# 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:** 52
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1021 "2011-05-03T05:00:57Z")
Follow-up to my post above … when I stop looking for reportage of the Examiner’s “Harper campaigned on election day” incident in mainstream media, I do find much in what seem to be agenda-driven blogs: such sites as “democraticunderground” and “pushedleft.blogspot” and “fucorporatemedia” are reporting it. However, many of them cite the Examiner item and copy it wor-for-word. Interestingly, the radio log I linked to above does say that “Stephen Harper also made a statement last night on the death of Bin Laden but was careful not to turn it into a partisan campaign speech as it is Election Day today.” They then list the guests that discussed the election: a UBC professor and a Conservative strategist. However, again, it does not seem that Harper was a call-in guest. I’m tempted to believe that the incident never occurred, and it was simply invented out of whole cloth by the Examiner writer. But I’ll keep an open mind for now, and if I find anything in the mainstream media, I’ll post it. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1022 "2011-05-03T05:12:03Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > - The Liberals are now an eastern regional party - they only managed to pick up two seats west of Ontario. Small correction: Four. ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1023 "2011-05-03T05:14:08Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > - The Conservatives used to be a western regional party, and generally only managed to sneak into power if they picked up enough votes in Ontario. They were also more rural. But in this election, the Conservatives have widespread support across Canada, except in Quebec. They also won a lot of the big cities. The wave of blue across southern Ontario drove this Conservative majority. The Left is going to have a lot of Reform-style discussions about vote splitting coming soon. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > - The Liberals are now an eastern regional party - they only managed to pick up two seats west of Ontario. Currently 3 - Ralph Goodale plus two in Vancouver. But you can’t be surprised. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > - The NDP are now heavily beholden to Quebec politics. The bloc basically folded into the NDP. In addition, they elected a lot of fringe candidates with questionable resumes and no political experience, making for a potentially raucus and undisciplined back bench. I think the NDP is going to be very interesting to watch. They’re either going to move hard left, in which case they will lose a lot of the support gained tonight, or Layton is going to be herding cats for the next four years. A lot of the new NDP members are community activists or labor leaders, and I don’t think there’s much tolerance for either group among Canadians in general. Thankfully they’re not forming the government, Bob Rae style. This will give them time to find the good apples, marginalize the bad ones, and prepare real candidates for next election. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The liberals screwed the pooch by moving to the left. What they should have done is emphasized that they cut spending and balanced the budget and that they were the ‘safe’ economic stewards of Canada. Instead, they tried to chase Layton by becoming ‘NDP Lite’, and it destroyed them. Well, that and their weak leader. This election was a choice between no fiscal restraint, or almost no fiscal restraint combined with no concern for Canadian democracy and freedoms. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The Conservatives had better not blow this. If they take this for some big mandate to enact sweeping social change, or they become the next Mulroney government and turn into low-tax, big spending deficit monsters, their support will evaporate fast. Wait, what? They’re _already_ low-tax, big spending deficit monsters. You think that’ll change now? > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > But Layton’s got the toughest job. Somehow he has to make the NDP appealing to the rest of Canada while maintaining his core constituency of Quebec. That’s not going to be easy. It’ll be nice to have a charismatic, in-your-face kind of leader to go up against Harper, though. It’ll be good for Canadians, too - I think we’re going to get more political clarity than we’ve had for some time. Layton will force the debate. I agree, this part is good. I would have preferred him to be facing another Conservative minority. These twenty unexpected Conservative seats surprised me significantly. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The biggest danger for center-left Canadians (the Liberal’s constituency) is that the Liberals continue to melt down, and Canada winds up with two parties - one hard left, and the other center-right. That would push the center-left towards the Conservatives and make them the new ‘natural governing party’ of Canada - the role the liberals enjoyed when the Conservatives went too far to the right with the Alliance. The NDP aren’t really hard left, you know. And neither are Canadians, or they’d be voting for the Communists. I’ll wait and see if the Tories can still be considered center-right in a year. ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1024 "2011-05-03T05:15:08Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Not bad. I think I got the best prediction. I think Stephen Harper’s advisors won that one. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1025 "2011-05-03T05:20:27Z")
Okay, I was able to get confirmation for the Examiner’s claim from the Vancouver Province. Looks like it actually did occur: [cite](http://www.theprovince.com/news/decision-canada/Harper%2Baccused%2Bbreaking%2Belection%2BVancouver%2Bradio%2Bshow/4713842/story.html) from the Province. The Province, however, stops short of reporting that Harper broke a law; but rather, that “An encouragement to vote for the Conservative party during an appearance on a Vancouver radio station has **some saying** Stephen Harper broke Canadian law by campaigning on election day.” Emphasis added. The Province then goes on to debunk the claim that Harper campaigned, using the same legislation and logic that **Northern Piper** did: briefly, according to s. 319 of the Elections Act, campaigning does not include an interview. ---
**Author:** ![tingbudong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tingbudong/32/520_2.png) [@tingbudong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tingbudong)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1026 "2011-05-03T05:28:32Z")
Any word on voter turnout figures? ---
**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:** [May 3, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1027 "2011-05-03T05:30:02Z")
We saw 61% general turnout. Not bad. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2011, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1028 "2011-05-03T05:31:20Z")
> [@CurlyBrow](#): > > Yay, Harper in with a majority! > > Good job as always Canada. > > I look forward to Harper continuing to circumvent real issues (hello equality and civil rights) and fuck over everybody who doesn’t reside in Alberta. > > 27/28, glad to know some things never change; like inbreeding. > Bah! I’m completely bummed out, time to go cover my despair in queso and pass out. Well, at least you’re keeping an open mind. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1029 "2011-05-03T05:34:43Z")
I am so freakin’ depressed about a Harper majority. I am cautiously hopeful about the strength of the NDP. I am astonished at how poorly the Liberals did. I guess I need to become more involved and vocal every time the Harper government does something I disagree with. I imagine that will be often. I vow to make my voice heard while he is in power, instead of just thinking about it, and toddling off to vote when an election is called. I need to do more than vote. ---
**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:** [May 3, 2011, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1030 "2011-05-03T05:38:22Z")
So here’s a question. Ignatieff hasn’t stepped down, but he doesn’t have a seat. How long does that last? ---
**Author:** ![CurlyBrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@CurlyBrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurlyBrow)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1031 "2011-05-03T05:39:17Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Well, at least you’re keeping an open mind. 🙂 heh, I try. =p In all seriousness though, The thought of a reform-conservative majority government in Canada for the next 4 years is nothing short of terrifying. Freeze me in carbonite and wake me when it’s 2015. I don’t wanna live through this nightmare. =P ---
**Author:** ![tingbudong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tingbudong/32/520_2.png) [@tingbudong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tingbudong)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1032 "2011-05-03T05:47:24Z")
The center was totally vacated. I’m worried about that and feel a bit like an orphan. ---
**Author:** ![CurlyBrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@CurlyBrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurlyBrow)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1033 "2011-05-03T05:56:14Z")
> [@Savannah](#): > > I am so freakin’ depressed about a Harper majority. > > I am cautiously hopeful about the strength of the NDP. > > I am astonished at how poorly the Liberals did. > > I guess I need to become more involved and vocal every time the Harper government does something I disagree with. I imagine that will be often. > > I vow to make my voice heard while he is in power, instead of just thinking about it, and toddling off to vote when an election is called. I need to do more than vote. Spoken like a true Canadian! I implore you to take up a stance on something you are adamant about, as there is utterly no shortage of things the Harper government is jeopardising. Really, now is the time for everyone who didn’t vote Harper to make their voices more audible. Otherwise you might as well get down on your knees and start praying to the new Christian nationalist dictatorship we are about to be transformed into. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1034 "2011-05-03T05:59:35Z")
> [@CurlyBrow](#): > > In all seriousness though, The thought of a reform-conservative majority government in Canada for the next 4 years is nothing short of terrifying. Terrifying? You do know you live in Canada, right?:rolleyes: Land of the boring, home of the inane. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1035 "2011-05-03T06:01:21Z")
> [@CurlyBrow](#): > > Spoken like a true Canadian! I implore you to take up a stance on something you are adamant about, as there is utterly no shortage of things the Harper government is jeopardising. > Really, now is the time for everyone who didn’t vote Harper to make their voices more audible. Otherwise you might as well get down on your knees and start praying to the new Christian nationalist dictatorship we are about to be transformed into. Sheesh, talk about a parody being indistinguishable from the real thing. 10 points either way, well done sir. ---
**Author:** ![Baffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@Baffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baffle)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1036 "2011-05-03T06:04:15Z")
> [@tingbudong](#): > > The center was totally vacated. I’m worried about that and feel a bit like an orphan. Can’t we have a Conservative party that actually cares about improving the lot of common people and families? One that can be relied upon to support our rights when we find ourselves up against major corporations? One that supports common rights towards intellectual property, promotes universal access to education and the internet, and seriously tries to conserve our democratic ideals and freedom of expression? I’d vote for that party in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![CurlyBrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@CurlyBrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurlyBrow)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1037 "2011-05-03T06:07:28Z")
> [@Shmendrik](#): > > Sheesh, talk about a parody being indistinguishable from the real thing. 10 points either way, well done sir. Any sufficiently accurate parody is indistinguishable from the real thing. ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1038 "2011-05-03T06:18:45Z")
> [@CurlyBrow](#): > > Any sufficiently accurate parody is indistinguishable from the real thing. As I understand it, that’s only true of certain things which you can’t possibly parody by being too over the top. Originally stated in reference to religious fundamentalism, it appears to be equally true of political partisanship. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2011, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1039 "2011-05-03T06:22:53Z")
> [@Baffle](#): > > Can’t we have a Conservative party that actually cares about improving the lot of common people and families? By having a healthy economy that ensures the improvement of ‘common people and families’. > [@](#): > > One that can be relied upon to support our rights when we find ourselves up against major corporations? When are you up against major corporations? They are run by people, too. But it is why we also have laws. > [@](#): > > One that supports common rights towards intellectual property, Usually it is major companies that sue the ‘common man’ for downloading stuff they didn’t pay for. What is it? For intellectual property or against your ‘rights’? > [@](#): > > promotes universal access to education and the internet, You have essentially free education up until you graduate high school and heavily subsidized education after that. A healthy economy allows you to pay for the internet. Or are you suggesting that we also subsidize computer purchases because one without the other is pretty meaniingless? > [@](#): > > and seriously tries to conserve our democratic ideals and freedom of expression? You can beak off all you want right here. No one is stopping you other than the ‘facist’ moderators. I’m not sure what you mean otherwise, or why it will change now. > [@](#): > > I’d vote for that party in a heartbeat. So you did vote Conservative then? ---
**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:** [May 3, 2011, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419/1040 "2011-05-03T06:44:34Z")
> [@tingbudong](#): > > The center was totally vacated. I’m worried about that and feel a bit like an orphan. Me too. If there isn’t a Liberal resurgence, well… I dunno. It will be bad for Canada, anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419.md?page=51) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-canadian-election-thread-or-maybe-not/575419.md?page=53)