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Liberals gain traction in key Ontario, Quebec ridings

DANIEL LEBLANC

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 9:49 PM EST 18/09/08

In B.C., the Tories stay strong but in Ontario, the Liberals have overtaken the Conservatives in a number of tight battles for the first time in the campaign ...Read the full article

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  1. Beer and Popcorn from Canada writes:
    Priority #1 of the Globe's Jihad against conservatism - build momentum for the Liberal$
  2. D F from Canada writes: with god help we going to win this election
  3. J L from Toronto, Canada writes: Beer and Popcorn writes...'Priority #1 of the Globe's Jihad against conservatism - build momentum for the Liberal$ '

    Are you kidding? It's a CTV/globe and Mail poll - CTV and people like Mike Duffy might as well be on The Conservative Payroll
  4. John Connor from Canada writes: Any excuse to wag the dog's tail. It really needs shaken guys.
    Predictable and sad really.
  5. Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    This is why the West needs to leave Canada. The stupidity of people in Ontario will continue to hold this country back.

    Except eastern Ontario - where people are smart and vote blue.

    Quebec - well - maybe Dion sliding a few bucks their way. Old habits die hard.
  6. J.C. Davies from Canada writes:
    'Are you kidding? It's a CTV/globe and Mail poll - CTV and people like Mike Duffy might as well be on The Conservative Payroll'

    And everyone at the CBC might as well be on Liberal's payroll, of course they're not, they get their wages from the wallets of taxpayers.
  7. J G from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Fiscal Conservatives' who ran up HUGE deficits: Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Brian Mulroney, Mike Harris, and Stephen Harper ( a work in progress ).

    It's about the economy stupid...
  8. a salajan from To, Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    This is why the West needs to leave Canada. The stupidity of people in Ontario will continue to hold this country back.

    And you wonder why the inbred redneck stereotype?
  9. Stephane Harpercrite from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: This is no surprise. Lets get back to good old days, where shortly after 9pm eastern we know the result of the election, and Alberta can scream about their firewall around the province while the east goes to sleep easy knowing the country is in responsible hands.

  10. Montgomery C. Burns from Springfield, Canada writes: Dion popped into an ESL class in Toronto to bone up on his next speech.
  11. Grampa Canuck from Stirlilng, ON, Canada writes: I suspect people are getting turned off by the big smear. Going negative works somewhat in Canada, but it's not nearly as effective as it is in the U.S. Unfortunately, it makes the Harper crew look like a Republican farm team.
  12. martha stewart from Canada writes: Another meaningless poll that passes for news.
  13. Stephane Harpercrite from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: Tony Clement-the man who puts reform ideology before mental and physical health, who has the gaul to suggest the CMA is unethical, and who remains lost-in-the-woods on the listeriosis outbreak......TONY CLEMENT: GONE!!!
  14. vic w from Canada writes: It only makes sense.

    If Stephen Harper were elected, then Ontario and Quebec should prepare to be ignored. After all, he's already proven in a minority situation that if you disagree with him prepare to be shut out.

    But seriously I still don't get why anyone in Canada would want to vote for someone who doesn't have their best interest at heart. These guys walk and talk in lockstep with McCain and the Bushites. The latest example of this is the: 'No the economy isn't failing, the fundamentals of the economy are strong' while the house burns down.

    These conservatives are not fiscal conservatives.

    Perhaps people are having a sober second thought as to whether they want Bush jr to wipe out the Senate, and install the Reform as the Natural trashing of Canada party.
  15. Conservative for lower taxes, cheaper gas, less government from Canada writes: The Conservatives will win in a landslide regardless of what the Liberal biased press corp might say or do. People are not stupid. They know the Liberals will say and do anything to get their sweaty hands back into our pockets while the Conservatives will continue with their program of putting more money back into our pockets.
  16. Beer and Popcorn from Canada writes:
    Garth Turner - the guy who shows up at a 'random' house that just happens to be his compaign manager's son for a 'random' tv interview with CPAC
  17. vic w from Canada writes: Lower taxes at what cost? Where the hell did our surplus go? Pissed away in Afghanistan or lining Elmer McKay's arms trader buddies?
  18. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    'The libs and CPC are still within their margin of error!

    The libs and CPC are still within their margin of error!'

    Stop the presses!!

    These kind of rolling polls are so inaccurate that to comment on anything less than a 7% change is no better than playing with a Ouija board.

    Not that this would prevent Donolo from making a ridiculous number of inane 'conclusions'.

    It's all part of the fun, however.

    The gloab publishes 'the libs aren't dead yet' to keep the news interesting. Meanwhile, the star is predicting a cpc majority (in an effort to get the anti-CPC crowd off their cots and into the polling stations).
  19. Stephane Harpercrite from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: John Baird-the man who emits near as much harmful pollutants from his gape as Suncor, who has no policy beyond the Clean Air Act that got laughed out of committee and ultimately out of existence, the man who holds not a shred of respect within the department he oversees (EC)......JOHN BAIRD: GONE!!
  20. vic w from Canada writes: spicydoc: Oh so, positive cpc news is still negative for you? THis is exactly why claims of media bias by the right are bull$sh1t
  21. West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: J G from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Fiscal Conservatives' who ran up HUGE deficits: Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Brian Mulroney, Mike Harris, and Stephen Harper ( a work in progress ).

    =================================================

    'Prudent' Libs/Dems who ran up huge defecits:

    Trudeau/LBJ/ Bob Rae

    Oh wait, Rae was a Dipper - probably didn't know what he was doing then.
  22. Red Unicorn from Ottawa, Canada writes: It is too facile to characterize this as an east/west split. Quebec will elect more PCs than Liberals. And Ontario will elect as many PCs as the prairies combined. The issue is not east/west. The issue is large cities versus the rest of Canada. Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver will all go liberal. These three cities alone are enough to counterbalance the rest of the country.
  23. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: The truth is that this is exactly what is to be expected. The recent 'gaffes' may accentuate a downturn but this is normal election dynamics. The government normally becomes the targets of all opposition parties at the start of the campaign. This drives their numbers down. The CPC threw a wrench into that normal dynamic by running ads unopposed for a week prior to the election. The consequence was that they boosted their numbers for the start of the campaign and gave the impression of an unstoppable momentum. That was short lived and the normal election dynamics are now starting to materialize. We shall see in the next couple of days if the 'gaffes' drive down their numbers more than what otherwise might occur but there is nothing that is happening with CPC numbers that were not entirely predictable and, which, in fact, I have repeatedly predicted would take place before any of the minutiae of the campaign materialized. The only thing that I didn't (and couldn't have) predict was that the CPC would try to circumvent the campaign spending limits by campaigning a full week before the election began.
  24. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Sigh !

    This is what we all get for not letting the G&M report about the Leafs and Matts Sundin all the time.

    Let me see if I have this all straight.

    The CPC are now at 43% support and the Liberals are at 28% support nationally, and we are supposed to conclude from this that the Liberals are 'gaining support' in a few select ridings in Ontario and Quebec.

    What gall ?

    Thanks for another meaningless poll and article.

    Wish that I could get that 3 minutes back.

    Cheers
  25. a salajan from To, Canada writes: Conservative for lower taxes, cheaper gas, less government from Canada writes: They know the Liberals will say and do anything to get their sweaty hands back into our pockets while the Conservatives will continue with their program of putting more money back into our pockets.

    Wow! Bourgeoisie will suck the working class blood if you don't vote for Harper. Where can I get my hands on this CCRAP bible you all learn from? And you call NDP and Liberals lefties? You sound like a Lenin speech.
  26. varun xm from Toronto, Canada writes: Stephan Harpercite: How about a newsflash for Flaherty?
  27. Stephane Harpercrite from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: Dean Del Mastro-the meastro, who blatently lied repeatedly in his efforts to obfuscate the Ethics committee investigating conservative scandal in the highest ranks of the CPC, who blatently lied repeatedly (along with Flaherty) to his constituents over the return of a magical CPC-guided train to Peterborough....DEAN DEL MASTRO: REALLY GONE!!
  28. R. Carriere from Maritines, Canada writes:

    Give it up G&M! You people are getting funny, but in all seriousness, be careful about the Tabloid backlash and irresponsibility of dealing with issues...like you did during during the Ontario elections!

    First, have a look at the REAL polls:

    Nanos today: CPC opens up 9 point lead from 6 points
    Harris Decima today: CPC 9 point lead
    Eckos today: 14 point lead

    Today, the election is a CPC blow-out!

    Now look at the marketing of the Weather Channel. Alway$ 'a chance of this-a chance of that.' If they ever po$ted 5 days of beautiful weather with no chance or precipitation, no one would watch-meaning adverti$ing revenue$ would decrea$e.

    Same with a blow-out $porting event. The networks don't want you to click away to another channel becau$e of ratings, $o they invoke the 'Hail Mary theory' of a come-back.

    Now if everyone tuned out the G&M and CTV, le$$ intere$t-less web-$ite hit$, less new$paper$ sold.......le$$ REVENUE!!!

    And what does the general public enjoy today? Tabloid stuff-Paris Hilton and friends......That's what sell$, and so does tabloid reporting politics!

    Bottom line: Tighten up the race-Let's go tabloid! So easy to understand your agenda!
    .
  29. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    vic w --

    I never complain about media bias; I comment on media inanity. Media stupidity is non-partisan from what I've been seeing.

    The point is that the tiny changes in these rolling polls are meaningless one way or another.

    Yet blowhards like Donolo manage to sift through the entrails and make absurd conclusions.

    It's as bad as football commentators who can talk about one play for 5 minutes, yet have no idea who will win the game until the final whistle blows. Then they explain how they knew along what the final score would be; they just didn't want to ruin it for us maroons.
  30. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    I hope CCRAPers keep talking majority.

    They spook the hell out of more than 60% of Canadians.

    Is it any wonder Steve keeps saying he expects minority to keep the frightened home come election day?

    Good strategy, but still CCRAP.

    ABC
  31. Rick Jones from The Rock, Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    This is why the West needs to leave Canada. The stupidity of people in Ontario will continue to hold this country back.

    LOL...

    The opinion of you, Billy-Bob & Cletus down at the gas station do not constitute 'the West'...

    I live in BC, but do you realize Ontario constitutes one-third of 'this country'? More people live just in Toronto (Metro 5,555,912) than live in all of Alberta (3,512,368) & Saskatchewan (1,010,146) combined?

    Or did you mean West Hooterville?
  32. Scare Crow from Canada writes: Vic W.
    vic w from Canada writes: Lower taxes at what cost? Where the hell did our surplus go? Pissed away in Afghanistan or lining Elmer McKay's arms trader buddies?

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    You just answered your question. You lower the tax and the surplus is back in Canadian's wallet. But have no fear, soon Dion will raise back the GST to finance the 7B/yr infrastructure promise he did today. And yes you can also continue blaming Harper for the financial woes in the US. And all those economist who says our basic fundamentals are strong are also wrong.
  33. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    bobby dy is a superb example of what I'm talking about.

    Hey bobby--if Donolo gets abducted by aliens I'll nominate you to replace him.
  34. Fred Lupinski from Toronto, Canada writes: How can anyone put faith in such a poll? What exactly have the Liberals done over the past week to warrant such a 'surge' (other than fear-mongering, which plays into the hands of new Canadians who don't seem to know that conservative in Canada is actually left of the US Democrats)? Manipulation by pollsters and the media?
  35. Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    a salajan - from TO ?

    You've made my case. It's not redneck sterotyping - it's using your head to vote for a practical, get-the-job-done government. Obviously you - and most of the people in the GTA - can't see that. All you see are Liberals (both provincial and federal) - who promise the moon, do the opposite once in power - or better yet, do nothing. In this election, Dion's gone on a massive spending spree, which is not at all possible. But dum-dums in the GTA are likely to believe that all of this will happen.

    Toronto - you are more than welcome to take your daily shootings, knifings, gangs, traffic, crappy hockey team, Liberals, taxes (oh yeah - hope you love being taxed on everything, congratulations) and leave Canada - please, I mean it - really.
  36. Stephane Harpercrite from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: Jim Flaherty-the man who, in true conservative-spirit (Harris-style), took a $14 billion surplus into an operating deficit in under 2 years, who just-for-kicks tried throwing a train line through his own riding into the budget last-minute that nobody else knew about, who acted as Harper's plague on Canada's seniors when he flat out reversed his staunch campaign promise not to tax income trusts....JIM FLAHERTY: GONE!!
  37. Randal Oulton from Toronto, Canada writes: this election, the story is about the hourly polls... I'm getting sea-sick!
  38. West Coast Not West from Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    This is why the West needs to leave Canada.

    If you want to leave Canada that's your business, but please don't speak for the rest of us.
  39. mike sty - from Canada writes:
    One poll makes you larger
    And one poll makes you small
    And the polls that mother gives you
    Don't do anything at all
    Go ask Alice
    When she's ten feet tall
  40. Beer and Popcorn from Canada writes: Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada -

    A few years ago you were on here talking about how Martin should keep his majority.

    Then it was a minority.

    Then - it was Harper's 'Fragile minority'

    A few months ago you were on here talking about how more than 75% of Canadians didn't trust and like the conservatives.

    Then it was 70%

    Then 65%

    Now 60%

    Ken - all I can say it that I hope you REALLY like downtown Toronto - as there is going to be VERY FEW OTHER PLACES in Canada who share your extreme left LIEberal views..
  41. Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    Well, I guess there are loony lefties out west too - hey, nobody's perfect.

    May I suggest that if you like Liberals and lefties so much, you can move east. In fact, try Toronto. It's a beautiful, crime free city, with no taxes - just one big happy harmonious family that's developed from the brilliant visionary Trudeau social policies. You'll be happy there!
  42. D K from Canada writes: Leave it to Ontario to vote for the putz
  43. Is Stephane CanaDION, and is he from France or from Canada writes: Bobby Dy from Canada writes: The truth is that this is exactly what is to be expected. The recent 'gaffes' may accentuate a downturn but this is normal election dynamics. The government normally becomes the targets of all opposition parties at the start of the campaign. This drives their numbers down. The CPC threw a wrench into that normal dynamic by running ads unopposed for a week prior to the election. The consequence was that they boosted their numbers for the start of the campaign and gave the impression of an unstoppable momentum. That was short lived and the normal election dynamics are now starting to materialize. We shall see in the next couple of days if the 'gaffes' drive down their numbers more than what otherwise might occur but there is nothing that is happening with CPC numbers that were not entirely predictable and, which, in fact, I have repeatedly predicted would take place before any of the minutiae of the campaign materialized.

    ---

    I hate to say this Bob, because you and I rarely agree on anything, but you hit the nail right on the head here. However, I predict the Conservative fortunes to increase come the debates. Dion will not be able to explain his only policy, or where he is going to come up with 76 or so billion bucks. May will look like a screeching school marm scolding her students. Duceppe will be the new Jack Layton, throwing fake hissy fits at anything and everything, and will be even more miffed when he gets ignored because he is irrelevant. Jack will be the most interesting to watch. If he can make himself appear more steady and palpable than Dion or May, he might just steal the show. If Harper can weather the onslaught with measured responses, and maintain the publics trust that he built, he can win his majority. I think Layton stands to gain the most, and Harper can go home with the jackpot.
  44. Mike Milne from Canada writes: Hopefully the Liberal hacks will ignore this poll - just as they ignored and debunked the same polling company last week which showed massive Conservative leads.

    How can the information claim that the Ritz thing impacted this poll? It just happened today.

    btw - regarding the Ganon aid who made the 'sober' remarks. If you actually watch the video of what was said (on French CBC), she pointed out that one of the native protestors showed up on a previous day and was drinking. She was stating a fact. But was this reported on English CBC?..... of course not.

    I hope people in Ontario realize that when they're voting for Liberals they are asking for a massive tax hike.
  45. a salajan from To, Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    Well, I guess there are loony lefties out west too - hey, nobody's perfect.

    Everyone who doesn't share my electoral taste or my preference for squirrel...you can all move to Toronto (heard they eat this thing called chicken), or to France, or Cuba. Then we, the real Canadians from the Great West can marry our sisters and daughters and buy more rifles with our oil money.
  46. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    mike sty--

    The riff on White Rabbit was superb. Well done.

    You're still an insufferable crackpot, but once in a while you hit one....
  47. Rick Jones from The Rock, Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    Well, I guess there are loony lefties out west too - hey, nobody's perfect.

    May I suggest that if you like Liberals and lefties so much, you can move east...blah ..blah.. blah..

    LOL...

    It would easier if you, Billy-Bob & Cletus just moved to wherever people like you find more idyllic than Canada...

    Love it or leave it
  48. Jake Skiffington from Ottawa, Canada writes: Hoo boy! Does this Ritz fiasco ever have legs. Give something like this a few more days after it percolates in people's minds and various media outlets start looking at it from different angles and this could be the defining moment of the campaign.

    The families of the victims of the government cuts that helped lead to this tragedy are going to start speaking out. Played against the backdrop of the swaggering, sneering Ritz brushing past reporters and you've got a visuals catastrophe on your hands.

    Then the question of why Harper tried to portray himself as such a decisive individual with his swift action in firing the clown responsible for the puffin absurdity, yet doesn't take action when the minister in charge of one of the biggest food safety crises in Canadian history thinks wishing death on political opponents and cracking jokes about those who have died is the right message to send.

    Of course, people who pay close attention have known all along that the image Harper is trying to create of himself is a fraud.

    But this will focus a lot more attention on the initial crisis itself, the nastiness of Harper and his flunkies and the clear pattern of sneering, dismissive incompetence perpetrated by the Cons.

    BTW, how do you think Con wack jobs would be responding if someone had made a joke about the death of Canadian soldiers?
  49. garlick toast from Canada writes: Anyone wonder why that 'Toronto Terrorist' video is being released now to the public? It was released by NEFA, a 9/11 watchdog group.Google them and read about the members of this group.C.I.A. spooks out in the open.
    So why would they? To give Harper a boost.How's that for a conspiracy?
  50. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    Skiff--

    'BTW, how do you think Con wack jobs would be responding if someone had made a joke about the death of Canadian soldiers?'

    We'd feel the same way we felt after Dion killed the anti-terror provisions (effectively slapping the face of anybody who lost a loved one on Air India or 9/11).

    'kay?
  51. C R from Canada writes:

    Mike Milne: Very informative comment. There is much more than meets the eye here!
  52. Is Stephane CanaDION, and is he from France or from Canada writes: Jake Skiffington from Ottawa, Canada writes: Hoo boy! Does this Ritz fiasco ever have legs. Give something like this a few more days after it percolates in people's minds and various media outlets start looking at it from different angles and this could be the defining moment of the campaign.

    ---

    No way. The debates.
  53. MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: Yes, they need to scare us into voting for them. Soft on crime doesn't work.

    Build more jails, and put us all into them. Feed us listeria meats and cheeses (and mushrooms).

    Then pray for us with the help of Dr Charles McVety.

    That's what Canada's all about now -- oh, and the RCMP shot another guy here in SK: it's up to 9 in less than a year.

    Thank GAWD they're here to protect us.
  54. C R from Canada writes:

    spicydoc:

    Didn't an NDP'r do that at the beginning of the election and get away with it hands down?
  55. George Smith from Canada writes: As more and more regular Canadians tune in to the election the numbers will shift.

    I will wait until the last moment before I decide. Just like many others. This is what I think and most people I know see it the same way.

    So far the Greens have the best environment plan. The Liberals put the most back into my pocket. The NDP have some good policies but I think my taxes will go up. The Conservatives message so far is too much style but not a lot of substance (leadership, family etc.) and the payout from their policies is minimal.

    The current government record on keeping promises is not good and I think they are out of touch on the economy. A crucial part of choosing has to be based on the government's performance. The Conservatives are weak in this respect.

    It's still anyone's game to win or lose.

    26 days to go, more than enough time to change a few minds.

    So far I see a Conservative minority. That means this election was probably a waste of time and money.
  56. kitty kumari from Canada writes:
    Sorry, still not convinced by ANYONE.
  57. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: Apparently Liberals like the Nanos poll. problem is it shows the Cons at 39% now and them going down!
  58. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: I'm for banning polls during elections. Who is with me!
  59. M M from canada, Canada writes: Isn't Peter Donolo from this polling company an old Liberal party hack?
  60. vic w from Canada writes: But the election is a waste of time and money indeed. Harper was passing all of his bills.

    He just wants a majority because he wants to ram through legislation that he knows will be unpopular with Canadians. Or perhaps I should say unfavorable for most Canadians.

    Like Conservative governments before, he will sell Canada out as he has been doing already.
  61. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    Johnny test--

    Nanos also has Dion's leadership index at one-third of Harper's . Rah rah libs!

    As for polls--they are too fun to pass up.

    What I'm more interesed is how much the polling costs! It must be in the tens of millions. I hope the media guys are getting their money's worth.
  62. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    vic w--

    Is this your first election, or are you still too young to vote? Just wondering....
  63. George Smith from Canada writes: Mike Milne from Canada:

    Please explain 'I hope people in Ontario realize that when they're voting for Liberals they are asking for a massive tax hike. '

    I'd be interested in you basis for that comment.

    My investigation shows that the average Ontario taxpayer will be much better off with the Liberal plan. My own calculation puts me at a net $1800 per year. Every other person I know is better off. Please give me some data to refute this. I would be interested and so would other voters.
  64. john may from writes: Tories hanging back for bets. The finish line is a long way off.
    Will poll clerks be asking for ID to prove a voter is Canadian or is the card from Elections Canad sufficient proof ?
  65. garlick toast from Canada writes: MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada, nine shootings in SK? Doesn't anyone say anything about it? Are the cops going 'Rogue'?
  66. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: Of course the Liberals have gained ground in Ontario. I among many predicted that would be the result of Dion's Green Shift as it would shift $ from the west to the east.....simple....a way to buy votes with other people's money...simple...the oldest trick in the book....Quebec will follow........
  67. West Virginian Albino Mexican from Canada writes: Stephane Harpercrite from Thunder Bay, Canada writes: Jim Flaherty-the man who, in true conservative-spirit (Harris-style), took a $14 billion surplus into an operating deficit in under 2 years...

    ====================================================

    You do realise that the operating surplus/deficit is the figure to which the servicing charges on the public debt is added to - producing the budgetary surplus/deficit.

    If Flaherty had an operating deficit he would have a budgetary defecit which at this point with a 1.2B surplus we don't.
  68. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: You know if Dion promised to have a leadership vote if he won and would abide by the vote, the Liberals could win the election. There are enough people out there who would vote Liberal if they knew this guy would hand the party over to someone respected by Canadian voters.
    If you want to vote Liberal right now you have to hold your nose, because voting for him just plain stinks. Bob Rae or that Mike guy would have destroyed Harper, but Dion is the worst federal party leader, I can remember. Here is how the debate will go Dion will mumber something and all the others will ask him to repeat what he said because they can't understand him, and that friends will be the end of Dion and the Liberal party of Canada for 10 to 15 years.
  69. West Coast Not West from Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    ..... you can move east. In fact, try Toronto. It's a beautiful, crime free city, ....

    How would you know anything about Toronto, you've never even left Bountiful.
  70. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: Spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    What I'm more interesed is how much the polling costs! It must be in the tens of millions. I hope the media guys are getting their money's worth.

    The stupid thing about these polls is the high margin of error in the regions. How can you say anyone is ahead or behind if they are in the margin of error? The poll results are completely different between polling companies as well. Why does Nanos have the Liberals in the thirties when other polls puts them in the mid twenties?
  71. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: R Carriere from Maritimes writes:

    'Today, the election is a CPC blow out.'

    Exactly!

    Some of these G&M folks sure do seem to feel that they can spin facts selectively both in sports and in politics...

    BTW I wouldn't mind 5 days of beautiful sunny weather in Halifax about now...

    Maybe if we just wishfully think hard enough about it, that would also happen...

    Cheers
  72. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: George Smith from Canada writes:

    My investigation shows that the average Ontario taxpayer will be much better off with the Liberal plan. My own calculation puts me at a net $1800 per year. Every other person I know is better off. Please give me some data to refute this. I would be interested and so would other voters.

    Based on what? The Liberal calculator? Give me a break! So how can you get all this money back when the Liberals are promising massive spending? Where is this money going to come from?
  73. martha stewart from Canada writes: spicydoc writes: 'The libs and CPC are still within their margin of error!

    Stop the presses!!

    These kind of rolling polls are so inaccurate that to comment on anything less than a 7% change is no better than playing with a Ouija board.'

    ----

    Exactly. But it is so much cheaper to manufacture your own 'news' than to do serious reporting.

    And it does provide more fodder for threads. Everyone can apply their own selective vision, prejudices, and hopes to the results, starting with this pollster.

    As Mike Milne pointed out: 'How can the information claim that the Ritz thing impacted this poll? It just happened today.'
  74. Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:
    George - what's missing from the Green Shift (money from the west to Toronto) is that it doesn't tell you how much EVERYTHING is going to cost more once the companies being hit 'shift' the cost onto their product.

    The Green Shaft calculator makes things look like paradise - an illusion, like all thing grand under Liberals.

    It's an overall massive tax hike - or perhaps they might like to call it a 'premium' - that we're all going to take up the wazoo.
  75. George Smith from Canada writes: wayne powers from saskatoon;

    If one of the other leader makes any comment about pronounciation or tries to make fun of Dion's speech problem, it will cost them a lot of votes. They will also lose the debate in my view. Ask Kim Campbell. It is not fair play to attack the person. This is a basic rule in any debate.

    Canadians don't like those who pick on other people's disabilties.

    It shows a complete lack of judgement.

    It will be interesting to see who is stupid enough to do it.
  76. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: Actually, Nik Nanos has things widening FOR the CPC, though I didn't take the time to check out the provincial scene (if it was provided). I do have a life, you know.
  77. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever!

    The Green Shaft calculator makes things look like paradise - an illusion, like all thing grand under Liberals.

    The calculator does not even ask about your current lifestyle like many carbon offset calculators. How can you get an accurate figure back without knowing this?
  78. Mike Milne from Canada writes: George Smith: Dude, the Green Shift / Carbon Tax. The Green Shift calculator tells me I will save / (earn?) $77 per month extra on my income (via tax cuts). I have 2 kids - (if you don't, then you'll receive less). Do you believe that the $77 dollars will even out my additional expenses that will result from higher: Heating bills, cooling bills. clothing bills, food bills, vehicle expenses (repairs, gas) If you don't believe gas will go up - how does fuel get to the gas station? Via transport truck using diesel fuel which Dion will increase the tax from 4 cents to 11 cents. This will be passed onto the consumer. All of our clothing, food, appliances, (ie everything) which is transported to retail shops by truck (or plane) will cost more to the distributor and passed onto the retailer and then passed on to us. That's just the diesel tax. What about the carbon tax? The problem is the Liberals / Greens haven't facted out the numbers or clarified anything. My kids take dance lessons. The studio will need to heat / cool itself. They receive product / supplies via transport truck whose expenses will be passed on to the studio and then passed on to me. Do you think all of the items above will only add up to $77/ month. Please correct me, but I haven't heard a word from the Liberals / Greens on this AT ALL. Please let me know where you're getting your numbers from.
  79. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: diane marie from calgary, Canada writes:

    Actually, Nik Nanos has things widening FOR the CPC, though I didn't take the time to check out the provincial scene (if it was provided). I do have a life, you know.

    I can hardly wait for the leaders' debates! It should be great! Obama will..oh wait.
  80. The West is Booming from Canada writes: Peter Donolo is the past Communictions Director for John Cretien. His polls and commentary are biased and worthless and contradict other more reliable polls. Don't believe a word of Strategic Counsel results!
  81. Bob McDonald from Canada writes: Hey, Alberta! Do you really wonder why Ont and PQ news seems a bit anit-Harper - Harper, and you too, hate Ont and PQ.

    We are not completely dumb over here. We can sense it. And think about it - how can less than 10% of the population of Canada have all the right answers for the other 90% not living in Alberta! So be polite, be sensitive, be CANADIAN or the 90% will pull together and flush your conservative dream.
  82. George Smith from Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader ever! If you don't agree, then vote Conservative from Canada writes:

    Could you be a little specific?

    I would like to see some data, not just your 'feelings'. Rhetoric is nice but I prefer to deal in facts. Your very graphic in your description but I don't see any substance in your statement.

    Perhaps you don't wish to discuss this matter in a non-partisan way. If that is so just ignore me.
  83. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: Quick quiz, if you have 2 Alberta MPs talking in private can you guess what the blanked out word is 'Those Eastern - - - - - - - - '
  84. Trudeau's Apricot poodle from Canada writes: The Layton and Dion dancers on stage with the May pole, picking up dollars with a cunning collection of stunts.
  85. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: Bob McDonald from Canada writes: Hey, Alberta! Do you really wonder why Ont and PQ news seems a bit anit-Harper - Harper, and you too, hate Ont and PQ.

    Harper was born out of Ontario's butt hole - Toronto.
  86. Tax me! I'm Canadian. I'll roll over! from Canada writes: To people calling for change via the election process: Voting is pointless. All we get to do is to decide what shade of lipstick gets to be put on the pig, but the pig still is a pig. If you really think about what democracy is, it is nothing more than political 'might makes right'. It is about 51% of the people who decide what policies are forced on 49%. Democracy is actually the anti-thesis of individual liberties and freedom. Democracy assumes that the majority 'knows what is right and truth'. Anyone believe that? Do you think that voters who go to the polls have any inkling of what is really going on the world, read, assumes the media informs them, and casts their ballots with the conviction they know what is best for others? We frequently hear the media/government cartel lament about 'low turnout in the polls'. They tout 'voter apathy' as the reason. They would never say, 'People think voting is pointless!' What if on our ballots, we had the choice of 'None of the above!'. Don't confuse this with spoiling your ballot. This is explicitly saying, 'All the candidates suck!'. I wonder if this option became available, would their be a surge in voter turnout to select that choice? I.e. a 90% turnout where 70% of people chose 'None of the above'? We'll never know. Democracy is a ruse. The State will never allow us serfs to vote against the State. (con't)
  87. West Coast Not West from Canada writes: Oh by the way, I'm not sure if this has been discussed before. October 14th is a full moon. Was this calculated? Somebody take a poll.
  88. K D from Canada writes:
    Ontarians won't vote conservative and they wonder why the government pays more attention to other provinces.

    Vote for the Conservatives and get your representation people. The Liberals can't even win a minority anyway.
  89. Tax me! I'm Canadian. I'll roll over! from Canada writes: :
    Please consider the following declaration:

    - I wish no power over you.
    - I wish that you have no power over me.
    - Where I have power over you, I shall seek to renounce it.
    - Where you have power over me, I shall pray that you renounce it, and so long as it be extant, I shall condemn it.
    - Where there are those who would try to give me power over you, I shall denounce them and condemn them.
    - Where there are those who would try to give you power over me, I shall laugh at them and condemn them.
    - Where you would use force to sustain any putative power relationship over me, I shall condemn you and resist you, and call to my brethren in our struggle against you.
    - Where a tyrant, a majority, a plurality, or a minority presume to grant you power over me, or over anyone else, I shall condemn it, resist it, renounce it and denounce it.
    - Where there are those who are subjugated beneath the boot heel of power, by 'democratic' means or otherwise, I shall support their resistance, their condemnation, their denunciation and their renunciation.
    - I shall make no compromise with evil.

    How many people find themselves aligning with this ideology? If not, why not?
  90. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Liberals: Dion is our greatest leader, if all of the small l liberals moved east, Alberta would have to close all of its universities (excluding the U of C poli. sci. department of course).
  91. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Tell us that after the debates. At this point in the election the Conservatives would win a stronger minority but no majority. After the debates the Conservatives will have their majority.

    You can fluff up Dion with Rae and Iggy right now but they can't sit in for him in the debates. Dion is hated in Quebec and will not do well in the french debate. Dion will butcher the english language, over explain everything and confuse the audiance in the english debate....then comes the Conservative majority.
  92. Mr. Yellin from Ontario hinterland, Canada writes: KD, the Tories don't represent me. They don't have my values or interests in mind. My local candidate is so hard right he is out of touch with the 21st century. Thanks for the offer, but no thanks.
  93. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Johnny Test, and we'd be worse off based on what? Harper's word? I think that we have all learned that the only thing that comes out of Harper's mouth is lies. Harper lives by the rule 'If you repeat it enough, people will eventually believe it'.
  94. William Marshall from Canada writes: Let us remember that with Conservative support in the polls at around 36 per cent, that a 64 per cent MAJORITY of Canadians actually prefer ANOTHER party to the left of the Tories. The Conservatives are not going to get a majority or minority government from Canadians - they get a weak plurality. Let us keep the talk straight on this.
  95. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: Bobby Dy:-- I confess that I'm not very diligent when it comes to reading the local press, but I understand that David Swann is going to run for the Alberta Liberals...
  96. Lection Fever from east to west all across, Canada writes: Dy You have it backwards.
    Liberals are serial chronic liars and thieves.
  97. Johnny Test from Pork Belly, Canada writes: Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Johnny Test, and we'd be worse off based on what? Harper's word? I think that we have all learned that the only thing that comes out of Harper's mouth is lies. Harper lives by the rule 'If you repeat it enough, people will eventually believe it'.

    When you start adding up all the spending promises, the fact that the tax is supposed to be revenue neutral and the fact that Dion said we are near deficit what possible conclusion can you come to?
  98. Bobby Dy from Canada writes: Shawn Bull, my bet is that the big 'winner' in the debates will be Elizabeth May and the big loser will be Harper. The weakness that Harper has is that most of what he says is misrepresentation and deception. May will call him on that and come across as sincere, articulate, and honest. The other leaders will reinforce that view and come out roughly even.
  99. George Smith from Canada writes: Mike Milne from Canada writes:

    As a person who has run his own business and who has had to keep track of all expenses, I'm quite aware of my costs.

    The final cost of any item I purchase is based on a very simple premise.

    The company will the lowest price on the same item gets the sale. That's it.

    Your 'cost of tranportation argument' is invalid by the eveidence of the past 3 years.

    i.e. I now pay double for fuel that I paid 3 years ago yet I pay almost the same price for electricity, milk, bread, potato chips, meals at restaurants, etc ,etc,

    If the cost of fuel doubling has such a little effect on prices I don't believe a 7% hike over 4 years will make a noticable difference. I believe your theory is not supported by the facts.

    Wouldn't you agree?
    • Posted 18/09/08 at 11:06 PM EST |