The Liberals Are Tanking...
Streaker @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:51 am
$1:
TORONTO (Reuters) - The Liberal government was handed more bad news on Tuesday as a second poll in as many days showed its popularity is fading fast as a result of a government kickback scandal.
The Ipsos-Reid poll, conducted for the Globe and Mail newspaper and CTV television, showed support for the Liberals at 27 percent, down from 34 percent in a previous poll. The Conservatives remained steady at 30 percent.
The survey was taken after an advertising executive raised the stakes in a scandal about misuse of government cash by testifying he had paid large kickbacks to the Liberals in French-speaking Quebec.
An EKOS poll released on Monday showed the Conservatives at 36.2 percent and the Liberals at 25 percent, their lowest showing since taking office in 1993.
The Liberals lost their majority in Parliament in the June 2004 election amid anger over the scandal.
The Ipsos-Reid poll showed the Liberals still clung to a slight lead in their Ontario stronghold with 34 percent voter support compared with 32 percent for the Conservatives.
In Quebec, support for the Liberals fell 11 points to 18 percent, while the Bloc Quebecois jumped 7 points to 48 percent.
The two polls added to speculation that there could be a federal election later this spring if the Conservatives bring down the government within the first two weeks of May.
"It is risky," Darrell Bricker, president of Ipsos-Reid told the Globe and Mail. "They have to make some things happen before they pull the trigger. But the longer the wait the harder it will be. And all of the rumors and speculation about an election in early May or mid-May, I think they are all relatively accurate."
The survey was based on 1,000 interviews conducted from April 8-10 and is considered accurate to within 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
The Ipsos-Reid poll, conducted for the Globe and Mail newspaper and CTV television, showed support for the Liberals at 27 percent, down from 34 percent in a previous poll. The Conservatives remained steady at 30 percent.
The survey was taken after an advertising executive raised the stakes in a scandal about misuse of government cash by testifying he had paid large kickbacks to the Liberals in French-speaking Quebec.
An EKOS poll released on Monday showed the Conservatives at 36.2 percent and the Liberals at 25 percent, their lowest showing since taking office in 1993.
The Liberals lost their majority in Parliament in the June 2004 election amid anger over the scandal.
The Ipsos-Reid poll showed the Liberals still clung to a slight lead in their Ontario stronghold with 34 percent voter support compared with 32 percent for the Conservatives.
In Quebec, support for the Liberals fell 11 points to 18 percent, while the Bloc Quebecois jumped 7 points to 48 percent.
The two polls added to speculation that there could be a federal election later this spring if the Conservatives bring down the government within the first two weeks of May.
"It is risky," Darrell Bricker, president of Ipsos-Reid told the Globe and Mail. "They have to make some things happen before they pull the trigger. But the longer the wait the harder it will be. And all of the rumors and speculation about an election in early May or mid-May, I think they are all relatively accurate."
The survey was based on 1,000 interviews conducted from April 8-10 and is considered accurate to within 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
Reuters Link.
Looks like they are in deep s**t. In Quebec they are facing annihilation...
-Mario- @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:05 am
If they call an election... we are looking at a conservative government with the Block as the official opposition. 
canadian1971 @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:07 am
Everyone....all toghether
Sha na na na
na na na na
hey hey hey
goodbye!
With a swift kick to the rear 
Streaker @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:37 am
$1:
If they call an election... we are looking at a conservative government with the Block as the official opposition.
That scenario would not be good for national unity.
$1:
Everyone....all toghether
Sha na na na
na na na na
hey hey hey
goodbye!
With a swift kick to the rear
Sha na na na
na na na na
hey hey hey
goodbye!
With a swift kick to the rear
The Conservatives were singing that to the Liberals in the House yesterday. I don't like the Conservatives but it was still very enjoyable to watch! 
Nugga_Nu @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:45 am
-Mario- -Mario-:
If they call an election... we are looking at a conservative government with the Block as the official opposition.
This is good news. We'll actually have a real leader in charge of the country and, even better, we may yet rid ourselves of Quebec to the seperatists. This is a good thing.
Bon Voyage Quebec AND the Liberals! Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
To hell with unity, especially where Quebec is concerned. I would be upset if we lost Alberta, but not Quebec. At least Alberta contributes something to the country aside from endless whining and beaver tails.
Do you know what this means? Quebec and the Liberals won't be able to suck us dry for our tax dollars anymore! We'll be a stronger nation.
The Quebecers have been holding this country hostage for too many decades, let 'em leave. They'll be happier and so will we.
Cmmd1 @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:11 pm
Nugga_Nu Nugga_Nu:
The Quebecers have been holding this country hostage for too many decades, let 'em leave. They'll be happier and so will we.
Yeah, quebec is not a good thing for canada, we have a big weight on the Canada polictics.
But we dont train the cash from the Federal, we lost cash ! We lost 2Billions for being canadians :S. The "déséquilibre fiscal" really exist !
But yes, if Quebec separate, you and us will just be happy !
Nugga_Nu @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:13 pm
Cmmd1 Cmmd1:
Nugga_Nu Nugga_Nu:
The Quebecers have been holding this country hostage for too many decades, let 'em leave. They'll be happier and so will we.
Yeah, quebec is not a good thing for canada, we have a big weight on the Canada polictics.
But we dont train the cash from the Federal, we lost cash ! We lost 2Billions for being canadians :S. The "déséquilibre fiscal" really exist !
But yes, if Quebec separate, you and us will just be happy !
I agree. Quebecers have not been happy in Canada for a very long time. Canada has not been happy with Quebec either. So why not have a sovereign Quebec? It makes sense.
The only problem is that it takes away the Liberals leveraging power to control the rest of the country.
But I say "Vive le Quebec libre!" or whatever that statement was.
jadeofthenorth @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:35 pm
The libs could still possibly hold on to the official opposition. Maybe a good chuck of the the leftist vote will go to the NDP and they could take official opposition.
Canadaka @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 1:31 pm
What about the NDP taking office, could it happen? if enough central liberal voters voted NDP, along with some support from other left parties like the greens?
My historic knoledge of politcs is not great, has there ever been an NDP goverment?
But I dunno, i think the liberals could stay in office, these recent polls are probably not to accurate. the average Canadian doens't even follow it, I know my parents don't, but they would vote for there party.
The Liberals have a lot of support and smart people will realise that just because some guy spouts out these accusations doesn't mean there true.
I think the Conservatives know this, thats why they are wary of calling an election, what happens if they are all false. but then again, if they are false, we might not know for awhile, but its fresh in peoples minds right now, so it might be the best time for the conservatives to call an election.
hwacker @ Tue Apr 12, 2005 6:56 pm
So what about the topic
YES THEY ARE !
Streaker @ Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:26 pm
Update: An Alberta MP has ditched the Liberals to sit as an independent.
$1:
OTTAWA (CP) - Liberals took the loss of a rare Alberta MP in stride Wednesday, saying David Kilgour's bolt from caucus to sit as an Independent is an isolated case.
"Mr. Kilgour feels that he doesn't belong in our caucus," Prime Minister Paul Martin said of the former Liberal representing Edmonton-Beaumont. "So be it. I'm not interested in working with those who won't stand with their colleagues when it comes time to cleaning up the sponsorship problems." The departure leaves Deputy Minister Anne McLellan the party's only soldier in Alberta.
Kilgour said in an interview on Wednesday that he is not planning to cross to the Tory side of the House, and will in fact sit on the Liberal side as an Independent.
He didn't answer directly when asked if he would run in what could be a spring election.
"Well, after eight elections, four as a Liberal and four as a Conservative, that's maybe a nice balance and perhaps a good time to stop."
He added that he knows he'd "be defeated overwhelmingly" if he ran as a Liberal.
"Mr. Kilgour feels that he doesn't belong in our caucus," Prime Minister Paul Martin said of the former Liberal representing Edmonton-Beaumont. "So be it. I'm not interested in working with those who won't stand with their colleagues when it comes time to cleaning up the sponsorship problems." The departure leaves Deputy Minister Anne McLellan the party's only soldier in Alberta.
Kilgour said in an interview on Wednesday that he is not planning to cross to the Tory side of the House, and will in fact sit on the Liberal side as an Independent.
He didn't answer directly when asked if he would run in what could be a spring election.
"Well, after eight elections, four as a Liberal and four as a Conservative, that's maybe a nice balance and perhaps a good time to stop."
He added that he knows he'd "be defeated overwhelmingly" if he ran as a Liberal.
Link To Full Article.
The Prime Minister sounds a little cranky, eh? Rumour has it that there will be more defections to follow...
$1:
TIM NAUMETZ
CanWest News Service
April 13, 2005
Prime Minister Paul Martin and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler looked the other way yesterday as 34 Liberal MPs supported a Conservative motion on same-sex marriage that both said violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Martin refused to comment on the decision by a quarter of his caucus to back a Conservative bid to amend government legislation that would define marriage as the legal union of any two people.
CanWest News Service
April 13, 2005
Prime Minister Paul Martin and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler looked the other way yesterday as 34 Liberal MPs supported a Conservative motion on same-sex marriage that both said violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Martin refused to comment on the decision by a quarter of his caucus to back a Conservative bid to amend government legislation that would define marriage as the legal union of any two people.
Link To Full Article.
Looks like the PM is beginning to lose control of his caucus... His power is literally melting away as a result of this scandal.
jadeofthenorth @ Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:41 am
Canadaka Canadaka:
What about the NDP taking office, could it happen? if enough central liberal voters voted NDP, along with some support from other left parties like the greens?
My historic knoledge of politcs is not great, has there ever been an NDP goverment?
My historic knoledge of politcs is not great, has there ever been an NDP goverment?
Not once--they haven't even come close acctually.
We like to think were more than a two party system, but the libs and the cons are the only parties to ever hold gov't..
Canadaka @ Fri Apr 15, 2005 12:18 pm
im curious if the 3rd party in the UK has ever help power?
Maybe its time the NDP had a crack at it
jadeofthenorth @ Fri Apr 15, 2005 12:28 pm
Canadaka Canadaka:
im curious if the 3rd party in the UK has ever help power?
Maybe its time the NDP had a crack at it
Maybe its time the NDP had a crack at it
Jack Layton scares me. I could handle a minority gov't of any one of the parties (including the bloc); any party winning a majority would be a bad thing for this country.