Canadian election

[RedAngie]

It was stereotypically polite of you to invite them, but I'd be shocked if any of them actually have a viewpoint on Canadian politics!

Until I saw this thread I had no idea Canada was having an election.

My American viewpoint: Vote for Trudeau. Margaret would make a great PM, and she can invite Hillary up to Ottawa for tea if Mrs. Clinton becomes US president. Just think, two current world leaders who are/were the spouses of ex-leaders!!!

 

[ronandannette]

Until I saw this thread I had no idea Canada was having an election.

My American viewpoint: Vote for Trudeau. Margaret would make a great PM, and she can invite Hillary up to Ottawa for tea if Mrs. Clinton becomes US president. Just think, two current world leaders who are/were the spouses of ex-leaders!!!

You've been watching too much Scandal.

 

[SirDuff]

Until I saw this thread I had no idea Canada was having an election.

My American viewpoint: Vote for Trudeau. Margaret would make a great PM, and she can invite Hillary up to Ottawa for tea if Mrs. Clinton becomes US president. Just think, two current world leaders who are/were the spouses of ex-leaders!!!

On the off chance that you are not joking - the Trudeau being discussed is JUSTIN (the son of a former PM), not Margaret.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Until I saw this thread I had no idea Canada was having an election.

My American viewpoint: Vote for Trudeau. Margaret would make a great PM, and she can invite Hillary up to Ottawa for tea if Mrs. Clinton becomes US president. Just think, two current world leaders who are/were the spouses of ex-leaders!!!

Wrong Trudeau. Justin, Pierre's son, is running.

 

[RedAngie]

Yes, I looked it up when a prior poster mentioned that a Trudeau was running for office, just to see if the candidate was related to the former PM. And I wasn't even sure if Margaret was still alive. Sorry if my joking response was inappropriate or in bad taste.

I probably saw Justin Trudeau on TV when he was a mere tot. During the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the camera showed Pierre and Margaret watching an event, swimming, I believe. A small child was fidgeting between them. And they were sitting among the common people. No PM suite for them.

No, I know next to nothing about Canadian politics. But I'm one of the likely 1% of US citizens who can name the Canadian PM off the top of my head. And about 7 or 8 former PMs. As to their respective political parties, I'd have to guess.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I think the perception of Justin T. has really changed during the campaign. I've liked how the liberals have ran their race - very clean and dignified compared to the smear tactics of the PCs. In the long run I think it will benefit them.
As for a long campaign - 11 weeks is nothing compared to our American neighbours. They are already being bombarded by 2016.
Have to say that my FB is mainly ABC type comments so I'm really thinking minority Liberal government too.

Yes I wasn't sure if this would be allowed. I would understand if it went poof.

RedAngie - Margaret T is active in her son's campaign. Your comment was not at all inappropriate. Of course Margaret and Pierre divorced while he was still Prime Minister. Not something you would even see happen in the White House I guess.

On a side note if Harper loses how long until he and and his wife separate. The rumours have been swirling for years that they are just together until he is out of office.

 

[xlxo]

a little dated.... the message is the same...

 

[SirDuff]

Yes, I looked it up when a prior poster mentioned that a Trudeau was running for office, just to see if the candidate was related to the former PM. And I wasn't even sure if Margaret was still alive. Sorry if my joking response was inappropriate or in bad taste.

I wasn't offended or anything - just not totally sure if you were joking or not!

 

[SirDuff]

Maybe try speaking for yourself. Looking forward to having the Liberals and NDP split the vote and the Conservatives coming up the middle for another term. The Greens may help a little in BC and the Bloc in Quebec. (P.S. Stephen Harper is my MP.)

And this is what I hate - not the specific situation (I'm not saying how I voted (I did early voting)) but the "gaming" within our voting system. Both the use of "split the vote" and "strategic voting" (though this is the first election that I've noticed the websites that are suggesting how people vote strategically). I don't blame any side, just hate the idea.

Funny, when I voted on Saturday, a woman (who had also just voted) started chatting to me as we walked out. Her comment was "Those of us who want change are obviously coming out to vote early. Good for you. Let's hope for change." I was confused by her comments - she had no idea how I had just voted, so why the assumption that I wanted change? And what change did she mean? My riding is pretty much bounces between NDP and Liberal, so a change for the riding would be going with the Conservatives. I just did the smile and nod thing.

And, I think that that is okay to post - discussing the political process (rather than debates on the politicians/parties themselves) seems okay.

 

[Babs Johnson]

In the late 70s/early 80s, most Americans probably knew more about Margaret Trudeau than all Canadian Prime Ministers, past, current, and future combined. And this was the pre-internet age. The gossip magazines and celebrity exploit TV shows were full of stories of Margaret's supposed antics. Partying at Studio 54 in New York on the night of the Canadian election, jet-setting to St.Bart's with Mick Jaggar, photos of tete-a-tetes with Andy Warhol and other "Beautiful People." She was, for a brief time, a Kardashian of the era.

 

[lisaviolet]

Even Olivia Chow thinks we are going minority. She was at my door about two weeks ago and suggested that she was the best candidate for such an outcome, given her experience. My riding is interesting. You have Ms.Chow, Adam Vaughan who I believe is truly NDP in policies but maybe thought that a Liberal run would be victorious and a former teacher for the Conservatives who thinks oil spills don't do damage. I am truly undecided at this point. Sometimes I would like to roll parts of all three platforms into one. But I'm sure I'm not alone with that.

It was nice to have the actual candidate doing the base work.

I was listening and speaking about many issues. But part of the time I was standing there thinking how much she must be missing her husband.

 

[NFLDERS]

Maybe try speaking for yourself. Looking forward to having the Liberals and NDP split the vote and the Conservatives coming up the middle for another term. The Greens may help a little in BC and the Bloc in Quebec. (P.S. Stephen Harper is my MP.)

I do agree with TV Guy though - we probably shouldn't be doing this; it's a blatant violation of board guidelines. The thread is likely to get poofed and we may end up with points.

ANYONE BUTT, and it's "NO SECRET" around here!

 

[SirDuff]

Even Olivia Chow thinks we are going minority. She was at my door about two weeks ago and suggested that she was the best candidate for such an outcome, given her experience. My riding is interesting. You have Ms.Chow, Adam Vaughan who I believe is truly NDP in policies but maybe thought that a Liberal run would be victorious and a former teacher for the Conservatives who thinks oil spills don't do damage. I am truly undecided at this point. Sometimes I would like to roll parts of all three platforms into one. But I'm sure I'm not alone with that.

It was nice to have the actual candidate doing the base work.

I was listening and speaking about many issues. But part of the time I was standing there thinking how much she must be missing her husband.

Specifically Conservative minority? Or just a minority of some flavour?

 

[lisaviolet]

Specifically Conservative minority? Or just a minority of some flavour?

She did not say. And so she shouldn't, right? No one wants to fight for a win and except defeat. Just speaking out loud, no slant to that.

But it did speak to me as I am a realist. And she was speaking to her strengths as having an ability to compromise and still push agendas and platforms, and I am holding that thought.

As far as this riding and Toronto in general SirDuff, I am happy that all three parties are supporting local transit. So many decades of limited visions, and the choice to not spend, have created such a mess. One only has to travel to other cities to visibly see Toronto's limitations there. I have actually beat the King car on foot all the way from Victoria Street to home (over 3.5 km). That is insane.

 

[SkaGoat]

One major flaw in our system is you could agree with a specific party's politics, but think you're local MP is a complete buffoon that hasn't done anything for his riding in 10 years.

So what happens, most people vote for the party they want/agree with, and they end up with an MP that does almost nothing for his constituents.

 

[minnie mum]

OR you have avery good MP who works hard for his constituency but belongs to a party whose policies and approach you seriously disagree with. I agree that this is a big problem with our system.

I actually had that conversation with our current MP and told him that as much as I thought he represented our riding well, I couldn't vote for him again until the party had a new leader.

 

[cabanafrau]

In the late 70s/early 80s, most Americans probably knew more about Margaret Trudeau than all Canadian Prime Ministers, past, current, and future combined. And this was the pre-internet age. The gossip magazines and celebrity exploit TV shows were full of stories of Margaret's supposed antics. Partying at Studio 54 in New York on the night of the Canadian election, jet-setting to St.Bart's with Mick Jaggar, photos of tete-a-tetes with Andy Warhol and other "Beautiful People." She was, for a brief time, a Kardashian of the era.

What a blast from the past! Mick and Bianca and Pierre and Margaret would have been "trending" back in the day.

Whatever the outcome, I hope it brings strength and prosperity to our Canadian neighbors.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

One major flaw in our system is you could agree with a specific party's politics, but think you're local MP is a complete buffoon that hasn't done anything for his riding in 10 years.

So what happens, most people vote for the party they want/agree with, and they end up with an MP that does almost nothing for his constituents.

100% agree.

I hate that this is supposed to be a federal election, but it affects us at a municipal level. I would much prefer to be voting for the prime minister rather than both my local MP AND the prime minister at the same time.

 

[lisaviolet]

One major flaw in our system is you could agree with a specific party's politics, but think you're local MP is a complete buffoon that hasn't done anything for his riding in 10 years.

So what happens, most people vote for the party they want/agree with, and they end up with an MP that does almost nothing for his constituents.

OR you have avery good MP who works hard for his constituency but belongs to a party whose policies and approach you seriously disagree with. I agree that this is a big problem with our system.

I actually had that conversation with our current MP and told him that as much as I thought he represented our riding well, I couldn't vote for him again until the party had a new leader

100% agree.

I hate that this is supposed to be a federal election, but it affects us at a municipal level. I would much prefer to be voting for the prime minister rather than both my local MP AND the prime minister at the same time

Yes, yes and yes.

We should be fighting for a change. It's time.

What a blast from the past! Mick and Bianca and Pierre and Margaret would have been "trending" back in the day.

Whatever the outcome, I hope it brings strength and prosperity to our Canadian neighbors.

Thank you. It will be interesting to see.

 

[SkaGoat]

It's hard to argue with a system that has provided many nations with stable, working government since 1720.