POLITICS: Canadian Election Today!!

Known to many Americans as the cold enigma to the north, we too have democratic elections. The vote takes place today and looks to be the closest vote in over a decade. What does this mean? Likely we will have a minority government with 4 parties holding several seats.

This is how I see it playing out:

Seats in Parliament
Liberals: 115
Conservatives: 110
Bloc: 50
NDP: 24
Green: 6
Other: 3

Now, under this scenario we would see a semi functional government in that the NDP and Liberals can work together to pass legislature.

However, if we end up with a minority conservative government we will have a whole new ballgame. The NDP is unlikely to work together with the conservatives and the Bloc will not work with anyone, so we will have a completely disfunctional government and will likely have another election in 6-12 months.


Views from others? Odd that there aren't any other active posts on this today??


[edit on 6-28-2004 by Valhall]

www.abovetopsecret.com...


I agree, you would think there would be more interest shown.

Jack, I missed your post, but hopefully we can get some discussion going here. There has to be more Canadians on this board somewhere *looks under mat "Helooo..."*

Another interesting element of this years election, likely as a result of internet access is that for the first time the results from the polls on the East coast will be reported before the polling stationis on the West coast are closed. This could lead to some controversy. However, due to widespread access to internet in Canada it would be difficult to delay disclosure of these results.

It should be a very interesting night!

Have to agree Luke, this gov't won't last long. BUT, if the BQ, want concessions for Quebec, they may work with other parties. I don't like the look of that. The kingmaker that is Quebec. Not good.

Well, I am about to go to my polling station and vote. It should be a close, exciting race. Personally I will be voting conservative.

double post

[edit on 28-6-2004 by greenkoolaid]

No problem, I think it is very important for anyone who has the opportunity to vote not to shirk that privilege.

I was surprised to learn how similar the party platform and overall polls are not too different from what we in the US have. Although your country does have quite a few more active parties, something I would hope can start to flourish here, it would be so much better to have at least a "real" third party to choose from as the two major parties here don't really care about the people who vote for them.

Ouch...conservative...the militarist who doesn't believe in civil rights. Interesting way to vote, but of course it's your choice. Personally, as always I don't like anyone, but I would rather give Martin a chance over Harper. Mark my words, Harper is trouble (personal opinion).

Teh BLoc will do very little to work with other governments. They never have and never will. The only hope for a functional minority government is through the NDP. The NDP has made it clear that they will not co-operate with Harper.

I truly feel that Harper is the Canadian equivalent to Bush...if he's in...we're in deep #. It's taken years for the liberals to turn our financials around after our last bout with a conservative government. I hope it doesn't ahppen again.

I really just hope that everyone gets out and votes. Atleast then the elected government will be representative.

The way I'm looking at it is, if the polls from the east come in Lib., I'm voting NDP. If they go Con., I'm voting Lib. It's the ABC factor, Anyone But Conservative.

Lol! I like the ABC method also. I contemplated voting NDP in my riding as it is Ed Broadbent's riding and he will likely win, but it will be a tight race, so I wanted to give my support to the Libs because I want them to win as many seats in this election as possible. Plus, I'm not much of a socialist, so I'm not really and NDP-er.

However, we are going to be majorly skrewed if Harper gets ahold of the reins! I'd almost prefer Duceppe as the PM...lol

Com'on Bloc sweep..LMAO!

[edit on 28-6-2004 by Lukefj]

I just voted. And guess what I threw it away on the Green party Wait I can explain. I live in the Broadview-Danforth riding the same riding Jack Layton has been running in for a decade now, and hes gonna win hands down so I dont really see the reason for voting NPD since the green needs the $1.75 for next election(which hopfully maybe they'll become an official party by next election)

I see a slim Minority Liberal or Conservative govt. If the Conservatives make the next Minority gov't they wont last a year. If the Liberals make up the next Gov't thru a Lib/NPD coalition then expect alot of NPD bills to get passed or the NDP might decide to walk out and force a new election. Very interesting election, even though they only expect a 65% voter turnout

I actually think there may be a really good voter turnout...although it is true that there is a lot of voter apathy running around. I hear about it everyday here in Ottawa. However, this is a very important election and given that the race is so tight, I'm hoping for people to get caught up in it and make their voices heard!

Originally posted by Lukefj
I actually think there may be a really good voter turnout...although it is true that there is a lot of voter apathy running around. I hear about it everyday here in Ottawa. However, this is a very important election and given that the race is so tight, I'm hoping for people to get caught up in it and make their voices heard!

Well..I really hate to say this, but I've been talking to my non-voting friends and they are barely even aware of all the hoopla going on right now, and when I tell them that its the most important Election in a generation, they still won't vote. The reasons? Well it boils down to 3 things. 1. Apathy 2. Strong Belief that all politicians are liars and corrupt so they feel their vote doesn't really matter. and # 3. Laziness due to the stress's of the Post-Nafta Canada That really pisses me off personally, and I try to explain why when they get confused. Doesn't matter what I say, when I try the last resort and say it's your right as a Canadian citizen and they either just stare at my like im some Troll from LOTOR or they just laugh. Its a pretty sad state of affairs especially with the under-30 vote which if polls are to be believed only 1-4 under-30 eligible voter will actually cast a ballot today...Let's just hope my totally unscientific peer-survey of 6 people isn't accurate. Same goes with the studys and polls but I'm not getting my hopes up. The best thing that could happen in this election is the turnout is around 67+% will be amazing 70+ unbelievable. As well I hope the Green party gets 8 seats to make them an official party...one can only hope

I voted Liberal; and for a while I was positive I wouldn't be voting for them. Well, things change. I don't want the conservatives in, and the way I see it, Liberal was the best way to go.

How I LOATHE the conservatives. They'll never get my vote, even if this is their sort of stomping ground. I voted NDP from the Oakville 'burbs.- which is basically a vote in the wind. I'm banking on an NDP minority with Liberal majority. WOuldn't bet the farm, but it's a nice dream.

DE

Canadians, don't forget this handy advice:

And in an unusual piece of advice, Elections Canada is also reminding voters not to eat their ballots.

"Eating a ballot, not returning it or otherwise destroying or defacing it constitutes a serious breach of the Canada Elections Act," Elections Canada warns on its website.

Three Alberta men were charged during the 2000 federal election with eating their paper ballots. The men said they were members of the Edible Ballot Society and were protesting against what they said was a lack of real choice among candidates.

Canadian Election: Strong Voter Turnout Expected

[edit on 28-6-2004 by parrhesia]

Liberals have 6 seats thus far, Conservatives at 2, and NDP at 1 with a few ridings reporting from New Foundland.

[edit on 28-6-2004 by parrhesia]

[edit on 28-6-2004 by parrhesia]

The Conservatives are catching up -

Liberals - 20
Conservatives - 7
NDP - 3


I'm going to be sitting here watching updates all night, this is going to be really close, especially the results that will come in from Ontario.

LIVE ELECTION UPDATES

[edit on 28-6-2004 by parrhesia]

[edit on 28-6-2004 by parrhesia]

Go Liberals go...I would like to also give a shout out to Valhall for hearing my pleas to have this posted here. GREAT Job

KUDOS ATSNN!

If the trend holds on, the next government will be Liberal and minority.

Current results:

Liberals: 118 elected + 16 leading = 134 seats
Conservatives: 73 elected + 15 leading = 88 seats
Bloc qu�b�cois: 51 elected + 4 leading = 55 seats
New Democratic: 17 elected + 10 leading = 27 seats


[edit on 28-6-2004 by Nikosmo]