Canadian election

[lisaviolet]

I think that the reason our politics seem a bit...boring? to others is that unlike American politics, our parties are more shades of gray than black and white. In the USA, the difference between the Democratic platform and the Republican one is amazingly vast.

When I was growing up (yes, I know that makes me sound really old!) the two main parties were the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives and while the PC's were right leaning and the Liberals were left leaning, they were slightly right or left but fairly centre when compared to the USA.

The current Conservative party is much closer to the American Republicans now. The Liberals are still fairly centre and the left now has both the NDP and the Greens. But even though our parties are further apart politically, we are rank amateurs compared to the States.

Interesting to read.

I've often thought that our Conservatives are closer to the Democrats. That's how different the slant is between the two countries. What we see as conservative here is liberal/democratic.

And that you have to get as liberal as a democratic socialist like Bernie Sanders to even get to our Liberal platform.

 

[Aladora]

Interesting to read.

I've often thought that our Conservatives are closer to the Democrats. That's how different the slant is between the two countries. What we see as conservative here is liberal/democratic.

And that you have to get as liberal as a democratic socialist like Bernie Sanders to even get to our Liberal platform.

If you graphed the spectrum of politics from right wing to left wing, pretty much all Canadian parties would fall more left that any American ones. (I still think that the Cons are more right than the Dems, but that might be my own personal bias!) However, I am pretty comfortable saying that that the Cons are further right than any of the other 3 Canadian parties.

Now, as a British Columbian, I feel it necessary to point out that this belief relates to Federal politics only. To misquote Evita, the BC Liberal Party is slightly to the right of Attila the Hun.

 

[lisaviolet]

Now, as a British Columbian, I feel it necessary to point out that this belief relates to Federal politics only. To misquote Evita, the BC Liberal Party is slightly to the right of Attila the Hun.

So funny.

Well not to you I guess.

So educate me - I'm ignorant, why? What is going on in your gorgeous province?

 

[Aladora]

The last exciting election in Canada to me, well, it was a referendum, was in late October or early November 1995. I'm sure every Canadian poster knows to what I'm referring. I was in Montreal a week before the referendum and chanced upon various rallies for both sides.

I lived in Quebec until 1981 so I remember not only the 1995 referendum but also the one that happened in 1980, in fact I am pretty sure that my mother still has this button from that one.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

This made me LOL...

 

[lisaviolet]

This made me LOL...
View attachment 129161

Most loyal supporters are in a far off magical land. Priceless!

 

[lisaviolet]

OT but Ken Taylor passed away today. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ken-taylor-canadian-ambassador-iran-dies-1.3273215

It's hard to believe that any Canadian diplomat or politician would ever have the balls today. Such is the times, with claims that we don't even protect our own.

 

[kimblebee]

These comments are sounding pretty smug and a little obnoxious - it's almost like you're baiting them. Don't do that; it's not becoming for a "polite" Canadian.

I'm not trying to be obnoxious at all, not my style. I'm not baiting them either..just stating facts. Maybe it's coming off the wrong way so sorry if it's being taken the wrong way

 

[SirDuff]

Sadly, by the time our polling stations close it will already be over.

Oh well, there has to be one drawback of living in paradise.

That's actually why I did early elections. In the municipal elections, I waited 1hr 45min to vote (I got there a little more than an hour before closing time) and by the time I voted, the official voting time had ended (if you are in line before time, you are allowed to stay in line and vote). They had announced the winner before I got my ballot (people had their smart phones out (which I know they aren't supposed to do) and checked the news reports). It didn't change my vote, but it seriously annoyed me!

 

[CdnCarrie]

That's actually why I did early elections. In the municipal elections, I waited 1hr 45min to vote (I got there a little more than an hour before closing time) and by the time I voted, the official voting time had ended (if you are in line before time, you are allowed to stay in line and vote). They had announced the winner before I got my ballot (people had their smart phones out (which I know they aren't supposed to do) and checked the news reports). It didn't change my vote, but it seriously annoyed me!

That would be majorly frustrating!
I've always thought of the PCs=Republicans Liberals= Democrats except all further left than the American parties.

 

[Aladora]

That's actually why I did early elections. In the municipal elections, I waited 1hr 45min to vote (I got there a little more than an hour before closing time) and by the time I voted, the official voting time had ended (if you are in line before time, you are allowed to stay in line and vote). They had announced the winner before I got my ballot (people had their smart phones out (which I know they aren't supposed to do) and checked the news reports). It didn't change my vote, but it seriously annoyed me!

Ugh, how frustrating! I voted in the advance polls as well, I went on Saturday and voted. My logic is that there was nothing any of the candidates could say that would get me to change my vote so why bother waiting?

That would be majorly frustrating!
I've always thought of the PCs=Republicans Liberals= Democrats except all further left than the American parties.

That has always been my thought as well.

 

[Aladora]

So funny.

Well not to you I guess.

So educate me - I'm ignorant, why? What is going on in your gorgeous province?

______________________________________________________________________________________________

I was just there last month. Took the train across from Toronto.

And Vancouver how I love thee. I describe Vancouver to people like this --- it's like someone designed the city in lego (Oh lego!) and just placed it down. It drives me bonkers how utterly awful urban planning is here and how fantastic it is there.

I love BC and I can absolutely see me living here for the rest of my life. I grew up in Quebec and Ontario but my heart is here in BC.

But, our government is lacking. The BC Liberals, under Christy Clark, have done some pretty lousy things.

This article points out some of the ways she has failed our province but the one that angers me the most is the state of public school funding. She has taken funding away from our public schools and given more money to private ones...anyone want to guess what kind of school her son goes to?

I could likely rant for hours on why I dislike her and her party, but that rant would get me points here for sure!

 

[declansdad]

I think that the reason our politics seem a bit...boring? to others is that unlike American politics, our parties are more shades of gray than black and white. In the USA, the difference between the Democratic platform and the Republican one is amazingly vast.

When I was growing up (yes, I know that makes me sound really old!) the two main parties were the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives and while the PC's were right leaning and the Liberals were left leaning, they were slightly right or left but fairly centre when compared to the USA.

The current Conservative party is much closer to the American Republicans now. The Liberals are still fairly centre and the left now has both the NDP and the Greens. But even though our parties are further apart politically, we are rank amateurs compared to the States.

I think if you look at the current platforms you would find the NDP have taken a more centrist approach than the Liberals. I also think the Greens are a little bit of everyone. I think the name throws people, thinking they are all about the environment but they are much more than that. Some of their fiscal policies seem much more like the PCs of old.

 

[declansdad]

That would be majorly frustrating!
I've always thought of the PCs=Republicans Liberals= Democrats except all further left than the American parties.

Thought that way as well but I see the current PCs as being pretty much in the same boat as the Republicans.

 

[lisaviolet]

I love BC and I can absolutely see me living here for the rest of my life. I grew up in Quebec and Ontario but my heart is here in BC.

But, our government is lacking. The BC Liberals, under Christy Clark, have done some pretty lousy things.

This article points out some of the ways she has failed our province but the one that angers me the most is the state of public school funding. She has taken funding away from our public schools and given more money to private ones...anyone want to guess what kind of school her son goes to?

I could likely rant for hours on why I dislike her and her party, but that rant would get me points here for sure!

Aladora, link the article for me. Thanks. I guess I could just google - being lazy.

We do hear about the struggle in public education in BC. But I did want to hear your thoughts, in general, and in case it was beyond that.

 

[lisaviolet]

I think if you look at the current platforms you would find the NDP have taken a more centrist approach than the Liberals. I also think the Greens are a little bit of everyone. I think the name throws people, thinking they are all about the environment but they are much more than that. Some of their fiscal policies seem much more like the PCs of old.

Agree.

And a lot of people think that is to the downside of the NDP this time around.

But even more than that I do feel that about the Green party. I came on this thread talking about how I would like parts of every platform, and that is truly where they are at. But yet I sit here feeling like I can not vote for them. I am not pleased with myself or my thought process around that option.

 

[Aladora]

Aladora, link the article for me. Thanks. I guess I could just google - being lazy.

No worries, as I said, I could type out all the reasons that I do not support our current provincial government but not only would that take a long long time but there would likely be things that I would write that would get me points here!

Thought that way as well but I see the current PCs as being pretty much in the same boat as the Republicans.

I'm pretty sure that is exactly what CdnCarrie said here:

I've always thought of the PCs=Republicans

Agree.

And a lot of people think that is to the downside of the NDP this time around.

But even more than that I do feel that about the Green party. I came on this thread talking about how I would like parts of every platform, and that is truly where they are at. But I sit here not feeling like I can not vote for them and I am not pleased with myself.

I'm pretty sure that I have not had enough coffee to figure out if you are or are not supporting the Greens!

 

[lisaviolet]

I'm pretty sure that I have not had enough coffee to figure out if you are or are not supporting the Greens!

It's me. I ramble incessantly. No need for coffee. I forgot to edit the first not! You're just too fast for me with posting re: editing and reading over.

I am upset with myself that they have the platform that is probably closest to my needs for this country. However, annoyingly I feel like it would be a wasted vote in my riding. And I feel guilty for thinking that way when voting.

 

[lisaviolet]

That's actually why I did early elections. In the municipal elections, I waited 1hr 45min to vote (I got there a little more than an hour before closing time) and by the time I voted, the official voting time had ended (if you are in line before time, you are allowed to stay in line and vote). They had announced the winner before I got my ballot (people had their smart phones out (which I know they aren't supposed to do) and checked the news reports). It didn't change my vote, but it seriously annoyed me!

That is very frustrating.

Everyone thinks that early elections numbers are up because people are so passionate about their choice this time around. I'm sure it has a lot more to do with the mess that happened last time at many poll stations. There were stories of people being turned away despite being there on time. And some waiting mulitiple hours.

 

[Aladora]

It's me. I ramble incessantly. No need for coffee. And forgot to edit the first not!

I am upset with myself that they have the platform that is probably closest to my needs for this country. However, annoyingly I feel like it would be a wasted vote in my riding. And I feel guilty for thinking that way when voting.

That makes WAY more sense. You would like to be able to vote Green but you feel as though you can't.

I found a National Post article that sets out the 4 main parties' platforms in a clear and understandable way. It is a bit long to read but it would be helpful for anyone who is not quite sure where they stand.

Everything you need to know about the parties platforms