Canadian Federal Election

[Rebel[cF]]

I have been reading in the news paper for sometime, (in the nation's capital), that PM Stephen Harper may be calling for an official election for later this year. Citing various disagreements such as abortion, etc, in parliament, what does everyone think about this?

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/...n-october.html

If you scroll down, the timeline dates August 26, 2008 that it was officially mentioned, preceded by a series of events since the previous election
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40th_Ca...deral_election

Canadian Parties and Leaders (This is the first election I will be eligable to vote for and I will be voting NDP)
http://www.nodice.ca/elections/canada/parties.php

Just an interesting poll, 15% of Canadians would rather vote in the American Election than the Canadian election. I too, must admit, I watch CNN all the time and I am very much interested too see who will lead the United States in the coming years, these are tumultuous times. Go Obama!
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/02/01/poll-cbc.html

More Info;
http://www.caledoncitizen.com/news/2...orial/011.html
http://www.canadiansocialresearch.ne...d_election.htm
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._name=&no_ads=

I personally will be voting NDP, because I trust neither the Liberals or the Conservatives.

Conservative leader, Stephen Harper is an American puppet and he can't
deal with the current politics in Canada so he is considering folding up early, pathetic.

Liberal leader Stephane Dion will be no different than his predecessor, Paul Martin, who was a foolhardy leader who couldn't lead the Country. Utterly pathetic. Both of these men are wannabe Jean Chrétien's, who was in the end of his career was nothing but a corrupt politician involved in government embezzling scandals.

I was, after the fall of Paul Martin, a staunch Conservative believer, but now I see that Stephen Harper is a fool and I will be voting for Jack Layton of the NDP in the next election.

What does everyone else think on this matter?

[Fluttershy]

What does everyone else think on this matter?

I think Canada needs to stop messing around with these "elections" an just become the 51st state!

[Rebel[cF]]

I think Canada needs to stop messing around with these "elections" an just become the 51st state!

Problem is, the previous few PM's, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper couldn't handle their position and folded. What does the future hold?

[Evil Maniac From Mars]

If Canadians have any sense, conservative, conservative, conservative. Stephen Harper has done a good job, and I'd like to see him with a majority, or at least a continued minority.

[Joker85]

Wait, we let them have elections? WTF?!

[Rebel[cF]]

Wait, we let them have elections? WTF?!

Ya for real, Stephen Harper finally got up from the old Monica Lewinsky kneeling position and is finally throwing in the towel without Bush's approval

[Evil Maniac From Mars]

Ya for real, Stephen Harper finally got up from the old Monica Lewinsky kneeling position and is finally throwing in the towel without Bush's approval

Please, Harper is nowhere near the puppet the CBC and left-wing Canadians make him out to be.

EDIT: Dion is downright useless, the NDP are socialists, and the Bloc is...well, the Bloc. The Conservatives appear to be the best choice to me at the moment.

[Rebel[cF]]

Yes, he certainly is an American puppet, he will do anything to appease George Bush. He must first consider that Canadian citizens come before the Bush Administration. But you see, he was so overjoyed about getting elected PM, primarily because the Liberals could not be trusted anymore as was the event in the collapse of Paul Martin, so really, he got all those Liberal turnover votes in loo of what was occurring in the Liberal Party.

He will do anything to please Bush, short of signing a missile defense treaty.

[Evil Maniac From Mars]

Yes, he certainly is an American puppet, he will do anything to appease George Bush. He must first consider that Canadian citizens come before the Bush Administration. But you see, he was so overjoyed about getting elected PM, primarily because the Liberals could not be trusted anymore as was the event in the collapse of Paul Martin, so really, he got all those Liberal turnover votes in loo of what was occurring in the Liberal Party.

He will do anything to please Bush, short of signing a missile defense treaty.

Have you read "Who Killed The Canadian Military?" It has an excellent piece on how Canadians often misinterpret working with America as being a puppet, against Canadian sovereignty, etc. Harper has done quite a bit for the Canadian Forces and Canadian sovereignty, especially in the Arctic. Accusing him of being a puppet for sometimes working with America is completely uneducated bias from the hardcore Canadian left. You really should read the book I mentioned.

Canada and the Conservatives aren't working for America, they're working with America, sometimes. American and Canadian interests are often shared, as any impartial observer will realize.

[Rebel[cF]]

Have you read "Who Killed The Canadian Military?" It has an excellent piece on how Canadians often misinterpret working with America as being a puppet, against Canadian sovereignty, etc. Harper has done quite a bit for the Canadian Forces and Canadian sovereignty, especially in the Arctic. Accusing him of being a puppet for sometimes working with America is completely uneducated bias from the hardcore Canadian left. You really should read the book I mentioned.

I will make a read of it, but I truly do not trust the Conservatives at the moment, and haven't trusted the Liberals since the embezzlement scandals. But you must see, right now, Harper is being torn apart in Parliament, he can't handle it anymore. I don't trust a leader who considers folding.

[Evil Maniac From Mars]

I will make a read of it, but I truly do not trust the Conservatives at the moment, and haven't trusted the Liberals since the embezzlement scandals. But you must see, right now, Harper is being torn apart in Parliament, he can't handle it anymore. I don't trust a leader who considers folding.

I don't think he's doing the right thing in potentially calling an election, though there are legitimate reasons for doing so. Harper has done an amazing job considering the minority government, and I would trust him in the next election. I also don't see there being a viable alternative for my political tastes - I mean, Bloc, NDP, Green? Nah. Liberal? Don't trust Dion. At least Ignatieff has a head on his shoulders. That only leaves the Conservatives.

[Fluttershy]

isnt it weird that 2 countrys on the same continent with very similar cultures and a common language might have many of the same intrests? Unpossible, the canucks must be puppets cuz they agree with the americans alot!!!

[IndianPrince]

Im from a liberal background, yet the LPC is a useless and fragile party under an even weaker leadership. So i think the conservatives will be a good choice. Though again ... i dont think it will be a majority but another minority

Prince

[LSJ]

I don't like anyone running.
I really can't wholly vote because I disagree with important issues in each party.

The one I would be most likely to vote for is the Conservative Party, and I hope that if they do win, they can become a majority gov't so they can do something without having to appease the Liberales.

[DisgruntledGoat]

I have to disagree with your statement "Go Obama." Particularyly after the decision to have the extremely protectionist Biden as his running mate. I think a lot of Canadians support Obama because they see him as a great person to lead Canada. But thats not what he is going to do when he is elected. He is going to lead the US. Canadians are attracted to is social leanings and charisma. But those two things will have no impact on Canada. What will is his dislike for NAFTA, Biden's protectionist attitude. Obama already opposes a CN Rail project that would bring hundreds of jobs to Canadians on the west coast because it would have trains pass through a small US town that doesn't want them. They want to further decrease the US on foreign manufactured goods. The Ontario economy can't take that kind of talk let alone action.

Personally I think Europe is guilty of the same thing. Liking Obama because of his policies that don't apply to them. McCain is the Candidate the rest of the world needs to maintain our current status quo and I think its a rather big mistake to think Obama will have a positive effect on Canada or Europe.

Now back on topic. I really don't want to see an election because it probaly means a liberal minority government. And Dion is such a boob that he would probably let the conservatives gain a majority after year or two. The liberals need to wait until they get a competet leader. HEck in a recent poll Harper and Layton where considered to be better PM choices than Dion.

[LSJ]

I think its a rather big mistake to assume McCain is going to do any good for Canada or Europe tho. Not that Obama will either. And we don't know what they'll actually do when elected - from what I've seen the pre-election speech and after-election actions of leaders often doesn't match up wholly.

Anyhow I agree that Europeans and Canadians support Obama because they'd like him if he was running in their country. But thats what everyone seems to do. Americans only support Harper because his politics are more American compared to the NDP or Liberals, and we know that most Americans aren't supportive of "socialism", even though that's what Canada likes and what the people seem to find best.

[DisgruntledGoat]

I think its a rather big mistake to assume McCain is going to do any good for Canada or Europe tho. Not that Obama will either. And we don't know what they'll actually do when elected - from what I've seen the pre-election speech and after-election actions of leaders often doesn't match up wholly.

So its better to hope for the charismatic guy who wants to do things that will harm Canadian and European economic interests to not live up to his word? McCain is at least going to maintain or status quo with regards to free trade and continue the policies of the Bush administration with respect to that.

Honestly, state a position that McCain has that is BAD for Canada or Europe. Heck even American aggression in the middle east has positive effects on Canada and Europe now and the long run. They do the dirty work, take all the heat (unless you are the UK) and we reap the benefits. I'd rather have McCain removing nuclear threats in Iran than having Canada deal with it.

[Rebel[cF]]

I'd rather have McCain removing nuclear threats in Iran than having Canada deal with it.

Because clearly, as we have seen by Russia's disregard for American authority, that really, America can't do a thing about Russia, China, Iran, etc. if they decided too do something. Look at South Ossetia for instance. I don't trust Bush because he started the war, and I will not trust his successor McCain, primarily because he will keep throwing your citizens to the slaughter. Canada is in the majority of the world's opinions, passive. Sure we do our part when required, we have peacekeepers all over the world. But we're not considered a threat by anyone, which is a great thing and no country hates Canada because we mind our own business. I don't think being associated too much with America is good for Canada's reputation, we already have an unstable government, we need to unify it to a majority before letting America take it over, which if Bush could, I'm sure he would. If the rest of the world trusts Obama, I will trust him.

[DisgruntledGoat]

Because clearly, as we have seen by Russia's disregard for American authority, that really, America can't do a thing about Russia, China, Iran, etc. if they decided too do something. Look at South Ossetia for instance. I don't trust Bush because he started the war, and I will not trust his successor McCain, primarily because he will keep throwing your citizens to the slaughter. Canada is in the majority of the world's opinions, passive. Sure we do our part when required, we have peacekeepers all over the world. But we're not considered a threat by anyone, which is a great thing and no country hates Canada because we mind our own business. I don't think being associated too much with America is good for Canada's reputation, we already have an unstable government, we need to unify it to a majority before letting America take it over, which if Bush could, I'm sure he would. If the rest of the world trusts Obama, I will trust him.

So you are willing to take economic risks of an isolationist American government for a move reserved American foreign policy? Heck you do realize its because of an aggressive american foreign policy that has allowed Canada to remain passive and remain in our chosen role. And honestly, what complete nonsense about Bush wanting to annex Canada. I didn't like the american invasion of Iraq, and sometimes they make other stupid decisions (Bush more than most). But I'm willing to take the good with the bad. The other option is an america that doesn't want to get involved. How does that help the world. THink about it.

Secondly we don't have an unstable government. In fact its probably the most stable its been in years. Which is one reason people can't understand why the Conservatives want to call an election. There is a real balance in the house of commons right now. We're getting go things out of harper right now and as long as he has only a minority government we don't have to worry about him being a closet hardline right-winger.

Are Canadian tories anything like British tories?

I don't know. You can really compare our "Tories" with the american democratic party or slightly right of the american democratic party. Although recently, with Harper (which is why some people are a bit unnerved by him) they seem to be leaning towards big business, privatization etc. A lot of fears are for our socialized healthcare and what the conservatives would do with it if they have a majority. Sorry I don't know too much about British political parties to give a better comparison.

[Evil Maniac From Mars]

Canada is in the majority of the world's opinions, passive. Sure we do our part when required, we have peacekeepers all over the world. But we're not considered a threat by anyone, which is a great thing and no country hates Canada because we mind our own business.

Not true. Why?

For one thing, Canada is not taken seriously internationally by anyone. Full stop.
Secondly, peacekeeping isn't everything. Canadians think it is, but really, you have to do a little more than that, and you have to do things in your own international interests - like being close to America.
Thirdly, the same people who attack America see Canada as a similar target on a general basis. Canada has troops in Afghanistan, had troops in Iraq, and is generally - and rightly so - involved as a close ally with America throughout the world. Canada needs to defend itself, and Canada needs recognition. Anti-Americanism - which is falsely called "patriotism" or "soveriengtism" - is pathetic and unnecessary. Like it or not, America is Canada's biggest ally, and sticking it to America will make Canada more alone and less seriously considered. It's like a little brother syndrome - piss off the big brother as much as you can, and then come running to him whenever you have a splinter.