Does the Liberal Party speak for English Canada?

[August1991]

This is an English language forum, and I participate here because I'm curious about what English Canadians (ROC) think.

Does PM PM (Prime Minister Paul Martin) speak for English-speaking Canada? Or does Stephen Harper present ROC better?

What does ROC want?

Curious to reply? Answer here. And click on the button (répondre) and then write what you think, even in English.

Or try to speak French, using Google and its translation.

(Dieu sait ce que je fais. I have tried to create a thread on another forum.)

[August1991]

On poste ici mais je ne raconte que des conneries. Qui parle au nom du Canada ?

[Toro]

August

Martin speaks for Canadians in his capacity as PM. However, neither Martin nor Harper speak for all Canadians as representative of Canadian culture/attitudes, etc. Canada is very diverse. My guess is that if Quebec would separate, then English Canada would elected the most hardline man as PM, which would be Harper.

[Argus]

This is an English language forum, and I participate here because I'm curious about what English Canadians (ROC) think.

Does PM PM (Prime Minister Paul Martin) speak for English-speaking Canada?  Or does Stephen Harper present ROC better?

What does ROC want?

Curious to reply?  Answer here.  And click on the button (répondre) and then write what you think, even in English.

Or try to speak French, using Google and its translation.

(Dieu sait ce que je fais.  I have tried to create a thread on another forum.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Martin speaks for very few. He is a multi-millionaire born with a silver spoon in his mouth who never worked an honest day in his life. He has little charisma, and few people trust him after the events of the last year. He is, I think, even to those who vote for him, the best of a bad lot.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear August1991,

Excuse moi, sil vous plait, je ne pas parlez francais.

As Argus states,

He is, I think, even to those who vote for him, the best of a bad lot.

I think the overwhelming subconscious factor is "The devil you know is better than the one you don't". As to francophones leading our country, Trudeau was probably the most beloved PM in any country in recent times (with the exception of the NEP), and Jean Chretien was elected 4 times. Many thought Chretien to be 'a true Canadian', (but cringed when he opened his mouth) though at the end he was tainted by scandal (of which Martin must have a share). What the 'ROC' wants is a good leader, I don't think they care what that person's primary language or race is, as long as they are sensible and honest (a tall order for a politician) and not too far left or right.

[THELIBERAL]

RE::Does PM PM (Prime Minister Paul Martin) speak for English-speaking Canada? Or does Stephen Harper present ROC better?

What do you mean by the rest of Canada?

The ROC other than who?

[Guest eureka]

No politician anywhere ever spoke for his country to the country except, possibly, on a specific issue that all could agree on - like a Christmas bonus for all.

Politics is an aggregate of beliefs, ideas, ideologies,dreams. It is not something that can be spoken to by one. There is no such thing as English Canada as an homogeneous entity in anything but language spoken as a preference any more than there is a Quebecois except in language.

[Leader Circle]

Paul Martin représente le malhonnête, si c'est français ou anglais. Il parle pour se et ses grands partisans d'argent. Il ne soigne pas des gens canadiens, seulement le pouvoir il doit courir ce pays. Il prouve ceci par enfonce des choses comme le mariage gai et le NDP budgétise par la maison de commun. Stephen Harper semble être le seul candidat clair pour représenter l'anglais parlant des gens canadiens.

[mirror]

Harper. Fait moi pas rire!

Qui parle pour le Quebec?

Charest?

C'est question est bizarre, n'est pas?

[Leader Circle]

Harper.  Fait moi pas rire! 

Qui parle pour le Quebec?

Charest? 

C'est question est bizarre, n'est pas?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think Gilles Duceppe speaks for them quite well. I think Duceppe is a good leader and looks out for the people of Quebec.

[Argus]

Dear August1991,

Excuse moi, sil vous plait, je ne pas parlez francais.

As Argus states,

He is, I think, even to those who vote for him, the best of a bad lot.

I think the overwhelming subconscious factor is "The devil you know is better than the one you don't". As to francophones leading our country, Trudeau was probably the most beloved PM in any country in recent times (with the exception of the NEP),

I would never use that term for Trudeau. He was admired and respected - at first. Canadians were intrigued and excited by him. But the bloom faded off the rose not long into his second term. He needed the near unanimous support of Quebec to stay in power. TROC was much less enthusiastic. During his last tour, the famous train tour, his train was pelted with fruits and vegetables in the West, and with rocks when it go to Sudbury. He was reviled by the end, and most of us were just glad to be rid of him and his arrogance and high spending ways.

Mulroney had some charisma, and charm, but he was kind of oily in a way Trudeau wasn't. Still, he probably spoke for Canada more than any other national leader we've had since Trudeau. I can think of no one in politics today who can legitimately be described as a national leader with respect across the country. The media has tended to focus entirely on the leaders, and so other members of political parties get short shrift, very little coverage or knowledge (that includes cabinet ministers). The premiers tend to be locally popular - if that - with no real national profile. Ralph Klein is probably the closest we come to a national political figure (in English Canada) with respect in many places. Even in Ontario he would find broad support for most of his positions, though far from a majority. The other western premiers are unknown in the east. The eastern premiers are unknown in the West. Ontario's McGuinty is widely disliked and distrusted.

If he had stayed in politics and not given way to the disastrous Stockwell Day, I think Preston Manning would be the man to speak for English Canada.

[cybercoma]

Personally, I wish English speaking Canada would be a little more in tune with the French, their culture and language. I think English Canada can learn a valuable lesson when they realize that most french speaking Canadians need to learn English to function in this country, lest they be chained to one province. As a sign of our unity as a country, it would serve us all well to be fluent in both languages and understand the distinct culture and heritage of french canada. I would hope that all french would extend the same courtesy to the English as well.

Monetary issues with the government giving Quebec all kinds of funding aside....it'd be nice to have a more open and understanding nation.

It seems to me that right now English Canada is content pushing the french into one province and ignoring their existance. It's unfortunate.

[Guest eureka]

It seems to me that right now English Canada is content pushing the french into one province and ignoring their existance. It's unfortunate.

I rather think that it is Quebec that is "pushing the French into one province. Quebec has abandoned French Canada in favour of the idea that Quebec is a French "nation." It really could not care less about whether the remainder of Canada can speak French or what happens to French speakers who are not in or have broken out of the ghetto.

[Argus]

Personally, I wish English speaking Canada would be a little more in tune with the French, their culture and language.  I think English Canada can learn a valuable lesson when they realize that most french speaking Canadians need to learn English to function in this country, lest they be chained to one province.  As a sign of our unity as a country, it would serve us all well to be fluent in both languages and understand the distinct culture and heritage of french canada.

Like you, right? You setting an example for the rest of us?

Linguistically, French is simply a much more difficult language to pick up for anglos. English is a natural language which grew out of the merger of other languages and has been permitted to grow and flow with the needs of those who use it. French is a rigid, codified academic language even its own people don't understand and can't use properly. Its grammar and structure is almost the opposite of English, in many ways, and it has concepts, such as gender and accents, which are foreign to English speakers. English is comparatively easy to pick up for French speakers.

[SirSpanky]

I live in a predominantly asian neighborhood, does that mean I should learn Mandarin, and Japanese, and....whatever other laungauges they speak? I think understanding and empathizing with others is good, but where do you draw the line?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but exactly what is this distinct culture everyone speaks of? I've been to Quebec, and frequently go to French neighborhoods in my home city, and have yet to identify this culture.