New Liberal Prime Minister in Canada

[_Quasimodo]

Lol. Even Canada's Conservative party is to the left of the American Democratic party.

Electing Trudeau isn't a sign of an international movement towards socialism. It was more of a referendum on Harper. The Canadians were tired of his garbage. He's widely despised.

I've also heard/read excellent things about Trudeau's team. The liberals were floundering not just because they effed up so badly with Paul Martin and the sponsorship scandal but because they couldn't find a charismatic leader to save their lives. They've got one now. Although he doesn't have a tenth of the charisma that his father did.

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to put the conservatives to the the left of the U.S. Democrats.

My family comes from Alberta, which is about as conservative as you can get in Canada. I think Miss Tish is right that this election reflects unhappiness with the current government. In its last provincial election, Alberta elected the NDP, which is farther left than the liberals. Again, they were very unhappy with the then current conservative government. However, some of my same relatives that voted NDP in the provincial elections voted conservative in the national elections because they really didn't like Pierre Trudeau. I think that may also represent an east-west divide in Canada.

One thing I love about the Canadian system: they called and held elections in the span of a few weeks. None of this two-year marathon for them.

Despite the bandied about phrase "American Exceptionalism", I think a parlamental system works best. Government shutdowns are easily avoided by calling new elections.

[_MissTish]

That's totally ok. Your comment was still a valid objection to my original comment.

by the way, are you Canadian? (You obviously don't have to answer that for privacy reasons - I'm just curious.)

I've been to Canada a few times (British Columbia, Alberta, and once to Quebec). It's stunningly beautiful up there.

No, I'm not Canadian. I have some family in Montreal, and two very close friends that are Canadian transplants living in the US (one is a Canadian diplomat attached to the UN, she loves to expound on Canadian politics), so I follow a bit of what's happening in Canada through them. This was a huge election for them, similar to the 2008 US election.


Like Brad, the Canadians ability to do these quick campaigns impresses me. Ditto the UK. There's so much that's a wreck with our elections/campaigns. Money, time, etc. And I also agree with Brad on the Canadian east/west divide. Plus, the Franco/Anglo thing, which can be quite divisive.

[_Some Schmo]

Interesting to hear about their politics. I work with several Canadians (people from all over the world, frankly) but we never talk politics, so I don't get to live vicariously through anyone. Shame.

I speculate that the reason for the US's lengthy campaign cycles is rooted in capitalism. How can corporations sell their guy/gal without the time to market? We've become conditioned to expect it. Sucks when you think about it.

[_MissTish]

I speculate that the reason for the US's lengthy campaign cycles is rooted in capitalism. How can corporations sell their guy/gal without the time to market? We've become conditioned to expect it. Sucks when you think about it.

I think you're on to something here...

[_Some Schmo]

Plus, the Franco/Anglo thing, which can be quite divisive.

by the way, didn't Quebec want to secede at one point? Is that still a thing?

[_MissTish]

by the way, didn't Quebec want to secede at one point? Is that still a thing?

If I recall correctly they voted on that twice, but didn't have enough votes. It's momentum seems to have petered out although I'm sure there are some hardcore québécois francophones that will never give up on it.

[_Some Schmo]

If I recall correctly they voted on that twice, but didn't have enough votes. It's momentum seems to have petered out although I'm sure there are some hardcore québécois francophones that will never give up on it.

So, sounds they're a bit Texas-like. I know they speak a different language.

[_MissTish]

So, sounds they're a bit Texas-like. I know they speak a different language.

[Jersey Girl]

A 7% income tax imposed upon the highest income brackets during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson? The slide into socialism has been gradual.

Priming the pump for Cayman Islands Banking and tax attorneys.

Some Schmo wrote: by the way, didn't Quebec want to secede at one point? Is that still a thing?

That would have been fun. The remainder of Canada could have joined the United States. We could have threatened the Quebecers with an embargo, or else disrupting their hibernation cycle if they did not turn over a specified number amount of maple syrup each year.

[_MissTish]

And poutine! Don't forget the poutine, its the québécois gift to cuisine.