Liberal leader and prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau poses for a photo while greeting people at a subway station in Montreal, Quebec, October 20, 2015. REUTERS/CHRIS WATTIE
WNU Editor: I personally expected a Liberal minority government. I knew that the NDP support had collapsed in Quebec, the only question where I was not sure of the answer was on the Conservatives .... how many voters had they lost. I now know the answer .... it is clear from yesterday's results that the Conservative government of Stephen Harper has been a huge disappointment .... not fulfilling many of the expectations that their supporters had of them when they were elected with a majority 4 years ago. I can say the same thing about the NDP .... they have also disappointed many in their base .... and when you disappoint the base .... they look elsewhere. I am not going to labour on the many policies and laws that the Conservatives passed which resulted in the conditions ripe for them to be defeated .... that list is long and it will take me hours to outline and explain. In terms of what they did right .... there are two that do stick in my mind. One .... during his term in office Harper did help in suppressing support for the French Quebec nationalist/separatist movement .... and he did it by ignoring it and not feeding into the many grievances that French separatists always like to exploit. One of my business partners is one of the founders of the Bloc (Quebec's separatist party on the federal scene), and he is relieved that Harper is gone, while the more divisive and confrontational Trudeau takes the reins of power. He sees the old conflicts coming back .... and while I am personally not sure about that .... he tells me wait and see. Two .... putting the Federal budget into the black (more or less). And while Harper did this by slowing the growth of government, adding service fees, cutting transfers to the provinces, favouring certain groups over others, and a host of other unpopular measures that has hurt a lot of people .... Canadian voters have shown their displeasure by rejecting these measures. In my opinion this is unfortunate .... I have lived in countries where the budget was not respected, and when the hard times hit (and they always come) .... the suffering then becomes unimaginable. And while I personally believe that in 2 to 3 years we in the Western world will start to see interest rates grow, and in return we will see government budgets explode to cover the costs of their debt .... for the Canadian voter in yesterday's election .... this was not an issue .... not even close.
As to what can we expect from a Trudeau government ... that list is long. Withdrawal of Canadian forces in the war against the Islamic State while maintaining military trainers and humanitarian aid programs. The admission of tens of thousands of refugees from the Middle East ... .25,000 Syrian refugees right away. The cancellation of the F-35 purchase. A re-examination of Canada's naval building program. Support for Kyoto and increase taxes/fees on energy resources and usage. Legalization of marijuana. Higher taxes for top income earners .... promised lower tax rates for the middle class (I have to see this to believe it). A reversal on extending the age when Canadians get their pensions (but I know this will be accomplished by raising the contributions that we must give .... i.e. more taxes). Promised infrastructure programs. Billions to native communities and a national commission to investigate the deaths of 1,200 native women. Restoring ties with Iran. Cooling the relationship with Israel. Try to have better ties with the U.S.. And .... lets face it .... back to having budget deficits which will stimulate the economy in the short term .... but leaving the bill for future generations. Is this the right direction .... I doubt it. But I do know one thing .... Prime Minister elect Trudeau does have a clear mandate for these policies .... and if he is like his father .... he is definitely going to implement this agenda ASAP.
13 comments:
I all so thought that it would be a minority Govt, and I think your pretty close to your assessment, say goodbye to any fiscal responsibility, they plan on opening the money taps. This is always the way with majority Govt with inexperienced people they really don't have a concept the Cretien/Martin crowd were experienced people, with a good political and business background, this bunch Actors and TV personalities and way to many young without the skills that come with living a long time or maybe I'm just to old.
We are too old TWN :)
Speaking of Paul Martin .... I am meeting his son tomorrow on an unrelated matter.
Yes I know I'm. Paul Martin was an excellent Finance Minister.
Let's face it, everybody was tired of Harper. He has zero personality and he maintained control with a tight leash on his MP's. The real question is will Trudeau keep a tight leash on his MP's?? He already fired 2 staffers for allegations relating to harassment of 2 NDP members. No trial!! You must be pro-choice, pro gay marriage and pro legalization of marihuana if you even wanted to run as a Liberal candidate. I just hope he doesn't 'need' to enact section 33 of the BNA like his old man did.
His Dad was an even better Foreign Minister.
Now, Walter Gordon, that was a Canadian Finance Minister.
I want to see a few things:
who are the privy councillors/what will the PMO look like
what the cabinet will look like, especially the finance, defence and foreign ministers
I'm still less than thrilled but Harper had to go. AAA credit score or not.
If Justin can win, then so can Chelsea.
Gotta love dynasties.
The Middle Ages ended when?
Oh yes and very soon we will be regularly treated to (even more) Maclean's Magazine, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star amd CBC "exclusives" featuring Justin and Sophie canoeing the Rideau, skiing in Banff, at the Calgary Stampede, buying groceries in Outremont, greeting the Queen at 24 Sussex (will he pirouette?!)...I bet he curtsies....
Better Homes and Garden: Crepes with Sophie
Canadian Dimiension: Trudeaumania 2 what will the unions do?
New York Times:
Central Committee Elects Pinko's Son As General Secretary. Why The Whitehouse Should Consider Airstrikes On Soviet Canuckistan
It's a good thing weed will be legal. We just may want to be high for this one.
oh, i forgot
The National Post:
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!
RRH .... if you could read French and have the chance to read the Quebec papers .... trust me on this one .... you will be screaming even more. I know the focus is on English Canada, but the reaction among French Quebecers .... and it is their vote that put the Liberals in .... is a sight to behold. In short .... many are in shock and are wondering what the hell has happened. Listening to French talk radio .... no one is happy with what has transpired. But like I said .... it was their vote that put him in the PM's office. In fact .... many are freaking out that Quebec (because it is a French province) is about to receive tens of thousands of Muslim Syrian refugees (Syria has a long French cultural influence) within the year. Like I said .... I live here and it is a sight to behold.
But like I said .... it was their vote that put him in the "PM's office. In fact .... many are freaking out that Quebec (because it is a French province) is about to receive tens of thousands of Muslim Syrian refugees (Syria has a long French cultural influence) within the year. Like I said .... I live here and it is a sight to behold"
Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Too much!
My Mom was saying that's where "Trudeau will send those muslims. You watch. That's just where they'll be and nobody will understand a friggin word anybody else is saying. Even though they both supposedly speak French. Oh boy, they are gonna get it now." She used some other words I won't repeat here.
Sure they put him there . Like you said, they hate him. Now that he's the Prime Minister of Canada it's a twofer. They are going to be acting ridiculous and carrying on something fierce now. It's been overdue for some time.
The Mayor of Halifax is gearing up for refugees,Quebec will get a lot but other they will force them on communities. But I do think they will scale back the numbers.
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