[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[crazy canuck]

Harper had the benefit of at least have a Masters degree in economics and running the NCC.

So I am second to few in being a Harper fanboy, but a MA in Economics isn't that impressive, and the NCC is just a political lobby group.  I don't want to get into comparing various institutions because I like U of Calgary, but Mark Carney has a doctorate in Economics from Oxford.

And I say that acknowledging the law firm I articled for represented the NCC in some interesting Charter litigation while Harper was in charge.  I even had some very minor involvement (I filed some of the documents in court).

Stephen Harper did write my favourite book written by a politician ever - yes it was the one about hockey.

Heck - I even met Harper twice.  Once I got a picture with him at a Reform Party convention - I think in 1994.  I also met him when he was first running for leader of the Canadian Alliance in 2001.  Nice enough man, but never struck me as a natural politician.  Very different from what I understand Trudeau to be like.

I must confess I am a Harper fanboi.  I was also part of the legal team that helped him when he was at the NCC.  You can look up the case I did that went to the SCC on voting rights. 

[Neil]

Harper had the benefit of at least have a Masters degree in economics and running the NCC.

So I am second to few in being a Harper fanboy, but a MA in Economics isn't that impressive, and the NCC is just a political lobby group.  I don't want to get into comparing various institutions because I like U of Calgary, but Mark Carney has a doctorate in Economics from Oxford.

And I say that acknowledging the law firm I articled for represented the NCC in some interesting Charter litigation while Harper was in charge.  I even had some very minor involvement (I filed some of the documents in court).

Stephen Harper did write my favourite book written by a politician ever - yes it was the one about hockey.

Heck - I even met Harper twice.  Once I got a picture with him at a Reform Party convention - I think in 1994.  I also met him when he was first running for leader of the Canadian Alliance in 2001.  Nice enough man, but never struck me as a natural politician.  Very different from what I understand Trudeau to be like.

I don't think that individual education achievement is all that valuable in preparing yourself for ministerial office.  Having something is good, because it demonstrates that you can think, but having a doctorate vs. an MA provides no additional value whatsoever in any ministerial position.

[crazy canuck]

Harper had the benefit of at least have a Masters degree in economics and running the NCC.

So I am second to few in being a Harper fanboy, but a MA in Economics isn't that impressive, and the NCC is just a political lobby group.  I don't want to get into comparing various institutions because I like U of Calgary, but Mark Carney has a doctorate in Economics from Oxford.

And I say that acknowledging the law firm I articled for represented the NCC in some interesting Charter litigation while Harper was in charge.  I even had some very minor involvement (I filed some of the documents in court).

Stephen Harper did write my favourite book written by a politician ever - yes it was the one about hockey.

Heck - I even met Harper twice.  Once I got a picture with him at a Reform Party convention - I think in 1994.  I also met him when he was first running for leader of the Canadian Alliance in 2001.  Nice enough man, but never struck me as a natural politician.  Very different from what I understand Trudeau to be like.

I don't think that individual education achievement is all that valuable in preparing yourself for ministerial office.  Having something is good, because it demonstrates that you can think, but having a doctorate vs. an MA provides no additional value whatsoever in any ministerial position.

Some knowledge is important so that the political decision maker can better understand the briefing notes they are inundated with.  I agree a PhD is not necessary for that.

[Zoupa]

The Harper love is fundamentally stupid.

• He cut funding to scientific programs because he was a christian fundamentalist.
• He signed the FIPA deal with China that locked us in 30 years and caused the housing crisis.
• He launched the cash for visas programs.

[Barrister]

I don't think that individual education achievement is all that valuable in preparing yourself for ministerial office.  Having something is good, because it demonstrates that you can think, but having a doctorate vs. an MA provides no additional value whatsoever in any ministerial position.

Again it comes back to "resume".

A PhD is much harder to get than a masters.  It requires more work and is more "impressive".

If you were comparing Harper to Carney Carney has the more impressive resume by far (and Harper is only 6 years older than Carney).

I just don't think voters care.

[crazy canuck]

The Harper love is fundamentally stupid.

• He cut funding to scientific programs because he was a christian fundamentalist.
• He signed the FIPA deal with China that locked us in 30 years and caused the housing crisis.
• He launched the cash for visas programs.

None of that is accurate. As just one example, the immigration system under Harper was changed to remove the pay to win option which was introduced by the LIberals.  Under Harper the immigration moved to much more of a merit based system.  Something the current Liberal government has undermined entirely. 

[crazy canuck]

I think it is common knowledge that any bills still being debated die on the order paper when Parliament is prorogued, and so the legislative process for those bills has to start from scratch in a new Parliament.  But what I just learned is that bills that have been passed by Parliament and are awaiting Royal Assent also terminate and those bills must also be reintroduced.

There are a number of such bills that were expected to receive Royal Assent in the next few months, which now will not become law.   

[Josephus]

I just don't think voters care.

No, they don't.

In this day and age, unfortunately, it comes down to image and impressions. Who has the better soundbite? Who projects themselves better? Who appears to speak for the common man/woman?

Elections are nothing more than popularity contests now. I mean, I guess there is a large perecentage who by and large vote along their party lines regardless of who is leader; but probably just as large a percentage who are swayed by the image of the party's leader.

It is not about substance anymore; and certainly not about resumes.

Ignatieff was just a really boring person with all the charisma of a newt.

[crazy canuck]

Newts are cute

[viper37]

I see Justin Trudeau is now promoting tribalism by defending Canada's identity and sovereignty.  Tsk, tsk.  Bad Justin.

Canada is no longer a post national State it seems. 

[Valmy]

Canadian culture and identity is clearly under attack

[HVC]

I just don't think voters care.

No, they don't.

In this day and age, unfortunately, it comes down to image and impressions. Who has the better soundbite? Who projects themselves better? Who appears to speak for the common man/woman?

Elections are nothing more than popularity contests now. I mean, I guess there is a large perecentage who by and large vote along their party lines regardless of who is leader; but probably just as large a percentage who are swayed by the image of the party's leader.

Hasn't that always been the case? Charismatic leaders win. JFK trouncing Nixon because he looked better on tv, Obama outshining McCain, even Trudeau got in because he's more likeable then robotic Harper (Harper might have beaten a less charming opponent).

Hell, Caesar had a whole book and PR campaign to win over the populace

It's just that at this point in time conservatives are better at the messaging on popularity contests. That's partly them being better at new media and having Russian aid, and partly liberals miscalculating and championing things that aren't that popular. It just seems less fair now because our side is losing the popularity contest 

[HVC]

Harper's Hockey book is pretty good, yes.

It really was.

[Barrister]

Trump is not giving up on the "51st state" nonsense.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/trump-canada-tariffs-51st-state-news-conference-1.7424897

Prior to the election, Trump was talking about using tariffs to get Canadian concessions on border security.  It was still fairly grotesque, but at least border security is a valid issue to talk about.

Now he's saying he will use "economic force" to get Canada to join the US.

What the fuck do you do about that as Canada (putting aside we have a lame duck leader apparently for much of the next year)?

[crazy canuck]

Canadian culture and identity is clearly under attack

Meh, eliminated two years in a row now.  I think we got the message Canadian kids are no longer the only ones who know how to play the game.