Canadian Election aka Let Borefest '08 begin!

[purpleoscar]

Canadians understood that carbon taxes would not be helpful to the economy and they went forward with that mandate. The Bloc did the usual stab in the back. To be honest I didn't expect much from Quebec because they are more socialist and the Bloc mirrors the NDP on issues other than separatism. The debate in the last election '06 showed them agreeing on almost everything.

Dion will be removed and Harper should have less problems with passing his agenda for 2 years at least. Also the most important thing is:

The tax free savings account will go forward for sure now. That will help create an incentive for people to save more since the savings rate is abyssmal in the western world.

 

[purpleoscar]

You live in the east right? I live in the west the liberals screwed westerners over so much. Our how economy is based on the oil and lumber industry right now because the business sector is slowly going down. And taxing western provinces over oil revenues isnt right ether. Just to let you know I do pay taxes actually I'm not 18 but i still do and i do my taxes in the spring because i've been working since i was 13!

Hello fellow Albertan! Good work ethic.

 

[Saget]

Congrats taxpayers you just bought yourself a $330 million bill to have the same government you had yesterday.

Didn't the Conservatives win their first minority mandate on the premise that they would act more fiscally responsible and be more accountable than the (at the time) corrupt Liberals? It didn't take these guys long to abandon their principles, seeing as a 300 million dollar power grab isn't a whole lot better on paper (ethically or financially) than a 100 million dollar sponsorship scandal. I hope that the "strictly" enforced two year cycle inhibits future power hungry governments from calling elections at their strategic whim.

Speaking of the future, the Canadian dollar is likely on the path of further devaluation because no clear mandate was established with this election. If some recent economic surveys hold true, Canada is prepped to hit a recession some time in 2009. With such market instability in a commodity-based economy, voters and struggling companies should probably start looking for better economic solutions than passive stimuli; that is, unless superficial tax cuts, spending reduction, and empty tenability standards end up sorting the whole mess. Although a few folks will suggest otherwise, Alberta is not immune from recession, as the price of oil is sliding dramatically. Foreign investment in commodities is going to hit some terrible lows, and a lot of major infrastructure and energy exploration projects will be -and are already being- shelved. The market itself and complacent policy are going to do more damage than the much maligned (and awfully misunderstood) carbon tax platforms of the opposition parties. Fun times.

It's a good thing that Canada is investing heavily in alternative and tertiary industries as a back up plan. Right, guys?

Oh wait.

By the way, did you know that Bob Saget is actually a registered voter in Alberta?

 

[purpleoscar]

Didn't the Conservatives win their first minority mandate on the premise that they would act more fiscally responsible and be more accountable than the (at the time) corrupt Liberals? It didn't take these guys long to abandon their principles, seeing as a 300 million dollar power grab isn't a whole lot better on paper (ethically or financially) than a 100 million dollar sponsorship scandal. I hope that the "strictly" enforced two year cycle inhibits future power hungry governments from calling elections at their strategic whim.

Speaking of the future, the Canadian dollar is likely on the path of further devaluation because no clear mandate was established with this election. If some recent economic surveys hold true, Canada is prepped to hit a recession some time in 2009. With such market instability in a commodity-based economy, voters and struggling companies should probably start looking for better economic solutions than passive stimuli; that is, unless superficial tax cuts, spending reduction, and empty tenability standards end up sorting the whole mess. Although a few folks will suggest otherwise, Alberta is not immune from recession, as the price of oil is sliding dramatically. Foreign investment in commodities is going to hit some terrible lows, and a lot of major infrastructure and energy exploration projects will be -and are already being- shelved. The market itself and complacent policy are going to do more damage than the much maligned (and awfully misunderstood) carbon tax platforms of the opposition parties. Fun times.

It's a good thing that Canada is investing heavily in alternative and tertiary industries as a back up plan. Right, guys?

Oh wait.

By the way, did you know that Bob Saget is actually a registered voter in Alberta?

You're just another guy who thinks the business cycle is controlled by the government. All the government can do is manipulate taxes and interest rates. The rest is up to us. If people want a better living standard they have to save money. More taxes and redistribution will not create jobs.

The carbon taxes are not misunderstood. If you punish companies they will increase our bills. There's no free lunch and everything is connected. Carbon taxes in Europe were replaced with tax cuts elsewhere because of their effect on the economy. Why make the same mistake here?

Energy companies supply what we demand, (including environmentalists), and taxing them will just force them to pass costs onto us. The only way to reduce emissions is to use less, but no politician will be honest and say that WE the voter has to use less. Just blame corporations that supply us with what we need and have them pass costs on to us. Nice try!

 

[love_u2_adam]

That's what you have a Premier for, to take care of Albertan interests. Canada has 9 other provinces and three territories, it's not just your province. Having said that, I do realize there are fairly deep regional divides through much of Canada, and for complex reasons, and that your province will likely remain conservative for the foreseeable future.

It isn't just alberta i understand that completely but its saskatchewan too and BC. Those people are in need of a voice too and we see it in the conservatives, the old PC party was founded in the west and we can associate with it. Liberals lost seats too so who knows. Also they all acted like children in the debate so who's to really say what or who should run our country. Canada is so diverse that it's hard for us to connect with each other and politics pulls us that more far apart because we have such vast needs and so many parties with different plans.

 

[angelordevil]

Speaking of the future, the Canadian dollar is likely on the path of further devaluation because no clear mandate was established with this election. If some recent economic surveys hold true, Canada is prepped to hit a recession some time in 2009.

I'm thinking that the looming downturn was a major influence in Harper's calling of the election. He wanted another term--and a shot at a majority--while the economy was relatively stable.

You're just another guy who thinks the business cycle is controlled by the government. All the government can do is manipulate taxes and interest rates. The rest is up to us. If people want a better living standard they have to save money. More taxes and redistribution will not create jobs.

The carbon taxes are not misunderstood. If you punish companies they will increase our bills. There's no free lunch and everything is connected. Carbon taxes in Europe were replaced with tax cuts elsewhere because of their effect on the economy. Why make the same mistake here?

Energy companies supply what we demand, (including environmentalists), and taxing them will just force them to pass costs onto us. The only way to reduce emissions is to use less, but no politician will be honest and say that WE the voter has to use less. Just blame corporations that supply us with what we need and have them pass costs on to us. Nice try!

Interesting things you've raised. I don't agree with everything, but I do believe that the impetus for change has to be generated within individuals first and foremost. The fact that Harper has been re-elected, and is now touting a 'balanced budget' as his primary aim is ultimately very telling of us.

What we've ended up with is exactly what we've ordered from the menu. The environment has slowly been added to that list, but it's got to become a family favourite if we want politicians to keep the topic alive.

 

[BoMac]

Hello fellow Albertan! Good work ethic.

Yes, because everyone else, especially from that socialist bastion of Quebec, are lazy bums who live off the state. Oh, and we hate success and have no ambitions.

 

[purpleoscar]

Yes, because everyone else, especially from that socialist bastion of Quebec, are lazy bums who live off the state. Oh, and we hate success and have no ambitions.

If Quebec wants to reduce unemployment they need to lower taxes. I'm sure there are plenty of French who want to work more but don't have many options because companies have a large tax burden. There won't be much work ethic if it is punished by taxes.

Free trade between provinces would help. If there are good products in Quebec that I like and there are not problems with tax duties then I would buy it. That would benefit me and the people of Quebec at the same time. It would also work faster with this kind of social cooperation than waiting for bureaucracies to help us.

 

[purpleoscar]

I'm thinking that the looming downturn was a major influence in Harper's calling of the election. He wanted another term--and a shot at a majority--while the economy was relatively stable.

Interesting things you've raised. I don't agree with everything, but I do believe that the impetus for change has to be generated within individuals first and foremost. The fact that Harper has been re-elected, and is now touting a 'balanced budget' as his primary aim is ultimately very telling of us.

What we've ended up with is exactly what we've ordered from the menu. The environment has slowly been added to that list, but it's got to become a family favourite if we want politicians to keep the topic alive.

Just remember that people don't care about the environment when they don't have a job. The new technology has to be affordable. The cheapest green technology I know of is nuclear power. The spent fuel can be recycled so it's a viable option. Until we get better options that won't overturn the economic apple cart we have to keep researching. Hybrids use more conventional energy when producing the vehicles and they cost more. Heavy water for vehicles has been debunked because the fuel has to go through an electrical process first which is still using conventional energy. Hence Ballard power doesn't exist anymore. Electric cars simply pass the fuel costs onto your electric bill. Ethanol forces farmers to chew up more land for planting, and we can only make enough to supplement some of the conventional fuel.

We have a long way to go still.

 

[melon]

Free trade between provinces would help. If there are good products in Quebec that I like and there are not problems with tax duties then I would buy it. That would benefit me and the people of Quebec at the same time. It would also work faster with this kind of social cooperation than waiting for bureaucracies to help us.

What do you mean by "free trade"? What's the current system like?

 

[purpleoscar]

What do you mean by "free trade"? What's the current system like?

There is only free trade agreements between two provinces BC and Alberta. The other provinces have less trade relations than Canada and the U.S. More duties and such.

 

[ladywithspinninghead]

Would have liked to have participated in election night coverage here but my pc was down all week

Anyway, read this article in the Toronto Star this morning. Who knows how accurate it is as the Star also stated Dion would step down the day after the election:

McCallum to be interim Liberal leader: Report
Email story
Print
Choose text size
Report typo or correction
Oct 19, 2008 08:39 AM
Comments on this story (15)
THE CANADIAN PRESS

CTV reported Saturday night that it has learned veteran Toronto-area MP John McCallum will be named interim Liberal leader if Stephane Dion resigns the position on Monday.

McCallum, a former chief economist with the Royal Bank of Canada, is the Liberal finance critic and is also bilingual.

Dion hasn't tipped his hand, but could announce on Monday that he will resign, but stay on as leader until his successor is chosen at a leadership convention.

However, Liberal insiders say that would make Dion a lame duck leader, and would delay the party's urgently needed rebuilding process.

Under Dion's short stint as leader, national support for the Liberals has declined to a near historic low.

 

[VintagePunk]

Oh my, a CTV reporter following along with the Dion entourage said "[he] was just roughed-up by a Mountie following Dion," and then Dion said that the last person he wanted to talk to was "someone from CTV."

All due to that redo question, apparently.

I saw this thread bumped, and found a clip of what I posted about:

YouTube - Stéphane Dion Disses CTV Live - Election 2008

In case any of you haven't seen it, here's the redo clip that started it all:

YouTube - Dion screws up, again, again and again

 

[angelordevil]

...The new technology has to be affordable. The cheapest green technology I know of is nuclear power. The spent fuel can be recycled so it's a viable option. Until we get better options that won't overturn the economic apple cart we have to keep researching. Hybrids use more conventional energy when producing the vehicles and they cost more. Heavy water for vehicles has been debunked because the fuel has to go through an electrical process first which is still using conventional energy. Hence Ballard power doesn't exist anymore. Electric cars simply pass the fuel costs onto your electric bill. Ethanol forces farmers to chew up more land for planting, and we can only make enough to supplement some of the conventional fuel.

We have a long way to go still.

This amazed me a few months ago, when a friend at work shared the link. I drove him nuts last week after I asked him to find it again...I said that I needed it for evidence!

May I present...check that...may an interesting French man present, THE AIR CAR: The promise of air-powered cars | Yahoo! Green

I'd buy one; I think that many North Americans would. Isn't this qoute the sad truth, however?

"...Though the technology has been licensed here, it might be a while before the cars can match up to the safety regulations of the United States -or the voluminous desires of American consumers."

I'd bet that Stephane Dion would be one first in line to get an Air Car. Poor Fella. He's sort of the political equivalent of the Air Car...quiet, unassuming, way ahead of his time. Unfortunately, however, morality and politics are often uneasy around one another. Kudos to him for having the guts to at least attempt to bridge that gap. The Green Shift plan made enormous sense, if not immediate 'cents' for the guy and girl on the street. Purpleoscar, you nailed the problem precisely...people are simply so caught up in their day-to-day existence that looking beyond that, or at the bigger picture, is often a monumental task.

That's where good government should come in. It should lead with sound policy...be proactive. If we can ban something like trans fats from our diets, virtually overnight, then surely we can do something about carbon emissions.

 

[purpleoscar]

This amazed me a few months ago, when a friend at work shared the link. I drove him nuts last week after I asked him to find it again...I said that I needed it for evidence!

May I present...check that...may an interesting French man present, THE AIR CAR: The promise of air-powered cars | Yahoo! Green

I'd buy one; I think that many North Americans would. Isn't this qoute the sad truth, however?

"...Though the technology has been licensed here, it might be a while before the cars can match up to the safety regulations of the United States -or the voluminous desires of American consumers."

I'd bet that Stephane Dion would be one first in line to get an Air Car. Poor Fella. He's sort of the political equivalent of the Air Car...quiet, unassuming, way ahead of his time. Unfortunately, however, morality and politics are often uneasy around one another. Kudos to him for having the guts to at least attempt to bridge that gap. The Green Shift plan made enormous sense, if not immediate 'cents' for the guy and girl on the street. Purpleoscar, you nailed the problem precisely...people are simply so caught up in their day-to-day existence that looking beyond that, or at the bigger picture, is often a monumental task.

That's where good government should come in. It should lead with sound policy...be proactive. If we can ban something like trans fats from our diets, virtually overnight, then surely we can do something about carbon emissions.

The air car might be a supplement but as I expected the safety and performance are lacking. I personally wouldn't mind it as a second car, but the infrastructure to fill up would require the majority of the population to adopt it in someway to pay for those stations to exist. It's a perfect example of letting the market decide. Overtime who knows what ideas will come up? If enough of the population like it (how does it perform in a cold country?) it could do well or flop.

 

[elevated_u2_fan]

well, Dion is out:

'I failed.' Dion will not seek to renew his leadership of Liberal party

 

[ladywithspinninghead]

I'm really surprised he's waiting until May before relinquising control.

City TV interviewed Rae on the street when I walked by this evening so I should be in the news

 

[angelordevil]

The air car might be a supplement but as I expected the safety and performance are lacking. I personally wouldn't mind it as a second car, but the infrastructure to fill up would require the majority of the population to adopt it in someway to pay for those stations to exist. It's a perfect example of letting the market decide. Overtime who knows what ideas will come up? If enough of the population like it (how does it perform in a cold country?) it could do well or flop.

It's rather neat, though, isn't it? I'd pay for those stations to exist...and we can work on the rest.

Interesting how these ideas don't hit the mainstream. What's up with that? It's a little like anyone who comes out with a better and tastier potato chip...sometimes they mysteriously vanish.

With Dion gone...is this guy in?

 

[Harry Vest]

well, Dion is out:

'I failed.' Dion will not seek to renew his leadership of Liberal party

Now if the Liberals want to really shake things up they'd pick someone like Romeo Dallaire (a "liberal" senator and ex- general - remember Rwanda???). Who wouldn't like him?

or...

if they really want to get dramatic...

Justin Trudeau (maybe a tad too young)

but alas, the Liberal party of Canada is about as exciting as a Dukakis democrat so they'll tow the line and pick Rae or Ignatiaff or some other schmuck that creates no excitement whatsoever. Typical.

 

[snowbunny00774]

well, Dion is out:

'I failed.' Dion will not seek to renew his leadership of Liberal party

This made me teary. What a great leader, what bad timing. I really respect him. I'm not surprised he's waiting till May, there is absolutely nothing to be gained by the party if he were to step down prior. He's offering himself up as a whipping boy for the party until then, to avoid damage to a future leader. That's courage and forsight. His apology to those who lost seats is admirable too.

 

[~BrightestStar~]

I just saw this on tv, and I felt really bad for the guy too. I think he got a really bad rap. The reporter also seemed to relish kicking him while he was down.
I don't think he's a bad guy, altho, he seemed to lack the right public persona, or ability to project himself well....which was a definite nail in the coffin.

I really haven't followed this election very well at all, is it true the conservatives spent so much cash? And I didn't see half the ads they were showing me tonight...



Oh well, somewhere right now Harper is eating a puppy in celebration.

 

[Badyouken]

It's rather neat, though, isn't it? I'd pay for those stations to exist...and we can work on the rest.

Interesting how these ideas don't hit the mainstream. What's up with that? It's a little like anyone who comes out with a better and tastier potato chip...sometimes they mysteriously vanish.

A distinction must be made between an energy source and an energy carrier. Air is not an energy source. For that air engine to work, one needs to compress that air, using an elecitricity- or fuel-driven compressor. Now, if the electricity used to compress the air comes from a dirty power plant (e.g. coal-fired), we're not achieving anything here. It has the same advantages as the electric car - it's only as clean as the electricity it uses.

I still hope that the electric car will achieve success in the near future. But it has to be coupled with clean electricity generation.

Anyway, Dion makes a good environment minister, but lacks the charisma to lead the party. It'll be interesting to see who becomes leader.