# The Canadian Election Thread. (Or maybe not...) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 21, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419 "2011-03-21T00:51:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/421 "2011-04-13T02:02:56Z")
If there were any justice, the debate tomorrow would not be translated in to English. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/422 "2011-04-13T02:03:07Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I was wondering why Premier Stelmach wasn’t there to represent Alberta’s interests like Duceppe was. As much as I disagree with the BQ, they are, in fact, a federal political party with representation in Parliament, and Mr. Duceppe is the leader of that party. Can Premier Stelmach say the same? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/423 "2011-04-13T02:04:54Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > If there were any justice, the debate tomorrow would not be translated in to English. Was tonight’s not translated into French? ---
**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:** [April 13, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/424 "2011-04-13T02:09:15Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Layton did debate extremely well. His problem is that most Canadian don’t agree with the views of his party, and given that, he argued those views with vigor and enthusiasm. > > While he may not have gained the NDP seats (which, if so, will be the first time since he’s been leader), he didn’t lose any either. > > I saw something on the CBC (before I got cut off) about simultaneous translation into English of the next debate. That’s on the 15th? It appears he did indeed do well. I didn’t see it. I found him to be embarrassingly naive. So, I suppose that points to his disparate political views from mine. I tried to take off my blue coloured shades, but it really is hard to be objective. I trust we all fall for the same selection bias, whether or not we care to admit it. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/425 "2011-04-13T02:10:43Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > As much as I disagree with the BQ, they are, in fact, a federal political party with representation in Parliament, and Mr. Duceppe is the leader of that party. Can Premier Stelmach say the same? I was being facetious; I think it would be very interesting if we had another federal party that was as blatantly representative of one particular province as the Bloc (and no, the Conservatives are not representative of Alberta - you could argue that the Conservatives are more representative of all of Canada than any other party). ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/426 "2011-04-13T02:12:29Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Was tonight’s not translated into French? I assume it was and it shouldn’t have been. We are supposed to be bilingual after all. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/427 "2011-04-13T02:20:55Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > As much as I disagree with the BQ, they are, in fact, a federal political party with representation in Parliament, and Mr. Duceppe is the leader of that party. Can Premier Stelmach say the same? Thank you. > [@Frank](#): > > Was tonight’s not translated into French? I believe it was, on TVA, but I didn’t watch it to be sure. I missed most of it due to schoolwork, and so I can’t comment on the debate. I’m not even sure I’ll be able to watch the French one tomorrow - too much studying to do. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/428 "2011-04-13T02:24:01Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I used to say if they really want to go, let them go. Most Quebecers don’t want to go. But please don’t let that stop you - or others in this thread - tarring us with the same brush. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/429 "2011-04-13T02:29:23Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > We are supposed to be bilingual after all. Well, we’re not. Neither in Quebec nor Manitoba. What we are supposed to be is to be accepting, to make allowances, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/430 "2011-04-13T02:30:47Z")
First time watching the Canadian debates! Much like the American ones, except I actually cared. Anyway, I thought Layton came across as smarmy, the other three did fine, and there was nothing terribly decisive. CBC has been kind enough to provide a [fact-checking](http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/realitycheck/2011/04/fact-checking-the-leaders-debate.html) service on their website, of which I approve. I’m definitely warming up to Ignatieff —but of course, my Liberal bias doesn’t really help me. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/431 "2011-04-13T02:54:30Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > If there were any justice, the debate tomorrow would not be translated in to English. Why do you say that? I honestly don’t get your point of view. Are you saying we should not need it translated? ---
**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:** [April 13, 2011, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/432 "2011-04-13T03:00:17Z")
Both debates are translated both ways, are they not? ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/433 "2011-04-13T03:31:49Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Well, we’re not. Neither in Quebec nor Manitoba. What we are supposed to be is to be accepting, to make allowances, and so on. In New Brunswick, the province is officially bilingual. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/434 "2011-04-13T03:51:53Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > In New Brunswick, the province is officially bilingual. As should all provinces be. Regardless, that’s not a big deal to me. What is a big deal to me is that a French speaker in Calgary, and an English speaker in Gatineau should be able to receive identical government services in their language. Two official languages does not mean that all Canadians should be able to speak both; it means that whichever of those languages a Canadian speaks that they can receive local, provincial, or federal government services in the language they prefer. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/435 "2011-04-13T03:57:54Z")
But there is no \*requirement \*that any individual in any province - including New Brunswick - actually \*be \*bilingual. The province offers services in both languages, and both are taught in schools across the country (and yes, English is taught in Québec, just as French is taught in Manitoba or wherever). Not that this is news to anyone. ---
**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:** [April 13, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/436 "2011-04-13T04:00:42Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > Most Quebecers don’t want to go. But please don’t let that stop you - or others in this thread - tarring us with the same brush. :rolleyes: Most do not want to go, but at the moment 47 of 75 Quebec seats in the House of Commons are held by the Bloc, which most certainly does want to go, as is set out in it’s election platform: [http://www.blocquebecois.org/document.aspx?doc=84D7BA77-686E-4367-8063-DFBC477E0114](http://www.blocquebecois.org/document.aspx?doc=84D7BA77-686E-4367-8063-DFBC477E0114) (pdf download). ---
**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:** [April 13, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/437 "2011-04-13T04:18:26Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Most do not want to go, but at the moment 47 of 75 Quebec seats in the House of Commons are held by the Bloc, which most certainly does want to go, as is set out in it’s election platform: [http://www.blocquebecois.org/document.aspx?doc=84D7BA77-686E-4367-8063-DFBC477E0114](http://www.blocquebecois.org/document.aspx?doc=84D7BA77-686E-4367-8063-DFBC477E0114) (pdf download). That’s only in French. Is there an English version that I could read? ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/438 "2011-04-13T04:18:52Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > As should all provinces be. Regardless, that’s not a big deal to me. What is a big deal to me is that a French speaker in Calgary, and an **English speaker in Gatineau** should be able to receive identical government services in their language. > > Two official languages does not mean that all Canadians should be able to speak both; it means that whichever of those languages a Canadian speaks that they can receive local, provincial, or federal government services in the language they prefer. I would say that’s a bad example, since Gatineau is part of the National Capital Region, and is for all intents and purposes part of Ottawa, and has a fair number of Anglophones. Your point is taken, nevertheless. Outside of large urban areas, however, it’s simply not feasible. When I went to conduct business in Gracefield townhall in Quebec once, I had to use my grade 9 pigeon French; it’s simply not practical to mandate employees speak English for a population that’s 99% French. But in large metropolises? Sure, why not. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/439 "2011-04-13T04:22:38Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > “Officially” have no seats? The Green Party has no seats. Period. # Stupid question, perhaps, but I don’t have a whole lot of Canadian-centric news sources available: I thought the Greens won a seat somewhere improbable, e.g., Nunavut, last election. (NOT the Independent guy, an actual Green candidate winning a seat) For all of that, what exactly is Duceppe’s platform? My impression was that the Bloc were seeking Quebecois “nationhood” _as opposed to independence_ – something like what Catalonia has in Spain, or Scotland in the UK: a separate identity within Canada. Am I wrong on this? ---
**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:** [April 13, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/440 "2011-04-13T04:29:09Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I used to say if they really want to go, let them go. How long can they go being the spending black hole that they are? Quebec needs the rest of us, and we need them. I forgot to ask you about this - what do you think the rest of Canada needs Quebec for? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419.md?page=23)