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Official Canadian Federal Election Thread - May, 2011

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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
So, after the government unveiled the 2011 federal budget today (the most nothing budget in at least a decade), it seems certain, if not official, that there will be an election as a result of the vote on friday. It'll take place on May 2 or May 9. Although I am guessing no one will have much to say yet, things always heat up as the campaign goes along so I thought I would make a thread.

Will there be a conservative majority? Who will you vote for (or who would you vote for if you could)? Will the current issues surrounding the budget form a jumping-off platform for election issues? I'm thinking not - there is simply nothing really in there to campaign on or against, aside from the elimination of the federal deficit by 2015. From where I sit, the issues at stake will develop over the next couple of weeks and we'll be talking about completely different things than now. Aside from contempt of Parliament which is a good election buzzword.
Mar 22 2011 6:24PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
igantieff ran off from the press scrum before he could answer the question about his parliament attendance.

if harper did that the media would be seething at the teeth by now.


Apr 12 2011 9:56PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
Harper: Did well considering he was (inevitably) attacked over and over again.

Gilles: He's hilarious and had some decent arguments. It's too bad he represents a fringe separatist party though. I think Canada is getting tired of these guys...

Jack: Also very funny and charismatic with some solid one liners, and made some great points. He's living in lalaland though, I'd hate to see government balance sheets if he was in power.

Ignatieff: He was the biggest surprise for me. For someone who's often demonized as uncharismatic, elitist, inexperienced, generally out of touch, and considering it was his first debate I thought he did a good job overall.

So no clear cut winner in my mind, I'm no closer to deciding who I want to vote for or if I'll even vote at all. My favorite point of the night was from Layton on electoral reform, he's dead on with that.
Apr 12 2011 10:05PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
I was curious about that so I looked it up. Ignatieff has missed just over 50% and Harper just under that. Layton and Gilles are both around 10%. It's somewhat of a non issue though, he brought it up for shock value.
Apr 12 2011 10:08PM
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Proletariat.
Posts: 1797 - Karma: 45
You summed up everything pretty well. I give Harper credit, he was bombarded and handled it quite well. The nail in the coffin for me was Ignatieff's attendance record, how pathetic is that? I was also let down with Ignatieff because I thought some elitist intellect would mop the floor with everyone at the debate, he did sub par in my opinion for someone with the caliber of credentials he has.
Apr 12 2011 10:21PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
where did you find those statistics? i'd like to see if what layton said has any truth.
Apr 12 2011 10:26PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
yes, i thought ignatieff was a professor? wouldn't he have to address a class of hundreds of students? he didn't seem like a very fluid speaker. although it did seem like he was lecturing everyone.

and it was all worth it to hear layton say the word 'bling'

and i nearly bust out laughing when layton closed with a 'we'll fight for you' and swung his arm. does he think he is selling war bonds or something? too funny.

and just want to go on the record the gilles suit seriously sucked. he looked like tom hanks after he became a kid again in the movie big.
Apr 12 2011 10:29PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/realitycheck/2011/04/fact-checking-the-leaders-debate.html

I was a little off, but once again I don't think it's a significant issue.

@Pro: As someone who hasn't followed the campaign all too closely I was convinced that Ignatieff would brick it; based on what popular opinion (at least prior to the debate) would have you believe and my own personal reservations about (political) academics. So I guess you could say I was pleasantly surprised.
Apr 12 2011 10:35PM
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Cortez
Posts: 507 - Karma: 13
i have no idea for who im going to vote for

i like jack the most but i dont like the NPD party

gilles is a cool guy too but im not a separatist even if im from quebec


hmmmm
Apr 12 2011 10:54PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33

The thing is though, you shouldn't have to see it first hand to understand how politics shapes our lives. If you graduated with a high school diploma that should be enough knowledge for people, get the fuck out and vote. It's not hard to understand, if you claim to not understand I think you're either A) Lazy or B) Don't give a fuck. Both of which are extremely selfish attitudes to have when we are blessed to live in amazing country like Canada. We didn't create this country by sitting on our asses saying "well things are alright the way they are". That's the kind of attitude that hurts democracy.

Voter turnout will be pathetically low again this election. I have no problem calling anyone out including my friends who think no voting is smart, or even that no voting is a vote for no one. If you want a no vote, choose one of the independent or fringe candidates in your riding and vote for them. It sends a message to the main parties if they see many votes going to a fringe MP. Not voting doesn’t send any message… it just says you don’t care which (if you still aren’t sure) is about the dumbest move you can make with your freedom.

Apr 13 2011 10:38AM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33

Oh and about the debate, that was fucking boring!!! I guess I didn't expect any more from these clowns. Everyone had a few good one liners but I think Harper came out on top. He's the only one that can remain calm and make simple/effective points. THe other leaders just ramble on and on to the point where you can't even follow what they are trying to say.

Cons: Harper defended himself well, kept to his sweater vest self. Nothing new here.

Libs: Looked weak IMO, terrible at debating as he paused at the worst times.

NDP: Had some good points, but lets me real here he can say whatever he wants so it's easier for him. Played well on Canadian rhetorik which will probably win him a few swing voters.

BLoc: why is this guy still around? fuck, that stutter is the worst.

Apr 13 2011 10:50AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
Iggy is fantastic speaking to a room of people but just looks so awkward on TV. Medium is everything. If the whole thing was town hall debates that he was somehow unaware were being televised he would absolutely massacre the rest of them. I liked Gilles demolishing Layton; battle of the "will never be PM's".
Apr 13 2011 11:02AM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16

Most of the centrist news venues are saying Harper one the debate, not because he was the best, but because he didn't fuck it up. I think the polling that comes out towards the end of the week is still going to be a bit early to show the debate shift. I think what we see come out Monday or Tuesday next week is going to be a VERY clear snapshot of how the election goes. Assuming the Liberals can rally their base enough to get out and vote, which I'm starting to doubt. Even liberals don't like Ignatieff, nore did the majority of them want an election. The difference with conservatives is, they didn't want an election either, but all it did was rally them to support the conservatives further.

Apr 13 2011 12:07PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
I love how the leaders' debate in french got rescheduled so it wouldnt be at the same time as the habs game; shows where our priorities lie
Apr 13 2011 1:27PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16
I don't think that would have happened for a normal election. This election is about NOTHING. There isn't any key, important issues on the table being debated. Its just simple policy disagreements. I don't know why they called this thing.
Apr 13 2011 1:29PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
i think each party should assemble a team, and then have a hockey tournament, and the winning party would be in power. sounds legit to me.
Apr 13 2011 1:33PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
Canada would have its first Bloc government. Could you imagine iggy even trying to skate?
Apr 13 2011 1:51PM
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Proletariat.
Posts: 1797 - Karma: 45
I was listening to a radio talk show yesterday with callers phoning up about the elections. Out of the 7 callers who phoned about 4 said they traditionally vote liberal but are voting conservative this time just to get Iggy out.
Apr 13 2011 2:07PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16

Yea fair enough. Iggy isn't a threat to the conservatives. I'd be more worried about a Justin Trudeau ticket in the future.

I love how CBC is one of the only outlets saying Harper lost the debate. How does a left wing organization able to run on public funds? Where is the right wing media outlet? I hope the CBC gets a nice fucking budget slash or a big wake up call when conservatives get a majority

Apr 13 2011 3:33PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142
^Uh CBC newsworld panel unanimously said last night Ignatieff didn't do enough to make a difference to Liberals' chances. Although they all said that the fact that he had previously been characterized by attack ads made him look great in contrast to those, which is true. Those ads really piss me off and I would vote for the Liberals out of spite if spite were a legitimate reason to vote against a party.
Apr 13 2011 3:36PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16
I stand corrected. I didn't watch that I was just skimming throug a couple articles online.
Apr 13 2011 3:41PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

Here is the debate last night if you missed it, in 5 parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2bVIbMW768

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62xPzWlJDts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_feE8QWUAKw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOJZSBfKXQY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr1WOB-H9X0

Apr 13 2011 3:56PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16
Duceppe shouldn't have been in the English debate IMO. 95% of people in Quebec speak French. Watch the french one. Quebec is the reaosn we get stuck with minorities. Hopefully when they peace out we can finally have a stable government.
Apr 13 2011 4:05PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,142

You're confusing Duceppe's qualities as a leader with what you disagree with in what he stands for. The guy is fantastic at these debates because he can essentially say whatever the fuck he wants as long as he mentions some amount of money Quebec didn't get every few minutes.

Apr 13 2011 4:09PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
no one even cared that layton called our senate a bunch of crooks.
Apr 13 2011 4:59PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
hahaha thats a pretty narrow outlook on democracy.
Apr 13 2011 5:02PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16

And your confusing me with someone who cares about Quebec.

haha jk. I hold a soft spot for Crescent St in Montreal.

Apr 13 2011 5:55PM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,751
my thoughts,

duceppe made me laugh. french people are funny when they speak

harper just denied everything. it's not hard to stand your ground when you just flat out deny everything

iggy did a lot better than i thought. and completely owned harper whit the "this isn't bickering" part

layton did the best, for sure. all round attacked everyone the best, defended himself the best, best spoken
Apr 13 2011 5:59PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
i dont understand what you're trying to say. he shouldnt be in the english debate because 95% of ppl in QC speak french? da fuck?
Apr 13 2011 6:00PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16
I mean, Quebeckers speak french, so he can join the french debate. 90% of Canada doesn't want to hear him speak. so gtfo.
Apr 13 2011 6:17PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
if you're being serious right now, you're a fucking idiot.
Apr 13 2011 6:28PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16
How am I an idiot? I said 90% of Canada doesn't want to hear him. Why would we? We can't vote for him. It coulda been Charlie Sheen in the debate it wouldn't have mattered. So once again, 90% of Canada doesn't want him wasting our time with his Quebec nonsense. We don't care about it lol. Sorry if that hurts your feelings
Apr 13 2011 7:11PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
lol im not hurt bro, but a lot of ppl in quebec, mainly in the montreal area, dont speak french. it might not look like a lot if you look at percentages, but its still a big number. quebecer seperatists and all those ppl arent trying to get special treatment for quebecers and french speaking people, that shit all started with them wanting to be treated equally, so it would be pretty fuckin hypocritical to be going crazy trying to get equal rights and bla bla bla and then turn around and not give a fuck about the english-speaking quebecers who might actually give a shit about what the leader of the bloc is saying. you might not give a shit what the leader of the bloc has to say, and i dont blame you, i ain't even mad; just think before you speak.
Apr 13 2011 7:16PM
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Vino
Posts: 2939 - Karma: 1,117
Have listened to what he said last night. He said that he wasnt only standing for quebec only but for every canadians who speak french. So his present is kind of useful to this debate.
Apr 13 2011 7:18PM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,751
i think anyone outside quebec think the party is a total joke and don't really give a fuck what he says. but maybe I'm wrong
Apr 13 2011 7:22PM
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Vino
Posts: 2939 - Karma: 1,117
probably true.
Apr 13 2011 7:26PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
i would have to completely agree with you, except for quebecers who moved somewhere else for business or something. but its understandable, i wouldnt be about to vote for some party called the yukon party or some shit like that. but ya, i dont really follow politics much so i dont know if theyre all about quebec or french speaking canadians in general?
Apr 13 2011 7:27PM
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CAPSLOCK*
Posts: 345 - Karma: 19
Duccepe just burned Layton sooo hard.

Layton : You'll never be prime minister.

Duccepe : I have no illusion Mr. Layton : i'll never be prime minister and neither will you.
Apr 13 2011 9:24PM
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Jonny7
Posts: 3309 - Karma: 76
yeah that was funny
Apr 13 2011 9:42PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16

hahaa yea that was so good. I think Layton is 100x more dillusional than Duceppe. I would actually love for Duceppe to get elected and seperate (is that how it works? lol maybe its the provincial government that decides? I don't know). I mean if you want to go, then go. Layton would run this country into the ground. I might vote NDP though, there's thousands of people on welfare in my town that depend on me LOL

The latest poll gives the liberals they're highest level of support in a long time. 31.1% nationally. Considering its still within the margin of error, we'll have to see if this is just a random blip in the polling or has any significance. Most polls to date have them around 27-30%. As of Monday we'll have a very strong idea of how things will end up. 

Apr 14 2011 1:11PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
^ ya, sovereignty is a provincial thing. i'd be extremely disappointed if it ever came to that, fuckin stupid shit, although im pretty confident it's never gonna happen
Apr 14 2011 2:13PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16

The world would lulz at you guys. You would never be considered soverign.

Apr 14 2011 2:56PM
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Black.Bird
Posts: 2566 - Karma: 684
Correct me if I'm wrong but the Bloc has nothing to do with Quebec being sovereign. All it does it promotes Quebec core values etc.
The Parti Quebecois are the separatist parti, they're the ones who promote Quebec sovereignty.
Apr 14 2011 3:21PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16
ok thanks, thats what I wasn't sure of. If you can't tell, I try to ignore Quebec at all costs.
Apr 14 2011 3:46PM
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Black.Bird
Posts: 2566 - Karma: 684
I can't really tell sorry, get off this site then. Newschoolers is based in Montreal.
Apr 14 2011 3:53PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
k we get it, you dont give a fuck about QC, thats cool
Apr 14 2011 4:00PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33

BLOC = federal 

PQ = provincial.

both advocate a sovereign Quebec.

Apr 14 2011 4:01PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
mhes right though, its mostly the PQ, because im pretty sure its purely a provincial matter
Apr 14 2011 4:03PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
http://polisci.nelson.com/quebec.html

Read the first few paragraphs. The Bloc can promote sovereignty symbolically but it is FIRSTLY a provincial matter.

@JaredM Where are you from?
Apr 14 2011 4:47PM
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Trollolo
Posts: 793 - Karma: 16
East GTA
Apr 14 2011 4:51PM
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shibby
Posts: 7088 - Karma: -19
Typical.
Apr 14 2011 5:01PM
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