Greens' May to fight MacKay in next election - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

RedHot25 · 03-19-2007, 09:44 AM

Am I the only one that finds this an interesting choice? She won't win...Peter is pretty big down here. Or at least he was. But, anyways, it should garner them some pretty good attention - I guess that is the reason for her choosing this riding? Why not run in BC where they have had traditionally pretty good support?

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...318?hub=Canada

The leader of the federal Green party admits she faces an uphill fight to a seat in Parliament by trying to knock off Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay in his Nova Scotia riding.

.....

He won the riding by 3,300 votes in 2006, capturing more than 40 per cent of the vote. David Orton -- his Green Party opponent -- got the support of 671 voters, or 1.6 per cent of the vote. Second place went to the NDP.
MacKay has represented Central Nova since 1997, and his father Elmer held it from the early 1970s to the early 1990s.
May said despite the fact MacKay holds a senior cabinet position, the Atlantic riding he represents has been "neglected" in the Conservative government's recent spending sprees in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. May said she would bring "immediate economic returns" to Central Nova.

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May said she is also looking forward to taking on a high-profile member of a party she says has abandoned its progressive roots and made a "serious miscalculation" when it merged with the Canadian Alliance.

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There have been rumours the Liberals will go soft on the Central Nova fight to help May, but both May and Liberal Leader Stephane Dion deny that.
"We don't have any deal. But that's not saying that I haven't talked to many of my friends in this riding who traditionally support the New Democrats and traditionally support the Liberals, and I know that locally there are people who will want to help me win this riding," May said.
The Green Party doesn't hold a seat in Parliament. But recent polls suggest support for the Greens is either tied with, or just slightly behind, the New Democrats.
May finished second in a federal byelection last fall in the Ontario riding of London North-Centre, placing second with 26 per cent support. Green support has been strong in portions of B.C..

Burninator · 03-19-2007, 10:11 AM

I would like to see the Green Party get more recognition in Canada. Election time I find myself voting for them because of a lack of better alternative. The Green party stand point is typically more conservative (except for their environmental policy) than I support, but I like having more diversity in the political scene in Ottawa.

Next election year they better be included in the debates. It was a total joke that they were not invited last year. Instead we have the morons from the Bloc who every province, except Quebec, cannot vote for. I am sure next election they will be able to pull out a couple seats.

mykalberta · 03-19-2007, 10:15 AM

Is she from there?

If she is, good on her for running in her own riding. I dislike politicians who run in other peoples ridings simply because they are safe.

MYK

MarchHare · 03-19-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Is she from there?

If she is, good on her for running in her own riding. I dislike politicians who run in other peoples ridings simply because they are safe.

MYK

Says the CBC:

Quote:

May, chosen party leader last August, currently lives in Ottawa, but became a force for environmental causes as a young adult in Cape Breton, N.S.

When she was in her 20s, she formed the Small party — the predecessor of today’s Green party — and ran against then Liberal deputy prime minister Allan MacEachen in the old riding of Cape Breton Highlands-Canso, which included Antigonish.

“Nova Scotia is where I began my lifelong vocation as an activist and political campaigner," she said. "It is entirely fitting that I now come back here to launch my first full campaign as leader of the Green Party of Canada,” May said.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/...ay-mackay.html

RedHot25 · 03-19-2007, 10:26 AM

Yah she is from there, as March pointed out. I agree, good on her for representing her home area (well trying to anyways). Just found her choice interesting. Especially when she ran in Ontario for a bi-election. However, she has a long history in the maritimes so in that way I can see it.

CaptainCrunch · 03-19-2007, 10:28 AM

Honestly I'm torn on this one. I'm a conservative through and through and I think McKAy has done a decent job in his current role, and he is a powerful member of Harper's inner circle who did a great job of keeping some of the yahoo's in check in the last election.

I think May has done a great job in bringing the Green's to the political landscape, and I like how she and her party are stealing votes from the NDP and the Libs. I don't think there's anything wrong with an opposition party with a environmental slant, I think in this century its going to be needed more and more, and in order for that to happen it has to have its leader in the house.

Why couldn't she run in Layton's riding, I think she'd stomp on the used car salesman.

Ford Prefect · 03-19-2007, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

...Why couldn't she run in Layton's riding, I think she'd stomp on the used car salesman.

That would be my first preference too. I'd love to see May take that smug twit down. It's her call though. I'm a Conservative historically as well, but I've been voting Green for the last three elections because l think their voice is needed in Canadian politics. Ideally, I'd like to see them as the opposition party.

JiriHrdina · 03-19-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

I would like to see the Green Party get more recognition in Canada. Election time I find myself voting for them because of a lack of better alternative. The Green party stand point is typically more conservative (except for their environmental policy) than I support, but I like having more diversity in the political scene in Ottawa.

Next election year they better be included in the debates. It was a total joke that they were not invited last year. Instead we have the morons from the Bloc who every province, except Quebec, cannot vote for. I am sure next election they will be able to pull out a couple seats.

If the Greens want to be treated like a real part they should behave like one. Their platform last time was a joke in my opinion.

Bobblehead · 03-19-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Why couldn't she run in Layton's riding, I think she'd stomp on the used car salesman.

Layton has too long a history in his riding/area. He was a pretty outspoken and popular Toronto city councillor, so it would take a really well known (or really strong) candidate to take his seat.

CaptainCrunch · 03-19-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Layton has too long a history in his riding/area. He was a pretty outspoken and popular Toronto city councillor, so it would take a really well known (or really strong) candidate to take his seat.

With the positive growth shown by the Green Party, and May's performance since taking over the party, and the fact that she's the leader of this party, she would be a strong candidate in ousting Layton who has really done nothing with the NDP except driving it into becoming even more of an out of touch fringe party, that has lost touch with its own roots.

Bobblehead · 03-19-2007, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

With the positive growth shown by the Green Party, and May's performance since taking over the party, and the fact that she's the leader of this party, she would be a strong candidate in ousting Layton who has really done nothing with the NDP except driving it into becoming even more of an out of touch fringe party, that has lost touch with its own roots.

No argument there, but it would be exceedingly difficult to parachute a candidate into a riding where Layton has been a high-profile figure for 25+ years. Especially a party that currently has no parliamentary representation.
Layton had 48% of the vote last election, the Greens had 7%

The only way Layton is disappearing is if nationally the NDP have another poor election, lose a few more seats and Layton steps down or is removed from the head of the party. Then I could see him quit federal politics to take a run for Toronto mayor.

Burninator · 03-19-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

If the Greens want to be treated like a real part they should behave like one. Their platform last time was a joke in my opinion.

It could have used some work. But in comparison to the Bloc's platform the Green's at least is feasible. The whole Quebec separation issue is just ludicrous.

mykalberta · 03-19-2007, 12:57 PM

She has fight in going against McKay - she wont win unless she is able to gather the rest of the non McKay voters to her - ie no Liberal or NDP candidate.

MYK

brownie · 03-19-2007, 12:59 PM

She doesnt have a chance in that riding.MacKay has been there 10 yrs,and is very popular.That isn't were May grew up either.Central nova isnt Cape Breton.

RedHot25 · 03-19-2007, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

She has fight in going against McKay - she wont win unless she is able to gather the rest of the non McKay voters to her - ie no Liberal or NDP candidate.

MYK

Yah, the talk radio station down here was talking about tghat this morning. I don't see it happening, but there was an extremely low level rumour that the other parties may field "lower" candidates for lack of a better word. But it won't happen, and I think one of the parties already denied it (I think?).

RedHot25 · 03-19-2007, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie

She doesnt have a chance in that riding.MacKay has been there 10 yrs,and is very popular.That isn't were May grew up either.Central nova isnt Cape Breton.

Yup that is a great point. Cape Breton/mainland Nova Scotia is like Calgary/Edmonton...but I would say even more so.

mykalberta · 03-19-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Yah, the talk radio station down here was talking about tghat this morning. I don't see it happening, but there was an extremely low level rumour that the other parties may field "lower" candidates for lack of a better word. But it won't happen, and I think one of the parties already denied it (I think?).

I can see the Liberals doing that, I dont see the NDP doing that. They need to fight the Green at every opportunity in attempt to muzzle their voice, Green takes votes away primarily from NDP and some Liberal and almost zero Conservative.

So long as the Green dont get a candidate, they will never get Federal funding for media. Also, I dont get the hate wth Layton, he is a perfect leader for a party in that position, he isnt afraid to ruffle feathers and has no chance of forming a majority.

MYK

brownie · 03-19-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Yup that is a great point. Cape Breton/mainland Nova Scotia is like Calgary/Edmonton...but I would say even more so.

Mainland being Calgary and Cape Breton being Edmonton

RedHot25 · 03-19-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie

Mainland being Calgary and Cape Breton being Edmonton

Ha

Yah the hate between the 2 is quite prevelant! I would say especially from C.B. to the mainland, as they often critique them as ignoring them etc.

GreenTeaFrapp · 03-19-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Why couldn't she run in Layton's riding, I think she'd stomp on the used car salesman.

There were rumours that she was going to go against John Baird. I would like to see him taken down by someone who's not a Liberal or NDP. What kind of environment minister quashes light rail in his hometown because he's got a grudge against the mayor?