Stephen Harper is Canada's news PM.

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/news/060123elx_toryminority.jpg

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper will become Canada's next prime minister, as Canadians have elected a Tory minority government and ended a 12-year reign of Liberal rule, CBC News projects.

At 10 p.m, the Tories were leading or elected in 99 ridings in central and eastern Canada, the Liberals in 89, the Bloc in 39 and 20 for the NDP.

Early results were pouring into vote-rich Ontario. The Liberals, who captured 75 seats in 2004, are leading or elected in 46 ridings. But the Tories appear to have increased their support in early results and are leading or elected in 37 ridings. The NDP is leading in 14 ridings. The province, a Liberal stronghold, has 106 seats and is considered the key to victory. In the 2004 election, the Liberals captured 75 seats, the Tories took 24 while the NDP captured seven.

In the Atlantic provinces, the Liberals, who won 22 seats in the June 2004 election, had elected or were leading in 19 of the region's 32 ridings. The Conservatives, who were hoping to make bigger inroads in the region, were elected or leading in nine ridings, only a gain of two. But they did increase their popular support by 4.5 per cent since the June 2004 vote. The NDP maintained their seat count of three. In the last election, the Liberals took 22 seats, while the Tories picked up seven.

Former Tory turned Liberal Scott Brison, the public works minister, Geoff Regan, minister of fisheries and oceans and Conservative MP Peter MacKay, the party's deputy leader, were among the prominent candidates re-elected in the region.

LIVE ANALYSIS: CBC.ca's Reality Check Team on election day developments
FROM OCT. 25, 2005: Headline
Both Liberal Leader Paul Martin and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper campaigned heavily in the strategic province.

Many political observers have credited Harper for running a smooth campaign.

He regularly pumped out policy announcements throughout the unusually long 56-day campaign, leaving the Liberals mostly to react.

Martin campaigned on his record as finance minister and his implementation of eight consecutive balanced budgets. He also promised to lower personal income taxes, create a national child-care plan, ban handguns, subsidize post-secondary students and ban the federal use of the notwithstanding clause.

But he spent the last weeks of the campaign going after Harper. He accused him of having an extreme right-wing agenda that would threatened the rights of minorities and take away a woman?s right to choose.

LIVE ANALYSIS: CBC.ca's Reality Check Team on election day developments
Unlike the 2004 election, the Tories were also able to keep their so-called controversial MPs in check. Indeed, reporters complained the party was purposely keeping some candidates away from the media spotlight.
In this campaign, it was the Liberals who were often in damage control mode.

In the early weeks of the campaign, Martin spokesman Scott Reid said parents would spend Harper?s child-care subsidy on "beer and popcorn." Later, the Ontario vice-president of the party resigned after he compared NDP candidate Olivia Chow to a dog.

Martin was also questioned about a series of attack ads, in particular one that suggested Harper would post armed soldiers on the streets of Canadian cities.

And just last week, Martin again was on the defensive, having to declare Harper?s patriotism after Canadian Auto Workers head Buzz Hargrove, who endorsed the Liberals, suggested the Tory leader was a separatist.

As Martin was forced to contend with the fallout of the sponsorship scandal, his party was hit with two RCMP probes, one into a possible government leak on income trusts and another into alleged illegal spending through the now-defunct unity lobby Option Canada. Opposition parties jumped on the investigations claiming it was proof of what they called more corruption in the Liberal ranks.

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :cucumber: :banana: :cucumber: :banana: :cucumber: :banana: :cucumber: :banana: :drunk: :drunk: :drunk: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :grouphug: :cucumber: :grouphug: :banana: :banana: :dance: :dance: :dance: :drunk: :drunk: :cheers: :cheers: :cucumber: :banana: :cucumber: :cucumber: :banana: :banana: :cucumber: :dance: :dance: :dance: :booze: :booze: :booze: :nocrook: :nocrook: :nocrook: :nocrook: :righton: :righton:

He deserves it...he was certainly the most "priministerial" of the candidates ;)

We might aswell officially change our name to America Jr.

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :righton: :righton: :righton: :righton: :righton: :speech:

Ha Ha Ha!

STEPHEN HARPER WENT TO MY HIGHSCHOOL!!

:P I'm glad with the results...

Congratulations Stephen Harper...if running a good campaign is rewarded, this result is justice :)

I say hello to a more ProAmerican and proBush Canada.

STEPHEN HARPER WENT TO MY HIGHSCHOOL!!

:P I'm glad with the results...
it didn't even come to my mind that he was from Toronto. [then again i really don't care much about politicians... well except for one future politician.] ;) :tongue3:
----
about the early result.. i really don't know what to say. just that hope he doesn't screw us over and does his best.

Ding Dong the witch is dead.
Which old witch?
The wicked one.

Finally a decent government.

"I say hello to a more ProAmerican and proBush Canada."

dude, he's winning by the narrowest of margins - even if he is what you say he is - he wouldn't risk it

"Finally a decent government."

That's to be determined

Its a dark day for Canada...

He has a catchy name. "Hi, I'm the Prime Minster of Canada--Stephen Harper", "Stephen Harper, PM of Canada", "Harper, Stephen Harper".. Makes George Bush seem pretty un-elegant.

^ No....the Liberals are going to lose...

I say hello to a more ProAmerican and proBush Canada.


I hope these celebrations are not from social conservatives. if they are, they are gonna be greatly disappointed! After all you are vastly and impossibly outnumbered!

But if they are from economic liberals, then :dance:

Its a dark day for Canada...

Its dark today, but we could have years of sunshine ahead since the Conservatives have won!

IM JUST SO HAPPY!!!!

I predict terrorist attack on canada's soil in 2006...

^ :lol:

Easy now there's talk that Martin might join a coalition government with the NDP making Martin the PM again.

It's a great day in Canada. Tories could have had a bit more seats though.

Easy now there's talk that Martin might join a coalition government with the NDP making Martin the PM again.

Between the Liberal Party's scandals, and Layton's attacks on Martin diuring the campaign, that would be doubly hypocritical. But...

Choose your Canada! :)

So, when are we going to Iraq?

Probably never.

Easy now there's talk that Martin might join a coalition government with the NDP making Martin the PM again.

I would become a sepretist if that happend. Why don't I just more to Iran, Canada would not be a democracy if the Liberals could hold on to power even though they lose both in terms of number of seats and popular vote.

Bottem line is that if Martin is still Prime Minister on Tuesday morning, I hate this country.

I would become a sepretist if that happend. Why don't I just more to Iran, Canada would not be a democracy if the Liberals could hold on to power even though they lose both in terms of number of seats and popular vote.

Bottem line is that if Martin is still Priminister on Tuesday, I hate this country.

I don;t see how...The Liberals and NDP together have about as many seats as the Liberals had alone before now...

I'm really happy it's a minority government.. This way it's short term. It's like we're test driving the Torries.

If they do bad, the country will just be reminded why the Liberals have been in power for 12 years

I predict terrorist attack on canada's soil in 2006...

Bid Laden has been threatening them since '97. 2007 is the year most experts expect them, most likely on the TTC or Metro.

I'm really happy it's a minority government.. This way it's short term. It's like we're test driving the Torries.

If they do bad, the country will just be reminded why the Liberals have been in power for 12 years
So if it's a "test run" then why would we give them a minority test. How is that fair?... When the Liberals had I don't know how many majority gov'ts.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our new Prime Minister:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/sk8rboiiii/harper1.jpg

Now let's all sing a song for Mr. Harper:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/sk8rboiiii/000042-martin_harper.jpg

ugh...i didn't vote conservative.

Bid Laden has been threatening them since '97. 2007 is the year most experts expect them, most likely on the TTC or Metro.


it can happen anytime now. Torontonians will live in fear from now on..well at least i'll everytime i board the TTC. :skull:

it can happen anytime now. Torontonians will live in fear from now on..well at least i'll everytime i board the TTC. :skull:

Oh please, Bin Laden could attack tommorow, or he could attack in a month, or he could never attack. I use the TTC everyday and I don't care one bit.

I'm dancing on the streets of Osaka.
:dance:

how depressing is this. i hope he enjoys his time as PM cuz it won't last long.

I think we'll give him ONE chance. It's all good.
The second Canada pussies up to the United States, there will be revolts.
I'm not worried.

This is exciting. Finally the West gets its say in the damn country.

Wait a second...wern't you super pro-Green party?

Yes, but Harper is also my MP so I'm fine with that as well.

I am pissed with our electoral system though. Seems all my vote counted for was a few more bucks for the next Green campaign. Oh well...

/\ I was ASTOUNDED that the Green Party didn't have more votes!
I thought for sure this time they'd have at least 6% of the vote?

Yeah, seems when it came down to it, they (people) didn't have the courage to vote Green.

Damn strategic voting!

Yeah it's really too bad. A lot of people were like, "what's the point" and all that...but they need to know it makes them better known!

Some people I tell ya!

fuck the green party.i wouldnt vote for them. i love the environment, dont get me wrong, i just hate the green party

Excellent news, especially winning seats in Quebec.

Here is a question though, who will he form a coalition with and what policy deals will he have to do with them?

We'll see if he is a good prime Minister or not. He might just be the next Defiebanker, call an election to form majority.

Get 36% of the vote and you too could speak for Canada!!!

36%... and Harper says he says Canada has asked for change? - PC math??

Change to the past - wasn't Garth Turner in the same government that gave us the GST?
So the about 14 years ago we get the GST - The Liberals spend the next 13 years paying down the debt and cleaning up conservative mis-management - then they return to reak fiscal mis-management yet again?!

Get 36% of the vote and you too could speak for Canada!!!


You want more than two parties and this is how it works :)

fuck the green party.i wouldnt vote for them. i love the environment, dont get me wrong, i just hate the green party

Well hey, that's okay, I'm positive the Green Party hates you too.
:cheers:

Get 36% of the vote and you too could speak for Canada!!!

36%... and Harper says he says Canada has asked for change? - PC math??

I agree lets let the party that only won 30% of the vote form the next goverment. :bash: :bash: :bash: You see 36% is a bigger number than 30%, you see how that works. Anyway all tha counts in Canada is number of seats and 124 is greater than 103, its not a game of golf you want a bigger number! :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

I though all that ran showed a lot of dignity last night .
the guy on CTV that was I suppose representing the Bloc though ... Id like to slap the crap out of him

I have my reservations about Harper but he did win fair and square. I can even say this and I voted NDP.
I think he will tread VERY softly on conteniuos issues. His new found Quebec MPs will be decidedly RedTories and the electorate has sent hime a clear message to go easy. I think he will follow that route or have his government taken down.
He has a real problem with wooing urban voters but if he wants to make a meaningful dent in them he knows thats going to mean a lot of attention and therefore money.

I don't think be that bad for the cities. The NDP will force him to keep all the money and then some or he will vote against the budget.
He is going to continue the gas tax transfer, the new funds for highways and brtidges can also be used by the cities for HOV highway construction for things like GO buses, and the tax credit can be used by anyone with no limit on family usuage. One GO transit rider from Hamilton daily will save that person about $500/year. If they spend more on other passes on their kids or spouses they savings keep riseing.........there is no limit. Also a pass is NOT required. They will even credit all individual tickets as long as you keep the receipts. Its a start and one that the Liberals refused.
For commuters that can add up to big bucks. Also companies can write-off public transit for individual trips or employee passes. Another incentive.
Why the Liberals never did it is beyond me.

Remember, despite his hick reputation he was born in Toronto, raised in Montreal, and has lived in Calgary ever since. He hass never lived in the country so he is well attuned to urban needs.

Like I said he won fair and square so he deserves his chance. He knows he is going to have to tread softly so I think he will.

^ a very healthy attitude :)

If anyone has Mr Harper's full speech that he gave this morning, please let's have it here. Thanks. :)

fuck the green party.i wouldnt vote for them. i love the environment, dont get me wrong, i just hate the green party

I don't know if any of their election platforms are viable, but when Harris (sadly that name still sends chills up my spine) spoke about healthcare on the CBC before the election, he seemed to make alot of sense.

I agree lets let the party that only won 30% of the vote form the next goverment. :bash: :bash: :bash: You see 36% is a bigger number than 30%, you see how that works. Anyway all tha counts in Canada is number of seats and 124 is greater than 103, its not a game of golf you want a bigger number! :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

Let the Liberals and NDPs form a coalition government. 30.2 + 17.5 = 47.7. 47.7 is a bigger number than 36.3. See how that works? I've never liked Martin, so I'm glad that he's stepping down, and once he does, I hope a coalition can be cooked up to oust the Torries.

Btw, I (as always) voted NDP. My local candidate (Alexa McDonough) easily won her riding. She came over to thank me personally last night at the victory party for my help on her campaign. She's an incredibly warm and down-to-earth person

I hope a coalition can be cooked up to oust the Torries.



Because that 36% of the people aren't entitled to have their guy in power?

Nice to have a PM from the west now...I think he'll do well. Not sure about a minority government though.

Nice to have a PM from the west now...I think he'll do well. Not sure about a minority government though.

Yes, I agree.

With three brief exceptions, Canadian PMs have come out of Quebec for nearly four decades...

Because that 36% of the people aren't entitled to have their guy in power?

You do realize that the 36% is the vote for the united right containing both the Alliance and PC don't you? Why are the 36% who voted for the united right more "entitled" to have someone in power than the combined 47% of voters who chose the left? It sounds like you may have some entitlement issues...

Nice to have a PM from the west now...I think he'll do well. Not sure about a minority government though.

Isn't Harper from Ontario?

You do realize that the 36% is the vote for the united right containing both the Alliance and PC don't you? Why are the 36% who voted for the united right more "entitled" to have someone in power than the combined 47% of voters who chose the left? It sounds like you may have some entitlement issues...


[1] You had just called for the Tories to be ousted from power as soon as possible, and

[2] The 47% just had 12 years of power. You would appear to desire shutting that 36% out from their turn at power.

Proportionally speaking, they should be entitled to power for the next nine years :)

As for having entitlement issues...if denying a third of the electorate a government of their choosing...ever...to preserve government by not quite half...in perpetuity...then yes, I guess I have a problem with that ;)

Well, atleast it is a minority........

His new found Quebec MPs will be decidedly RedTories and the electorate has sent hime a clear message to go easy.
Indeed. Best way to qwell any concerns about Conservatives going crazy on social issues is to get urban areas to vote conservative. Urban Conservatives will tend to be Red Tories who will fight to have those types of decisions go the way they want.

It's the reason I wasn't concerned about a Conservative majority provided the local reps from Ontario and Quebec are representative of the local populations.

Everybody here seriously needs to grow up and stop bitching. Canada elected Stephen Harper. Give the Conservatives a chance... What are you scared about? The party knows how to properly run a country; Harper is a businessman & is very intelligent. You have been brainwashed by the Liberals and their "scare tactics" have obviously worked.

I also find it amusing how now that we elected a (sort of) right wing government, we're now "America Jr"... Give me a break! How childish... Just like the NDP booing Stephen Harper during their party. Show a little respect.

God Bless Canada.

Everybody here seriously needs to grow up and stop bitching. Canada elected Stephen Harper. Give the Conservatives a chance... What are you scared about? The party knows how to properly run a country; Harper is a businessman & is very intelligent. You have been brainwashed by the Liberals and their "scare tactics" have obviously worked.

I also find it amusing how now that we elected a (sort of) right wing government, we're now "America Jr"... Give me a break! How childish... Just like the NDP booing Stephen Harper during their party. Show a little respect.

God Bless Canada.

:applause:

^^ Exactly. Don't be scared. Harper is Socialist compared to Bush.

"character assassination " is a scary stuff.

^^ Exactly. Don't be scared. Harper is Socialist compared to Bush.

Actually Franco is a socialist compared to Bush.

Let the Liberals and NDPs form a coalition government. 30.2 + 17.5 = 47.7. 47.7 is a bigger number than 36.3. See how that works? I've never liked Martin, so I'm glad that he's stepping down, and once he does, I hope a coalition can be cooked up to oust the Torries.

Btw, I (as always) voted NDP. My local candidate (Alexa McDonough) easily won her riding. She came over to thank me personally last night at the victory party for my help on her campaign. She's an incredibly warm and down-to-earth person

Thats not how politics works. The NDP could form a coalition with the Tory's. Bottem line Canada can start to rebuild after years of Liberal party lies and corruption.

"Canada - strong, united, independent, and free."
Thats my Canada.

The Liberal's plan for Canada was...
weak, entiled, dependant and corupt. Thank God those bums are out of 24 Sussex Drive.

A minority Conservative government is probably a blessing in disguise for Harper. Harper is a moderate within the party, not a 'red tory' so to speak, but also not Bush's twin brother separated a birth, as some people seem to suggest. With a weak minority government he can keep the lid on the far-right wing section of the party and continue the party's move towards the centre, as it has tried to do ever since the Reform party changed into the Canadian Alliance and so on and so forth.

With a minority, Harper will be free to renege on his election promises and blame it on lack of support from the opposition. As an economist he was probably aware of some of the faulty calculations within his party's economic platform. Now he will be able to pick and choose which promises he wants to drop and use them to bargain with the opposition for the others he wants to keep. On the other hand, if things do fall apart for him policy/budget wise, he can blame the opposition for making demands and causing an imbalance to his calculations. Whether or not the public buys it is another story however (probably not IMO).

A few weeks before the election the polls showed the Tories moving into 40% support range, and some people within the party started to talk about the possibility of majority. However, some political pundits mentioned how some Conservative Party strategists were whispering that the party wasn't 'ready' to take outright majority. A somewhat cynical viewpoint would say that Harper planned for a minority from the start, that's why he tabled an economic platform with so many holes in it. Now with the weak minority, the Liberals leaderless, and no threat of an election for at least a year or two, Harper has the flexibility to push forward his agenda for the government. He can reject pressure from the far-right on social issues, he can push forward economic policies (since the opposition won't want to risk the wrath of Canadians with another election), and he can also blame the opposition for making unreasonable demands whenever the going gets tough. Canadians have delivered a demand for slow and moderate change, and I think Harper is smart enough to read between the lines for what will happen if he doesn't go easy.

Anyways that's what I think/hope is going on in the Conservative Party. I hope you people who have been labelling Harper as Satan incarnate can stop and think things over rationally. The Tories want to stay in power, so to do that they will move towards the centre to attract Red Tories and soft Liberals (like myself).

It was so funny listing to one of Harper's post election speaches.....his last statement was......."God Bless Canada".......just like the American motto, "God Bless America".......

A minority Conservative government is probably a blessing in disguise for Harper. Harper is a moderate within the party, not a 'red tory' so to speak, but also not Bush's twin brother separated a birth, as some people seem to suggest. With a weak minority government he can keep the lid on the far-right wing section of the party and continue the party's move towards the centre, as it has tried to do ever since the Reform party changed into the Canadian Alliance and so on and so forth.

I don't think Harper's actually a moderate himself, but pleasing Ontario and having a minority government definitely forces him to adopt compassionate, Progessive Conservatism as opposed to the hardline neo-Conservative policies practised by Mike Harris and his cronies.

I agree with McGuinty and his stance on this election:

Don't expect Harper to hurt Ontario: McGuinty
Jan. 24, 2006. 07:52 PM
STEVE ERWIN
CANADIAN PRESS

Ontarians shouldn't fear a Conservative government in Ottawa, Premier Dalton McGuinty said in giving prime minister-designate Stephen Harper the "benefit of the doubt" that he won't work against a province that mostly backed Liberal candidates.

McGuinty said he has already received a letter from Harper stating that the Conservative government will honour a $5.75-billion funding deal the province reached last year under defeated Liberal prime minister Paul Martin.

That deal was meant to shore up provincial funds for housing, post-secondary education and other needs and partly address a $23-billion gap McGuinty said exists between what Ontario sends Ottawa and gets back in federal services and investments.

McGuinty did express concerns about Harper's interest in reneging Canada's commitment to the international Kyoto agreement on climate change. The premier also said he would disapprove of moves to significantly weaken the central government, amid talk that Harper will try to give increased powers to Quebec and his label by critics as a western decentralist.

But McGuinty said he was confident Harper would not initiate radical changes that would hurt Ontario, particularly, he noted, because the federal Conservatives will want to shore up voter support in a province that elected few Tories and none from Toronto.

"I don't think that we should get caught up in this notion that somehow this development on the political scene is coming at the expense of Ontarians. I just don't see it that way," McGuinty told reporters at a news conference.

A relaxed McGuinty joked that "Ontario wants in," a reference to a Western Canada cry throughout the federal election campaign for better representation in Ottawa. More seriously, he said he highly doubted Harper would try to govern in a way that rewards western voters while punishing Ontario.

"It would be petty and small-minded, of any government of any political stripe, to assume the responsibility of government and . . . somehow use that new-found authority to punish a particular region," the premier added.

"That would be a huge mistake. And I don't see that happening."

McGuinty said it's in Harper's best interest to "reach out" to Ontarians by protecting programs the province reached with Martin — including the outgoing federal Liberals' five-year child-care plan for Ontario.

Harper has only promised to honour the first year of a $1.9-billion deal that would expand day-care spaces and early childhood education programs. Instead, Harper campaigned on a commitment to replace that plan by giving parents $1,200 annually for each child under six.

But McGuinty suggested it would be difficult for Harper to get his Conservative day-care plan in place under a minority government.

"He's going to need the support of the other parties to move that forward. We'll have to wait and see if in fact he can do that."

Toronto Mayor David Miller was also concerned about what a Conservative government will mean for child care. Miller said that under the Liberal plan, 5,000 new child care spaces were coming to Toronto's poorest neighbourhoods over the next two years.

But Miller agreed with McGuinty that since big Canadian cities voted mostly Liberal on Monday, it wouldn't be wise for Harper to cancel such deals.

"By Torontonians and people in Vancouver and Montreal voting for their cities, it sends a strong message that cities needs need to be addressed if you're going to succeed electorally in the city," Miller said.

McGuinty also dismissed suggestions that Conservative gains in Ontario in Monday's federal election will affect his own party during the next provincial election, scheduled for October 2007.

"No, I'm not quaking in my boots," McGuinty said.

"Canada - strong, united, independent, and free."
Thats my Canada.

The Liberal's plan for Canada was...
weak, entiled, dependant and corupt. Thank God those bums are out of 24 Sussex Drive.

It's foolish to be so idealistic. Every party has skeletons in their closet, and often it relies on luck as to whether the scandal's full-blown to the public or kept in the dark.

Also, the 4 four words you have chosen to embody Canada's values always applies, no matter who's PM. Otherwise, why are we still a country for goodness sakes? It should always be the same, no matter what party is in power.

Everybody here seriously needs to grow up and stop bitching. Canada elected Stephen Harper. Give the Conservatives a chance... What are you scared about? The party knows how to properly run a country; Harper is a businessman & is very intelligent. You have been brainwashed by the Liberals and their "scare tactics" have obviously worked.

I also find it amusing how now that we elected a (sort of) right wing government, we're now "America Jr"... Give me a break! How childish... Just like the NDP booing Stephen Harper during their party. Show a little respect.

Well said. As long as the kooky neocons like Jim Flaherty are denied key cabinet posts, I think they'll do just fine.

Congratulations too Stephan Harper and the Conservative party. Although I voted Liberal change is always good! I have always been a fiscal conservative social liberal, perhaps in all honesty I voted liberal because of the agenda for BC particularly the ( new nanaimo center) promise. Although in the bigger picture the better party won.

Although a minority government will not really show you there true identity. I think Canada needed a change. The thing that impresses me with this vote is the strong conservative presence in Quebec! That shows me it is now a national party and this is good for Canada.

[1] You had just called for the Tories to be ousted from power as soon as possible, and

[2] The 47% just had 12 years of power. You would appear to desire shutting that 36% out from their turn at power.

Proportionally speaking, they should be entitled to power for the next nine years :))

Actually, in a democracy, the majority is always supposed to decide who rules. Isn't that what democracy is? The minority is never supposed to seize power against the will of the majority. They can gain more suppourt so that they are no longer a minority, but at 36%, that clearly hasn't happened.

Thats not how politics works. The NDP could form a coalition with the Tory's. Bottem line Canada can start to rebuild after years of Liberal party lies and corruption.

Actually, that IS how politics works. If the opposition forms a coalition and doesn't allow the government to pass anything through the house, the government will fall. When it does, the Governor General will go to the oposition to ask them if they can assemble a government. If they can, that coalition can rules as a single party (if they can get along of course). If they can't, the Governor General will basically call an new election.

Actually, in a democracy, the majority is always supposed to decide who rules. Isn't that what democracy is? The minority is never supposed to seize power against the will of the majority. They can gain more suppourt so that they are no longer a minority, but at 36%, that clearly hasn't happened.
Look, this is the way the government works in Canada. The Liberals and NDP can't just cook up an alliance between themselves whenever they want and form a new government without an election. If you want proportional representation, write your MP about it.
Actually, that IS how politics works. If the opposition forms a coalition and doesn't allow the government to pass anything through the house, the government will fall. When it does, the Governor General will go to the oposition to ask them if they can assemble a government. If they can, that coalition can rules as a single party (if they can get along of course). If they can't, the Governor General will basically call an new election
If you recall the King-Byng affair, the GG should not immediately go to the opposition to form a new government if she wants to stay out of constitutional trouble. A new election should be called immediately after a government falls.

We have to give him a chance.
I also think that he may, unexpectedly, be very good to Canada's big cities.
He knows damn fine from this result that he will NEVER get a majority government without breaking into the urban vote.
He got no seats in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, London, Windsor, Quebec,.
Going by memory but I know he also nearly got wiped out in Winnipeg, Hamilton, inner Ottawa and did surprisingly poor in the 905.
In short he really only conquered Cal/Edm which goes without saying.
Unlike the Liberals, he won't be taking Toronto for granted and lets face it the Liberals were no friends to Torontonians.
His social conservatism in the cities will get him no where and he knows it but maybe some good old fashion cash might.

OMG He's scary!! :O:O:O

:|

Everybody here seriously needs to grow up and stop bitching. Canada elected Stephen Harper. Give the Conservatives a chance... What are you scared about? The party knows how to properly run a country; Harper is a businessman & is very intelligent. You have been brainwashed by the Liberals and their "scare tactics" have obviously worked.

I also find it amusing how now that we elected a (sort of) right wing government, we're now "America Jr"... Give me a break! How childish... Just like the NDP booing Stephen Harper during their party. Show a little respect.

God Bless Canada.

Thank you...:) Everyone should move on and see what the Conservatives bring to the table. Harper was chosen, so lets give him our support.

Look, this is the way the government works in Canada. The Liberals and NDP can't just cook up an alliance between themselves whenever they want and form a new government without an election. If you want proportional representation, write your MP about it.

If you recall the King-Byng affair, the GG should not immediately go to the opposition to form a new government if she wants to stay out of constitutional trouble. A new election should be called immediately after a government falls.

I'm not sure I'd agree, but I'm not confident enough in my knowledge of this subject to continue debating. So you win. :okay:

I'm not sure I'd agree, but I'm not confident enough in my knowledge of this subject to continue debating. So you win. :okay:
:cheers1:

NAFTA? Wha' is NAFTA

NAFTA? Wha' is NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement:)
Economic pact between Canada, USA, and Mexico.

Signed by Mulroney and his conservatives in the late 80's.
I call it a mixed blessing...

Thank you...:) Everyone should move on and see what the Conservatives bring to the table. Harper was chosen, so lets give him our support.

I'll be more impressed if he gets to be more than just a rebound PM :)

Harper tells U.S. to butt out when it comes to Canada's Arctic
Canadian Press
Published: January 26, 2006

Stephen Harper used his first news conference as prime minister-designate Thursday to warn the United States to mind its own business when it comes to Canada's Arctic.

The Conservative leader said he'll stick to his campaign promise to bolster Canada's military presence in the North and build big new military icebreakers. He was responding to comments Wednesday by U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, who criticized the plans, claiming the Arctic passage as "neutral waters."

Harper said Canada will do what it wants in its territory.

"The United States defends its sovereignty; the Canadian government will defend our sovereignty," he said.

"It is the Canadian people that we get our mandate from, not the ambassador of the United States."

Harper has promised to mend strained relations with the U.S., while standing firm for Canadian interests.

Arctic sovereignty has been a sensitive subject for decades, with American submarines and even ships entering northern waters without asking permission.

It was reported last month that a U.S. submarine travelled secretly through Canadian Arctic waters in November on its way to the North Pole.
© The Canadian Press 2006

j4893k-

I'm completely willing to give Harper a test drive and agree with your comments, except Harper never was a "businessman." He was a budding academic and he's been a lobbyist en route to what he, in fact, is: a career politician, just like Jason Kenny and, God help us, Rob Anders.

There's this mythology about conservatives that they "do" while liberals suck the public teats as career politicians- in fact, plenty of conservatives have never worked outside of politics, as lobbyists, consultants, and of course as elected representatives.

W/e... Economist... That was completely off point though. I really don't see the point in "proving me wrong" there lol. He is a very smart man and knows how to run a country.

HOW can you make such claims when he is not even a 'full' prime minister yet???

I'm glad he is going to defend our north, I'm not a conservative, but I'm being optimistic and I hope Stephen does a good job

he's still a bit uptight though lol, did anyone else laugh when you saw the video footage of him shaking his son and daughter's hands on the news? It made him look sort of Hank Hill-ish.. A hug wouldn't kill you Stephen :P, at least with the daughter lol

Ya haha... I read that in the paper this morning. Pretty hilarious. "C'mon kids... Keep it formal."

^The point in "proving you wrong" is that you cite Harper's background as a "businessman" as laudable and as evidence of his intelligence. He's never worked in the private sector.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/01/27/harper-asthma060127.html


Harper treated in Ottawa hospital
Last Updated Fri, 27 Jan 2006 12:12:40 EST
CBC News

Prime minister-designate Stephen Harper, who has a history of asthma, sought treatment for a chest cold at the Ottawa Hospital on Thursday night.

* RELATED: Stephen Harper profile

Prime minister-designate Stephen Harper. (CP file photo)

The politician spent about an hour at the hospital and was given a prescription for antibiotics before returning home to Stornoway for the night.

"I have a chest cold and it was precautionary because of my medical history," Harper told CBC News on his way to work Friday morning.

Asked whether he had been "whisked" to the front of the line to get medical attention because of his political position, he replied: "I got whisked as much as you can get whisked in our health-care system."



I love a politician that can laugh at his own country when something about his own country deserves laughing at :lol:

Btw, I (as always) voted NDP. My local candidate (Alexa McDonough) easily won her riding. She came over to thank me personally last night at the victory party for my help on her campaign. She's an incredibly warm and down-to-earth person

even if shes an incredibly warm and down to earth person shes still a tool. shes part of the NDP, they're all tools. do you think they'll ever win the elections? get real. they're policies are so stupid. why are they so against private health care, it would help so much. our public health care is absolute shit. if people want to pay for their own health care let them do it. anyways private health insurance wouldnt cost that much, im sure most middle class people could afford it, then the government would have enough money to provide proper healthcare to the rest of the people.

even if shes an incredibly warm and down to earth person shes still a tool. shes part of the NDP, they're all tools. do you think they'll ever win the elections? get real. they're policies are so stupid. why are they so against private health care, it would help so much. our public health care is absolute shit. if people want to pay for their own health care let them do it. anyways private health insurance wouldnt cost that much, im sure most middle class people could afford it, then the government would have enough money to provide proper healthcare to the rest of the people.

The problems associated with our healthcare system may lie more in mismanagement than cost. Manage the line-ups properly, and the efficiency of our system will increase. It has worked in smaller clinics, perhaps it's time to apply these principles throughout the system.

The problem with private health care is it's just as costly as public health-care. A number of U.S. companies have relocated to Canada because the high cost of American health-care insurance makes it more expensive to conduct business in a country with private health-care than a country with universal health-care.

Your problem with the NDP is based on the ignorant notion that a party that will never form the government shoudln't exist. The NDP have done some amazing things when they hold the balance of power in a minority parliament.

The problem with private health care is it's just as costly as private health-care. A number of U.S. companies have relocated to Canada because the high cost of American health-care insurance makes it more expensive to conduct business in a country with private health-care than a country with universal health-care.

No... private health care is MUCH MORE expensive, esp. in terms of purchasing power (dollar per dollar) than public health care could ever be. Actually, let me qualify that: the above applies to private INSURANCE vs. public INSURANCE. This is not necessarily true for hospitals (or other medical services) though they are all private already; however, they are private non-profits, which is obviously different. Private for-profit hospitals may indeed be more efficient with money (for certain, not all! operations) although they also happen to have higher error rates.

Canada deserves a good and honest leader that will lead with with morals. Paul martin was not this type of person. I Pay taxes, you pay taxes and It is a nessesary thing. I am all for that as long as we both get what we pay for. However, our former PM is imo a tax evader. No matter how you cut it up. He ownes ships, and he finds ways to evade paying Canadian taxes like he should. Dont try to make it sound like it is no big thing. I dare any of you to try the same. you would soon get a visit that would be very nasty to say the least. your stuff would be gone mark my word. Your toys, your wifeys toys and even your kids toys, all gone. I cant vote for a man that allows that, and then finds a way to evade millions if not more in taxes. I cant vote for a government that takes my tax dollers and retardedly spends it on dumb-ass things like gun control, and finaly i cant vote for the kind of folks that go around insulting our close friends the USA. That stuff is just to much. I like what has taken place in this election. I say we give our new PM our suport. Remember this nation was built on change: change in attitude, change in demograpics, and change in government. These are some of the things that make this nation so great. lets get past the things of the past, the crimes against minorities, the injustice and the intolerance. Let a vote for a new leader wellcome new idieas for how a government should treat its citizens. For the peoples of the First Nations a bright new future, for the asian imagrent, a bright new hope, and for the child born today, somthing to look forward to. Yes it can hapen, but we, not just a new pm must make it hapen; therefore, we all must take our resonsebility. Canada can be the greatest nation on the face of the Earth, but it wont come about because of a change of government, no, it will come about because we made it happen. God bless Canada, and Mr Harper.