[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[viper37]

Smith is threatening independence referendum if her demands aren't met.
Bell: Smith firm — if demands tossed, Alberta could hold a referendum

Seems like she really wants to surrender Alberta to the US.  The rumours were true, Alberta is the weakest link of the Confederation.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Arrest and shoot for treason 

[Barrister]

Arrest and shoot for treason 

The Supreme Court of Canada has held that it's perfectly legal to advocate for succession - and that if there's a clear vote in favour the Federal Government has a duty to negotiate terms.

I'm against Alberta independence, but I think people can at least make a good faith argument in favour of it.  What I hate is people who clearly don't want independence, but try to use it as a bargaining chip anyways.

(which is what Quebec Federalists do frequently, and I hate when they do it to).

[Richard Hakluyt]

Yeah, thanks for that BB. I was unsure what the Canadian rules on this were and that was a quick answer. So, very similar to the Uk where independence parties in Scotland, Wales and NI are totally legitimate.

(Should have known from Quebec really, but thought of it as being a special case)

[viper37]

Arrest and shoot for treason 

The Supreme Court of Canada has held that it's perfectly legal to advocate for succession - and that if there's a clear vote in favour the Federal Government has a duty to negotiate terms.

I'm against Alberta independence, but I think people can at least make a good faith argument in favour of it.  What I hate is people who clearly don't want independence, but try to use it as a bargaining chip anyways.

(which is what Quebec Federalists do frequently, and I hate when they do it to).

I don't think she plans for independence.

[mongers]

Arrest and shoot for treason 

The Supreme Court of Canada has held that it's perfectly legal to advocate for succession - and that if there's a clear vote in favour the Federal Government has a duty to negotiate terms.

I'm against Alberta independence, but I think people can at least make a good faith argument in favour of it.  What I hate is people who clearly don't want independence, but try to use it as a bargaining chip anyways.

(which is what Quebec Federalists do frequently, and I hate when they do it to).

But it certainly would be treason if it were part of a plan to divide Canada and more easily allow an outside power to invade Canada?

[viper37]

Seems like Smith has other idea than independence on her mind.  And maybe Poilièvre wants something else for Canada too, according to her...

[crazy canuck]

Seems like Smith has other idea than independence on her mind.  And maybe Poilièvre wants something else for Canada too, according to her...

Seems like Smith has other idea than independence on her mind.  And maybe Poilièvre wants something else for Canada too, according to her...

Electing the Conservatives would bring Canada more "in sync" with the United States.

[viper37]

Arrest and shoot for treason 

The Supreme Court of Canada has held that it's perfectly legal to advocate for succession - and that if there's a clear vote in favour the Federal Government has a duty to negotiate terms.

I'm against Alberta independence, but I think people can at least make a good faith argument in favour of it.  What I hate is people who clearly don't want independence, but try to use it as a bargaining chip anyways.

(which is what Quebec Federalists do frequently, and I hate when they do it to).

But it certainly would be treason if it were part of a plan to divide Canada and more easily allow an outside power to invade Canada?

Yes.  A plan was suggested to Trump that Alberta was the weakest link by which to annex Canada.

[crazy canuck]

Here we go, an election was called for April 28.

[Sophie Scholl]

I quite enjoyed the new Mark Carney and Mike Myers video that got put out. Elbows up. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvlVW0cFUA8

[PRC]

Buckle up, this is going to be a hot one.

[Barrister]

I quite enjoyed the new Mark Carney and Mike Myers video that got put out. Elbows up. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvlVW0cFUA8

So, it's a cute ad.  I smiled.  Please don't take what I'm about to say as me being outraged or anything.

I just don't know if it's effective, and even risks leaning into one of Carney's weaknesses.

1. The ad is about how Mike Myers doesn't live in Canada - but it begs the question of Carney's ties to Canada.  Obviously Carney lived in London while governor of the Bank of England, but where exactly has he been living since then?  His job at Brookfield - well they moved to New York, didn't they.  While I'm 100% sure he has a residence in Ottawa, where does he and his family spend most of their time?

2. It's a very specific form of "Canadian-nes" they're pointing to.  It resonates very well with me (I'll break down the references below), but I'm a middle-aged white guy.  Not sure how well it resonates with younger Canadians, newer Canadians, female Canadians even.

So the references:

-Mr Dress-up - a children's show that went off the air 30 years ago.  I remember it well, but anyone under the age of 40 would have no clue.

-Bud the Spud - even I had to google it - it's a Stomping Tom song.  I don't think Stomping Tom has any cultural relevance anymore beyond The Hockey Song.

-Howie Meeker - a hockey player, born in 1923, won the Stanley Cup with the Leafs in 1940s.  That's way before my time as well.  Where I know him from was being a CBC hockey analyst in the 70s and 80s.  But again - now I think nobody under the age of 50 would get the reference.

-Capital of Saskatchewan is Regina.  OK everyone should know that.

-Tragically Hip.  A little more current, but their hits are from the 90s, some from early 2000s, and the band hasn't performed in almost 10 years (lead singer Gord Downie died).

-take away the pass on a 2 on 1.  As a hockey coach and defenceman I LOVE this reference.  Myers is quite right - that is in most situations the correct answer (you do still want to put a tiny bit of pressure on the puck carrier, but primarily you take away the pass so the goalie can make a clean stop on the puck carrier).  But quite honestly - the majority of Canadians have never played hockey (and there's nothing wrong with that).

-winter and construction season - such a hoary old joke.  At least the reference itself is evergreen.

I dunno - what do you think Languish?

[Barrister]

I was waiting / hoping someone else would bring this one up, but no luck.

several days ago, Trump "endorsed" Mark Carney.

https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-trump-prefers-to-deal-with-carney-rather-than-poilievre

It was pointed out to Trump that the Liberals were now leading in the polls in Canada.  Trump then goes on to say that the Conservative "stupidly" is no friend of his, and the Liberal might be easier to deal with.

So there are two ways to think about this as far as I can tell (if you have a third let me hear it):

1. It's Trump playing 4-D chess.  He knows his endorsement is poison in Canada, so he endorses the Liberals in order to actually help the Conservatives.

2. Trump demands 100% loyalty.  He figures a Conservative leader in Canada should be loyal to him, so when Poilievre says negative things about Trump that's the ultimate sin.  He doesn't expect loyalty from the left.

[HVC]

He's trying to poison pill the competition for his partner in arms. It's not 4d it's the most basic of options. And trump only knows basic.