career association with human rights and international law... he was one of Mandela's legal counsel. It also made sense for Alberta's Premier Redford to attend given her past ties to Mandela and the ANC. As it turns out, neither Redford (or the 3 other attending provincial premiers)... or NDP leader Mulcair... had spots allotted for them in today's memorial service - they were unable to actually attend the service.

Simple... are you taking a partisan shot over attendance at Mandela's memorial? Have you no shame, Simple?

[g_bambino]

I can't imagine Harper trying to prorogue this.

That just looks like desperation and weakness.

Not gonna help him in any way.

That's different to "he won't get one"

[bleeding heart]

waldo

Simple...are you taking a partisan shot over attendance at Mandela's memorial?

No one would do such a thing!

[Smallc]

The Directors of the board get paid big bucks,so there's money for them, who are probably rich on their own accord, there should be money for increases in CPP. 185 billion is a lot on money

Is there a financial backing to any of your argument? Yes, that's a lot of money...and it's already been allocated.

[waldo]

Dec 19 update: threehundredeight.com weighted average of the latest federal polls

[PIK]

How have the polls done in the last few yrs? But look at the economic polls and people are very happy with the way things are going and of course trudeau's honeymoon and great coverage by the media. I have notice how anything good the gov has done get very little coverage, imagine if chretien striked that free trade deal , it still would be getting great press. IMO It will come down to the last second when people strike the ballot, will they want to take a chance with the unproven or the extremist.

[jacee]

How have the polls done in the last few yrs? But look at the economic polls and people are very happy with the way things are going and of course trudeau's honeymoon and great coverage by the media. I have notice how anything good the gov has done get very little coverage, imagine if chretien striked that free trade deal , it still would be getting great press.

I guess Harper just isn't very interesting.

IMO It will come down to the last second when people strike the ballot, will they want to take a chance with the unproven or the extremist.

Or the proven scandal-filled one man control-freak undemocratic government.

Harper's overstayed his welcome and exposed himself.

[PIK]

I guess Harper just isn't very interesting.

Or the proven scandal-filled one man control-freak undemocratic government.

Harper's overstayed his welcome and exposed himself.

Harper is a quiet man with a very dry sense of humour, that does not show up well on camera. lol And alot of people are still shaking thier heads at how this trying to clean up the senate scandal has such legs, but we all know the answer to that question. And is he really the control freak that the media party has portrayed him since he came on the scene, or maybe he is not as much. Of course you need control in a postion like that, but I agree he needs to open up some more personally, but not the blue sweather.