2018 Ontario Provincial Election Discussion

[steveintoronto]

I'd say it represents a lot of hypocrisy when a dual British-Canadian can be PM but a dual French-Canadian has to give it up to be GG.

I fully agree, and I'm a Cdn/Brit dual.

Today, we’re reporting that Thomas Mulcair will not relinquish his French citizenship should he win the NDP leadership race and go on to battle Stephen Harper in the 2015 to become Canada’s prime minister.

In 2006, Stéphane Dion was asked what he would do about his dual citzenship — Canada and France — and he said that he would reluctantly give up his French citizenship. (It turns out he did not do so in the end.)

We asked Dion today for his thoughts about Mulcair’s decision to keep his French citizenship. Here’s his response:

I do not see any problem whatsoever with Mr. Mulcair’s dual citizenship.

We used to have a Prime Minister with dual citizenship (Mr. [John] Turner is Canadian and British), and no one saw it as a problem.

I repeat what I said in 2006: I received my French citizenship from my mother and I am proud of it; I would be very sad to have to renounce to it. This French heritage gives me assets that I am pleased to share with my fellow Canadians. This is what multiculturalism is all about.

My loyalty goes to only one country, Canada, and I will not let anyone question it.

In saying that, I am speaking on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of proud Canadians who have dual citizenship.

http://blogs.canoe.com/davidakin/po...tizenship-what-multiculturalism-is-all-about/

 

[W. K. Lis]

Where do I place my bets on the outcome of the Progressive Conservative leadership race? Oh, to be in Great Britain, where they bet on almost anything.

 

[TrickyRicky]

I take The Star's coverage with a bit of a grain of salt given their intense political bias but they are reporting a Forum poll suggesting the PC's are up 7 points since Brown's resignation and now poll at 49% if Elliott is chosen leader. Liberals at 25%.

Might have more to say about the Star than actual political outcome though. Basically my take is that the Star has decided that if the PC's are going to win they would prefer Elliott to be the Premier and are posturing accordingly.

Understanding Right-wing populism part II:

I never understood why populists such as the Ford family were accepted by those marginalized by the inflationary pressures caused by progressive policy. They rail against the elite while being the definition of elite both politically and socio-economically. I thought about it and my theory goes like this, it's not about what the Ford's are it's about their family and business culture. That family culture is not routed in the capitalist or corporatist elite and their political allies it's routed in the Petit-Bourgeois culture of small business and main street. Marx spoke of the Petit-Bourgeois but I think he didn't really understand them at all and that classic definitions of this class misrepresent them as being envious of the upper class. What they are in reality are resistant to change, independent, less beholden to the elite or government.

It's interesting that most of the corporate elite and business elite are aligned with liberal economics and progressive policy. That is because they benefit directly from inflationary pressures. The Petit-Bourgeois as I define them are resistant to change, are hurt by inflationary pressures, and view government policy with scepticism because they are more autonomous than workers or the elite.

Progressives often focus on social and identity considerations like racism, sexism, homophobia etc. I'm a firm believer in eradicating these biases; however, I wonder politically if those focusing on these issues aren't being fooled as badly as the most foolish Ford voter. The political and economic elite want identity politics to dominate so they can further their inflationary agenda. Sometimes perceived reality doesn't match the situation on the ground. I wonder sometimes why an NDP cocktail party is full of all white, straight people railing on about the evils of racism, sexism etc., while the small business people I know and define within the Petit-Bourgeois are slightly racist, sexist, and homophobic while having visible minority partners, bi-racial kids, a rainbow of clients, friends, and employees of all backgrounds and sexual orientations?

 

[Irishmonk]

^That's a very anecdotal depiction of social cliques. I would love to see some actual statistics on the matter before going any further towards agreeing or disagreeing with your theory, even though it is an interesting one.

 

[steveintoronto]

^That's a very anecdotal depiction of social cliques. I would love to see some actual statistics on the matter before going any further towards agreeing or disagreeing with your theory, even though it is an interesting one.

Champagne Socialists and Beer Swigging, Gun Toting Conservatives.

It describes a huge swath of political zeitgeist at this time, albeit in highly simplistic terms.

 

[SunriseChampion]

Where do I place my bets on the outcome of the Progressive Conservative leadership race? Oh, to be in Great Britain, where they bet on almost anything.

I take all sorts of bets. Of course, it's an informal structure so you'll just have to trust me.

 

[MetroMan]

Word is out that Brown’s leadership has been approved. With the 3 other candidates already coming out against him, there’s no way this remains a peaceful internal competition. Add to that mounting allegations of corruption in Brown’s original bid for leader and this is going to be a serious shitshow.

At the very least, this is going to expose voters to the truth that the grass is not greener on the other side.

 

[Videodrome]

Global News Toronto @globalnewsto
now


#BREAKING: Ontario Health Minister @DrEricHoskins has announced on Twitter that he is stepping down from cabinet and as the MPP for St. Paul's "effective immediately." More to come. #onpoli

Not surprised.

Robert Benzie @robertbenzie
now


Sources say @DrEricHoskins will be appointed by Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau tomorrow to lead a new national pharmacare program. Hoskins was instrumental in Ontario's new OHIP+. #onpoli

 

[MetroMan]

This just keeps getting better.

Patrick Brown directed top Tories to ‘get me the result I want’ in nomination now being probed by police

https://www.thestar.com/news/queens...in-nomination-now-being-probed-by-police.html

Wynne looks more and more like the steady hand at the wheel. I’m not surprised that she’s staying out of this.

 

[MetroMan]

...and now he’s gone.

BREAKING: Patrick Brown has WITHDRAWN from the Ontario PC leadership race. Confirmed here by the head of the Leadership Organizing Committee. #onpoli #pcpoldr

— CBC

 

[christiesplits]

I wonder who will run for the Liberals in St. Paul's? You could run a red goat in that riding and the Liberals would still win by 20%

 

[Northern Light]

...and now he’s gone.

BREAKING: Patrick Brown has WITHDRAWN from the Ontario PC leadership race. Confirmed here by the head of the Leadership Organizing Committee. #onpoli #pcpoldr

— CBC

What does the typical episode of Game of Thrones have on the PC Party of Ontario saga, other than more believable scripts?

Wow.

 

[Northern Light]

Not surprised.

In so far as the Feds are serious, and his appointment is not merely a stalling tactic or a soft-landing for him (should the provincial Libs lose)............. I am pleased both for him (a long-standing advocate of Pharmacare, and for the nation, as I sincerely believe its good public policy.

I await details, including funding and a timeline...........

 

[ADRM]

I await details, including funding and a timeline...........

Fed budget day tomorrow.

 

[ADRM]

I wonder who will run for the Liberals in St. Paul's? You could run a red goat in that riding and the Liberals would still win by 20%

Step on up, Mr. Matlow.