Election '07 on Ontario

Topaz · January 20, 2007

Those of you who live in Ontario, have you thought of who you would vote for?? I still haven't as yet, still looking over what parties are doing and saying. Since the Harris messed up the healthcare, its kinda hard to vote their way. The Libs, well, I know there's bad feelings towards them, one is the "healthcare tax" some people have to pay. The NDP, I've always thought Howie should be given a chance to be the Premier and to experience the pressure of being one, he couldn't do any worse than the other two! Well, we do have until October to make our minds up and alot of things could change by then!!

Canadian Blue · January 20, 2007

If I was living in Ontario I'd probably vote for the New Democrat's. They were the only ones to vote against that pay raise, and I think that they should be given a chance. I don't see them screwing Ontario more than either the Tories or Liberal's.

Remiel · January 20, 2007

Depends on how my riding shapes up... if it looks like a two-way race between Conservatives and Liberals, I'll probably vote Liberal again. If it appears the NDP might have a chance at winnig the riding (doubtful, because its rural, but you never know), I might go for them. I've always kind of liked Hampton. I don't mind Tory, but I was going to school during the Harris/Eves years. To borrow a phrase, " We hates 'em forever! "

geoffrey · January 20, 2007

If I was living in Ontario I'd probably vote for the New Democrat's. They were the only ones to vote against that pay raise, and I think that they should be given a chance. I don't see them screwing Ontario more than either the Tories or Liberal's.

An MP pay raise costs nothing in the big picture.

guyser · January 21, 2007

My vote will have to go to John Tory. He is the only one who fully understands that govt needs to be accountable to the masters.

His work history is second to none. He will be a great fighter for Ontario and we need that. He will be a great fighter for Toronto and damn we need that too. Far too much is taken out of this city (as is Vancouver Edmonton and other major cities) and it has got to stop.

As for Howie, well , he is NDP and therefor about as useless as breast on a bull. He will strengthen unions and that can never be a good thing.

Mcquinty.....somewhere a clock is missing its cuckoo.

Federally I am Liberal and provincially I am PC. I like the balance.....except when doofus Davis was in power.

Oh.....and I grew up with John Tory's wife Barb.

geoffrey · January 21, 2007

Oh.....and I grew up with John Tory's wife Barb.

That's crazy, my parents know them. Small world.

madmax · January 21, 2007

Federally I am Liberal and provincially I am PC. I like the balance.....except when doofus Davis was in power.
Oh.....and I grew up with John Tory's wife Barb.

Well, since John Tory has said he wants to model the next government like the Davis Conservatives..

I wonder how much to read into that wink? Maybe this is influencing your support for one whom wants to model himself after a doofus.

Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink, say no more.

madmax · January 21, 2007

I think it is too early to tell whom to vote for particularly if one is undecided.

Ontario, is going to tank real real bad this year. About four major industries a week are closing. The Economic record isn't fantastic but it could plummet below moderate expectations. The Hydro Policy, I don't believe has been figured out in 4 years.

McGuinty won't know how to campaign, until Hampton makes up a platform to steal.

John Tory has been very active. Most notably his lack of committment to anything and everything, has made him appear like a Liberal vs a Red Tory. (Oh to have that last name). However, he has time to create a platform, and one might figure he has just been feeling out the radical elements and the moderates. I don't believe he has gained any traction with the radicals, but he did listen politely.

Howard Hampton has talked more sense in the past 6 or 7 years then people give him credit for. However, to think that there will be a big change in NDP fortunes in the coming year, leaves lots to be desired.

I think current polling numbers may actually not change come voting.

guyser · January 22, 2007

[Well, since John Tory has said he wants to model the next government like the Davis Conservatives..
Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink, say no more.

Yikes, if true, but honestly I have not been paying attn to any platform. Too far away for me at the moment.

madmax · February 4, 2007

Markham, Burlington and York South Weston are being contested in Bi Elections.

Will Markham go back to the Conservatives?

Will Burlington Remain Conservative?

Is York South Weston going to Remain Liberal or Can the Conservatives knock them out?

guyser · February 4, 2007

Is York South Weston going to Remain Liberal or Can the Conservatives knock them out?

It may come down to the Conservatives being in third place. I see it as going Liberal with that woman from CHIN radio. She has the lead based on visible signage in that neighbourhood.

The NDP look strong there too, but count on Libs holding it .

William Ashley · February 4, 2007

From my exposure to McGuinty he is a fairly nice guy, and a very well archtyped politician. While I think the government could be more effective and take greater measures to insure a just, efficient, and aware government, I think that they have been a reasonably stable government that has not drawn too much contraversy. While they have flipped flopped on several issues, in most cases they have had atleast a vauge reason for doing so. I think they have been a focused government but focus isn't necisarily universally good. Since I felt I was victimized during this governments administration, I do have a feeling of unrest, but oddly I feel that it is due to ignoring the various administrations - it has felt loose and blind, but I'm only seeing it from the other side. I wouldn't call it a bad government, but I wouldn't call it the best it could be. McGunity and his direct support if so, to this point, is keenly responsible in public communication, but appears to be decentralized and lets the ministries handle their own issues. He comes off as a middleman more than a leader, which is I guess liberal in that way. I would contrast him strongly against centralized and mute rule like harper may be potrayed to do. There are some very deserved reelections in the liberal party, as I think that on a personal level they have for the most part done their job as representatives ----- I don't think they are doing enough on the econoomic and public infrastructure side though, and the situation of acceptable practices in the police and corrections seems unprepared. (this may be intentional.. but they do seem to be making initiatives to increase activity in these areas... ) They are a good emtional social govt. but need to take serious insight into public infastructure and ---- acceptable practice in police and (the general corruption of the justice system). but that atleast may be a taboo front, and isn't necisarily expected none the less, but it sucks when your rights are violated and no one cares.

I think the coservatives do offer some rational views, but they seem distanced from the general good of social values. I feel further distanced from them, but they seem perhaps as in opposition geared to do something... but what? They were forming their policy last I checked I'm not sure where it is at just yet. I'm sorta affraid of conservatives because I am a under poverty line person, and think that their likely hood of improving the quality of life of the poorwithout throwing them in jail or making them slave labourers is slim. As for effectiveness of government, they may fit in more to a federal scheme and perhaps draw more favour but a conservative ontario and canada ----??? doesn't the vote usually flip con-lib lib-con but Igeuss the last election wasn't like that..?? I don't have anything bad to say about this opposition, but I havn't had much contact with them to date.

The NDP - I honestly dont know much about the NDP even though I'm subscribed to the Laurier NDP newsletter. They seem to be acting as a responsible public voice raising issues, and taking protectionistic stances on some key issues. Oddly I voice them as a more publically responsible govt. even though they are notorious for overspending. Much like the conservatives I don't know enough about their current policy intentions.

I usually don't vote though.. I've worked for elections canada as a Information Officer in the last federal election and would be more likely to volunteer for help in the provincial elections.. even though not a DRO I'd still likely abstain from voting. The liberals have been fairly good, and there are some I would seriously consider voting for.. but at this point I'm not even sure who is running in my riding. (which is typically a conservative provincial riding...)

I have my own party too of course, the social party.. I'd considerrunning myself.. but I'mnot sure how much the deposit is... also getting 0 votes would sorta suck...

ClearWest · February 4, 2007

Those of you who live in Ontario, have you thought of who you would vote for?? I still haven't as yet, still looking over what parties are doing and saying. Since the Harris messed up the healthcare, its kinda hard to vote their way. The Libs, well, I know there's bad feelings towards them, one is the "healthcare tax" some people have to pay. The NDP, I've always thought Howie should be given a chance to be the Premier and to experience the pressure of being one, he couldn't do any worse than the other two! Well, we do have until October to make our minds up and alot of things could change by then!!

I'm not from Ontario, but I wouldn't give any of those three parties my vote. All three of them have messed up too badly in the past. Giving a vote to the Conservatives, Liberals, or NDP to me is almost like giving a donation to Enron. They don't need it, and they'll only abuse it. I'd give my vote to a smaller party or an independent.

You've just got just one bean to add to any pile that you choose. Those three parties have had their chance in my opinion, they don't need any more power.

And if you think the NDP deserves a chance, look up what they did to BC in the 1990's.

apollo19 · February 7, 2007

I think I'm going to have to go to McGuinty at this point. The election is only what, 8 months away? Yet I still haven't heard anything decent from Tory. He hasn't announced positions on anything, except that he would be "different". Although I won't be joining any parties, I'll probably get a Liberal sign for my lawn (which is something I don't really do.. shows how bad I think Tory really is). Pretty much I think you can expect the Liberals to ease back into power with a reduced majority, with the NDP remaining unimportant. Unless Tory can start a fire beneath him, McGuinty will cruise in for an easy victory in an unexciting campaign.

Posit · February 7, 2007

Don't forget that it was the Harris and the Conservatives that put Ontario where it is today. Their "total chaos" approach to government is what has cost us a bad health care system, poor educational system and decaying infrastructure.

Tory hasn't said anything new because he would do it all over again....

guyser · February 7, 2007

Don't forget that it was the Harris and the Conservatives that put Ontario where it is today.

Yes, quite profitable thank you.

Oh you forgot to blame him for poisoning the water in Walkerton.

geoffrey · February 8, 2007

I'm not from Ontario, but I wouldn't give any of those three parties my vote. All three of them have messed up too badly in the past. Giving a vote to the Conservatives, Liberals, or NDP to me is almost like giving a donation to Enron. They don't need it, and they'll only abuse it. I'd give my vote to a smaller party or an independent.

I'd just leave Ontario... oh wait.... did just that!

Michael Hardner · February 8, 2007

It appears that the election has been called...

Ontario Election

geoffrey · February 9, 2007

It appears that the election has been called...
Ontario Election

Get ready for your eight month campaign.

madmax · February 11, 2007

The NDP look strong there too, but count on Libs holding it .

Good thing I didn't bet on it.

madmax · February 11, 2007

I think I'm going to have to go to McGuinty at this point. The election is only what, 8 months away? Yet I still haven't heard anything decent from Tory. He hasn't announced positions on anything, except that he would be "different". Although I won't be joining any parties, I'll probably get a Liberal sign for my lawn

You are a decided voter. You haven't even suggested you might wait until the Conservatives release a platform, only that Tory hasn't announced anything. What is more troubling to me is that the Liberals have been in power for 4 years, and they haven't announced anything. The NDP may be irrellavent in your eyes, but they have taken seats held by Liberals whom have held 50 and 60% majorities in the riding and taken these ridings completely for granted. This would be like the Liberals stealing seats in Alberta in a riding in which the Conservatives have a 61% vote count over the opposition. I didn't see the Liberals Steal Burlington, or the Conservatives steal Markham, but the NDP have taken 4 seats in succession. If Liberal Strategists hold the same beliefs as you, then they may not be sitting with a Majority come October.

As for John Tory, I think his time to announce their platform will come.

madmax · February 11, 2007

Don't forget that it was the Harris and the Conservatives that put Ontario where it is today. Their "total chaos" approach to government is what has cost us a bad health care system, poor educational system and decaying infrastructure.

I call it Ideological Incompetence. A "belief" system vs a system of government. However, the problems faced by the government where not the fault of the Conservatives. They faced high deficits, and could have got these under better controls with continued fiscal management, vs the selling of all assests as the solution to government.

The Liberals Federally, where not favourable towards Ontario, during either the Rae or Harris Government. The Fiscal Imbalance was very detrimental towards Ontario during this period, and Harris didn't have much to work with with regards to declining federal transfers.

Tory hasn't said anything new because he would do it all over again....

Well have to wait and see. He doesn't appear anything like Harper or Harris, or Manning for that matter. He does appear to be a Red Tory, and we have to find out if there is any room in Politics for Red Tories any more.

Waiting for McGuinty to do something is getting tiresome. I think he is far to cushy as a Premier and perhaps it is time for him to work for a living, instead of just giving himself and others a big fat raise.

This might be John Tories first mistake, but he is not government and it will be minor in the scheme. But with Job Loss becoming common, downward pressures on Wages, Benefits and Pensions for the Private Sector, I can't see this raise as creating any goodwill amongst the voters.

guyser · February 12, 2007

The NDP look strong there too, but count on Libs holding it .

Good thing I didn't bet on it.

No kidding, I was shocked to see it go NDP and at that margin too! I figured Albanese had enough ethnic votes to keep it Lib.

LastViking · June 5, 2007

A second Spring poll released by Ipsos & Trendlines latest Seat Projection TrendLines Research

Mad_Michael · June 5, 2007

Those of you who live in Ontario, have you thought of who you would vote for?? I still haven't as yet, still looking over what parties are doing and saying. Since the Harris messed up the healthcare, its kinda hard to vote their way. The Libs, well, I know there's bad feelings towards them, one is the "healthcare tax" some people have to pay. The NDP, I've always thought Howie should be given a chance to be the Premier and to experience the pressure of being one, he couldn't do any worse than the other two! Well, we do have until October to make our minds up and alot of things could change by then!!

No provincial liberal government has ever served more than one term in office. I see no reason to believe that Dalton the Dweeb is likely to change that.

All signs point to John Tory becoming the next premier of Ontario.