Election Coming Soon???

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

No, it means that the Libs were the first ones to whore themselves to the middle.

The cons will run a Centre Right platform instead of a Right Centre platform. The Libs will continue to try to drive us to EU style politics where no citizen has to take personal responsibility for his or her own actions.

Alberta was the only place where a Right Centre platform would work. That is no longer the case with the influx of out of province workers.

MYK

It worled well with Mike Harris in Ontario.

After he stepped down, his replacement started doing the same thing Honest Ed is doing now - finding it difficult to replace a highly effective leader and trying to buy the mindshare of the electorate.

There are a severe lack of politicians (of any ilk) with vision.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Cal-Gal

Forgive my ignorance...and I've done a quick Google search but can't find the info:

is it true that Canada currently has less than 60 troops deployed in UN peacekeeping missions?? I think I heard that on the news recently. Seems shockingly low for a country that prides itself as a peacekeeper.

Is this a result of Canada pulling away from UN missions in favour of NATO missions, or is this just because of a troop shortage and because we lack the military capabilities to contribute?

I'd be surprised if it was even as high as that. Most of our UN missions comprise of 1 or 2 man observer teams.

Its a result of multiple factors, first and foremost our commitment to Afghanistan. Second, the armed forces dosen't have the equipment or the troops to support multiple deployments.

[VanCity Cowboy]

I would bet he won't call an early election considering Harper repeatedly said he won't call one until fall 2009 and introduced a bill requiring fixed election dates every four years, october 19th 2009 would be the date in that bill. not sure how that bill is coming along, but considering how much he criticized the liberal gov'ts for calling early elections it would be smart to hold off.

[Devils'Advocate]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

It worled well with Mike Harris in Ontario.

After he stepped down, his replacement started doing the same thing Honest Ed is doing now - finding it difficult to replace a highly effective leader and trying to buy the mindshare of the electorate.

Harris made big slashing cuts to social programs... but still kept spending on his pet projects while cutting taxes far below anything the province could afford causing an absolutely gigantic provincial debt.

The Liberals are in the horrible situation of trying to be financially responsible while keeping the electorate happy. The PCs are hammering hard at the Liberals for not being able to keep all their promises, but they were doomed from the start given the financial ruin Harris left the province in.

Not that Mike inherited a great situation when he took office. Peterson and Rae took turns spending more than the province could afford before Harris ever got there....

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I have no problem with any of those stories.

The Halifax class frigates hit thier effective required half life refitting about 4 years ago, and the Liberal's chose to ignore it. With the end of the Iroquis command and control destroyers effectiveness in our fleet, the Halifax class frigates will have to be able to co-ordinate information and data on thier own, so they need the upgrades. They also need to do crucial servicing on the engine plants, upgrade the sonar and radar systems and the prepare these ships for thier new helicopters. It probably would have been slightly cheaper if they had done it on schedule.

The arctic patrol ships were part of an election promise to enforce northern sovereignty. These ships are a less expensive alternative to the original plan as well.

The quebec military college should have never been shut down in the first place, it basically lead to an attrition of french officers that are really required. It also helped the local economy which from what I understand is stagnant right now.

On the airforce wing being installed in quebec it will go a long ways in ensuring the proper integration of our incoming air lift capability, it will also speed up the unpcoming retirement and replacement of the CF-18 which are effectively 9 years past thier effective point of usage.

None of these spending points would have been required if the Liberal's and the previous conservative governments would have taken proper care of our armed forces.

As it stands these points are nice, but the military is still facing a severe rustout in the next 10 years without massive spending.

I'm surprised that you didn't mention the 1.3 billion dollar purchase of new Leopard tanks including upgrading in Quebec that was announced about a month ago. These tanks will replace the nearly 40 year old tanks that we're currently using, and have been upgraded beyond thier recommended point of use.

Forgot about that one. But are they actually doing it or is it just a promise? The slow emergence of each one has my Spidey Sense tingling. I sense an election call soon. If the Conservatives do not get re-elected these things will be just pieces of paper.

Liberals are a mess. NDP are....the NDP.

[llama64]

I thought Harper was going to push for static election dates and what not...

Or is this one of those promises that gets forgotten the day after you get sworn in?

[Cal-Gal]

http://canadaonline.about.com/od/bil...ctiondates.htm

The "Fixed Election Dates" Bill received Royal Assent in May, meaning its now law.

Harper cannot call an election whenever he wants. The next election will be in October 2009....or sooner if the opposition topples the government with a non-confidence vote.

This legislation really puts the ball in the opposition's court.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by HOZ

Forgot about that one. But are they actually doing it or is it just a promise? The slow emergence of each one has my Spidey Sense tingling. I sense an election call soon. If the Conservatives do not get re-elected these things will be just pieces of paper.

Liberals are a mess. NDP are....the NDP.

Its been announced that the government is buying used leopard tanks and upgrading thier armour, engines and fire control systems. The work is being done in Quebec. But its in the books, I believe the Tanks will start arriving in the fall.