Tory support plummets in Quebec, poll finds
Kerozine @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:05 am
$1:
The Conservatives started losing ground in Quebec in the last election over cuts to cultural programs, and their decline accelerated after a series of attacks by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in December against separatists forces in the province.
Not surprising. That kind of shit is unwelcome here.
bootlegga @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:23 am
RUEZ RUEZ:
bootlegga bootlegga:
I'm agreeing with Hurlet and the ridiculousness of requiring parties to run in every riding/province or territory.
If that was the case, Reform never would have gotten off the ground and the West would still be bitching about "wanting in".
Frankly, I'm glad that the BQ stay in Quebec. Otherwise they could take away votes from other real parties. Given that in a lot of issues they lean to the right, the Conservatives could lose votes too, especially here in Alberta where francophones feel totally ignored. And God forbid they actually got a seat somewhere else. Do you have any idea how much leverage that would give them, nevermind extra funding? No, the Bloc is a fringe party because of this policy and I'm glad for it.
Another bonus is that while it makes majorities a little harder harder to achieve, it also makes it easier for parties to win an election. Before there were three power blocks; Quebec, Ontario and the West/Maritimes. Win two and you get to sit in the PMO. Now it's far easier, because most of Quebec goes to someone else, so all you have to do is win big in one and hold your ground in the other, and you've won.
If that was the case, Reform never would have gotten off the ground and the West would still be bitching about "wanting in".
Frankly, I'm glad that the BQ stay in Quebec. Otherwise they could take away votes from other real parties. Given that in a lot of issues they lean to the right, the Conservatives could lose votes too, especially here in Alberta where francophones feel totally ignored. And God forbid they actually got a seat somewhere else. Do you have any idea how much leverage that would give them, nevermind extra funding? No, the Bloc is a fringe party because of this policy and I'm glad for it.
Another bonus is that while it makes majorities a little harder harder to achieve, it also makes it easier for parties to win an election. Before there were three power blocks; Quebec, Ontario and the West/Maritimes. Win two and you get to sit in the PMO. Now it's far easier, because most of Quebec goes to someone else, so all you have to do is win big in one and hold your ground in the other, and you've won.
I don't know why you guys think the Bloc would get enough support outside Quebec to win a seat? I doubt there is a community in Canada outside of quebec that could elect a bloc member.
I said " God forbid they actually got a seat", meaning I think it's a longshot, but who knows what the future will bring. I don't think anyone 20 years ago thought the PC party would be relegated to the dustbin of history.
Even if they don't get a seat, there are people who would vote for them, increasing the subsidy they get every year.
hurley_108 @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:48 am
RUEZ RUEZ:
I don't know why you guys think the Bloc would get enough support outside Quebec to win a seat? I doubt there is a community in Canada outside of quebec that could elect a bloc member.
So why force them to run a candidate they can't elect?
DrCaleb @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:54 am
hurley_108 hurley_108:
RUEZ RUEZ:
I don't know why you guys think the Bloc would get enough support outside Quebec to win a seat? I doubt there is a community in Canada outside of quebec that could elect a bloc member.
So why force them to run a candidate they can't elect?
To inconvenience and punish them for beating a dead horse. Of course, of course.
bootlegga @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:07 am
DrCaleb DrCaleb:
To inconvenience and punish them for beating a dead horse. Of course, of course.
MacDonaill @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:00 pm
With a little election reform, Canada could all but eliminate the Bloc's presence in Ottawa.
At the moment, the Bloc benefits from a system which allows them over-representation. If they get a little over a third of the vote in any single riding, they get the seat and the non-Bloc majority in the riding gets stuck with a Bloc MP 'representing' them.
The Bloc is very left-wing, and touts itself as a party committed to democratic values. Most of their voters would be actively in favour of Proportional, without even realising that it would harm the party. The situation would cause an identity crisis in the Bloc ranks - which ideal is more important: democracy, or separatism? They would either have to accept the proposal for a new system, even if it harms their seat count, have to tell the truth that they don't give a shit about democracy and that they're main ideal is power-grabbing separatism, or finally, they would have to be revealed as hypocrites for preaching democracy in one breath then pursuing anti-democratic dossiers when it suits their own party.
It's a brilliant way to expose them for what they really are: just another political party serving its own interests, just another group of Quebeckers looking for a federal payday.
I say this as a Canadian and a resident of the Province of Quebec: Screw the Bloc!
ridenrain @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:22 pm
Good post.
For the rest, I imagine that if I defended the Bloc, all you trained seals would be jumping on me for being anti-Canada. 
hurley_108 @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:34 pm
ridenrain ridenrain:
Good post.
For the rest, I imagine that if I defended the Bloc, all you trained seals would be jumping on me for being anti-Canada.
For the rest, I imagine that if I defended the Bloc, all you trained seals would be jumping on me for being anti-Canada.
Who's defending the Bloc?
raydan @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:38 pm
ridenrain ridenrain:
Good post.
For the rest, I imagine that if I defended the Bloc, all you trained seals would be jumping on me for being anti-Canada.
For the rest, I imagine that if I defended the Bloc, all you trained seals would be jumping on me for being anti-Canada.
You can be pro-Bloc and pro-Canadian at the same time.
I am.
Well no, that's not exactly right.
I am pro-Canadian even though I voted Yes at one time for the Quebec referendum.
I would not vote Yes again as, I'll admit it, I've grown older and wiser.
But even though I voted Bloc, I'm not really pro-Bloc.
I'm just, ANTI- every other party.
sandorski @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:52 pm
ridenrain ridenrain:
Good post.
For the rest, I imagine that if I defended the Bloc, all you trained seals would be jumping on me for being anti-Canada.
For the rest, I imagine that if I defended the Bloc, all you trained seals would be jumping on me for being anti-Canada.
Nah, that's your MO.
kenmore @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:10 pm
RUEZ RUEZ:
I think in light of this, the favouritism should end. Quebec should be treated like the rest of Canada.
Ya the rest of the provinces should be treated like Quebec.. Harper crapped all over us -- even after he came ass kissing for votes.. The torys are dead meat in Quebec and will be as long as he is the leader...he is a complete ass hole!
mtbr @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:12 pm
kenmore kenmore:
RUEZ RUEZ:
I think in light of this, the favouritism should end. Quebec should be treated like the rest of Canada.
Ya the rest of the provinces should be treated like Quebec.. Harper crapped all over us -- even after he came ass kissing for votes.. The torys are dead meat in Quebec and will be as long as he is the leader...he is a complete ass hole!
you're the expert since it takes one to know one.
PluggyRug @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:13 pm
kenmore kenmore:
RUEZ RUEZ:
I think in light of this, the favouritism should end. Quebec should be treated like the rest of Canada.
Ya the rest of the provinces should be treated like Quebec..
Agreed, all the provinces should get billions in transfer payments.
stokes @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:19 pm
This is news how?....We already knew this because Harper said that forming a coalition with the BQ is treasonous to Canada.
My question is.....Who Cares about Quebec?
hurley_108 @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:25 pm
stokes stokes:
My question is.....Who Cares about Quebec?
Anyone who calls themself a federalist.