Canada General Discussion

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Of course, this is all kid stuff compared to a GE, especially the leaders' debates.

Yes, that's certainly a point at which he could collapse rather messily. But caution! Excessive aggression would certainly backfire in that situation.

[RogueBeaver]

Same here.

In other news, Donnelly and Julian are still considering the provincial leadership. Donnelly sounds more open than Julian. Any Dippers think one or both would run?

[RogueBeaver]

Of course, this is all kid stuff compared to a GE, especially the leaders' debates.

Yes, that's certainly a point at which he could collapse rather messily. But caution! Excessive aggression would certainly backfire in that situation.

True. I'd think they'd hope he visibly stumbles and then pounce, as has happened in past debates, rather than aggressively trying to force an opportunity as often occurs in the House. Debate format isn't that friendly to freelancing, plus most of the time they prefer talking to the camera rather than each other. Especially Harper.

[DC Al Fine]

Chinese vote is as good as gone for the Liberals, I think. I can't see them being within his coalition.

Trudeau sounds weirdly like the GOP; intent on pissing off the fastest growing blocs of voters in the country

[RogueBeaver]

Which aren't Liberal, as posited in The Big Shift.

Here's an article on how Quebec abolished its LegCo: guaranteeing the 24 their salary for life. Due to life tenure you had many dinosaurs in there in '68, including some from the Taschereau era. And some younger dinosaurs, like Asselin, who was the UN's chief organizer for many years.

[Lincoln Republican]

It is. Chinese and Tibetan community groups are demanding apologies and it's been roiling through the media since Thursday. Then he's calling journalists "breathtakingly cynical" on Twitter for daring to treat Palinesque foreign policy gaffes as, well, Palinesque foreign policy gaffes. Usually pissy self-righteousness we saw with the separatist thing last year. Then Bob Fife said on QP this morning that Trudeau's been complaining to journalists that they're being too critical. ("Chutzpah" is putting it extremely mildly) That's without discussing the family history on certain authoritarian regimes (PRC, Cuba, Vichy, Iran).

You mean the same Chinese dictatorship that sent in tanks to run over young people in Tiananmen Square?   

Oh my!

[RogueBeaver]

This monthly Hill Times Tory leadership piece that includes people who'll never run is getting old.

[DC Al Fine]

This monthly Hill Times Tory leadership piece that includes people who'll never run is getting old.

Bernard Lord? Really? He might've been a good candidate in the last leadership race but not now

[Foucaulf]

I'm not convinced the Trudeau China comments are that damaging. It hasn't spread through the Chinese language press yet, and the ones who take offense are "political expatriates," so to speak. The greater portion of Chinese immigrants are middle-income, white collar people, who are enravelled by consumption tax cuts and the like. It's an absurd comment, but he is targeting the youth demographic more anyway.

That leads into a remark on the conservatism of immigrants. Older ones, well sheltered in Canadian suburbs, are more protected these days from value shifts than if they stayed in their rapidly developing home countries. But my experience shows youth, even first generation ones, integrate very quickly. They have their own quirks, but they have a progressive and liberal worldview and Trudeau is playing into that.

[RogueBeaver]

Laureen Harper interview.

Also, Supreme Court Senate case starts tomorrow. Here's an excellent primer.

[RogueBeaver]

DC: Yeah. Any list for the next round that goes beyond Kenney/Moore/Bernier/Prentice, perhaps MacKay, is trash IMO.

Foucaulf: I doubt said progressive youth would have much time for it either.

Here's an excellent HuffPo article on Trudeau and the youth vote. One big weakness: he neglects to mention that the youngest voters would probably be Dipper for ideological reasons. That's been my experience anyways. Brokered, Chretienite centre-leftism is not exactly their cup of tea.

I mostly agree with Coyne here.

[Hatman 🍁]

Same here.

In other news, Donnelly and Julian are still considering the provincial leadership. Donnelly sounds more open than Julian. Any Dippers think one or both would run?

I used to work for Peter Julian. He may be too left wing for the role, but he's got good credentials. He's bilingual, for one (but, so was Dix)- even though it's totally unnecessary for the job. Actually, I think he's trilingual, as he knows sign language too. And when I was working in his office (6 years ago), he was also learning Mandarin.

[NewYorkExpress]

More Rob Ford...

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/11/11/rob-ford-bobbleheads-set-to-go-on-sale-to-support-united-way/

His bobblehead doll sold out in just a few hours!!!

[RogueBeaver]

Council passed a near-unanimous motion asking Ford to take a leave, which he refused.

Also, PLQ, as awful as the charter is let's stay away from Godwinning.

Good news: 3.7 billion surplus in 2015. Plus the usual gift-giving.

[RogueBeaver]

Ouch, ouch. If entirely true.

[DC Al Fine]

1) No you need to apply to immigrate. We have a points system based on your languages, education, work experience etc.

2) You have to have lived in Canada at least 3 of the past 4 years when you apply, speak English and/or French, and have a clean criminal background. There's also a citizenship test like in the States.

3) You'd have to get a Health Card and Social Insurance Number. Those put you in our healthcare, and tax/pension systems. They're pretty easy to get. Our new minister is American and it took him about 2 hours from start to finish to get them.

4) If you've had an American license for 2+ years, they'll give you a Canadian one without a test.

[RogueBeaver]

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Barry Devolin (C-ON) will retire in 2015.

[MaxQue]

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Barry Devolin (C-ON) will retire in 2015.

Surprising. He is only 50 and Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole, which is like being 2nd deputy Speaker.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

At least Canada has only 1 member for Halliburton.

[DC Al Fine]

Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MP Barry Devolin (C-ON) will retire in 2015.

Should be safe. It was one of the more egregious examples of conservative vote splitting in the Chretien years.

[Hatman 🍁]

Safe, unless John Tory runs

[DC Al Fine]

Safe, unless John Tory runs

I thought I had scrubbed my brain of all memories of that guy.

[Hatman 🍁]

Speaking of John Tory, even he could beat Rob Ford at this point (new poll, this time not by Forum Research): http://www.newstalk1010.com/news/2013/11/14/new-poll-rob-ford-would-lose-to-tory-stintz-chow

[Tender Branson]

"I've never said that in my life to her. I would never do that. I'm happily married. I've got more than enough to eat at home. Thank you very much."

-- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, in a statement, on allegations he told a staffer he wanted to "eat her pussy."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/11/14/quote_of_the_year.html

LOL.

[Yank2133]

Yeah, that might be the quote of the year.