Manitoba Election

[jdobbin]

It looks like Friday is the day the writ will be dropped. Gary Doer wanted to make sure that the Feds would not call an election and now that Harper has closed his election headquarters, the NDP is ready to go the polls.

There have been funding announcements every day the last month and a half and NDP candidates have quit their jobs as they prepare to run this week. NDP MLAs are just clearing their desks of last minute things.

Last provincial poll had the NDP ahead and if an election had been called then, the NDP would win an unprecedented third majority.

The Tories are not gaining much traction and the provincial Liberals are hoping to hold on to their two seats.

[Canuck E Stan]

The Tories are not gaining much traction and the provincial Liberals are hoping to hold on to their two seats.

For those who are interested.

The Provincial Tories have 8 times more seats than the Liberals in the Manitoba legislature.

[jdobbin]

For those who are interested.

The Provincial Tories have 8 times more seats than the Liberals in the Manitoba legislature.

One would assume that if the Liberals had two seats and the Tories were the Official Opposition that the Tories would have more seats. And for those still interested, the Tories have not gained traction since dumping their leader.

[Canuck E Stan]

One would assume that if the Liberals had two seats and the Tories were the Official Opposition that the Tories would have more seats. And for those still interested, the Tories have not gained traction since dumping their leader.

Don't be so cynical,The Liberals could be non-existant this election.

But 8 times more Tories than Liberals? Woah.

[BubberMiley]

There's also 17 times more NDP members than Libs.

But this could be a snoozer of an election. I expect the NDP to lose a few seats but maintain their majority, but I would also never underestimate the public's desire for change for change's sake (except maybe in Alberta).

[guyser]

Why the success of the NDP in Man? Geez, couldnt you have looked East for a year or so when Rae was Premier?

What is it about Man that has them in power.

[jdobbin]

Don't be so cynical,The Liberals could be non-existant this election.

But 8 times more Tories than Liberals? Woah.

The Liberals have been fairly weak since Doer came to power and after Carstairs left.

Doer is fairly pragmatic rather dogmatic. People like him and he runs well ahead of his party in popularity. I don't think as highly of his cabinet who tend to make mistakes than cost money and hurt growth. Crocus and housing come to mind.

[jdobbin]

There's also 17 times more NDP members than Libs.

But this could be a snoozer of an election. I expect the NDP to lose a few seats but maintain their majority, but I would also never underestimate the public's desire for change for change's sake (except maybe in Alberta).

Really? I am not expecting them to lose any seats. I thought they might even gain some.

Still, some issues might comes up and sometimes an opposition leader only really becomes known during an election. Happened to Doer, happened to Carstairs and it could happen with McFaydan.

[jdobbin]

Why the success of the NDP in Man? Geez, couldnt you have looked East for a year or so when Rae was Premier?

What is it about Man that has them in power.

Gary Doer. He has charisma coming out of his gap toothed smile. Women love him, men are disarmed by him and he leaves his cabinet ministers to screw up rather than taking it on himself. He also keeps the legislature operating at a bare minimum of days and never calls inquiries that would come back to bite hime

[beatenwoman2005]

There's also 17 times more NDP members than Libs.

But this could be a snoozer of an election. I expect the NDP to lose a few seats but maintain their majority, but I would also never underestimate the public's desire for change for change's sake (except maybe in Alberta).

Really? I am not expecting them to lose any seats. I thought they might even gain some.

Still, some issues might comes up and sometimes an opposition leader only really becomes known during an election. Happened to Doer, happened to Carstairs and it could happen with McFaydan.

I suspect a SMALL ISSUE is up and coming.................................

[Melanie_]

This will be a nonelection - just a reconfirmation for Gary Doer and the NDP. Manitoba likes the status quo. MacFayden hasn't been impressive at all, and I don't see him stepping into Doer's shoes anytime soon.

Gord MacKintosh (Minister of Family Services and Housing) held a press conference today at Red River College to announce how some of the new budget's child care money will be spent. They've used the new transfer money to backfill the child care money the federal government cancelled, which means the Manitoba system will continue to grow despite Harper. Major capital funding for Winnipeg, rural and northern communities, to build new centres and fund new spaces. More funding announcements to come - it sounded like more money for training, although he didn't come out and say so.

Sure there have been screw ups (I lost money on Crocus - don't think I'm forgetting it!) but child care has been one area of strength for the Doer government - a committment to providing quality child care for the families of Manitoba.

[beatenwoman2005]

This will be a nonelection - just a reconfirmation for Gary Doer and the NDP. Manitoba likes the status quo. MacFayden hasn't been impressive at all, and I don't see him stepping into Doer's shoes anytime soon.

Gord MacKintosh (Minister of Family Services and Housing) held a press conference today at Red River College to announce how some of the new budget's child care money will be spent. They've used the new transfer money to backfill the child care money the federal government cancelled, which means the Manitoba system will continue to grow despite Harper. Major capital funding for Winnipeg, rural and northern communities, to build new centres and fund new spaces. More funding announcements to come - it sounded like more money for training, although he didn't come out and say so.

Sure there have been screw ups (I lost money on Crocus - don't think I'm forgetting it!) but child care has been one area of strength for the Doer government - a committment to providing quality child care for the families of Manitoba.

Think back in time...... Gordon MacKintosh was the minister of Justice (HOLD that thought for the next few months)! Or is he the golden child who is CHOSEN to toss out these little BONES for society by the NDP to help further his political career?

I suspect Mr. Doer does not like to deal with inquiry's.oooo Crocus is just the start.

[fellowtraveller]

After Quebec, is there a province with worse fiscal management than Manitoba?

Something like 20% of revenues derived from equalization payments, in a province with plenty of energy, agriculture and well educated people.

I guess there is a reason so many of the best educated and most skilled workers, educated at public expense, have moved on to greener pastures further West.

Alberta and BC say 'thank you Manitoba'.

[jdobbin]

After Quebec, is there a province with worse fiscal management than Manitoba?

Something like 20% of revenues derived from equalization payments, in a province with plenty of energy, agriculture and well educated people.

I guess there is a reason so many of the best educated and most skilled workers, educated at public expense, have moved on to greener pastures further West.

Alberta and BC say 'thank you Manitoba'.

Thanks for stopping by. Please read about equalization on your way out.

[jdobbin]

As expected, the Manitoba election has been called.

The most popular premier in the country after Danny Williams should no problem winning another majority and then some.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/20...n-manitoba.html

Manitoba NDP Leader Gary Doer has formally dissolved his majority government and called an election for May 22, the Tuesday after the Victoria Day long weekend.

Doer, who has led the province since 1999, is seeking his third term as premier. The NDP currently holds 35 of 57 seats in the legislature, while the Conservatives have 18 seats and the Liberals have two.

Denis Rocan, a Conservative MLA until he was kicked out of the caucus this week, is now sitting as an Independent.

There is also vacant seat, Kirkfield Park, which had been held by the Conservatives until Stuart Murray, the party's former leader, resigned.

[BubberMiley]

It would be funny if Rocan stole McFayden's seat from him (he's running against him now as an Independent). Somehow I don't think that's very likely though.

[jdobbin]

It would be funny if Rocan stole McFayden's seat from him (he's running against him now as an Independent). Somehow I don't think that's very likely though.

Does the NDP and Liberals have their candidate in place there?

[BubberMiley]

No, I don't think either of them have candidates nominated there yet. Rocan might wind up running for the Liberals or NDP. He spent a long time as speaker and was never an overly partisan guy, so he could transfer to either of those parties pretty easily.

[jdobbin]

No, I don't think either of them have candidates nominated there yet.

I wonder Rocan's phone is starting to ring with invitations.

Kind of funny how Harper in only his third visit to the province gives Doer a big scoop of ice cream along with his cake by giving millions for the museum of human rights.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...0420?hub=Canada

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced on Friday a new Winnipeg-based Canadian Museum for Human Rights as a national institution -- qualifying it for federal funding to cover operating costs.

The decision to fund the museum breaks a long-standing federal policy that national institutions be based out of Ottawa.

Harper confirmed the federal government would ultimately be responsible for the operating costs which are estimated at $22 million per year. He also said the construction costs will not exceed $265 million.

The museum will be funded by both Ottawa and private investors, although Harper admitted today there is much more fundraising to be done.

[sideshow]

I dont know why everyone bashes manitoba all the time. We rock.

Dirt cheap car insurance (i pay less than 2000 per year for 2 vehicles that are only a few years old), dirt cheap hydro (1600 square foot house, family of 4-never pay more than about 55 per month), dirt cheap water (never pay more than about 125 every 3 months), tuition freeze at university, jobs everywhere (contrary to popular belief), Pharmacare drug program (oh this is a great provincial program-can you say cheap meds for everyone?), great cottage country close to winnipeg (our cottage is only an hour and half drive from the city), cheap housing (compared to alberta, b.c., ontario, etc.) costs, etc.

i mean, boo hoo, winter is cold and it sucks.

the only thing that sucks is the high telephone bills-but we can blame the tories for privatizing our telephone company (after publicly saying they wouldnt before the election and then lying and doing it) for that.

[blueblood]

I dont know why everyone bashes manitoba all the time. We rock.

Dirt cheap car insurance (i pay less than 2000 per year for 2 vehicles that are only a few years old), dirt cheap hydro (1600 square foot house, family of 4-never pay more than about 55 per month), dirt cheap water (never pay more than about 125 every 3 months), tuition freeze at university, jobs everywhere (contrary to popular belief), Pharmacare drug program (oh this is a great provincial program-can you say cheap meds for everyone?), great cottage country close to winnipeg (our cottage is only an hour and half drive from the city), cheap housing (compared to alberta, b.c., ontario, etc.) costs, etc.

i mean, boo hoo, winter is cold and it sucks.

the only thing that sucks is the high telephone bills-but we can blame the tories for privatizing our telephone company (after publicly saying they wouldnt before the election and then lying and doing it) for that.

If we rock so much, then we shouldn't be receiving equalization payments. Those programs cost a bloody fortune.

[BubberMiley]

If we rock so much, then we shouldn't be receiving equalization payments.

Once Conawapa is built, we probably won't be.

[blueblood]

If we rock so much, then we shouldn't be receiving equalization payments.

Once Conawapa is built, we probably won't be.

Touche

[geoffrey]

If we rock so much, then we shouldn't be receiving equalization payments.

Once Conawapa is built, we probably won't be.

He's right, Conawapa looks like a very promising venture for everyone involved.

[jdobbin]

He's right, Conawapa looks like a very promising venture for everyone involved.

Still a long way to go on that and dependent on Ontario and the Feds for the east-west grid.