Canadian General Election, Live Thread (UPDATE: Conservatives Win!)

Elections Canada ^ | N/A

[GreenLanternCorps]

If JimRob, etc. approve this is the Live Thread for the Canadian General Election, on January 23rd, 2005.

We have a while to go before the returns start coming in, but I thought the thread needed to get up and running.

[goldstategop]

You need 155 for a majority. I think 140 seats is a good finish for its a strong minority government. And if the Liberals fall below 100 seats, it gives Harper plenty of leeway to move ahead with his agenda. The budget motion will be a vote of confidence and a bankrupt Liberal Party will not want to force a new election before they're ready. So you can do a couple of things with a strong minority as you can do them with a majority. And Harper will be looking for allies among the Bloc and the NDP to pass parts of his program they can live with.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[mitchbert]

My Mom and Dad are down in Chatham Kent (Southwestern Ontario, Chatham specifically) and Liberals have been running disjointed and ineffective campaigns across the region apparantly.

These ridings, with Windsor a probable exception, can swing either way in any election.

From what I hear, the Conservatives look good from London west.

[fanfan]

Its a safe prediction. Mark Steyn says the same thing. I'd love to be surprised and while its human nature to want to be optimistic, one is giving too much credit to the intelligence of the average Ontario voter. Its not easy to bid good-bye to the Liberals who've won for so long, nearly every one voted for the winner. Those who didn't like them stayed home.

Thank you GS, I needed that.

*hug*

[aCDNinUSA]

I wish I could vote, but this Canadian is two years past the rules of eligibility for voting outside of the country.

[Canadian Outrage]

#47 - OH to NEVER see that PR*CKS face again!!

[badgerbengal]

Thanks that helps. Is there any realistic chance for the conservatives to get near the 155 needed or is that out of the question?

[ncountylee]

Is it true that the NDP MP's must vote the party line or be expelled from the caucus?

[TheBigB]

I have a good friend in St. Johns...a "newfie," I believe you'd call her. : ) She's lefty, but I've been working on her to vote CPC. : )

[Beagle8U]

GOOD GRIEF !! I just had a great idea for a new Canadian coin.

( so everyone can long remember the failed Martin policy's)

You could have a $3 coin with a picture of a Pine Martin on it( I'm sure there are pine martins in Ontario, little animal in the weasel family).

[mitchbert]

You now have the option of checking a box on your Federal Income Tax return instructing the government to provide your name to Elections Canada for inclusion on the voting list. From my experience the process works fine. I believe there is at least an attempt at a crosscheck for citizenship as a friend of mine who is Dutch accidentally checked the box a few years ago and was contacted by Revenue Canada and told he couldn't be listed. Your electors card shows up in the mail a few weeks before the first advance polls are held and you're all set.

[Uriah_lost]

Who are we rooting for again? Seems like they are all pretty anti American.

[goldstategop]

There's a slim chance if all the cards fall the right way. But that's asking too much considering people have been disappointed before. Until the votes are counted you don't know how its going to turn out. We'll have to wait to see if the polls are right.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Beagle8U]

I think 156?

I'm in Michigan, but I like to follow Canadian Politics too.

[mitchbert]

St. Pauls

Mine. Voted at 11am on Merton St. Watching the results with friends tonight at a local pub.

[Philistone]

One can only hope...

[goldstategop]

In the Canadian parliamentary system, free votes are rare. One must vote in accordance with the decision of the party caucus unless the members have been released to vote their conscience. And you can imagine, such votes are few and between in Canadian history.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Heatseeker]

Is it true that the NDP MP's must vote the party line or be expelled from the caucus?

Don't know for sure, but I do know MP Bev Desjarlais was ejected from the NDP caucus for voting against same-sex marriage. She is now running in her Churchill MB riding as in independent and has a good chance at winning.

[Heatseeker]

We (conservative Yanks) are rooting for Canada, and so we are rooting for the only honest and nationwide party of Canada, the Conservative Party. IMHO.

[backhoe]

Excellent post, Backhoe. Thank you. All, a ton of links at post #89

Appreciate the kind words- I am just setting up the browser to view as many sites & blogs as I can manage without locking up the bloody thing- will update that old post as news moves across the 'net.

[Canadian Outrage]

The platform of the NDP is - SOCIALIST BIG TIME. It is a Schumer/Durbin/Kennedy/Clinton/Pelosi/Boxer/Feinstein/Reid/Waters/Jackson-Lee )Get the picture?)!!

THIS NDP leader is a FOOLISH, REDICULOUS, WICKED OPPORTUNIST. He's up for grabs for any LEFT party that wants to make him feel important. Federally, they are pretty much a Nothing Party. They have NO hope of ever forming a Government.