Bring on the election! Dion has nothing to lose at this point, so why not go for it? There is no point any longer in putting an election off. We need one now.
Excellent speech, better on paper than delivered, but Dion can work on that! He’s nervous. The best paragraph is the one about Harper’s oft and recently voiced wish to devolve federal powers – to Quebec and one suspects to all provinces. Without a strong federal government, we will lose our national programs and sense of ourselves as a country. Dion is right to call the man on his narrow, pinched view of our nation and the limited role of the federal government within it.
Your party is about to enter another “Gomerey Moment” with the announced investigation into the RCMP pension matter. Lib government granted a sole-source contract to Abotech Inc. (remember THAT scandal), a company formerly headed by David Smith (Lib MP) and facilitated by his cousin, government staffer Frank Brazeau (subject of a RCMP raid).
I thinking that you and your new party are about to experience yet another “Abscam moment”…
Sorry Mr. Dion, I started watching your speech live, but after the part about the budget not doing anything for students, I fell asleep! (Because I was tired!).
However, I did wake up in time to see Mr. I and yourself doing the bad cop, bon cop double team on Mr. Harper re: the RCMP affair.
My take on it was that you were asking a valid question of the government of the day. PMSH answered but couldn’t resist the partisan jab that the RCMP problem occuring under the last Liberal watch and the commissioner was a Liberal appointment, the same commissioner that Mr. Day was defending over the Arar scandal only a few months ago. (Et tu Brute, Mr. Zacardelli might be saying!)
I’m glad Mr. I pointed out that under PMSH’s watch the auditor general had reported the issue and had done absolutely nothing.
Even when Jack L. asked the PM to forget the partisan rhetoric, PMSH continued to place the all the blame elsewhere.
Keep throwing the mud, PMSH, eventually some of the 40% will see that some
of it is on you and that the HoC is for governing not rhetoric!
Bring on the election! Dion has nothing to lose at this point, so why not go for it? There is no point any longer in putting an election off. We need one now.
If you want an election so bad go to the blogging Tories site and make your plea there. Get Harper to call one. The opposition are not going to do his dirty work for him.
I’m going to declare myself a member of an LPC virtual focus group assembled to evaluate to-day’s caucus rally –
1. Reminds me of some of the high school pep rallies I had to attend ages ago, except that we did not enthuse as easily.
2. A few shouts of “Amen, Brother” would not have been out of character.
3. Do not be disingenuous. The Libs were going to tax Income Trusts, which led Harper to promise not to tax them, then do it probably for the same reasons Goodale was going to, which now leads Dion to damn Harper and offer relief for ITs being taxed. Secondly, if the LPC does not want an election, it will be difficult to arrange one. But the LPC has been attacking Harper and his budget at every turn, so it hardly seems ready to work constructively with the Government. Make up your minds, look, sound and smell serious.
4. As an orator, Dion is not ready for prime time, despite comparisons to Laurier. Get someone to work on his English pronunciation and delivery. It is not offensive to the boss to help him overcome a real weakness.
5. At this rate, it is going to be an election campaign that I would rather sit out. CPC and LPC are going to blast each other in the good old-fashioned way, and swing-voters like me will be hard pressed to find a difference in the degree of mendacity.
Garth, I’m on your side – Écrasez l’infâmie! But do it properly, give us an alternative. Individually, we know what’s wrong in our world, but you big guys tell us what the problems are from your broader point of view, how you propose to tackle them, and how and why your way would be better than the other guy’s.
Future Statement by Stockwell Day:
I have only been the Minister of Public Safety for (fill in the blank) years. Don’t hold me accountable.
When exactly is Day going to accept responsibility for his department?
He said he was “assured” that the suggestions by Fraser to improve the policies at the RCMP were being implemented. I want to know when or if he checked back again to ensure that changes were being made.
Perhaps he, like O’Connor, thought he could “look him straight in the eye” and believe what he was being told.
What is wrong with these “new” ministers? Are they that inept?
Day had been asked to launch an investigation into ALL RCMP practices back in November. He didn’t get it done.
And why are we not having a judicial investigation. One that can subpeona witnesses???
And why did Day confer with the RCMP commissioner as to the from the investigation would take?
Hate to spoil your party but the polls mean Jack. When Harper decides to go it will because he knows he can get his majority. Rest assured that party polls have a much bigger sampling than 800 people.
These polling companies should shut down. People either aren’t telling them who they are going to vote for, lie about whom they will vote for or just say they are undecided. It makes the poll results questionable.
Source: Decima Research / Canadian Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Canadian adults, conducted from Mar. 22 to Mar. 25, 2007. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
After seeing the two websites with the polls, and after he has passed his bill to hold elections every four years, I wonder if Harper would not really need an election to confirm to himself that he is the PM.
Can he hack another three years under strict supervision from the Liberals and to a lesser extent the NDP ?
The Bloc does not want an election because without Duceppe and his deputy that party would be decimated to the benefit of ……….. the Liberals.
“Hate to spoil your party but the polls mean Jack. When Harper decides to go it will because he knows he can get his majority. Rest assured that party polls have a much bigger sampling than 800 people.
These polling companies should shut down. People either aren’t telling them who they are going to vote for, lie about whom they will vote for or just say they are undecided. It makes the poll results questionable.
By KPK on 03.29.07 9:52 pm”
You are not spoiling any party for me KPK I never voted Liberal before in my life but may next time.
You sure were getting all wet last week when the polls right after the budget made it look like a sure fire majority for Harper weren’t you? Now all of a sudden the polls are crap. Yea, sure KPK.
The whole point is that no matter what B.S Harper tries to sling the majority of Canadians aren’t buying it.. 14 months now and still the same as results as what he had when he got elected to a “minority” Still whining and obsessing on the “previous Liberal” Government.
Independent inquiry to report in 6 to 12 weeks on RCMP scandal. Hmm, gee I wonder if this is going to be another one of those blacked out you can’t see them reports because of national security. For Government eyes only but we will be sure to tell all how it is all the previous Liberal Governments fault. It happened under their watch.
Is that about the size of what is going to come out of this Garth?
Isn’t it amazing that for the first time in decades we have absolutely no threat of referendum or separation coming from Quebec? Thank you Mr. Harper. Oh, and I am wondering if Dion ever thanked Mr. Harper for writing the Clarity Act which Dion ‘claimed as his own’? Just wondering. L
What are the Conservatives scared of by not having a full public inquiry re: RCMP?
Even the NDP (I give them kudos finally) said that the Conservatives are using this issue for partisan reasons.
I wouldn’t feel the RCMP issue was totally dealt with until there is a full public inquiry.
Why is it Harper never does anything with any depth or detail? He constantly deals with everything on the surface only. This is bad governing. Even matters that are affected constitutionally seem to escape him.
Quick isn’t decisive – it’s getting it over with.
You know, Harper considers himself a Christian (he’s an evangelical Christian and belongs to the Alliance Evnagelical Church) and yet he has such strong hatreds. When a person hates this much there is something wrong with them.
Why aren’t more people disturbed by this level of hatred? This frightens me.
Rob are you insane, read what was said in the second paragraph,
The Conservative Party has extended its advantage in Canada’s federal political scene, as the Liberal Party continues to lose support, an Angus Reid Strategies poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample
Oooh an online survey, that is reliable. It is bunk and means nothing.
The only pollster who seems to get a real read of the country is Nik at sesresearch.com
When he comes out with a poll, then I will pay attention.
Leasa – try to get your facts straight. You are always using the Conservative rhetoric and we all know they are misleading.
Fact: Supreme Court came up with Clarity Act idea and Dion refined it.
Harper may have jumped on the supreme court band wagon BUT it was Dion who refined it.
Leasa, you are delusional. Harper did not write the Clarity act – he tried to introduce a private members bill back in 1996 (a different bill altogether) which went nowhere. The Clarity Act was written by Dion and passed in 2000. In fact, that is why then PM Chretien drafted Dion into the party – the write the Clarity Act. Harper was not even a sitting MP when the Clarity act was passed. Indeed, the Progressive Conservative party even opposed the act at the time. The Clarity Act is Dion’s baby: Harper had nothing to do with it. PERIOD.
You know, Harper considers himself a Christian (he’s an evangelical Christian and belongs to the Alliance Evnagelical Church) and yet he has such strong hatreds. When a person hates this much there is something wrong with them.
Why aren’t more people disturbed by this level of hatred? This frightens me.
Speaking of poll and interesting figures this Angus Reid poll regarding How deep a shade of green? are Canadians willing to be, in Carol Goar’scolumn of The Star, says a lot.
“Why aren’t more people disturbed by this level of hatred? This frightens me.”
Because those who follow Fearless Leader believe they are the only ones going to be ’saved’ because they drink his flavour of religious Kool-Aide. Simple as that! That is why they support him.
Isn’t it amazing that for the first time in decades we have absolutely no threat of referendum or separation coming from Quebec? Thank you Mr. Harper – Leasa
More CPC spin. Why are you thanking Mr. Harper? What’s he done? Nothing.
The people of Quebec have decided that splitting is not the way to go, but that the ADQ policy of more provincial juristiction within in a federal system is the way to go. They didn’t give Mr. Harper’s buddy Jean a majority as PMSH had hoped after sending billions their way in the budget.
So, this period of referendum peace has nothing to do with Harper.
PS. What has PMSH to do with the clarity act … that was Jean Chretien and remember the flak the opposition, Mr Harper et al., gave him for that?
Dion & Co are dead wrong about cap and trade. There is no empirical evidence that it ever worked. He will send this country into economic oblivion for no reason and emissions will be reduced much slower than they should. Even “progressive” California rejects cap and trade. Cap and Trade will only create “hot spots” of high pollution and emissions. Ex. The Center for Progressive Regulation states that a cap and trade system for mercury for the Great Lakes will result in LOCAL
increases in Mercury pollution exposing residents to GREATER danger – not less. When a study was done on the acid rain emissions trading system there were no further emissions reduction after companies invested in more up to date technology. This could of been accomplished with simple industrial regulation. Trading allows companies to comply with regulation without making significant changes that may provide greater benefits in the long-run. Trading allows companies to avoid significant changes.
It appears that the “old” time environmentalists were right – trading does allow polluters to keep polluting.
Leasa: Just proves another flip-flop by Mr. Harper. Wrote a more stringent Clarity proposal then changed his mind and decided to declare the Quebecois a nation??? what exactly are we supposed to believe from this Prime Minister??
Says one thing and does another all the time.
SLG
How would you know the amount of hatred in SH?
Politics may not be a gentlemen’s sport, but hatred? How would any of us know?
That is a little over the top.
If Mr. Dion can ignore the handlers, relax and let his passion shine through as we have seen him display in the past he’ll blast the tories back to the 1950’s where they belong. I think he could be one of Canada’s most beloved prime ministers. My nineteen year old daughter and her university friends love him. That’s something Mr. Harper could never be…loveable.
This is a good point. How far should someone go in trying to appear “decisive” but still not be seen to be “impulsive”?
This RCMP issue has been around for a long time and it does appear that both the Liberals and the new Conservatives have tried to avoid dealing with it until it could not be contained any longer. One will try to blame the other but there is enough to go around.
This idea to appoint a special investigator seems to be more impulsive and a means of damage control. There needs to be a far more in depth inquiry into the entire leadership of the RCMP. Dealing with one issue is unlikely to do anything to solve the systemic problems.
I always believed that it was a mistake to have the RCMP Commissioner an officer of Government rather than an officer of Parliament (like the Auditor General). I believe that change was made under Trudeau. The position of the Commissioner is politicized on a partisan basis by being responsible to the executive rather than the legislative branch of government.
Thanks for excellent link. And to think in the National Compost as well?
Like I have been saying…’Barbarians At The Gates’
I think this all part of the not so well covered up NAU plan that provides even more Imperilistic control by the U.S. in their thirst for global domination and endless re-inforcement of their Voodoo economic theories.
Re: comments and link by kitkat on 03.30.07 10:33 am
This should be a major concern for people who live in rural areas. Bernier and others favour the complete deregulation of telecommunication services. The large providers want out of rural service because it is not lucrative. Rural infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate as a result.
It would be political suiscide for the new Conservatives to implement deregulation just before an election.
Harper is vindictive, vengeful and hateful. He get his jollies by totalling demeaning people.
Politics has always been a blood-sport, but I have never, never seen so much venum and divisiveness and hatefulness in Canada.
What’s more frightening is that the sheep that want to think Harper is the great Kahuna just don’t get it or are as vengeful.
This is not a good sign.
A well known journalist wrote an article which appeared in our local newspaper today about a certain (not well known) person behind this right-wing movement and his connections, the involvement of John Reynolds, David Frum, etc.
Apparently, there’s something coming up in McLeans on this and apparently it will be an eye opener.
I just can’t wait to read it. So, sheep, keep following the new government rhetoric and don’t bellyache when Canada changes dramatically.
#48James - from the pulpit. on 03.30.07 at 12:10 pm
You know, Harper considers himself a Christian (he’s an evangelical Christian and belongs to the Alliance Evnagelical Church) and yet he has such strong hatreds. – Lean Green Machine.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…ooops wrong speech!
I’m not defending Harper because my interpretation of the teachings of Jesus Christ as defined in the bible do not include the hatred of others based on their religion, race, or sexual orientation.
As with any other faith, there are differences of interpretation. The problems arise when fundamentalists get involved and extract those parts of sacred works to justify their position.
For some it turns to hatred (the terrorists) for others its a case for upholding their beliefs.
Mr. Harper is one of the latter, but no person has the right to impose his religious beliefs on anyone including making laws to do so. Thats why separation of state and church (hierachical church as opposed to the lay people) is so important.
So PMSH doesn’t necessarily hate people, but he is certainly trying to use his position as PM to impose his beliefs. (See Same Sex Marriage and Abortion…and to show the point re: interpretation, I agree with the first but not the second, but it is not my place to prevent it by force, but by suggestion and offering alternatives!)
Mr. Harper, Jesus Christ never imposed his will on anyone, except the vendors in the Temple, he just suggested people change their ways and left them with the choice.
And the ones He really went after were the religious hypocrits!
“This RCMP issue has been around for a long time and it does appear that both the Liberals and the new Conservatives have tried to avoid dealing with it until it could not be contained any longer. One will try to blame the other but there is enough to go around.”
Precisely. I think that most Canadians, as myself, are appalled at the conduct at the highest level of the RCMP. I have never had greater respect for a law enforcement organization than them. Now, again, we see this schmuck Zaccardelli at the focus of wrong doings. Why do I think of Julian Fantino when I think of Zaccardelli?
I come to this blog periodically to get a laugh. There are so many blind (not physically) posters who seem to believe that their leader is god. No real meat to the subject, just emotion. You know the Conservatives are so starved for power that their following could be the following of Hitler or that religious nut that had all his followers kill themselves.
The Liberals are not free of guilt, but at least the followers have a little more rational in their arguments. Of course the OLD conservatives now in power are just adding the list of do as I say not as I do.
Politics today has become a joke. The insiders run the party and the leaders are just puppets. Harper doesn’t have the intellect to come out with his comments. They’re prepared for him and he just reads the lines. Dion is at least a little bit more in control of his speeches.
The conservatives should consider that Dion didn’t have a chance in hell of winning the liberal leadership, based on the projections, but he did win. The conservatives feel he doesn’t have a chance to beat Harper, but, they will probably be wrong.
Think clearly, remove your party bias(blindness) and you may find that there is a better option. I’m going to stay neutral and always support the best person who will represent me, regardless of party affiliation. The best way to find this person is ask them what they will do for you, and the minute they start to spout the party line, forget them.
James said, “So PMSH doesn’t necessarily hate people, but he is certainly trying to use his position as PM to impose his beliefs. (See Same Sex Marriage and Abortion…and to show the point re: interpretation, I agree with the first but not the second, but it is not my place to prevent it by force, but by suggestion and offering alternatives!)”
How did he impose his will on homosexual marriage? By giving a free vote and have a discussion about it? So, what did he do to impose?
As for abortion, what did Harper ever say about abortion that bothers you? And, how does he impose or force his view on his party or Canadians as a whole? At the same time, are you opposed to the majority view in this country by polls that Canadians want some type of restrictions on abortion?
“The best way to find this person is ask them what they will do for you, and the minute they start to spout the party line, forget them.”
That is precisely what cost our former Liberal MP, Andy Mitchell…a good man and nice fellow, our votes here. He started spouting the PMO rhetoric in his replies. Times up when that happens.
‘We’re ready … we’re ready … we’re ready,” shouted Stephane Dion at a Liberal pep rally yesterday, as members of his caucus gave a limp chorus of “Dion, Dion, Dion.”
This was curious, since a senior Liberal had just confided: “We’re so not ready.”
Mr. Dion’s concluding call to arms — “We don’t want an election, but if there is an election, we’re going to win” — produced guffaws of disbelief, and even expressions of sympathy, from journalists who have formed a consensus that the Liberal leader is doomed.
Donna: I wonder why Mr. Harper wrote a version of the clarity act and then flip-flopped and declared the Quebecois a nation?? I believe he has no ideals or scruples at all–will say or do anything for a vote.
Bill, The funny part of that is listening the Liberals now claim the media is one sided, did not that refrain belong to the CPC before the last election.
Judy, With that one motion, he cut the legs right out from under the Bloq. It was a brilliant piece of politics, and if the other Opps have anything to complain about it should be that they never thought of it first.
Just a point of interest…I see every now and again the SSM debate raises it’s head even still. Here’s one fact that during this heated debate that always amused me. Our media & lefties often pointed out Holland as allowing SSM. Oops…not true. In Holland, everyone is first enters into a civil CONTRACT. All couples, gays and hets. Then, the couple is only considered ‘married’ when they have the church service. Churches in Holland do not marry gay couples. Since they enter into the same civil contract that het. couples do, our media in Canada made claim to that being ‘the same marriage as het. couples’. But, it’s not. My family in Holland always asked, ‘where does everyone get the idea that gay couples are ‘married’ in Holland’? Good question. I explain it by saying that some are looking for examples and since you all enter into civil unions first, it was promoted here as ‘marriage’. Interesting, eh? Oh, you will find lots of sites on the internet that calls the unions marriages, and I am sure the gay community in Holland does also, but fact is, it’s a civil union nothing more.
Oh, you will find lots of sites on the internet that calls the unions marriages, and I am sure the gay community in Holland does also, but fact is, it’s a civil union nothing more.
L
By Leasa on 03.31.07 9:09 am
Does that mean that hetrosexual couples who go through a civil ceremoney are not considered married either?
“Bill, The funny part of that is listening the Liberals now claim the media is one sided, did not that refrain belong to the CPC before the last election.”
By KH on 03.30.07 5:28 pm
The media tends to be right wing not necessarily Liberal or Conservative. They support the establishment and it does not matter which party is in power they tend to focus on the opinions/wants of the economic elite because they see this class as providing their bread and butter.
Judy, With that one motion, he cut the legs right out from under the Bloq. It was a brilliant powerleveling piece of politics, and if the other Opps have anything to complain about it should be that they never thought of it first.
65 comments ↓
i saw some of the clips in CBC today. He really seemed confident to lead the next election.
Best of Luck
Does it bug anyone else when people use the word ‘Leader’ as a proper noun instead of a common noun.
This isn’t north korea boys. No Dear Leader here.
Angus-Reid: Con 39% Lib 22% Ndp 17% Grn 11% Bq 10%
Ahhh crap Garth. We’re in deep doo doo.
Bring on the election! Dion has nothing to lose at this point, so why not go for it? There is no point any longer in putting an election off. We need one now.
Excellent speech, better on paper than delivered, but Dion can work on that! He’s nervous. The best paragraph is the one about Harper’s oft and recently voiced wish to devolve federal powers – to Quebec and one suspects to all provinces. Without a strong federal government, we will lose our national programs and sense of ourselves as a country. Dion is right to call the man on his narrow, pinched view of our nation and the limited role of the federal government within it.
Garth:
Your party is about to enter another “Gomerey Moment” with the announced investigation into the RCMP pension matter. Lib government granted a sole-source contract to Abotech Inc. (remember THAT scandal), a company formerly headed by David Smith (Lib MP) and facilitated by his cousin, government staffer Frank Brazeau (subject of a RCMP raid).
I thinking that you and your new party are about to experience yet another “Abscam moment”…
Sorry Mr. Dion, I started watching your speech live, but after the part about the budget not doing anything for students, I fell asleep! (Because I was tired!).
However, I did wake up in time to see Mr. I and yourself doing the bad cop, bon cop double team on Mr. Harper re: the RCMP affair.
My take on it was that you were asking a valid question of the government of the day. PMSH answered but couldn’t resist the partisan jab that the RCMP problem occuring under the last Liberal watch and the commissioner was a Liberal appointment, the same commissioner that Mr. Day was defending over the Arar scandal only a few months ago. (Et tu Brute, Mr. Zacardelli might be saying!)
I’m glad Mr. I pointed out that under PMSH’s watch the auditor general had reported the issue and had done absolutely nothing.
Even when Jack L. asked the PM to forget the partisan rhetoric, PMSH continued to place the all the blame elsewhere.
Keep throwing the mud, PMSH, eventually some of the 40% will see that some
of it is on you and that the HoC is for governing not rhetoric!
Dan on the Danforth on ,
22% for the Libs? That doesn’t sound right.
The Libs have NEVER polled that low.
Bring on the election! Dion has nothing to lose at this point, so why not go for it? There is no point any longer in putting an election off. We need one now.
If you want an election so bad go to the blogging Tories site and make your plea there. Get Harper to call one. The opposition are not going to do his dirty work for him.
Sorry Dan, Harper is going nowhere but down in the polls, Yet again.
http://tinyurl.com/ywrnls
http://tinyurl.com/2heuzj
The budget honeymoon is over and the buying of votes in Quebec never helped him at all.
I’m going to declare myself a member of an LPC virtual focus group assembled to evaluate to-day’s caucus rally –
1. Reminds me of some of the high school pep rallies I had to attend ages ago, except that we did not enthuse as easily.
2. A few shouts of “Amen, Brother” would not have been out of character.
3. Do not be disingenuous. The Libs were going to tax Income Trusts, which led Harper to promise not to tax them, then do it probably for the same reasons Goodale was going to, which now leads Dion to damn Harper and offer relief for ITs being taxed. Secondly, if the LPC does not want an election, it will be difficult to arrange one. But the LPC has been attacking Harper and his budget at every turn, so it hardly seems ready to work constructively with the Government. Make up your minds, look, sound and smell serious.
4. As an orator, Dion is not ready for prime time, despite comparisons to Laurier. Get someone to work on his English pronunciation and delivery. It is not offensive to the boss to help him overcome a real weakness.
5. At this rate, it is going to be an election campaign that I would rather sit out. CPC and LPC are going to blast each other in the good old-fashioned way, and swing-voters like me will be hard pressed to find a difference in the degree of mendacity.
Garth, I’m on your side – Écrasez l’infâmie! But do it properly, give us an alternative. Individually, we know what’s wrong in our world, but you big guys tell us what the problems are from your broader point of view, how you propose to tackle them, and how and why your way would be better than the other guy’s.
Don’t tempt me to vote Green in desperation.
Future Statement by Stockwell Day:
I have only been the Minister of Public Safety for (fill in the blank) years. Don’t hold me accountable.
When exactly is Day going to accept responsibility for his department?
He said he was “assured” that the suggestions by Fraser to improve the policies at the RCMP were being implemented. I want to know when or if he checked back again to ensure that changes were being made.
Perhaps he, like O’Connor, thought he could “look him straight in the eye” and believe what he was being told.
What is wrong with these “new” ministers? Are they that inept?
Day had been asked to launch an investigation into ALL RCMP practices back in November. He didn’t get it done.
And why are we not having a judicial investigation. One that can subpeona witnesses???
And why did Day confer with the RCMP commissioner as to the from the investigation would take?
Herb,
“Don’t tempt me to vote Green in desperation.”
TEMPT! TEMPT! TEMPT!
LMAO!
Randy,
Hate to spoil your party but the polls mean Jack. When Harper decides to go it will because he knows he can get his majority. Rest assured that party polls have a much bigger sampling than 800 people.
These polling companies should shut down. People either aren’t telling them who they are going to vote for, lie about whom they will vote for or just say they are undecided. It makes the poll results questionable.
For the environmentally inclined, an interesting article in the Globe today lambasting cap and trade:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070329.wbcgreenindustry29/BNStory/ClimateChange/home
What party would you vote for in the next federal election?
Mar. 25 Mar. 4 Feb. 26
Conservative 35% 35% 36%
Liberal 31% 29% 27%
NDP 13% 15% 13%
Green 10% 11% 13%
Bloc Québécois 8% 7% 8%
Source: Decima Research / Canadian Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Canadian adults, conducted from Mar. 22 to Mar. 25, 2007. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
Oh well !!
After seeing the two websites with the polls, and after he has passed his bill to hold elections every four years, I wonder if Harper would not really need an election to confirm to himself that he is the PM.
Can he hack another three years under strict supervision from the Liberals and to a lesser extent the NDP ?
The Bloc does not want an election because without Duceppe and his deputy that party would be decimated to the benefit of ……….. the Liberals.
So we are in for an interesting couple of weeks.
Poor Dion!, It seems the rock star is hitting rock bottom buaaahhhhh.!!!
http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=news&newsid=39
Randy,
“Hate to spoil your party but the polls mean Jack. When Harper decides to go it will because he knows he can get his majority. Rest assured that party polls have a much bigger sampling than 800 people.
These polling companies should shut down. People either aren’t telling them who they are going to vote for, lie about whom they will vote for or just say they are undecided. It makes the poll results questionable.
By KPK on 03.29.07 9:52 pm”
You are not spoiling any party for me KPK I never voted Liberal before in my life but may next time.
You sure were getting all wet last week when the polls right after the budget made it look like a sure fire majority for Harper weren’t you? Now all of a sudden the polls are crap. Yea, sure KPK.
The whole point is that no matter what B.S Harper tries to sling the majority of Canadians aren’t buying it.. 14 months now and still the same as results as what he had when he got elected to a “minority” Still whining and obsessing on the “previous Liberal” Government.
Independent inquiry to report in 6 to 12 weeks on RCMP scandal. Hmm, gee I wonder if this is going to be another one of those blacked out you can’t see them reports because of national security. For Government eyes only but we will be sure to tell all how it is all the previous Liberal Governments fault. It happened under their watch.
Is that about the size of what is going to come out of this Garth?
I’m sorry, I had to switch off MPTV about 10 minutes into SD’s speech. An orator he is not. And all the “hear hears” from the caucus was annoying.
Did like the Clarity/Flaherty joke though! Such a card that Dion. The message he was giving….zzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sorry, dozed off there.
Quote of the day
From Stephane Dion’s speech to caucus this morning:
I gave Canada Clarity. Stephen Harper gave Canada Flaherty.
love it !
Isn’t it amazing that for the first time in decades we have absolutely no threat of referendum or separation coming from Quebec? Thank you Mr. Harper. Oh, and I am wondering if Dion ever thanked Mr. Harper for writing the Clarity Act which Dion ‘claimed as his own’? Just wondering. L
Garth cant you find a better picture of Mr Dion he always seems to have his mouth hanging open!
What are the Conservatives scared of by not having a full public inquiry re: RCMP?
Even the NDP (I give them kudos finally) said that the Conservatives are using this issue for partisan reasons.
I wouldn’t feel the RCMP issue was totally dealt with until there is a full public inquiry.
Why is it Harper never does anything with any depth or detail? He constantly deals with everything on the surface only. This is bad governing. Even matters that are affected constitutionally seem to escape him.
Quick isn’t decisive – it’s getting it over with.
You know, Harper considers himself a Christian (he’s an evangelical Christian and belongs to the Alliance Evnagelical Church) and yet he has such strong hatreds. When a person hates this much there is something wrong with them.
Why aren’t more people disturbed by this level of hatred? This frightens me.
Rob are you insane, read what was said in the second paragraph,
The Conservative Party has extended its advantage in Canada’s federal political scene, as the Liberal Party continues to lose support, an Angus Reid Strategies poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample
Oooh an online survey, that is reliable. It is bunk and means nothing.
The only pollster who seems to get a real read of the country is Nik at sesresearch.com
When he comes out with a poll, then I will pay attention.
Regards
Ray
Leasa – try to get your facts straight. You are always using the Conservative rhetoric and we all know they are misleading.
Fact: Supreme Court came up with Clarity Act idea and Dion refined it.
Harper may have jumped on the supreme court band wagon BUT it was Dion who refined it.
Leasa, you are delusional. Harper did not write the Clarity act – he tried to introduce a private members bill back in 1996 (a different bill altogether) which went nowhere. The Clarity Act was written by Dion and passed in 2000. In fact, that is why then PM Chretien drafted Dion into the party – the write the Clarity Act. Harper was not even a sitting MP when the Clarity act was passed. Indeed, the Progressive Conservative party even opposed the act at the time. The Clarity Act is Dion’s baby: Harper had nothing to do with it. PERIOD.
You know, Harper considers himself a Christian (he’s an evangelical Christian and belongs to the Alliance Evnagelical Church) and yet he has such strong hatreds. When a person hates this much there is something wrong with them.
Why aren’t more people disturbed by this level of hatred? This frightens me.
By slg on 03.30.07 8:29 am
God hates ; a slandering person.
Speaking of poll and interesting figures this Angus Reid poll regarding
How deep a shade of green? are Canadians willing to be, in Carol Goar’scolumn of The Star, says a lot.
SLG,
What the hell are you talking about? hatred? Hatred of what? All things Liberal?
The former reform party composed the clarity act, led by now P.M. Harper. Get the facts straigth,and give credit due where credit is due.
Great article by John Ivison in today’s National Post – “So not ready: Despite Dion’s bluster, election prospects bleak for reeling Liberals…”
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=4fcdf5d1-2b03-4742-bfcf-7f398ebd6c2d&k=0
SLG,
“Why aren’t more people disturbed by this level of hatred? This frightens me.”
Because those who follow Fearless Leader believe they are the only ones going to be ’saved’ because they drink his flavour of religious Kool-Aide. Simple as that! That is why they support him.
Isn’t it amazing that for the first time in decades we have absolutely no threat of referendum or separation coming from Quebec? Thank you Mr. Harper – Leasa
More CPC spin. Why are you thanking Mr. Harper? What’s he done? Nothing.
The people of Quebec have decided that splitting is not the way to go, but that the ADQ policy of more provincial juristiction within in a federal system is the way to go. They didn’t give Mr. Harper’s buddy Jean a majority as PMSH had hoped after sending billions their way in the budget.
So, this period of referendum peace has nothing to do with Harper.
PS. What has PMSH to do with the clarity act … that was Jean Chretien and remember the flak the opposition, Mr Harper et al., gave him for that?
Leasa your spin is out of control.
Dion & Co are dead wrong about cap and trade. There is no empirical evidence that it ever worked. He will send this country into economic oblivion for no reason and emissions will be reduced much slower than they should. Even “progressive” California rejects cap and trade. Cap and Trade will only create “hot spots” of high pollution and emissions. Ex. The Center for Progressive Regulation states that a cap and trade system for mercury for the Great Lakes will result in LOCAL
increases in Mercury pollution exposing residents to GREATER danger – not less. When a study was done on the acid rain emissions trading system there were no further emissions reduction after companies invested in more up to date technology. This could of been accomplished with simple industrial regulation. Trading allows companies to comply with regulation without making significant changes that may provide greater benefits in the long-run. Trading allows companies to avoid significant changes.
It appears that the “old” time environmentalists were right – trading does allow polluters to keep polluting.
Leasa: Just proves another flip-flop by Mr. Harper. Wrote a more stringent Clarity proposal then changed his mind and decided to declare the Quebecois a nation??? what exactly are we supposed to believe from this Prime Minister??
Says one thing and does another all the time.
“I am wondering if Dion ever thanked Mr. Harper for writing the Clarity Act which Dion ‘claimed as his own’?”
Hmmmm – must be the Liberal way to “steal” things…
Clarity Act
Money in Brown Envelopes
Boxes
Sigh…..
SLG
How would you know the amount of hatred in SH?
Politics may not be a gentlemen’s sport, but hatred? How would any of us know?
That is a little over the top.
The Selling Out of Canada.
Barbarians are knocking down the Gate and Ottawa screams, “Wait, wait, we are gold plating the key for you.”
“Election first, takeover later”
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=eab162e8-48fe-4a05-93ea-b376e15bc48f&k=75993
The sudden push by Liberals to get the Fixed Election Bill passed smacks of desperation.
http://www.liberal.ca/news_e.aspx?id=12632
If Mr. Dion can ignore the handlers, relax and let his passion shine through as we have seen him display in the past he’ll blast the tories back to the 1950’s where they belong. I think he could be one of Canada’s most beloved prime ministers. My nineteen year old daughter and her university friends love him. That’s something Mr. Harper could never be…loveable.
Re: comment by slg on 03.30.07 8:29 am
This is a good point. How far should someone go in trying to appear “decisive” but still not be seen to be “impulsive”?
This RCMP issue has been around for a long time and it does appear that both the Liberals and the new Conservatives have tried to avoid dealing with it until it could not be contained any longer. One will try to blame the other but there is enough to go around.
This idea to appoint a special investigator seems to be more impulsive and a means of damage control. There needs to be a far more in depth inquiry into the entire leadership of the RCMP. Dealing with one issue is unlikely to do anything to solve the systemic problems.
I always believed that it was a mistake to have the RCMP Commissioner an officer of Government rather than an officer of Parliament (like the Auditor General). I believe that change was made under Trudeau. The position of the Commissioner is politicized on a partisan basis by being responsible to the executive rather than the legislative branch of government.
Kitkat,
Thanks for excellent link. And to think in the National Compost as well?
Like I have been saying…’Barbarians At The Gates’
I think this all part of the not so well covered up NAU plan that provides even more Imperilistic control by the U.S. in their thirst for global domination and endless re-inforcement of their Voodoo economic theories.
Re: comments and link by kitkat on 03.30.07 10:33 am
This should be a major concern for people who live in rural areas. Bernier and others favour the complete deregulation of telecommunication services. The large providers want out of rural service because it is not lucrative. Rural infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate as a result.
It would be political suiscide for the new Conservatives to implement deregulation just before an election.
Harper is vindictive, vengeful and hateful. He get his jollies by totalling demeaning people.
Politics has always been a blood-sport, but I have never, never seen so much venum and divisiveness and hatefulness in Canada.
What’s more frightening is that the sheep that want to think Harper is the great Kahuna just don’t get it or are as vengeful.
This is not a good sign.
A well known journalist wrote an article which appeared in our local newspaper today about a certain (not well known) person behind this right-wing movement and his connections, the involvement of John Reynolds, David Frum, etc.
Apparently, there’s something coming up in McLeans on this and apparently it will be an eye opener.
I just can’t wait to read it. So, sheep, keep following the new government rhetoric and don’t bellyache when Canada changes dramatically.
You know, Harper considers himself a Christian (he’s an evangelical Christian and belongs to the Alliance Evnagelical Church) and yet he has such strong hatreds. – Lean Green Machine.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…ooops wrong speech!
I’m not defending Harper because my interpretation of the teachings of Jesus Christ as defined in the bible do not include the hatred of others based on their religion, race, or sexual orientation.
As with any other faith, there are differences of interpretation. The problems arise when fundamentalists get involved and extract those parts of sacred works to justify their position.
For some it turns to hatred (the terrorists) for others its a case for upholding their beliefs.
Mr. Harper is one of the latter, but no person has the right to impose his religious beliefs on anyone including making laws to do so. Thats why separation of state and church (hierachical church as opposed to the lay people) is so important.
So PMSH doesn’t necessarily hate people, but he is certainly trying to use his position as PM to impose his beliefs. (See Same Sex Marriage and Abortion…and to show the point re: interpretation, I agree with the first but not the second, but it is not my place to prevent it by force, but by suggestion and offering alternatives!)
Mr. Harper, Jesus Christ never imposed his will on anyone, except the vendors in the Temple, he just suggested people change their ways and left them with the choice.
And the ones He really went after were the religious hypocrits!
While I’m at is I suggest you read Paul Wells’ blog today.
So, you think Harper is so nice?????
C.B. Innes,
“This RCMP issue has been around for a long time and it does appear that both the Liberals and the new Conservatives have tried to avoid dealing with it until it could not be contained any longer. One will try to blame the other but there is enough to go around.”
Precisely. I think that most Canadians, as myself, are appalled at the conduct at the highest level of the RCMP. I have never had greater respect for a law enforcement organization than them. Now, again, we see this schmuck Zaccardelli at the focus of wrong doings. Why do I think of Julian Fantino when I think of Zaccardelli?
I come to this blog periodically to get a laugh. There are so many blind (not physically) posters who seem to believe that their leader is god. No real meat to the subject, just emotion. You know the Conservatives are so starved for power that their following could be the following of Hitler or that religious nut that had all his followers kill themselves.
The Liberals are not free of guilt, but at least the followers have a little more rational in their arguments. Of course the OLD conservatives now in power are just adding the list of do as I say not as I do.
Politics today has become a joke. The insiders run the party and the leaders are just puppets. Harper doesn’t have the intellect to come out with his comments. They’re prepared for him and he just reads the lines. Dion is at least a little bit more in control of his speeches.
The conservatives should consider that Dion didn’t have a chance in hell of winning the liberal leadership, based on the projections, but he did win. The conservatives feel he doesn’t have a chance to beat Harper, but, they will probably be wrong.
Think clearly, remove your party bias(blindness) and you may find that there is a better option. I’m going to stay neutral and always support the best person who will represent me, regardless of party affiliation. The best way to find this person is ask them what they will do for you, and the minute they start to spout the party line, forget them.
James said, “So PMSH doesn’t necessarily hate people, but he is certainly trying to use his position as PM to impose his beliefs. (See Same Sex Marriage and Abortion…and to show the point re: interpretation, I agree with the first but not the second, but it is not my place to prevent it by force, but by suggestion and offering alternatives!)”
How did he impose his will on homosexual marriage? By giving a free vote and have a discussion about it? So, what did he do to impose?
As for abortion, what did Harper ever say about abortion that bothers you? And, how does he impose or force his view on his party or Canadians as a whole? At the same time, are you opposed to the majority view in this country by polls that Canadians want some type of restrictions on abortion?
Bill R,
“The best way to find this person is ask them what they will do for you, and the minute they start to spout the party line, forget them.”
That is precisely what cost our former Liberal MP, Andy Mitchell…a good man and nice fellow, our votes here. He started spouting the PMO rhetoric in his replies. Times up when that happens.
From today’s National Post
‘We’re ready … we’re ready … we’re ready,” shouted Stephane Dion at a Liberal pep rally yesterday, as members of his caucus gave a limp chorus of “Dion, Dion, Dion.”
This was curious, since a senior Liberal had just confided: “We’re so not ready.”
Mr. Dion’s concluding call to arms — “We don’t want an election, but if there is an election, we’re going to win” — produced guffaws of disbelief, and even expressions of sympathy, from journalists who have formed a consensus that the Liberal leader is doomed.
Laurie,
“produced guffaws of disbelief, and even expressions of sympathy, from journalists who have formed a consensus that the Liberal leader is doomed.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if the so-called ‘journalists’ learned to simply report the news, instead of manipulating it?
Donna: I wonder why Mr. Harper wrote a version of the clarity act and then flip-flopped and declared the Quebecois a nation?? I believe he has no ideals or scruples at all–will say or do anything for a vote.
Bill, The funny part of that is listening the Liberals now claim the media is one sided, did not that refrain belong to the CPC before the last election.
KH,
The media is biased…towards their own profits by creating conflict. They could care less which party is the government.
Yes, you are right, er, left, er, centrist, er…er….er,….RESET! LOL
Judy, With that one motion, he cut the legs right out from under the Bloq. It was a brilliant piece of politics, and if the other Opps have anything to complain about it should be that they never thought of it first.
Judy, Mr. Dion was the Minister who put through the Clarity Act, and now he votes in favour of the Quebecois as a nation within Canada resolution.
There is nothing at all to choose between the two leaders on the issues that you highlight. Think it over.
Just a point of interest…I see every now and again the SSM debate raises it’s head even still. Here’s one fact that during this heated debate that always amused me. Our media & lefties often pointed out Holland as allowing SSM. Oops…not true. In Holland, everyone is first enters into a civil CONTRACT. All couples, gays and hets. Then, the couple is only considered ‘married’ when they have the church service. Churches in Holland do not marry gay couples. Since they enter into the same civil contract that het. couples do, our media in Canada made claim to that being ‘the same marriage as het. couples’. But, it’s not. My family in Holland always asked, ‘where does everyone get the idea that gay couples are ‘married’ in Holland’? Good question. I explain it by saying that some are looking for examples and since you all enter into civil unions first, it was promoted here as ‘marriage’. Interesting, eh? Oh, you will find lots of sites on the internet that calls the unions marriages, and I am sure the gay community in Holland does also, but fact is, it’s a civil union nothing more.
L
Leasa,
Why is the SSM of interest to you? Are you Gay?
Oh, you will find lots of sites on the internet that calls the unions marriages, and I am sure the gay community in Holland does also, but fact is, it’s a civil union nothing more.
L
By Leasa on 03.31.07 9:09 am
Does that mean that hetrosexual couples who go through a civil ceremoney are not considered married either?
“Bill, The funny part of that is listening the Liberals now claim the media is one sided, did not that refrain belong to the CPC before the last election.”
By KH on 03.30.07 5:28 pm
The media tends to be right wing not necessarily Liberal or Conservative. They support the establishment and it does not matter which party is in power they tend to focus on the opinions/wants of the economic elite because they see this class as providing their bread and butter.
Judy, With that one motion, he cut the legs right out from under the Bloq. It was a brilliant powerleveling piece of politics, and if the other Opps have anything to complain about it should be that they never thought of it first.