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| Subject: Political Question |
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Sorry guys if this is totally outside the realm of this forum. But I can´t find any more info. on this at cbc.ca or elsewhere. And it may be of interest to new immigrants in understanding the place they´re wanting to move to.
What happened to the planned national election in Canada that everyone was predicting for last spring or summer? Harper was expected to call for one, and the opposition leader Dion and the Liberals were anxious as well.
Supposedly, growing dissatisfaction with the Conservative Party was to force an early 2007 election. But absolutely nothing so far, and Harper keeps trudging along. Is his party now popular and in a stronger position?
[05-09-2007,16:21]
[**.53.229.17]
Richard |
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(in reply to: Political Question)
No one knows or cares? Looks like the silly discussion above from NEW is more fascinating. I think I´m giving up on this forum for anything intelligent.
[05-09-2007,19:17]
[**.53.229.17]
Richard |
(in reply to: Political Question)
I am sitting squarely in Canada and talk to many Canucks around and I don´t see any dis-satisfaction with the current govt in Canada. They like to mumble that Harper is Bush but they know better. There will be no election until this term is completed.
[05-09-2007,19:21]
[***.202.38.47]
Elvis |
(in reply to: Political Question)
ok, thanks.
[05-09-2007,19:38]
[**.53.229.17]
Richard |
(in reply to: Political Question)
Richard:
I´ve already written one response, but apparently my 4 year old deleted it before I could send it. I´ll try again...
I do think you are right that politics isn´t a primary focus of this forum, unfortunately. There is a distinct apathy in regards to the country we are all trying to immigrate to. That said, I always appreciate your political and social commentary, although I do not often reply (see previous note about 4 year old :) )
I think perhaps one reason the early election threat faded was that Harper hasn´t yet done anything shocking enough or controversial enough to warrant one. Canada is still coming off from plenty of scandal from the previous Liberal party, and can´t be looking forward to raising more dust with their new leadership. Also, the Liberal party didn´t have a strong leader early on in Harper´s reign, nor do they feel they have one now in Dion. To call an early election would not be in the Liberals favor.
I don´t have a good handle on how Canadians are taking to Harper either, but I do sense that they tend to be more trusting in their government than Americans are (with good reason). I typically appreciate this fact. That said, I´m pretty sure that you and I share a similar view of Harper, and I´m finding it challenging to not allow my American biases to form strong opinions on something I don´t, in reality, know much about.
Although I do want to learn all that I can about Canadian politics and cultures, I don´t want to bring my American "baggage" with me to the country I am about to call my new Home. I want to be able to learn about my new country with open eyes and learn to think and see as a Canadian, not as an expatriate or an immigrant or an "American-Canadian". I am already aware that it will be one of the great challenges of immigration, and one that will no doubt have an enormous impact on my life (and should on every immigrant´s life).
Sorry I´ve gone a little off topic. I´m interested as well to hear from Canadians what the general opinion is, and why. I´m not sure if we´ll hear it here on this forum, but I do look forward to the day, soon, when it will be all around me, and when I can honestly say I´ve formed my own opinions as the Canadian I will someday become.
[05-09-2007,21:06]
[**.95.51.238]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: Political Question)
Rchard, Sorry to be late. Your topic is not outside the realm of this forum, it is very relevant. Politicians and politics determine the Immgration process, they have the power to change the rules, laws at the fall of the hat. I agree with you we should have more intelligent discussions on this forum. Wannabecanadian had said enough, so I do not have much more input.It is simple, the Liberals are weak at the moment without a vibrant leader, the Conservatives are behaving themselves, nothing sensational is happening and Canadians are going about their everyday lives and not bothering with politics. Apparently, Canadians are pleased with Harper for the time being.
We have to wait for a scandal.
Balwant
[05-09-2007,21:28]
[***.80.24.5]
Balwant Persaud |
(in reply to: Political Question)
wannabe,
Thanks for your welcomed and thoughtful response. I´m afraid this forum is degenerating into semi-intelligible babble over inane issues (see "discussions" with poster NEW).
Yes, I have a feeling that we share similar views politically, including about Canada. This is probably based on our American roots, where we know how recent politics there have turned things out.
I know for a fact there are some long-time Canadian members here who are on the other side of the politic fence, and some lively political discussions have occasionally come up about Canada. In my case I don´t hold back my views, whether about American or Canadian politics.
And you´re right. It seems there are tons of people here tossing and turning about coming to Canada, finding jobs, and analyzing the application details. But do they really understand the system and culture they´re trying to immigrate to?
I´m not shy to say that I regret that Harper is still in office. That´s why I was asking when these elections were supposed to take place. When I left Canada for the U.S temporarily last June, CBC TV and radio was abuzz with predictions about upcoming elections. I watched with interest the Liberal Party conference last winter on CBC TV (along with much hockey), and actually hoped for a Prime Minister Dion.
But after my U.S. return, I keep checking back and keep seeing this Bush clone still in power there. Afterall, part of my reason for emmigrating was to get away from THAT.
So thanks for the good input, and I hope you´ll be willing to share that "baggage" - your views on the Canadian political scenery as the topic comes up. In the meantime, I think I now understand the election situation there.
[05-09-2007,22:13]
[**.53.229.17]
Richard |
(in reply to: Political Question)
Thanks Balwant. I was typing away my response to wannabe when you replied. But you summed up the situation quite correctly.
[05-09-2007,22:16]
[**.53.229.17]
Richard |
(in reply to: Political Question)
the conservative government is in a minority position which means certain votes (like a budget) could trigger an election. So far that has not happened. At the moment, there is a bill waiting to be passed that will force fixed election dates every 5 years. BC does it provincially and it has taken a lot of the game playing out of the politics.
Harper is staying out of trouble. The economy is rolling in cash, unemployment is low and he has managed not to piss too many people off. The biggest issue is Afghanistan and our NATO commitment. The previous Liberal goverment committed the troops and now the Conservatives ar being blamed for the body bags. There is a date of 2009 to bring the troops home. This is is likely the issue that could bring Harper down if he does not play it right. There is conflicting pressure from NATO for Canada to stay, and huge pressure (particularly in Quebec) for us to end our combat role. I think we could stay as peacekeepers without difficulty. Canada got stuck looking after Kandahar - and the casulties have been high. The troops support the mission but the public really does not have the stomach for it.
Anyway, I digress.
You will find that Canadian politics is not nearly as intrusive as the US political scene. Nobody is that important and there is not nearly the same sort of right and left polarization. If you stacked up our political parties I think there would be more similarities between the conservatives and democrats than with the republicans. Harper being Bush´s friend was political spin and I have not really seen much of that being played lately.
It will be very interesting to see how Harper fairs at APEC.
My political interests are more civic but as a result I am required to know a little more about the provincial stuff. To be honest, that is where our biggest quality of life matters are dealt with.
[07-09-2007,14:25]
[***.121.220.199]
sharon |
(in reply to: Political Question)
Excellent and enlightening analysis for us ex-pat Americans heading North. Indeed, we´re used to much more polarization and angst. It´s a relief to see a society with more civility.
[07-09-2007,15:36]
[**.53.229.17]
Richard |
(in reply to: Political Question)
politically, we are far more British. We don´t like to stick out in a crowd, always try to be polite and avoid conflicts whenever possible. We know darn well we have no army to speak of (we joke that it is 2 canoes and a biplane) so it is a little tough to pick a fight with anyone. It is simply better (and cheaper) to be assertive but polite. Besides, who are we going to pick a fight with? the US???? LOL. As if we would win that one. The best we could do would be to shut off the water and electricity we send them.
Being the little guy and knowing it is very empowering.
As a generalized statement, Canada is far more socialist than the US. We tax more but spread it around more. Even our most conservative citizens might want to cut down on some of our taxes but would never abandon universal health care, welfare, subsidized post secondary education, and other endless programs.
Our roads are crap but people are looked after pretty well- and that comes after a string of center and right of center governments. The NDP play a good role in keeping the agenda honest but are a little too far to the left to keep the economy healthy. I think their public support was in the low teens during the last election - just enough to give them a strong voice but not enough to let them run the country.
I listen to the democratic and republican debates and shudder. NOBODY in Canadian politics would tolerate the personal life intrusion or the religious leveraging that goes on. You say you go to church as a Canadian politician and everyone runs the other way. You know why people are afraid of Harper? He goes to church!
There is no power and no thrill in being a Canadian politician and to make it worse... the pay is the pits. In Canada the best and the brightest avoid it like the plague.
Barak Obama or John Edwards is the closest thing the US has to a Canadian political mindset. We will take either - with pleasure.
[07-09-2007,20:04]
[***.121.220.199]
sharon |
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