[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Malthus]

Though if you read the article, the underwear comment was actually a cheeky (ahem) retort rather than a description of facts.

"Some Conservative MP got his knickers in a knot, I think, about the fact that I stepped away from my chair for a couple of seconds, and so, you know, I believe that his point of order was tongue in cheek and it warranted a cheeky response," Martin told host Evan Solomon, while admitting that a sale of 50 per cent off is like "catnip to a Winnipegger."

"But ... that's not why I left my seat in the House of Commons, I left to go and have a chat with the Speaker and I think Mr. Galipeau overreacted heavily by saying I should forfeit my vote for having the temerity to ask the Speaker a question during a vote," Martin said.

"It was a cheeky answer to what I thought was a cheeky question," Marin said. "But it begs the question, I mean, a lot of the grumpiness in the House of Commons might be traced to the fact that MPs are buying one size too small in their knickers."

Martin said that in the end, at least his vote was allowed to stand.

"Let's face it, I was caught with my pants down for stepping away from my seat briefly," Martin said.

He lied to Parliament about his underwear! That's ever worse! 

[crazy canuck]

In brief, the member felt constricted.

[Razgovory]

So, we judge countries today for their actions 200-250 years ago?  Want to try that with the US?

Certainly.  You had your fucking chance to be independent in 1776, but you clung to British Monarchy then, so cries of independence and British colonialism fall on deaf ears.

Viper was there?  That frigid northern cold really does keep you well preserved.

Are you and CC and unable to read?  Viper said we are judging countries now.

[Valmy]

Are you and CC and unable to read?  Viper said we are judging countries now.

Unless you are judging Viper personally, what you just said makes no sense.  While Quebec does not have the big emotional attachment to the British past like the Anglos do, Viper's attitude is not some national trait.

[Rex Francorum]

So, we judge countries today for their actions 200-250 years ago?  Want to try that with the US?

Certainly.  You had your fucking chance to be independent in 1776, but you clung to British Monarchy then, so cries of independence and British colonialism fall on deaf ears.

Well, many Canadiens (the french speaking population) helped or did business with the Americans (anachronic) in 1775-1776. Besides, if they have paid the soldiers beyond december 31 1775, they would not have improvised an unsuccessful attack on Québec City that day. At that time, a part of the colony (including Montréal), was under American/Continental Congress control.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Canada_(1775)

[Grey Fox]

Those were the days.

[Valmy]

Quebec City was only saved because that unit of North Carolinians arrived in nick of time to save it for the Empire.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/84th_Regiment_of_Foot_(Royal_Highland_Emigrants)

Note: may not literally be true.

[viper37]

Mysterious tunnel found in Toronto

National security officials have been notified that an underground tunnel was discovered near a venue for this summer's Pan Am Games in Toronto, CBC News has learned. 

The tunnel was dug in the woods near Toronto's Rexall Centre and York University's Keele campus. It was large enough for a person to stand in, at around 2½ metres in height, and was about seven metres long. The tunnel had lights inside, powered by a generator, and the walls and ceiling were reinforced.
[...]

[HVC]

We've found the Underground Railroad!

[crazy canuck]

In brief, the member felt constricted.

To borrow a line from CdM.  My talents are wasted here.  That was comedy gold.

[Valmy]

In brief, the member felt constricted.

To borrow a line from CdM.  My talents are wasted here.  That was comedy gold.

I laughed.  In the future I shall post the appropriate smiley post.

[Admiral Yi]

Just read in an Economist article about Cameron's efforts to woo the ethnic vote that more non-white Canadian voters vote Conservative now than Liberal.  Whether that's just a reflection of the Liberal party's collapse I don't know.

[Neil]

Just read in an Economist article about Cameron's efforts to woo the ethnic vote that more non-white Canadian voters vote Conservative now than Liberal.  Whether that's just a reflection of the Liberal party's collapse I don't know.

The collapse of the Liberal Party is part of it.  But Harper has made efforts to appeal to immigrant groups.  When he broadened the ability of shopkeepers to use force to protect their property, he did a big press event at an area full of Chinese (or maybe it was Korean) small shops.  It turns out that some elements of conservative thought are rather appealing to immigrants, when not coupled with xenophobia.

[Monoriu]

Just read in an Economist article about Cameron's efforts to woo the ethnic vote that more non-white Canadian voters vote Conservative now than Liberal.  Whether that's just a reflection of the Liberal party's collapse I don't know.

The collapse of the Liberal Party is part of it.  But Harper has made efforts to appeal to immigrant groups.  When he broadened the ability of shopkeepers to use force to protect their property, he did a big press event at an area full of Chinese (or maybe it was Korean) small shops.  It turns out that some elements of conservative thought are rather appealing to immigrants, when not coupled with xenophobia.

The Chinese I met in Vancouver all regarded immigration policy their number one concern, and most of them favoured the Liberals as a result.  Otherwise, they all wanted lower taxes as their number two priority. 

[Neil]

Just read in an Economist article about Cameron's efforts to woo the ethnic vote that more non-white Canadian voters vote Conservative now than Liberal.  Whether that's just a reflection of the Liberal party's collapse I don't know.

The collapse of the Liberal Party is part of it.  But Harper has made efforts to appeal to immigrant groups.  When he broadened the ability of shopkeepers to use force to protect their property, he did a big press event at an area full of Chinese (or maybe it was Korean) small shops.  It turns out that some elements of conservative thought are rather appealing to immigrants, when not coupled with xenophobia.

The Chinese I met in Vancouver all regarded immigration policy their number one concern, and most of them favoured the Liberals as a result.  Otherwise, they all wanted lower taxes as their number two priority.

These days, the Tories are the government, and therefore new immigrants are automatically loyal to them.  It's weird how that works.