Federal Liberal leadership candidate Martha Hall Findlay, former MP for the Toronto riding of Willowdale, on my new politics show, Battleground last night, makes the claim that “It’s a bit odd, but in terms of fiscal prudence, there is an argument to be said, that I’m arguably more conservative than Stephen Harper. These guys have been spending like crazy.” Continue reading Video: Martha Hall Findlay: Fiscally, "I'm arguably more conservative than Stephen Harper"
Category: Politics/Liberals
Audio and transcript: Trudeau's comments Monday on the gun registry he'd now vote for
On Friday in Ontario, Liberal Leadership candidate Justin Trudeau had this to say about the long gun registry. [Trudeau Transcript: Long gun registry “a failure”] On Monday, in Quebec he had something a bit different to say. Listen to what he said in Quebec: Continue reading Audio and transcript: Trudeau's comments Monday on the gun registry he'd now vote for
Trudeau transcript: Long gun registry "a failure"
On Friday morning, Liberal leadership candidate and MP for Papineau Justin Trudeau toured the Dart Helicopter Services plant in in Hawkesbury, Ont. After the tour, he spoke to about 100 employees and supporters in the company’s cafeteria. During the question-and-answer session, one worker — who would not say how he voted or planned to vote — asked him where he stood on the long-gun registry. Here’s what my tape recorder was able to pick up in his response to that query: Continue reading Trudeau transcript: Long gun registry "a failure"
To infinity and beyond! The Liberal leadership race gets its astronaut!
In Montreal this morning, MP Marc Garneau – who also holds the title as first Canadian in space — announced he will seek the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada.
The Twitterverse could not resist coming up with some campaign slogans. Some samples: Continue reading To infinity and beyond! The Liberal leadership race gets its astronaut!
Leadership candidate Burton "extremely disappointed" about McGuinty
Wonder what Alex Burton might say about his rival for the Liberal leadership, Justin Trudeau?
In any event, here’s an “open letter” to Ottawa South MP David McGuinty about his anti-Alberta comments:
Honourable David McGuinty, M.P.
House of Commons
111 Justice Building
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Dear David,As I sat in an RV park in Grande Prairie, AB, early this morning, I took some time to reflect upon your recent comments. Continue reading Leadership candidate Burton "extremely disappointed" about McGuinty
Liberals: You're electing a "third party" leader – and there's nothing wrong with that
There is much in Andrew Coyne’s latest column to commend. For example,
Liberals, do not delude yourselves. You are not, whatever you may say to each other, electing “the next prime minister of Canada” here. If your checklist for assessing the candidates includes “ability to win the next election,” strike it now.
And then he develops the thesis:
… you are not choosing a prime minister, and if you allow considerations of that kind to cloud your judgement, you are unlikely to choose well. Rather, you are choosing a leader for a third party. And in that role it is quite possible to see any one of a number of the candidates. I say this with the greatest respect, for there is nothing wrong with being the third party. Get used to thinking of yourselves as one, and you can do much good, both for your party and your country.
Put it this way: that is your only chance of survival — as a forceful, effective third party, the kind that inspires a determined, loyal following. Harden up the brand, persuade even 20% of the electorate that you are their party through and through, and you can build towards the day when you might contend for power once again. Neglect that task, and you will be eaten alive by the other two parties.
Put your third-party status to work for you. See it for the advantage it is: for it frees you to take risks that those closer to power will not.
I tend to agree with this and, as Coyne has primed my cranial pump, let me gush forth some more:
Liberal leader hopeful David Bertschi takes aim at Harper on economy
David Bertschi, an Ottawa lawyer and former unsuccessful Liberal candidate, appears set to announce next week that he will seek the same job that The Unstoppable Justin Trudeau (TM) also wants. Continue reading Liberal leader hopeful David Bertschi takes aim at Harper on economy
For the country's Liberals, leadership races from coast-to-coast
For the country’s Liberals, leadership races from coast-to-coast
Storified by David Akin · Tue, Oct 16 2012 08:38:26
There is the coast-to-coast battle for leadership …
LPC 2013 LeadershipBe part of it. On April 14, 2013, for the first time, YOU can be a part of choosing the Leader of a federal political party – the Leader …
And then are six undercards …
NL Liberal Party too choose new leader Nov 17 in St. John’s http://nlliberals.ca/news/liberal-party-announces-date-of-leadership-convention/David Akin
NB Liberals voting now for new leader. Leadership convention on Oct 27th. https://my.nbliberal.ca/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1David Akin
Quebec Liberal Party leadership race: Details TBA http://www.plq.org/eng/pages/la-chefferie-888David Akin
Liberal Party of Ontario. Leadership race details TBD http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1053109/statement-from-president-of-the-ontario-liberal-party-yasir-naqvi-mpp-ottawa-centreDavid Akin
Manitoba Liberal Party: Leadership race details TBD; race not expected until fall 2013. http://www.winnipegsun.com/2012/05/10/toba-liberals-almost-out-of-the-redDavid Akin
Saskatchewan Liberal Party. Interim leader appointed. Can’t find deets on permanent leader process. http://www.saskliberals.ca/node/213David Akin
Finally, the BC Liberals: If, as per this post, they’re down to 2 seats next year, think they’ll need a new leader? http://bc2013.com/2012/10/13/angus-reid-poll-ndp-49-bcl-26-con-16/David Akin
Justin Trudeau: The Millennial candidate?
David Coletto, the CEO of Abacus Data, has some interesting thoughts about how the entry of Justin Trudeau into the Liberal leadership race could be generationally significant change…
Justin Trudeau will become prime minister because young Canadians, or the Millennials, who never vote, will vote for him.
Before you all reach for the barf bags, let me explain why that just might be true and why conservatives should be worried. I spend a lot of my day thinking about how companies and organizations can better engage with young Canadians, especially my generation, the Millennials.
The Millennials are those 15- to 30-year-olds who all have college or university degrees and are stuck working at Starbucks, not Tim Hortons. We’re those kids who live with our parents until we are in our late 20s and don’t want a job we don’t love. We’re also those kids who aren’t voting.
Sarcasm aside, the Millennial Generation represents one-quarter of the Canadian population. We were raised by baby boomers. Our parents loved us, sheltered us and gave us everything we wanted. We are who we are because of our parents. But politics in Canada over the next 25 years will be a clash between baby boomers and Millennials. And Justin Trudeau’s entry could only intensify that.
Read the rest at Justin Trudeau: The Millennial candidate? | Columnists | Opinion | Toronto Sun.
Liberal MP McKay: Harper’s ideology has little to do with his faith
Liberal MP John McKay, a devout Christian and one of several in his caucus who voted against same-sex marriage, has no love for Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. But he says suggestions made by several journalists that Harper’s evangelical Christian beliefs animate his politics is not only wrong but offensive to evangelicals:
I have some sympathy for Lawrence Martin of the Globe & Mail who had the temerity to suggest that there might be a link between Prime Minister Harper’s evangelicalism and his anti-evidence, anti-science attitudes. While I think that he is wrong – profoundly wrong – he does express a commonly held misconception about evangelicals that gets endlessly repeated and therefore takes on a force of truth; namely that evangelicals as a group oppose scientific inquiry and rational thought. This is not true, has never been true but evidence of its untruthfulness seems to never get in the way of those wishing to make an argument.
Mr. Harper’s anti-rational, anti-scientific public policies do not generate themselves from his membership in the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church.
Read the rest: Harper’s ideology has little to do with his faith | iPolitics.