We’ve gone back and updated this post to note that we Canadians will be heading to the polls this spring.
Shortly after the Stephen Harper’s Conservative government talked its budget this March 22, NDP leader Jack Layton joined the leaders of the Liberal Party and Parti Qeubecois in expressing displeasure with its overall contents. That led to the non-confidence vote that defeated the government this March 25 and triggers an election that will culminate in a vote in the first week of May.
NAL has been asking our readers to share their comments below and how you feel about this election and how you would like it to turn out? Join the discussion and we will be posting more news and commentary on the races in our region of the country as the days and weeks to the final vote unfold.
(Share your comments below and visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary on matters of interest and concern to residents in our greater Niagara region.)
Niagara At Large 
I applauded when Jack Layton decision to not support Harper’s Government was spoken and from what Harper and his thugs have done to this great country they should lose their citizenship. Well Hardily….. But…We had many of the Harper’s thugs Provincially and threw them out and NOW hopefully they will be thrown out again. I wonder will most be hired by the Corporate masters they were servants to when they screwed the people.
Years ago before Harper we were a peace loving country respected all around the world for our compassion and honest dealings. Now we get NO respect only hatred because we are considered puppets to Uncle Sam.
A few years ago I was in Glasgow Scotland sitting in the Ranger’s (Soccer) club house at a dance when suddenly a middle aged woman approached me and sarcastically asked me if I was American? I immediately said NO I am Canadian instantly her previous demeanor chaned to a smile and she then asked if I knew her daughter who lived in Mississauga? I laughed and of course said No as Mississauga is a big city…
That’s how Canadians used to be treated and looked upon with respect abroad. I would like it to be that way again and the only way that has any chance of happening if Harper/Judas McKay and the thugs are gone from our lives.
LikeLike
I agree with Mr. Somers. We are not Americans. What has become of the reputation of our fine country? We are being led by a bunch of lackeys sucking up to the US government – no better than any other autocratic American puppets.
It is infuriating that Canadians bitch endlessly but will not vote for any alternative party, only the Libs or Cons. I am not certain that electing an alternate party would make an appreciable difference other than perhaps scaring the s#*t out of the two main parties who have taken turns screwing us in such an arrogant fashion for so long.
We seem to have such short memories of the fiascos, abuses of power and scandals that have plagued our nation – always at the expense of taxpayers – for decades.
The usual excuses for not voting for alternatives are “I’m wasting my vote if I vote for a ‘fringe’ party”, or “My vote won’t make a difference” or “Why bother voting at all, I don’t like any of them”. If everyone who felt that way actually did vote differently, even as a protest, the results could be astonishing and shake up the powers that be. We, the people, should be in control of our destinies and the reputation of our country. We need to stop being sheeple! That is precisely why the arrogant idiots running things can impose their will with consent of about only 10 or 15% of the citizenry (once you factor in the popular vote totals and those who do not vote at all).
How dare they then rule as if they represent the majority of Canadians?
LikeLike
I agree, our Canada was a kinder-gentler country before crime-minister harper started playing what he calls ‘just political games’. His contempt for Parliment and we Canadians is obvious to anyone who see beyond his attack ads and John Lennon impersonation. Anyone who has witnessed all the character assinations of good honest Canadians plus the scandles reported by the press and watched harper time and again dismiss the facts by saying – ‘it’s just political games’ must realize this man is a modern day dictator relying on expensive P.R. and advertising to keep him in office. This Conservative Government denies proof of preventive social programs to favor punishment, than fails to disclose the cost of his U.S. corporate jailing system as well as the cost of jets aircraft etc. let’s not forget the Conservative started their attack ads a month or so ago, and new they had to go to the poles hopely over the budget and not fall over their contempt of Parliment. Knowing their a good Conservatives sitting in the house i can’t help thinking they are affraid to stand up for Canada?
LikeLike
Enough Corporate Welfare. You won’t see me voting Liberal or Conservative.
LikeLike
While I might not be happy with some of the things this government has done, when I look at the alternatives I like that even less. This has been a minority government that has existed for five years which is remarkable in itself.
Let’s see a Coalition and the political fall-out from that. First you have to get in bed with the Bloq whose sole purpose is to break up the country and allow us to pay for the privilege. Then the Liberals will have to concede policy to both the Bloq and the NDP which many centrist Liberal will find distasteful and lead to the implosion of the Liberal Party. It is conceivable that those Liberals would move to the Conservatives and produce a Progressive Conservative-ish coalition.
The short term winner in this deal is Jack Layton and Giles Duceppe.
A comment on Joe’s remark about the external view of Canadians . Absolutely and blatantly untrue. Canada is held in high esteem throughout the world and the perpetuation of this new found myth is an insult to all Canadians past and present.
LikeLike
The re-branding of the Government of Canada to the Harper Goverment really annoys me. Their overall approach to fiscal management is reckless and irresponsible. The conservative party does have a future without Stephen Harper .
LikeLike
Canada’s international environmental reputation is a disgrace. Our international diplomatic efforts are weak. Our health care system is a disgrace. Our medicare is being undermined. Our peace keeping initiatives have been undermined. Our democracy is being diminished. The acknowledgement of these issues is a compliment to Canadians past and present.
LikeLike
Right on Mark – as usual.
LikeLike
An election is a waste of time and precious tax dollars.
Unfortunately there is nothing good to choose from.
Short and simple.
LikeLike
My greatest fear is that history will record the success of the Harperian spin and misinformation machinery. It frightens me how many people are either willing to ignore Harper’s government’s questionable style of political gamesmanship, or worse, condone it.
That proposed budget wasn’t good for Canada, but it may prove to have been good enough to misdirect the majority of voters from what should be the most important election issue: That Harper, and therefore ‘his’ government cannot be trusted to do what is in the best interest of our Canadian values, hopes and dreams.
My greatest hope for this period of campaigning, is that our Canadian media at large, clearly displays Harper’s trail of lies, misinformation and questionable strategies.
LikeLike
Just a few comments on your comments, Mark. Our environmental record is a disgrace according to you and those who have believe in its entirety the theory of Global warming/climate change yet statistically that isn’t the case by recent polling . Diplomatically, we have moved to unseat a mass murderer in Libya so in my books we are doing the right thing. Our health system faces huge challenges I agree. Yet, in spite of that Canadians are living longer.
As far as the democracy issue goes, yes we have a problem at every level of government, not just federally.
I refuse to portray our democracy in such a bleak and negative light but in order to make it better we have to work at it and participate. Canada is a great country, flawed to be sure, but our virtues as a people and even those governments who we disagree with outshine the rest of the world.
LikeLike
Moving against Gadhafi is a good thing. I hope we choose the right strategy. I left some comments under the Libya article.
Unfortunately, the Republican machine is attacking good science and convincing too many Ameicans that Global Warming isn’t happening. This ties in with extreme capitalism. An acceptance of the science would mean that we’d have to do more to curtail the carbon industry, and some globalization initiatives etc. Republicans don’t want to do that.
Our health system is facing huge challenges, including an aging demographic, so why are we adopting a more expensive, less efficient model? One of my articles deals with that.
Maybe we are compromising so much of what has made our country great because we don’t see how great it was. We do outshine much of the world in many areas, but we could outshine more of the world in more areas.
We have different views on some issues, and we’re expressing them openly, which is good. Thank God we don’t have a clown like Gadhafi trying to lord it over us.
LikeLike
Why would anyone want to jump from one SELF-SERVING group to another? Especially in the financial turmoil this world is in. Canada survived an near meltdown. The Liberals are as brain dead as the NDP. CANADIANS should have a say as to whether we have an election or not… ?
LikeLike
Hi Mark, my skepticism re- AGW has nothing to do with Republicans or anybody else. I was convinced there was a legitimate concern with CO2 but became concerned when the case was horribly bad science was being passed off as gospel in IPCC reports. Then my own journey began.
I appreciate the point that we all have our opinions and we can respectfully disagree. We can do this in Canada plus the hearing others opinions can and does change our own views. That is never a bad thing.-jl
LikeLike
Hi John,
Agreed, this is a great site to express views, to learn things, and to respectfully agree or disagree.
LikeLike
Just a few observations on the above comments. My opinion only, not necessarily agreed upon by others.
“Global warming”, a misnomer better described as “climatic change”, is definitely not a farce. Some is cyclical but the science is absolutely there. Will we believe scientists who have nothing to gain or will we believe politicians/industrialists who have everything to gain and the money to promote false science? David Suzuki – what a greedy bastard!
Canada’s reputation is suffering abroad.
Right wing extremists i.e. Republicans and Harper type Conservative, are just puppets of the military industrial complex based in the US. Admittedly, the other parties aren’t far behind in this regard. There are motives behind their actions none of which reek of altruism. We should be trying to distance ourselves from our decaying southern neighbour. There are many nations on the rise with which to do business.
As for our “saving” of the poor oppressed of Libya, what about the poor oppressed of Somalia, Darfur, Rwanda, Tibet or the countless other nations currently fighting against and suffering under tyrants? Oh… no particular benefits there such as natural resources or the need for economic and political stability favouring the interests of the west. Our humanitarian interests regarding democracy vs dictatorships are very selective indeed and more often than not are determined by the US.
Our vehement support of Israel while it constantly invades and settles Palestinian territories against international law and treaties is astonishing. Where are the international peace keepers there?
As for our health care system, when the Canada Health Act comes up for renewal in 2014, let’s see what happens then. Privatization of health care, just like in the US, will be an unwelcome newcomer with the same results as in nations who have followed a similar route. Quality will suffer while profits rise. I truly believe that is why the government is intentionally letting our system degrade – to prove a dual system is needed – one for those who can afford good care and one for the rest of us. Ever see an insurance company fail? Profit triumphs again. I worked in the system and am well aware that this has been on the agenda for years.
Our democracry, such as it is in its current state, is being eroded more and more daily. Any time a minority government has the audacity to tell us what is good for us as if it has a majority of popular support, something is very wrong. When voter turn out is less than 50% and the elected government has far less than 50% of the support of those who DID vote (many electoral districts were “won” on the basis of far less that 50% of the vote due to division among several candidates) they have no right to be as arrogant as they are eg asking the Governor General to temporarily suspend Parliament when a crisis arises that threatens their agenda. This is democracy?
I am not particularly fond of 99% of our political leaders, most of whom are politicians because they were inept in private enterprise, but I hope the public at least thinks twice before stumbling blindly to the polls and, once elected, I hope the public makes sure to hold their representatives accountable – that would be a delightful change.
LikeLike
For me the two big parties remind me of Tweedledee and Tweedledum, twins that don’t get along, but are in reality are cut from the same cloth, maybe my Green Party can make some gains this time.
LikeLike
Excellent points. The more we know about all of these issues, the better. Even “slight” nuances in mainstream media presentations would make a difference, but again, it often comes down to advertising, backing etc. For example, why don’t the people announcing the weather ever use the phrases “Global Warming”, or “Anthropogenic Global Warming”? When referring to Mubarak or other dictators, why don’t they say,”American backed Mubarack”? It’s very interesting to compare this site with another that is supported by advertising, or to compare a mainstream news show with Democracy Now, featuring Amy Goodman etc.
LikeLike
Part of me hopes the clueless get what they want. It would serve Kanuks right to be governed by the childish, churlish, and economically clueless — a Lieberal, New Dreamer, Blokhead coalition.
After a while only the thickest of lefties would still think the Conartists are so bad.
Most of me however, prefers we pay $300 million so the Lieberals can get rid of Iggiot… which I believe is the real reason Taliban Jack called an election.
LikeLike
Part of me hopes the clueless get what they want. It would serve Kanuks right to be governed by the childish, churlish, and economically oblivious — a Lieberal, New Dreamer, Blokhead coalition.
After a while only the thickest of lefties would still think the Conartists are so bad.
Most of me however, prefers we pay $300 million so the Lieberals can get rid of Iggiot… which I believe is the real reason Taliban Jack called an election.
LikeLike
Steve Harper’s harping about Coalitions in an effort to get his majority, insults all Canadians. Democracy is when the majority of the people participate. Realizing our first past the post wins, while the majority loose, Harper is trying to make us fear one another and trust him. Please, get beyond his expensive advertising and John Lennon pretention – look at his record. Most Canadians are good, honest working and tax paying people who deserve to be represented in parliament. under our current system, a minority gavernment that actually works with the opposition is our only hope. What has Harper’s contempt of Parliament and you really accomplished over the last few years? Is he really managing our economy or benifiting from the past checks and balances we had in place? Please realize we got a rough road ahead and we’d best start looking at the facts. For example, our crime rates are down due to preventive measure – according to the experts, yet the conservative are slashing preventative programs to build U.S. style jails – and won’t tell us at what cost…. Contempt is all this Covernment seems to have for all and everyone who doesn’t buy into their
“all you need is love” fallacy.
LikeLike
Brian Mulroney delivered us into the sphere of the US via NAFTA now we do less business than before, we are doing a 28 year low, in trade we sent all our jobs to Mexico great deal for Mexico! Stephen Harper another Prime Minister who is giving our country away, Conservatives behave like some kind of fiveth column, I can see that some day after the South of the US is desert and arid they will annex Canada. And we will be scratching our heads and wonder how that happened.
LikeLike
I think any party that is able to form a majority government on less than 51% of the popular vote is a fraud. I don’t care who it is. The one we just tossed out should stay out, as I will not vote a party that has as its cornerstone a platform of cuts and more cuts, without even telling us where these cuts are. These cuts are certainly not to corporate welfare or to big business, but I can almost bet you if these clowns get a majority government, we would be condoning too much of their trickery, deceipt, campaign of misinformation and calculated selfish gain on the backs of lower and middle class Canadians.
LikeLike
When our health care becomes even worse after the 2014 renegotiation of the provincial Health and Social Transfer payments and continued lackadaisical enforcement of the Canada Health Act, and people can ill afford to pay out of pocket for the extras they will now have to pay, I will at least be the one who can say, “I told you so”.
LikeLike
I think many people like being told what is good for them,and too fat and lazy to get off their fat behinds to go and vote,and secretly enjoy a dictator as the world appears to be full of these Ghaddafis, Castros, Saddam Hussains and the leader of Zimbabwe who was trained in Communist China, that saves them for ever thinking about voting again.
LikeLike
Mugabe of Zimbabwe takes care of any opposition by killing them a tribe that revolted against him lost 35 thousand people he just turned his army of thugs on that tribe, he confiscated all white owned farms, so now they are all starving, as no oil is produced there, nobody gives a darn.all elections are rigged as he gets most of the votes one way or another.
LikeLike