Canada had our election today, and with 97% of the polls reporting, the numbers are fairly set.
Stephen Harper, our 22nd Prime Minister, is back, with an increased minority government. To me, this was foreseeable, due to some fumbles this past week. However, he did show great talent tonight, his speaking was spot on, and his attacks were concise this campaign. As an Albertan, I'm proud to have him as our PM.
On to the Liberals, who've had one of the worst turn outs ever. Ouch. Poor Dion. The issue for him is that he will be under leadership review, but I have a feeling he'll hold on tight, with a good grasp on his seat.
Third and fourth are interesting. The BQ have more seats, but less support, the NDP have more support, less seats.
We'll move on to the BQ. They faced dissolving if they dropped below the 40 seat mark, but with only losing a few seats, the analysts, such as myself, were wrong in judging their downfall. I'm sure they'll be back to fight another election.
Now, the NDP, 18% of the support....but only some 30 seats. Their big triumph of the night, though, is doing something unthinkable. They took a seat in the Conservative stronghold, Alberta. The only party to break through. This boost in support is amazing, and I sense that with Liberal support at all time lows (27%), that we could see new Opposition in the next election.
Oh, and dear me, the Greens lost their one and only seat.....guess the Greens may not be in the next debate. As they were, May failed to take out the Cabinet Minister, even without a Liberal running, so, chances are, we won't see her as leader for long. She took over, she failed. She is at risk, more than any other leader, but I wish her well.
Now, a big reason for these changes? 55% voter turnout, the least in Canada's history. Federally, that is.
I'm not sure what will happen, we tend to follow America, which seems to be Obama-rama, but who knows, hopefully things go well for both countries.
The economy became a big issue, but to most Canadians, it was identifying. We identified with Harper, it seems, but with some fantastic changes, like the NDP breakthrough mentioned, the political landscape may change drastically.
Canadians, enjoy our leader.
we lost all of the liberal seats in Manitoba save for the riding I'm in :\
conservatives are up to 9 seats in Manitoba now :D
which is weird because the NDP dominate Manitoba in the provincial elections.
the timing was wrong for the country, right for the Conservatives. I lol at Dion, and the NDP finally got a seat in Quebec.
polls say that Duceppe and Layton (moustache man!) are the strongest leaders.
Both my favorite leaders.
Of course, Ipsos Reid polls showed that even though Duceppe "lost" the debate, his grasp on English Canada went up. It's widely believed if he were, say, leader of the Liberals, that he'd get in like nothing.
55% turnout?
Even in 2004, Americans had a 62% turn out.
Fun fact, my state has correctly chosen the president every election for the past 100 years except in 1956.
there was only a 55% turnout because this was a useless election that didn't need to happen.
I'm gald Stephen harper is still the PM.
I agree Mack, his speaking was excellent.
I didn't really know what a lot of that meant...
Quote from: DOODLEboy99 on October 15, 2008, 12:48:00 PM
I didn't really know what a lot of that meant...
Because it's Canadian politics.
Quote from: Silverhawk79 on October 15, 2008, 01:40:14 PM
Quote from: DOODLEboy99 on October 15, 2008, 12:48:00 PM
I didn't really know what a lot of that meant...
Because it's Canadian politics.
no u
Anyways, it was stupid of Dion to call for an election. Because of this, his party lost seats. That's hilarious basically, as this election didn't really need to happen.
Quote from: Silverhawk79 on October 15, 2008, 01:40:14 PM
Quote from: DOODLEboy99 on October 15, 2008, 12:48:00 PM
I didn't really know what a lot of that meant...
Because it's Canadian politics.
STEREOTYPING STEREOTYPING.
Anyhoo, I say we get a Canadian Board, where Canadians, and Only Canadians, can chat, speak, Debate, etc.
Wait, the prime minister can call for an election? :-\
Quote from: JudgementBoyGold on October 15, 2008, 07:25:09 PM
Quote from: Silverhawk79 on October 15, 2008, 01:40:14 PM
Quote from: DOODLEboy99 on October 15, 2008, 12:48:00 PM
I didn't really know what a lot of that meant...
Because it's Canadian politics.
STEREOTYPING STEREOTYPING.
Anyhoo, I say we get a Canadian Board, where Canadians, and Only Canadians, can chat, speak, Debate, etc.
but then I would get banned from that board :[
Quote from: Tuppyluver1 on October 15, 2008, 07:47:23 PM
Wait, the prime minister can call for an election? :-\
I believe the Queen is the one who has to agree to it.
Quote from: Friendly Hostile on October 15, 2008, 08:34:56 PM
Quote from: Tuppyluver1 on October 15, 2008, 07:47:23 PM
Wait, the prime minister can call for an election? :-\
I believe the Queen is the one who has to agree to it.
the governor general is the representation of the queen
and the governor general doesnt ever do anything but permit things to pass.
so technically yes, the monarch has to give their OK, but they always give their OK, and its not really the monarch.
Quote from: Jono2 on October 15, 2008, 10:00:56 PM
the governor general is the representation of the queen
and the governor general doesnt ever do anything but permit things to pass.
so technically yes, the monarch has to give their OK, but they always give their OK, and its not really the monarch.
I still find it strangely awesome that the Queen is head of state in 3 countries, two of which her country hasn't ruled over in over half a decade. Figure head or not.
Quote from: Friendly Hostile on October 15, 2008, 10:22:53 PM
Quote from: Jono2 on October 15, 2008, 10:00:56 PM
the governor general is the representation of the queen
and the governor general doesnt ever do anything but permit things to pass.
so technically yes, the monarch has to give their OK, but they always give their OK, and its not really the monarch.
I still find it strangely awesome that the Queen is head of state in 3 countries, two of which her country hasn't ruled over in over half a decade. Figure head or not.
the governor general is just there for show. if the governor general actually blocked anything, there would probably be an uproar and we'd cut ties with Britain's monarchy.
Quote from: Jono2 on October 15, 2008, 10:53:42 PM
the governor general is just there for show. if the governor general actually blocked anything, there would probably be an uproar and we'd cut ties with Britain's monarchy.
I know. I still find it awesome.
Quote from: Friendly Hostile on October 16, 2008, 08:13:36 AM
Quote from: Jono2 on October 15, 2008, 10:53:42 PM
the governor general is just there for show. if the governor general actually blocked anything, there would probably be an uproar and we'd cut ties with Britain's monarchy.
I know. I still find it awesome.
i would probably find it awesome if I lived in Britain, but I'm for cutting ties with the monarch...