40th Canadian Federal Election - Welcome to another Conservative Minority (whee!) - Page 62 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

CaptainCrunch · 10-14-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

CC, why are Quebecers against the crime bill. Sorry, I just don't get it.

Was it something that Harper said as well?

Couldn't tell you, I think that Duceppe hit a major cord when he talked about Harper throwing 14 year olds into adult prisons with rapists chasing them up and down the cell block.

I think that there will be some compromise with the Bloc on the crime bill with the Bloc if they want to get it passed.

flip · 10-14-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

Worst voter turnout in Canadian history according to CTV...

What do you expect though. This is our 4th election in the last 6 or 8 years isn't it?

That along with the trends in voter apathy do not bode well for Canadian politics.

On another note we seriously need to switch to a representation by population or some sort of alternate election process.

Bloc and Green Party get almost exactly the same amount of popular vote and the Bloc get 49 seats to the Greens ZERO!

Dion · 10-14-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transplant99

That's EVERY party's goal.

I realise it's every parties goal. The point is Harper called this election as he felt he could not longer run an effective govt under the last minority - calling it disfunctional. Now he's got the same problem to deal with.

Devils'Advocate · 10-14-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

CC, why are Quebecers against the crime bill. Sorry, I just don't get it. Was it something that Harper said as well?

No. The Quebec people feel that throwing 14 year olds, even ones in for violent crimes like attempted murder, into the general populace of jails is throwing a life away. Albertans may feel that the kid forfeited his right to be treated with kid gloves when they commit the violent crime. Quebecers did not respond well to this. You may not "get it" but it is what it is.

Azure · 10-14-2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh white

Even though I'm not a conservative supporter, I can live with a Conservative minority. Let's face it, the federal government is largely an elaborate mechanism to redistribute tax revenue. What the federal government actually does in terms of delivering services is very, very minor compared to Municipal or Provincial governments.

And we should be pushing for less.

4X4 · 10-14-2008, 10:40 PM

Dions speech was very good, though it was clearly a speech of defeat. He never would have been able to sayt that stuff before the election lest he get further dismissed as a weak leader. But it was a bit inspiring to hear him say that the Liberals' primary focus will now be on the economy and Canada, etc, etc, etc... Of course, that could also be code for "we can't afford to hit the electaion trail for at least 30 months, so.... We're going to co-operate for awhile...

Rathji · 10-14-2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

CC, why are Quebecers against the crime bill. Sorry, I just don't get it.

Was it something that Harper said as well?

As I understand it, Quebeckers in General oppose tougher sentences for Young Offenders since they believe that rehabilitation is still possible for them. If you treat them like adults, they say they will turn into adult criminals.

I don't fully disagree with this concept, but I wouldn't change my vote because little johnny is gonna spend 2 years in adult jail for breaking into my house, even if it turns him into a career criminal.

Dion · 10-14-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flip

What do you expect though. This is our 4th election in the last 6 or 8 years isn't it?

That along with the trends in voter apathy do not bode well for Canadian politics.

My thoughts exactly!

CaptainCrunch · 10-14-2008, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dion

My thoughts exactly!

Yes I will be seizing power shortly.

My plan involves large rolling prison trucks with high definition big screen T.V.S. You'll all follow me to your incarceration due to your love of sports, or in the ladies case, sex in the city.

Devils'Advocate · 10-14-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flip

On another note we seriously need to switch to a representation by population or some sort of alternate election process.

I agree 1,000,000%. I know a lot of people that said that they were not going to bother go vote because they saw the local polls and they knew who was going to win. They felt that it was absolutely pointless to go to the polls since their vote meant absolutely nothing, nada, zippo.

Let's look at Central Nova. I haven't the foggiest idea what the hell May was thinking when she ran here... that is a staunchly Conservative riding. The last results I saw were McKay with about 20,000 votes, May with 11,000 votes and the NDP candidate with 7,000 votes. Those 7,000 NDPers must get sick of getting up every couple of years, going out to the polling station, just to finished way, way behind McKay. Eventually, people get smart and just stay home and watch Jeopardy.

And there is a general malaise among voters that believe that it's all a bunch of crap..... there were people here talking about spoiling their ballots because there are no good candidates. Well multiply that by thousands of people that just don't go to the polls because "they are all a bunch of crooks".

Bagor · 10-14-2008, 10:49 PM

Anyone know how seat numbers are determined?

I've just done a quick search by population and they don't correlate at all.

e.g.

Province, No Seats, Popn (thousands)
Sask, 14, 968
Alberta, 28, 3290

Is it by number of registered voters?

the_only_turek_fan · 10-14-2008, 10:51 PM

I want to be the Prime Minister of Canada.

FlamesAddiction · 10-14-2008, 10:53 PM

I don't see it as a failure for the Conservatives, but they sure aren't taking advantage of their situation either. The Liberals won't stay down forever and the Conservatives need to sieze the opportunity. They're still taking baby steps when they should be dominating.

In the end, this election was a waste of time and money. With less than 40%, the power doesn't shift at all. They should have done a better job guaging their popularity before calling the election.

4X4 · 10-14-2008, 10:54 PM

I believe Harper just gave May a 'participant' award.

browna · 10-14-2008, 10:57 PM

^^
20 more seats is 7% more.

As T99 said, this party had 2 seats 15 years ago. Baby steps in some people's mind, but more then a reconfirmation this time around...building trust and familarity in Harper and the Conservative party.

And, going through another useless session of parliment this fall and winter could've been considered a bigger waste of time and money...this election will get out some of the deadwood (Dion) and also show the other leaders that the Conservative vote is more then an anti Liberal scandal vote, as many thought last time, and maybe work with them a little more..Harper's managed a minorirty government pretty well, and the other parties should recognize that leadership and take it a bit more seriously.

Devils'Advocate · 10-14-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I don't see it as a failure for the Conservatives, but they sure aren't taking advantage of their situation either. The Liberals won't stay down forever and the Conservatives need to sieze the opportunity. They're still taking baby steps when they should be dominating.

In the end, this election was a waste of time and money. With less than 40%, the power doesn't shift at all. They should have done a better job guaging their popularity before calling the election.

Nobody got what they wanted tonight.

Harper was hoping for a majority.
Dion was hoping to keep his job.
Layton was hoping to break the NDP high water mark of 40 set under Broadbent.
Duceppe was hoping to get 50% of the popular vote in Quebec, which might have revived separatist hopes for the party.
And well, May saw her party shut out yet again.

Duceppe and Layton are likely safe in their jobs. Dion is all but gone. Harper may be getting frustrated with these minority governments and he may decide to move on, but if he wants to continue the party will likely support him. May... I haven't the foggiest clue what the Greens want to do there. She's gotten the party further than they have ever gone before and yet that is still nowhere.

MRCboicgy · 10-14-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

I believe Harper just gave May a 'participant' award.

metallicat · 10-14-2008, 11:01 PM

There shouldn't even be a translator for this Harper speech, the French is identical to the English.

4X4 · 10-14-2008, 11:02 PM

Any fluent french people here? Can anyone give me an idea of how good (or bad) Harper's french is? It sounds good, but I stopped taking french in grade 8.

FlamesAddiction · 10-14-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browna

^^
20 more seats is 7% more.

As T99 said, this party had 2 seats 15 years ago. Baby steps in some people's mind, but more then a reconfirmation..

The Reform Party had 52 seats in 1993, and considering that the Reform Party swallowed the remainder of the old Conservative Party and eventually took their name, that's not really a fair point imo.