Is Tory victory in a Bloc stronghold a 'game changer'?

The leader of the NDP says Stephen Harpers support of the HST in British Columbia is what drove his party's numbers higher and anticipates that the HST will be the emerging issue of the next federal campaign.

Power Play: Dimitri Soudas, PMO press secretary

The press secretary for the prime minster's office says the Tories top priority is to make sure every Canadian is vaccinated and they are looking into why doses were sent overseas. He also says the HST is not an emerging issue in B.C. and the Tories are stronger than ever.

Power Play: Jean Lapierre and Gerry Caplan

A political reporter says very few people expected the Tories to win, which shows potential for a future defeat of the Bloc. But a political analyst says byelections aren't significant but the outcome of the elections has put the Liberals in a very bad way, despite low voter turnout.

CTV News Channel: L. Ian MacDonald, editor

The Tories made some encouraging gains, but the other important story was how poorly the Liberals did. The editor of Policy Options Magazine says they need to sharpen their game.

CTV News Channel: Bruce Hicks, Univ. of Montreal

A political science professor in Montreal describes the reaction to the Tory upset in a riding near Quebec City, including how the Bloc blames dirty tricks for the results.

CTV News Channel: Robert Fife on the Tory triumph

CTV's Ottawa bureau chief describes the significance of the Conservatives pulling off an upset in a Quebec riding and regained a longtime Nova Scotia stronghold.

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More evidence that there won't be a general election for a while...

Ron

Is Tory victory in a Bloc stronghold a 'game changer'?

talking about
Is Tory victory in a Bloc stronghold a 'game changer'?

Got something to say?

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Nov. 10 2009 10:44 PM ET

The Conservative government put the Bloc Quebecois on notice Monday night with its byelection win in a Bloc stronghold, proving that its fortunes in Quebec are stronger than pundits predicted, experts say.

Conservative candidate Bernard Genereux won in Montmagny-L'Islet-Kamouraska-Riviere-du-Loup by more than 1,400 votes over Bloc candidate Nancy Gagnon, grabbing a riding that's been held by the BQ since 1993.

The win "is a game-changer off the island of Montreal," L. Ian Macdonald, editor of Policy Options magazine, told CTV.ca in a telephone interview. "This is a Bloc bastion that has fallen to the Conservatives not by a few votes but by 1,500, five points."

"Five points is a big win," Macdonald added. "We're not in recount territory here. This means that they won all the way down the river, from Montmagny all the way down to Riviere du Loup."

Recent polls have shown Conservative support in Quebec to be either stagnant or on the decline, while Liberal fortunes have been on the rise.

But the win, Macdonald said, clearly indicates that the Conservatives have established themselves as the competitive federalist alternative in Quebec, the so-called "block the Bloc party."

"The Conservatives...had a message which was, 'You can be in government,'" Macdonald said. "And since they weren't the issue -- it wasn't one of those by-elections where you get to fire the boss -- they were able to make that case."

Byelections are viewed as a measure of the party-in-power's fortunes, and are often won by opposition parties.

But the Conservatives pulled out two of four ridings up for grabs Monday night, with the Liberals finishing third in all of them.

However, the Liberals were not expected to challenge in any of the ridings, having placed a distant third in three in the 2008 election, and a distant second in the fourth.

"The Liberals have not been players in any of these ridings for many, many, many years," CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife told News Channel on Tuesday morning. "And while clearly it's not good news for the Liberal Party, it would be a disservice to them to say that this is bad news for them because they haven't placed very well. They haven't placed well for many years."

In the three other byelections Monday night:

The Bloc won the Quebec riding of Hochelaga by more than 5,500 votes over the NDP, with the Liberals and Conservatives trailing in third and fourth place, respectively.
The NDP beat the Conservatives in New Westminster-Coquitlam by more than 3,300 votes, with the Liberals again running a distant third.
The Conservatives re-claimed the Nova Scotia riding of Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley by 4,900 votes over the NDP, with the Liberals third.

The Conservative win in Riviere du Loup was not a complete shock, Macdonald said, given that eight of 10, now nine of 11, Tory Quebec MPs are from the 418 area code region, in the eastern part of the province.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper spent the summer and early fall shoring up support in the 418, Macdonald said, including making a number of government announcements in the region.

Ultimately, the Conservatives have shown that they have not been hurt by crises such as swine flu and the economic downturn and have emerged as a threat in Quebec, Fife said.

"(Riviere du Loup) is a francophone area, it's rural Quebec and the Conservatives won there, and they are going to be a threat to the Bloc Quebecois outside of the island of Montreal," Fife said. "And the Bloc, if anybody, have to be very uneasy about this Conservative win."

Comments are now closed for this story

Kevin
said
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The Tories need to figure out what they did right and duplicate it across Quebec.

PBW
said
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The old adage "one swallow does not a summer make" probably holds true here. The Conservatives need to take seats in metropolitan Quebec - Montreal and Quebec City - before claiming any inroads. As for polls showing "stagnant" Tory support, that is to be expected as the polls are based upon population, the majority of which lives in cities, and therefore do not really show any swings in non-urban ridings.

Portes
said
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I would suggest not to read too much into the Quebec win for the Conservatives, the person who ran for them was well liked, and again this boils down to the right person at the right time. Yes I think that the Tories are on the upswing in Quebec, however the Quebecers are a very changeable lot. I hope that no one starts this nonsense about the Liberals coming in last they were supposed too. As a Conservative supporter I advise all the Conservative supporters like me to refrain from just attacking for attacking sake. It is good to see another seat in La Belle Province,but use caution

Phil in London
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To the headline I say hell yes! I would rather be Stephen Harper or Jack Layton this morning. It's a rare day, I would even prefer to be Iggy today than Gilles. It's a step in the right direction for the CPC. But, it's only a game breaker if they can build on it. For example the Dipper breakthrough with Mulcair last round did not translate into a game changer it Hochelaga this time.

Peter 1951
said
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The people in Quebec are sick and tired of the Bloc's Big talk and very little action. The only thing the Bloc has done for Quebec, is keep them out of the loop. The Liberals must be licking their wounds today "OUCH" maybe now Iggy will get the message.

Game's the same
said
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Not sure that the Quebec win is a 'game-changer' - if you pick a well-liked candidate, you'll do well. Pick someone who likes to shoot off his mouth, insult and interfere like Baird, and chances are that your constituents will band together and vote you out.

Ron
said
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More evidence that there won't be a general election for a while...

Red X
said
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The Harper Gov't will never reach a Majority because in the next election they will lose seats in Quebec. The Conservatives may gain a couple seats in BC, the one in Edmonton and a few in Ontario but will be offset by Quebec. Thank you.

Scotty
said
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Perhaps relying on the analysis of a former Mulroney speech writer and making it the headline was not the way to get the most objective view on the story.

Marc
said
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All this proves is that $250 million will buy you a seat in Quebec.

cory from alberta
said
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Where's the liberals in all this? where's their leader? why is he not showing leadership instead of lack there-of? I thought they were "the natural governing party"? Just goes to show all politcs and no substance!

R. Paul Kneeshaw
said
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Congratulations to the winners in yesterdays by elections ~ well done !I think that this will allow our Prime Minister, to hold onto a minority government, until the proper national election date.It is also a small voice in the wilderness saying, "Things are going well don't change it now".Mr. Prime Minister, keep to your agenda and your couse of political action ~ its what the majority of honest thinking Candians want.Our gains, in the Federal life of our country over the past several months has been stunning, & the problems we have left to solve (there are many) these to will be addressed in due course.When our next Federal Election comes to pass, a majority for our current Prime Minister, can continue to set Canada to the Highest Standard within the world community at alarge. "Grow CANADA Go"

Intelligent Liberal
said
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Who cares what happens in tiny Nova Scotia or French separtist Quebec? The only votes that matter is Ontario, since they have more seats than anywhere else in Canada! Harper caused the auto industry to collapse, so people in Ontario will remember that and will elect Prime Minister IGGY as soon as an election is called!

Calgary Neocon
said
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Now that our Big Blue Team won surprisingly and decisively may I humbly suggest the Olympic torch route be detoured to pass through Riviere-du-Loup and Montmagny to reflect the new political reality and not to just simply pass through Conservative ridings which never actually occurs!The route organizers could not predict this great Conservative victory.

Bob,Calgary,Alberta
said
0 0

The province of Quebec is always baffling to me and I was born and raised there. The smallest perceived slight to the "pride" of French Quebecers can change the sentiment overnight, witness the miniscule cut in arts funding during the last election campaign. The Bloc represents the continuing need for Franch Quebecois to have some entity that protects them from the nasty "Anglos" in the ROC who want to destroy their language and culture. Their heads know that the Bloc is essentially useless but their hearts say they are the only party that represents their dreams and aspirations. The only thing anyone can say about the next election as it applies to Quebec is that it will be a crap shoot dependent on which party leader inserts his foot in his mouth first.

Dave in Qc.
said
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Couldn't stop lauging when I saw this Headline.Didn't have to read it to know that macdonald said it. He is notorious conservative reporter and anaylist who worked for Mulroney and stills helps Harper.A game changer not even close to it.That is the only area in Quebec that supports the Conservatives and that will change in a full election where many more people come out to vote. I Live in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and the conservative supporters are becoming fewer and fewer all the time.The country should be thanking Quebec from preventing Harper from ever getting a majority and turning Canada into Bush north.

al from calgary
said
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To Red X: I disagree, I don't think they will make major inroads in Quebec, they may take a few more seats in the province and probably will also hang on to the ones they have. You are right that they will pick up a few more in the rest on the country, which will more than likely put them over the top.

Robert McClelland
said
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"The Tories need to figure out what they did right and duplicate it across Quebec."They announced $242 million dollars worth of stimulus funding in the riding 4 days before the buy-election.

Frank - Toronto
said
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I agree with those who say by-election results are to be taken with a grain of salt. They're usually a "send the government a message" event.But it's clear voters aren't unhappy with this Conservative government, and the Conservatives are far from dead in Quebec. Further, it's unlikely they will lose any of the seats they have in Quebec, and could gain more in rural areas in the next federal election (likely in 2010). That, and a surge in support in Ontario spells Conservative majority next year. This result is a game-changer in Quebec. Finally, stability for an election weary Canadian electorate.

JB in Ontario
said
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Hard work pays off. Look how far the Conservatives have come since being elected federally. Making inroads in Bloc territory, this is a game changer.

barry
said
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If you think about it from Harper's point of view the byelection route is the only way he can win a majority. He knows from losing elections as an out of the closet Reformer that Canadians will never give majority power to racists, punishment freaks and anti democratic authoritarians. Harper hides his Reform agenda in general elections and his agenda doesn't get the attention in local elections-very smart. The only thing that can save our country is if the liberal and NDP check their egos, and join forces.

N.D.Peer
said
0 0

Just another nail in iggy's coffin. Time to teach justin french, only he can pull this rabbit.Good old Jack has made it pay in British Columbia.

Kevin B
said
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It’s a game-changer alright, but it may not all be in the Conservatives’ favour. After the fallout from the coalition crisis, Harper was way down in Quebec, and so the Bloc were moving their guns away from the CPC and bringing them to bear on Ignatieff and the Libs. Duceppe is a great campaigner, so it was always my hope (as a CPC supporter) that the Bloc’s guns would remain on the Libs in the next campaign, and that Harper could again sneak up and surprise (as he did in ’06) in Quebec. After this it may very well be that the bulk of the Bloc’s attention will again shift back to the Conservatives, and that may not be a welcome thing at all. What the Conservatives need is a credible champion in Quebec, to defend the party and lead the attack during the campaign during those times when the leader is campaigning in other parts of Canada. Perhaps Jacques Demers could fill this role, although he’s said he doesn’t want to be the out-in-front guy.I’d say the results bode well for the CPC holding onto their Quebec City redoubt, but I think it’s waaay too soon to say it signifies any off-the-island breakthrough in Quebec.

Ken - Calgary
said
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As long as Harper is at the helm of the CPC and the majority of Canadians continue to remember his extreme right wing Reform roots, the Conservatives will never have a majority in this country. I can only pray that Canadians do continue to remember this fact.As for the Liberals "licking their wounds", don't get so high and mighty - the Liberals knew from the get-go that they were not contenders in these ridings, so do try to contain your Conservative arrogance.

Kevin B
said
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PBW, they have seats in Quebec City.

Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
said
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One has to give credit where it is due and the Conservatives are to be congratulated for the two wins last night. They are not dead in Quebec as the media have led us to believe !

Dave in Whitby
said
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Seems like Harper is doing ok overall The Liberal's need Quebec seats to offset the Conservative populaity in the Western Provinces .IGGY should be worried about the Polls because his day as Liberal leader are numbered . Bob Ray may be happy with these results

Jim
said
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Wll this stop the Liberals from wanting to call an election for no reason? I sure hope so.

Caper
said
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Taxpayers paid for this win with all the Infrastructure announcements, paved roads,fake obscene messages from the Bloc candidate and God knows what other evils were done by Harper's Brigade

jim
said
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The Libs held Cumberland from 1993-97.I guess Fife's idea of "many,many,many years" is different than mine.

Ron
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" ... it would be a disservice to them to say that this is bad news for them because they haven't placed very well. They haven't placed well for many years."

The fact is, the Liberal party did WORSE in 3 out of the 4 elections than they did in 2008. That's right. Under Dion, the Liberals scored better in the two Quebec and 1 BC contests. This is reason enough to label them the big losers of the evening - Ignatieff, despite personally campaigning in all four ridings, could not meet the bare minimum in expectation - hold the line on support. But, that's OK folks - Mr. Fife is happy to pretend that since nothing was expected of the Liberals and they delivered less than nothing, all is well with their world.

I Be Smart
said
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Intelligent Liberal? Now there's an oxymoron, if not just a moron. Who cares what happens in NS or QC? Probably the locals. I like to think of them as fellow Canadians. Your comments only serve to cement the opinions of those outside ON. In the scheme of history let it be recorded that Ontario like the USA has been. The Eagle has flown. Harper caused the auto collapse? Then perhaps he causes it to rain, to snow and the H1N1 virus. Too bad you couldn't catch intelligence from a virus.

Phil in London
said
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When I read the comments of intelligent Liberal and Red x my stomach calls out for pepto bismol.How do you write off a party that is winning seats in byelections while governing when you can't even drag your sorry backside out of third place?These four ridings are VERY indicative of what fails the Libs. There are 4 of 200 ridings that are no longer battleground for the grits. YOU CAN'T WRITE THEM ALL OFF AND KEEP ONLY THE 77 YOU HOLD.Liberal values have been redefined over the years and can be summed up in one sentence, if you aren't with us you're against us.So now we look at how Harper "ruined the auto industry" and how little ridings in NS and separatist Quebec don't matter?How inclusive is that?The liberals have long since abandoned integrity and would rather a separatist stronghold remain in Bloc hands than have anyone else win it?How arrogant to think Quebeckers only hope is the Liberal Party of Toronto. I would be thrilled to have seen Commie Jack claim Hochelaga if it meant the separitist threat was further diminished but I'm reading from these stiffs that the Liberals would rather we have separatist than nationalists in parliament?The Bloc was created under Mulroney's watch but it was created in response to Trudeau arrogance and refined to answer Chretien thuggery.

darren
said
0 0

here it comes, back to the thirties where only white men between 25 and 60 have any rights in this country. Wonderfull everyone vote Conservative, and throw away a hundred years of history and progress

Jacob in Edmonton
said
0 0

The Quebec win was a surprise for the Conservatives, but the other 3 by-elections were pretty well what was predicted. I've read in previous posts how people think that the Conservatives do not have the mandate to govern because they did not receive more than 50% of the vote. Does this apply in these by-elections as well? Only 1 by-election winner received more than 50% of the vote (Bloc). While we're at it, I think we should remind the Liberal supporters that when the Liberal Party had its majority governments in the 1990s and into the 2000s, most of the election wins were with LESS than 50% of the popular vote (mostly in the 38 - 42% range). At that time, Liberal supporters weren't complaining about the win or commenting on how they really didn't have the mandate to govern without the 50% 1 of the popular vote. We need to see consistency from the electorate. The "rules" need to be the same with whatever party is in power. One shouldn't be targeting the Conservative Party with this nonsense. On a final note, it doesn't look like we'll be seeing an election until mid-2010 at the earliest -- NDP support is in the tank and the Liberals do not appear to be gaining much traction (with or without these by-elections)

dano
said
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i figure, it was likely low turnout by Bloc supporters. one result like this really means nothing . Tory support in QC is low, as it is for all national parties. The fact that you have one fairly popular separatist party going against 3 federal parties(aka vote splitting) kills the chance of any major breakthru by any federal party

Peter in MB
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Dear Mr. (Intelligent Liberal) you said "Who cares what happens in tiny Nova Scotia or French separatist Quebec?" The only votes that matter is Ontario, since they have more seats than anywhere else in Canada." Wow you sound just as arrogant as Iggy.I guess that’s why your party don’t hold any ridings in western Canada or any real number outside the GTA for that matter. Your party is just a regional party like the Bloc. The only national party that holds ridings in every province is the Conservative party of Canada, Why? because they think that ALL Canadians Matter.

Phil in London
said
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You need only look around ctv.ca to answer this question. The other fresh story on the politics page tells us Action democratique du Quebec Leader Gilles Taillon wants another leadership race after less than a month on the job.Most of those disenchanted with the ADQ believe Taillon was not a very conservative leader.Even in Quebec there is room for a more right of center alternative. Farmers in Quebec are as happy about long gun repeal as are farmers in Alberta and Ontario.Other conservative traits like spending control and fairer (and yes LOWER) taxation have an audience.In many cases this right or left yearning has been drowned out for decades with Bloc separtism vs hard core Librano federalism.Thank goodness for all of us there is another issue besides the next referendum!Others complain here that the CPC candidate won because he was popular as though that is somehow a slight. Well it will be in Etobicoke Lakeshore and Toronto soon enough.

Laurel
said
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To Intelligent Liberal (I use that term loosely!), please explain how the PM caused the auto industry to collapse? As for the comment that only the votes in Ontario matter, please remember that are more people voting conservative in that province! As for your PM Iggy, have him explain how well his party did in these by-elections!

Joe in Ottawa
said
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The Conservatives in Quebec should focus on the rural riding, I think they have a better chance to win.

Hagios
said
0 0

Once again grassroots Canadians reaffirm this Conservative government as there choice despite the left wing media who have tried to sabotage Harper and his team.Sometimes people just "know" what is the right thing to do and obviously that message is getting through. Canadians wont be fooled by old political hacks from the corrupt Chretien era like Peter Donolo and Warren Kinsella masquerading as the "new face of Liberalism" for a worn out Liberal party who lacks vision, lacks policy and lacks political leadership.

Kadjere
said
0 0

Let's look at the bigger outcome (QC & beyond).

1. One doesn’t need to be a political pundit (I’m definitely not one by any long shot) to see why the LPC performed so dismally in all the four contested seats. The NDP on the other hand has demonstrated a strong will of leadership and a very good sense of direction. All these political dynamics have been recognized and endorsed by the voters. NDP came out first (in BC) and second (elsewhere).

2. While it remains too early to draw meaningful conclusions about the future of the different parties and leadership concerns, there is reason to believe that current political activities contributed significantly in producing these results.

3. From the CPC perspective, the PM remained quite visible on the limelight (both nationally and internationally). The stimulus package by the government was well-received. Voters remain upbeat about the prospects of the economy.

4. With regard to the NDP, I believe the leader’s latest appearances on television coupled with his strong alliance with the ruling party contributed enormously in projecting the image of the party. The leadership successfully avoided any dicey situations by clearly affiliating itself with government initiatives. This was primarily done by voting with the conservatives and hence avoiding the potential of any election. All these initiatives were in line with voter’s wishes.

5. For the LPC, I believe there is still a leadership vacuum. It may sound too early to conclude at this point. The message though is written everywhere. For example, the current leadership’s latest decision to withdraw support from the CPC did not go well with mainstream Canadians. And the party undoubtedly is paying a heavy price for that ill-conceived initiative.

JB in Calgary
said
0 0

@ Kevin It's not that they did anything right but how can a province vote for the Bloc when they don't get anything out of it? The Bloc shoot down every motion in parliament and nothing of theirs gets passed. How is that speaking for or doing anything for the people of Quebec? Quebecers need to realize that if they vote for a federal party that federal party will do everything it can to keep the vote. In turn if at this point all of Quebec voted for a federal party they would see some of their demands met. It would be the same if the Liberals actually got a number of seats in Alberta, the Liberals would be kissing so much ... to try an keep the people happy, it would be raw.

LH
said
0 0

To Intelligent Liberal: Harper did not cause the auto industry to collapse, that was done over years of bad management in the auto industry and union demands. He cannot possibly be blamed for what a private industry did to itself, most of it occuring before he was ever the PM. And I think the people in that small Nova Scotia riding would disagree with you, they are just as relevant. And if you looked at the constitution you would see that it is the eastern provinces, ontario and quebec that hold the power with the number of seats, since Ontario is not 100% controlled by any single party, every other riding counts. Plus, if your words are the words of the Liberal party, I think you might have just ticked off the rest of the country by calling us all irrelevant and you might be surprised that the Liberal view that only Ontario matters might bite you next election.

Pip
said
0 0

Will "intelligent Liberal" please get facts straight before posting "Harper caused the auto industry to collapse". The auto industry in Ontario started collapsing a decade ago, when people started asking for fuel efficient cars and the big three, led by a management blind to public demand and followed by a union intent on bloating the paypackets of their overpaid members paid no heed. Note that the Toyota plant in Ontario was unaffected by last Fall`s collapse of Chrysler and GM. Another instance of ``educated`` liberals not understanding the facts in front of their faces.

Brett in Alberta
said
0 0

@ Red X Do us a favour would you? We get it...we understand...you don't like the conservatives...you want nothing to do with the conservatives. You love the Liberals (only you and God knows why). So the favour I ask, is just add something to the conversation that enhances it. We already know your conversation will begin with, Harpy Sucks, Liberals Rule, so from now on let's just take that as a given and start the conversation after that rant and make a point?

SpinMeNot
said
0 0

Is there a smile on my face, or what?

JoeC from St. Thomas, ON
said
0 0

Please visit the Elections Canada website, and review the voter turnout numbers. The highest of the four by-elections garnered 36% of registered voters, and the lowest, 22%.

The Other Lowell in BC
said
0 0

ok all you conservative supports. I wouldn't read more into this win than what it is. It was probably more about the candidates than the parties as to won and who didn't

Cyril
said
0 0

If it wasn't for the HST backlash at the Gordon Campbell provincial liberals in this province the Tories might have won 3 out of 4. Stephen Harper, beware - I will hold my grudge until the next federeal election! - because there will be no compensating tax reduction in this province for consumers. The big business offshore customers for BC resources products will reap any and all benefits of the harmonization of PST and GST.

native from alberta
said
0 0

the liberals ignorance is bliss! out of touch and out to lunch!

ian
said
0 0

The anti-cons can say what they will but this was a huge victory. Yes it's only a by-election, but this was not one of those, "it could go either way" ridings. It's tanatamount to the NDP winning in Alberta.

dano
said
0 0

some of you Con supporters are like Toronto Maple Leaf fans. When you win a game, you plan the Parade. lol. and BTW, if you are gonna trash Chretien don't forget to trash your own past leaders(aka Mulroney). For those of you actually "TRUST" politicians (from whatever party), I've got a chunk of ocean front property in Saskatchewan for sale. lol

Cambob
said
0 0

The Liberal government of Ontario is set to harmoize the GST and PST. Every citizen of Ontario who earns more than $40k a year will end up paying an additional $3k in taxes due to this hamonization. The Liberal party in Ontario is offering $400 cumulative "tax breaks" in an effort to offset thier new tax system. When "Intelligent Liberal" feels his governments sleezy fingers in his wallet, perhaps he will understand why Ontario will vote Conservative, Federally and Provincially, next time around.

Dan
said
0 0

I was having a good laugh the other day when I heard the criticism that the government planned the Olympic torch relay route so that it would pass mostly through Conservative ridings. What a bunch of baloney! It's the VANOC that chooses the route. Also given the layout of the majority of Conservative ridings and the fact that the route would be as close to the 401 highway Transcanada highway as possible, and pass through a very big chunk of rural ridings, It stands to reason that the route would pass through more Conservative ridings than others. How many stops in Toronto can the Olympic torch make anyway.

wade mccann
said
0 0

I thought killing the Gun Registry was to ruin the Conservatives in Quebec ? The Liberal party is about as popular in Canada as the Gun Registry. I see a correlation.

Jason Daniel Baker, Toronto
said
0 0

A majority for Harper is now within ten seats of being a reality. It may not take an election for Harper to get his majority either.If he can convince just ten opposition MPs to come over to his side he has his majority. There are a few Liberals that are disgruntled and the Bloc MPs are on notice now. They may have trouble getting re-elected now and may decide they can pretend to be federalists if they get to keep their jobs.The Prime Ministers office can also appoint some opposition MPs to cushy government jobs.opening seats for by-elections.What will Harper do with a majority government?

Liberals Are Gods
said
0 0

An article clearly written so another CTV hack can get a Senate appointment. Hey is this the neo-con redneck board? Cool.

Peter 1951
said
0 0

Just finished watching the Power Play Show. I can't help but laugh, that just yesterday the people that appeared on the program gave the Conservatives little but no chance at all to win any of this by-elections. Now today those same people are eating crow, and what do they have to say, well yes the Conservatives won but really it doesn't mean much, turn out at the polls was to small. And these people wonder why the young people of this country don't want to vote, when you can't even trust the people doing the news for showing their own favouritism to their own parties. This is disgraceful.

MARG MM
said
0 0

The voters in the B.C riding that went NDP, were brainwashed on the idea that the HST being brought in is due to the Conservatives. The HST is up to the Provinces, and the Liberal Governments of Ontario and B.C chose to put it in place. Unfortunatly peoples ignorance caused them to believe the NDP's rantings about it being the Conservatives fault. To "intelligent Liberal" (who knew there was such a thing?) and Red X:What a shame that you had a Liberal chip implanted in your brains when you were born, as it only serves to cloud your judgment and you are unable to see outside your Liberal "boxes".

SK Doctor
said
0 0

An excellent start...well done Mr. Harper...

Jim Lad
said
0 0

Recent attacks on the Conservatives for spending more money on their ridings than on the oppositions' and for sending out more vaccine than the provinces could handle has finally hit home.Nice job, Iggy.

Calgaryme
said
0 0

@ joec st thomas, why is it important that only 36% of voters turned out would it be different somehow if 86% showed up and with the same results?Same with polls they ask 1000 canucks and it is supposed to represent all of Canada! I suggest Canadians start teach the young what is happening because it is them that are not voting or even care what is going on in Ottawa.

eddytoronto
said
0 0

Please Understand if the Queen does not approve she will close parliament agian!Also I want to add the winner is also chosen by the Queen!This is all a Fraud placed upon the Canadian people. They only hope we have is The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009, put forward by Republican Representative Ron Paul of Texas, now has 250 co-sponsors in the House.This will automatically make The Cenral Bank Of Canada disclose everything they have done with the Canadian Taxpayer Funds we as Canadians have to pay interest on!Response from The Federal Reserve..We see this as a dangerous intrusion of our independence that could hinder our ability to make the best long-term decisions for the economy.They have messed everything up from our Kids!They must be stopped or we are finished!

Winnie Hfx. N.S.
said
0 0

Conservatives are working for Canadians and it shows. I have never heard a Liberal say they are working for Canadians or mention Canadians that much until the Conservatives have, copycats. I have NEVER seen so much stimulus money in N.S. for at least 14 yrs. as this year and it is wonderful to see roads being paved, overpasses being built and streets getting major repairs all summer. Me thinks the current government is doing a GREAT job. Keep up the good work and I was just at a H1N1 flu clinic today and it WAS SO organized, it just takes time with something new like this flu vaccine. Good Work Conservatives.

edwardcarrasco@sympatico.ca
said
0 0

I ment to say ...They messed everything up for our Kids!Crackpot theory that printing money is the road to plenty is not true, this will cause the collapse of the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar. The vast majority of the American and Canadian people will wind up poor, and the bankers will get rich. Think, we now have a Government which believes that destroying cars (Cash for Clunkers) will "stimulate the economy." F.D.R. had a similar theory in the 1930s. Plow under crops, and kill pigs. This was considered to be the way to get us out of the "depression." Carbon Tax will take us back to the stone age and we will be charged to breath, since we exhale Carbon dioxide approx 5lbs per day!"A global carbon tax is not so much about limiting CO2 as it is a scheme designed to pay The Federal Reserve!

Phil in London
said
0 0

I desparately need some of whatever it is that eddytoronto is ingesting. What the heck is he talking about?

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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.

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Alberta going for broke with record $4.7B budget deficit

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