Sophia

I'm very surprised there wasn't a thread about this already.

As most Canadians (should) know election day is January 23rd. There is plenty to consider as a result of the Liberal's little sponsorship scandal. The campaigning has been very aggressive and the Liberals and Conservatives have really been playing tug of war on opinion polls.

I'm not actually of age to vote yet but I think it's an important issue that Canadians of all ages should consider.

Discuss.

Heliosis

I'm not of age either. But I think if I was and Harper wasn't leading the Conservatives, I might vote for them...

But I don't really know enough to make a well educated decision.

broken_toy

would someone be able to outline the manifesto's of the parties?

all i know about the conservatives is that their leader is religious, and although he doesnt agree with the same-sex marrige bill, he will not remove it.
and has some pretty hot debates against abortion.

that the liberals took part in that big scandal, and aint doing so peachy.

to tell you the truth, if i was canadian, i wouldnt vote for the conservatives, and i wouldnt vote for the liberals. as for my canadian friend, i get the feeling he'lll vote Green.

Sophia

OK... here are some pretty general platforms.

General Platforms for the 5 Main Political Parties
Liberals
Leader: Paul Martin
Platform:
Increased social spending
Tax cuts
New and improved political responsibility (“We’re not Jean any more”)
Responsible government
Past record of fixing deficit spendi ng and building surpluses
Improved social contract (e.g. same-sex marriage)
Weaknesses:
Past record and association with corrupt administrations
Sponsorship scandal
Over-spending tax revenue
What they’re against:
Change for change’s sake

Conservatives
Leader: Stephen Harper
Platform:
We’re not the Liberals, so we’re a lot more responsible than they are
GST will be reduced from 7% to 6% right away and then eventually to 5%
Prudent and responsible financial management
“Choice for Children” split-income for stay-at-home parents to claim childcare expenses
Change is essential to build confidence in our nation, at home and abroad
Weaknesses:
Pro-business bias perceived by the public
Privatization is perceived as a threat
Perceived as intolerant
What they’re against:
Government inefficiency

New Democrats
Leader: Jack Layton
Platform:
Social programs:
Education, health care, (un)employment, transportation, disadvantaged people,
daycare, etc.
Pro-labor, pro-unions
Weaknesses:
Higher taxes
Big government
Perception of being anti -business
What they’re against:
Privatization

Green
Leader: Jim Harris
Platform:
Environmentalism
Public investment in conservation, ecological responsibility, recycling technology, etc.
Business accountability
Weaknesses:
Too much money required to implement social policies (e.g. 10 cents/litre surcharge on
gasoline)
Not enough of a perceived incentive to make these changes
Not enough range of platforms (i.e. tree-huggers only)
What they’re against:
Too much waste
Short-term “solutions” (which are not solutions at all and only defer the problems to
other people)

Bloc Québecois
Leader: Gilles Duceppe
Platform:
Quebec sovereignty (independence, association, cultural autonomy, distinct society,
self-sufficiency, separation)
Weaknesses:
No consideration of the consequences for sovereignty
What they’re against:
Quebec as a second-class society, disenfranchisement

Ammer

Well, considering that ape was just placed as Prime Minister, I guess this poll is rather invalid but still, it's nice to know who people like.

If I could vote (Voting next year), I'd vote for the Green Party. I fell in love with that party and I just can't believe they didn't win a single riding anywhere in Canada. Hopefully next election will go better!

I swear, Harper is going to send Canada right to Hell and than all the Canadians who voted for him will be complaining their asses off. I hope he does crappy changes to Canada to teach stupid voters a lesson.

kimboisnumber1

yeah, I'm not a big fan of harper either. But whatever, let people make their mistakes. At least its a minority government, so we've still got them on a leash.

I'm realy irked at some of the +eighteeners that said they were going to vote for 'some random'. I swear, some teenagers are more educated than adults. I really wish that they would lower the voting age to 16. I'm paying taxes to the government because I work, but yet, I have no say in where that money goes for two years?? makes no sense.

I really don't want my hard earned money going to the privatization of healthcare, or lowering the gst and screwing up our deffecit even more.

boo too this. (so would have voted ndp)

Sophia

I agree. However, I live in Alberta where a lamp post with a Tory sign around it could get elected. So fat chance.
I hope Harper does something stupid like decides to go to war in Iran on make gay marriage illegal again so we can have another lovely vote of non confidence.

Paul Martin resigned as Liberal leader. I know we usually vote liberal in my family, but went for the NDP this time around. The grits just need a good kick in the pants.

Minority= good.

Ammer

Don't I know what you mean, I was born in Calgary (Lived there for most of my life) until I moved to Toronto. But, it was pure Conservatives and as you said, anyone with affiliation with the Conservatives will be elected.

But at least they are minority, which you said was good. They can't really do any huge decisions without support from other party's.

As for voting wise, my dad voted for Green Party. After me parading their policies around my house and school, my dad voted for them. Although they didn't win a single riding (They did for a while but it changed quickly) at least it was a good vote. I will be voting Green until I actually approve of the other parties policies.

Physconails

Was anyone else near tears when watching the news last night? Sniff sniff

kimboisnumber1

yeah, I also heard paul martin was stepping down. Which may be beneficial -for the liberals, because I think they need a new (less tarnished by scandals) face.


Both my parents voted conservative despite my *erm* coaxing. The said they dont like conservatives, but they "wanted a change". Oh well, our riding went liberal anyways. We elected Mark Holland I believe.


So now I'd really like to see if we move ahead at all this year.. or next. I have the idea that the conservative gov't is going to just change back 12 years of liberal legislation. I doubt we're going to move ahead at all.

*is one unhappy canadian*