Canadian Election June 28th

Well, if the members of ATS can cast aside their flaming of Kerry, Bush, GOP in this thread and discuss the upcoming Federal Election in Canada on June 28th. For those unaware of how the elections work, it's based on UK parliament. We elect MP's to the house of commons. The Party with the most canidates elected forms the government. In case of a minority government (party with most seats has less than 155 seats), coalitions are sometimes formed so that legislation can be passed. In the upcoming election there are four major parties and several smaller parties.

Conservatives- Right wing -slight lead in the polls over the incumbent liberals. Although their numbers in the polls would put them in minority territory

Liberals- centre-left- they are the current governing party. Took a huge dive in the polls after the adscam was revealed by auditor general shiela fraser

NDP- socialist party- Have never formed a government federally. New leader Jack Layton is likely to form a coalition with the liberals if the liberals form a minority government

Bloc Quebecois- centre-left/seperatist-runs canadiates only in the province of Quebec. Has seperatist goals for the province. It's suspected that the Bloc not form a coalition with the conservatives should they have a minority, but likely side on a few keys issues.

other parties include Green(which is running canidates in all 308 ridings), Marxist-lenist party, communist, Christian heritage party, marijuana party, Canadian action party.

News Website with more info

Personally, I am a staunch supporter of the conservatives. I agree with their stance, on foreign policy, military, taxes, and social issues. Martin and liberals have let down Canada for 11 years and we need a change. The NDP are just way out there. The Bloc, well I dont live in Quebec and I wouldn't vote for them because, because of their stance on some issues.

What about the rest of you?

I agree with the Con. stance. I just don't believe, or trust, Harper. I've voted Con. in the past, not this time. Between both the Lib's and Con's, they've both proven to do little for the country. Remember the last Con. gov't? Mulroney sold us down the river. I'm from NS and once Free Trade was brought in, the economy in the east was screwed. That's why I'm in Ont., no work down home. I'm voting NDP.

I'm going to be voting NDP or liberal(my stance on the liberals has softened with the progress the conservatives have made) - I don't want the conservatives in government. The proposal for changes to the supreme courts, ambiguity on other issues such as abortion, same sex marriage, etc., turns me off, and I don't believe their position on taxation is really achievable, at least in a way that is beneficial for Canada. The only things I really agree with is getting rid of the gun registry, which was obviously doomed to failure from conception. it's absolutely useless. As well, recognition of foreign doctors in a more speedy fashion, with regard to immigration.

With regard to healthcare, the tories and liberals are basically saying the same thing. I don't like their stance on decriminalizing marijuana; I think what was going in Ontario for a while was a good idea in that regard (persons caught with small amounts being given a ticket and a fine).

Anyway, I'm still deciding who I'm going to vote for, really.

Did anyone watch the debates earlier this week?

As an aside: Oooooh, even Michael Moore hopes Canada doesn't vote tory, oh goody! hahahaha. Now if I was ever searching for a reason not to vote for them, that'd be it. LOL

I'm voting either NPD or Green. The Libs and Con-Men are not to be trusted. Just look at Toronto after Amalgamation (which was a Conservative plan that Cretien helped along....). What I want to see is either a Liberal Minority Gov't with the NPD as the swing vote (even though it wouldn't be a bad thing if Layton won he's a pretty good guy, he married Olivia Chow who is a pretty good friend of the family).

As for the debate the only one who didn't make an a $$ out of himself was Juille Ducepe of the Bloc Quebec Separtist Party.

[edit on 19-6-2004 by sardion2000]

In the english debate, Layton was jumping all over the place attacking everyone. Harper appeared to be solid, but like most say Duceppe was probably the best, because all he has to worry about it quebec

Originally posted by f16falcon
In the english debate, Layton was jumping all over the place attacking everyone. Harper appeared to be solid

Yes. what was the comment Martin made to Layton? Something about his handlers telling him to just keep talking, or something along those lines.
And Harpers 'Who Cares'?
I was cracking up in parts, it was comical. They need more structure, I think. It does no good when they're all just talking over eachother.

The format was good how they had one-one between the leaders. But now with six days to go, the pressure comes down to Harper making a good impression to be able to possibly form a government. I don't think Kleins health plan will affect Harper that much

I kind of like Martin... yeah there's that whole adscam thing. I'm not sure how much of it is his fault. I'll be reading up on that more. But besides all that, i've heard some good things about Martin that make me think he can get things going in this country. He did good with canada's economy when he was finance minister from what i know. He also seems to be running things with much more energy than what Jean Chr�tien was doing.

But with all that said i do also think it could be nice to have a differnt party incharge. Though i'm really not to keen on the Conservatives. The NDP could be ok, though a fair bit left in there politics. I tend to like things more in the center, which is why i may vote Liberal again but if not them, then maybe i'll go for the NDP... maybe.

bah!... I dont know... I guess i'll be looking over a lot info on all 3 main parties for the next 5 days

Originally posted by jra
He did good with canada's economy when he was finance minister from what i know.

You know, I was thinking the same thing but did he do a good job or did we just piggy-back the American economy? If so it was Greenspan that did a good job and we can't vote for him.

Was just looking at some polls in the Toronto Star... If they're to be trusted, then things are damn close. This is almost exciting!

The projections have the Liberals at 117 seats, the Conservatives at 109, Bloc at 55, and NDP at 27. Apparently this is the largest media poll done in EKOS history, with input from 5254 people.
We'll have to see how things turn out, only 2 more days to go.

I am voting conservative. I want to see things in Canada shaken up a bit and not in a more liberal way. I like a lot of Harper's ideas, and I think the Liberal commercials are just stupid. How can I support a party with such stupid commercials.

Well, that's about it.