Canadian Election Poll - Which Party would you support?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

Seems like a good time for this, given that the election is likely to be called within 10 days.

Here's the links

Bloc Quebecois
http://www.bloc.org

Conservative Party of Canada
http://www.conservative.ca

Liberal Party of Canada
http://www.liberal.ca

New Democratic Party
http://www.ndp.ca

Green Party of Canada
http://www.greenparty.ca

[Screaming Lord Byron]

1. Man, you people are quick. I put the poll up, and whoosh! Two Grits!

Within seconds!

[davidinalameda]

2. which ever one promises to take back Celine Dion

:headbang:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

3. Dude, I told you. The Rhino's aren't running!

[freetobegay]

5. LOL

[SmileyBoy]

4. NDP for me.

Their platform mostly fits my political beliefs.

Also, the Premier of Manitoba, Gary Doer, is NDP (I consider Manitoba another home for me).

[Screaming Lord Byron]

7. Glad to have you on the team, Northwest.

[TrogL]

9. Go ahead, split the left

have you learned nothing over the last four years?

[Screaming Lord Byron]

16. A little dramatic, don't you think, TrogL?

I wouldn't compare our situation with the US.

[Minstrel Boy]

23. And who would mistake the Liberal Party for

the Canadian left? Not the likes of Scott Brison, Tom Wappel, David Pratt....

Cripes, they don't even talk the talk.

[Spazito]

25. I would agree, the Liberals are a centrist party...

the NDP the left, the faux conservative is the right-wing repub party, the BQ is the Quebec only party and the Green is the environmentalist party. That's my take anyway.

[Minstrel Boy]

29. That's about it. I'd add

that the federal NDP has a truly green platform. Layton has done a lot to enhance it with his environmental record as Toronto councillor, and persuaded the former Green leader and some former party officials to join the NDP last Fall.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

6. Three Tories already?

Are we getting Canadian Freepers now?

[Minstrel Boy]

8. Hmm. Now, lemme think about this...

Oh yeah!

[glarius]

10. Give Paul Martin a chance....I have a feeling about him...

All this bullshit about the "sponsorship scandals" I believe do not really involve him....I think it will turn out to be sloppy oversight (which is not a good thing, granted), but I really don't think Martin or most of the Liberal M.P.s are involved....Probably Gagliano is involved, from what I've seen...I think Martin will turn out to be a good P.M....The alternative is the Harper Conservatives...Those of you who are NDPers know they don't have a chance....

[Melsky]

11. NDP

I'm packing up right now for the big move to Canada. It's going to cost a fortune to ship all of my LPs.

[achtung_circus]

12. There is no way I will cast a vote that might allow Reform,

sorry, Alliance, sorry Conservative, sorry, they must have changed their name again, to have a hope in hell of getting anywhere near power.
My heart says NDP but I lived far too long in Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. The bulk of the Canadian public has no idea of just how warped Reform et al really is.

Best case, minority Liberal, NDP balance of power.
Likelihood?
I don't pretend to know but it will be interesting.

[glarius]

13. I think we DO know how warped the Reform is...that's why they get no votes

outside of their regular stomping grounds...Don't sell us short! :)

[achtung_circus]

14. I hope I'm not

Ontario managed to get rid of Mike Harris and Mel Lastman. I hope they (now we)keep up the good work.

[Minstrel Boy]

26. Don't be scared into voting against your conscience.

The Conservatives will not be forming the government. To do so they need to make a mark in Quebec, and they aren't and they won't. There's no chance.

If you want the NDP to hold the balance of power in a minority government, the best thing you could do to ensure that is to vote NDP.

[Canuckistanian]

33. Use the whole name

The Conservative Reform Alliance Party

[Screaming Lord Byron]

35. Operating as the Creationist neo-con fuckwittage party.

[democracy eh]

51. AKA the Republican Party (Canadian division)

there are a some decent folks who were former Progressive Conservatives, but they will be weeded out in time as Harper leaves his brown stainy mark all over the Party.

[metis]

15. election

I'd rather scratch my eyes out with a rusty needle than vote for the Conservative(Reform party)

[Bombtrack]

17. Can someone describe the parties to me?

Their focus, their power currently, their ideological spectrum, the people they tend to appeal to, perhaps their equivolent in the US and or Europe.

Thanks alot. I'd support probably the one that was most "third way" which is basically centrist in Europe and left-of-center in the US.

In short I'm centrist on trade, realist on foreign policy, moderate left on education policy(other than college education spending which I'm for huge increases in) and solidly progressive-left on most evironmental issues and social issues(gun control, abortion, gay rights, church/state etc)

[achtung_circus]

19. Well, this is simplistic, but

Liberal, the "Natural Governing Party" Varies over time from left of centre to right of centre, or sometimes both, depending on the issue.

Alliance, Quebec-based party, sole goal was initially separation from Canada, now seem to quite like living in Ottawa.

NDP, New Democratic Party, Outgrowth of the original Canadian Socialist part the CCF (Christian Commonwealth Federation) The CCF/NDP, at the Saskatchewan provincial level invented universal health care in Canada. They are the party of the unions, the working man, the environment.

Conservative, Here goes. What is currently called the Conservative party is an amalgamation of 2 pre-existing parties, the Progressive Conservatives and the Alliance. The Alliance was morphed from the Reform party, a basically Libertarian party, against lots of things, seemingly for very little. They were against central power, against taxes, foreigners, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, homosexuals, you know the type. They grew out of "western alienation" the feeling in the West that elections are decided in Ontario, those Eastern bastards can freeze in the dark, they are stealing our oil, ad nauseum.
Happily most of the country didn't vote for them and they remain a regional party.

The Progressive Conservatives, themselves an amalgamation (1930's) of the Progressives (very Reform-like) and the Conservative Party were decimated first by "Lyin'Brian" Munroney, former leader and Prime Minister, then by an election. They have been foundering ever since, resulting in calls to "unite the Right" They have done so, at the cost of some sleazy tactics.

So,,,
Liberals= Democrats
Conservatives+ Republicans
NDP= nothing comparable in US of A

These are very braod outlines, details available on request.

[glarius]

20. Are you a Cndn who doesn't know who to vote for or an American trying

to figure out our political system....?

[Bombtrack]

28. American. I don't think there'd be too many canandians with thousands

of posts on DU and no understanding of Canadian politics as far as parties there go.

[Spazito]

18. I vote Liberal federally, NDP provincially as a rule...

although Glen Clark and the travesty his government became "made" me vote for the Liberals in B.C. for the first time.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

21. Well, I guess you've been punished enough for that vote, eh?

[Spazito]

22. ROFL, yep, but I will admit I knew when I voted what they would do...

but the NDP party needed a major league shakeup so they go back to their roots, not sure they have yet. The NDP, when they were in power here didn't act much differently, decimated education, healthcare. I hope they start from scratch and rebuild the party based on the values they espoused but didn't put into play.

[glarius]

24. Glen Clark has weird eyes, like Blair (England) and others I could mention

My family laughs at me and my "obsession" with eyes...But I think you can tell so much from people's eyes....Shakespeare said "the eyes have it"....He was so right....Clark, like Blair has eyes that just don't seem focused...or something...??

[Spazito]

27. He was a cocky, immature power-hungry little twirp...

and I hang my head in shame that I didn't see it until after I voted for him, only did it once though, voted against him the second time, I learned my lesson, lol.

[ithacan]

30. here's a reason to vote Bloc Québecois

They hate Bush and are criticizing Martin for signing on to Bush's star wars plan:

"Paul Martin must express the opposition of Quebeckers to President Bush":

Bouclier antimissile : Paul Martin doit exprimer l'opposition des Québécoises et des Québécois au Président Bush

Ottawa, le jeudi 29 avril 2004 – Le porte-parole du Bloc Québécois en matière de Défense et député de Saint- Jean, Claude Bachand, a dévoilé les résultats de la campagne de sensibilisation et de mobilisation du Bloc Québécois intitulée Votre bouclier, on n’en veut pas.
<snip>
« Plusieurs milliers de Québécoises et Québécois nous ont retourné les cartes postales distribuées, pour marquer leur opposition à ce projet de l’administration Bush. Manifestement, ces femmes et ces hommes du Québec privilégient les approches multilatérales et pacifistes. Ils ne veulent pas que le Canada participe à une entreprise qui mène tout droit à la militarisation de l’espace. Voilà ce que Paul Martin doit expliquer au président américain, plutôt que de persister dans la voie où son gouvernement s’est engagé », a souligné Claude Bachand.
...

[Iceburg]

47. Well that's ok for Quebecers but you're forgetting 2 things

The bloc does not run candidates outside of quebec.
Martin has not signed on to any war plans with bushky

[Frederic Bastiat]

49. Fuck the Bloc

They are some of the most close-minded people I have ever met.

[Canuckistanian]

31. NDP all the way

So was my dad. Union members, both of us at one time.
I spent a lot of time in Ruth Grier's house (former NDP Ontario Cabinet member), was friends with her son, David, when I was a kid.
Still a card-carrying member today.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

32. You're in Ottawa ya lucky bastard!

Which riding? Will you be lucky enough to have Ed as your MP?

[Canuckistanian]

37. Nope. I'm in Lanark-Carleton

We have Reformer (sorry, Conservative) Scott Reid, who is actually intelligent and doesn't suck as much as you'd think.
He's just with the wrong party, that's all.
I'd love to be in Ed's riding, though.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

38. Oh well. At least you're not in Calgary Nose Hill like me.

Diane Ablonczy. Yech!

[camero]

34. I voted in your poll before

and I've gone with NDP again. Hopefully they will hold the balance of power there and save the country from the influence of your right wing

[Screaming Lord Byron]

36. I don't worry about our right-wing. They won't crack 30%

Way too dogmatic for us Canucks.

[Canuckistanian]

39. I'm not losing any sleep n/t

[camero]

40. That's another thing I like about Canada

You guys know how to keep that genie in the bottle. I think they do have some effect on the Liberals though with the privatization schemes in health care.

I've been getting a refresher course on Canadian politics. Haven't been up to date on it since my travels there from 96-00.
I'm probably still thinking of Mulroony's influence

[Doctor_J]

41. Looks like the Bush lovers are going

to take another beating, just like in Spain and SK and Venezuela.

[Hand]

43. There areb't very many to take that beating...

CBC News Ipsos Reid poll sez that 82% of Canadians have a negative view of Chimpy; in BC it's 88%!

:toast:

[Hand]

42. Yellow Dog NDPer here...

I'd vote for a yellow dog before a Grit, and a Grit before a Tory!

:hi: from the People's Republic of Halifax!

[Screaming Lord Byron]

44. I think I'd be NDP first, Green second, Liberal third.

After that, I'd be off to Quebec to join the Bloc!

[UrbScotty]

57. Me as well.

Luckily, I live in the US. ;-)

[Canadian_moderate]

45. I'll stick with Martin

He's socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Just what Canada needs. He's responsible for putting Canada's federal finances back in order. I much prefer his style over that of Chretien. He's been dealt a tough situation with the sponsorship scandal for which I fully hold dictator Chretien responsible. While he was PM, the buck stopped with him.

While I want diplomacy with the USA, I don't want him to cosy up to Bush too much. Hopefully he'll be dealign with Kerry next January.

As for the NDP, I've already seen how they destroyed Ontario economy in 5 years in the early 90's. No thanks!

[Cascadian]

46. I am backing the NDP.

I like Jack Layton and wouldn't Bush and Cheney soil themselves if the NDP ever gained power in Canada? Can you imagine it?

John

[Screaming Lord Byron]

48. Kick. We need a tiebreaker.

[Canadian_moderate]

50. Surprised to see Canadian conservatives here

I would guess that many Canadian conservatives would vote Democrat in the USA. The really hardcore conservatives would probably go for the Republicans.

While I like some of Layton's ideas, I don't think the NDP would do well as a governing party. Living in downtown Toronto, I like his stance on urban issues. He would definitely help out Canada's cities.

That said, there's not enough depth to the party. I wouldn't mind them having the balance in a minority gov't as long as fiscal conservatives (Martin and Goodale) controlled thge pursestrings.;)

[democracy eh]

53. I am also hoping for a creative coalition minority

as an outcome

[democracy eh]

52. Undecided

I generally vote Liberal, but Martin is trying really hard to lose my vote.

believe in much of what the NDP stands for, even like Layton, HOWEVER there are two omissions from the NDP Platform - fiscal responsibility and National Security (terrorism). these are not issues exclusive to the right (or have any legitimate claim to after Bush's deficits and ignorant handling of terrorism, Iraq, etc...) I voted for Bob Rae in Ontario, I supported the social and environmental issues, but the Ontario NDP AT THAT TIME, blew it on the financial management side and led to the Common Sense revolution and Mike Harris

The Greens do include National Security and Fiscal Responsibility in their platform. A lot of PC orphans have ended up there and so if my vote is shaken from the Libs, it may go to the GPC. at the same time my riding is a safe CPC seat.

[Minstrel Boy]

54. re: the NDP and fiscal responsibility:

From Jan 18, 2004

OTTAWA (CP) - Balanced books, zero deficit, close scrutiny of federal spending programs - these will be planks in Jack Layton's new NDP platform and policies that might almost fit comfortably into Liberal campaign literature.

Layton, soon to celebrate his first anniversary as New Democrat leader, is working to repair what has long been the party's Achilles heel: economic and fiscal issues.

The NDP boss even hopes to challenge Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin on the former finance minister's claim to fame as a strong custodian of the federal books.

...

"We've got a lot of work to do there," he said. "But it will be a priority for us, and I am challenging Mr. Martin on the economy because I think his actions so far . . . have been extremely disappointing."

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/01/18/317284-cp.html

[democracy eh]

55. as I said, undecided

thanks for the info, happy to research more

[UrbScotty]

56. Question

If I wanted to run for Parliament in Canada, how would I start?

[Spazito]

58. All you need to know on becoming a candidate in Canada!

http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=gen&document=ec90790&dir=bkg&lang=e&textonly=false

It is the Elections Canada site - info on becoming a candidate

[Screaming Lord Byron]

59. Start by gathering up all your marbles. Then lose them.