Talk Elections

This is a game (a political simulation) based on the breakup of Yugoslavia, but using a Communist Canada as a base for the game.

In this game, Canada becomes Communist sometime in the 30's, and for a reason not important to the plot of the game, the US allows this.

Each player will play the leader of a province. More data to come. Sign up here.

Tis seems interesting... what exactly is the object? Is it similar to the Fantasy Elections?

It's a wide open sandbox. The objective is what you make it.

You can drive for Independence. You can attempt to create a superstate consisting of parts of other provinces plus your province. You can attempt your best to keep Canada united. It's all up to you.

Alright- I may need some instruction or tips but I will sign up for Alberta

I'll be the old guard in Ontario.

I'm still building the country, but in short...

The Atlantic has left the country, leaving only the 6 "westmost" provinces; plus the northern territories which are not playable.

Canada managed to stay out of the Eastern Bloc, like Yugoslavia, but was still a "friend" of sorts.

Prior to 1960...
Many French communists moved to Canada, and Quebec, while many Quebecois moved out to the rest of Canada. Even those from France became part of the Quebecois culture.
Many Anglos fled from Canada to the US, except in Ontario. Ontario became the home of Anglos in Canada, and the remainder of British original settlers considered themselves Ontarians.
Ontarians and Quebecois are scattered across Canada, and, across Ontario and Quebec, with many on the "wrong" side of the boundary.

Alberta became a mecca for Russians fleeing from the Soviet Union.
British Columbia became a homeland for Chinese leaving Red China.
Saskatchewan was a great draw for Ukrainians
Manitoba meanwhile found itself filling with Germans.
In each of these 4 provinces, 50%+1 are of these ethnicities, but none has above 66% of these ethnicities. At leas 33% in each of these provinces is a combo of Ontarian and Quebecois.


The population of the provinces is as follows:

Ontario - 21.3 Million
Quebec - 17.8 Million
British Columbia - 7.1 Million
Alberta - 5.8 Million
Saskatchewan - 2.3 Million
Manitoba - 2.2 Million
Territories Combined - 0.3 Million

TOTAL: 56.8 million

Wait a minute, did you just say that British Columbia is majority Chinese?

I know it's a stretch :P

but yes, each province is a majority for those ethnicities.

Remember though that most of the immigration took place prior to the 60's, and that this game takes place in 1998.

Economically, the country is uniform.
(Note that for comparison's sake, 2012 Canadian dollars are used. Meaning when I say $1 I am talking about $1 in Canada in 2012, which, just happens to be the value of $1 in 1998 Canadian dollars in-game)

Canadians are paid bi-weekly. The average wage is $272. Rent is rather cheap being on average $40 bi-weekly for a two-bedroom.
The poorest 10% of Canadians make just $211 bi-weekly, while the richest 10% make an amazing $397. All Canadians, according to stats, who want a job, work, and all work Full-Time. Compare this to the US where the average bi-weekly earnings are $1,538

Most Canadian families have a Television. Very very few have a computer or a portable phone. Newsprint (papers and magazines) are very popular.

All Canadians speak English - the law ensures that - and all speak it fluently. Most speak their "native" language as well, and at least 40% speak a third language or beyond.

Each of the Western provinces provides 3 television channels for viewing, while Ontario and Quebec provide 6. In addition, there are 3 nation-wide stations. Television sets in Canada are designed to be incompatible with regular US signals, though the US has from time to time attempted to broadcast on frequencies that can be picked up by Canadian TV. Starting in 1994, the government starting putting chips in the TV's that would block these signals.

The Communist Party of Canada, or CPC (and yes, they were known as this prior to 2003) rules the country.
()
and first came to (partial) power in 1923, before taking over the country fully in 1931.

The CPC is a federation of provincial parties, and thus in an odd way, does not exist on it's own. It is made up of the Communist Party of BC, the Communist Party of Alberta, the Communist Party of Saskatchewan, the Communist Party of Manitoba, the Communist Party of Ontario, and the Communist Party of Quebec.

I think it's more than just a stretch, I think you've snapped it!

A sizable (25-30%) minority I could buy, but certainly not a majority.

Canada became the "place to be" for Communists.

Let's put this into perspective. ITTL, there are over three and a half million Chinese living in British Columbia. That's about triple the number of Chinese Americans living in California in real life, despite California having over five times the total population of TTL's British Columbia. How on earth did Canada handle these massive waves of foreigners?

Most "Canadians" fled the west when Communism came in.

Besides, the game does not work without it. If you want to question something, question how the US would allow a communist state to develop and last for the better part of a century on it's border. It's just one of those things that you gotta accept for the game to work :P I'm asking you to suspend your disbelief on this one.

I call Quebec.

If you've declared a province before this, it is as good as yours.

Yeah, I suppose that it's not the only ASB thing going on in this game. I'll just roll with it.

National Anthem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxApm-p60Z4

Flag
()

Is there an English translation for dumbs like me who are monolingual?

Nope. If there was one I'd have used one. :P (note that this applies in-game as well)

Why not an actual Canadian communist song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSVP_C_6PkI

It's also pretty cool about crushing the bourgeois, breaking the chains of exploitation for ever

I like this better. It sounds more militant.

Ooo, yes that is very good. Okay THAT is our national anthem.

Note that it is in French, both in reality and in the game.

Some demographic stats coming up.

ALSO NOTE A CHANGE

Canada has a new Territory shown as the red shape here (ignore the rest of the map)
The other 2 territories are divided by the red line.
Ignore the blue and black, they are not part of this game.

http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?authuser=0&vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=214668381355121949879.0004b30159dc4be2186dd

This is the Northwest Territories; despite being in the Centre-East.

Note that there are a number of rail lines going end to end though the Territory, built by the Communists to "settle" the Territory.... yea that never worked very well; but the rail lines are still there.

Why the above change?

This allows for Ontario and/or Quebec to put pressure on at least 3 provinces by being able to go "over" provinces in between in order to send in troops, and thus, allows them more control over Canada. In addition, it prevents Ontario from blocking Quebec.

Ontario - 21.3 Million
Ontarian - 77%
Quebecois - 18%
Other - 5%

Quebec - 17.8 Million
Quebecois - 82%
Ontarian - 16%
Other - 2%

British Columbia - 7.1 Million
Chinese - 65%
Ontarian - 15%
Quebecois - 14%
Other - 6%

Alberta - 5.8 Million
Russian - 53%
Ontarian - 23%
Quebecois -21%
Other - 3%

Saskatchewan - 2.3 Million
Ukranian - 51%
Ontarian - 37%
Quebecois - 6%
Other - 8%

Manitoba - 2.2 Million
German - 52%
Quebecois - 39%
Ontarian - 2%
Other - 7%

Territories Combined - 0.3 Million
Quebecois - 55%
Ontarian - 40%
Other - 5%

I guess this is DOA, too? A shame, really.

no? Who said it was?

Y'all should start receiving PM's shortly about the game, so prepare.

I was just worried about lack of players. We only have three, so we could use a few more. That, combined with the fact that the board itself seems to be dying.



I'm ready!

We only actually *need* 2 ;), Ontario and Quebec.

Oh, well then we're set!

Oh!! You guys need character names!!

They names would be blatantly reflective of your ethnic background of your province. For example, Edwin Forsyth or Pierre Lafontaine, etc.

<-------------------

I was tempted to go with "Stephen Harper," just for the lulz.

That is an excellent name.

FTR each province has a similar political makeup, here is the rundown.

CANADA

IMPORTANT PERSONS

President
Speaker / Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
Chairman of the Communist Party.

These positions can be mixed and matched.

Canada has a Supreme Soviet that officially runs the country. It has 3,696 members, with 12 elected from each of 308 ridings.

Canada also has a number of councils from which power flows.

THE FEDERAL PRESIDENCY
The presidency is made up of 6 members, 1 from each province, and each member is a provincial party. It is in fact the presidency that IS the "Communist Party of Canada". Membership in the Presidency guarantees that your provincial party is part of the CPC. You, as leaders of your provinces, are on the presidency.

THE CONTINUING COMMITTEE
The continuing committee (CC) of the Supreme Soviet is sometimes called the Politburo. It consists of 8 members, 2 from Quebec, 2 from Ontario, and 1 from each other province. The chair of the committee is also the chair of the Communist Party. Membership is fluid and you can change your representatives at will. You can take the seat yourself, or appoint someone else to do it for you if you are busy (say, at home, or at the presidency for a meeting, etc)

THE WAR COUNCIL
The war council is the CC and Presidency (14 members), plus representatives of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Gendarmerie, Marines, Coast Guard, and Secret Police. (7 members)

Note that the Gendarmerie, Coast Guard, and Secret Police, as well as the normal police, are all branches of the RCMP, the Republican Canadian Mounted Police.

QUEBEC

IMPORTANT PERSONS

President
Prime Minister
Speaker
Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
Chairman of the local Communist Party.

At the start of the game you can be 3 of these 5, and you can mix and match beyond that as the game progresses.


Quebec has a S. (Supreme) Soviet that governs it. It is made up of 625 members, elected 5 to each of 125 districts.
Quebec also has a Politburo consisting of 7 members.

ONTARIO

IMPORTANT PERSONS

Prime Minister
Chairman of the Supreme Soviet
Chairman of the local Communist Party.

At the start of the game you can be 2 of these 3, and you can mix and match beyond that as the game progresses.


Ontario  has a S. Soviet that governs it. It is made up of 749 members, elected 7 to each of 107 districts.

Ontario also has a Politburo consisting of 5 members.

ALBERTA

IMPORTANT PERSONS

President
Speaker
Chairman of the local Communist Party.

At the start of the game you can be 2 of these 3, and you can mix and match beyond that as the game progresses.


Alberta has a S. Soviet that governs it. It is made up of 510 members, elected 6 to each of 85 districts.

Alberta also has a Politburo consisting of 9 members.

Current power breakdown.


>Ontario
CP-O 50%
CP-C 50%

>Quebec
CP-Q 50%
CP-C 50%

>British Columbia
CP-B 50%
CP-C 50%

>Alberta
CP-A 50%
CP-C 50%

>Saskatchewan
CP-S 50%
CP-C 50%

>Manitoba
CP-M 50%
CP-C 50%

>Presidency
CP-C 50%
CP-O 15%
CP-Q 15%
CP-B 5%
CP-A 5%
CP-M 5%
CP-S 5%

>CC
CP-C 50%
CP-O 17%
CP-Q 17%
CP-B 4%
CP-A 4%
CP-M 4%
CP-S 4%

>CP-C
CP-O 32%
CP-Q 32%
CP-B 9%
CP-A 9%
CP-M 9%
CP-S 9%

>Popular Support (favour minus disfavour)
CP-C -30%
CP-O -15%
CP-Q -15%
CP-B -15%
CP-A -15%
CP-M -15%
CP-S -15%

>Perceived Position
CP-C Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-O Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-Q Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-B Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-A Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-M Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-S Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist

This is how you will gauge how you are doing.

I'll leave some time for Quebec and Alberta players to pick names.

So let me get this straight. I am:
 

• A member of the Federal Presidency,
• At will, a member of the Continuing Committee, and
• Up to two out of the following three: Prime Minister of Ontario, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of Ontario, and Chairman of the Ontario Communist Party.

Is that correct?

Correct.

Power in communist countries was much more "mushy" than power in democratic ones with clear delineations of power and titles. How well you play that is part of how well you will do in the game ;)

All right. Since I've already "claimed" Chairman of the Communist Party of Ontario in my display name, I'll take that and Prime Minister. And I'll be on the Continuing Committee whenever it is convenient for me.

Being on the CC is an assumption. The only time you'd not be on it is when you are busy, and then you'd have a personal proxy which you'd control. Your second CC member is also a proxy you control, so in effect, you control your entire federal "delegation" to the CC, Presidency, and Military Council.

Is the Yukon still available?

None of the territories are. Saskatchewan and Manitoba are free.

BC is free too, but I have big plans for BC...

I don't think it ever was (I think Teddy said the territories, the Maritime Provinces, and Newfoundland and Labrador are not playable). I think the only playable provinces left are Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Chinese Columbia.

My character name will be Georges Marchand. I will be Chairman of the Supreme Soviet and Chairman of the CPQ. What is the difference between Prez and PM?

The President's office has a giant map of Quebec behind the desk, while the PM's office has a giant flag of Quebec. Also the President's limo is black, while the PM's limo is white. Lastly, the PM is expected to have a seat in the S Soviet, but does not have to, while the President is not expected to have a seat, but can.

There are no other discernible differences.

Bump?

Activity from will come in spurts depending on my level of free time.

Note, this is called the "BC Core" by the government.
()
It contains over 70% of BC's population.

Early on in the history of Communist Canada, broadcasts from the US leaking over the border became an issue. TV's were given chips to block this out, but Radios were more difficult to control. Eventually, after competing blocking signals, Canada came to an agreement with many in the US. While the Federal government refused to sign on, many state governments like Vermont, New York, Ohio, Minnesota, and North Dakota signed deals, and in those states that did not, many municipalities (including many in Maine, Northern Michigan, and the whole of northern Idaho) signed deals. Where those did not exist, generally, private corporations formed groups to sign the deal.

All the deals were the same. The US would not broadcast any radio signals between 90 and 100 on the dial near Canada, and in return, Canada would not block any US radio signals. Radios in Canada had their dials limited so that they could only receive signals between 90 and 100.

Some areas had no agreement. Montana, for example, and New Hampshire. These disputes were minor however with only very small numbers on the "wrong" side of the border having their signal blocked.

Detroit-Windsor however was another story, with competing signals and blocking signals, sometimes chaining within a day.

THE GAME STARTS HERE

NEWS, SPRING 1993

BC
Radios manufactured across the border, but modified to meet Canadian standards have been found to be faulty. Reports are that if citizens push in the tuning nob very hard they can "break" the adjusted gear, limiting the radio to between 90 and 100, and have it fall down to the "normal" gear, for American audiences, allowing them to listen to signals from across the whole spectrum. Only one station is available, a hard rock station from Bellingham, but it can be reportedly heard loud and clear across the entire BC Core.

The BC government seems to be aware of the problem, but has not yet taken any steps.

ONTARIO

The S. Soviet is debating legalizing Tampons.
The items were made illegal in the 60's for fear that the items were "too sexual". Currently, there is only a small group of (female) members who are strongly for the idea, while the overwhelming majority have no strong feelings on the matter, but generally lean in favour of the idea.
Ontario's chairman has 3 gameplay choices.
1 - Come out loudly and vocally for the idea
2 - Come out loudly and vocally against the idea (which would likely see it defeated)
or
3 - be "neutral" which includes
i - softly for
ii - softly against
iii - take no stand
each of which would have the same end result.


It's time to renew Ontario's transit bus order for another 5 years.
Currently...
Speciality Buses (those used for wheel-trans services) are manufactured in Ontario by Ontario Bus Industries, AKA Orion. Orion has held this contract for a long time, and neither of it's competitors, Manitoba's New Flyer or Quebec's Nova, manufacture a bus in this size.
30 foot buses. Currently we buy from New Flyer, however Orion has a proposal to gain the contract, making their first new order for 30 foot buses. Orion has constructed these in the past, but stopped after losing the last contract.
60 foot 'bendy' buses. Our contract is currently with New Flyer, but has been with Nova in the past. Orion however has created a new 60 foot bus, and wishes to compete for the contract.
And our largest order is for 40 foot "normal size" buses. Currently we buy from Orion, but both Nova and New Flyer are looking to win the contract. We've never bought 40 foot buses from anyone but Orion.


Lastly, there is a debate at the politburo about restricting the number of media sources. Some magazines have been posting things which make the party feel uncomfortable, and many feel that a forced merger with patriotic magazines would be a good idea.

QUEBEC

The Montreal Metro, which looks like this
()
has been overcrowded in recent years, especially on the red line. There have been proposals to extend the red line to Oscar Peterson, as well as build a new line from Jean-Talon, though Fairview, and into the West Island. We look for the leader's input before proceeding.


The Politburo wants to stomp out nationalism. The banned fleur-de-lis symbol has been cropping up. Police feel the current policy of arresting those holding the flag is not enough, and want to expand this to include anyone else at these demonstrations.


Lastly, the S Soviet is debating allowing non-party members to run for the upcoming municipal election. The law would see the election act changed so that non party members can run for office. Those who do run and who are not from the party would need approval, of course, but it could open up municipal offices to those who fortunate enough to be party members. Others in the S Soviet want to open up party membership. Currently you need either 100 members to vouch for you, or, to be the son, daughter, wife, or husband of a member. They want to change the rules to reduce the vouchers to 10.
Your choices are
A - Go with the voucher decision
B - Go with the independents running decision
or
C - Oppose both (which would see them defeated)

ONTARIO

Tampons: We will officially favor the legalization of tampons in Ontario, but it is not a top priority issue. (In other words, option 3(i).

Transit Bus Order: With tensions mounting between the provinces, we would prefer if Ontarian manufacturers were responsible for our buses.

Specialty Buses: Provided the cost is not prohibitive, the contract with Orion will be renewed. If we feel that the cost is not worth it, then we will make do with existing buses.

Other Buses: We prefer Orion, but if their price is significantly higher, then we go with the lowest bidder.

Media: Push for the mergers.

The "bids" are of equal value as dictated by law.

I suspected that such may be the case. In that case:

Specialty Buses: No change in orders.

30-Foot Buses: If Orion has fixed, or at least improved upon, whatever caused them to lose the contract last time, then they will get the contract. Otherwise we will stick with New Flyer.

60-Foot Buses: If the quality of the Orion buses is not significantly worse than that of the New Flyers or Novas, then we will go with Orion. Otherwise we will go with whatever we think is the best quality.

40-Foot Buses: We will stick with Orion.

30 - they have
60 - the quality is unknown, as they are brand new.

30- Orion it is, then.
60- Can't we send somebody to inspect the new model and give their opinion?

You did.
The first Inspector said that he was proud to be a Communist.
The second Inspector said that the bus was built using great Communist labour rules.
The third Inspector said that Orion is following the Communist way.

edit
to head off further questions, quality control is not a top priority. You can order specific tests done, but the answer to any further quality questions would be "I don't know" translated as "Communism is the best"

Sack the incompetent inspectors and sign the contract with Orion.

Sacked and signed.

Once I get responses from Hash, we move to Summer 1993, where most of your events will be tied to federal matters. Once things "get rolling" the updates move to monthly, and once they "get heated", weekly.

You'll also get an update on your popular support and perceived position.

Just waiting on Quebec

Quebec

Metro: Build a new line from Jean Talon via Fairview to the West Island
Nationalism: Arrest all those at these rallies
Elections: Allow independents to run if their commitments to the Revolution and their ideals are impecable.

Processing
X X X X X X X X X X X

>Popular Support (favour minus disfavour)
CP-C -29%
CP-O -16%
CP-Q -14%
CP-B -17%
CP-A -15%
CP-M -14%
CP-S -14%

>Perceived Position
CP-C Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-O Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-Q Pro-Canadian-Federation, Strongly Pro-Communist
CP-B Pro-Canadian-Federation, Wavering on Communism
CP-A Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-M Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist
CP-S Strongly Pro-Canadian-Federation, Pro-Communist

SUMMER 1993


More problems in the BC Core, this time as magazines push the limit of free speech. The BC Government seems either unwilling or unable to deal with this, and there is some suggestion that at the coming federal meetings, BC be forced into action.

ONTARIO

(local issues)
(economic)
With the new Ontario-Made 60 foot buses, many municipalities have placed orders, far beyond our original quotas. The government is wondering if Orion should be instructed to change 600 of the orders for 40 foot buses into 400 orders for 60 foot buses, in order to meet the demand. Another possibility is to encourage cities to buy 40 foot buses, while ordering 200 extra 60 footers from Nova (which has production room after losing Saskatchewan as a customer)

(social)
Ever since home ownership was legalized in the 80's, there has been a drive to create "condominiums", which are apartment buildings where the units are owned. Some oppose this on the grounds of unfairness and opposition to communist ideals. The S. Soviet would like your input on the matter.

QUEBEC

(local issues)
(economic)
There is a growing inequality between those in urban and rural areas, with those in Montreal regularly being more wealthy than those in rural Quebec. There are many ideas of how to deal with this, but the two most popular are credits or grants to those in rural areas, allowing them to use the money for things like vehicles or other such items that are required in a rural setting but not an urban one, while another idea is to sharply increase taxes on those in the cities so as to redistribute the wealth. The politburo is set to meet to discuss this, and would like to hear your ideas.

(social)
Drinking is slowly becoming a problem in Quebec, with more and more people drinking more and more wine as part of the everyday experience. Meetings of even the S. Soviet have been effected, with conservative estimates putting the number of those visibly drunk at 20%. There is talk of forcing a rise in the price of alcohol to curb this, but an alternative proposal is to ID all purchasers, and limit the amount they can buy over a time span. Leaders look to your for your answer to these problems.

(federal issues)
(war council)
The War Council is debating the purchase of new equipment, but is having difficulty deciding where to buy from. Previously, all our equipment came from the Soviet Union, but that country is no more. Some have suggested we buy from Communist China, but the equipment made there is not only very limited but not of much use for our needs. Others have proposed we continue to buy from Russia, communist or not. Still others have suggested looking to Europe (France, Germany, and the UK) as some companies there have shown an interest. (FTR, the US refuses to sell us arms)


(Presidency)
There is great concern over developments in the BC Core, and accusations that anti-revolutionary action has been instigated. Many in the federal party are pushing for swift and harsh action against BC, and the Presidency is one of the best ways to force the BC Communist Party to comply. The Presidency wishes to hold an open discussion on how to proceed.


(Continuing Committee)
The CC has surprised some of it's members by revealing that the United States would like to open a crack in it's border. For years the US has heavily restricted trade with Canada, but it appears as though they are slowly warming up to the idea of trade with us. Some suspect it's a capitalist trick, while others think it's dangerous to allow ourselves to be so open. There is however some who say that trade can be a good thing, that we can grow, and show the USA how a country should properly work at the same time. Discussion is open on the matter.


(S. Soviet)
Given the recent success in Quebec with the election of pro-communist but non-party-members to municipal office (some of whom have been very popular) the federal S. Soviet wishes to attempt to emulate this, and looks for input from various national leaders.

Also on the docket is a proposal from BC to loosen restrictions on the media, something that's opposed, but not strongly. Without official support from Quebec and Ontario it will fail, and even if only one backs the idea, it might fail nevertheless. All eyes are on Quebec City and Toronto.

ONTARIO:

Local Issues:

Buses: We will instruct Orion to change 600 of the orders for 40-foot buses into 400 orders for 60-foot buses.

Condominiums: We oppose this.

Federal Issues:

War Council: I suggest we continue to buy from Russia, and also consider European equipment. Having adequate equipment is more important than whether or not that equipment is of communist manufacture. However, we should also consider the viability of domestic production, so that this is less of an issue in the future.

Presidency: If there are rebellious elements in the BC Core, then they must be put down swiftly, by whatever means necessary.

Continuing Committee: I am not entirely averse to the idea of trade with our southern neighbors, but we must be wary. At present, I am uncommitted, but I will say that if we do open up trade with the United States, that we should start small and monitor the situation very closely.

Elections: Allowing non-party-members to hold federal office will set a dangerous precedent. If people are truly committed to the cause of communism, then they should join the party.

Media: Ontario will oppose the loosening of restrictions on the media. We also suggest that lack of enforcement of existing restrictions within British Columbia is a primary contributing factor to the anti-revolutionary actions in that province. Any action to be taken against such subversive elements should begin there.

bump for Quebec

I'm not sure if this is still running, but I'd like to sign up for Alberta, if possible.

It's not. The GM has been banned.