Canada General Discussion

[RogueBeaver]

LOL @ Kinsella's delusions. Coderre isn't feared, he's just a loudmouth and a first-rate asshole.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/10/grits-off-to-a-positive-start-in-new-year

[RogueBeaver]

Also: Coderre the best-known Liberal in Quebec? I'd say he's one of the lesser-known Pelciquistes alongside Paccetti and Scarpaleggia. The other 4 are household names nationwide.

[RogueBeaver]

I'd rank name ID as follows: Trudeau, Dion, Cotler, Garneau.

[RogueBeaver]

I hate when our backbenchers bring up social issues. If you're going to bring one up, at least bring up capital punishment where there's substantial support.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/mps-have-duty-to-debate-rights-of-unborn-backbench-tory-argues/article2299369/


Ontarians would beg to disagree.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/rae-rallies-liberals-with-effervescent-defence-of-his-ndp-record/article2299163/

[RogueBeaver]

So put Garneau in third and the last depends on whether you're Franco or Anglo. I've never heard any Anglo I know, even the most political ones, mention Coderre.

[RogueBeaver]

No kidding. At QP he always bellows at the top of his lungs with feigned outrage- textbook definition of a blowhard. The only Liberal I dislike more is Hedy Fry, which I don't think requires explanation. Another Grit I intensely dislike is Kirsty Duncan. Other than that, I'm either meh, OK with or like the rest of their caucus.

[RogueBeaver]

There are a number of fat white francos with bad haircuts in the Liberal Party, and every single one of them need to go.

Besides Coderre, who? LeBland?

[RogueBeaver]

OK, but the first 2 haven't been around for years and Belanger is a nonentity within caucus.

[RogueBeaver]

Excellent. Now we can see results from the get-go rather than losing so much fun.

[RogueBeaver]

CBC liveblog of the Grit convention. Fun won't be till Sunday when the new president is elected.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/inside-politics-blog/2012/01/liveblogging-the-2012-liberal-convention-lpc12.html

[RogueBeaver]

Causes of Grit decline in Quebec: leadership, lack of clear policy, Adscam. Two are now fixed, the last can only heal with time.

http://www.lactualite.com/politique/les-nouveaux-habits-du-plc

[RogueBeaver]

Oh come on... admit seeing *President* Copps giving an acceptance speech will be amusing. Plus I want to see what The Architect (Brison) has to say.

[RogueBeaver]

Apart from some mild exaggeration on Quebec, I agree almost entirely with Trudeau's diagnosis. They will need at least Martin's 21 seats if they ever hope to form government again.

http://www.cjad.com/blog/AaronRandShow/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10335368

[RogueBeaver]

That would require a constitutional amendment, so in practice the PR resolution means little. As for pot... rest assured we'll milk that to the last drop if Brison doesn't persuade Rae to veto it.

[RogueBeaver]

Charest wants a healthcare rebate.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/charest-demands-debate-on-unacceptable-federal-health-deal/article2304097/

Fletcher's temporarily on leave.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1116264--junior-transport-minister-steven-fletcher-takes-leave-for-medical-reasons

[RogueBeaver]

PM rejects health innovation fund. Sheesh, these people get a longer leash and they complain. Then again, premiers always act that way no matter the party/PM in power.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/01/16/pol-premiers-monday.html

[RogueBeaver]

Your opinions? I think the Grits aren't assured of recovery, but for now are on the path.

http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/340364/un-parti-en-remission

[RogueBeaver]

Am I the only one who considers this whole floor-crossing a tempest in a teapot?

[RogueBeaver]

The Dipper MP for Nunavut defected to the Grits in the early '80s. Though given that the Grits were then led by a social democrat, not a huge difference.

[RogueBeaver]

PM's interview w/Mansbridge.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/01/17/pol-harper-iran.html


Any bets as to who wins this one?

http://www.hilltimes.com/feature/politics/2012/01/17/the-fighter-starring-liberal-mp-trudeau-and-tory-senator-brazeau/29320

[RogueBeaver]

Paul Wells promoted to Maclean's political editor. As a longtime subscriber I welcome the move...

http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/01/17/political-editor/

[RogueBeaver]

Talk about overkill. Sheesh, you'd think one of the vedettes defected from all this hysteria.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/ndp-hits-back-at-quebec-defector-with-robo-calls-online-petition/article2305862/

[RogueBeaver]

The '90s NDP was in decline for a reason, but the NDP Layton built is presumably free from that sort of dogmatism. You can still see that thing among PQ orthodoxes, who threw out every PQ leader except Parizeau for failing their purity test.

Grits aren't that dogmatic given their history as a brokerage party, but they also have their quirks. Especially the incredibly irksome "evidence-based" line. It's choir-preaching which doesn't do a thing to recapture Tim Hortons voters, even from people who know better like Rae, Dosanjh and Trudeau.

[RogueBeaver]

Don't bitch, fight back. We can take a few media punches.

http://www.hilltimes.com/news/politics/2012/01/17/third-party-advertising-spending-should-be-restricted-between-elections/29321
 

[RogueBeaver]

No bets on the prizefight?