# Canada: It's beginning to look like an election **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 27, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413 "2008-08-27T13:39:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/41 "2008-09-05T01:23:46Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > This means that the four federal by-elections scheduled for the 8th will be… nullified? Yes, the writs will be cancelled, and replaced with writs for the general election. The candidates will have to re-register, expense ceilings will start from zero (though many expenses from the by-elections will have to be carried over), etc. The exact accounting and paperwork will be a headache and a half. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/42 "2008-09-05T01:37:00Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Yes, the writs will be cancelled, and replaced with writs for the general election. The candidates will have to re-register, expense ceilings will start from zero (though many expenses from the by-elections will have to be carried over), etc. The exact accounting and paperwork will be a headache and a half. Are you running Matt? I know your affiliation, but bon chance, mon ami. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/43 "2008-09-05T01:48:22Z")
Well, it’s sure a good thing that I spent 30 dollars to get my absentee ballot in on time for the by-election. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/44 "2008-09-05T01:49:43Z")
> [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](#): > > Well, it’s sure a good thing that I spent 30 dollars to get my absentee ballot in on time for the by-election. Ummm, you needed to pay to vote? What am I missing here? ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/45 "2008-09-05T02:31:20Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Ummm, you needed to pay to vote? What am I missing here? That it was an absentee ballot I paid shipping for in order to get it to Ottawa in a timely fashion. ---
**Author:** ![Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/46 "2008-09-05T06:01:46Z")
That godforsaken ad with a slew of multiculti Canadians swooning over Stephen and what a swell family man he is has to stop running during the Daily Show, lest I turn all Marg Delahunty on him and storm the PMO for a righteous smiting. ---
**Author:** ![the\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@the\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_Lady)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/47 "2008-09-05T14:23:24Z")
I would pay a great deal of money to see that. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/48 "2008-09-05T14:39:19Z")
Have you noticed that the toolbelt guy in that ad has a toolbelt that is entirely devoid of tools? Kind of screws up the intended message of the ad for me. Ah yes, look at all these ordinary Canadian…actors saying that they support Harper. But, being actors, they’d proclaim their love of Prime Minister Gorsnak if I paid them for the shot. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/49 "2008-09-05T17:42:18Z")
I saw the first Vote Harper commercials while watching a show on Canadian participation in WWI. This I saw a Vote Harper where he was going on about what we owe to our veterans. Too bad he is not campaigning on the issues and setting forth his position, and instead is simply riding on patriotism. It annoys me when a politician or a party puts itself as being patriotic, for this implies that the others are not, which could not be further from the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/50 "2008-09-05T17:44:28Z")
I and many other Canadian Dopers would proclaim our love of Prime Minister Gorsnak for free! 😃 As I said in the disappeared part of the thread, I am a Harper supporter based on his tactical skills among other things, and find these commercials extremely irritating. How about a commercial or two about your actual skills and performance, Steve-o, instead of these purported warm fuzzy idiotic things? ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/51 "2008-09-05T18:14:09Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > It annoys me when a politician or a party puts itself as being patriotic, for this implies that the others are not, which could not be further from the truth. It’s annoying now and it was annoying when the Liberals claimed to represent “real Canadian Values”. What it looks like is the Conservatives trying to pry the “party of Canada” label away from the Liberals by crafting a new Canadian image. My big concern would be ending up with antagonistic camps trying to claim “true Canadian values” and playing scorched earth with the electorate. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/52 "2008-09-05T18:18:21Z")
I saw the first Vote Harper commercials while watching a show on Canadian participation in WWI. This I saw a Vote Harper where he was going on about what we owe to our veterans. Too bad he is not campaigning on the issues and setting forth his position, and instead is simply riding on patriotism. It annoys me when a politician or a party puts itself as being patriotic, for this implies that the others are not, which could not be further from the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/53 "2008-09-05T18:36:13Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > I and many other Canadian Dopers would proclaim our love of Prime Minister Gorsnak for free! 😃 I don’t know him at all except through his posts here and I already think he’d be better than any of the 4 main party leaders. > [@](#): > > As I said in the disappeared part of the thread, I am a Harper supporter based on his tactical skills among other things This is my fundamental problem with Harper. I agree that he’s a brilliant tactician but I find his tactics deplorable. I hate his hypocritical whining about parliamentary dysfunction when he’s a major source of the problem. I hate those fear-mongering propaganda pamphlets he bombarded us with throughout the summer. I hate his simplistic appeals to nationalism and incessant demonization of the opposition. I hate his flouting of parliamentary committees and the rule of law when politically inconvenient. I hate his attempts to stifle criticism through the use of lawsuits. I hate that’s he’s seemingly imported many of his ideas from the Republican party. And I hate that many Canadians seem to be falling for his bullshit. Mostly, though, I hate him because he’s a belligerent prick. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/54 "2008-09-05T18:40:20Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Have you noticed that the toolbelt guy in that ad has a toolbelt that is entirely devoid of tools? Kind of screws up the intended message of the ad for me. Ah yes, look at all these ordinary Canadian…actors saying that they support Harper. But, being actors, they’d proclaim their love of Prime Minister Gorsnak if I paid them for the shot. I know the guy in that ad. He has a home renovation business. I can almost guarantee you he wasn’t paid. He’s a staunch Conservative. I’ll check and get back to you. Nice way to jump to conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/55 "2008-09-05T18:43:53Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I know the guy in that ad. He has a home renovation business. I can almost guarantee you he wasn’t paid. he’s a staunch Conservative. I’ll check and geet back to you. Nice way to jump to conclusions. _shrugs_ Don’t much care if he is. Empty brand new toolbelt = not real. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/56 "2008-09-05T18:44:04Z")
> [@Hodge](#): > > I don’t know him at all except through his posts here and I already think he’d be better than any of the 4 main party leaders. > > This is my fundamental problem with Harper. I agree that he’s a brilliant tactician but I find his tactics deplorable. > > I hate his hypocritical whining about parliamentary dysfunction when he’s a major source of the problem. I hate those fear-mongering propaganda pamphlets he bombarded us with throughout the summer. I hate his simplistic appeals to nationalism and incessant demonization of the opposition. I hate his flouting of parliamentary committees and the rule of law when politically inconvenient. I hate his attempts to stifle criticism through the use of lawsuits. I hate that’s he’s seemingly imported many of his ideas from the Republican party. And I hate that many Canadians seem to be falling for his bullshit. > > Mostly, though, I hate him because he’s a **belligerent prick**. Unlike you, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/57 "2008-09-05T18:51:01Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Unlike you, of course. Missed the edit window: Well, I don’t like the Liberal party. But I think personal, mindless insults should be kept out of here. OK? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/58 "2008-09-05T18:56:58Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > _shrugs_ Don’t much care if he is. Empty brand new toolbelt = not real. 😕 The guy has his own business. He was laid off from a high-tech company 5 years ago and has been struggling to start up his own business ever since. He’s the real deal. I don’t get your point? You erroneously jumped to a number of conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/59 "2008-09-05T19:00:35Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > 😕 The guy has his own business. He was laid off from a high-tech company 5 years ago and has been struggling to start up his own business ever since. He’s the real deal. I don’t get your point? You erroneously jumped to a number of conclusions. No, the conclusion I jumped to is that by having him wear a new, empty toolbelt, the ad appears to be of an actor dressed up as if he’s supposed to be a common working fellow, but dressed by someone who doesn’t know squat about working. None of that changes if the guy actually is a common working fellow. He still looks like an actor in the ad. I’m not sure what is confusing you here. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413/60 "2008-09-05T19:10:03Z")
> [@Hodge](#): > > This is my fundamental problem with Harper. I agree that he’s a brilliant tactician but I find his tactics deplorable. I must admit assertions like this puzzle me. I’ll freely admit he’s a much better tactician than Dion, but Jean Chretien would have run rings around him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-its-beginning-to-look-like-an-election/461413.md?page=4)