Alberta Election Thread - Election Day April 16 2019

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Obviously no, I don't have the numbers on it. But I fail to comprehend how taxi drivers can get licenses unless there is some collusion between the testing people they use and the drivers. Like Taxi co says "we will send all drivers to you if you aren't to hard on them." Steady business for the testers. I don't think it is something that should be left without over-site, which is appears what has happened. That being said, ya, I'm not surprised the NDP is bunging it up. But the concept is sound.

It's sound based on your opinion on the skill of drivers though, not any sort of actual data.

That's a pretty poor way to determine the validity of policy when there's a clear negative impact as a result of said policy.

[Fuzz]

OK then...

• Thirteen infractions involved an examiner who conducted an improper road test that "did not conform to policy." That could include examiners who didn't follow an approved route, who cancelled a test half-way through if it appeared the client would fail or who used inappropriate language.
• Five examiners had their certification revoked after accumulating more than seven demerit points on their own licences.
• Three examiners were disciplined after complaints the "driver examiner yell(ed) at the client, making them feel uncomfortable during road test that resulted in failed road test."
• There were two criminal investigations for fraud involving examiners who allegedly "improperly purchas(ed) road test permits and conduct(ed) road tests at unapproved registry offices."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...ears-1.4975687


We are also the only province with a private system. Not that that proves anything, but maybe someone has done a comparison of us v. Canada.

[transplant99]

Edmonton Journal nails a cartoon describing the NDP campaign IMO

spoilered for size

Spoiler!

It was a bad strategy, but maybe the only one they had.

[fotiou22]

Fun study from 2010: wins by local sports teams help the electoral performance of incumbent governments.

https://twitter.com/paulisci/status/1116381176246067200

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

The NDP fairy came to visit in Calgary today:

NSFW!

Turns out this house is owned by a filipino lady who runs a day-home for children.

The NDP strategy of promoting anyone who doesn't vote for you as bigots/racists/homophobes is an incredibly divisive tactic.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Obviously no, I don't have the numbers on it. But I fail to comprehend how taxi drivers can get licenses unless there is some collusion between the testing people they use and the drivers. Like Taxi co says "we will send all drivers to you if you aren't to hard on them." Steady business for the testers. I don't think it is something that should be left without over-site, which is appears what has happened. That being said, ya, I'm not surprised the NDP is bunging it up. But the concept is sound.

Unless you can show that taxi drivers in Alberta have a higher incident /km driven than the general population then this is just annecdote.

I do believe that the existing system needed more oversite as there were definitely perverse incentives.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I think, for the good of everyone, we're heading for a minority government. ...

Minority governments are the worst. They can't do anything, because of the time and effort wasted to reach elusive compromises ending up in doing nothing at all.

[puckedoff]

^ Yeah but if they don't do anything they can't screw anything up!

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by GGG

Unless you can show that taxi drivers in Alberta have a higher incident /km driven than the general population then this is just annecdote.

I do believe that the existing system needed more oversite as there were definitely perverse incentives.

I know it's all anecdotal, and I'd love to see a comparison. I just can't comprehend how taxi drivers get licenses when they are so bad unless some sort of shenanigans are going on. Who knows, maybe they really are good drivers for testing, but once on the road DGAF? I don't know. Someone please explain to me how it is possible. Or am I the only one who thinks most taxi drivers in Calgary are poor drivers?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

^ Yeah but if they don't do anything they can't screw anything up!

I would be elated with a minority government. Keeps the UCP in check lets a centrist parties - probably the most moderate choices in this election - to be the balance check.

This would be an outstanding scenario, but to each their own.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I know it's all anecdotal, and I'd love to see a comparison. I just can't comprehend how taxi drivers get licenses when they are so bad unless some sort of shenanigans are going on. Who knows, maybe they really are good drivers for testing, but once on the road DGAF? I don't know. Someone please explain to me how it is possible. Or am I the only one who thinks most taxi drivers in Calgary are poor drivers?

Honestly, other than feeling like they are entitled to double park, I don't find taxi drivers to be worse, on average, than anyone else.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I know it's all anecdotal, and I'd love to see a comparison. I just can't comprehend how taxi drivers get licenses when they are so bad unless some sort of shenanigans are going on. Who knows, maybe they really are good drivers for testing, but once on the road DGAF? I don't know. Someone please explain to me how it is possible. Or am I the only one who thinks most taxi drivers in Calgary are poor drivers?

Naw, you're just a UCP racist.

/sarcasm

[MoneyGuy]

I want a minority government but I don’t think Alberta has elected one in forever. Maybe literally forever. To elect a minority government you need the parties after the UCP and NDP to elect several candidates and that’s not happening.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I wish people would stop talking about a minority government as if it's a realistic possibility. The chances of that happening are probably 1/1000. They might even be worse.

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

NDP affiliated - as in funded? or just aligned with values?

If the latter, the Soldiers of Odin are doing their part by patrolling mosques for the UCP.

I'm confused by this post - I don't know who the Soldiers of Odin are, but if (as I'm guessing) they're a racist group harassing mosque-goers, what does this have to do with the signs we were discussing? Or is this just quintessential whataboutism?

[RedHot25]

https://globalnews.ca/news/5154063/2...mpression=true

Leaked emails have revealed that concerns over the 2017 UCP leadership vote were raised with the party weeks before Jason Kenney clinched the top job.

In an email obtained by Global News, dated Aug. 26, 2017, Hamish Marshall, who served on Brian Jean’s leadership campaign, flagged concerns to the party’s lawyer and threatened to go public, even including a draft press release.

Marshall condemned the “complete absence of scrutineering opportunities in the qualifying and voting process.”

Mount Royal University political scientist Duane Bratt said because the leaked emails were sent by Marshall, “the Kenney people can’t simply dismiss this as sour grapes from UCP members” due to his position within the federal party.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I wish people would stop talking about a minority government as if it's a realistic possibility. The chances of that happening are probably 1/1000. They might even be worse.

I'm confused by this post - I don't know who the Soldiers of Odin are, but if (as I'm guessing) they're a racist group harassing mosque-goers, what does this have to do with the signs we were discussing? Or is this just quintessential whataboutism?

Erick Estrada posted this as a classic whataboutism post:

Is this what you are referring to when discussing integrity?

https://globalnews.ca/news/5154020/a...ake-ucp-signs/

Just asking.

I was responding to that. Everybody gets a whataboutism!

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Or is this just quintessential whataboutism?

Isn't that pretty much all he and his brother have got?

[CaptainCrunch]

I don't even know if there's a statistical possibility in this election of a minority government. The Liberal's will be lucky to grab a seat, and honestly, the Alberta party campaign has been completely lost in the background clutter, and I doubt that there is any great breakthrough there.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Honestly, other than feeling like they are entitled to double park, I don't find taxi drivers to be worse, on average, than anyone else.

Even if, on average, they aren't worse(which isn't really my experience) they are generally supposed to be held to a higher standard. I got my class 4, it's a longer road test, less lenient on screwing up, and a longer paper test. Or it was 23 years ago, anyway...Anyway, that's why I wonder how they pass given my experience with the test.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I don't even know if there's a statistical possibility in this election of a minority government. The Liberal's will be lucky to grab a seat, and honestly, the Alberta party campaign has been completely lost in the background clutter, and I doubt that there is any great breakthrough there.

I'm confident the Alberta Party will do better this time around, and will syphon some votes away from both the UCP and NDP.

Again, they're not supposed to be winning - but a balance of power situation could give the AP some serious influence.

And since I'm an AP supporter, I want this to happen, and I will continue to want it to happen until they form a majority government themselves