View Full Version : Canadian Election
I see that congratulations are in order for the Canadian liberal party (although a friend whose opinion I respect informs me that “liberal” means “centrist” in Canadian), who as far as I can tell defeated the conservative party by maneuvering to the left of the socialist party on economic issues. Permissibility of certain headdresses, herbaceous intoxicants and oil pipelines also seem to have entered into it. For the world at large, this may mean fewer bombs leaving Canada and more refugees entering.
The entire campaign ran perhaps three months; an electoral eye-blink by American standards. It took us longer than that to come up with “Trumpkins”. Perhaps we should send an expedition up north to see how they do it (and maybe bring me back a case of Imperial IPA)..
Yes, for a time while I wasn't really thinking about it, back in May perhaps, I had the impression that our presidential election was this November. >8)
yes we have a new government. At this point many Canadians felt it was just time to get rid of the old guard Conservative, Stephen Harper. I am glad to see a new party. John Oliver, who is brilliant BTW. did a wonderful piece on our election, but also pointed out why Canada's politics actually matter to Americans. He did call our really long election time (or at least we think that) adorable in the eyes of US citizens.
Glad it is over with. I don't know how you can stand it any longer than this.
Justin Trudeau, son of ex-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau is now treading in his father's footsteps. I don't know much about the new Prime Minister, although I remember having a huge crush on his mother, but so did Ted Kennedy and Mick Jagger.
I wonder if he's as "progressive" as his dad?
Yes, we have a new Government with a majority.....us poor adorable Canadians have been complaining the whole time about
this longest ever election....lol
This party was not my first choice but, I am thrilled at the prospect of any government left of the the right wing CPC (Conservative Party of Canada)
A little history here up till a little over a decade ago our main parties were Right leaning Progressive Conservatives...Centre, Liberals, and Left New Democratic Party, NDP(who began as Labour)
At that time The Progressive Conservative Party did really badly and the few remaining members, joined forces with the Very Right, Reform Alliance parties keeping the word
Conservative in there name even if their were anything but. To my thinking way more like your Tea Party folks.
If I am wrong on any of this fellow Canadians please correct me.
Justin Trudeau run an excellent campaign, very clean and positive.....maybe this is what people were looking for after this long decade of darkness as
I said not my first choice but, better then Stephen Harper who used very divisive, racist politics to try and get reelected.
The NDP are always and will remain as a good balance to both parties.
John Olivier's show was great!
p.s. Trudeau is young, fit, personable, and really good looking with a beautiful wife and 3 adorable kids......sure all that didn't hurt....lol
Wow is he young! Did he have a groundswell of support from young people, or just overall popularity?
Williamsmith
10-20-15, 2:35pm
Canadians should be, if they are not, keenly interested in the outcome of our next Presidential election. Canada's economy is closely tied to the United States. A case could be made that should the U.S. suffer partial collapse, Canada would be dragged down with it. As well, US citizens should pay close attention to Canada's immigration policy because although the Mexican border currently attracts all the attention, it may be our border with Canada that becomes a bigger problem.
As well, US citizens should pay close attention to Canada's immigration policy because although the Mexican border currently attracts all the attention, it may be our border with Canada that becomes a bigger problem.
I live right on the US/Canada border. As in, I can row a boat across it.
It is a big problem here, and always has been. It just doesn't get much press because it's more complicated than "build a fence to keep out the racist-epithets".
There is a time-honored tradition in the US of threatening to move to Canada. I'm not talking about Loyalists, runaway slaves or draft dodgers. I'm talking about the generally disgruntled types, seething over things like the Patriot Act, Obamacare, etc. People like Eddie Vedder or Alec Baldwin.
I'm curious about where disgruntled Canadians threaten to go.
I'm curious about where disgruntled Canadians threaten to go.According to my cousin, they're all in Yuma, Arizona, at least in the winter time.
There is a time-honored tradition in the US of threatening to move to Canada.
I've considered it for years here. I'd only have to move a couple of miles to the lovely Canadian Gulf Islands, an area I love and am very familiar with. I'm still young enough that Canada would let me in. There would be some major advantages in living there, and a handful of downsides. It's mostly been inertia, as I hate to move because I hate packing/unpacking. If the state I live in changed its tax regulations significantly, or the federal taxes increased noticeably, I'd likely move - there are some features about the Canadian taxation system that are quite interesting to folks able and willing to live simply...
kib
He is 43 and his wife is 40......I think people of all ages got out including a lot of younger people.
Williamsmith
10-20-15, 5:17pm
I've considered it for years here. I'd only have to move a couple of miles to the lovely Canadian Gulf Islands, an area I love and am very familiar with. I'm still young enough that Canada would let me in. There would be some major advantages in living there, and a handful of downsides. It's mostly been inertia, as I hate to move because I hate packing/unpacking. If the state I live in changed its tax regulations significantly, or the federal taxes increased noticeably, I'd likely move - there are some features about the Canadian taxation system that are quite interesting to folks able and willing to live simply...
Comparing Canada and US tax structures, in my specific case it seems to be a toss up. Lower incomes definitely do better in Canada. But I would consider that included in your taxes in Canada is equal access to healthcare under socialized medicine. So for all your general medical needs there is no out of pocket. Here in the US, it's a crap shoot as to whether or not your health needs will bankrupt you and possibly your family. And so the argument goes that it is crappy healthcare and long wait periods, blah blah blah. You always have as an option to come to the U.S. and pay for it. With the money you save on Health care premiums, you could pay for a medical procedure with cash.
Well, that argument was easier to make 20 years ago but I have to say the US healthcare system is trying to make that debate fruitless. Overall while I don't deny there are some problems with Canadian healthcare, the U.S. is more costly and has a lower rate of satisfaction than our friends to the north, eh.
I would prefer to change systems instead of countries. I ain't going nowhere.
I think Canadians are always fairly tapped into what is going on with the US politics. It comes with the territory of being your giant, but tiny neighbour.
What you do definitely does affect us, but so far, things have been pretty good, eh?
I think Canadians are always fairly tapped into what is going on with the US politics. It comes with the territory of being your giant, but tiny neighbour.
What you do definitely does affect us, but so far, things have been pretty good, eh?
At least since about 1812 or so.
I live right on the US/Canada border. As in, I can row a boat across it.
It is a big problem here, and always has been. It just doesn't get much press because it's more complicated than "build a fence to keep out the racist-epithets".
Why is it a big problem? Not being confrontational, just wondering, who is sneaking in which direction? Is it a drug thing or an immigration /emigration thing?
Why is it a big problem? Not being confrontational, just wondering, who is sneaking in which direction? Is it a drug thing or an immigration /emigration thing?
This particular part of the border has historically been a hotbed of smuggling since the 1800s. It's just too darned easy to get things across here, even with modern technology trying to monitor the situation. Today's issues are mostly drug and people smuggling. In addition to the traffic itself, the nature of the people involved in running the operations isn't pleasant, and competitors sometimes try to move into the area causing troubles that spill over into the lives of non-involved people.
The related problem is that governmental efforts here to crack down have mostly only made life more troublesome for the law-abiding citizenry, without having much impact on the trafficking.
Gotcha. I had this image of all these nice Canadians sneaking over the border to live in the US, and then thought for heavens sake WHY. Lol.
I'm curious about where disgruntled Canadians threaten to go.
Mexico. Its a circular thing in North America.
All my Canadian friends were disgusted because they were excluded from voting because they didn't live in Canada.
They are now hopeful they will now getting their voting rights back.
And other concerns will be reconsidered such as finding who is killing hundreds of indigenous women, environmental issues, and more.
A funny thing I have noticed is that when US citizens get fed up with whatever is going on in their country, they often talk about uprooting and coming to Canada. It is certainly not just that easy. We get people on this island up her from the US who buy bits of land to live on later. When I ask how they are planning to come here they just say "we are just going to move up here."
But it is certainly not that easy. I know how hard it is if I wanted to move and live in the states, but I don't think that everyone knows it is the same for Canada.
iris lilies
10-21-15, 1:05pm
A funny thing I have noticed is that when US citizens get fed up with whatever is going on in their country, they often talk about uprooting and coming to Canada. It is certainly not just that easy. We get people on this island up her from the US who buy bits of land to live on later. When I ask how they are planning to come here they just say "we are just going to move up here."
But it is certainly not that easy. I know how hard it is if I wanted to move and live in the states, but I don't think that everyone knows it is the same for Canada.
And even if you get there, doesn't mean it will be successful. Someone on this board years ago moved to
Canada and found she and her husband couldn't make it, so they moved back, but they commuted between countries for a while during the re-settling process. that cost something. :(
Mr. Money Mustache is Canadian. He determined that financially he'd be better off in the U.S. He and his wife came here, worked, saved up a stash, and then FIRED. They are still here, he has run the numbers and it's less expensive to live here than in Canada, for him anyway.
Kally, agree that most people not bae are just blowing smoke about picking up and moving to Canada. I often wonder "what makes you think Canada will welcome you with open arms?" Over the years I've read about Canada's immigration programs and the one that I thought we might be able to squeeze in with is no longer offered, I think. It seems like they've closed down several of those programs. We are too old now anyway, and I was never serious about it, just curious.
if you get to live in Canada you are lucky. If you get to live in the US you are lucky. We are all very lucky. UK the same. There are so many great places to live and we, who live in them, won the lottery IMO.
That is interesting that Mr. Money finds it a better deal for him in the states. Every situation is different.
rodeosweetheart
10-21-15, 1:25pm
I think we ar etoo old and I am too unhealthy to be accepted, but I have thought about it. On the other hand, SC was full of Canadians in the winter, and Northern Michigan is full of them in the summer, so I always wonder why they are spending so much time here.
Kally, if people bought land, can't they live there without becoming Canadian citizens? Or does that negate the economic benefit?
I was pretty close to qualifying when I retired. It's hopeless now. But you can live there for six months a year (or you could), which could work if you had a motor home or tiny house that could be moved easily. I think I'm a better fit for Canada--or Europe--than I am the U.S.
Jane is right - 6 months. Sort of the same for us living in the US to escape the brutal winters. But out here on the west coast it is just cool and drizzly and dark skies for most of the winter. Like Oregon and Washington. But you just can't up and move to this country or yours full time I am pretty sure, without all the paperwork etc.
They still will let you in if you will invest there. If your worth 10million Canadian and will invest 2 million Canadian your all set.
According to this article from a few years ago, considerably more Canadians than Americans move across the border to live, apparently more for economic than political reasons; which probably makes sense given the relative size of the two economies. There seems little evidence of Canadian threats to leave; which probably also makes sense given that the U.S. arguably leads the world in blowhard production.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/06/28/americans_threaten_to_move_to_canada_do_canadians_ ever_threaten_to_move_to_the_us_.html
well there is always the rich people exemption. I thought about investing 2 mill in the US, but my financial director says I just can't do it. lol
to be able to work in the US is a dream for so many people who want the big big market.
Williamsmith
10-21-15, 4:42pm
I don't want to seem terribly ungrateful for being born in the USA. It's just that since the 60s I feel like the neighborhood has certainly gone to pot. Kinda like this.......
http://youtu.be/A6c6eUeoa9Q
rosarugosa
10-21-15, 5:16pm
the U.S. arguably leads the world in blowhard production.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/06/28/americans_threaten_to_move_to_canada_do_canadians_ ever_threaten_to_move_to_the_us_.html
Too funny! :laff:
gimmethesimplelife
11-8-15, 8:54pm
I have to say that every time I've ever gone to Los Algodones, Mexico, which is right outside of Yuma, AZ, for medical or dental, I have run across many Canadians. They usually come across as very pleasant to me.
gimmethesimplelife
11-8-15, 8:56pm
At Carumba, this was supposed to attach to Alan's earlier comment about Canadians in Yuma, Arizona.
Well, as the disgruntled Canadian voter here, I can see my grandchildren having to pay down a huge debt that the new government is going to dump on these presently jubilant voters. Give everybody everything and someone else can pay for it for years down the road. Living within your means is not part of the new government's mantra. I truly hope and pray that I am proven wrong but seriously doubt it.
Well, as the disgruntled Canadian voter here, I can see my grandchildren having to pay down a huge debt that the new government is going to dump on these presently jubilant voters. Give everybody everything and someone else can pay for it for years down the road. Living within your means is not part of the new government's mantra. I truly hope and pray that I am proven wrong but seriously doubt it.
Obviously every situation is different, but in the US the biggest run-ups in the deficit have generally happened during Republican administrations. LBJ's policy of deficit spending for both guns and butter appears amateurish compared to Reagan and Bush 43.
gimmethesimplelife
11-10-15, 12:18am
One time I was in Los Algodones, Mexico to deal with an infected tooth, I ran across A Canadian couple who told me that the Harper years had very much changed what it meant to be a Canadian for the worse. This couple couldn't wait to see Harper gone. I hope they are happy now as Harper is out and the liberals are in. I wish Canada a good stretch of years under Trudeau. Rob
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