BS: Views from Canada

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 07:58 PM

His main stratigist, Butts (with Cape Breton rootss) headed upvan environmental group (WWF, I believe). I believe Butts and the second in command worked on Ontario Liberal campaigns. I am not aware of any big corporate contacts with them, but others may have them?

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 07:14 PM

What big corporations !

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: meself
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 06:13 PM

Trudeau has been smart enough to surround himself with very capable people. My fear is their connections with the various big corporations; it may be a challenge for Justin to keep them in line, to keep their fingers out of the cookie jar. We've already seen evidence of this issue ....

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 05:56 PM

Trudeau was up early today, shaking hands near the subway in his constituency-then off to Otttawa for a news conference. I detect he is genuine, full of energy and the back room old boys have not mired him down yet. He seemsvtonhave a goid team to help.

Some priorities he seemed to indicate include, First Nations issues (including missing or murdered women) , building bridges with Provinces (especially related to the environment, infrastructure and energy and tge economy), tax breaks for the middle class, the public service, including freeing up and listening to scientists, rebuildung the navy with savings from fighter jets and making links with partners like the USA. I detect he wishes to change Canada's role in the Middle East, away from active involvement to less training assistance.

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: GUEST,#
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 05:35 PM

I think you are right about much of that, Ed. Another dynamic that entered the picture was the tight campaign Trudeau ran. His campaign people were brilliant. I followed the election returns from the time the polls closed in Newfoundland/Labrador until they closed in BC. I had expected the Libs to beat the CPC, but not so drastically. I'd thought it would be about 157 Libs, 117 Cons, 60 or so NDP and a few each for Bloc and Green. I'd figured the battleground would be the GTA. But when the red 'wave' that started in Nfld/Labrador kept going through NB, NS and PEI, I realized it was a new ballgame. I did not expect the Libs to get 40 seats in PQ and 80 in Ontario; blew my mind. I was very happy to see Nunavut's Aglukkaq shot down by Tootoo. She was a cabinet minister who imo was useless as tits on a bull. We have exciting days ahead, and Trudeau's promise to change the first-past-the post system is very encouraging. BUT, he won't lead the next government if he doesn't address serious issues like Bill C-51, homelessness, poverty, indigenous people's issues, veteran's affairs, etc. The overthrow/gutting of the environmental protection of over two million lakes and rivers to 159 lakes and rivers is unconscionable. Trudeau has his work cut out for him, that's for sure. And so do Canadians. But at least now I feel like we're in this together as a country. Alberta is a sore spot, but it's difficult to change the habits of a lifetime. That'll happen though. We are a remarkably rich country in terms of our resources, but we need to have Canadian companies employing Canadian people. If we lack specific skills, then we can certainly teach/learn them here. Our greatest resource, one so often overlooked, is the Canadian people. We have some tough years ahead of us, but we are a tough country, and I like Trudeau's can-do attitude.

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 03:57 PM

Trudeaus wife-not your traditional type 

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 03:49 PM

My take is the significant losses by the NDP were due to two factors- outside that some would never vote NDP, as some see it as a anti business, pro labour socialist party.

1)The last vote gave them significant support in Quebec, but it was soft support garnered by an ill Jacl Layton, versus strong linkages to the party. Mulclair was unable to retain this support, as he was a former Liberal Quebec province Environment Minister. Wiith a less likable style than Layton, he was less able to connect with Quebec citizens. To a degree, pandering to the significant number of Quebec voters on Quebec issues, Mulcair sacrificed some support elsewhere in Canada.

2) Trudeau was the underdog, but faced relentless and personal Harper attack ads long before and dyring tge election. Some folks felt this unfair, and it likely helped Trudeau. Instead of firmly capturing the anti-Harper torch, Mulcair focused much of his energy on attacking Trudeau (as he feared Trudeau could capture anti Harper vites from the NDP). This strategy seemed to backfire, as some saw it as unfair. It enabled Trudeau to be seen as leading the anti Harper charge.

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: GUEST,#
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 02:46 PM

I am very happy. I hope Trudeau offers the Environment portfolio to Elizabeth May. (Trudeau, the new PM designate, is Liberal. Elizabeth May is the one elected Green Party member.) The seat breakdown was

Liberals, 184
Conservatives (CPC) 99
New Democratic Party 44
Bloc Quebecois 10
Green Party 1

Total seats in the House of Commons is now 338. That is an increase of 30 seats from 2011 when there were 308 seats in the House.

The 2011 election figures were

CPC 166
NDP 103
Liberal 34
Bloc 4
Green 1

A majority now is 170 seats. (A majority in the House is 50% plus 1.) I expect the Libs will try to follow through on their campaign promises. Already Trudeau has said he'll cancel the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II order. That would have cost us 40 billion in the long run and the plane is crap. It is an encouraging result because finally the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women will be addressed. There are now 10 indigenous MPs and that is a good thing. Some deadwood from the CPC (Conservative Party of Canada) lost their seats and I am ecstatic about that. There are many 'bridges' to mend internationally and nationally. It will take time, but I think Trudeau will do it. He was the one candidate who said openly that Canada will have to run at least two years of deficit budgets, but that could change because we have no idea as a country what we have in the bank. The goddamned Conservatives have been BSing about that for years. Bill C-51 will be revisited and amended. The constant fear-mongering about Muslims will stop, and the TPP will be aired to the Canadian people for public input (I hope!). It feels to me like we saved our country from becoming a totalitarian state, and I am grateful Canadians (most of whom don't like being told what to do at the best of times) made that very clear to Harper. Harper will resign I expect today although he will keep his seat in the HoC. I hope they put the sack of shit in the back row of the HoC because I am sick of seeing his face.

PS I voted NDP in my riding and I'm glad the candidate retained her seat.

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 02:44 PM

Everyone has a Mom, including Trudeau. I found this postvelevtion interview interesting:
trudeaus Mom 

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 02:41 PM

Trudeau seems very smart, compassionate, caring, accessible,   and (as indicated by the very high vote turn out) has captured new interest from many citizens in creating a better country and democracy and erasing some of the negative impact from Harper (aka Bush jr.). Over 80, 000 volunteers helped him knock on doors throughout Canada, spreading a positive, attack free platform.

He has a big challenge to deliver on many parts of his dynamic and positive platform and vision for Canada. But, he has a group of talented Canadiands to help. Just today he has stated a return to a team approach reinvigorating tge public service, including government scientists. He also highlighted an immediate focus on working with provincial officials and on improving the plight of Canadas First Nations peoples.

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: meself
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 01:11 PM

One of the Canadian contingent here seems pretty unhappy about it - but I'm pleased as punch.

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 01:06 PM

The Russians? The US doesn't care right now, except that it will mean a new ambassador. We're too busy confusing Trump with something good while Sanders continue to gain ground.

I want to see the age breakdown in the Canadian vote.

Subject: RE: BS: Views from Canada
From: GUEST,achmelvich
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 03:31 AM

seems a great result-well done. watch out for the neighbours though- they won't like it!

Subject: BS: Views from Canada
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 03:27 AM

Sounds a good result to me but I don't live there! What are the views from our Canadian contingent?