[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Barrister]

So because you're all thrilled with tales about right-wing Alberta politics...

So the big news has been that Wildrose leader Brian Jean has announced that if the PCs agree to merge he would be willing to step down and run for the leadership of the new merged party.

On the PC side one of the anti-unity candidates Stephen Khan has withdrawn from the race, while a second has announced some ill-defined plan to "co-operate" with Wildrose, while maintaining separate parties (I think they would agree not to run candidates against each other).

It looks pretty darn good on the unity front, all in all.

[crazy canuck]

Which ones will take control of the new party?

[crazy canuck]

Tragedy in Quebec, the BC Liberals talking about excluding foreign workers who can no longer work in the US from our new foreign house tax; increased immigration applications to come to Canada from the US and the list of Trump related effects in Canada goes on.

So, the question is, looking into your crystal ball, will Trump be a net positive or negative for Canada - assuming he doesn't destroy the world along the way.

[Oexmelin]

I am worried of the Americanization of the terms of our political life.

[garbon]

I am worried of the Americanization of the terms of our political life.

Well as with all things, you can worry about Americanization but that probably won't do much to prevent it.

[Barrister]

Which ones will take control of the new party?

Which ones of what?

Who will be the leader?  I don't rightly know.  A lot of the support Kenney is getting is from I dare say people like me - federal Conservatives who abandoned the PCs some time ago to vote / support Wildrose.  I'm happy to vote for Kenney in this race, but up against Brian Jean it'd be a toss-up.  Kenney is definitely the more skilled politician, but Jean probably wins the "guy I'd want to have a beer with" factor.

[viper37]

increased immigration applications to come to Canada from the US

we can't allow more immigrants.  The Feds can't even process those that come now.  Quebec had to stop accepting new demands from refugees because of the delays (right now, there's a 2 years delay before the Feds approve a refugee request from the provincial government).

[crazy canuck]

I am worried of the Americanization of the terms of our political life.

As am I.  I am particularly concerned about some of the Conservative leadership candidates mimicking Trump.   

[viper37]

I am worried of the Americanization of the terms of our political life.

As am I.  I am particularly concerned about some of the Conservative leadership candidates mimicking Trump.   

I don't think it's a real danger yet, but then again, I never saw yesterday's attack coming.  I know nothing.

[Jacob]

I am worried of the Americanization of the terms of our political life.

As am I.  I am particularly concerned about some of the Conservative leadership candidates mimicking Trump.

Are you able to/ going to vote in the Conservative leadership race?

[Josephus]

So Dion has accepted his EU posting after all.

[Oexmelin]

It's actually a good thing. Get someone out, who would have never been able to do anything with Trump & Co., and move him someplace where he can actually do something in the delicate moments ahead.

[crazy canuck]

I am worried of the Americanization of the terms of our political life.

As am I.  I am particularly concerned about some of the Conservative leadership candidates mimicking Trump.

Are you able to/ going to vote in the Conservative leadership race?

Not able to.  I am not a member of any political party 

[PRC]

Speaking of the Conservative party race... someone hung this up on the Collingwood office of Kellie Leitch last night:

[PRC]

Liberals also abandon Electoral Reform:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/trudeau-abandons-electoral-reform/article33855925/

Trudeau abandons pledge on electoral reform
Joanna Smith
OTTAWA — The Canadian Press
Published Wednesday, Feb. 01, 2017 12:45PM EST
Last updated Wednesday, Feb. 01, 2017 3:37PM EST

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is abandoning his long-held promise to change the way Canadians vote in federal elections — an about-face that has opposition rivals seeing red.

In a mandate letter for newly appointed Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould, Trudeau makes it clear that electoral reform — once top of mind for the Liberal government — is no longer on the agenda.

"Changing the electoral system will not be in your mandate," the prime minister writes in the letter, released Wednesday.

A variety of consultations across the country have shown that Canadians are not clamouring for a change in the way they choose their federal government, the letter continues. It also rules out the possibility of a national referendum.

"A clear preference for a new electoral system, let alone a consensus, has not emerged," Trudeau writes. "Furthermore, without a clear preference or a clear question, a referendum would not be in Canada's interest."

Trudeau repeatedly promised — both as a campaigning Liberal leader and as prime minister in a speech from the throne — to get rid of the current first-past-the-post voting system in time for the 2019 federal election.

New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen, the party's democratic reform critic, savaged Trudeau as a "liar" during a news conference in the foyer of the House of Commons.

"This is one of the most cynical displays of self-serving politics this government has yet to engage in," Cullen said, accusing the Liberals of "seeking any excuse, however weak, however absent, to justify that lie to Canadians."

Trudeau, he added, "promised to conduct himself with honour and integrity.... It puts into question any promise, any commitment Mr. Trudeau makes or has made in the past."

Canadians made their views known through the House of Commons special committee on electoral reform, town halls held by MPs from all parties, the travels of former minister Maryam Monsef and a much-maligned online survey called MyDemocracy.ca.

The mandate letter shows that Trudeau and do not believe those consultations have produced their desired — albeit undefined — level of support for electoral reform, let alone any clarity on a preferred replacement.

The New Democrats, who have long called for a system of proportional representation, went into a meeting with Gould on Tuesday hoping to hear the new minister repeat Trudeau's original, unequivocal promise: that the 2015 vote would be Canada's last under first-past-the-post.

The Conservatives, who had pushed for a referendum, will likely be pleased with the status quo, but will no doubt excoriate the government for breaking such a prominent campaign commitment.

There are also some big new items in the mandate letter.

Trudeau wants Gould, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to come up with ways to defend the Canadian political system against cyberthreats and hackers — a possible consequence of the "voter fraud" and hacked email controversies emanating from the raucous U.S. election.

"This should include asking the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) to analyze risks to Canada's political and electoral activities from hackers, and to release this assessment publicly," he writes.

Trudeau also wants the three ministers to ask the CSE to "offer advice" to Elections Canada and political parties — including opposition parties — on "best practices" regarding cybersecurity.

The letter also asks Gould to take the lead on developing legislation to bring stricter rules — and greater transparency — to political fundraising, a response to months of negative headlines about so-called cash-for-access Liberal fundraisers.

The promised legislation would require cabinet ministers, party leaders and leadership candidates to publicly advertise their fundraisers in advance, and release a report after the fact with details of the event.

The proposed new law, if passed, would also require events to take place in publicly available spaces, a move designed to address concerns about well-heeled donors bending the ears of cabinet ministers in private homes.

"Other measures may follow after discussion with the other political parties," Trudeau writes.

The letter also repeats earlier commitments, such as repealing some elements of the previous Conservative government's Fair Elections Act and exploring the idea of an independent commissioner to organize leaders' debates during federal elections.

It also includes reviewing campaign spending limits and working with Treasury Board President Scott Brison and Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to increase the openness of government, including reviewing the Access to Information Act.