Today Canada is in the process of electing (by all poll indications) the first Conservative government in over 12 years. I elect not to talk about politics too much on this blog (see what I did there?) but it’s no secret whom I’d be voting for were I still living within the borders of the Great White North. There’s a special place in my imagined hell for Carolyn Parrish, Paul Martin and the rest of the thoughtless backhanded critics who’ve been tarnishing relations left and right. And by thoughtless, I of course simply mean I want to see them all die in a hotel fire.
That having been said, I’m probably whistling Dixie here (or maybe whistling Dundas) because none of my American readers know the first friggin’ thing about Canadian politics anyway – and this is one of the reasons I like Stephen Harper so much. He loves him 
some Yanks, and all the embarrasing anti-American commentary coming out of Parliament for the last decade is hopefully at an end. I am an Ameridan and I cannot vote in either country at the present time. I want the kids to play nice, as I’m torn between them like a gay cowboy with kids. The only thing most Americans can tell you about Canada as of late are the ridiculous statements they’ve heard from her pinkish politicians. And that they never lock their doors and have all been taught to stalk and kill polar bears with whalebone hunting knives.
Most Yanks, bless them, will also be able to tell you that Canada is up North somewhere and there are apparently lots of fish, trees and French people. Listen, my fellow (sorta) Americans – stop wondering whether or not you’re going to see a sasquatch the next time you visit downtown Toronto, and read up on what’s happening there today. It’s about to get very interesting for the first time in painfully polite ages.
You win Dave, the Reform party from Alberta was elected. I’m sure Peter Avgoustis is pretty happy… my riding (St.Paul’s) one of the most populous in the country voted Liberal. I voted Liberal because aside from the fact that many of the economic polices in the Reform platform look like they were drawn up by a highschool economics class I couldn’t in good conscience condone the calling of an early election for no good reason… these fucking things cost alot of money.
ahmen jv.
Why call an election against a party that has provided Canadians with:
The best economy in decades.
The lowest unemployment rate in decades.
The best dollar in decades.
There is no disputing these facts.
I think the conservatives and the NDP should be made to pony up with the cash that this election cost tax payers.
On the other hand, I’m proud that CANADIANS stood up and did not vote in a party they believed to be corrupt.
Hats off to the conservatives for confusing the voters as to who the corruption belonged to. Too bad the U.S. Democrats failed to do the same.
I’m going to wait and see what Harper does with this minority government until I start shooting my mouth off. I believe the proof will be in the softwood lumber pooding. There is where we will see how stiff Harper’s back bone is.
I have a feeling we’ll be having this discussion again in another 18 months.
Yup, another election within 2 years is definitely going to happen. What Art say is totally true – under the Liberals Canada has transformed its economy into the leading G7 country in terms of growth (and this at the same time our leading trading partner’s economy has floundered). However, people forget these types of facts and all they think about is that it is time for a change. Yes, it’s easy to say the Liberals were “corrupt” with scandal, but in real terms the money involved in that whole affair was insignificant in relation to the national budget (not that excuses such behavior). But let’s face it, any government that’s in power for 12-13 years is going to have its fair share of scandals (can anyone say Mulroney?). The unfortunate truth is that Paul Martin is not a great politician (let’s not confuse that with bureaucrat because he was a great Finance Minister) and he lacked the ability to strike any blows against his opponent. Promising to eliminate the Notwithstanding Clause in the Constitution was idiotic as much as playing “holier than thou” with the States in regards to the Kyoto Accord. It is fortunate that the Conservatives only achieved a minority because some of their more “radical” policies won’t see the light or day. However, I am for spending more on our military (the Liberals were going to do this too and if you compare platforms the amount of money slated for the Armed Forces is about the same) because it is a joke and I want tougher action on gun crimes. The Conservative plan to reduce the GST is a bad idea because you have to spend in order to “save” and I would much rather have a reduction in my income taxes. Anyway, I am not going to condemn the Conservatives at this point until I see what they do. Although word on the street is that old wooden Harper hopes to be a real boy one day – let’s just watch and see how long his nose grows.
Some serious and measured responses, my Liberal friends. I am glad this didn’t turn into a monkey shit fight at the zoo.
Pye, I know you’re no fan of the CBC, but this story confirms that most of the people who voted Conservative (a whopping 54% of their support) did so merely because they thought it was time for a change.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canadavotes2006/national/2006/01/24/vote-poll060124.html
I read that today, and I’ll take it. I don’t pretend to have my finger on the pulse – which is why I based my comments almost solely on how I feel about relations between the two countries.
Let’s see what happens, and keep a very open mind.
And special credit to Art for the “Ameridan” graphic – because that’s a Green original!