So here I am a Canadian in the UK and missing my first federal election since I've been able to vote. I'm feeling very lost at the moment and would like to discuss the issues, how are the parties so far.
I know I can just find everything by reading the news on the net but it's not the same.
I've read about the Beer and Popcorn incident so far and now the Liberals are really slamming the Americans.
It's interesting getting the "outside perspective"
| mstreet wrote: |
So here I am a Canadian in the UK and missing my first federal election since I've been able to vote. I'm feeling very lost at the moment and would like to discuss the issues, how are the parties so far.
I know I can just find everything by reading the news on the net but it's not the same.
I've read about the Beer and Popcorn incident so far and now the Liberals are really slamming the Americans.
It's interesting getting the "outside perspective" |
It it the same old crap:
- Liberals trying to buy voters by throwing around money. Cons, calling them on it and then doing the exact same thing. There was a news organization keeping track of the amount that is being spent by all the parties and I think the liberals and cons are neck and neck.
- The Bloc wants to nuke the rest of Canada as usual
- The NDP are still living in their dream
Issues are still Heath Care and Education as always. Everyone that hates the liberals keeps on bringing up the Gomery Inquiry, but most people don't seem to care anymore (outside Quebec) because they all seem to be crooks.
Americans are for some reason trying to become an election topic. The media has definately decided to focus on it more. For whatever reason the American Government seems to think that all the problems that we have with them should not be addressed during an election, even though we have been arguing over it since the last one...
How are things in the UK, excited about the World Cup in 06? Have you seen the divisions yet, looks very interesting...
***Edit***
Btw, there is no reason why you still can't vote
http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=ins&document=index&dir=snow&lang=e&textonly=false
Have a ballot sent to you. It is your duty!The debate was a lot better than the last time. Paul Martin actually managed to get Gilles Duceppe visibly upset about unity, and Jack Layton presented himself in a far more "stately" manner than the last time.
Although I can't disagree with lumberjack, I would say that at least there are choices to be made. Another interesting note: Michael Ignatieff is running for the liberals.
Hey, American here.
I'm seriously considering moving to Canada in the next few years, and this seemed like as good a place as any to get some info.
Is the election in Canada as f***ed up as it is here in the States? Reading the couple of posts above mine, it would seem that there are a lot of similarities, but with more parties and more dialogue.
Also, I've heard that the conservative movement in Canada is more akin to the liberal movement in America, exaggeration?
Hey, a REAL American here,
I'm not considering moving to Canada. I've already been there to many times.
Canadian politics seem so complicated. Is it really necessary? It seems like all you really need it a town meeting. It seems like a pass time rather than an actual government.
| Quote: |
| For whatever reason the American Government seems to think that all the problems that we have with them should not be addressed during an election, even though we have been arguing over it since the last one... |
Problems.....???? | horseatingweeds wrote: |
Canadian politics seem so complicated. Is it really necessary? It seems like all you really need it a town meeting. It seems like a pass time rather than an actual government.
|
I'll take your flame and raise you one. If politics were a pass time in the US you wouldn't have citizens looking to emigrate.
Yes, Canada is a goodly shift to the left, compared to the US. A social democracy with national healthcare and such. | LeviticusMky wrote: |
Hey, American here.
I'm seriously considering moving to Canada in the next few years, and this seemed like as good a place as any to get some info.
Is the election in Canada as f***ed up as it is here in the States? Reading the couple of posts above mine, it would seem that there are a lot of similarities, but with more parties and more dialogue.
Also, I've heard that the conservative movement in Canada is more akin to the liberal movement in America, exaggeration? |
More parties and more dialogue, it is most definately not as partisan as your country, and we sure as hell don't single out and berate people for voting for a party <coughs> Repubs <coughs>. People are a lot more calmer here, and are more left. If you don't mind paying taxes, then come up here. We have a much different set of problems up here, then you do down there.
One good thing we have going for our government is that its stupidty doesn't cross borders....
Do you have any specific questions...Canadian governement is much more representative than the US one, simply by offering more party choices than the usual "Donkeys or Elephants" of yours. The four major parties are BQ, PCC, PLC, NPD. There's also a green party that is raising... slowly... The major problem in this governement? BQ!!! They're just there to supposely represent Quebec and all they do is talking about separation and always voting against...(I'm from Qc and I'm against separation)
Even better, the minoritary governement offers the greatest democracy ever, as every party has a voice and its importance. If it wasn't for BQ ( 
) it would be an even better system. | Soltair wrote: |
| Even better, the minoritary governement offers the greatest democracy ever, as every party has a voice and its importance. If it wasn't for BQ ( ) it would be an even better system. |
That's neat, to see that observation from a canadian. I grew up in the netherlands with a history of minority and coalition governemts (there are some 10 parties represented in the parliament I believe). Je suis completement d'accord.10 partis! C'est pas petit... Mais très représentatif!
Let's now switch to English again before some mean people stab us during our sleep! 
See, I like my government to be able to do things quickly. If there was a way to do proportional represetation without all the damn minorities... it would be good.
The problem is that Canada's Government is not really designed for minority government and we would require consitutional changes, and you all know how well that went over the last time around.
Maybe... if it hadn't been for BQ absolute need to dissolve the governement, if the four parties had realized they had all a moreso equal power, they could have done great and democratic things.
