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[Tiktaalik]

nah, only realistic green seats are Elizabeth May herself in Saanich-Gulf Islands, and Jo-ann Roberts in Victoria proper. Jo-ann is ex CBC, and extremely well spoken/well liked. Last time is was neck and neck between the greens and NDP, but there was no incumbent since Denise Savoie passed the torch. I'm actually kinda worried that we'll go green tbh.

Normally I'd agree with you, but Insights West did an independent poll that shows a big surge in Green support across the Island. They're in 2nd place at 32%, close behind the NDP at 39%. Obviously that could be geographically concentrated in a poor way such that they wouldn't receive many seats, but it's still a remarkable surge in support.

Green Party support on Vancouver Island has surged from 20% in May to 32% in August, according to a recent Insights West poll. While support for the Conservative and Liberal parties appear to have collapsed tied at 15%, the Greens are pulling ahead with 32% support among decided voters. The NDP are still ahead with 39% support.

http://www.greenparty.ca/en/media-r...n-surge-vancouver-island-new-independent-poll

 

[TheRealTalker]

If the Abacus poll is any indication things are tightening up.

In b4 three way split and another Conservative government.

Oh God.... I know that a bunch of people are too lazy to vote but we need to prevent this at all cost :/

Conservative supporters are more active when it comes to voting to the majority of Canadians who don't like Harper and his group

 

[Lexxism]

In b4 three way split and another Conservative government.

Oh, the nightmare :/

 

[TheRealTalker]

Oh, the nightmare :/

Waking up the next morning after a disastrous election...

 

[firehawk12]

That crazy Wyatt Scott campaign ad made it to a British comedy news show of all things. lol

 

[killer rin]

Waking up the next morning after a disastrous election...

I'm honestly have a hard time imagining what it would look like if the conservatives won, Minority or Majority.

At this point pretty much every government agency hates him, federal employees and scientists are for the first time in history actively campaigning against him. Veterans are actively out protesting their campaign stops and pretty much ~65+% of the Canadian Populace hates the guy. If he won it would be surreal and the aftermath crazy.

 

[NetMapel]

Vancouver Island will swing full Green and let the Conservatives sneak up the middle I can just feel it.

Bunch of hippies ! Don't make us lose our shit !

 

[Razorskin]

*checks projections*

...So who wants to buy my vote?

 

[gabbo]

I'm honestly have a hard time imagining what it would look like if the conservatives won, Minority or Majority.

At this point pretty much every government agency hates him, federal employees and scientists are for the first time in history actively campaigning against him. Veterans are actively out protesting their campaign stops and pretty much ~65+% of the Canadian Populace hates the guy. If he won it would be surreal and the aftermath crazy.

If it was a minority, we'd all know he wouldn't last long and any successor to the Harper Hairpiece is going to be crushed, Kim Campbell style. Opposition would probably turn up the heat even more.

If it's a majority (somehow), we'd shrug and go back to four more years of complaining but not actively doing anything about it while we watch the country go further in the wrong direction.

 

[lamaroo]

It feels like there's definitely a much bigger backlash against Harper than ever before, but can the anger hold up over this long-ass election, or will everyone lose interest by then.

Also, it seems like Conservatives are going to dig their heels in harder than ever, they're the only ones I see bothering to put up any lawn signs right now.

 

[Coldnoodle]

CBC News Alerts ‏@CBCAlerts 3m3 minutes ago
Canada officially in recession: #StatsCan. Economy contracted for 2nd consecutive quarter; shrank by 0.5%. #cdnecon #cdnpoli #elxn42

 

[Razorskin]

Mulcair just needs to chant recession next time he takes the podium.

 

[Zombie James]

Two recessions and not a single balanced budget in ten years, yet the myth that Conservatives are fiscal wizards won't die.

 

[Gurthang]

I'm not much into politics but can the next election save the economy?

 

[Silexx]

Are things so dire in hockey that NHL-GAF is now reduced to come here to have something to talk about?

Anyways, words of wisdom :

How the economy does now matters enormously in a political campaign whose outcome is irrelevant to how the economy will do. Politics, baby.

 

[massivekettle]

Two recessions and not a single balanced budget in ten years, yet the myth that Conservatives are fiscal wizards won't die.

Better than announcing $10bn/yr deficits from the outset like the Liberal Party just did.

 

[Razorskin]

Harper's pretty upset over this, he thought he dissolved Stats Canada.

 

[gabbo]

Better than announcing $10bn/yr deficits from the outset like the Liberal Party just did.

I'll take the outright bad news and a plan to use it effectively than have what Harper's been peddling (and hopefully Mulcair shuts up about) for a decade.

 

[Buba Big Guns]

Better than announcing $10bn/yr deficits from the outset like the Liberal Party just did.

Seems like a good strategy to me, especially since we're in a recession and Canadian infrastructure is kinda shit.

According to Harper nothing is wrong, which is downright laughable.

 

[Blue Submarine No. 6]

Two recessions and not a single balanced budget in ten years, yet the myth that Conservatives are fiscal wizards won't die.

This. So much this.

 

[Zombie James]

Better than announcing $10bn/yr deficits from the outset like the Liberal Party just did.

All I'll say is a deficit caused by investment and building is better than a deficit caused by tax cuts.

 

[Lexxism]

No wonder Harper doesn't want any statistics being funded.

 

[Razorskin]

Are things so dire in hockey that NHL-GAF is now reduced to come here to have something to talk about?

We need Yoda and Terror in here to rep the Conservatives, then the fun will begin.

 

[Silexx]

Seems like a good strategy to me, especially since we're in a recession and Canadian infrastructure is kinda shit.

According to Harper nothing is wrong, which is downright laughable.

Here's the thing, we only ever know if we've been in a recession, never if we presently are in one. Now while we can try to forecast what the economy will look like down the road, it's not an exact science by any means.

Which is why there is valid criticism to be had towards Trudeau for trying to forecast deficit spending for the next three years since we don't even know what the state of the economy will be that far out.

That said, the reality also is that politicians are afraid to admit that the future is uncertain and sometimes circumstances changes that prevent them from meeting policy goals. But apparently not being Nostradamus is perceived as 'lacking leadership'.

 

[massivekettle]

All I'll say is a deficit caused by investment and building is better than a deficit caused by tax cuts.

Why? Cutting taxes leaves more disposable income and therefore more money to consume, which increases GDP. It's a much easier effect to estimate/quantify.

On the flipside, it's arguable how efficient infrastructure spending is.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/benefit...ng-not-so-clear-cut-economists-say-1422819575

Policy makers seeking new ways to fuel economic growth are hitting on a familiar cure: infrastructure.

If your economy is stumbling, goes the thinking, invest in new bridges, railroads and pipelines to spur hiring and boost output.

Economists, though, are questioning whether the link is so clear. In the real world, where bloat, corruption and politics—not economics—more often shape public policy, the long-term dividends of infrastructure spending are often muddled.

“When you flip the infrastructure switch, the light doesn’t necessarily turn on,” said Andrew M. Warner, an economist at the International Monetary Fund. “The returns are a long way from being automatic.”

 

[Zombie James]

Why? Cutting taxes leaves more disposable income and therefore more money to consume, which increases GDP. It's a much easier effect to estimate/quantify.

On the flipside, it's arguable how efficient infrastructure spending is.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/benefit...ng-not-so-clear-cut-economists-say-1422819575

Investing in infrastructure directly creates jobs. How many jobs will income splitting create?

 

[massivekettle]

Investing in infrastructure directly creates jobs. How many jobs will income splitting create?

So will reducing taxes (by increasing consumption), albeit to a lesser extent. However, it's definitely a more effective way to increase overall GDP than infrastructure spending (which is only good for the headlines).

Jobs created by infrastructure spend are effectively jobs 100% subsidised by the taxpayers. And those are very, very expensive.

 

[PumpkinSpice]

Three thoughts:

1. Part of our current problem is a lack of consumption. People are tending to save more than you'd expect, as they expect possible hard times ahead. If you return more money from taxes to taxpayers you're likely to see them save a large portion of it, which isn't optimal.
2. Lowering income taxes overwhelmingly benefits wealthy people vs poor people, since poor people pay very low or no income tax. Infrastructure spending, especially spending on transit, massively benefits poor people (and all people in society) and is definitely preferable.
3. There's nothing wrong with governments subsidizing jobs during slowdowns since that's a time when employment is naturally lower anyway. Recessions also tend to have an outsized effect on construction jobs since private sector tends not to invest as much when the outlook is bad, so subsidizing construction jobs makes a lot of sense.

 

[Cake Boss]

lmaoo oh the myth of cutting taxes creates jobs and helps companies not send their factories and shit overseas lol.

 

[Expansion Pack]

lmaoo oh the myth of cutting taxes creates jobs and helps companies not send their factories and shit overseas lol.

This. With all due respect, ksharp, that high school economics class you took is not comprehensive enough to account for the complexities of today's economic world. "Cutting taxes creates more jobs" is oversimplifying big time.

 

[gutter_trash]

So will reducing taxes (by increasing consumption), albeit to a lesser extent. However, it's definitely a more effective way to increase overall GDP than infrastructure spending (which is only good for the headlines).

Jobs created by infrastructure spend are effectively jobs 100% subsidised by the taxpayers. And those are very, very expensive.

well developed infrastructure has long term benefits

the problem with the current Conservatives is that everything they do is short term, elecorialist just to win votes quickly. The Conservatives have done nothing in the last 9 years that benefits any Canadian long term.

just short term candy, here a tax break on sports supplies, here a tax break on home repairs, useless tax breaks

Conservatives have not universally cut income taxes at all, mind you while Paul Martin was the last PM to cut income taxes for all

Harper is not the PM for all Canadians, he is the PM for Canadians who vote or may vote for him.
In Quebec, he has travelled to Quebec City a gazillion times because there be votes. Meanwhile, he gives Montreal the back hand it ignores Montreal infrastucture problems.

Harper loves to get down on his knees for populatist mayor of Quebec City, Regis Lebaum because king Regis carries allot of influence in Quebec City and there is a Conservative bone there. There be votes for air-dropping candy everywhere there

As for Motnreal? Harper goes ''Fuck You!''

 

[dragonfart28]

Today: RECESSION

Tomorrow: DEFICIT

Here's hoping for that extra bit of bad economic news to help tip the scales.

 

[Cake Boss]

Wait wasn't Obama's big thing was to put billions in infrastructure while they were in recession?

 

[Simon Belmont]

Oh look! Another recession Stephen Harper didn't see coming.

 

[gutter_trash]

Oh look! Another recession Stephen Harper didn't see coming.

Harper is going to change the subject today and focus on foreign affairs and the mission in Iraq-Syria

recession? what recession? we have to fight bad guys overseas

 

[Snowdrift]

David Dodge explained fairly well why deficit spending right now is apporpriate policy. BNN Video Interview

Using Alberta as an example, the government is not bidding resources away from the private sector because there is excess supply.

Macleans often runs articles written by economists which also include counter points.
Is there an economic case for more infrastructure spending?
Why Canada should embrace budget deficits right now
Why is David Dodge arguing for deficit spending?

 

[Pedrito]

Calm down guys, did you hear that 80% of the economy is growing? That Canada is an island of stability? That Canada came out of the last recession better than all the other G7 countries?

Spoiler

So sick of the same talking points day after day, and it includes the 400 000 good manufacturing jobs lost under the conservatives and Justin being the only one who won't lie to you. I now hate them all.

 

[PumpkinSpice]

Calm down guys, did you hear that 80% of the economy is growing? That Canada is an island of stability? That Canada came out of the last recession better than all the other G7 countries?

Spoiler

So sick of the same talking points day after day, and it includes the 400 000 good manufacturing jobs lost under the conservatives and Justin being the only one who won't lie to you. I now hate them all.

I'm starting to really hate reading the words "technical recession"

 

[diaspora]

So will reducing taxes (by increasing consumption), albeit to a lesser extent. However, it's definitely a more effective way to increase overall GDP than infrastructure spending (which is only good for the headlines).

Jobs created by infrastructure spend are effectively jobs 100% subsidised by the taxpayers. And those are very, very expensive.

Tax cuts do not increase consumption.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Interest rates are so low right now for the federal government that borrowing to invest in infrastructure is something that should probably be happening regardless of whether or not we're currently in a recession.

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/interest-rates/canadian-bonds/

The infrastructure would probably lead to enough of a increase in tax revenues over the long run that the investment would be profitable, not to mention any social or environmental benefits we would also get.

On another note, I don't really get why people care so much about manufacturing in Canada. Like, have you ever worked in a factory? It's dreadfully dull. ( I am really good at making cardboard boxes really fast now though). Rather than drain our purse trying to subsidize a sector that can't really compete we should be investing in education so that we can do better where we do have an advantage.

 

[diaspora]

Interest rates are so low right now for the federal government that borrowing to invest in infrastructure is something that should probably be happening regardless of whether or not we're currently in a recession.

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/interest-rates/canadian-bonds/

Like, the infrastructure would probably lead to enough of a increase in tax revenues over the long run that the investment would be profitable, not to mention any social or environmental benefits we would also get.

I agree. Large swaths of this country could use better infrastructure, even Toronto for transit.

 

[hydragonwarrior]

I'm honestly have a hard time imagining what it would look like if the conservatives won, Minority or Majority.

At this point pretty much every government agency hates him, federal employees and scientists are for the first time in history actively campaigning against him. Veterans are actively out protesting their campaign stops and pretty much ~65+% of the Canadian Populace hates the guy. If he won it would be surreal and the aftermath crazy.

LOL I foresee an omibus bill saying the following:

- any federal workers opposing the current government will be fired right away
- Canada is only allowed one opposition party, and it's the green party
- only Harper can say when we can start an election

 

[maharg]

Interest rates are so low right now for the federal government that borrowing to invest in infrastructure is something that should probably be happening regardless of whether or not we're currently in a recession.

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/interest-rates/canadian-bonds/

The infrastructure would probably lead to enough of a increase in tax revenues over the long run that the investment would be profitable, not to mention any social or environmental benefits we would also get.

On another note, I don't really get why people care so much about manufacturing in Canada. Like, have you ever worked in a factory? It's dreadfully dull. ( I am really good at making cardboard boxes really fast now though).

Ostensibly people care about manufacturing jobs because they were the biggest drivers for middle class growth in the post-war period. It's relatively unskilled labour that tends to pay relatively well, which is pretty much a necessary kind of job to bring people's income up, especially when education is still expensive. They're also often unionized, so paths to promotions are clearer and promotions come with pay raises.

The oil sands are basically that kind of job right now in Canada (minus the unions in many cases, but the pay is so high to start with who cares), but aside from that we're really lacking in the kinds of jobs that can lift people's income like that. Service industry jobs grow and grow and grow, but there's basically zero career growth for anyone there.

 

[Razorskin]

If Layton was still around, I wouldn't need to think about who to vote for.


RIP

 

[Simon Belmont]

I don't like this one bit. At least it's semi-competitive.

 

[Windam]

Waking up the next morning after a disastrous election...

 

[Mr.Mike]

Waking up the next morning after a disastrous election...

http://www.nanosresearch.com/library/polls/Nanos Ballot 2015-08-28E.pdf

Nanos: NDP 30.8, LPC 29.7, CPC 28.8


I'm personally hoping for a 112/112/112/1/1 result. Just for laughs.

 

[Razorskin]

I don't like this one bit. At least it's semi-competitive.

Disgusting, get out of there.

http://www.nanosresearch.com/library/polls/Nanos Ballot 2015-08-28E.pdf

Nanos: NDP 30.8, LPC 29.7, CPC 28.8

This makes me feel good.

 

[maharg]

http://www.nanosresearch.com/library/polls/Nanos Ballot 2015-08-28E.pdf

Nanos: NDP 30.8, LPC 29.7, CPC 28.8

Reminder that this is a ridiculous rolling 4 week sample of 250 people across the whole country per week.

 

[Apathy]

lmaoo oh the myth of cutting taxes creates jobs and helps companies not send their factories and shit overseas lol.

That trickle down economics will everyday get to the poor.... Lol