Canada Election Results!

Couldn't find a thread on this, so...

Conservatives: 167 - majority.
NDP: 102 - official opposition (fuck).
Liberals: 34 -totally screwed with a huge drop in seat numbers, Ignatieff steps down.
Bloq Quebecois: 4 - Ducepp steps down.
Green: 1.


My take:
If the NDP is elected as a majority next time, the whole economy will go down the toilet. Remember what happened in Ontario? Seriously... Please. Anything but the NDP. Insanely high taxes and a decrease in lifestyle equality for higher-income workers?

Opinions on the results?

Well, fuck. That delays my whole move-to-Canada plan for a bit longer.

Is Canada like Australia, where you think the conservatives are conservative but they're liberal, and you think the democrats are more liberal but they're really conservative?

If not, I don't see why you're complaining about NDP. You'd be better off with them than the conservatives.

EDIT: I see you have liberal there too. Must be that then.

I thought Canada was cool man, what's with this conservative shit?

The Conservatives are pretty much straight-up conservative. The Liberals are in fact liberal, in our case.

I'm not a big fan of the Conservatives, personally... They take our taxes and fail to upgrade our health care system and neglect our roads. Here in Manitoba, we're literally tripping over our cars from all the pot holes. I'm more of a Liberal. But the NDP, now that's one party I don't want to see in power, just because of the heightened taxes and the whole "equality-out-of-control" thing they have going. :|

I just turned 17 so I'm not extremely informed, but I know enough to get by.

Sounds like the Canadian situation is quite like the UK's; having a left-centre party which is only good for fucking up the economy with huge waste and debt, and a totally missing the point, ludicrously unfair, and even oppressive overzealous egalitarianism which treds very close to the line of giving wasters free money for votes . We also have a conservative party in at the moment for this reason, but so far I've been impressed with their social attitude (equal opportunities for all backgrounds if you can be bothered); it's not like the US where conservative also means you have to have your rapist's baby.

Yeah, conservatism in Canada isn't a problem like it is here. Conservative up there means fiscally responsible, not socially backwards. Even the most right wing Canadian wouldn't consider making money off of the sick and dying, its just too heartless. That's a US thing. Yeah, Conservatives here are so NOT equal opportunity for all backgrounds. I saw a few hillbillies today who like that Canada was moving in their direction, I didn't even bother explaining that Conservative parties in Canada aren't the same thing as conservatives here, they weren't worth the couple of keystrokes.

So much for my dreams of a majority Bloc Quebecois government.

How did the NDP get so many votes? 0-0

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Originally Posted by Replicon

So much for my dreams of a majority Bloc Quebecois government.

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Give it 5 more years ;) I'll bet we will have 2 neighbours to the north of us by the end of the decade. 10 years ago, the motion to succeed lost by less than 5%, I'm fairly certain if they voted now, they would win.

^ Really? I thought Quebec was passed all that by now. Why is that Quebec doesn't want to be a part of Canada, again?

I'm far, far, far from Conservative minded, but they've been the most stable government we've had in a while. We're doing economically fantastic and took little damage from the recession, and our financial sector and banks are near the strongest in the world right now. Our taxes have gone down and our money is being spent to pay down our debt.

Not to mention, Stephen Harper is the only qualified leader out of those in the running. He's the only one with the proper demeanor and the man sticks to his guns.

Now, I was not rooting for a Conservative majority. I have major, major qualms with the Conservative party. Their stance on Copyright, Gay rights, Drug laws, and Stephen Harper's desire to build a large complex of jails all kinda make a little bit of steam come out my ears.

However, no one can argue the results Harper and his Conservatives have gained. They've done well for the country. Quite frankly, out of the options they're the best we've got. And Harper deserves his majority.

Layton wants to spend tens of billions of dollars we don't have. Any progress we've made over the last 4 years would've been erased by his insane spending. We'd be in a debt we'd never leave and we'd never clear the deficit. The NDP as official opposition isn't bad. It brings fresh new view to the table, and the NDP has great ideas. Except they have no way of following through or implementing them, and again, nor the money.

Ignatieff had no right to even be running. He's a Canadian citizen, but no one would call him a Canadian. He spent more than most of his time in the States, and as far as I'm concerned they can have him.

The Green Party is the Green Party, and The Bloc is the Bloc. Though I was surprised to see the Bloc absolutely annihilated. That did catch me by surprise.

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Originally Posted by Puffin

The Conservatives are pretty much straight-up conservative. The Liberals are in fact liberal, in our case.

I'm not a big fan of the Conservatives, personally... They take our taxes and fail to upgrade our health care system and neglect our roads. Here in Manitoba, we're literally tripping over our cars from all the pot holes. I'm more of a Liberal. But the NDP, now that's one party I don't want to see in power, just because of the heightened taxes and the whole "equality-out-of-control" thing they have going. :|

I just turned 17 so I'm not extremely informed, but I know enough to get by.

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You are aware though that the roads are the municipal and provincial government's responsibility right? The federal government has no control over city roads or provincial highways. The city and province fund anything in relation to transit.

Even then though, I'd say that has little to do with the Conservatives and just a crappy MP or Mayor on your part. I live in Barrie, Ontario. And while I hate our MP, Patrick Brown with a passion, Barrie is booming and growing without any resistance. Its absolutely phenomenal how well this area is doing, and Barrie is one of the most politically Conservative cities around.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seroquel

How did the NDP get so many votes? 0-0

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They made a very, very good play on targeting the student demographic. They got a lot of young voters out there. But more importantly, the promised Quebec the world. They took the Bloc seats, for the most part.

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Originally Posted by Mario92

Well, fuck. That delays my whole move-to-Canada plan for a bit longer.

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ninja hit the nail on the head, our Conservatives are in NO WAY like American Conservatives. You're still safe here :)

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Originally Posted by ExoByte

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You are aware though that the roads are the municipal and provincial government's responsibility right? The federal government has no control over city roads or provincial highways. The city and province fund anything in relation to transit.

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Totally forgot about that... We actually had a history test today, on government, and one of the questions was whether the federal government was responsible for roads. ^_^'

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ExoByte

They made a very, very good play on targeting the student demographic. They got a lot of young voters out there. But more importantly, the promised Quebec the world. They took the Bloc seats, for the most part.

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Thanks. I don't really pay attention to Canadian politics tbh.

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Originally Posted by Puffin

Totally forgot about that... We actually had a history test today, on government, and one of the questions was whether the federal government was responsible for roads. ^_^'

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Here, you might like this then. This one in particular has to do with Ontario, but its mostly interchangeable with all provinces.

There are three types of government:

• the Government of Canada, or the federal government
• the Government of Ontario, or the provincial government
• Your Local Government, the municipal level of government which also includes related boards and commissions such as school boards, is the level of government responsible for most community affairs.

Each level of government is responsible for providing certain services and has the ability to raise money through specific types of taxation.


The Federal Government

The federal government has the power “to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Canada” except for subjects where the provinces are given exclusive powers.

Among the many exclusive powers of the federal government are:

* regulation of trade and commerce
* the post office
* the census
* national defense
* employment insurance
* money and banking
* copyrights
* criminal law
* citizenship
* foreign policy

According to the Constitution Act, 1867, everything not mentioned as belonging to the provincial governments comes under the power of the federal government.


The Provincial Government

The Provincial governments are responsible for issues that are explicitly given to them in Canada's written constitution * the Constitution Act, 1867.

Through the provincial legislature, the provincial government has the power to enact or amend laws and programs related to:

• natural resources and environment
• hospitals
• property and civil rights in the province
• education
• administration of justice
• social services

The province directly funds or transfers money to institutions to ensure the delivery of these important responsibilities, as well as provincial highways, culture and tourism, prisons, post-secondary education, and other services to Ontarians.

The provincial legislature also has power over all municipal institutions in the province.


Municipal Government

The powers of municipal governments are determined by the provincial government. Municipal governments in Ontario are responsible for providing many of the services within their local boundaries that you rely on daily such as:

• water and sewage
• electric utilities
• public transit
• planning new community developments and enhancing existing neighbourhoods
• maintenance of the local road network, including snow removal
• library services
• police services
• fire services
• public health
• child care
• animal control and by-law enforcement
• parks and recreation
• property assessment
• arts and culture
• long term care and senior housing
• economic development
• ambulance
• airports
• provincial offenses administration
• tax collection
• side walks
• storm sewers
• social services
• social housing
• garbage collection and recycling

Municipal governments in Ontario spend billions each year to provide the public services that meet these important needs of Ontario residents.

Municipal governments raise most of the money for financing these services from the property taxes paid by residents and businesses in the local area. Additional funding comes from "user fees" or "non-tax revenue" from parking fines, for example, and some funding still comes from the provincial government.

Source: Your Local Government - Government In Ontario

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Originally Posted by Seroquel

Thanks. I don't really pay attention to Canadian politics tbh.

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They're worth keeping track of. One thing I've noticed that disappoints me is that a lot of Canadians don't keep an eye on Canadian politics, so I think a lot drifts under the radar of most Canadian citizens.

Though that has been changing a lot lately with the CRTC and the Internet bandwidth debacle, not to mention this historic election.

Hm ok, well as is evident I don't really have any idea about Canada's politics either.
But you do realise that money isn't everything I'm sure.
Those roads would probably get fixed if more money was allocated to those states/towns.

Our Liberals (conservative christian fucks) always play the money card. But when Labour (fairly left in principle) gets in, they make the country generally better, even though they spend money doing it. And somehow they have still ended up recovering money in the end, whereas the Liberals have brought us in to debt every time.

Again, I don't really have any idea, but it seems your main qualms are about money.

Money is a large factor, as in our current system it is a building block. We can't implement the idealistic programs of the NDP, or afford to make certain improvements, until financial security is established. Once we have a Surplus again and the debt is cleared, we'll be free to start implementing things. We NEED Conservatives right now, because we need to conserve. We need to pay down the debt and restore everything and hold balance. Once the Conservative goals are achieved, major changes can be made.

I like at the moment not having to worry about being on the verge of bankruptcy or going broke, unlike the unfortunate situation our neighbours to the south are in. I like that the biggest deal right now is Internet Bandwidth caps and not whether the head of my country released his short or long version of his Birth Certificate. I like that we have a 5 party system that works, and not 2. I like that I, as a middle class citizen and all citizens, receive tax breaks for saving money and have tax free plans for money saving and that I can afford to live on my own, go to school, and have a good time all while living below the poverty line on minimum wage.

Money absolutely isn't everything, but it is a key factor. Both in the short term, and the long term.

More importantly though, its about stability. We haven't been this stable financially, politically, socially and otherwise economically in a long, long time. The separatist party, The Bloc, is all but eliminated which puts our country into a state of unification it hasn't been in in recent history. Going back to money, we have low taxes and our debt is being cleared. Our financial sector is the best of the best. We're finally, finally looking at getting more funding towards our Space program (though, its still a long time coming). Our military is back up to being the best of the best, where its supposed to be, and is no longer the laughing stock and butt of jokes as it was made by the Liberal parties of the past.

I really don't know how the results can be argued.

Election results:

Pros

• Majority government, stability, 4 years until the next federal election.
• BQ got annihilated, Quebec gives separatists the finger.
• Conservative party has been the least conservative "conservative" government ever (even by Canadian standards), although this may have been due to the minority situation...
• Conservatives being reelected means no major changes at a time of economic and foreign uncertainty.
• Conservatives were well represented throughout the country, meaning hopefully less regional favouritism.
• Huge NDP showing means lots of canadians, especially young ones are shifting to the left.
• Ignatieff loses in his riding meaning the Liberals have to pick a new leader.

Neutral

• May gets her seat so she can finally shut up.
• Low voter turnout but understandable for a 3rd election in 5 years.
• Conservatives only get ~40% of the popular vote.

Cons

• Still a Conservative government (even though there were no better options this time around).
• Liberals, probably the most important party in the history of the country, are decimated with an uncertain future.
• Huge NDP bandwagon effect in Quebec means a lot of young, inexperienced candidates are voted in.
• Talks of Liberal-NDP merger.
• Lots of experienced ex-Bloc MPs will probably join the provincial PQ.

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Originally Posted by Spartiate

Election results:
Pros

• Ignatieff loses in his riding meaning the Liberals have to pick a new leader.

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This is actually a con. The next leader of the Liberal party if Ignatieff resigns is, *shudders* Bob Rae. O.O

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spartiate

Neutral

• Conservatives only get ~40% of the popular vote.

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I've heard a lot of people saying this, but I don't quite understand. Even Mays stated she doesn't believe its a real majority because of it. But 40% in a 5 party system is phenomenal. Does anyone really expect any more when all 5 parties are active and have seats?

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Originally Posted by ExoByte

I've heard a lot of people saying this, but I don't quite understand. Even Mays stated she doesn't believe its a real majority because of it. But 40% in a 5 party system is phenomenal. Does anyone really expect any more when all 5 parties are active and have seats?

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That's why I only put it as neutral. When you think about it, it is odd that over half of the population didn't vote for the current government (especially since they have over half of the seats), but then again our political system allows it. It's a clear sign for the conservatives though not to go nuts if they want to come back in 4 years.

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Originally Posted by ninja9578

Give it 5 more years ;) I'll bet we will have 2 neighbours to the north of us by the end of the decade. 10 years ago, the motion to succeed lost by less than 5%, I'm fairly certain if they voted now, they would win.

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It was actually by less than 1%. I remember watching it, super worried at first (cause the western Montreal votes were counted near the end), and it very slowly climbed back up. :)

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Originally Posted by GavinGill

^ Really? I thought Quebec was passed all that by now. Why is that Quebec doesn't want to be a part of Canada, again?

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You know, it's funny... The language police and all that nonsense... it has everything to do with the false impression that they need to "save the culture." They don't want their own currency, they don't want trade tariffs, they do want a seat on the Canadian parliament, etc. When asked "I thought you want sovereignty" the usual response is "we want sovereignty-association"... like... what the fuck is that??

Honestly, what they really want is to have a bunch of soldiers, dressed in blue, guarding the castle of Quebec. I envision it as something like this:



Alas, since Parizeau resigned, I haven't really heard any rumblings about that stuff... of course, I also haven't been primarily living in Montreal for over 10 years now.

Yeah the 95 referendum was a near-disaster (50.5% no vs. 49.5% yes). There were scandals and electoral fraud on both sides. Overly strict rejected ballots for the Yes and the sponsorship scandal for the No. There were talks of large areas of Quebec (mostly traditionally native areas up north) separating themselves from the newly formed country. The regions that voted to separate were mostly lower class, less urbanized regions.

As Replicon said it was mostly a culture thing. Some Quebecers wanted more autonomy over their laws and didn't feel like they were a willing part of Canada, so they didn't want to pay federal taxes. There was also the erroneous belief that the federal government was biased against Quebec (even though we receive the lion's share of federal funding) and the deep-seated racism that some Quebecers hold against the English. Most "Yes" voters were hypocrites though, they assumed that Quebec would "associate" (???) themselves with the rest of Canada, basically reap all the economic and military benefits of a single country but be completely independent legislation-wise. What many of them failed to realize is that there was no support for this in the rest of Canada :lolxtreme:.

Anyways, since then the popularity of separatism has gone way down. The provincial party supporting separatism in Quebec (PQ) hasn't been in power since 2003. In this just recent federal election, the Bloc Quebecois (federal party representing Quebec nationalist interests) went from 49 seats to just 4.