Canadian Politics

[Jedi Council]

Surprise Surprise; Erin O'Toole removes platform pledge to end fossil fuel subsidies one day after publishing.

And people say that only Quebec gets pandered to.

And while he's at it, O'Toole releases his version of MAGA; "Take Canada Back."

[Outer Sparta]

Surprise Surprise; Erin O'Toole removes platform pledge to end fossil fuel subsidies one day after publishing.

And people say that only Quebec gets pandered to.

Oh geez pandering to Alberta hmm?

[Kazakah]

I haven't been keeping up with Canadian politics much, so I wouldn't really know the front runners and stuff. What would MacKay offer to the table?

MacKay is the last leader of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party. The PC's used to be the main right wing Party in Canada until they imploded in 93' whereby the Reform Party replaced them. MacKay ended up merging the PC's with the Canadian Alliance, which was Reform in disguise, and then served as a senior cabinet Minister (Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice) in the Harper government.

Because of his ties to the old PC's, MacKay is generally viewed as a moderate, as the PC's were largely centre to centre right on most issues. Some have even gone so far as to call him a Red Tory, which I would argue is too far. His pitch for the leadership generally rests on his experience, the fact he is relatively telegenic (He won sexiest MP several years in a row) and his reputation as a centrist. I have not heard much in the way of actual policy, but his political instincts appear to be a little rusty after four years on the sidelines; his campaign has been less than stellar so far.

MacKay's definitely going to win. He's the classic Canadian politician.

• Son of a father who was in politics
• Mildly handome (at least in their youth)
• Long career in politics
• Not too far to one side of the spectrum
• Tiny controversies that don't compare to American ones
• English background

Surprisingly he isn't from Ontario or Quebec

[Major-Tom]

MacKay is the last leader of the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party. The PC's used to be the main right wing Party in Canada until they imploded in 93' whereby the Reform Party replaced them. MacKay ended up merging the PC's with the Canadian Alliance, which was Reform in disguise, and then served as a senior cabinet Minister (Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice) in the Harper government.

Because of his ties to the old PC's, MacKay is generally viewed as a moderate, as the PC's were largely centre to centre right on most issues. Some have even gone so far as to call him a Red Tory, which I would argue is too far. His pitch for the leadership generally rests on his experience, the fact he is relatively telegenic (He won sexiest MP several years in a row) and his reputation as a centrist. I have not heard much in the way of actual policy, but his political instincts appear to be a little rusty after four years on the sidelines; his campaign has been less than stellar so far.

MacKay's definitely going to win. He's the classic Canadian politician.

• Son of a father who was in politics
• Mildly handome (at least in their youth)
• Long career in politics
• Not too far to one side of the spectrum
• Tiny controversies that don't compare to American ones
• English background

Surprisingly he isn't from Ontario or Quebec

He might win a leadership contest, though everything about him thus far indicates he might have an uphill battle winning a federal election.

[Jedi Council]

MacKay's definitely going to win. He's the classic Canadian politician.

• Son of a father who was in politics
• Mildly handome (at least in their youth)
• Long career in politics
• Not too far to one side of the spectrum
• Tiny controversies that don't compare to American ones
• English background

Surprisingly he isn't from Ontario or Quebec

He might win a leadership contest, though everything about him thus far indicates he might have an uphill battle winning a federal election.

Until the NDP get their act together, the Tories will have a very difficult time winning at the Federal level.

[Major-Tom]

He might win a leadership contest, though everything about him thus far indicates he might have an uphill battle winning a federal election.

Until the NDP get their act together, the Tories will have a very difficult time winning at the Federal level.

In a perfect world, the NDP will seriously get their act together to the point where they can win federally. But, I suppose we all have our pipedreams.

[Outer Sparta]

Until the NDP get their act together, the Tories will have a very difficult time winning at the Federal level.

In a perfect world, the NDP will seriously get their act together to the point where they can win federally. But, I suppose we all have our pipedreams.

They got second place in the 2011 election after the Liberals got squashed.

[Jedi Council]

Until the NDP get their act together, the Tories will have a very difficult time winning at the Federal level.

In a perfect world, the NDP will seriously get their act together to the point where they can win federally. But, I suppose we all have our pipedreams.

It's unlikely; they are utterly in the hole financially, and with Trudeau edging left, at least rhetorically, since 2013, there is not much room for them to grow. Singh performed above expectations during the campaign, but the bar was set fairly low for him in the first place.

They really blew their shot in 2015, though, having been a Liberal volunteer both in '15 and in '19, I am not terribly upset by that.

[Major-Tom]

In a perfect world, the NDP will seriously get their act together to the point where they can win federally. But, I suppose we all have our pipedreams.

They got second place in the 2011 election after the Liberals got squashed.

Sure, but lest the NDP can find another Jack Layton, they're going to struggle to really have another breakout moment. 2011's NDP surge can really be attributed to Quebec, a province I don't see swinging so wildly in the NDP's favor again.

[Jedi Council]

They got second place in the 2011 election after the Liberals got squashed.

Sure, but lest the NDP can find another Jack Layton, they're going to struggle to really have another breakout moment. 2011's NDP surge can really be attributed to Quebec, a province I don't see swinging so wildly in the NDP's favor again.

The NDP is going to struggle in Quebec as long as Singh is leader; that province in particular has had a long running debate around religious symbols.

[Outer Sparta]

They got second place in the 2011 election after the Liberals got squashed.

Sure, but lest the NDP can find another Jack Layton, they're going to struggle to really have another breakout moment. 2011's NDP surge can really be attributed to Quebec, a province I don't see swinging so wildly in the NDP's favor again.

Quebec has solidified their regionalist stances with their support for BQ gaining heavily since 2015.

[Major-Tom]

Sure, but lest the NDP can find another Jack Layton, they're going to struggle to really have another breakout moment. 2011's NDP surge can really be attributed to Quebec, a province I don't see swinging so wildly in the NDP's favor again.

The NDP is going to struggle in Quebec as long as Singh is leader; that province in particular has had a long running debate around religious symbols.

No doubt - in Montreal I recall it feeling very cosmopolitan and very laissez-faire about that sorta thing, but once I left the city the traditionalism/deeply French culture really stuck out to me. In other words, I can see why that's problematic for NDP success there.

[Luziyca]

Surprise Surprise; Erin O'Toole removes platform pledge to end fossil fuel subsidies one day after publishing.

And people say that only Quebec gets pandered to.

Oh geez pandering to Alberta hmm?

If the Liberals can pander to their base in Quebec, the Tories can pander to their base in Alberta.

Until the NDP get their act together, the Tories will have a very difficult time winning at the Federal level.

In a perfect world, the NDP will seriously get their act together to the point where they can win federally. But, I suppose we all have our pipedreams.

Same: if the NDP ever forms a majority government on the federal level, I'd feel like I've died and gone to heaven.

[Kazakah]

They got second place in the 2011 election after the Liberals got squashed.

Sure, but lest the NDP can find another Jack Layton, they're going to struggle to really have another breakout moment. 2011's NDP surge can really be attributed to Quebec, a province I don't see swinging so wildly in the NDP's favor again.

I'd say that Quebec is the reason they lost in 2019. But, you're right they'll need a Jack Layton type if the want to win federally.

If I'm being honest though all the opposition parties are gonna need to get their act together if they want to win against the Liberals.

[Dresderstan]

Sure, but lest the NDP can find another Jack Layton, they're going to struggle to really have another breakout moment. 2011's NDP surge can really be attributed to Quebec, a province I don't see swinging so wildly in the NDP's favor again.

I'd say that Quebec is the reason they lost in 2019. But, you're right they'll need a Jack Layton type if the want to win federally.

If I'm being honest though all the opposition parties are gonna need to get their act together if they want to win against the Liberals.

That's why I have this sneaking suspicion that either later this year or early next year Trudeau might call a snap election. He knows he can't risk one now due to the pandemic, but if and when this is over he would be inclined to do so because he sees a divided opposition and an increased Liberal support due to his handling of the crisis. It all depends on A) the economy B) the new Tory leader C) how weak the NDP is with/without Singh, and D) the Bloc/Quebec.

[San Lumen]

I'd say that Quebec is the reason they lost in 2019. But, you're right they'll need a Jack Layton type if the want to win federally.

If I'm being honest though all the opposition parties are gonna need to get their act together if they want to win against the Liberals.

That's why I have this sneaking suspicion that either later this year or early next year Trudeau might call a snap election. He knows he can't risk one now due to the pandemic, but if and when this is over he would be inclined to do so because he sees a divided opposition and an increased Liberal support due to his handling of the crisis. It all depends on A) the economy B) the new Tory leader C) how weak the NDP is with/without Singh, and D) the Bloc/Quebec.

With the way polls are right now and if they hold he would get a very strong majority

[Jedi Council]

Sure, but lest the NDP can find another Jack Layton, they're going to struggle to really have another breakout moment. 2011's NDP surge can really be attributed to Quebec, a province I don't see swinging so wildly in the NDP's favor again.

I'd say that Quebec is the reason they lost in 2019. But, you're right they'll need a Jack Layton type if the want to win federally.

If I'm being honest though all the opposition parties are gonna need to get their act together if they want to win against the Liberals.

Per Jacck Layton, they arguably need a leader who is even more dynamic and charismatic than he was.

His success in 2011 was predicated on two things
-Winning big in Quebec
-An incompetent Liberal leader.

Layton only truly won as big as he did in 2011 because he was able to appeal to Quebec. Of the 103 seats the NDP held that year, 59 of them were from la belle province. Outside of Quebec, the NDP still struggled heavily among suburban voters in places like the GTA, and Vancouver, which are two areas that are integral to every majority government.

This reflects on a key weakness for the NDP; in various provinces, they are bearing the burden of horrible provincial governments. This is especially true in Ontario, which, if we are being honest, is the most important province electorally. The fact that Singh only won 6 seats in Ontario, out of 121 just shows how much of a mountain the NDP has to climb. Even in 2011, under Layton, they only won 22 seats in Ontario.

[Shrillland]

I'd say that Quebec is the reason they lost in 2019. But, you're right they'll need a Jack Layton type if the want to win federally.

If I'm being honest though all the opposition parties are gonna need to get their act together if they want to win against the Liberals.

That's why I have this sneaking suspicion that either later this year or early next year Trudeau might call a snap election. He knows he can't risk one now due to the pandemic, but if and when this is over he would be inclined to do so because he sees a divided opposition and an increased Liberal support due to his handling of the crisis. It all depends on A) the economy B) the new Tory leader C) how weak the NDP is with/without Singh, and D) the Bloc/Quebec.

If he isn't careful, he may get his election handed to him before he's ready: https://nationalpost.com/news/singh-says-ndp-wont-support-liberal-bill-that-would-jail-fine-cerb-fraudsters

CERB's the emergency response money that's been going out to people in the pandemic. Since this is a government bill, Trudeau may be compelled to call a no confidence vote if it goes down.

[Jedi Council]

That's why I have this sneaking suspicion that either later this year or early next year Trudeau might call a snap election. He knows he can't risk one now due to the pandemic, but if and when this is over he would be inclined to do so because he sees a divided opposition and an increased Liberal support due to his handling of the crisis. It all depends on A) the economy B) the new Tory leader C) how weak the NDP is with/without Singh, and D) the Bloc/Quebec.

If he isn't careful, he may get his election handed to him before he's ready: https://nationalpost.com/news/singh-says-ndp-wont-support-liberal-bill-that-would-jail-fine-cerb-fraudsters

CERB's the emergency response money that's been going out to people in the pandemic. Since this is a government bill, Trudeau may be compelled to call a no confidence vote if it goes down.

The irony is that an election now, caused by this bill, would likely favour the Liberals.

[Outer Sparta]

I'd say that Quebec is the reason they lost in 2019. But, you're right they'll need a Jack Layton type if the want to win federally.

If I'm being honest though all the opposition parties are gonna need to get their act together if they want to win against the Liberals.

Per Jacck Layton, they arguably need a leader who is even more dynamic and charismatic than he was.

His success in 2011 was predicated on two things
-Winning big in Quebec
-An incompetent Liberal leader.

Layton only truly won as big as he did in 2011 because he was able to appeal to Quebec. Of the 103 seats the NDP held that year, 59 of them were from la belle province. Outside of Quebec, the NDP still struggled heavily among suburban voters in places like the GTA, and Vancouver, which are two areas that are integral to every majority government.

This reflects on a key weakness for the NDP; in various provinces, they are bearing the burden of horrible provincial governments. This is especially true in Ontario, which, if we are being honest, is the most important province electorally. The fact that Singh only won 6 seats in Ontario, out of 121 just shows how much of a mountain the NDP has to climb. Even in 2011, under Layton, they only won 22 seats in Ontario.

How did the NDP went down from Layton to Mulcair to Singh?

[Shrillland]

Per Jacck Layton, they arguably need a leader who is even more dynamic and charismatic than he was.

His success in 2011 was predicated on two things
-Winning big in Quebec
-An incompetent Liberal leader.

Layton only truly won as big as he did in 2011 because he was able to appeal to Quebec. Of the 103 seats the NDP held that year, 59 of them were from la belle province. Outside of Quebec, the NDP still struggled heavily among suburban voters in places like the GTA, and Vancouver, which are two areas that are integral to every majority government.

This reflects on a key weakness for the NDP; in various provinces, they are bearing the burden of horrible provincial governments. This is especially true in Ontario, which, if we are being honest, is the most important province electorally. The fact that Singh only won 6 seats in Ontario, out of 121 just shows how much of a mountain the NDP has to climb. Even in 2011, under Layton, they only won 22 seats in Ontario.

How did the NDP went down from Layton to Mulcair to Singh?

Because Layton was one of those leaders you only see once in a generation per nation. He was charismatic, understanding of others, and able to convince sceptics to get involved in the process. Also, because of his Quebecois ties, he was able to persuade federalist Bloc voters to choose them. Not since Tommy Douglas did the NDP have such a standard bearer. It wasn't a decline in party standards, it was just that no one could replicate his style.

[Outer Sparta]

How did the NDP went down from Layton to Mulcair to Singh?

Because Layton was one of those leaders you only see once in a generation per nation. He was charismatic, understanding of others, and able to convince sceptics to get involved in the process. Also, because of his Quebecois ties, he was able to persuade federalist Bloc voters to choose them. Not since Tommy Douglas did the NDP have such a standard bearer. It wasn't a decline in party standards, it was just that no one could replicate his style.

Dang his death in 2011 was such a loss. And he was only 61.

[Jedi Council]

Per Jacck Layton, they arguably need a leader who is even more dynamic and charismatic than he was.

His success in 2011 was predicated on two things
-Winning big in Quebec
-An incompetent Liberal leader.

Layton only truly won as big as he did in 2011 because he was able to appeal to Quebec. Of the 103 seats the NDP held that year, 59 of them were from la belle province. Outside of Quebec, the NDP still struggled heavily among suburban voters in places like the GTA, and Vancouver, which are two areas that are integral to every majority government.

This reflects on a key weakness for the NDP; in various provinces, they are bearing the burden of horrible provincial governments. This is especially true in Ontario, which, if we are being honest, is the most important province electorally. The fact that Singh only won 6 seats in Ontario, out of 121 just shows how much of a mountain the NDP has to climb. Even in 2011, under Layton, they only won 22 seats in Ontario.

How did the NDP went down from Layton to Mulcair to Singh?

Most of that blame can be laid at the feet of both Mulcair and Singh, though Trudeau deserves credit as well.

Mulcair ran in 2015 as a fairly moderate New Democrat. He was desperate to make the NDP a credible party of government, which in his mind demanded they be fiscally responsible. This really kneecapped their campaign because they were constrained by a promise to maintain a balanced budget. Mulcair himself just proved to be an ineffective campaigner; he was testy with the media, his debate performances were mediocre at best and outright bad at worst.

This issue was compounded by Trudeau. In 2015, most people had written Trudeau off as a light weight, and he was polling third heading into the election. Because of these low expectations, he was able to exceed them at almost every turn, especially in the debates. Likewise, his 2015 policy platform largely outflanked the NDP on the left, and appealed more to people who wanted a decisive break with the Harper Government. Things like his pledge to break budgetary norms and encourage deficit spending, his pledge to ensure vast amounts of Syrian Refugees entered the country, and his pledge to return Canada to the World stage all worked in his favour. There are various other issues that he advocated for as well. It also helped that his rhetoric, his appearance and his persona was fresh and relatively optimistic. Compared to Harper and Mulcair, who, frankly, were both fairly doughty older men, Trudeau was energetic and youthful.

[Kazakah]

How did the NDP went down from Layton to Mulcair to Singh?

Because Layton was one of those leaders you only see once in a generation per nation. He was charismatic, understanding of others, and able to convince sceptics to get involved in the process. Also, because of his Quebecois ties, he was able to persuade federalist Bloc voters to choose them. Not since Tommy Douglas did the NDP have such a standard bearer. It wasn't a decline in party standards, it was just that no one could replicate his style.

So true. Even my parents, who generally vote Conservative, voted for him. RIP Jack Layton

[Dresderstan]

That's why I have this sneaking suspicion that either later this year or early next year Trudeau might call a snap election. He knows he can't risk one now due to the pandemic, but if and when this is over he would be inclined to do so because he sees a divided opposition and an increased Liberal support due to his handling of the crisis. It all depends on A) the economy B) the new Tory leader C) how weak the NDP is with/without Singh, and D) the Bloc/Quebec.

If he isn't careful, he may get his election handed to him before he's ready: https://nationalpost.com/news/singh-says-ndp-wont-support-liberal-bill-that-would-jail-fine-cerb-fraudsters

CERB's the emergency response money that's been going out to people in the pandemic. Since this is a government bill, Trudeau may be compelled to call a no confidence vote if it goes down.

I mean I don't think even the Conservatives are ready for an election rn, especially with a leadership contest to replace Scheer.