Discussions

Joy Smith, MP from a Winnipeg riding, is saying that she supports a road to Shoal Lake. Why was she mute all those years while Parliament was in session, but speaking up now ?  
 
Harper had years to implement a travel ban to certain countries, but did not. Why is he proposing this after he dissolved Parliament ? Has this just become an issue in the last two weeks ?  
 
Thinking about that proposed travel ban, would he be including France ? Since several of the Charlie Hebdo murderers lived most of their lives in France, wouldn't this meet Harper's definition of a terrorist state ?

Nordberg said "What about this guy?               http://www.cbc.ca/1.3187541     Edited by Nordberg, 2015-08-11 22:16:41"

Thanks Norberb for my morning laugh.

France isn't a a country run by terrorists so it wouldn't be on there. Don't know why you'd even think that.  
And you're surprised by promises now? Every government will make promises. It's called a platform so you'll vote. Is he not supposed to promise anything and let the other parties come up with ideas?

KJ2013 said "France isn't a a country run by terrorists so it wouldn't be on there. Don't know why you'd even think that.   And you're surprised by promises now? Every government will make promises. It's called a platform so you'll vote. Is he not supposed to promise anything and let the other parties come up with ideas? "

State terrorism refers to acts of terrorism conducted by a state against a foreign state or people, or against its own people.  
 
Lots of (relatively recent) Canadian history would suggest we are on shaky ground here!!

KJ2013 said "France isn't a a country run by terrorists so it wouldn't be on there. Don't know why you'd even think that.   And you're surprised by promises now? Every government will make promises. It's called a platform so you'll vote. Is he not supposed to promise anything and let the other parties come up with ideas? "

Not just promises - blatant vote buying with our own money.  
 
Did YOU get a "please vote conservative - here's some free money whether you need it or not" cheque last month? If you did, just remember that the tax man takes a good chunk of it back after the election.

KJ2013 said "France isn't a a country run by terrorists so it wouldn't be on there. Don't know why you'd even think that.   And you're surprised by promises now? Every government will make promises. It's called a platform so you'll vote. Is he not supposed to promise anything and let the other parties come up with ideas? "

I understand the concept of a platform. What I don't understand is the timing. He has had almost a decade to introduce legislation. He didn't. Why is it so important now, but not important since 2006 ?  
 
I suppose that if he makes a promise during an election, he does not feel bound to keep it, but introducing legislation requires a greater commitment to a concept and is a more permanent thing. Maybe that's the distinction.

Well, I'm going to be voting for Harper, because despite all of the negative press, I still like the guy and I do think that he is doing a better job than either of the other two would do. As for voting along party lines, I'll vote for Harper even if it does mean that the Conservatives come with him.  
 
Seriously, there is very little that I agree with the Liberals on and even less that I agree with the NDP on. Trudeau has been showing a softer side toward terrorism and has made some absolutely ridiculous comments. Are those the thoughts that are actually in his head? If so, then I could never vote for him. I also remember and could list several things that the Chretien Liberals did, that were not good for Canada, while they were in office. Also, I'm not really sure whether or not to believe Trudeau when he says now that he won't bring in a Carbon Tax. The people of Australia just threw out the government that gave them their hated carbon tax. That's enough to tell me that Canada doesn't need to be the next country to try such foolishness. Then there's the NDP!  
 
The NDP have been touting a $15/hour Minimum Wage, which will be disastrous for our economy and have suggested in the past that they would close the Alberta Oil Sands completely. The single most important industry in our country and they would like to close it down. The Green Party has, of course, said the same thing, that they would shut down the Alberta Oil Sands. During the Cold War, the NDP always stated that if elected, they would take Canada out of NATO. Is that still part of their platform or has that changed?  
 
Looking at the results of that poll, I have to say that I'm worried about Canada's future. There have been other polls that have shown the Conservatives in the lead though. I agree that it certainly does look like were going to have a Minority Government, which will likely be short lived. Just who it will be is still the question. It may all come down to whoever can open their mouth the most times without putting their foot in it.  
 
 
 
Edited by Triplethreat, 2015-08-18 16:36:01

I could be wrong but I don't think the the GG asks the other party to form government. I believe an election has to be called else every minority government would fall at the first chance and the "2nd" place party would take over.  
A minority government could be what this country needs in some people's eyes. FYI canada was just ranked 6th overall in freedoms and the states 20th. For all you complainers out there I think we have it good.

it would be easier to vote conservative or liberal if the parties had better leadership. the NDP would be a disaster federally just as they are provincially here so may just have to hold my nose and vote conservative

Nordberg said "    KJ2013 said "I could be wrong but I don't think the the GG asks the other party to form government. I believe an election has to be called else every minority government would fall at the first chance and the "2nd" place party would take over.   A minority government could be what this country needs in some people's eyes. FYI canada was just ranked 6th overall in freedoms and the states 20th. For all you complainers out there I think we have it good. " It's up to the Governor General, it is their discretion.     http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/House/compendium/web-content/c_d_rolecrowngovernorgeneral-e.htm   [i]The Governor General is responsible for the appointment of the Prime Minister. In practice, he or she must appoint the leader of the party winning the most seats in the House of Commons in a federal election. The Governor General does, however, have some discretion when the governing party in a minority Parliament loses the confidence of the House.[/i]     I suspect that if the Tories were to form government and were to fall in under 3 months, the GG would ask the second place finisher to form a government. The combined total votes between the NDP and Liberals would easily outnumber the Conservatives (at this point). As long as the one party was careful to forward legislation, especially the budget, that the other could support, you could have a very long lasting minority if no one was eager to "pull the trigger".     I wouldn't actually be surprised if the GG took into account "the spirit" of the fixed date election law that was meant to limit how often we go to the polls. That law shows that the House intends to avoid early elections unless absolutely necessary.     Interestingly, when Mackenzie King "lost" the 1925 election to the Conservatives, he had 15 less seats. However, he retained a tenuous hold as Prime Minister hoping that the 28 seats from the Progressives would keep him in power. Before it was over, the whole thing turned into a constitutional crisis, but it does show that winning the most seats does not guarantee victory.     I'm actually more interested now in what happens after October 19 than on the actual night itself. "

I will also be voting Conservative.  
 
My thoughts on a minority Conservative Gov. is that I cannot see the Liberals propping up the NDP as a lot of their policies are closer aligned to the Conservatives then the NDP.  
 
A NDP minority wouldn't last long as the Libs and the Conservatives would bring them down immediately and then The Conservatives would be asked to form Government!  
 
The change the NDP government is promoting is not the change Canada needs!  

ive asked it before and nobody answered so i'll ask it again. How can anybody in their right mind vote NDP? What makes you want to have a poor country? What makes you think that a $15 dollar/hour minimum wage is good for the economy?  
just blows my mind that people are wanting to vote for higher taxes, more government presence, government owned everything - it's communism!!!! since when did Canada become over-ran by communist supporters? unreal.  
 
my vote is with Harper.

Nordberg said "    SJK said "    Nordberg said "    KJ2013 said "I could be wrong but I don't think the the GG asks the other party to form government. I believe an election has to be called else every minority government would fall at the first chance and the "2nd" place party would take over.   A minority government could be what this country needs in some people's eyes. FYI canada was just ranked 6th overall in freedoms and the states 20th. For all you complainers out there I think we have it good. " It's up to the Governor General, it is their discretion.     http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/House/compendium/web-content/c_d_rolecrowngovernorgeneral-e.htm   [i]The Governor General is responsible for the appointment of the Prime Minister. In practice, he or she must appoint the leader of the party winning the most seats in the House of Commons in a federal election. The Governor General does, however, have some discretion when the governing party in a minority Parliament loses the confidence of the House.[/i]     I suspect that if the Tories were to form government and were to fall in under 3 months, the GG would ask the second place finisher to form a government. The combined total votes between the NDP and Liberals would easily outnumber the Conservatives (at this point). As long as the one party was careful to forward legislation, especially the budget, that the other could support, you could have a very long lasting minority if no one was eager to "pull the trigger".     I wouldn't actually be surprised if the GG took into account "the spirit" of the fixed date election law that was meant to limit how often we go to the polls. That law shows that the House intends to avoid early elections unless absolutely necessary.     Interestingly, when Mackenzie King "lost" the 1925 election to the Conservatives, he had 15 less seats. However, he retained a tenuous hold as Prime Minister hoping that the 28 seats from the Progressives would keep him in power. Before it was over, the whole thing turned into a constitutional crisis, but it does show that winning the most seats does not guarantee victory.     I'm actually more interested now in what happens after October 19 than on the actual night itself. " I will also be voting Conservative.     My thoughts on a minority Conservative Gov. is that I cannot see the Liberals propping up the NDP as a lot of their policies are closer aligned to the Conservatives then the NDP.     A NDP minority wouldn't last long as the Libs and the Conservatives would bring them down immediately and then The Conservatives would be asked to form Government!     The change the NDP government is promoting is not the change Canada needs!   " Personally I think there is more chance of the Liberals supporting NDP legislation than Conservative legislation. Keep in mind, an NDP government would slide slightly more to the middle to gain unofficial support. I'm not sure Harper could do that at this point, he already has his record during his majority government.     But let's pretend you are right and the NDP cannot get the support of the Liberals.     Do we end up with another quick election, or do the Liberals end up forming government by introducing truly centrist legislation that the parties on either side can begrudgingly support?     With the three parties running so close, we may find some really weird possibilities becoming more likely on the morning of October 20th if nobody gets a clear majority... especially if all three parties are within 20 or so seats of each other. "

how the liberals would get a chance of forming government if they remain in 3rd place, and I believe they will.  

ash5555 said "ive asked it before and nobody answered so i'll ask it again. How can anybody in their right mind vote NDP? What makes you want to have a poor country? What makes you think that a $15 dollar/hour minimum wage is good for the economy?   just blows my mind that people are wanting to vote for higher taxes, more government presence, government owned everything - it's communism!!!! since when did Canada become over-ran by communist supporters? unreal.     my vote is with Harper. "

What is mind-blowing is how far out of touch with reality people can be. "Communist supporters" ? Give me a break.  
 
Today's NDP are about as close to communism, as Harper is to nazism. Or is that your point ?  
 
When you talk of more government presence, that is actually something Harper has done in the science community. Not so much more government people, but the muzzling of scientists and the requirement that their talking points be approved in advance, and often by people who do not understand the science.  
 
People talk about the fiscal responsibility of Harper and his crew. Since 2006, how many balanced budgets has this economic stalwart produced, other than the one he inherited ?

Let's be fair here. We were in a recession and it would have been hard for any government to run a surplus and if a government has too high of a surplus we are taxed too high. It's a delicate balance.  
The $15 an hour I believe only applies to government jobs and wouldn't apply to 90% of Canadians so it's kind of an empty promise.

standard standard h8r said "    ash5555 said "ive asked it before and nobody answered so i'll ask it again. How can anybody in their right mind vote NDP? What makes you want to have a poor country? What makes you think that a $15 dollar/hour minimum wage is good for the economy?   just blows my mind that people are wanting to vote for higher taxes, more government presence, government owned everything - it's communism!!!! since when did Canada become over-ran by communist supporters? unreal.     my vote is with Harper. " What is mind-blowing is how far out of touch with reality people can be. "Communist supporters" ? Give me a break.     Today's NDP are about as close to communism, as Harper is to nazism. Or is that your point ?     When you talk of more government presence, that is actually something Harper has done in the science community. Not so much more government people, but the muzzling of scientists and the requirement that their talking points be approved in advance, and often by people who do not understand the science.     People talk about the fiscal responsibility of Harper and his crew. Since 2006, how many balanced budgets has this economic stalwart produced, other than the one he inherited ? "

NDP is a known socialist party and there isn't a whole lot of differences between socialism and communism.  
Take a look at Manitoba, everything is controlled by the government - insurance, liquor, etc. and we are taxed to death. Privatization of anything is frowned upon.  
 
If we're going to talk fiscal responsibility - lets take a look at Manitoba's NDP. You know, the party that has ran this province into the ground? How is the federal NDP going to do anything different?

ash5555 said "ive asked it before and nobody answered so i'll ask it again. How can anybody in their right mind vote NDP? What makes you want to have a poor country? What makes you think that a $15 dollar/hour minimum wage is good for the economy?   just blows my mind that people are wanting to vote for higher taxes, more government presence, government owned everything - it's communism!!!! since when did Canada become over-ran by communist supporters? unreal.     my vote is with Harper. "

...I haven't decided on my vote but some of your points need a rebuttal.  
 
Higher taxes - Mulcair has vowed to not touch personal income tax even for the wealthy, reduce small business tax and increase corporate taxes. Harper's cut of the gst early on is still debated as to whether it was a smart move financially for the country. Higher taxes aren't the problem (as shown by countries like Norway, who have one of the highest personal tax rates) but poor fiscal responsibility. It doesn't matter how much tax you pay if it isn't being managed properly. Remember, with tax cuts, service cuts aren't far behind.  
 
Government presence - Conservitive bill C-51 is the single largest attack to personal freedom that can be had and the NDP voted against it. Strengthening securities agencies without strengthening oversight has already led to "thought police". The young man in Winnipeg who voiced support for ISIS has been held without charge and told to behave even though he has broken NO laws. Sounds like freedom to me.  
 
Govenment owned everything - This is an NDP platform for this election? Show your source.  
 
$15 minimum wage - this is an idea that has been put into place in city like Seattle to help workers get off public assistance. Increasing the amount of money in a persons pocket is a terrible idea? The people who make these wages are some of the largest demographic in the country and they like to spend it too. The idea that it will cost jobs doesn't hold water. Wages don't drive job creation - profits do. If people have more to spend then companies will see an increase in sales which is more likely to increase the workforce. A company doesn't add jobs just because they increase profits, they add jobs because demand dictates it.  
 
Macleans.ca has a great primer on the election issues and I encourage all to read it.  
 
http://www.macleans.ca/tag/federal-election-issues-2015/  
 
Marpet

Marpet said "    ash5555 said "ive asked it before and nobody answered so i'll ask it again. How can anybody in their right mind vote NDP? What makes you want to have a poor country? What makes you think that a $15 dollar/hour minimum wage is good for the economy?   just blows my mind that people are wanting to vote for higher taxes, more government presence, government owned everything - it's communism!!!! since when did Canada become over-ran by communist supporters? unreal.     my vote is with Harper. " ...I haven't decided on my vote but some of your points need a rebuttal.     Higher taxes - Mulcair has vowed to not touch personal income tax even for the wealthy, reduce small business tax and increase corporate taxes. Harper's cut of the gst early on is still debated as to whether it was a smart move financially for the country. Higher taxes aren't the problem (as shown by countries like Norway, who have one of the highest personal tax rates) but poor fiscal responsibility. It doesn't matter how much tax you pay if it isn't being managed properly. Remember, with tax cuts, service cuts aren't far behind.     Government presence - Conservitive bill C-51 is the single largest attack to personal freedom that can be had and the NDP voted against it. Strengthening securities agencies without strengthening oversight has already led to "thought police". The young man in Winnipeg who voiced support for ISIS has been held without charge and told to behave even though he has broken NO laws. Sounds like freedom to me.     Govenment owned everything - This is an NDP platform for this election? Show your source.     $15 minimum wage - this is an idea that has been put into place in city like Seattle to help workers get off public assistance. Increasing the amount of money in a persons pocket is a terrible idea? The people who make these wages are some of the largest demographic in the country and they like to spend it too. The idea that it will cost jobs doesn't hold water. Wages don't drive job creation - profits do. If people have more to spend then companies will see an increase in sales which is more likely to increase the workforce. A company doesn't add jobs just because they increase profits, they add jobs because demand dictates it.     Macleans.ca has a great primer on the election issues and I encourage all to read it.     http://www.macleans.ca/tag/federal-election-issues-2015/     Marpet "

when the MB NDP Leader looked in the camera and said "we will not raise the PST"!  
 
I would expect more of the same from the Dippers!  
 
Think about the $5 billion a year a national day care program will really cost after they make sure they get unionized forcing costs through the roof!  
 
I also find this quite ironic coming from the party that wants a $15 Federal minimum wage.  
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/08/11/ndp-job-ad-translator-pay_n_7972190.html  
 
Get to know your NDP...............  
 
http://www.meetthendp.ca/

...the federal NDP cannot raise the PST. They are not the same party.  
 
2. A job posting on Craigslist by a third party without NDP approval. Try to set your bar a little higher.  
 
3. The NDP can't force unions on workers anymore than companies can force workers not to unionize. The choice is left to the workers and they courts. Yes, the NDP are strong union supporters.  
 
Undoubtedly, I could easily find statements made by all party members that would paint that party in a bad light but that is not the point. Look at the Macleans article I linked to and read what each parties stance is on these topics and decide which most closely represents your views, then go out and vote.  
 
Marpet

Many intelligent people have said past behaviour is a predictor of future behaviour.  
 
For the last 8 consecutive years the Harper gang has rang up a deficit in each and EVERY year and contrary to what Harper is trying to snow you with a few more billion will be added this year for a total of 9. Stop and consider that 9 consecutive years of excuses as to why.  
 
The total of this legacy is more than 182 billion dollars added to our existing debt. Our children and/or grandchildren will have to pay for the lavish spending we have enjoyed.  
 
That is like smashing open your children's piggy bank so you can go out and have a good time. Still feel good about yourself, if you do I feel sorry for you!!!  
 
It's time to elect a government of change (Liberal or NDP) that will make the right tough decisions needed to REPAY the money WE owe.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Edited by DarMar, 2015-08-19 13:33:39

Marpet said "    ash5555 said "ive asked it before and nobody answered so i'll ask it again. How can anybody in their right mind vote NDP? What makes you want to have a poor country? What makes you think that a $15 dollar/hour minimum wage is good for the economy?   just blows my mind that people are wanting to vote for higher taxes, more government presence, government owned everything - it's communism!!!! since when did Canada become over-ran by communist supporters? unreal.     my vote is with Harper. " ...I haven't decided on my vote but some of your points need a rebuttal.     Higher taxes - Mulcair has vowed to not touch personal income tax even for the wealthy, reduce small business tax and increase corporate taxes. Harper's cut of the gst early on is still debated as to whether it was a smart move financially for the country. Higher taxes aren't the problem (as shown by countries like Norway, who have one of the highest personal tax rates) but poor fiscal responsibility. It doesn't matter how much tax you pay if it isn't being managed properly. Remember, with tax cuts, service cuts aren't far behind.     Government presence - Conservitive bill C-51 is the single largest attack to personal freedom that can be had and the NDP voted against it. Strengthening securities agencies without strengthening oversight has already led to "thought police". The young man in Winnipeg who voiced support for ISIS has been held without charge and told to behave even though he has broken NO laws. Sounds like freedom to me.     Govenment owned everything - This is an NDP platform for this election? Show your source.     $15 minimum wage - this is an idea that has been put into place in city like Seattle to help workers get off public assistance. Increasing the amount of money in a persons pocket is a terrible idea? The people who make these wages are some of the largest demographic in the country and they like to spend it too. The idea that it will cost jobs doesn't hold water. Wages don't drive job creation - profits do. If people have more to spend then companies will see an increase in sales which is more likely to increase the workforce. A company doesn't add jobs just because they increase profits, they add jobs because demand dictates it.     Macleans.ca has a great primer on the election issues and I encourage all to read it.     http://www.macleans.ca/tag/federal-election-issues-2015/     Marpet "

higher taxes - so your telling me that the NDP will be more fiscally responsible than conservatives when it comes to managing tax dollars? Ex: Manitoba  
 
a man who expressed support for ISIS - a known terrorist organization that is intent on killing anyone that doesn't support their cause. Hmmm...yes I suppose we should just let that one go eh?  
 
The NDP are known for their big government, and wanting to mandate everything. They want to implement an national daycare program - push the small private daycares out. What about the small private daycares? what happens to them? The gov't already controls our health care system, our liquor & beer prices (in MB) our insurance (MB) our energy/hydro (MB)...  
the NDP brings in their unions and pushes small businesses out.  
 
$15.00/hour minimum wage - yes it is a terrible idea. Please tell me how small businesses, the mom and pop stores are going to be able to afford this? And please tell me how the high school student working at McDonalds deserves $15.00/hour?  
 
 
 
 

KJ2013 said "Let's be fair here. We were in a recession and it would have been hard for any government to run a surplus and if a government has too high of a surplus we are taxed too high. It's a delicate balance.   The $15 an hour I believe only applies to government jobs and wouldn't apply to 90% of Canadians so it's kind of an empty promise. "

Interesting. Harper denied that there was a recession in 2008. If there was no recession, how can it be blamed for their fiscal problems ? Was the trained economist unable to see that there was a recession (incompetence) or was he deliberately deceiving the electorate (dishonesty) ?  
 
Many economists advised strongly against the GST cut. Harper did it for purely political reasons. Consequently, we remained with larger deficits and growing debt ever since. He bribed us with our own money and saddled our children with paying that off.  
 
You minimize the impact of a potential $15 per hour wage at the same time as other CPC supporters are railing against how dangerous it is. Which way is it ?  
 
 
 
Edited by standard standard h8r, 2015-08-19 14:30:41

standard standard h8r said "    KJ2013 said "Let's be fair here. We were in a recession and it would have been hard for any government to run a surplus and if a government has too high of a surplus we are taxed too high. It's a delicate balance.   The $15 an hour I believe only applies to government jobs and wouldn't apply to 90% of Canadians so it's kind of an empty promise. " Interesting. Harper denied that there was a recession in 2008. If there was no recession, how can it be blamed for their fiscal problems ? Was the trained economist unable to see that there was a recession (incompetence) or was he deliberately deceiving the electorate (dishonesty) ?     Many economists advised strongly against the GST cut. Harper did it for purely political reasons. Consequently, we remained with larger deficits and growing debt ever since. He bribed us with our own money and saddled our children with paying that off.     You minimize the impact of a potential $15 per hour wage at the same time as other CPC supporters are railing against how dangerous it is. Which way is it ?         Edited by standard standard h8r, 2015-08-19 14:30:41"

would it take for the NDP to nationalize minimum wage for all workers at $15.00 p/h?  
 
I guess if they achieve their goal of shutting down the oil sands maybe all those workers will need that $15 p/h!  

Under higher taxes you are using Manitoba NDP as an example of how much better the Con's are at fiscal management yet they have both ran a deficit over the same time period. Yet it's understandable in your opinion for Harper but not for MB which not only had the recession in 2008 but also a major flood in 2011! WOW that makes sense!  
You think it's ok for the government to lock up someone for saying their opinion (ISIS comment) however don't want government interference in health care? And while we're on health care I think public healthcare is a wonderful thing and something Canada should be proud of. We don't leave our kids untreated based on their parents ability to pay! As for privitization MTS is a shining example of how much that sucks!! In 2013/2014 the CEO made $7,782,241.00 and they pd $1.2million in taxes in that same time period the CEO of Sasktel(Crown corp.) made $499,492.00 and they pd $497million in taxes. And guess what their phone service is cheaper and the companies revenues were less they aren't allowed to line peoples pockets with it! Source http://economyatwork.ca/2015/05/25/a-cautionary-tale-of-two-telcos-one-publicly-owned-and-one-privatized/  
As for forcing unions well that's illegal. Unions are brought in when a larger percentage of a work force vote to bring in a union, not by any government deciding for them! We also have the lowest energy bills in the country btw but we don't need to go there!