Canadian Politics Thread

[LaBamba]

8 hours ago, Warhippy said:

The issue is organically won't help.  It will take direct intervention and or near total regulation of the housing market to reign it in.  That's just not possible.  it would be like trying to regulate or take control of the oil resources in our nation now.  Corporations won't have it.  Other nations won't have it.  Our housing sector has undergone and almost complete financialization since 2008/2009 in which housing has become a line item on a corporate balance sheet.

Try to regulate it, corporations, developers and their property management shells will dump units on to the market en masse thus tanking the housing sector.  They have the cash on hand to then purchase these houses or condos in bulk thus doubling their holdings or more.  This will be lamed on the government.

the other possibility is the direct intervention by the government with subsidized housing and home builds that are under the oversight and control of the government.  Adding 300k+ units on top of the 200=+ already being built means that it will supercharge the level of units on the market.  this will also have the effect of tanking housing prices due to the increased volume.  with so much $ tied up in equity of a home, or reverse mortgages etc and loans taken against homes over the last decade due to the artificially low rates people will lose their asses because of it.

If any of that goes off without a hitch, we don't have the work force to build these homes.  If we did/do then what level of oversight is there?  We won't have the manpower to supervise this which would lead to the same processes that we saw with the leaky condo crisis in the early 90s post expo 86.  Except we're talking a national scale in which entire building complexes are effectively unliveable due to deficiencies in electrical, plumbing or heating/insulation/weatherproofing.  

But the provincial governments makes as much $ in housing at the provincial levels as the feds do in gas/fuel taxes.  Asking the provinces to eschew that level of revenue is not gonna happen.  Now let's suppose that the provinces do all this.  The feds do all this.  Let's ask what happens to the infrastructure issues.  The estimation of an additional 2 million by 2030 means that every moderate to major urban centre will see an influx of at least 20,000 people or more.  Not sure where you live but I am in penticton.  Penticton has a population of 33,000 when you add in all of the surrounding communities but only has about 21,000 in the proper area on sewer, water and gas.  

Doubling the people means every single aspect of the infrastructure grid needs to be doubled.  Power, Water, Sewer, water treatment, roads, hospitals and schools.  In basically no less than 100+ population centres in the nation every single aspect of critical infrastructure will have to be see their capacity doubled.  How much would that cost?  Victoria's water treatment/sewer plant is at or around 41 billion give or take a few million.  Now look at doubling the capacity or replacing every single water treatment plant in the nation for almost every major population centre.  When you consider the 33rd most populous city in canada is Chicoutimi-Jonquiere with 100k people and the 100th largest is Midland Ontario with 26,000 people you realize that there is 70 ish cities in this nation that would see their populaiton increase by 1/5th or in many cases almost double.

There is literally zero easy answers to the single most pressing issue in canada and instead of admitting that we have a party in power saying they'll try; but failing to do anything meaningful in 8 years.  Another party that has a leader promising to fix things and blaming it all on the current party in power and in between we have a party that has had some meaningful ideas but doesn't have the balls to actually hold the current party in powers balls to the fire.

There is no organic answer that will solve this sadly because it's been going on for almost 17 years.

What a legend. 
don’t agree with you politically for the most part  but a you’re smart guy that stands for what you believe. 

[Warhippy]

14 hours ago, the destroyer of worlds said:

I ain't voting for a party that circulates crap like this.  Their convention was a debacle of crap that we know a good portion of the party is all for.  

 

The CONservatives won't fix what ails Canada.   They're more likely to cut taxes, balloon the deficit, then use that to make cuts cuts cuts hurting more people.

Done it before.  Will rinse and repeat. 

 

This is the crap that bugs me.  What government overreach?  Isn't the military being rebuilt now?  Unless a new government institutes mandatory service the biggest issue is and will be man power.  Woke censorship on campuses?  Wtf does that mean?  Freest country on earth?  Give me a break.

These are all just worthless catch words and statements made to confuse the idiocy and nothing that is suggested here is possible.  Both parties do it and they're worthless

[Warhippy]

11 hours ago, LaBamba said:

What a legend. 
don’t agree with you politically for the most part  but a you’re smart guy that stands for what you believe. 

You'd be surprised to know that I really am not what I post here.  I just post counter arguments.  I don't do the party BS.  I keep trying to stress that.  The issue is I don't see much from any current MP or potential leader that stands out as worthy of running our nation.

There's like maybe 3-5 people in parliament I have heard arguments from over the past few years worth mentioning.  I keep saying I am as centrist as one can be and I try to mean that.  There's a bigger picture here and people seem to think that by simply pointing out why one person or the other is blowing smoke that it means you support the other side.  The truth is no.  They're both worthless.

But people like to suggest otherwise.  for me, right now.  Much like since 2015 anyone wanting to be leader needs to be upfront and prove it.  Trudeau didn't deserve it, but he was voted in to vote Harper out.  Harpers party needed to go because they were wildly out of touch.  They were lying about a number of things and they were fudging the numbers.  Trudeau needs to go because he's been essentially ineffective as a leader, his party lead under a minority hasn't actually been terrible at all but as a figurehead the guy is to polarizing and if he refuses to step down he deserves to lose.  This does not mean I am endorsing him or his party.  It just means a refresh is needed and him stepping down for a new party lead and a new properly selected cabinet based on merit and experience is necessary.

With that in mind it also means Poiliverre and his party WHIP need to be held accountable because they most certainly WILL be the next party to lead the nation.  As such the claims they are making need to be held to the light and they need to be held accountable.  A lot of what they are suggesting is not possible without direct overreach or intervention and regulation.  That is not the Conservative way.  They are campaigning heavily on anger and social policy and that is not the Conservative way.  I grew up Conservative and the mindset was business lives or dies by its merit.  People's lives and business are there's.  This campaigning on defending the kids, or not allowing perverts in places or not allowing people to express themselves because it's "gross" is bullshit.  

If Poiliverre wants my attention he will drop 90% of his platform and just be honest about things.  he was a major party cabinet holder for like 6 years.  Him and Callandra spoke for Harper for 4+ years in the house.  He knows better and he is not stupid.  But the issue is I have yet to see anything honest from him or new and original ideas that will not further divide and already polarized nation.  To me that is not a leader.  He was annointed which is great but he isn't there based on merit he's there because he's known and loud and that's no different than Trudeau in 2014/2015

We as a nation deserve better, we deserve honesty and we need to have some bloody politicians who can look further than their own pensions and we're not getting any of it.  So while you may not agree with my political views, please understand I don't have any views that are not directly tied to the issues in our system or that aren't critical of every single member of our federal government because of how they or their party are acting.  if it was truly up to me and I had my say I'd be flipping the house on their ass and having the bloc in charge of certain things, the NDP in charge of housing and corporate taxation.  The cons in charge of international relations and the Libs in charge of trade with the Greens the titular lead because May is about the only one of them with enough prozak to keep them all in line.

Crazy right?

[Warhippy]

This is exactly what the Conservatives are campaigning on right now.  Anger and misinformation and this is what their claims of "woke politics" and censorship are promoting.  It's absolute bullshit.  This is a movement being pushed and suggested by members of parliament that was created by Joe Rogan.  That kids are being bullied in to changing their genders because they are being groomed and now kids are crapping in litter boxes because they are acting like and identifying as furries.

This crap did not and does not happen.  But this is what members of the Conservative party are running on.  This is what some of the Convention manifest is laid down to combat and this is wrong.  Like so damned wrong.  

 

Protests against schools teaching children about gender and sexual diversity are planned to take place across B.C. Wednesday.

Posters created by a group called 1 Million March 4 Children say participants are "standing together against gender ideology in schools" — which, in B.C., refers to the teaching of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) programs in public schools.

Similar events are planned across Canada on Wednesday, with some parents and socially conservative groups protesting LGBTQ-inclusive education policies in the classroom and in extracurricular settings under the banner of parental rights. 

But critics and researchers say the term "parental rights" is a misnomer because it doesn't address the concerns of LGBTQ parents or parents of LGBTQ children.

Counter-rallies are also expected in some communities. 

There is no specific SOGI curriculum in B.C., but K-12 students have subjects around human rights, respecting diversity, and responding to discrimination. 

"Teachers may include discussions around the B.C. Human Rights Code, sexual orientation and gender identity," the provincial government's website says.

Parents can also arrange for alternative ways to educate children about "sensitive topics related to reproduction and sexuality," including learning about them at home or through self-directed studies. This does not mean students can opt out of studying those subjects. 

"It is expected that students will, in consultation with their school, demonstrate their knowledge of the learning standard(s)," the website reads.

Bullying claims

In an interview with CBC News, David Low, one of the organizers of a rally against SOGI programs in Prince George, B.C., claimed children were being "bullied" by teachers into changing their pronouns.

Low, who unsuccessfully ran for school board in byelections earlier this year — losing to two candidates who explicitly endorsed SOGI — said he worries children are being pushed toward getting body-altering surgery without parental knowledge. 

He also said he has heard stories of children identifying as a "kitty cat."

The rumour that there are children or teachers identifying as cats in classrooms is one often cited by opponents of sexual and gender education programs, and has repeatedly been denied by school boards across North America

 

[bishopshodan]

2 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

1 Million March 4 Children 

I keep seeing it written this way.

Is it scheduled for March 4th?

 

Or is it to just prove that the number 4 can also identify as a conjunction?

 

 

[Gurn]

^ the whole freaking cat thing is because in the states a teacher brought in some kitty litter- in case during a school lockdown, some one had to go to the washroom.

 

 

 

[Warhippy]

9 minutes ago, Gurn said:

^ the whole freaking cat thing is because in the states a teacher brought in some kitty litter- in case during a school lockdown, some one had to go to the washroom.

 

 

 

It started with Joe organs stupid podcast en masse.  He admitted it was essentially a lie but it was way to late

[bishopshodan]

11 minutes ago, Gurn said:

^ the whole freaking cat thing is because in the states a teacher brought in some kitty litter- in case during a school lockdown, some one had to go to the washroom.

 

 

 

I remember that.

Even the mighty Joe Rogan walked his claim back. Admitted it was hearsay and that he got it wrong.

 

Boy did I hear that from some people though. Telling the tales of the new boogymen!
 

Edited September 20, 2023 by bishopshodan
yeah, what hip said

[Chicken.]

Interesting anti-SOGI protest in coquitlam today. I guess people dont have to work. 

 

 

[Warhippy]

1 minute ago, Chicken. said:

Interesting anti-SOGI protest in coquitlam today. I guess people dont have to work. 

 

 

IMG_7255.MOV

I see a lot of Niqabs in that image.  Nice to see people coming together....

[Miss Korea]

42 minutes ago, Gurn said:

^ the whole freaking cat thing is because in the states a teacher brought in some kitty litter- in case during a school lockdown, some one had to go to the washroom.

This wouldn't be a problem if we armed all kids with guns.  #2ndamendment

Oh wait wrong thread.  Or is it...?

[Miss Korea]

26 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

I see a lot of Niqabs in that image.  Nice to see people coming together....

I don't see any niqabs.  I see hijabs

[Warhippy]

Just now, Miss Korea said:

I don't see any niqabs.  I see hijabs

My mistake you're exactly right.  A chador or two as well but you're right.

[Coconuts]

16 hours ago, the destroyer of worlds said:

I ain't voting for a party that circulates crap like this.  Their convention was a debacle of crap that we know a good portion of the party is all for.  

 

The CONservatives won't fix what ails Canada.   They're more likely to cut taxes, balloon the deficit, then use that to make cuts cuts cuts hurting more people.

Done it before.  Will rinse and repeat. 

 

The squared bits really bother me, it's reminiscent of Republican mudslinging in the US. It's just coded language and buzzwords that refuses to say what it means in plain language. The whole "parental rights" bit is just another attack on a historically marginalized LGBTQ+. Human rights for children need to be upheld before "parental rights" enter the equation, anti-LGBTQ+ policy is anti-human rights. 

The Americanization is Canadian politics has been concerning for a while, instead of actually campaigning on platforms it's devolved into pushing the culture war and simply slinging mud. Mud slinging has always been part of politics, granted, but any time I read or hear about Poilievre it seems to be more about him being in attack mode than anything resembling substance. 

There seems to be momentum behind right-wing lead provincial governments regarding this of late and it's concerning, we've seen a huge escalation from US Republicans regarding anti-LGBTQ+ bills and the like over the past year and I'm worried that's what a conservative party would attempt to emulate here. I question how they'll treat other minorities and marginalized demographics at a legislative and legal level. 

Growing up I'd be like "hell yeah" when I saw something with a Canadian flag, now when I see them I'm immediately skeptical. Wasn't always that way, but it now mirrors how I view the American flag, and it wasn't always that way with the American flag either. I'm skeptical of anyone who pushes "freedom" without exility stating what they mean by "freedom". 

[stawns]

1 hour ago, Warhippy said:

You'd be surprised to know that I really am not what I post here.  I just post counter arguments.  I don't do the party BS.  I keep trying to stress that.  The issue is I don't see much from any current MP or potential leader that stands out as worthy of running our nation.

There's like maybe 3-5 people in parliament I have heard arguments from over the past few years worth mentioning.  I keep saying I am as centrist as one can be and I try to mean that.  There's a bigger picture here and people seem to think that by simply pointing out why one person or the other is blowing smoke that it means you support the other side.  The truth is no.  They're both worthless.

But people like to suggest otherwise.  for me, right now.  Much like since 2015 anyone wanting to be leader needs to be upfront and prove it.  Trudeau didn't deserve it, but he was voted in to vote Harper out.  Harpers party needed to go because they were wildly out of touch.  They were lying about a number of things and they were fudging the numbers.  Trudeau needs to go because he's been essentially ineffective as a leader, his party lead under a minority hasn't actually been terrible at all but as a figurehead the guy is to polarizing and if he refuses to step down he deserves to lose.  This does not mean I am endorsing him or his party.  It just means a refresh is needed and him stepping down for a new party lead and a new properly selected cabinet based on merit and experience is necessary.

With that in mind it also means Poiliverre and his party WHIP need to be held accountable because they most certainly WILL be the next party to lead the nation.  As such the claims they are making need to be held to the light and they need to be held accountable.  A lot of what they are suggesting is not possible without direct overreach or intervention and regulation.  That is not the Conservative way.  They are campaigning heavily on anger and social policy and that is not the Conservative way.  I grew up Conservative and the mindset was business lives or dies by its merit.  People's lives and business are there's.  This campaigning on defending the kids, or not allowing perverts in places or not allowing people to express themselves because it's "gross" is bullshit.  

If Poiliverre wants my attention he will drop 90% of his platform and just be honest about things.  he was a major party cabinet holder for like 6 years.  Him and Callandra spoke for Harper for 4+ years in the house.  He knows better and he is not stupid.  But the issue is I have yet to see anything honest from him or new and original ideas that will not further divide and already polarized nation.  To me that is not a leader.  He was annointed which is great but he isn't there based on merit he's there because he's known and loud and that's no different than Trudeau in 2014/2015

We as a nation deserve better, we deserve honesty and we need to have some bloody politicians who can look further than their own pensions and we're not getting any of it.  So while you may not agree with my political views, please understand I don't have any views that are not directly tied to the issues in our system or that aren't critical of every single member of our federal government because of how they or their party are acting.  if it was truly up to me and I had my say I'd be flipping the house on their ass and having the bloc in charge of certain things, the NDP in charge of housing and corporate taxation.  The cons in charge of international relations and the Libs in charge of trade with the Greens the titular lead because May is about the only one of them with enough prozak to keep them all in line.

Crazy right?

even if the Cons win the next election, which I don't think they will, the NDP/Libs will still hold the balance of power and it will be a series of elections until the Libs win again.  

[stawns]

5 minutes ago, Coconuts said:

The squared bits really bother me, it's reminiscent of Republican mudslinging in the US. It's just coded language and buzzwords that refuses to say what it means in plain language. The whole "parental rights" bit is just another attack on a historically marginalized LGBTQ+. Human rights for children need to be upheld before "parental rights" enter the equation, anti-LGBTQ+ policy is anti-human rights. 

The Americanization is Canadian politics has been concerning for a while, instead of actually campaigning on platforms it's devolved into pushing the culture war and simply slinging mud. Mud slinging has always been part of politics, granted, but any time I read or hear about Poilievre it seems to be more about him being in attack mode than anything resembling substance. 

There seems to be momentum behind right-wing lead provincial governments regarding this of late and it's concerning, we've seen a huge escalation from US Republicans regarding anti-LGBTQ+ bills and the like over the past year and I'm worried that's what a conservative party would attempt to emulate here. I question how they'll treat other minorities and marginalized demographics at a legislative and legal level. 

Growing up I'd be like "hell yeah" when I saw something with a Canadian flag, now when I see them I'm immediately skeptical. Wasn't always that way, but it now mirrors how I view the American flag, and it wasn't always that way with the American flag either. I'm skeptical of anyone who pushes "freedom" without exility stating what they mean by "freedom". 

the culture war craps to such a narrow field of voters, but I think they moderate Con voter will still vote Con in the hopes that it's just rhetoric and won't put it into practice.  The scary thing about the far right is how organized and focused they are

[Warhippy]

4 minutes ago, stawns said:

even if the Cons win the next election, which I don't think they will, the NDP/Libs will still hold the balance of power and it will be a series of elections until the Libs win again.  

The NDP/Libs won due to the cities and the Bloc holding the balance in Quebec.  While I expect the Bloc to lose some ground in Quebec I also expect the NDP to poll a bit stronger which will cause the Libs seats.  Unlike last time though sentiment is now anger and angry people vote against common sense.  I actually anticipate that the Cons will get a majority unless trudeau can stretch the election out until the VERY last minute and make some SERIOUS inroads against current pricing issues.

The issue is with higher interest rates, people who have lived for over a decade on artificially low rates and people who bought homes they could barely afford; the longer it goes on the angrier they will be because the less $$$ they'll have due to debt servicing.  

I am being quite frank when I say that this is the kind of storm i which the Cons sweep in with 175+ seats without issue and then start ramming some absolutely awful laws through.  

[Coconuts]

18 minutes ago, stawns said:

the culture war craps to such a narrow field of voters, but I think they moderate Con voter will still vote Con in the hopes that it's just rhetoric and won't put it into practice.  The scary thing about the far right is how organized and focused they are

I'm not trying to imply that what's pushed by the far right is a reflection of everyone who has conservative beliefs or who votes conservative, but the push by the far right within the conservative party has me concerned. I just worry that they'll be the ones who end up with actual power, put there in part by folks who don't hold far-right conversative beliefs. The Cons don't care how they get into power, they just want power, and once they have it it'll be hard to stop what the far right segment of the party wants if they're the group steering the ship. 

I'm worried the cons will win a majority despite their policies, primarily because they're not the liberal party. Things tend to go back and forth, the cons will win and then things will go liberal again for a while, but I fear what damage they'd inflict while in power. I fear the erosion of social programs and the privatization of things like healthcare and so on (also that's getting more into provincial politics), the average Canadian doesn't have a whole lot of money nowadays and it's the average Canadian who'll feel the brunt of privatization and the whittling down of what remains of Canada's social safety net. 

The far right has become bolder in the US ever since Trump got in, Canada has historically emulated the US in many ways despite being a country that has historically leaned more left. 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Coconuts

[stawns]

22 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

The NDP/Libs won due to the cities and the Bloc holding the balance in Quebec.  While I expect the Bloc to lose some ground in Quebec I also expect the NDP to poll a bit stronger which will cause the Libs seats.  Unlike last time though sentiment is now anger and angry people vote against common sense.  I actually anticipate that the Cons will get a majority unless trudeau can stretch the election out until the VERY last minute and make some SERIOUS inroads against current pricing issues.

The issue is with higher interest rates, people who have lived for over a decade on artificially low rates and people who bought homes they could barely afford; the longer it goes on the angrier they will be because the less $$$ they'll have due to debt servicing.  

I am being quite frank when I say that this is the kind of storm i which the Cons sweep in with 175+ seats without issue and then start ramming some absolutely awful laws through.  

but they still have coalition and will hold the blance of power and the Cons may form government, but won't have the power to pass anything.  That will lkead to a confidence vote which will lead to an election.....rinse and repeat.

 

I don't see that kind of support from the cons, outsode of parts of BC and the prairie provinces.  People, in general, just aren't buying the culture war they are trying to export from the US

[stawns]

19 minutes ago, Coconuts said:

I'm not trying to imply that what's pushed by the far right is a reflection of everyone who has conservative beliefs or who votes conservative, but the push by the far right within the conservative party has me concerned. I just worry that they'll be the ones who end up with actual power, put there in part by folks who don't hold far-right conversative beliefs. The Cons don't care how they get into power, they just want power, and once they have it it'll be hard to stop what the far right segment of the party wants if they're the group steering the ship. 

I'm worried the cons will win a majority despite their policies, primarily because they're not the liberal party. Things tend to go back and forth, the cons will win and then things will go liberal again for a while, but I fear what damage they'd inflict while in power. I fear the erosion of social programs and the privatization of things like healthcare and so on (also that's getting more into provincial politics), the average Canadian doesn't have a whole lot of money nowadays and it's the average Canadian who'll feel the brunt of privatization and the whittling down of what remains of Canada's social safety net. 

The far right has become bolder in the US ever since Trump got in, Canada has historically emulated the US in many ways despite being a country that has historically leaned more left. 

I agree completely, but it doesn't have the same resonance here that it does down south.  They have loud voices and they're organized, but they are a narrow faction of voters and it's pushing moderate conservatives and fiscal conservatives to the centre, or making them want to stay home on election day.  At least I hear that from moderate cons that I know.......they are disgusted by the bigoted, hateful stance that the Cons are embracing.

[ronthecivil]

23 hours ago, Warhippy said:

I posted and mentioned a lot of the issues with the talking points of both parties about how fixing the housing crisis/affordability is a pipe dream that will only cause far more expensive issues than it will solve.

 

I just want for once to see someone in power admit it's all fookt and that they don't have an easy solution.  Instead of just blaming everyone else and pretending they have an answer

ROFL good luck with that!!!!!

What's sad is I bet a lot of them are deluding into actually believing what they say. 

Fight inflation? EZ! Balance the budget! This can actually win you political points on both sides! The tough choices to get there, not so much.

Fight housing prices? EZ! High interest rates and keeping the old fashioned banking prudence (not extending people for 80 years because they over extending themselves and would face bankruptcy for example) will eventually fix that..

Create rental housing? That's not federal, though I suppose the GST cut helps, but you just need to zone for it and consider taking a lower take rate and density as a carrots to encourage it's construction. That's provincial/municipal though. This IS an EZ solution IMHO.

[Bob Long]

Didn't Trudeau get raked over the coals in the media for saying housing was a shared responsibility? 100% correct, and yet hair on fire coverage of it. 

[Coconuts]

14 minutes ago, stawns said:

I agree completely, but it doesn't have the same resonance here that it does down south.  They have loud voices and they're organized, but they are a narrow faction of voters and it's pushing moderate conservatives and fiscal conservatives to the centre, or making them want to stay home on election day.  At least I hear that from moderate cons that I know.......they are disgusted by the bigoted, hateful stance that the Cons are embracing.

Here's hoping you're right, I'd rather Canada not emulate the US politically more than it already has. 

It'll be interesting to see how things shift over the next couple decades as more and more Canadians are those who have immigrated or second or third generation Canadians. Western birth rates have been on a downturn for decades, the costs of living don't exactly motivate younger generations to have children. And trust me, there are many who'd love to, it's just not viable for a lot of folks economically. As the makeup of Canada's population shifts it's possible it's values may as well. 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Coconuts

[ronthecivil]

On 9/19/2023 at 11:40 AM, Sharpshooter said:

I appreciate Trudeau taking such a ballsy stance against India. 
 

I reckon it’s two part based. 
 

First, there’s credible evidence from CSIS and other Agencies that link the Indian govt to the assassination. Modi is an ultra-religious-nationalist, that has done his utmost to be against the Sikhs in the State of Punjab. That’s what the whole ‘No Farmers, No Food’ stickers you see on hundreds of cars and trucks were in response to. 
 

Secondly, Trudeau probably calculated the political costs to the Liberal Party, as many of those of Punjabi/Sikh members make up not only his Cabinet, but also those in his caucus. I’m sure that he felt the pressure. And of course the Punjabi people as a group are one of the highest voter turnout demographic. Losing their support would be detrimental to his government staying in power, and him remaining PM. 
 

This is how the world and governments work, as you’re well aware. 
 

The fight is on. India just expelled a top Canadian diplomat in retaliation to Canada ousting one of India’s top diplomats. 
 

It will escalate further. 
 

Then, there will be some show of good-faith between the countries and nothing will ultimately be done. 
 

It’s all a show from start to finish. 
 

 

 

 

How did Canada feel about the French President coming to Quebec and siding with the separatists? Would we have appreciate out of country votes on whether Canada should be split up? Especially when some of said protestors in Canada have been tied to a plane bomb? That some of them celebrate it?

India has plenty to be pissed at Canada about. No argument on the political cost of sweeping that under the rug though.

[ronthecivil]

41 minutes ago, Coconuts said:

I'm not trying to imply that what's pushed by the far right is a reflection of everyone who has conservative beliefs or who votes conservative, but the push by the far right within the conservative party has me concerned. I just worry that they'll be the ones who end up with actual power, put there in part by folks who don't hold far-right conversative beliefs. The Cons don't care how they get into power, they just want power, and once they have it it'll be hard to stop what the far right segment of the party wants if they're the group steering the ship. 

I'm worried the cons will win a majority despite their policies, primarily because they're not the liberal party. Things tend to go back and forth, the cons will win and then things will go liberal again for a while, but I fear what damage they'd inflict while in power. I fear the erosion of social programs and the privatization of things like healthcare and so on (also that's getting more into provincial politics), the average Canadian doesn't have a whole lot of money nowadays and it's the average Canadian who'll feel the brunt of privatization and the whittling down of what remains of Canada's social safety net. 

The far right has become bolder in the US ever since Trump got in, Canada has historically emulated the US in many ways despite being a country that has historically leaned more left. 

I am more concerned that the carbon tax will be axed and the revenue from that not replaced, that costs to balance the budget are not made (you know  eroding social programs is no usually received well!) so that we just end up with another version of an unbalanced over spending different flavour of inflationary deficit budgets.....