Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

[Garland Best]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

The Conservatives aren't really the party of William Davis any longer. (Or Robert Stanfield, or Joe Clark federally).

I'm beginning to wish for even the party of Mike Harris. At least when he stabbed you, it was in the front, after telling you he was going to do it.

[Bob Armstrong]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Joe Clark did waffle on where to put the Canadian embassy in Israel - just to keep votes - but overall, he was a fairly principled guy with integrity - even if I didn't agree with his principles.

Hi Jeffrey:

I agree with you. Though at that time, too, an NDP supporter, I was over-all quite impressed with Joe Who's integrity (he was quite lacking in political skills I'm afraid - note the vote of confidence he lost!). I understand he was recently interviewed somewhere in the media as an "elder statesman" and came across as charming, thoughtful and honest (don't remember where that was).

Bob A

[Jeff Verman]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Subscribers aren't the main consideration for a newspaper. They need the advertising revenue. Who do you suppose provides most of that? The right wingers or the left wingers.

They also have Harlequin books so are no strangers to fiction and Metroland community newspaper which seem to be doing well. They cut the delivery on that to 2 days a week in this area from 3 days but it's loaded with advertising.

Do you subscribe to The Toronto Star or simply read the part they show online?

I subscribe to the Star and read most of it online. Being a basketball fan, I enjoy the sports coverage.

[Jeff Verman]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

At least Hudak's about-face isn't hitting my wallet. The Liberal's about face-cost us hundreds of millions, if not billions. I still don't understand why charges haven't been laid.

Actually, Hudak's former position was there was a big cost to the status quo. Guessing he's reversed this opinion then.

[Jeff Verman]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Not being the party of Joe Clark is not something that I see as a negative. Hudak reminds me of Joe Clark at least in the way he operates, not necessarily in his political convictions.

To borrow an old NDP slogan we really need to do something about all of those corporate welfare bums. Hudak seems to be addressing the issue but I fear this will backfire on him because of his typical ham fisted approach. Backing away from right to work legislation at this point seems to me to be a moment of sanity as it is unnecessary and divisive in an environment where unions are clearly in retreat.

Joe Clark did waffle on where to put the Canadian embassy in Israel - just to keep votes - but overall, he was a fairly principled guy with integrity - even if I didn't agree with his principles.

[Jeff Verman]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Well the Conservatives had the Ontario government from 1943 to 1985. During that time there was the Diefenbaker conservatives and the Clark conservatives and I remember both of them.

Things are changing on the federal scene. Quebec isn't the force they used to be. When more ridings are added they tend to be mostly in Ontario, Alberta and BC. Quebec, due to their lack of population growth, is becoming a smaller influence.

Diefenbaker goes back to before my time (thankfully), but Clark - Prime Minister from 1979-1979 is indeed about the only real exception. I could point out William Davis lost his majority around then and held a minority govt. But it was an exception - for 9 months.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Actually, I think the Star has done a better job without the mayor talking to them. The mayor's continuous inability to answer honestly or civilly or intelligently means reporting is best done without his opinions.

Subscribers aren't the main consideration for a newspaper. They need the advertising revenue. Who do you suppose provides most of that? The right wingers or the left wingers.

They also have Harlequin books so are no strangers to fiction and Metroland community newspaper which seem to be doing well. They cut the delivery on that to 2 days a week in this area from 3 days but it's loaded with advertising.

Do you subscribe to The Toronto Star or simply read the part they show online?

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

Anything is possible - I agree. But historically, provincial change has come with federal change, for about as long as I've been alive. That was really my first and only point.

Well the Conservatives had the Ontario government from 1943 to 1985. During that time there was the Diefenbaker conservatives and the Clark conservatives and I remember both of them.

Things are changing on the federal scene. Quebec isn't the force they used to be. When more ridings are added they tend to be mostly in Ontario, Alberta and BC. Quebec, due to their lack of population growth, is becoming a smaller influence.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: NDP - Next Ont. Provincial Govt?

I think the NDP could form the next Ontario provincial government but don't rule out the PC's. The NDP could merely split the vote in many riding so the PC's win but the NDP should pick up ridings they don't currently hold.

The liberal vote would have to pretty much collapse for Horvath to get a majority. It could happen.

[Jeff Verman]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

I don't pay much attention to the Toronto Star. The Torstar shares on the TSX have dropped from over $10. a share to the current state of barely holding $5. a share. I'm a shareholder, but at a bit higher than the current price. I don't subscribe to the newspaper but they called and offered my wife some cut rate deal she took. They sent me the bill because the paper I cancelled was in my name.

I suppose it's hard to write on Toronto Politics when the Mayor won't talk to them.

Actually, I think the Star has done a better job without the mayor talking to them. The mayor's continuous inability to answer honestly or civilly or intelligently means reporting is best done without his opinions.

[Jeff Verman]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

The provincial liberals have some problems in Ontario. They're about tied with the Bubonic plague for popularity in Northern Ontario. Maybe one riding which would be a loss of 3. The 416 looks like it should about hold. The 905 they might have problems in 8 or 9 ridings. In Eastern Ontario they could lose as many as 4. I don't think they will win Peterborough which is a bell weather riding.

Horvath could easily be Premier in a minority government if she doesn't keep propping up the Liberals.

I like Fords chances of winning better than Wynne's governments chances of winning. I don't underestimate a populist.

Anything is possible - I agree. But historically, provincial change has come with federal change, for about as long as I've been alive. That was really my first and only point.

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

http://www.thestar.com/news/city_hal..._drug_use.html

This just never ends........

I don't pay much attention to the Toronto Star. The Torstar shares on the TSX have dropped from over $10. a share to the current state of barely holding $5. a share. I'm a shareholder, but at a bit higher than the current price. I don't subscribe to the newspaper but they called and offered my wife some cut rate deal she took. They sent me the bill because the paper I cancelled was in my name.

I suppose it's hard to write on Toronto Politics when the Mayor won't talk to them.

[Bob Armstrong]

NDP - Next Ont. Provincial Govt?

It's little wonder her [Lib Premier Wynne} voters are heading for the [Ontario] NDP.

Remember, Gary called it for the next Ontario Provincial Govt.!

Bob A (NDP Supporter)

[Gary Ruben]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

The Mississauga gas plant issue is a huge one for the Liberals in Ontario to deal with. It may yet kill them. EHealth, ORNGE too. But the Liberals changing plans on the gas plant just to curry for vote (at huge cost to us) I'd oppose. But Hudak is doing the same thing with the right to work agenda. He believes in it - recently kicked someone out of caucus who opposed it. And now has done an about face, because it just dawned on him it will cost him a lot of votes. In both cases, about-faces were do to votes, and not principle.

The Conservatives aren't really the party of William Davis any longer. (Or Robert Stanfield, or Joe Clark federally).

The provincial liberals have some problems in Ontario. They're about tied with the Bubonic plague for popularity in Northern Ontario. Maybe one riding which would be a loss of 3. The 416 looks like it should about hold. The 905 they might have problems in 8 or 9 ridings. In Eastern Ontario they could lose as many as 4. I don't think they will win Peterborough which is a bell weather riding.

Horvath could easily be Premier in a minority government if she doesn't keep propping up the Liberals.

I like Fords chances of winning better than Wynne's governments chances of winning. I don't underestimate a populist.

[Vlad Drkulec]

Re: Canada - Next Federal Gov't?

The Mississauga gas plant issue is a huge one for the Liberals in Ontario to deal with. It may yet kill them. EHealth, ORNGE too. But the Liberals changing plans on the gas plant just to curry for vote (at huge cost to us) I'd oppose. But Hudak is doing the same thing with the right to work agenda. He believes in it - recently kicked someone out of caucus who opposed it. And now has done an about face, because it just dawned on him it will cost him a lot of votes. In both cases, about-faces were do to votes, and not principle.

The Conservatives aren't really the party of William Davis any longer. (Or Robert Stanfield, or Joe Clark federally).

Not being the party of Joe Clark is not something that I see as a negative. Hudak reminds me of Joe Clark at least in the way he operates, not necessarily in his political convictions.

To borrow an old NDP slogan we really need to do something about all of those corporate welfare bums. Hudak seems to be addressing the issue but I fear this will backfire on him because of his typical ham fisted approach. Backing away from right to work legislation at this point seems to me to be a moment of sanity as it is unnecessary and divisive in an environment where unions are clearly in retreat.