treble 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 I just swiped this from Yahoo to give some background: Canadian Province Ontario Holds Vote, Change Seen OTTAWA (Reuters) - Voters in the Canadian province of Ontario, the country's economic powerhouse, went to the polls on Thursday in an election that was widely expected to sweep the ruling Conservatives from power. Polls show the tax-cutting Conservative government of Ernie Eves -- hurt by a number of scandals -- will be replaced by the opposition Liberals of Dalton McGuinty, who has promised to increase spending on health and education. The Conservatives came to power in 1995 with the promise of a "common sense revolution" and pushed through a number of business-friendly measures while cutting expenditures and taxes. But the party was badly hurt in 2000 by a tainted water scandal that killed seven and made thousands sick in the farming community of Walkerton. Critics blamed severe cutbacks the Conservatives had made in spending on environmental protection. McGuinty has vowed he will not raise taxes but critics say that unless he does so, he cannot to afford the extra spending he has promised. I voted today for the first time. I didn't get to vote in my home riding since I'm off at school, but I'd expect the PCs to take that one, as they've held it for as long as I've been there and the guy is pretty popular around town. As for the riding here, It's hard to judge. I think the students will probably give the NDPs a lot of votes, since one of their promises is to lower tuition fees, but it wouldn't surprise me to see a lot of votes split between the NDP, Liberals, and even the Green Party and for the incumbent PC to win again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 in my area its hard. We have a lot of seniors here, and seniors love PC. There are also a lot of students here as well, and Liberal would be the easiest, and since the Liberal rider in my area is actually the mayor of my town... It just comes down to the people who aren't students but not seniors. BTW TC? What School Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 I go to Trent in Peterborough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 From what I know of Canada's politics (and it's not much) it seems that the eastern part of the region is more liberal and powerful politically, and the western region is more conservative but less populous. Am I accurate?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 Once past Ontario, PC, and the Canadian Alliance (they still kicking around?) and NDP get a good substantial amount of votes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 Well, in the last few Federal elections, the Liberals have won majority governments by basically sweeping Ontario, which holds more seats than any other province. The right is also hurt since there are 2 right wing parties, so the vote is split between the Conservatives and the Alliance party (but, yeah, most of their votes come from out west). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 I live in Dalton McGuinty's home riding, but voted PC. After the disasterous Peterson & Rae governments, it will be a long time before I vote for anybody else on the provincial level. Life is much better than it was ten years ago when we were losing all our money to taxes for social programs that we never even used. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 From what I know of Canada's politics (and it's not much) it seems that the eastern part of the region is more liberal and powerful politically, and the western region is more conservative but less populous. Am I accurate?... The east always votes PC, Quebec always votes for the seperatists, Ontario always votes Liberal, and the west votes Alliance (except Saskatchewan which votes NDP). In 1993, the Liberals literally won nothing outside of Ontario, but one all but one seat in Ontario and still won a majority. This country is extremely divided right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 Time is rapidly approaching. I voted in the Durham riding (although I live in Ottawa South for most of the year), and I will consider it a victory tonight if O'Toole retains. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hogan Made Wrestling 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 From what I know of Canada's politics (and it's not much) it seems that the eastern part of the region is more liberal and powerful politically, and the western region is more conservative but less populous. Am I accurate?... That's basically correct, although the Liberal party of Canada (not one one under discussion here, which is the provincial Liberal party of Ontario) is really not very liberal. Members of the federal Libs would probably be a mix of moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats were they in the USA instead. To be reaslly simplistic about it, the Federal Liberal party is socially liberal and fiscally conservative. In the province I live in (BC) we have an even more conservative "Liberal" government. Most of the members are former conservatives who jumped on the Liberal party's bandwagon after they killed off the conservative party in the early 90s. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 Chretien is very liberal. Paul Martin is more moderate, and with Chretien being booted by his own party (or 'retirement') next year things should change a bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 Coverage has started. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Your Paragon of Virtue 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 From what I know of Canada's politics (and it's not much) it seems that the eastern part of the region is more liberal and powerful politically, and the western region is more conservative but less populous. Am I accurate?... The east always votes PC, Quebec always votes for the seperatists, Ontario always votes Liberal, and the west votes Alliance (except Saskatchewan which votes NDP). In 1993, the Liberals literally won nothing outside of Ontario, but one all but one seat in Ontario and still won a majority. This country is extremely divided right now. Hmm? I could've sworn that in '93 Chretien KILLED Campbell by like 146 seats to 2 or something. I am almost positive on this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 2, 2003 From what I know of Canada's politics (and it's not much) it seems that the eastern part of the region is more liberal and powerful politically, and the western region is more conservative but less populous. Am I accurate?... The east always votes PC, Quebec always votes for the seperatists, Ontario always votes Liberal, and the west votes Alliance (except Saskatchewan which votes NDP). In 1993, the Liberals literally won nothing outside of Ontario, but one all but one seat in Ontario and still won a majority. This country is extremely divided right now. Hmm? I could've sworn that in '93 Chretien KILLED Campbell by like 146 seats to 2 or something. I am almost positive on this. Yes, you are right. I am thinking of the next election (1997?). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 I voted at 2. I had no idea who any of the people were on the ballot. No one campaigned in my area or even tried to get my vote, all I saw were a few signs on a few lawns.. so fuck em, I played a game. ~Pick a random Candidate~ What makes it fun is after I vote I go and find out which party I actually voted for... GO GREEN PARTY! GO Richard Pereira! RRR: Green 4 Today! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 What riding are you in RRR? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 Currently tied 3-3 between Liberals & PC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 Well...Congrats are in order for the Liberals. I just wonder what promise they are going to break. They can't pay for everything they want without raising taxes, so we'll see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 Looks like there's going to be a Liberal majority. The PC incumbent won in my home riding, but the Liberal candidate here at school beat out the Torie that was in power. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 O'Toole won, so I get a partial victory. It looks like the NDP might not get enough seats, so that makes me happy as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 49 - West Miss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 There will be an easy Liberal majority. I voted today, as I always do, but knew that my vote wouldn't make much of a difference, since my home riding is Ottawa South -- home of new Premier Dalton McGuinty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 If my area wasn't fulled of Seniors ready to die soon, PC would have never won (Erie-Lincoln), Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lightning Flik 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 The east always votes PC, Quebec always votes for the seperatists, Ontario always votes Liberal, and the west votes Alliance (except Saskatchewan which votes NDP). In 1993, the Liberals literally won nothing outside of Ontario, but one all but one seat in Ontario and still won a majority. This country is extremely divided right now. I'd like to state that for Alberta, we just vote one man. His party just gets attached to him. His name is Ralph Klein. Why do we vote him? Because I seriously don't see anyone else who can do better, and really stands out against him. The guy could turn into an Alliance member (PC I think, hell I don't even know) and I'd still believe that he'd get voted in regardless. Yes, I totally know this goes against the topic, but really, we vote in the same group as he's in. And I believe that's PC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2003 I'd like to state that for Alberta, we just vote one man. His party just gets attached to him. His name is Ralph Klein. Why do we vote him? Because I seriously don't see anyone else who can do better, and really stands out against him. The guy could turn into an Alliance member (PC I think, hell I don't even know) and I'd still believe that he'd get voted in regardless. Yes, I totally know this goes against the topic, but really, we vote in the same group as he's in. And I believe that's PC. That's why the Alliance wanted him to run for leader after Preston Manning resigned. The political landscape would look very different if he wanted to enter federal politics. When you eliminate your province's income and sales taxes, you tend to inspire a bit of loyalty in your electorate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted October 6, 2003 I found the personal attacks against McGuinty rather disturbing. Then again personal attacks during an election are increasingly commonplace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
