So with one week to go where do we stand with one of Canada’s longest elections?
Stephen Harper clearly will not enjoy another majority which has many Canadians rejoicing. Scandal after scandal has plagued his government, but most simply have grown tired of the politics of fear mongering and threats. As my mentor Keith Beardsley once shared, you don’t want to be caught in “the splash”, which is a lesson that Mr. Harper’s team clearly have missed.
Were the Niqab’s really an election issue? Is the TPP the final straw for most Canadians? Even our US friends are having qualms about it.
Thomas Mulcair somehow lost his footing near the end of the race. It’s boggling and clearly shows that actual leadership really isn’t a factor in voters minds. His position on C 51 and TPP were clear and decisive, yet the public and media seem more captivated by the promises of Justin Trudeau. Mulcair will be the King maker in this election. If he survives he’s going to have to elevate his game for the next election and maybe, just maybe lose the beard.
Justin Trudeau has not run a good campaign. Bear traps and holes, but once he started making promises that he most likely will not be able to keep, the forces that have had enough of Harper have chosen him over Mulcair to be PM. He will have led his party to a truly amazing turn of events between the last election and this one which he deserves kudos for. The problem, if elected, is how to make any of his promises stick, especially since they counter Mulcair’s positions. Can they make that marriage work for more than a year without calling another election?
Final 2015 Canadian Federal Election Poll - Who will you vote for? ENDS OCT 18th
- Stephen Harper - Conservative (53%, 78 Votes)
- Justin Trudeau - Liberal (29%, 43 Votes)
- Other/Destroyed Ballot (9%, 14 Votes)
- Thomas Mulcair - NDP (9%, 13 Votes)
Total Voters: 148
Loading ...Locally here in SD&SG who to vote for becomes an even bigger conundrum. With polls showing Conservative incumbent Guy Lauzon winning a strong majority the ABC movement had a challenge.
Bernadette Clement ran a weak campaign highlighted by the strange tactic of trying to flip the Chem tank scandal in her city into a Federal issue when it clearly was a Municipal government cover up that she was and still is a part of?
That’s bewildering. She talks of change, but essentially has been a clone of Lauzon refusing to wade into any important subject in her city and had the judgement to take a pic with fellow councilor Brock Frost who is under criminal investigation.
Patrick (Veggie) Burger has run a limp campaign. Clearly not a public speaker the teacher prattles party lines and has the character of a wet no name paper towel. Long time local dippers have actually switched to the Liberals in this race while some have simply stepped back.
Clearly in SD&SG the opposition party’s did not have the machines or organizations to make any impact.
Even the long time Liberal supporting Best Western has a Lauzon bill board on its property instead of their traditional grit support.
It truly would be ironic if Clement doesn’t exceed her poor performance last election and Trudeau does win.
In nearby Glengarry, Prescott, & Russell it looks like the Liberal candidate, Francis Drouin, will defeat incumbent Pierre Lemieux.
It doesn’t matter who you vote for. BUT PLEASE VOTE!!
Hugger1 – what a voter philosophy!
PTN….to me it doesn’t matter who someone votes for. What is important is that everyone votes. I’m of the philosophy that if you don’t vote then you don’t have a right to complain about the elected politicians do.
Very much in agreement Jamie, imagine with Lauzon’s track record in producing anything as our MP, (in power) what results will he accomplish in Opposition ? The “CLAPPER” will no doubt keep his job as the caucus clapper ! As to Bernie, hopefully, she gives up & concentrates on her Council position for which she was elected ! Perhaps, she should drink more milk , to develop a back-bone ! She talks a lot, flaps her arms around, but seldom (never) takes a firm hard stand on anything ! But Bernie, listen, the funny thing is, I VOTED for you, honest I did ! lol You have an opportunity to blow this scandal regarding the tanks wide-open, will you do it ? How about sinking your teeth into the bridge pillar “scandal” ?
Hugger, why would you want people voting who have no interest in, or knowledge of the issues or our political system? An awful lot of citizens don’t have a clue and don’t care who runs the show.
Futrtz….everyone should vote. Whether they have interest i or knowledge of the issues is not my problem; it is their problem.
Horatio Caine…..you expect Bernadette Clement to blow the harbour tanks “scandal” wide open? Yeap, okay. She’s part of the city council that was sitting when the problem arose. It’s become more of a who done it. Who muzzled who? Did city council muzzle the ED department or did the ED department “forget” to tell city council about the tanks? And I didn’t know there was a bridge pillar scandal.
Hugger please take your time and give this a good thought. You cannot just go out and vote for anyone because if that were the case I would put in my wonderful dear little Fitzie on the ballot. You have to take the time and think things over about who is the better candidate for the job even though in my mind they are all there for themselves just like what Bernie is. Lazon is good for cutting ribbons and sending bereavement cards to people who are still alive. LOL LOL. ROLF! I am going to vote for Harpoon Harpo because I find that he is the most logical of all and that is my opinion and those of us who are down to earth know that he is the right person for the job. I don’t want anything to do with drugs or all kinds of promises that don’t amount to a hill of beans. The fiberals have been a disaster in Ontario and I want no part of them especially Winnie the Poo.
When did I say people should just go out and vote? Of course, people should put some thought into whom they vote for. Stop reading things into what I don’t say.
I truely believie that the Niqab issue will get Harper elected.At lease he has the balls to stand up to this issue.This issue has changed my vote and i,ll bet you many more peoples.
I like many Canadians feel its time to stand up and bring are values back to Canadians.Certainly this is a start and bring back all the other things we value as a Canadian.
Who ever does,nt like it, feel free to leave Canada.
You are correct about one thing, Marc L. Harper’s niqab BS sure has stirred up the bigots.
IMHO the Niqab was never an election issue. While I agree with Marc L to a certain extent that Canadians feel it’s time to stand up and bring our values back to Canadians But this was not an election issue initiated by any political party. This became an election issue after the courts struck down (AGAIN!!) one of Harper’s attempts to make his own laws bypassing the already written law. The Cons then decided to run with it in the election. Will it get them re-elected? Who knows!!
Marc L … Elections Canada on its web site advises that no Canadian is required to show their face while voting. Two pieces of identification are required (a photo is not required because they cannot see your face in the first place) and a pledge/oath that you are the person on the identification offered.
Personally to protest this insanity I will be voting at the church (Pitt St. North) on Monday October 19th 2015 wearing a black balaclava. I will be offering my ATM card and hydro bill as identification and I will attest as required that I am me. I am going to have it videoed and send it to my American brother-in-law who does not believe that we do not have to show our face.
Frurtz – “stirred up the bigots” – spoken by a true socialist. But I thought if you are going to be a real socialist – then all are equal, a cookie cutter conforming to the norm. So in your definition then, If someone wants equality under the law, and not allow special favoritism to one group over another, all must conform, you call it being a bigot? Confused?
As I said, Newton, It stirred up the bigots.
Hugger1…what law? this was a challenge to an interpretation of a charter right. An interpretation can be challenged and as society evolves so can a law merely by the current day interpretation. This fact of our charter leaves open future change and adaption of laws to reflect changing norms and societal values. A double edge sword which can lay waste to traditions or return them at a different point in history. Canadians overwhelmingly supported the challenge, however the SCC did not support democracy and chose rather to uphold a point of law instead. This left open a further challenge. This is neither good nor bad, right nor wrong but simply the manner in which our system is designed to function.
Furtz – just like a socialist – can’t defend one’s cause with sound, reasonable arguments, so one presorts to name calling – character assassination. Is that the best you can do?
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good”( Ps. 53:1)..
You Canadians know absolutely nothing about what can happen here in Canada if this utter nonsense happens about face masks. Eleven years ago I was petrified to see women completely covered up and they were Africans and Middle Easterners. What you people don’t understand is that if any of the Syrian and other refugees come over and are part of ISIS GOD HELP US ALL and I know what is going on and what is planned. This is no joking matter and they want to take over the entire world. These people are armed to the teeth and stop making jokes about this nonsense. Christians are being slaughterd in the Middle East and Africa and you people are joking about this. Even other Muslms are being slaughtered because they don’t want any part of what is going to come our way.
Hugger you did say “it doesn’t matter who you vote for just get out and vote” and believe me if I had my way I would put in little Fitzie on my ballot. LOL LOL but that little dog would say the hell with this human nonsense and leave us animals alone. Out of the humans on the ballot it will be Harpoon Harpo and no other for me.
Nothing to defend, Newton. Harper needs the support of his knuckle-dragging bigoted base in order to stay in the race. That is to whom he is playing these days out of desperation. Happily, his politics of hate isn’t working this time around.
Yes, Jules I said “it doesn’t matter who you vote for just get out and vote.” I didn’t say to do it blindly.
David Oldham…..surprise, surprise picking on semantics again. The SCC is there to make sure the law and charter rights are followed as written. From what they’ve said the current charter right allows face coverings. So, it’ll have to be re-written if the government doesn’t want face coverings allowed. IMHO they should not be allowed. How do you know who is behind the covering? I was reading an article a little while ago about a man who was able to manicure his eyebrows, use makeup and a face covering to enter a country he had been banned in.
And yes Jules us Canadians are just stupid bumpkins who know nothing about what can happen. Contrary to popular believe some of us do actually read the newspapers and follow world events. And the government wants to vet the proposed Syrian refugees. We will not let just anyone in , like some countries are doing.
WRT previous comments…
1. Face coverings? Frankly a face covering could be preferable to some mugs around town… those overdone and tasteless tattoos and piercings… and really what’s the fuss over a woman’s apparel when there’s no fuss over a hipster’s full blown beard hiding his facial features… isn’t polyester and pathetic comb-overs more of an affront to dignity?
And though one may wonder what Harper looks like without his hair helmet? Mulcair minus a beard? Trudeau shorn of his heavenly locks? It is still “by their fruit you will recognize them.”
2. “Socialism”?… it’s not an ideology, it’s not political, but more an expression of “to whom much is given, much will be required”, meaning that we ought to share our talents, wealth, knowledge, and time well, and to the benefit of others less blessed.
3. Let’s all play nice.
Lassie would you feel the same or differently if the face coverings were religious rather than cultural? Will it be acceptable to you if we (Canada) adopt another form of law for some of our population in the manner that say England has? Do you value tradition or do you see that our society does not need that type of stability? I always thought that socialism was an economic concept in opposition to capitalism. Assisting others is a humanitarian deed not a political concept unless you introduce theoretical communism and its concepts of equality for all.
Perhaps we should all wear bags over our heads but first we need to pull them out of the sand.
Hugger the charter is subject to interpretation which is what fuels the need for a panel of judges. The very fact that some laws/rights are subject to interpretation is why judges do not always hand down unanimous decisions. If the law was black and white as you suggest than you would only need one judge and the appeal process would be unnecessary. I make no apology for being a stickler for detail. Close only counted for something if I was playing horseshoes. Being close doesn’t win you the lottery.
1. Face coverings regardless of religion or culture?… unless there is a real and immediate threat to somebody’s safety, why not?
2. Another form of law for one segment of the population?… don’t we have that now for first nations and politically connected?
3. Traditions like not allowing women or natives to vote were real winners… maybe a committee of old white guys to select our traditions?
4. Politics is baloney… it was, after all, a bunch of CCF preachers and farmers that introduced the human concept to politics, giving us pensions and medical care across the country.
5. Wear a bag, sure… but err on the side of caution and make it paper, not plastic.
I am for clampiing down on the masses and what is coming out of Syria, Iraq, Africa, Pakistan, etc. etc. etc. Europe is going to collapse financially and so will Canada, the US, australia, etc. with all the refugees and migrants and this is no joke. This is much worse by many times over than what happened with the Jews during WWII. These Arabs and Africans as well as Asians multiply like rabbits on seroids. The entire world is going to collapse under this strain. Among a lot of these people are at least 4000 or more ISIS fighters and are recruiting in the camps. The US is completely responsible for this mess like what they always are. The US lost in Vietnam, lost in Korea, etc. The US should be entirely responsible for the upkeep of these people. There are plenty who are destitute and have no place to go and are being slaughtered. I am 100% and more behind Harpoon Harpo about the face mask and all. I wish that Harpoon Harpo were a great deal tougher than what he is and it is something that I want is for him to toughen up because the Canadian people seem to take everything so easy like. Furtz calls Harpo a bigot and the rest of us who support Harpo and I am very happy to be labeled a bigot – I love it and wear it with pride.
Lassie nails it.
Poor Harper is getting desperate. Today he’s warning us that Canada will be overrun with brothels and safe injection sites if the Libs are elected! It’s almost fun watching these bozos circling the drain.
Jules….care to explain why you feel the U.S.A. is responsible for the Syrian refugees? I’m interested on your spin on this one. The U.S.A. is not responsible for the mess in Syria, etc.
Fear mongering.
“These Arabs and Africans as well as Asians multiply like rabbits on seroids.” (sic) Racism and intolerance are alive and well in Canada. Harper has indeed been “doing a good job.”
Furtz Harpoon Harpo is telling you the truth about safe injection sites. etc. and here in Ottawa there are labs where you get your blood tested who hands out safe injection needles to those on drugs and I have seen it with my own eyes. These on not diabetics that I am talking about but young street kids with tatoos and I saw it in downtown Ottawa. If Justine Trudope gets in the debt and interest would be a mountain on the backs of the people and this is no joke. You have absolutely no idea what Justine has in mind. I want no drugs at all anywhere. I am as square and straight as an arrow and today’s society is mighty evil and want no part in it.
Yes PJ. If it wasn’t for racists and bigots, Harper would be at 10% in the polls.
P.J. Robertson my husband is Lebanese (Christian Maronite – Catholic) and I live in Ottawa where it is loaded with Arabs, Africans, etc. and a good area became one of the worst areas if not the worst. Live among these people and lyou will see how you feel. My husband feels the same as well and I do and until you experience living among this you will know what I mean. Your lovely area becomes a literal slum and this is the truth.
We have no idea what the parties platforms are? Seriously Jules??
Jules you should move to Cornwall or Morrisburg. Them minorities know their places in them cities….. (this is in jest as I’m just shaking my head at some of what I read this election…)
Jamie the truth is that we are giving it a great deal of thought about moving out of Ottawa because it is insane. People have to literally live here to know what is going on. Every time I look at Ottawa’s papers it has to do with the gang problems, murder in South Keys, etc. Ottawa used to be a nice place for families and to live but no more – the minorities live 10 and 20 people to a house and I am not talking about dilapidated homes but very expensive homes. You have to live here to believe it. One young girl who attends Carleton University was in shock because people told her that South Keys was safe HUH! I live just north east of that area and it is very very bad. Don’t go by the nice homes there folks – you would’d believe who lives in a lot of them. Even the low rentals look nice – these people move in and there goes the neighborhood. To be honest with you Jamie my husband is so very depressed living here. My husband hates it with a passion. Morrisburg, Ingleside, Long Sault and yes even Cornwall is a great deal safer to live in and my husband keeps saying “thank God that these places stayed small because of what we see today”. These are my husband’s words. You people should go on youtube and see about the millions of displaced people in the refugee camps in Europe and in Lebanon and Jordan and Turkey, etc. and this is just the beginning of things to come. I would never buy a house here in Ottawa at all even if I was a multi millionaire. Jamie you are NUMBER 1 AND THAT IS THE TRUTH MY DEAL MAN. I want the people to listen to General Wesley Clark speak and he was in charge of the NATO forces about what is going on:
General Wesley Clark explains ISIS was created by US Allies
Plrease listen folks and one of the countries is my husband’s Lebanon – can you imagine Lebanon is a country of 4 million people not counting all the refugees inside. OMG what a disaster this is. Please listen carefully.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojcoknTG14s
Folks go by the title because my vision isn’t very good these days. I guess that I will need glasses as I get older.
Jules, what’s the solution? Condemnation? Or pitching for affordable education and housing? Easy to bitch, far harder to pitch. Ask the Blue Jays.
Jules…..come to Cornwall, we promise not to bite.
I agree, big cities in Canada have changed a lot. Is it from too much immigration or not vetting immigrants enough? Or is it that the last few generations were not brought up with the same values, etc that we were brought up with? I know if I disrespected my parents or did something that deserved punishment I was punished. That’s not the case now. It seems some kids now have free reign and very little respect, and very little repercussions for their actions.
{MODERATED} Jules please post on topic, non abusive, and please keep your posts to a sentence or two. Thanks
Relax Jules neither Trudeau nor Mulcair will fight ISIS or the terrorism. They will protect the rights of terrorists in Canada and provide all the help that tax payers dollars can afford. When it all goes completely to shit you can always move as a refugee to a friendlier country on the grounds that you no longer feel safe in yours. There is always an upside.
No fear, David. Now that Harper has the Ford brothers campaigning for him, he has this election in the bag.
Just remember all you Harper haters – if the Blue Jays lose, you can always blame it on Harper.
Ha! Good comment, Newton.
Mr. Oldham just this morning my husband read in his papers from back home Lebanon that some of the Syrian refugees in Austria’s camp are people who have beaten up on a lot of Syrians in Syria and are being looked into. The German Government – Angela Merkel has taken a humoungous chance that she would have let in terrorists into Germany and the same with other countries. Everyone should have the proper ID’s with them. There are many fake ID’s going around and I would tell Harpoon Harpo how proud I am of him for keeping a clamp down on this ISIS thing and the Syrian refugees and the migrants of other countries. Next week I am going to vote for Harpoon Harpo and he is the best of the lot even though he made a lot of mistakes with the senators and other things but he is the best.
Jamie I was out with my daughter at a few stores and I made friends with a dog (1/2 lamb and 1/2 golden retriever) and the lady was disabled that had him with her and the dog’s name is Joel and the lady and I have the same real name. The dog is a worker dog for the disabled which she is – she has no legs. She told me that he is wonderful at helping around and even puts laundry in the dryer and takes it out for her and closes the door of the dryer. I think I need some help like that around here but unfortunately no pets allowed.
Jamie my mail box has been hacked (the one on the net) and there is a virus going around and if you see one with my real name don’t open it at all. My husband saw it for himself on his machine and gave me hell wondering why I sent him an e-mail when he is right here. My daughter received one as well – don’t open it. I have to change my password.
Furtz … is that a little brown bag?
Jules….history doesn’t seem to help us. When the British, Soviets and Americans assumed control of Germany not only were prisoners of war liberated but all the former prisoners (thieves, rapist, murderers, etc. etc.) were released at the same time. Unless careful a similar situation will occur with the Syrian refugees. It would be terribly naive to think that all of them are seeking asylum from oppression. Do you let strangers into your home without knowing anything about them. I don’t.
You’re the bigot Furtz…time to take off your niqab.
P.J. nothing is affordable anymore and every time we go to the store to get groceries, etc. the prices keep on rising. Housing is stuck on the market system and the Chinese, people from India, Middle East, etc. buy up the properties and the prices rise significantly. You go to Mexico, my husband’s Lebanon and other countries like that and you cannot buy a house with a piece of land if you are Canadian, or any other no matter how wealthy you are. Canadians have sold out their country but we are a nation of immigrants. What is going on in Syria, Iraq and other such places is something that was well planned many years in advance and are just coming into effect just now. This is hardly even the beginning of what I know about. Believe me folks I am petrified of what is to come.
Brilliant comment, Devon! 🙂