Canadians--Can you explain the NDP?

[bif]

Is it left of the Liberal Party? Is it sort of like our Libertarian Party or what? I live near the border and listen to a lot of Canadian radio so you'd think I'd know.

[tuvor]

1. You'd probably get better replies in the Canada forum.

Although, yes, they're definitely left of the Liberal Party.

(I'd give you my thoughts, but there are many politically-smarter Canadians on DU than I.)

[ghostsofgiants]

2. It is left of the Liberal Party...

Definitely not like the Libertarian party. Basically a democratic socialist party.

http://www.ndp.ca

(The Liberals are a centrist party.)

I'd explain more but it's 4pm and I just crawled my ass out of bed, haha.

[JVS]

11. Does the liberal party use the NDP as a whipping boy when they lose?

[ghostsofgiants]

12. Not sure what you mean...

When who loses? The Liberals? What do you define as losing? Minority government or not forming government at all?

[JVS]

13. Does the liberal party claim that voting NDP helps the bad guys?

[ghostsofgiants]

14. I've never heard them say it...

But you can never be too sure.

[Greyhound]

16. It doesn't because of their type of government, everybody gets

a proportional voice, as I understand it. They were wise enough to avoid the winner-takes-all approach we have here.

[ghostsofgiants]

19. Not proportional...

But other parties ARE represented (and can have influence) in parliament.

I'd like to see proportional representation though.

[Greyhound]

21. Thanks, for the info

I think it would be better to have all of them heard too.

[ghostsofgiants]

26. Here you go...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Parliament

[AngryAmish]

3. Explain Tim Horton's too

[bif]

4. I don't think there IS an explaination for Tim Horton's

[ghostsofgiants]

7. It's the Canadian Starbucks, really

[rockymountaindem]

15. I think it's more like Dunkin Donuts

Starbucks is a lot more suavé

[ghostsofgiants]

18. I meant in its ubiquity

Tim Horton's is fucking everywhere up here.

[ghostsofgiants]

5. Really good coffee/donut shop

Though I only drink hot chocolate and eat cinnamon rolls there.

[tuvor]

9. You'll have to explain it, now.

It's owned by Wendy's.

[jpgray]

6. Can they explain Anne Murray?

x(

[ghostsofgiants]

8. No. No we cannot.

[AngryAmish]

17. Celine Dion?

[ghostsofgiants]

20. Even less explanation there.

[Greyhound]

22. Bill Shatner?

:rofl:

[ghostsofgiants]

23. He's just awesome.

Don't even fucking act like he isn't.

[Greyhound]

24. To be...

or not...

[Greyhound]

25. tobe that...

[Greyhound]

27. ...

[Greyhound]

28. ...

[Greyhound]

29. is the question

:rofl: :rofl:

[ghostsofgiants]

31. Hahaha, you've clearly got way too much time on your hands.

[AngryAmish]

32. shatner rules

[JanMichael]

30. Can they explain Alan Thicke?

Ack!

[terrya]

10. It's what the Democratic Party here in the States SHOULD be.

I'm an American, but I've been following Canadian politics for a number of years.

Yes, it's to the left of the Liberal Party.

[crispini]

33. Hey, can you explain why the maple leaf's on the flag?

What's up with that?