Jump to content

Conservative Leadership Up for Grabs in Manitoba


Recommended Posts

In an effort to remind everyone that Canada isn't just Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec...

The Conservative leader in Manitoba, Stuart Murray, has called a leadership convention, after receiving only 55% of his party's support at their AGM. He will announce on Monday if he is going to seek the leadership again, or if he's simply stepping aside. Brian Pallister is expected to run (you'll remember him from the national leadership convention), but no one else is really stepping up just yet.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Nelson Mandela

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In an effort to remind everyone that Canada isn't just Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec...

The Conservative leader in Manitoba, Stuart Murray, has called a leadership convention, after receiving only 55% of his party's support at their AGM. He will announce on Monday if he is going to seek the leadership again, or if he's simply stepping aside. Brian Pallister is expected to run (you'll remember him from the national leadership convention), but no one else is really stepping up just yet.

I read about this in the local papers here.

Apparently no one can beat your NDP government there, eh???

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."

-Alexander Hamilton

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why should we be proud of equalization? Better yet, why should we be shamed? For the most part it's all a matter of geological bounty. What do I care if Manitoba doesn't have as much oil as Alberta. It's all Canada, and we're all entitled to roughly the same standards of living. It's politically expediant for one premier to tell his province that the reason public schools are so crappy and university tuition is so high is that equalization is unfair.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Albertans think they have so much money because they have a tremendous work ethic, not because they were just lucky to be sitting on a dinosaur graveyard of countless barrels of oil. Contemptuous talk like that of FellowTraveller makes me wish they'd bring back the national energy program. :P

"I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I didn't suggest that Maniotba feel shame, but I do wonder why they have made little progress toward economic self-sufficiency. They have mines, minerals, cheap energy, water, forests, excellent agriculture, well educated workforce, good trtansportation networks, central location - what exactly is the problem?

Nearly all the provinces have done better economically, with far less to work with, New Brunswwick for example.

Lets hear some reasons, not some excuses....

Why hasn't Manitoba made any progress on losing their dependence on others?

The government should do something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only reason Manitoba is a have-not province is its high population of Aboriginals and the appalling poverty they generally live in. And that's considered more a federal than a provincial issue.

"I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Albertans think they have so much money because they have a tremendous work ethic, not because they were just lucky to be sitting on a dinosaur graveyard of countless barrels of oil. Contemptuous talk like that of FellowTraveller makes me wish they'd bring back the national energy program. :P

That's bull. Saskatchewan has lots of oil, uranium, potash, coal, and timber, but struggles; it's filthy rich in natural resources.

Why does it struggle? Because Alberta has a conservative govt that is friendly to business. Sask has a NDP govt that is hostile to business (highest corporate taxes in Canada and massive regulation). Where would you go invest if you were a business person?

I recently saw a map of Alberta and Sask. Alberta had oil and gas "dots" all over the province, but it mysteriously almost completely came to a stop at the Saskatchewan border. What a coincidence, huh?

One of my friend's daughters works at a polling market research company and she says that when it comes to the question of total household income, it is like night and day when it comes to Alberta and Sask.

The NDP edged us last time (30 to 28 seats) by using scaremongering tactics, but we will get them next time...I hope.

"Anybody who doesn't appreciate what America has done, and President Bush, let them go to hell!" -- Iraqi Betty Dawisha, after dropping her vote in the ballot box, wields The Cluebat™ to the anti-liberty crowd on Dec 13, 2005.

"Call me crazy, but I think they [iraqis] were happy with thier [sic] dumpy homes before the USA levelled so many of them" -- Gerryhatrick, Feb 3, 2006.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only reason Manitoba is a have-not province is its high population of Aboriginals and the appalling poverty they generally live in. And that's considered more a federal than a provincial issue.

According to StatsCan, Saskatchewan has a higher proportion of First Nations people than Manitoba, and they have managed to dredge themselves into some semblance of solvency. Manitoba isn't even close.

And considering that DIAND spends some $7Billion per year on First Nations affairs, and assuming that those in Manitoba get their share of that - wouldn't that improve manitobas financial position, not make it worse?

Nope Bubber, can't blame this one on the Indians.

Still left wondering why MB underperforms so badly.

The government should do something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Actually Manitoba is doing very well since they tossed the Conservatives. Balanced budgets every year, tons of cash from hydroelectricity that they're now selling to the northern states and Ontario. I don't know where you get your info from.

"I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh, and Manitoba also has the second lowest unemployment rate in the country, though I realize to most Conservatives that's a bad thing, because then they have to pay people a living wage.

"I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Point taken, Traveller, but it often takes a few years before the signs of an economic turnaround show up in statistics like the ones you link. The markets themselves (i.e., things like house prices, unemployment figures, consumer spending) and signs of prosperity on the horizon (like the Conawapa dam deal where Manitoba will be providing Ontario and the northern States with a great deal of energy) are more accurate signs of where things are at right now. Winnipeg housing prices have gone up something like 40% in the last two years, and the most recent Labour Force Survey showed that, in November, unemployment went down to 4.2%, the lowest since April 1976 (and second lowest in Canada).

Oh, and I'm not "blaming the Indians." It's just a fact that reserves in Canada are like mini-Third World countries.

"I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good idea. Play the racism card if you have no brains for a real argument.

I said, reserves are in bad shape. I blame the fact that Aboriginals had all their decent land stolen from them and were sent into the bush to make a new life for themselves. What do you blame for their dire conditions?

"I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

BTW, I might as well shut down your other lame argument before you think you can debate or something.

Aboriginals fall under federal responsibility for things like housing, treaties, etc. But in terms of health care, employment, living standards, etc., they're included in provincial statistics. That's not to mention that nearly half the population lives off reserve and are practically ignored by the feds. Nonetheless, this is not to say I'm even negative about the future of Aboriginals in Canada. Though widespread FAS is a great cause for concern, there are a lot of really positive indications that their situation is improving. You could say (because you're a desperate debater) that identifying FAS or poor living conditions as an Aboriginal concern is racist. I say it's just being realistic, and that's the only way to ever identify and solve a problem.

"I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Back to the original topic, although the side debate was pretty interesting....

I know this is a bit late, but perhaps overshadowed by the cabinet positions that were doled out. Brian Pallister was elected federally, but he asked not to be given a cabinet seat so he could keep his options open for the provincial leadership race. His story is that it was too late to back out of the nomination process by the time the election was called, but you'll notice I started this thread November 10, well before the election was called. This will probably end up being the first byelection of Harper's government.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Nelson Mandela

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your're right, tml12, I doubt Gary Doer and the NDP are worried about losing an election any time soon.

How is that Tory leadership going...I havent't read about it in awhile Melanie???

"Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."

-Alexander Hamilton

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How is that Tory leadership going...I havent't read about it in awhile Melanie???

Pallister may be the only one who wants it. Reminds me of the federal Liberal leadership - begging for candidates! :D

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Nelson Mandela

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A new MLA, Hugh McFadyan is touring the province trying to get support, but he's a bit of a rookie and I don't think they want another one of those. It's funny that John Loewen would have been a shoo-in if he didn't quit the party to run for the Liberals federally (to lose to Steven Fletcher).

I wouldn't say Doer has it in the bag though. Manitoba likes to change its government every 10 years or so, and rarely gives three majorities in a row.

"I think it's fun watching the waldick get all excited/knickers in a knot over something." -scribblet
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anita Neville, a Liberal MP here in Winnipeg, is asking that Brian Pallister's expenses for his leadership bid be examined. Her argument is that he is using his perks as an MP (particularly his staff paid for by Ottawa) to run his campaign for the provincial Conservative leadership. No hard evidence that I've seen yet, we'll see how this plays out.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Nelson Mandela

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Tell a friend

    Love Repolitics.com - Political Discussion Forums? Tell a friend!
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      10,818
    • Most Online
      1,403

    Newest Member
    nibu
    Joined
  • Recent Achievements

    • paradox34 earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • CouchPotato went up a rank
      Experienced
    • phoenyx75 went up a rank
      Collaborator
    • CDN1 went up a rank
      Contributor
    • nibu earned a badge
      First Post
  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...