Canada General Discussion

[RogueBeaver]

No surprise.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/no-canadian-boots-on-afghan-soil-after-2014-harper-says/article2439178/

[Holmes]

I do believe what's keeping the Tories afloat is their support in Alberta and the prairies.

[Χahar]

It's nothing new, but I don't think that'll ever stop being strange, considering where Canadian socialism comes from.

[RogueBeaver]

I don't see this being a major issue, given that none of the party leaders are particularly wealthy.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/NDP%20leader%20has%20remortgaged%20his%20home%2011%20times%20since%20early%201980s/6685607/story.html

[RogueBeaver]

Brison as interim?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/john-ibbitson/wholl-lead-the-liberals-for-the-next-year/article2447233/

[Hatman]

It seems the new consultant (Frank Hall) EKOS (where I work) brought in is involved in the latest Tory scandal: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/06/06/tory-robocall-defence-mp-himself-under-investigation-by-elections-canada/

Very amusing, since nobody likes him or his changes.

[RogueBeaver]

For the first time in a while, I agree with her.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1208502--chantal-hebert-jury-is-still-out-on-thomas-mulcair-s-makeover-of-the-ndp

Plus the Del Maestro stuff from earlier this week. As I've said often the guy is our Coderre- a loudmouthed embarrassment to the party. Dunno why on earth Harper wants him as his PS.

[RogueBeaver]

Major Cabinet shuffle incoming.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1208579--cabinet-shuffle-expected-to-put-new-face-on-stephen-harper-government

[Holmes]

Harper really needs it. It'll be nice to see some losers being replaced with soon-to-be losers.

[RogueBeaver]

1) Abolish Oda's ministry and put it back in Foreign Affairs as a division, where it belongs.

2) Replace MacKay with Alexander.

3) James Moore goes to Environment.

4) Shelly Glover becomes Vic Toews' parliamentary secretary, in line to replace him in a couple of shuffles.

5) Keep Nicholson where he is.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Hell, Bev Oda just needs to be fired. What an embarrassment.

[RogueBeaver]

Hell, Bev Oda just needs to be fired. What an embarrassment.

Harper doesn't like firing people from Cabinet entirely. Simply because a) admitting he was wrong b) puts him on the political defensive. Prefers to wait things out- Chretien did the same thing later in his premiership (Jane Stewart anyone?).

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Except don't you think that his persona of a man with an iron grip is damaging? The only reason Harper has managed to do so well is because he's lucked out with some hilariously weak competition. That might not be the case next time around.

[Holmes]

Hell, Bev Oda just needs to be fired. What an embarrassment.

He can always... entice her to resign.

[Hashemite]

I don't know why I care or am even looking forward to this shuffle, considering that Harper will only be shifting his gang of morons around, without anything changing. At the very least, he should fire the criminals like Oda or MacKay.

[Hatman]

I knew everything cost more in Nunavut, but some of these prices are really shocking: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/08/nunavut-food-hunger-protest_n_1581485.html#s=more231471

$82 for a 12 pack of Ginger Ale (355mL cans)!

[True Federalist]

I knew everything cost more in Nunavut, but some of these prices are really shocking: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/08/nunavut-food-hunger-protest_n_1581485.html#s=more231471

$82 for a 12 pack of Ginger Ale (355mL cans)!

It may sound heartless, but no one is forcing them to live there.

[Hatman]

I knew everything cost more in Nunavut, but some of these prices are really shocking: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/08/nunavut-food-hunger-protest_n_1581485.html#s=more231471

$82 for a 12 pack of Ginger Ale (355mL cans)!

It may sound heartless, but no one is forcing them to live there.

(Ignoring the asinine suggestion for a moment) But, what if they can't afford to get out? There's no roads to Iqaluit.

[Holmes]

I knew everything cost more in Nunavut, but some of these prices are really shocking: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/08/nunavut-food-hunger-protest_n_1581485.html#s=more231471

$82 for a 12 pack of Ginger Ale (355mL cans)!

It may sound heartless, but no one is forcing them to live there.

If that's your response to income inequality, hunger and high food prices in the northern territories, then you wouldn't make a good social democrat. But I'm sure you already knew that.

[Vasall des Midas]

No one is forcing them to import packaged southern foods, though. Though that concern is answered in the article.
Do they pay gasoline taxes up north? Cause hunters on snowmobiles don't use roads...

[Hatman]

Time to invest in green house agriculture? The population is small enough to make it worth while.

[True Federalist]

I knew everything cost more in Nunavut, but some of these prices are really shocking: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/08/nunavut-food-hunger-protest_n_1581485.html#s=more231471

$82 for a 12 pack of Ginger Ale (355mL cans)!

It may sound heartless, but no one is forcing them to live there.

If that's your response to income inequality, hunger and high food prices in the northern territories, then you wouldn't make a good social democrat. But I'm sure you already knew that.

How does providing subsidies to those living in certain areas but not in others make one a good social democrat?  I'd oppose such subsidies for the same reason I am opposed to the US flood insurance program that subsidizes people who choose to live along the coast in hurricane zones.

Under the circumstances tho, I could see offering the people who live north of 55N assistance in relocating to a less remote location.

[RogueBeaver]

Lawrence MacAulay is NOT retiring, contra yesterday's rumours.

https://twitter.com/ryhicks/status/211880710091448320

[Hatman]

I knew everything cost more in Nunavut, but some of these prices are really shocking: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/08/nunavut-food-hunger-protest_n_1581485.html#s=more231471

$82 for a 12 pack of Ginger Ale (355mL cans)!

It may sound heartless, but no one is forcing them to live there.

If that's your response to income inequality, hunger and high food prices in the northern territories, then you wouldn't make a good social democrat. But I'm sure you already knew that.

How does providing subsidies to those living in certain areas but not in others make one a good social democrat?  I'd oppose such subsidies for the same reason I am opposed to the US flood insurance program that subsidizes people who choose to live along the coast in hurricane zones.

Under the circumstances tho, I could see offering the people who live north of 55N assistance in relocating to a less remote location.

I see you have no concept of emotional attachment to where one lives, and how much more important it is for aboriginals such as the Inuit. Not to mention the complete culture shock of having to move from their traditional territory down south. That leads to huge social problems for them, worse than the problems of living up north.

[crypto-fascist superhero]

I knew everything cost more in Nunavut, but some of these prices are really shocking: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/06/08/nunavut-food-hunger-protest_n_1581485.html#s=more231471

$82 for a 12 pack of Ginger Ale (355mL cans)!

It may sound heartless, but no one is forcing them to live there.

If that's your response to income inequality, hunger and high food prices in the northern territories, then you wouldn't make a good social democrat. But I'm sure you already knew that.

How does providing subsidies to those living in certain areas but not in others make one a good social democrat?  I'd oppose such subsidies for the same reason I am opposed to the US flood insurance program that subsidizes people who choose to live along the coast in hurricane zones.

Under the circumstances tho, I could see offering the people who live north of 55N assistance in relocating to a less remote location.

I see you have no concept of emotional attachment to where one lives, and how much more important it is for aboriginals such as the Inuit. Not to mention the complete culture shock of having to move from their traditional territory down south. That leads to huge social problems for them, worse than the problems of living up north.

If they want to purchase a 12-pack of ginger ale, then odds are they aren't really living authentically one with the nature using every part of the animal etc.