Canadian Politics Thread

[The Arrogant Worms]

Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/tom-mulcair-with-trudeau-spiralling-mark-carney-waits-in-the-wings-1.6894718

[Bob Long]

16 minutes ago, The Arrogant Worms said:

Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/tom-mulcair-with-trudeau-spiralling-mark-carney-waits-in-the-wings-1.6894718

 

Ha ha, tom must figure jag would do better vs Carney.

[Warhippy]

If you are wondering why Trudeau is absent or quiet as he gets hammered by "everything is his fault" attack ads.

 

It's actually better to be quiet and let things shake out some times.

 

Case in point.  All inflation is Justin-Flation

 

Well....

 

https://financialpost.com/news/economy/inflation-data-all-clear-bank-of-canada-rate-cut-economists

 

“We believe that the door is open for a (Bank of Canada) rate cut, and we have been leaning to June move for the past six months. But it remains a close call, and when the Bank does eventually move, it will be gradual with a highly patient (U.S. Federal Reserve) acting as a limiter on how far and how fast Canadian rates can fall.”

 

Despite the good news in the data, shelter costs are still hurting Canadians, said Randall Bartlett, senior director of Canadian economics at Desjardins.

 

The Statistics Canada report found shelter prices are up 6.4 per cent year-over-year, with inflation excluding shelter slowing to just 1.2 per cent.

 

“High and rising shelter costs, combined with the recent increase in gasoline prices on the back of higher oil prices, continues to put strain on the household finances of Canadians,” he said.

 

 

Please keep in mind that at the end of things, it highlights the two main things the feds have no control of are the single greatest issues facing Canadians in shelter costs and the price of gas.

[Alflives]

27 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

If you are wondering why Trudeau is absent or quiet as he gets hammered by "everything is his fault" attack ads.

 

It's actually better to be quiet and let things shake out some times.

 

Case in point.  All inflation is Justin-Flation

 

Well....

 

https://financialpost.com/news/economy/inflation-data-all-clear-bank-of-canada-rate-cut-economists

 

“We believe that the door is open for a (Bank of Canada) rate cut, and we have been leaning to June move for the past six months. But it remains a close call, and when the Bank does eventually move, it will be gradual with a highly patient (U.S. Federal Reserve) acting as a limiter on how far and how fast Canadian rates can fall.”

 

Despite the good news in the data, shelter costs are still hurting Canadians, said Randall Bartlett, senior director of Canadian economics at Desjardins.

 

The Statistics Canada report found shelter prices are up 6.4 per cent year-over-year, with inflation excluding shelter slowing to just 1.2 per cent.

 

“High and rising shelter costs, combined with the recent increase in gasoline prices on the back of higher oil prices, continues to put strain on the household finances of Canadians,” he said.

 

 

Please keep in mind that at the end of things, it highlights the two main things the feds have no control of are the single greatest issues facing Canadians in shelter costs and the price of gas.

High interest rates are good for us older folk who make more on our retirement plans. Not too sure what the younger people do who have mortgages and things that cost them more. Banks have to be happy though. 

[Bob Long]

3 minutes ago, Alflives said:

High interest rates are good for us older folk who make more on our retirement plans. Not too sure what the younger people do who have mortgages and things that cost them more. Banks have to be happy though. 

 

They do what we did, figure it out.

 

What we owe them is a supply they can afford, after that it's up to them.

[Alflives]

Just now, Bob Long said:

 

They do what we did, figure it out.

 

What we owe them is a supply they can afford, after that it's up to them.

Good point. Mortgage rates hit 18% in the 80’s. 

[Warhippy]

46 minutes ago, Alflives said:

Good point. Mortgage rates hit 18% in the 80’s. 

A bit north of that if I recall for a time.  That jingle mail was real

[Sapper]

Good zinger in the house today by the libs deputy Prime Minister on PP

 

"Mr speaker Pierre today is wearing more makeup then I am which I think is wonderful "

 

If course she had to retract the comment but said just like everything else he is phoney thru and thru

 

PP is a complete embarrassment to Canada.and has become so bad he is managing to make Truduea look not completely terrible 

 

The whole con party is a stain on this country as it pours gas on the fires it lights 

[Warhippy]

Something something corrupt or entitled something

 

The parties charged different sums to taxpayers through the loophole. CBC News found that Conservative MPs accounted for 79 per cent of the spending by MPs, billing their House of Commons office budgets for $426,283 to go to Quebec City in September 2023. Conservative MPs were the only ones to bill Parliament for spouses' travel to a caucus meeting connected to a convention during the past year.

New Democratic Party MPs had the second highest total, billing Parliament $83,087 from their MP office budgets to send MPs and a dozen of their employees to Hamilton in October 2023. The Bloc Québécois, whose MPs are all located in Quebec, billed their MP office budgets $28,943 for travel to Drummondville in May 2023, while Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet charged $594 to his House of Commons leader's budget, as did four of his employees.

The only party recognized in the House whose MPs did not file expenses for a caucus meeting connected to a convention in the past year was the Liberal Party.

Liberal MPs have, however, filed expense claims for stand-alone caucus meetings, like their September 2022 meeting in St. Andrews, N.B., which included expenses incurred by designated travellers.

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/parliament-spending-loophole-travel-1.7210397

[Bob Long]

13 hours ago, Sapper said:

Good zinger in the house today by the libs deputy Prime Minister on PP

 

"Mr speaker Pierre today is wearing more makeup then I am which I think is wonderful "

 

If course she had to retract the comment but said just like everything else he is phoney thru and thru

 

PP is a complete embarrassment to Canada.and has become so bad he is managing to make Truduea look not completely terrible 

 

The whole con party is a stain on this country as it pours gas on the fires it lights 

 

hey you never know when you have to be ready for a quick YouTube video production. 

 

Personally I want to see Trudeau challenge PP to a boxing match. I really do, it would put that little puke in his place. He either has to back down or get his ass kicked. 

 

[Warhippy]

1 minute ago, Bob Long said:

 

hey you never know when you have to be ready for a quick YouTube video production. 

 

Personally I want to see Trudeau challenge PP to a boxing match. I really do, it would put that little puke in his place. He either has to back down or get his ass kicked. 

 

For the group who only respect tough macho bullshit flying fuck trudeau flags you'd think they'd also be down for this.

 

I second it.

 

Pierre v Justin.

 

MIllhouse vs the hair

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, Warhippy said:

For the group who only respect tough macho bullshit flying fuck trudeau flags you'd think they'd also be down for this.

 

I second it.

 

Pierre v Justin.

 

MIllhouse vs the hair

 

Trudeau can do it by suggesting that he'd be fine if PP made a similar offer to what Brazeau did, JT doesn't even have to say it directly. 

[Warhippy]

3 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

Trudeau can do it by suggesting that he'd be fine if PP made a similar offer to what Brazeau did, JT doesn't even have to say it directly. 

Do it for...say Oilworkers relief charity  

[Warhippy]

It takes 12-14 months for economic changes at the legislative level much like most government policy to truly start affecting the economy and the people.  So actions taken almost 18 months ago are starting to improve things for people.  It also means that there is still some significant pain coming for people due to renew mortgages or servicing debt.

 

But it also means that some data points to things getting better.  While food costs, housing and gas prices are all still out of control these are issues that the government by and large do not and cannot control without direct intervention which would be effect to socialist policies.

 

Interestingly enough.  It also indicates that when Pierre takes office, he will enjoy the same kind of post legislative success that the former Conservative PM had in his first 2 years based on previous or expiring legislation as it trickles through the system.

 

Canada's consumer price index cooled to 2.7 per cent in April, down from 2.9 per cent in March, led by the slower growth of food prices, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

Though food prices still rose in April, they did so at a slower pace of 1.4 per cent compared with 1.9 per cent in March, the data agency said. Price growth for food bought from restaurants also eased.

The cost of meat mostly drove the decline, but other food products that also contributed were non-alcoholic beverages; bakery and cereal products; fruit, fruit preparations and nuts; and fish, seafood and other marine products.

 

Meanwhile, consumers paid 6.1 per cent more for gas in April after a 4.5 per cent increase in March. Statistics Canada said that a switch to summer petrol blends, supply concerns and higher federal carbon levies contributed to the uptick.

 

April's figures marked the lowest inflation rate in three years, since March 2021's 2.2 per cent.

 

Statistics Canada also reported that in Alberta, where inflation has slowed year over year, the cost of rent rose 16.2 per cent in April,

That figure grew at a faster pace than the national rate (8.2 per cent) for the eighth month in a row, amid strong migration from elsewhere in Canada.

Tala Abu Hayyaneh, president of the student association at Mount Royal University in Calgary, said these exorbitant rent costs are pushing some students into dire living circumstances.

 

"Students are living with four-plus roommates in one house that costs $4,400 a month. Students are living in ... housing situations like unheated garages and houses and basements that are not up to code, spaces that don't have access to kitchen or laundry facilities," Abu Hayyaneh said.

"The cost of living, the cost of housing is putting a pressure point on many students."

[Optimist Prime]

15 hours ago, Alflives said:

High interest rates are good for us older folk who make more on our retirement plans. Not too sure what the younger people do who have mortgages and things that cost them more. Banks have to be happy though. 

This is true, along with high cost of buying a house, while bad for those in the housing market is great for those who already own their homes. There is a duality to almost everything in 'politics', 'markets' and 'finances'.  A lot of folks who would be renters for life even if housing costs were rolled back 15 or 20 years are still mad about the price of a house today. People serving coffee for minimum wage in Vancouver don't think about serving coffee in Newfoundland instead where a house is 1/4 the price. It is a lot easier to blame the prime minister for our choices, our education, our parenting and the way we were raised, and Pepi Le Pew has tapped into that. 

 

edit: even the cost of living effects folks differently. For the last two years my household income went up 4.8% and then 3.5% because our pensions are linked directly to the annual cost of living inflation. My mom, rest in peace, was confused by this and suggested we save for when inflation drops below zero and we lose money. It doesn't work that way. If it were to ever drop to a negative number, pensioners do not lose money. 8.3% rise in our income has been nice. Folks without income linked to inflation are suffering though, and need this situation eased. I would choose to vote for parties who are interested in tying wage increases to inflation, generally your progressive parties... but a lot of folks with low income really want to vote for the champion of the Oil Execs. I don't know why.

[Optimist Prime]

Speaking of voting, this is an interesting little subset from Angus Reid that was sent to me last night. I glanced at it just before falling asleep but now over coffee it is even more interesting to me. Oh, i should include the date: May 16th 2024.

[Alflives]

17 minutes ago, Warhippy said:

It takes 12-14 months for economic changes at the legislative level much like most government policy to truly start affecting the economy and the people.  So actions taken almost 18 months ago are starting to improve things for people.  It also means that there is still some significant pain coming for people due to renew mortgages or servicing debt.

 

But it also means that some data points to things getting better.  While food costs, housing and gas prices are all still out of control these are issues that the government by and large do not and cannot control without direct intervention which would be effect to socialist policies.

 

Interestingly enough.  It also indicates that when Pierre takes office, he will enjoy the same kind of post legislative success that the former Conservative PM had in his first 2 years based on previous or expiring legislation as it trickles through the system.

 

Canada's consumer price index cooled to 2.7 per cent in April, down from 2.9 per cent in March, led by the slower growth of food prices, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

Though food prices still rose in April, they did so at a slower pace of 1.4 per cent compared with 1.9 per cent in March, the data agency said. Price growth for food bought from restaurants also eased.

The cost of meat mostly drove the decline, but other food products that also contributed were non-alcoholic beverages; bakery and cereal products; fruit, fruit preparations and nuts; and fish, seafood and other marine products.

 

Meanwhile, consumers paid 6.1 per cent more for gas in April after a 4.5 per cent increase in March. Statistics Canada said that a switch to summer petrol blends, supply concerns and higher federal carbon levies contributed to the uptick.

 

April's figures marked the lowest inflation rate in three years, since March 2021's 2.2 per cent.

 

Statistics Canada also reported that in Alberta, where inflation has slowed year over year, the cost of rent rose 16.2 per cent in April,

That figure grew at a faster pace than the national rate (8.2 per cent) for the eighth month in a row, amid strong migration from elsewhere in Canada.

Tala Abu Hayyaneh, president of the student association at Mount Royal University in Calgary, said these exorbitant rent costs are pushing some students into dire living circumstances.

 

"Students are living with four-plus roommates in one house that costs $4,400 a month. Students are living in ... housing situations like unheated garages and houses and basements that are not up to code, spaces that don't have access to kitchen or laundry facilities," Abu Hayyaneh said.

"The cost of living, the cost of housing is putting a pressure point on many students."

Yup. Wife and Alf bought here in the mid 70’s. It was a similar price to other parts of Canada. Younger people should buy where they can afford. 

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, Alflives said:

Yup. Wife and Alf bought here in the mid 70’s. It was a similar price to other parts of Canada. Younger people should buy where they can afford. 

 

I think this is part of the problem, but I also have no evidence for it, that mobility within Canada doesn't seem as popular with the U40s as it was in previous generations.

 

I'd love to see a real study or poll on this. 

[Warhippy]

Full disclosure, I fully believe Fergus should step down.  Once is an accident three or four times is officially a visible conflict.

 

But I do love the hypocrisy of the Cons complaining about this after spending almost half a million in travel to go to partisan events while their leader has been campaigning for the last 8 months at visibly partisan rallies including some optically awful visits with people of less than quality backgrounds 

 

In a lengthy letter sent to Fergus on Tuesday, Conservative MP Chris Warkentin said the online posting for "A Summer Evening with the Honourable Greg Fergus" included a line that took aim at leader Pierre Poilievre — accusing him of pursuing Conservative policies "that would risk our health, safety and pocketbooks" while promoting a Liberal plan to "grow an economy that works for everyone."

The ad for the planned June event used "very partisan, inflammatory language," the Alberta MP said.

Warkentin's letter earlier Tuesday added that the event was being promoted "by attacking the very same leader whom you recently used your authority to kick out of the House of Commons, allegedly for his choice of wording."

That's a reference to Fergus's decision to remove Poilievre from the Commons last month after he refused to retract a comment calling the prime minister and his policies "wacko." Warkentin said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also used tough language to describe Poilievre but faced no sanction.

Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Trudeau said the incident does not shake his faith in Fergus's ability to do the job.

"I have full confidence in Greg Fergus as Speaker of the House of Commons, as a thoughtful, independent-minded leader," he said. "The issue was dealt with, was addressed by the party and the House leader. It was an unfortunate mistake."

'You must go,' Conservative MP says

The ad for the event has been pulled from the Liberal Party website but the Conservatives took a screenshot before its removal and disseminated it to the press on Tuesday morning.

Warkentin said the Speaker, as referee of the Commons, should be impartial at all times to sustain the confidence of MPs.

"You have failed at showing, and being seen to show, the impartially required of a Speaker; in turn you can no longer count on the trust and goodwill of members from all corners of this House," he wrote in his letter.

"I regret to say you must go," Warkentin wrote, saying anything Fergus does in the Commons going forward will have a "red tint."

If Fergus does not do the "honourable thing" and immediately resign, the Conservatives will press for his removal, the letter said.

 

This is just the latest instance of opposition MPs claiming Fergus has been too partisan for an office that historically has kept a healthy distance from party politics.

Fergus has already apologized and been fined for taping a tribute video for a provincial Liberal leader while wearing his robes in the Speaker's office. He also held a fundraiser in his riding last fall.

Despite those past transgressions and this latest incident, Liberals and New Democrats rallied around Fergus on Tuesday.

His position seems secure, at least for now, despite the vehement opposition of Conservative and Bloc Québécois MPs.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government continues to have confidence in Fergus's ability to serve in the role. Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon said he was standing by Fergus.

[Gurn]

4 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

I think this is part of the problem, but I also have no evidence for it, that mobility within Canada doesn't seem as popular with the U40s as it was in previous generations.

 

I'd love to see a real study or poll on this. 

Once I'm the only person in my family, I'm most likely out of B.C., and living in Eastern Canada.

Price differences means I could put about $100,000 into different investments and use the monthly interest/income as 'toy' money.

[Optimist Prime]

1 minute ago, Alflives said:

Yup. Wife and Alf bought here in the mid 70’s. It was a similar price to other parts of Canada. Younger people should buy where they can afford. 

When i proposed, silly word but a better word doesn't exist for our conversation. I made a proposition to my wife on a rock bluff overlooking some of our stomping grounds as teenagers. My proposition in short was this: "We really like each other, we get along, have never had an argument. Why not get married, and take turns sort of slingshoting each other up along the hurdles of life. You want to go to college, I am almost done mine, I can work while you get your education and then you work while I try to better my situation, and we can do that all the way up the 'chain of life." this was over a few hours time..so heavily paraphrased. She thought that was a great plan and we actually pulled it off. I managed a brilliant career in information technologies and the armed forces/law enforcement/national security, and at peak times she taught an engineering class at the Royal Military College and clerked at the supreme court, with some other career highlights of working with a small government organization that trains and retrains the highest level of bureaucrats when they change ministries. Things like the need for bilingualism, or a ten month crash course in Mining and Resources in Canada or what have you...it is a very niche department where she got to meet and know Ministers in the Federal Cabinet, the highest civil servants and parliamentary secretaries, senators, what have you. We were both highly satisfied with our respective careers at times, and we were both at other times suffering some damages as with any life. On the whole though, we went where we could afford to live, and make our living and only came to this most expensive part of Canada to retire back to where we were raised at the end of our careers. I don't see many people willing to take those risks, adventures and seek their fortunes like that these days, but the young people who do, at least in my family, are all doing very well. of the nephews and nieces who moved away, every one of them owns their own home now. Of the few who stayed put, most are renters. 

That is a small sample size but tells me a lot.  

[Bob Long]

Just now, Warhippy said:

Full disclosure, I fully believe Fergus should step down.  Once is an accident three or four times is officially a visible conflict.

 

But I do love the hypocrisy of the Cons complaining about this after spending almost half a million in travel to go to partisan events while their leader has been campaigning for the last 8 months at visibly partisan rallies including some optically awful visits with people of less than quality backgrounds 

 

In a lengthy letter sent to Fergus on Tuesday, Conservative MP Chris Warkentin said the online posting for "A Summer Evening with the Honourable Greg Fergus" included a line that took aim at leader Pierre Poilievre — accusing him of pursuing Conservative policies "that would risk our health, safety and pocketbooks" while promoting a Liberal plan to "grow an economy that works for everyone."

The ad for the planned June event used "very partisan, inflammatory language," the Alberta MP said.

Warkentin's letter earlier Tuesday added that the event was being promoted "by attacking the very same leader whom you recently used your authority to kick out of the House of Commons, allegedly for his choice of wording."

That's a reference to Fergus's decision to remove Poilievre from the Commons last month after he refused to retract a comment calling the prime minister and his policies "wacko." Warkentin said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also used tough language to describe Poilievre but faced no sanction.

Speaking to reporters in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Trudeau said the incident does not shake his faith in Fergus's ability to do the job.

"I have full confidence in Greg Fergus as Speaker of the House of Commons, as a thoughtful, independent-minded leader," he said. "The issue was dealt with, was addressed by the party and the House leader. It was an unfortunate mistake."

'You must go,' Conservative MP says

The ad for the event has been pulled from the Liberal Party website but the Conservatives took a screenshot before its removal and disseminated it to the press on Tuesday morning.

Warkentin said the Speaker, as referee of the Commons, should be impartial at all times to sustain the confidence of MPs.

"You have failed at showing, and being seen to show, the impartially required of a Speaker; in turn you can no longer count on the trust and goodwill of members from all corners of this House," he wrote in his letter.

"I regret to say you must go," Warkentin wrote, saying anything Fergus does in the Commons going forward will have a "red tint."

If Fergus does not do the "honourable thing" and immediately resign, the Conservatives will press for his removal, the letter said.

 

This is just the latest instance of opposition MPs claiming Fergus has been too partisan for an office that historically has kept a healthy distance from party politics.

Fergus has already apologized and been fined for taping a tribute video for a provincial Liberal leader while wearing his robes in the Speaker's office. He also held a fundraiser in his riding last fall.

Despite those past transgressions and this latest incident, Liberals and New Democrats rallied around Fergus on Tuesday.

His position seems secure, at least for now, despite the vehement opposition of Conservative and Bloc Québécois MPs.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the government continues to have confidence in Fergus's ability to serve in the role. Government House Leader Steve MacKinnon said he was standing by Fergus.

 

 

compared to the US, isn't this kind of silly to be upset by this? He is a liberal MP after all, his job is to be impartial in the house, not every other part of his work life imo.

 

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, Gurn said:

Once I'm the only person in my family, I'm most likely out of B.C., and living in Eastern Canada.

Price differences means I could put about $100,000 into different investments and use the monthly interest/income as 'toy' money.

 

sure, but you are old, man. 

 

I kid. But I get it. I spent a few years living in Halifax and the opportunity to get a nice place out east for cheap is real. It really depends on what your interests are, if you are more of a home body its terrific. Those NS winters tho, I thought bone chilling was just a phrase, but its real. 

[Optimist Prime]

9 minutes ago, Bob Long said:

 

compared to the US, isn't this kind of silly to be upset by this? He is a liberal MP after all, his job is to be impartial in the house, not every other part of his work life imo.

 

That is where I am at on this: he is a politician and needs to campaign in his off time like every other politician: if we are creating extrenuous hardships on politicians who are chosen to be the speaker, then we will have less and less capable speakers until no one wants the job at all. It was wrong of him last year to tag the speakers robes into a partisan tribute video,  and I agree he needed to be admonished for that, and he apologized, but this kind of tag line on a political event is there with every single one of the MP's in Ottawa this summer...the opposition just want to chip away at the cracks and see what shales off of the ruling party. Suck eggs Pepi Le Pew, thou protesteth too much, and it is obvious you are mad you were not allowed to break the rules of the house when you started being a child again and were sent out to think about your words by the very person you are now trying to impeach. 

[Bob Long]

1 minute ago, Optimist Prime said:

That is where I am at on this: he is a politician and needs to campaign in his off time like every other politician: if we are creating extrenuous hardships on politicians who are chosen to be the speaker, then we will have less and less capable speakers until no one wants the job at all. It was wrong of him last year to tag the fundraising political event as a night with 'the speaker' and I agree he needed to be admonished for that, and he apologized, but this kind of tag line on a political event is there with every single one of the MP's in Ottawa this summer...the opposition just want to chip away at the cracks and see what shales off of the ruling party. Suck eggs Pepi Le Pew, though protesteth too much, and it is obvious you are mad you were not allowed to break the rules of the house when you started being a child again and were sent out to think about your words by the very person you are now trying to impeach. 

 

I see it as one of these silly low bar problems that Canadians like to make for themselves. 

 

Oh no, he said "speaker". Well he is the speaker. Oh no, an expense line thats fine one way but bundled with another event (which makes sense) its bad, bad bad. 

 

We have such silly low bars for what we get mad about, its like we blow the wad on $16 OJ, but can't really get motivated around housing.