Canada changes Government

Ssupect 95% of the readers here care not one iota, but Canada booted out the old Conservative party last night, and elected a Liberal majority. The NDP (the left wing, social democrats, not democratic socialists :) also took a big bloody nose as well.

The Liberals went from 34 seats to 188 (or something) which is a MASSIVE swing since 2011. In 2011, they had an uncharismatic, politically naive idiot as a leader, though.... his ideas were mostly terrible and born of living in an academic bubble. Justin Trudeau (son of Pierre Trudeau) is much more likeable, and has started to take the Liberals back towards their fiscally conservative/socially liberal roots (or what I call classical liberalism). But only a little. The Liberals are the 'party of government' in Canada... having spent more time in power than in opposition over the last century.

I am pretty sure they won on two main items: a) They weren't Stephen Harper, who as a right wing conservative, is pretty bloody terrible at preseriving rights enshrined in the Charter (it's much like the Constitution, but a bit more wooly and well, Canadian) and b) middle income promised tax cut, paid for by a top earner tax bracket.

(b) is not a policy I support. I agree with progressive taxation systems, but there's a point where they become a barrier to the private economy working effectively.

You are right, I care not one iota.

Funny thing is Pierre Trudeau is the last Canadian PM I can name, and mainly because in junior high we had to learn the leaders of several other countries. Real funny is he is the only one I remember from the assignment.

I have to figure a change was going to happen as Canada is getting hurt by low commodity prices and really you can do nothing about that.

Doesn't Canada have a queen? Why do they
need elections.

Quote: Evenbob

Doesn't Canada have a queen? Why do they
need elections.

They vote for a new government, not for the "head of state". Most countries in the Americas (other than the remnants of the British Empire) have one person who is both head of state and head of government. In Europe I don't think there is one country where they are the same person.

Canada
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state with the Governor General – David Johnston her representative
Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau) is the head of government

In many European countries the royal head of state has been replaced with an elected head of state. Usually the head of government is better known outside of the country. Perhaps the most famous example is the HOS of Germany; the Federal President – Joachim Gauck is overshadowed in international affairs by the HOG of Germany; the Federal Chancellor – Angela Merkel.

In Ireland the head of state is President Michael D. Higgins and the head of government is Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The title means "chief" in the Irish language. The earliest known use of the term is from a 5th- or 6th-century inscription in both the Gaelic and Brittonic languages using a medieval alphabet..

Quote: AZDuffman

You are right, I care not one iota.

Funny thing is Pierre Trudeau is the last Canadian PM I can name, and mainly because in junior high we had to learn the leaders of several other countries. Real funny is he is the only one I remember from the assignment.

I have to figure a change was going to happen as Canada is getting hurt by low commodity prices and really you can do nothing about that.

Pretty much... as I kept telling people, it's not about the economy.... Harper and the Cons were neither to blame for the recession, nor to thank for the high times before hand.

Course, we will probably get 'high times' now as dope will be decriminalized by the Trudeau and his Liberal party.

Quote: AZDuffman

You are right, I care not one iota.

Meanwhile, in Canada...



I'd amend "don't care" to "don't understand". We really are wrapped up in our own USA#1 bubble down here. Other than the time Rob Ford was possessed by the ghost of Chris Farley, I couldn't tell you one thing about Canadian politics.

Bob the English monarchs haven't had absolute power since the Magna Carta in 1215. Pretty sure that is even older than you. The rights it took away from the King are enshrined in English common law. Which is basis of law for the USA as well.

Quote: Pacomartin

Canada
Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state with the Governor General – David Johnston her representative

I've often wondered how that works now. I know the Queen or her proxy Governor can, and I suppose sometimes do, appear in ceremonial functions, like the Queen does at home in the opening session of Parliament. But does the British Crown have any real power regarding Canada?

I know, also, Canada fought in both World Wars, but not whether they were ordered to by the Brits or joined in of their own accord or due to treaty obligations or what.

Quote:

The title means "chief" in the Irish language.

English? ;)

Quote: kenarman

Bob the English monarchs haven't had absolute power since the Magna Carta in 1215.

And a certain Charles I lost his head proving it.

Quote: TheCesspit

Course, we will probably get 'high times' now as dope will be decriminalized by the Trudeau and his Liberal party.

One of the few issues I have flipped on. Still conflicted as I have seen pot turn at least one really smart guy into a total lump. Guy seriously dropped a class he had an "A" in because it was too far to walk across campus. Pothead professor when you talked to him, he was also smart but just a bit slow to deal with, though not as bad as the aforesaid guy. But I see it turning the cops into a domestic military. Gangbangers will probably not have near the power without the dope money. Maybe I could buy lye in the hardware store again.

Quote: Face

I'd amend "don't care" to "don't understand". We really are wrapped up in our own USA#1 bubble down here. Other than the time Rob Ford was possessed by the ghost of Chris Farley, I couldn't tell you one thing about Canadian politics.

People give Americans a hard time on the "bubble" thing, but they forget that the USA is still by far the most important nation in the world. When POTUS visits a small country, it is remembered for generations. Say POTUS and PMOC visit Belize. Which is going to have 10Xs the reception? I forget the Brit who was PM and it said he was hopping the Concorde to visit IIRC Clinton. Sorry, world, you do not compare.