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[maharg]

A keep/return to status quo referendum done at the end of the second term elected under it is the only way I think a referendum makes sense. Otherwise the largely wrong FUD will fly.

 

[Kifimbo]

Some kind of Internet tax is likely coming. And more restrictions, probably.

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2016/10/...t-regulation-of-internet-services-are-coming/

 

[mdubs]

Some kind of Internet tax is likely coming. And more restrictions, probably.

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2016/10/...t-regulation-of-internet-services-are-coming/

I'm sure we're all eagerly waiting for the opportunity to get taxed on Netflix for the privilege of funding Canadian content.

 

[Azih]

I'm sure we're all eagerly waiting for the opportunity to get taxed on Netflix for the privilege of funding Canadian content.

I'm fine with it. I'd think of it like the TV license that funds the BBC.

 

[oneils]

Trudeau announced three new deputy ministers today (for CFIA, International Trade and FedDev ON) if you guys follow that sort of thing.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/trudeau-shakes-up-top-ranks-with-more-young-blood

The citizen is framing it as some sort of move to inject "young blood" into the senior ranks.

 

[Boogie]

Some kind of Internet tax is likely coming. And more restrictions, probably.

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2016/10/...t-regulation-of-internet-services-are-coming/

Oh look, Michael Geist.


I can only assume that he actually knows what he's talking about when it comes to issues of civil/commercial law on tech issues, because God knows he doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to tech issues vis-a-vis criminal law.

 

[sikkinixx]

I'm fine with it. I'd think of it like the TV license that funds the BBC.

I feel the same. CBC is great so I don't mind paying a bit for it. Hopefully they can expand more.

 

[SRG01]

I can only assume that he actually knows what he's talking about when it comes to issues of civil/commercial law on tech issues, because God knows he doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to tech issues vis-a-vis criminal law.

Any examples? Because he's pretty much the expert on Canadian internet and copyright law these days.

 

[gabbo]

I'm sure we're all eagerly waiting for the opportunity to get taxed on Netflix for the privilege of funding Canadian content.

If it actually went to the CBC, like the BBC model, yeah I'd be all for it. A national broadcaster that had actual funding, I feel that's a plus

 

[killer rin]

If it actually went to the CBC, like the BBC model, yeah I'd be all for it. A national broadcaster that had actual funding, I feel that's a plus

I would be all for it if this was the case. I would love it if CBC actually had the funding to follow some of the cool adaptation trends (only with Canadian Series though)

 

[killer rin]

From the English translation on iPolitics (http://ipolitics.ca/2016/10/19/trudeau-backing-away-from-voting-system-change/): "“Under Stephen Harper, there were so many people unhappy with the government and their approach that people were saying, ‘It will take electoral reform to no longer have a government we don’t like’. But under the current system, they now have a government they’re more satisfied with and the motivation to change the electoral system is less compelling,” he said"

From that... he's kind of right. I wrote this on my friend's FB feed:

"But it's actually true though. The CPC -- a good third of the vote -- keep repeating their calls for a referendum, the NDP doesn't seem to be interested in anything other than complete prop-rep, and only about a *fifth* of the populace is actually aware of the electoral reform process as referenced by the article. And I say this as a fairly strong supporter of electoral reform.

I always like to say that Harper wasn't voted out and neither were the Liberals voted in because of that singular issue. It was a complex long-winding election, of which the Liberals won on multiple fronts."

Anger party is over everyone. After seeding doubt, Trudeau reaffirms ‘deep’ commitment to change voting system

 

[SRG01]

Anger party is over everyone. After seeding doubt, Trudeau reaffirms ‘deep’ commitment to change voting system

Probably just saving face. The chances of marijuana being legalized by the next election is higher than electoral reform, IMO.

 

[Firestorm]

People don't care about electoral reform if you talk about terms like "first past the post." If you explain what that means, I think they'd care. Sure we ousted the government in 2015 but that required us to deal with them for 4 years we shouldn't have had to.

 

[Vibranium]

I would be all for it if this was the case. I would love it if CBC actually had the funding to follow some of the cool adaptation trends (only with Canadian Series though)

The CBC totally needs its own Doctor Who in terms of budget and scope when it comes to sci-fi. I'd also take a cyberpunk series.

I would support them with taxpayer money.

 

[gutter_trash]

Steven Blaney, one of the most uncharacteristic Conservative MPs is entering the CPC race.

http://www.journaldemontreal.com/20...candidat-a-la-direction-du-parti-conservateur

If you don't know what his ideology is; it's neocon GOP type .

I hope Maxime Bernier destroys Steven Blaney

 

[Pedrito]

I'm surprised by the number of no-hoper conservatives entering the race.

 

[diaspora]

how the fuck do you have Bernier end up being the most likeable candidate in your race?

christ

Leitch is nice but her "Canadian values" shit is more wtf than Bernier's gold standard nonsense.

 

[SRG01]

Michael Chong hasn't announced his intentions yet?

 

[PumpkinSpice]

So, real talk, is there someone I should root for to become Conservative leader? Like preferably someome non-crazy, non-extremist, mostly centrist person that if they become PM it wouldn't be a disaster?

 

[gutter_trash]

how the fuck do you have Bernier end up being the most likeable candidate in your race?

christ

Leitch is nice but her "Canadian values" shit is more wtf than Bernier's gold standard nonsense.

I'm not rooting for Bernier because "I like him", I'm rooting for Bernier because he is a gaf machine and gets parodied by Quebec comics and radio hosts. His 2015 campaign jingle is still running strong in spoofs.

So, real talk, is there someone I should root for to become Conservative leader? Like preferably someome non-crazy, non-extremist, mostly centrist person that if they become PM it wouldn't be a disaster?

I don't think there is a clear cut "centrist" running
Bernier is the most socially liberal though on individual rights but his brand of Libertarianism and fiscal conservatisme also means cuts cuts cuts Privatize everything "Fuck You Got Mine" type

 

[Fuzzy]

Anger party is over everyone. After seeding doubt, Trudeau reaffirms ‘deep’ commitment to change voting system

Why should people believe him?

Liberals shrug off their own ethical guidelines with fundraiser

In this case, we’re talking about Open and Accountable Government, with capital letters – the document published last November that outlined the ethical standards cabinet ministers are expected to uphold.

One thing that document made clear is that ministers must not give anyone special access to government for a political donation. They are not even allowed to do something that creates the appearance that someone is getting special access for a donation.

So when The Globe and Mail reported that Finance Minister Bill Morneau was guest of honour at a cozy $1,500-a-head event for 15 people, including bankers and property developers, at the Halifax house of mining tycoon Fred George, you would imagine there would be coughs and aw-shucks apologies.

What looks more like exchanging access for a political donation than paying $1,500 for a small private gathering with the Finance Minister?

Now, Mr. Trudeau’s Liberals find themselves arguing the other guys did it first: Stephen Harper’s Conservatives had identical guidelines about mixing donations and access, but still sent out ministers to fundraisers.

But the fact that Mr. Trudeau has just chucked out the ethical standards for fundraising, leaving a vacuum, should matter to those who support the PM. Justin Trudeau, circa 2015, told them it should. He put out a press release when he issued the Open and Accountable Government rules, saying, “I encourage Canadians to read them and hold us accountable for delivering these commitments.”

 

[gabbo]

The CBC totally needs its own Doctor Who in terms of budget and scope when it comes to sci-fi. I'd also take a cyberpunk series.

I would support them with taxpayer money.

Well it did co-produce the 2005 reboot

 

[diaspora]

So, real talk, is there someone I should root for to become Conservative leader? Like preferably someome non-crazy, non-extremist, mostly centrist person that if they become PM it wouldn't be a disaster?

Chong realistically. Bernier being a libertarian makes him openly socially liberal and pro-free trade but also makes him support crazy shit like the gold standard.

 

[gutter_trash]

Chong realistically. Bernier being a libertarian makes him openly socially liberal and pro-free trade but also makes him support crazy shit like the gold standard.

he needs a Ron Paul ''It's happening'' gif

One major sad news today, the fake country of Beligum vetoed CETA (the trade deal between the EU and Canada)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37749236

Belgium cannot sign a key EU trade deal with Canada, Prime Minister Charles Michel says, because of regional objections led by staunchly socialist Wallonia.

I am boycotting all Belgium products from now on. Boo Brussels

 

[matthewwhatever]

Any examples? Because he's pretty much the expert on Canadian internet and copyright law these days.

Geist is pretty much the expert on getting his name in the media. Anything beyond that is giving him way more credit than he deserves.

Michael Chong hasn't announced his intentions yet?

Actually, Chong is the only person to have paid his entrance fee in full. That'll probably be the only time he's first in anything in this race, but he's definitely in.

So, real talk, is there someone I should root for to become Conservative leader? Like preferably someome non-crazy, non-extremist, mostly centrist person that if they become PM it wouldn't be a disaster?

Like diaspora said, Chong isn't completely insane, though the fact he wants to deregulate our housing market by dismantling the CMHC is a little worrisome. He's made a name for himself (relatively speaking) with his democratic reform proposals, but probably much more popular with non-Conservatives than he is with Conservatives. He'll get way more media attention than he deserves, largely because journalists really like him (which stems back to those aforementioned reform proposals).

Beyond him, the field -- which is huge -- is all over the place.

• Scheer and Trost are both extremely regressive Saskatchewan social conservatives; Trost is much more vocal about it and is being funded almost entirely by Canadian so-con groups, but Scheer is just as bad, plus he enabled all the CPC's worst behaviours in the House during his time as speaker.
• Leitch and Blaney are both pandering hard to the Trump North voters, though I have it from a good authority that Blaney's running mainly to spite Bernier (which explains why he's going so hard after QC Conservatives with the niqab ban stuff -- Bernier is relying on winning over huge blocks of QC CPCers to propel him to victory).
• Bernier is, of course, a crazy libertarian; as interesting as it would be to see an election in which our choices were as stark as they'd be between him and Trudeau, he'd be a complete disaster as PM for a whole bunch of reasons.
• There are a whole bunch of people with no profile and no chance whatsoever: Deepak Obhrai, Pierre Lemieux, Andrew Saxton, etc.
• I have no idea what to make of Chris Alexander, who stood alongside Leitch to announce the Culturally Barbaric Practices hotline, and is now pledging to massively ramp up immigration numbers. He has an interesting background, but his time in Parliament took off a lot of his lustre as people discovered he was pretty shallow for an Oxford grad/former ambassador.

That only leaves Erin O'Toole and Lisa Raitt. I honestly know nothing about O'Toole beyond the fact he's a former military guy, but apparently he's well-liked in the CPC caucus and could be a dark horse to win.

As for Raitt...the fact the anti-choice Campaign Life Coalition hates her (for being pro-choice, pro-trans rights, pro-same sex marriage, etc.) means she ca't be that bad. To the extent Red Tories exist any more, she is one. She never embarrassed herself as a minister, and I don't think she faced any major scandals. Her only real drawback is that she doesn't speak French particularly well. But still, if you're looking for a non-crazy candidate who wouldn't be a disaster as PM, she's the one to root for.

 

[SRG01]

Geist is pretty much the expert on getting his name in the media. Anything beyond that is giving him way more credit than he deserves.

Again, I'll need concrete examples because most of his talks about copyright/privacy/technology haven't been off the mark by that much, and I am exposed to his line of work a fair bit due to my profession...

Actually, Chong is the only person to have paid his entrance fee in full. That'll probably be the only time he's first in anything in this race, but he's definitely in.

Oh, I must've missed his announcement then, hmm.

 

[gutter_trash]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiB-hJX3p2c

VIDÉO : Le député Michael Chong appuie les deux langues officielles

Michael Chong supports Canada's two official languages and says that he sent his kids to French immersion school because knowing both languages is part of Canada's traditions

I always google (candidate's name + francais) to see if they ever speak in French

 

[CazTGG]

Speaking of the CPC leadership run, apparently one of them hasn't learned anything from the last election. I don't know who i'd want to run for the leadership, but I know what I don't, and I certainly wouldn't want this to be the mindset held by a potential candidate for Prime Minister. I also don't get Chong being preferred over other candidates when he said he supported the niqab ban and voted for Bill C-51 but to each their own.

 

[gutter_trash]

Blaney is not going to crack 3% during the CPC leadership race.

I predict Bernier being between 12% to 19% of of the CPCers

but yeah, Blaney is a moron

 

[SRG01]

I also don't get Chong being preferred over other candidates when he said he supported the niqab ban and voted for Bill C-51 but to each their own.

I mean, there's a lot of the trained seal effect for most CPC members, so I'm weighing the actions of each CPC MP post-election a bit more than pre-election. Namely, whether they've grown as MPs and can give fresh ideas to the party.

Blaney is not going to crack 3% during the CPC leadership race.

I predict Bernier being between 12% to 19% of of the CPCers

but yeah, Blaney is a moron

What do you think about Kevin O'Leary's chances, if he does choose to run?

 

[gutter_trash]

Kevin's comments about him not needing to speak French because he was born in Quebec LOL handicaps him.

+ he added ''I understand them, they understand me'' buhahhaha

I guess 11% max

 

[SRG01]

Kevin's comments about him not needing to speak French because he was born in Quebec LOL handicaps him.

+ he added ''I understand them, they understand me'' buhahhaha

I guess 11% max

Oh, he's Anglo Quebecois? I never knew that...

But at any rate, I can see him making inroads if the CPC plan for another 'route to victory' without Quebec again. He'll have to take French lessons just like Harper did to fulfill the language requirements but that may be enough.

Otherwise, my expectation is that Bernier will probably win.

 

[gutter_trash]

Oh, he's Anglo Quebecois? I never knew that...

But at any rate, I can see him making inroads if the CPC plan for another 'route to victory' without Quebec again. He'll have to take French lessons just like Harper did to fulfill the language requirements but that may be enough.

Otherwise, my expectation is that Bernier will probably win.

I doubt that Bernier is going to win, he is way too Libertarian for social-conservatives and the religious right on one side. While he is too anti-government for Red Tories and/or PC remnants

I personally want him to win (the Leadership) for comedy reasons and for beatability reasons

 

[Pedrito]

Bernier will sink like a stone when has to defend his crazy views in debates and interviews.

Among those in the race, I'd bet a 2$ on Raitt right now. She's fairly well known, not all that divisive and not batshit-insane. And obviously the Cons would love to stick it to "fake-feminist" Trudeau by naming a woman to an "actual position" of power.

 

[gabbo]

Kevin's comments about him not needing to speak French because he was born in Quebec LOL handicaps him.

+ he added ''I understand them, they understand me'' buhahhaha

I guess 11% max

You're going with 11? Damn I'd have given him maybe 5 after the trainwreck that 'catapulted' him into this that is Trump's campaign

 

[gutter_trash]

You're going with 11? Damn I'd have given him maybe 5 after the trainwreck that 'catapulted' him into this that is Trump's campaign

depending on how the CPC sets the rules, if its members only then yeah I agree with you he will poll low. But if they open it up like what the Liberals did last time then maybe he can get 10%

 

[SRG01]

depending on how the CPC sets the rules, if its members only then yeah I agree with you he will poll low. But if they open it up like what the Liberals did last time then maybe he can get 10%

If they opened it up, then Leitch and/or Blaney will get most of the boost as they'll attract the alt-right similar to the US Republican primaries of this election cycle.

 

[gabbo]

depending on how the CPC sets the rules, if its members only then yeah I agree with you he will poll low. But if they open it up like what the Liberals did last time then maybe he can get 10%

I don't see them opening it up, and in the case that they did, I can see non-Cons playing a role and voting for Leitch or someone else that ensures the Conservatives stay losing.

 

[maharg]

Is there any reason to think they'll change the rules? They already have rules set, right? OMOV ranked ballot per riding and then their votes weighted to the riding, I believe.

 

[PumpkinSpice]

I don't see them opening it up, and in the case that they did, I can see non-Cons playing a role and voting for Leitch or someone else that ensures the Conservatives stay losing.

I'm not a conservative but if they open up voting I'd vote for the best option.

Someday they're going to win again, likely after 10 years of Liberal rule gives way to some scandal. Who they pick now could well still be their leader at that time, and very easily become PM. The Liberal situation of the last decade of shuffling leaders every 2-3 years is not normal for a major non-failing party.

 

[gutter_trash]

if they open it up, I will join in Operation Chaos and chose Bernier

Operation Chaos was a success during the Republican Praimaries south of the border, time to execute Operation Chaos in Canada


Trudeau 2019!

 

[matthewwhatever]

Is there any reason to think they'll change the rules? They already have rules set, right? OMOV ranked ballot per riding and then their votes weighted to the riding, I believe.

You're right, they have already set the rules, which is why gutter is -- as he always is -- talking nonsense.

O'Leary has zero chance if he decides to run. He doesn't understand the rules, he doesn't understand fundraising, and he'd be jumping in too late to get any organizers. He's also had a tendency of insulting Conservatives, which seems like a terrible strategy considering they're the only ones who are voting in the race. He'd have name recognition, which is certainly worth something, but he'd be a joke of a candidate.

Blaney and Bernier are probably going to both do pretty well: like maharg said, the votes are weighted by riding, and each riding gets 100 points each. Quebec has 7,800 points, and it's 16,901 points to win. If they sweep through their home province -- which is doable, since the CPC is so weak on the ground in much of Quebec (like every other party) -- that means they both have huge advantages over the rest of the field. The Southern Ontario candidates may have higher profiles, but they're all in neighbouring ridings, so it'll be a lot harder for them to come away from those with huge vote totals. I don't think Blaney or Bernier can win, but I think their support will be key to whoever does win.

I'm really eager for this quarter's fundraising numbers to come out. That'll give us a much clearer sense of how the candidates are doing than any polls. I think Leitch and Bernier will still be at or near the top (which, ironically, will doom them later on, since they've both staked out controversial positions that'lll make it hard for them to pick up second choice support in a preferential voting system).

In totally unrelated news, the CPC retained their seat in Medicine Hat in yesterday's by-election. That's not surprising, even though Trudeau spent time campaigning there. What is surprising is how poorly the NDP -- who hold the seat provincially -- did:

As the first handful of polls reported Monday evening, NDP candidate Beverly Ann Waege was running in sixth — sixth! — behind candidates for the Rhinoceros Party, the Libertarians, and the Christian Heritage Party. When all the counting was done — 34,260 of 76,911 registered electors cast a ballot for a voter turnout of 44.54% — the NDP had notched all of 353 votes or 1 per cent of the total. Rod Taylor of the Christian Heritage Party got twice that with 702 votes.

I mean, by-elections don't mean a whole lot, but when you're battling the Rhinoceros Party for dead last, that can't be a good thing.

 

[maharg]

The federal NDP is pretty blatantly dead in the water right now, and that's going to be magnified in a southern rural Alberta riding. The Liberal vote was impressive, though. More than in decades (last time a non-PC/CPC candidate got more individually was 1974). But it wasn't really an enlargement of the opposition vote in the riding, the CPC guy got about average for the riding.

I think the outcome has more to do with Trudeau than pretty much any other factor.

 

[Dazzler]

Pretty worried the upcoming pot legalization will be bad news in BC

I like the current status quo in Vancouver where I can stroll into a pot shop and discuss the various strains with knowledgable staff.

I have this nightmarish vision of all that going away post-legalization to be replaced with a heavily taxed, BC Liquor distribution only type model where only "Premium" and "economy" strains are available, served up by some clueless liquor store lifer

Give the province's puritan attitude towards booze, it doesn't seem so far fetched

 

[gutter_trash]

I wasn't familiar with the CPC rules, if it is closed, then O'Leary is out
I was just contemplating on the fun we could have had if it was open. But oh well.

Chong is the best candidate they have who could overlap but I want Bernier to win the leadership for the LOLz

 

[Simon Belmont]

Pretty worried the upcoming pot legalization will be bad news in BC

I like the current status quo in Vancouver where I can stroll into a pot shop and discuss the various strains with knowledgable staff.

I have this nightmarish vision of all that going away post-legalization to be replaced with a heavily taxed, BC Liquor distribution only type model where only "Premium" and "economy" strains are available, served up by some clueless liquor store lifer

Give the province's puritan attitude towards booze, it doesn't seem so far fetched

Well in Ontario I don't have any of that, so I'll take your experience being worse if it means I have basic access. But really, contact your MP if it's bothering you.

 

[killer rin]

I wasn't familiar with the CPC rules, if it is closed, then O'Leary is out
I was just contemplating on the fun we could have had if it was open. But oh well.

Chong is the best candidate they have who could overlap but I want Bernier to win the leadership for the LOLz

I'd rather not. Unlike in the USA where the Republicans are openly Batshit insane and everyone sensible knows not to vote for them, here in Canada our Conservative Party is still electable and we have Multiple Parties which love nothing more than taking advantage of FPTP to split each others votes.

This is especially true on the Left which for the last 10 years resulted in Conservative Reign

 

[gutter_trash]

I'd rather not. Unlike in the USA where the Republicans and openly Batshit insane and everyone sensible knows not to vote for them, here in Canada our Conservative Party is still electable and we have Multiple Parties which love nothing more than taking advantage of FPTP to split each others votes.

This is especially true on the Left which for the last 10 years resulted in Conservative Reign

With the current state of the NDP, I don't think that the Left will split like it did in 2011.

the CPC have three choices:
a) either select center-right leader who can bridge consensus
b) select an ideologue nutter who divides
c) select a clown who makes us laugh

speaking of laughs: Bernier has gone full 2nd Ammendment on guns

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/10/26/maxime-bernier-gun-firearms-conservatives_n_12661212.html

 

[gutter_trash]

sorry to double post but this is actually newsworthy

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/belgium-canada-eu-trade-deal-1.3823624

A landmark free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada could be signed within days after the Belgian government overcame an impasse with its regional authorities on Thursday

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said his national government had reached a deal with the holdout region of Wallonia. The region held a veto over the country's ability to back the trans-Atlantic trade agreement. And the EU, in turn, needed unanimity among all its members.

The deal will go through regional legislatures by Friday night.

I am happy CETA will go through for 2 reasons:
a) it's a win for Canadian consumers, and Canadian auto manufacturing sector.
b) it gives Canada a huge headstart over the US on trade with the EU

 

[killer rin]

sorry to double post but this is actually newsworthy

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/belgium-canada-eu-trade-deal-1.3823624






I am happy CETA will go through for 2 reasons:
a) it's a win for Canadian consumers, and Canadian auto manufacturing sector.
b) it gives Canada a huge headstart over the US on trade with the EU

That's good to hear. Hopefully with the EU being the #1/2 economy in the world it will work to decouple our economy from being primarily dependent on the sometimes fragile USA