Canadian Federal election. 2011

[Caymanmew]

Both disappointed and pleased by the results. Disappointed that the conservatives won a majority I'm very concerned about what they will do over the coming years, on the other hand I'm very happy to see the NDP do so well in Quebec and very very happy to see the Greens win a seat. Only time will tell how the government plays out hopefully not as badly as I fear.

i second that i'm also happy the liberals will finally have to take a step back and fix there problems so they can get back i there ad hopefully hep put the conservatives out.

[keiths31]

Very happy with the results. I think the Cons will do well over the next 4-5 years. I think there is a lot of pressure on the NDP now to perform. Glad to see the Libs and Bloc down and out (well the Bloc are REALLY out). Should be an interesting Parliament...

Also I don't want to hear all the talk about how only 40% voted for the Cons and 60% voted against. Well the same thing happened in 1993 when the Libs won 177 seats with 41% of the vote only. In 1997 the Libs won 155 seats with only 38% of the vote. And again in 2000 when they won 172 seats with 40% of the vote. That is our system. You can't just like it when it works for your party...

[Baron Von PWN]

Very happy with the results. I think the Cons will do well over the next 4-5 years. I think there is a lot of pressure on the NDP now to perform. Glad to see the Libs and Bloc down and out (well the Bloc are REALLY out). Should be an interesting Parliament...

Also I don't want to hear all the talk about how only 40% voted for the Cons and 60% voted against. Well the same thing happened in 1993 when the Libs won 177 seats with 41% of the vote only. In 1997 the Libs won 155 seats with only 38% of the vote. And again in 2000 when they won 172 seats with 40% of the vote. That is our system. You can't just like it when it works for your party...

Well maybe it shouldn't work that way. Anyways it will be interesting to see if thise puts pressure on the Libs and the NDP to merge.

[Baron Von PWN]

Both disappointed and pleased by the results. Disappointed that the conservatives won a majority I'm very concerned about what they will do over the coming years, on the other hand I'm very happy to see the NDP do so well in Quebec and very very happy to see the Greens win a seat. Only time will tell how the government plays out hopefully not as badly as I fear.

i second that i'm also happy the liberals will finally have to take a step back and fix there problems so they can get back i there ad hopefully hep put the conservatives out.

I'm also kind of sad to see Giles Ducep out of the picture. I strongly disagreed with his party but I liked the rascal, it will be interesting to see how this will reflect on Quebec provincial elections, and how the NDP manages all its new Quebec mps.

[keiths31]

Very happy with the results. I think the Cons will do well over the next 4-5 years. I think there is a lot of pressure on the NDP now to perform. Glad to see the Libs and Bloc down and out (well the Bloc are REALLY out). Should be an interesting Parliament...

Also I don't want to hear all the talk about how only 40% voted for the Cons and 60% voted against. Well the same thing happened in 1993 when the Libs won 177 seats with 41% of the vote only. In 1997 the Libs won 155 seats with only 38% of the vote. And again in 2000 when they won 172 seats with 40% of the vote. That is our system. You can't just like it when it works for your party...

Well maybe it shouldn't work that way. Anyways it will be interesting to see if thise puts pressure on the Libs and the NDP to merge.

I have a feeling you wouldn't be saying that if the Libs had won. Pardon my skepticism. If the Libs and NDP merge, don't count on it being a slam dunk. There are a lot of Libs that don't like how far left the NDP are. If the two parties merged a lot of Libs would move to the Cons. That being said, I don't see a Lib-NDP merger. The Liberal Party is too proud to conceit and merge. And the NDP has no reason to merge...they are riding high.
This election just tells me that Canada is sick of centrist policies. And the proof is in the results...

[Baron Von PWN]

Very happy with the results. I think the Cons will do well over the next 4-5 years. I think there is a lot of pressure on the NDP now to perform. Glad to see the Libs and Bloc down and out (well the Bloc are REALLY out). Should be an interesting Parliament...

Also I don't want to hear all the talk about how only 40% voted for the Cons and 60% voted against. Well the same thing happened in 1993 when the Libs won 177 seats with 41% of the vote only. In 1997 the Libs won 155 seats with only 38% of the vote. And again in 2000 when they won 172 seats with 40% of the vote. That is our system. You can't just like it when it works for your party...

Well maybe it shouldn't work that way. Anyways it will be interesting to see if thise puts pressure on the Libs and the NDP to merge.

I have a feeling you wouldn't be saying that if the Libs had won. Pardon my skepticism. If the Libs and NDP merge, don't count on it being a slam dunk. There are a lot of Libs that don't like how far left the NDP are. If the two parties merged a lot of Libs would move to the Cons. That being said, I don't see a Lib-NDP merger. The Liberal Party is too proud to conceit and merge. And the NDP has no reason to merge...they are riding high.
This election just tells me that Canada is sick of centrist policies. And the proof is in the results...

Not so sure about that, If the Conservatives govern to far right they won't be sticking around for than one term. Same thing would happen to the NDP if they won a government and governed to far to the left. I think those liberals who are center right, probably voted conservative, had they voted Liberal you'd see a conservative minority there were allot of tight 3 way races which were comfortable liberal wins last election.
------------------------------2011 seats-------2008 seats----2011 pop vote- 2008 pop vote----- seat change (+/-)--- pop vote change (+/-)
Conservative ------------------167---------------143-----------39.62--------------37.63----------------+24----------------------+1.99%
NDP------------------------------102----------------36-----------30.62--------------18.2-----------------+66---------------------+12.42%
Liberal----------------------------34----------------77-----------18.91--------------26.24---------------(-43)--------------------(- 7.33%)
Bloc---------------------------------4---------------47-------------6.05---------------9.97---------------(-43)---------------------(-3.92%)
Green-------------------------------1----------------0-------------3.91---------------6.8-------------------+1---------------------(-2.89%)

So from the changes in popular vote we see the conservatives only changed 2% of voters minds, which was enough to win them those comfortable liberal seats that hemorrhaged votes to the ndp. Even with those votes going to the NDP there were allot of tight races. I'm not saying a Liberal-NDP merger is guaranteed, but they've got to be thinking about it. the NDP are no fools they know their gains are tentative Quebec is a fickle creature, look how quickly they dumped the liberals, then the progressive conservatives and finally the bloc. They could just as easily do it to the NDP. There are 4 possibly 5 years to go till the next election allot can happen, I think both the NDP and the Liberals would benefit from a merger but you are right it would take allot of soul searching on the part of both parties for it to happen.

[Nendreel]

I was looking at the election results over at CBC.ca and I'm surprised at how many of the victories are razor thin. There's quite a few seperated by a couple hundred votes, and one (Etobicoke Centre I think it was) the difference was less then thirty votes.

[notyou2]

Both disappointed and pleased by the results. Disappointed that the conservatives won a majority I'm very concerned about what they will do over the coming years, on the other hand I'm very happy to see the NDP do so well in Quebec and very very happy to see the Greens win a seat. Only time will tell how the government plays out hopefully not as badly as I fear.

I agree.

[lurkerleader]

I'm also kind of sad to see Giles Ducep out of the picture. I strongly disagreed with his party but I liked the rascal, it will be interesting to see how this will reflect on Quebec provincial elections, and how the NDP manages all its new Quebec mps.

During the french debate did Gilles not state in some way or another that he feels there is and should be no need for the Bloc to still exist? He went on to say that Quebec just needs to be treated like all the other provinces. At least that is how I took it...

He pretty much handed over all those votes (Jack Layton straight up said for all of Quebec to vote NDP) and I also wouldn't be surprised if he was to join up with them in the future (barring he isn't just sick of politics)




As a side question to this regarding liberals - Bob Rae or the potentially too young Justin Trudeau as next leader? I haven't turned on news to see what any of the news are saying about new leadership yet, but these were the two names thrown around before the vote yesterday.

[Nendreel]

As a side question to this regarding liberals - Bob Rae or the potentially too young Justin Trudeau as next leader? I haven't turned on news to see what any of the news are saying about new leadership yet, but these were the two names thrown around before the vote yesterday.

I'd expect Bob Rae for the time being. The Liberals need to rebuild and tossing the leadership to Trudeau would be a pretty big gamble. Though if Trudeau does well in Papineau...

[keiths31]

I'm also kind of sad to see Giles Ducep out of the picture. I strongly disagreed with his party but I liked the rascal, it will be interesting to see how this will reflect on Quebec provincial elections, and how the NDP manages all its new Quebec mps.

During the french debate did Gilles not state in some way or another that he feels there is and should be no need for the Bloc to still exist? He went on to say that Quebec just needs to be treated like all the other provinces. At least that is how I took it...

He pretty much handed over all those votes (Jack Layton straight up said for all of Quebec to vote NDP) and I also wouldn't be surprised if he was to join up with them in the future (barring he isn't just sick of politics)




As a side question to this regarding liberals - Bob Rae or the potentially too young Justin Trudeau as next leader? I haven't turned on news to see what any of the news are saying about new leadership yet, but these were the two names thrown around before the vote yesterday.

There was a jab that Gilles made at Jack during the English Language Debate that made me think he was going to regret saying it. He responded to a Jack comment by saying "You have as much chance of becoming Prime Minister as I do." I can't remember Jacks' response that night...but he sure responded in the polls and the seats his party got. The NDP got all their large gains at the expense of the Bloc.

Bob Rae would be a poor choice (which I would gladly accept considering where my leanings lie) as Ontario I still think hasn't forgiven him for the mess he made when he was Premier. The Liberals will be a non factor for the next four years while the Tories and NDP dominate the House. Looking forward to it. And looking forward to everyone who is afraid of the Tories realizing four years from now that the world didn't end.

[2dimes]

Well I'm going to wait and see how this "new" gubment does it's thing stealling my taxes to make someone wealthy.

I must say I'm smug about the election results because I wanted the Liberal party to get properly punished for their part in the non confidence vote shenanigans.

Let this be a lesson to future parties that have a good deal because there's a minority. It's not broke, don't try to fix it until the next sceduled election.

[Timminz]

Both disappointed and pleased by the results. Disappointed that the conservatives won a majority I'm very concerned about what they will do over the coming years, on the other hand I'm very happy to see the NDP do so well in Quebec and very very happy to see the Greens win a seat. Only time will tell how the government plays out hopefully not as badly as I fear.

I agree.

Thirded.


Before the results started coming in yesterday, I thought that I would be totally distraught, were the Cons to get a majority, but as the polls started rolling in and it became more apparent that it was going to happen, I found myself not really caring too much. I tend to disagree with Harper entirely, when it comes to ideology, but while I think know he'll implement all sorts of things I disagree with over the next 4-5 years, I don't think he's going to cause the world to end, and I suspect my life will be affected in a negligible way. In fact, I may even benefit personally, as I expect to be increasing my salary drastically within the next 5 years.


I just hope he doesn't go all Fundi, on us.

[Phatscotty]

Canada is cool again.

[Ray Rider]

I was actually rather surprised at the beating the Liberals took. I didn't think Ignatieff ran such a bad campaign, personally. I liked it that he was willing to take questions from anyone anywhere; he offered to debate Stephen Harper one-on-one; he had a fairly reasonable platform (not like Layton, promising anything to anyone for a vote); and he often talked about bringing back government openness and accountability. However on the other hand, it wasn't difficult to get the message of the Conservative attack ads to stick (as I already mentioned--gone for 35 years, returns and then goes straight for politics?); his party was mainly to blame for this unnecessary election (although now the Conservatives and NDP are pretty happy about it); he talked about taking the high road while using attack ads and negative rhetoric same as always; the focus of his campaign was like a rudderless boat; he accused the Conservatives of cutting money to health care when it was the Liberals who did that exact thing in the 90s; he was demeaning to Layton in the debates; he brought out relics of the past (Chretien and Martin) while trying to preach about a new Liberal party free from the old scandals--when it was only five years ago that the Liberals were in power and mired down in those scandals, plus most of the members from back then are still around.

I don't think the Liberals will merge with the NDP. The Liberals have a long, proud history and I can't see them giving it up because of this period of decline. I sincerely do hope that they have learned their lesson and will return to bring balance to the NDP on the left. I don't want to see a two-party system like in the US.

And btw, what's with everyone talking about Justin Trudeau? I've listened to him, and the only thing that stands out about him is his last name--which holds no fond memories for us in the West. I don't see why everyone's holding him up as some sort of Liberal savior.

[jpcloet]

They are talking Trudeau like he's meant to lead. He's had 4 years of very minor political achievements. I don't think he will be ready to lead in 4 years to be honest. Dryden was another person people had their eye on but lost his riding as well. The key names from 2006 a dropping faster these days. They will need a well known name to keep them relevant in the #3 spot over the next 4 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Liber ... Convention

[keiths31]

So looks like the NDP may have rushed in getting candidates in Quebec

http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/cbc- ... d=28615588

She doesn't live in the riding...doesn't speak French...and went to Vegas during the campaign.

[Phatscotty]

THE TEA PARTY CO-OPTED CANADA!

[Ray Rider]

So looks like the NDP may have rushed in getting candidates in Quebec

http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/cbc- ... d=28615588

She doesn't live in the riding...doesn't speak French...and went to Vegas during the campaign.

Yeah, it's unbelievable. It shows carelessness on the part of the NDP leadership and, sadly, stupidity on the part of the voters.

THE TEA PARTY CO-OPTED CANADA!

Well they've cut taxes, but we have yet to see if they'll cut the deficit like they've promised.

[General Brock II]

Very happy with the results. I think the Cons will do well over the next 4-5 years. I think there is a lot of pressure on the NDP now to perform. Glad to see the Libs and Bloc down and out (well the Bloc are REALLY out). Should be an interesting Parliament...

I tend to concur, completely. Being relatively young, no matter what happened in the elections (albeit an NDP victory), I would have experienced a win/win situation. If the Conservatives had received a minority government and the NDP/Liberals formed a coalition, the markets would have dropped, the dollar would have dropped, and the coalition would have lost credibility. Furthermore, the Coalition would pay a thousand dollars of my tuition.

However, I'm definitely also pleased that the Conservatives gained their desired majority. Implementing the new budget will be the first order of business, and I imagine that the NDP can say good bye to whatever concession the minority Conservative government made on it.

I don't particularly know how long this thread has been up, but for anyone watching the election campaign, the NDP swing was expected, if not still utterly surprising. Everyone believed that both the Bloc and Liberals would lose seats, but not that flipping many. Hurrah that the Bloc is virtually nonexistent... I believe that Duceppe was becoming something of another Duplessis.

Keith, the one CTV news anchor on election night jested, "I wonder if she'll even be able to find her riding with a road map?" The NDP has several new MPS who are still in University! It's painfully obvious that the people were voting for Layton. Everyone has to admit, Layton had a good campaign, and his promise of $2 billion to Quebec certainly assisted. So the people voted for Layton and his charisma, and got young MPs who aren't shaving, yet, or had partied their campaign in Vegas.

Hopefully the Conservatives can run a clean ship, cut taxes and show Canadians that they're a good thing for this nation.

[Baron Von PWN]

An amusing summary of the election


http://www.filibustercartoons.com/comics/20110504.jpg

[Ray Rider]

Keith, the one CTV news anchor on election night jested, "I wonder if she'll even be able to find her riding with a road map?" The NDP has several new MPS who are still in University! It's painfully obvious that the people were voting for Layton. Everyone has to admit, Layton had a good campaign, and his promise of $2 billion to Quebec certainly assisted. So the people voted for Layton and his charisma, and got young MPs who aren't shaving, yet, or had partied their campaign in Vegas.

Yeah, I heard one guy is 19, was making $12 an hour at his last job and now he's making $157,000 a year!

An amusing summary of the election


http://www.filibustercartoons.com/comics/20110504.jpg

lol that's kinda funny

[keiths31]

There is nothing wrong with being young...even though 19 is REALLY young. If you are dedicated and know your stuff, you can be an MP at any age. What is funny about the 19 year old is that the NDP won't let him do interviews right now because they say he isn't "ready" for the interview aspect of his new job. WHAT? He is old enough to run...but not do interviews? Sounds like the NDP is silencing their caucus. Now where have I heard people complain about that before?
Anyway, moving along...the NDP are either going to sink or swim in the next four years. They made huge gains...but in their haste to ensure they had representation in all ridings in Quebec, the seem to have made some poor choices. If this blows up in their faces, the NDP could end up doing more damage than good. And as was mentioned, it is clear that everyone voted for Layton and not the candidate.
If Harper and the Cons govern nice and steady, without raising taxes or the ire of the public, this could prove to be a big win for them as well. If they put the "rightest-boogey-man" fears to bed and show they can run the country competently...it could go a long way with the Canadian public. But if they drop the ball...

[Timminz]

Yeah, I heard one guy is 19, was making $12 an hour at his last job and now he's making $157,000 a year!

I don't believe this. New MP's don't make nearly that much.

[keiths31]

Yeah, I heard one guy is 19, was making $12 an hour at his last job and now he's making $157,000 a year!

I don't believe this. New MP's don't make nearly that much.

No it's true Tim. Unless the papers, CBC radio and the networks are all wrong.