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The battle for Parkdale-High Park

JORDAN TIMM

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 2:29 AM EST 11/10/08

Only one of Gerard Kennedy and Peggy Nash will still be standing after Oct. 15. Who will emerge from the hottest Liberal/NDP fight in the country? ...Read the full article

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  1. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    The pic shows Dion with his old Joe Clark mushroom haircut.

    I liked it---why did he change??

    PS-- Nash by 734 votes.
  2. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Think about it!

    Do you want Dion managing the economy & representing Canada on the world stage?

    Part 1 - Dion Plays Dumb
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xbs7wXvh2Q

    Part 2 - Dion Ducks the Questions
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AslkxaWbiLo&feature=related
  3. Michael Sharp from Victoria BC, Canada writes:

    Right about now there a lot of Liberal supporters not very enamoured of Kennedy.

    The 'King' maker.

    The 'Loser' maker.

    Poverty pimps.
    Who knows what their motives are?
  4. 4Cryin Outloud from Canada writes: If only every candidate had the qualities of a Peggy Nash or a Gerard Kennedy. No one would have to be concerned about who won or if their votes counted. These two are both winners as far as I'm concerned and Parkdale-HighPark are one of the few Canadian ridings to have such a great choice. Good luck to you both Nash and Kennedy.
  5. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Is this Kennedy the same guy who worked at the Food Bank?

    If so, does he have plans to get rid of Food Banks?

    Given the current economic climate, how does he propose to help poor Caandians house themselves?
  6. AU GT from Long Beach, United States writes: I normally don't agree with NDP/Communists, but since I miss travelling to Canada and desperately need a 35-cent loonie, the NDP should not stop at $10 for a minimum wage. I'd like to see it at about $45 to drive the loonie to 35-cents a lot sooner so that perhaps I could visit by Christmas.

    Much as the Soviets put a wall through Germany, will the NDP wall off Quebec if the NDP can manage a majority?
  7. Michael Crowell from Halifax, Canada writes: The two of them packaged together do not even make one quality MP.
  8. mike sty - from Canada writes: Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Is this Kennedy the same guy who worked at the Food Bank?
    --------------------

    This is the same loser who stole the Liberal leadership from Rae or Iggy.

    Go Nash Go
  9. mike sty - from Canada writes:

    Nash 21,502

    Kennedy 15,460

    Saweczko 7,239.......CON
  10. Chris S from Guelph, Canada writes: These are the kinds of stories I wish we saw more of in the elections, as opposed to the cult of celebrity centred around the party leaders that has become the norm. For Parliament to truly work, we need strong MP's...they keep their own leaders in check, as well as keeping the other parties honest. Both Nash and Kennedy are passionate politicians that are running for public office for the right reasons. Here in Guelph, we are equally fortunate to have quality candidates running for each of the Greens, Liberals, NDP and Conservatives. One of the Bloc Quebecois' traditional strengths has been that, as a regional party looking out for Quebec's interests, they usually have good candidates with strong ties to their local ridings.

    I hope that moving forward from this nasty election that has been largely about nothing that Canadians will demand more of their local MP's, voting for the best candidate in their riding as opposed to voting for a party brand or party leader.
  11. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    I have watched Peggy Nash in the HOC and she appears to have represented her constituents well and with great passion.

    As for Kennedy, most know his story. Never finished college but that was good enough to get him apponted Minister of Education in Ontario!!!??!!

    His deal with the all the devils at the Liberal leadership convention, is partly responsible for the debacle the Liberal Party finds itself in today. Imagine if Michael Ignatieff would have won, and rightfully so......it would be quite the different election today!

    From a G&M story on September 25, 2008 perhaps says it all : 'Gerard Kennedy is dead man walking,' said one veteran Liberal. 'He is perceived to have made some curious decisions at the convention (he got off the ballot before he had to in delivering his support to Mr. Dion) … and pushed Dion over the top and then disappeared.'

    He is also the epitome of the very far left fringe invasion of the Liberal party along with Rae and several others.

    Send a message---Vote and keep Peggy Nash. She has earned it.
    .
  12. Political Crone from Canada writes: A few Liberals? Hey, try a lot of Liberals. Gerard is a 'Ken' doll. He is not roo bright and to a large degree he is responsible for the mess in which the Liberal Party finds itself. Given his track record he should probably go find a nice cult to lead or maybe a food bank in Kabul.
    For the sake of the good people of Parkdale, one can only hope Ms. Nash wins. I wonder how many Liberals have contributed to Nash's campaign?
  13. CG fr Toronto from Canada writes: EDITORIAL
    Star's choice: Dion, Liberals
    Oct 11, 2008 04:30 AM

    ''Prime Minister Stephen Harper has run a government that has put partisanship and ideology ahead of the public interest....

    For all these reasons, Harper and the Conservatives do not deserve to be re-elected on Tuesday....

    We prefer Dion and the Liberals...

    But Dion has shown growth in this campaign and appeared finally to be connecting with voters at the end. He has also demonstrated strength of character in withstanding a withering negative ad campaign that would have brought lesser leaders to their knees....

    Dion's intelligence is beyond question, as is his love of country....

    Finally, the Liberal platform has much in it to like, including an emphasis on building infrastructure, fighting poverty, expanding child care and working with the provinces (especially Ontario)....

    ...In summary, the re-election of Stephen Harper and the Conservatives would be bad for Toronto, bad for Ontario, and bad for Canada. Stéphane Dion and the Liberals are the best alternative.'...

    http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/515895
  14. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    CG fr Toronto from Canada: I think we get the picture, but if it makes you feel better to continue to post the Star editorial, feel free.

    Allow me to ask you something else. Can you please name just ONE other big city editoral newspaper backing of the Dion lead Liberals?

    Globe and Mail? NO
    National Post? NO
    Montreal Gazette? NO
    Ottawa Citizen? NO
    Any French Quebec newspaper? NO

    I won't even go west of the Ontario/Manitoba border because we all know what the answer is....
    .
  15. In a Fog from Toronto, Canada writes: I live in the riding and can't bring myself to vote for Nash. She has way too much union baggage and the leader of her party is a braying jackass. Bulte had to go last time so I parked my vote with the Greens. This time I decided, in the past few days, to vote for Kennedy. He has shown the he can deliver beyond the local ward politician level. Nash would make a good city councillor for David Miller but I think her time in parliament is limited.
  16. If you're voting Liberal, you must be drunk from Canada writes:
    The only thing funnier than a buffoon, is a buffoon supporter.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xbs7wXvh2Q
  17. RRR JJJ from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes: As for Kennedy, most know his story. Never finished college but that was good enough to get him apponted Minister of Education in Ontario!!!??!!
    ______

    nothing wrong with that. john snobelen was the min of ed in ontario under mike harris. dropped out of high school but made himself rich in business via hard work and using his brain in other ways.

    there's much more to education than books and classrooms.
  18. Raymond Durrani from Christland, Canada writes: Peggy, please send Gerrard back to the Food Bank. Look, he was assigned a responsibility and who he picked - Dion - total loss of intelligence. God, I said after the announcement. Canadians did deserve him but Gerrard give it to them. Well! this is what you get when you elect people who have no class - that is Gerrard.

  19. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    RRR JJJ from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes: As for Kennedy, most know his story. Never finished college but that was good enough to get him apponted Minister of Education in Ontario!!!??!!
    ______

    nothing wrong with that. john snobelen was the min of ed in ontario under mike harris. dropped out of high school but made himself rich in business via hard work and using his brain in other ways.

    there's much more to education than books and classrooms.
    -------------
    Absolutely correct, but PLEASE do not compare that gentleman's accomplishments with the likes of Kennedy........
    .
  20. kim may from sarnia, Canada writes: Tired of people bullying Stephane Dion...

    So...check out Harper lifting speech from John Howard....lol

    What a fool.... fools like him have scapegoats though don't they ?

    Can you see this Harper fool running this country ever again ?

    I thought plagarism and bribery were illegal ?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8YwJC_nBgw

    I wonder how Chuck Cadman would view this election ! ?
  21. 1 2 from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    CG fr Toronto from Canada: I think we get the picture, but if it makes you feel better to continue to post the Star editorial, feel free.

    Allow me to ask you something else. Can you please name just ONE other big city editoral newspaper backing of the Dion lead Liberals?

    Globe and Mail? NO
    National Post? NO
    Montreal Gazette? NO
    Ottawa Citizen? NO
    Any French Quebec newspaper? NO
    --------------
    Carriere, you still posting this crap? I thought I recommended a media communications course for you so that you might see why these numbers are so (i.e., these media outlets are owned by a small number of corporate elites who would be Harper supporters, and they are not interested in representing the views and perspectives of the vast, vast majority of the Canadian people -- let's say 70% of us)..

    Wake up, fellow. Stop pushing this misleading crap.
  22. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    2 from Canada : Good to see you back VERNIE.
    .
  23. Paul Thompson from Canada writes: At this point, the NDP and Liberals shouldn't be fighting each other, as there is a bigger monster to slay.
  24. Olivia Brownbeck from Canada writes: Peggy Nash all the way! I was a liberal supporter before Adscam. When Jack asked for my vote I was so disgusted with the Liberals I decided to vote NDP for the first time. I watched the Liberal leadership convention speeches and thought the run off would be between Rae and Iggy and thought maybe if Rae got the leadership I might consider the Libs again (maybe). There was no way I thought Dion would get it after the speech. Than Kennedy made that incredibly cynical decision to support Dion and boom we have a liberal party with the weakest poll numbers across the country EVER. Toronto is helping the Liberals but shouldn't be.

    Kennedy certainly shouldn't win. His personal ambition (thinking that Dion would be a place holder until the next leadership race) has backfired tremendously.

    More to the point what the hell is the guy who was charged with increasing the Liberals affirmative action candidates doing running against a progressive woman? That's ridiculously hypocritical. Kennedy: yes we want more progressive women in parliament - unless of course it inconveniences me.

    He doesn't even live in the riding! Peggy has been there over 25 years. Her kids were in school in the riding, participated in little league at High Park, she has been active in the community.

    During the Liberal leadership race Kennedy was speculating that he would run in the West. Be the first Western liberal leader. He talked about running in Quebec. So why didn't he? If PHP wasn't good enough for him during the leadership race, he shouldn't be good enough for them during the election.
  25. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    With CCRAP heading for a fourth place finish in Parkdale-High Park, the riding can't lose.

    Kennedy is charismatic, but Nash deserves to be re-elected.

    Either way, CCRAP don't register.

    Gawd I love Parkdale-High Park.

    ABC
  26. Greg Davies from Calgary, Canada writes:
    Every time I hear Dion claiming that he would be the 'greenest' PM ever I just about fall out of my chair laughing :)

    He appears to have no idea what he is saying.

    I therefore have no doubt that he is correct.
  27. Raymond Durrani from Christland, Canada writes: Olivia Brownback: Agreewith you. I was a long time Liberal. Liberal's Adscam, their MPs like Derek Lee in Scarboroughstan and Dan McTeague on the border of Pickeringstan and Scarboroughstan along with few more really made me to disassociate with the party. I at one point forgive Communist Trudeau who added $175. Billion debt to the government in 70s and Chretien the 'Dick-tator' but no more. Liberal Party should be banned from the process for all the ill they did to this country of mine.

    Peggy, Please take Gerrard out of his misery - back to the food bank for him - until he refine himself. $195K along with half a million for the offices for the constituency and Hill office was lot more than he ever got paid by the Foodbank. Politics is sweet but only if one does it right. He screwed it up big time - lets learn him a lesson.
  28. Barclay Logan from Bewdley, ON, Canada writes: Michael (not too) Sharp from Aluminum-walkertown, B.C. pounds off on the Ontario vote ... do you have a gas oven out there? Blow out the pilot light and throw in the bird.

    Close all the windows and stuff rags in the door gaps.
  29. Erin Berkshire from Canada writes: I remember Kennedy when he was education minister. He dribbled out just enough cash and promises of more and better funding that parents stayed quiet. It was after he left that I realized that he is no different than all the other Liberals. Good at talking not so good at getting things done. He got out just before parents woke up and realized that the funding formula would never really be fixed by the McGuinty Government.

    Than he stayed on the payroll as an MPP as he toured around Canada for his leadership race. There was no representation provincially for months in Parkdale High Park. The provincial government administers all sorts of social services and all those folks who would normally turn to their MPPs office if they were having problems had no one to turn to. But hey - he needed the cash right?

    Someone I know who is very active with a community group in the riding couldn't believe how he just abandoned his constituents, closing his offices and everything. She lost complete respect for him.

    Peggy has been really active in the riding from everything I have heard. She has also had incredibly high profile. I have seen her on the panels on a regular basis. She is clearly a star in her party and she is great at putting Tories in their place. For God Sake she actually stopped the sell out of an iconic Canadian company MDA (maker of the Canadarm) to a US arms dealer. The Canadian govenment had spent a bucket full of cash for MDA to develop technology and they were just going to say thanks for the cash = see ya. Analogous to the Avro Arrow situation. The Tories backed down after Peggy stood up to them. That is pretty formidable.

    For all those reasons and more VOTE PEGGY NASH!
  30. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: FYI - Most Liberals did NOT want Dion as their leader!
  31. dick brown from missy, Canada writes: Liberal 1st
    NDP 2nd
    Place still a socialist/elitist cesspool
    who cares of Toronto...the cons don't...good for them.
  32. Dave NewDem from Canada writes: Peggy is a total powerhouse. She is AMAZING. I see her every around the riding. She is at so many events. She is has hosted 100 mile breakfasts and community informational meetings and film nights at the Revue. She has got to be one of the hardest working MPs in the House. I read her e-newsletter and I get tired.

    So different from Bulte (thank god) and I don't remember Kennedy doing much beyond a community meeting every few months. I went to one and it seemed more about him than issues or getting ideas from the community. Faux-progressive if you know what I mean.

    Peggy is sure to win. Vote Nash!
  33. Phil H from Toronistan, Canada writes: Dion would be the 'greenest' PM in Canadian history, but for more reasons than one.
  34. FoolMe Once from Toronto, Canada writes: I live in High Park-Parkdale and all I can say is that while I do have my personal preference, I also recognize that we will be well served no matter which of these two, Kennedy or Nash, emerges victorious.
    Having said that, it is funny to me to hear NDPers go at Liberlas attacking them for supporting Harper's gov't. It seems muh more understandable to me why a party that was so ravaged in the last few years and had to elect a new leader - the Liberals - would quietly endure Harper while rebuilding. The NDP has been just as 'supportive', strategically voting against Harper ONLY when they knew their votes had no chance of defeating his government.
    I think Nash has represented this riding well. Kennedy can do just as good a job.
    The one thing that has changed for me is that I used to admire Jack Layton, but I no longer recognize the politician he has become on the federal scene and I've heard a lot of similar commentary from people who considered him a relative hero in municipal politics.
    So, good luck to Kennedy and Nash. It's just nice to live in a riding where fraudsters like Harper and his colleagues don't have a snowball's chance in hell of being elected!
  35. Aje Sutton from Canada writes: RE: Fool me once:

    the NDP have voted against Harper and crew 43 times. The same 43 times the liberals voted for or abstained to Harper's benefit.

    It is kind of hard to disprove your argument given that the Liberals were never prepared to stand up to Harper. I can only base my vote on real action not speculation. Liberals always say, if they had voted against the government, than the NDP would have backed down and vote with Harper. They must not have really believed that since they never put it to the test.

    The Libs have had the stuffing kicked out of them because of that abstention tactic - even by their own activists. Do you not think that if they could have 'safely' voted against Harper they would have?
  36. Counterspinner tells the truth from Canada writes: Nash versus Kennedy - talk about a race to the bottom....
  37. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: LPC leadership convention, 2006

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006Liberalleadership_convention

    The facts speak for themselves.
  38. active reader from canada, Canada writes: kennedy is a very smart, intelligent, honest and worthy man...but his decision to step over to dion in the leadership race was a serious brain fart he may never recover from...in the end though...the liberals are a great party, have so much to offer and with an outside chance of forming a minority....and remove the cons....my vote goes to him.
  39. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    Who is the CCRAP candidate in Parkdale-High Park anyway?

    I imagine he or she is as popular as a skunk with B.O.

    ABC
  40. Aje Sutton from Canada writes: RE: active - I am sorry - the late conversation of the 'didn't get it done' Liberals to green causes is nothing more than GREEN WASHING. I don't think I have heard that Dion started a green building program that has retrofitted more than 500 buildings - Jack has. I don't think I have heard that Dion has been a transit and bike activist for 30 years. Jack and Olivia have been. I don't think that Dion or the Liberals had a Green Car strategy endorsed by the CAW back in 2004. Peggy and Jack did.

    So with respect - the only green party that is in contention in PHP is the New Democrats and Peggy Nash. Vote Peggy!
  41. Haiden MitHand El from Canada writes: I live in this riding. Peggy has been a great MP. Gerard is a bright guy and he represents the future. They both deserve to be in the House of Commons as they'd both make excellent representatives. Some ugly SOB has been vandalizing people's homes with red spray paint (if you have a Liberal sign on your lawn). I haven't heard Mr. Harper condemn this thuggery so I can only conclude that he condones it. I'm not saying that CPC supporters are responsible for this vandalism because I honestly don't have a clue about who's responsible. I'm voting for the Liberals just to spite Mr. Harper. Sorry Peggy. BTW, Mr. Harper keeps asking for a mandate so will someone please give the guy directions to Remington's or Church Street.
  42. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    Haiden MitHand El writes:

    'Mr. Harper keeps asking for a mandate so will someone please give the guy directions to Remington's or Church Street.'

    Lol.

    I hear you have just as good a chance of getting the shaft at Fly as you do voting for CCRAP.

    ABC
  43. Lianne Johnson from Canada writes: Kennedy is a class act. He is a rare breed: a sincere politician that does not run dirty campaigns. He was never looking for any future leadership strategy. He picked Dion for various policy reasons. Kennedy would be a tremendous MP for Parkdale-High Park and he would represent all the constituents with honesty, with no ties to any special interest groups. He will raise the profile of Parkdale High Park as a critic or cabinet minister. How has Peggy Nash 'won against' Stephen Harper? If you want to kick out Harper, vote Liberal, it is the only way to replace him. Kennedy can help accomplish that for Parkdale-High Park.
  44. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    That's a nice speach Lianne Johnson.

    You must have been rehearsing all afternoon.

    I don't disagree with most of what you say.

    I don't live in the riding, but I would be torn between Nash and Kennedy.

    So let's hear from the Nash and Kennedy supporters in an unrehearsed fashion.

    How many ridings in Canada have two candidates as good as this to choose from?

    ABC
  45. Alex MacLean from Toronto, Canada writes: Mr. Long Beach with all the snide comments: doesn't the LA Times have a comment function? You either have a very dry sense of irony or you're an idiot. You've picked a hell of a frackin' week to be lecturing Canadians about how to run their economy and engage constructively in industrial/labour relations. One damned hell of a week. Turn your attention back to your own country which desperately needs your 'acumen.'
  46. Joe Citizen from Everytown, Canada writes: ONTARIO ....... remember MIKE HARRIS
  47. sean smith from Canada writes: Go Peggy go!
  48. Bill Stewart from Canada writes: I think it's pretty clear that we'll be sending our PHP representative into the opposition benches. I am in principle against strategic voting. In fact one reason I would never vote Liberal is that they are not running on electoral reform. If the LPC truly wanted the 'progressive' vote they would commit to changing an electoral system that is patently unfair. Voter participation is down, voter apathy is up and I think part of the reason is that our votes don't count for very much in this system where 8% of the popular vote will translate into 50 seats (Bloc) and 10% of the vote will yield ) zero seats (Greens).

    Peggy Nash has deep roots in this community, is widely respected for her work both advocating for our community and for her work in the House of Commons, where she has been recognized as a tough, hard working, principled MP.

    On the other hand, as Chantal Hebert noted, 'Kennedy puts us on this path'. The reason we are NOW still faced with Harper returning as PM is owing exclusively to Kennedy and the Liberals themselves. Kennedy chose Dion, and surely not for the greater good of Canada. Dion was the worst choice of leader to go up against Harper (awkward and 'professorial', unpopular in Quebec, unable to connect to 905 Ontarians etc).

    This was followed by inner squabbling and backstabbing. A caucus still licking old wounds, a caucus in disarray, and caucus that sat idly by while a mission in Afghanistan was being extended, while budgets slashing funding to literacy programs, women's programs, to social programs were passed, and while access to information and the court challenges program was attacked.
  49. truthbe told from Canada writes: Go Kennedy Go ! Go Liberals, we do not want to protest Harper, we want to replace him!!
  50. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    Bill Stewart:

    You make too much sense.

    You should be banned from this forum.

    ABC
  51. Centerist Tory From Calgary from Canada writes: Roop--Does the concept of Canadians helping themselves feel 'foreign' to you? Canada was built on immigrants being self sufficient--not a nanny state--you make a decision and expect the state to be responsible for it---my immigrant grandparents worked hard to take advantage of the great things Canad had to offer and did! I'm happy to offer the same opportunity to immigrants to 'make it' given all the awesome opportunities to do so--not sucking the life out of the social welfare system Canadians are ahppy to give those that can't ---not won't!
  52. truthbe told from Canada writes: Dion is climbing in the polls and Canadians like what they heard from him in the debates. He is a real Leader with integrity. Furthermore, the Liberal Party is completely behind him. These NDP postings trying to tarnish Kennedy because he supported Dion are so ridiculous. Going by the numbers, Bob Rae's supporters gave Mr.Dion the victory not Mr. Kennedy's supporters. There is absolutely no proof that the Liberal Party would have been better off with a different Leader. Stephen Harper would still run a gutter campaign, no matter who the Leader is. As for Liberals abstaining from the circus votes, this was the action of a responsible opposition by not succumbing to Harper threatening Canadians with a $400 million dollar election every week. The NDP does not seem to understand that opposition parties are not in parliament just to oppose everything that comes out of the governing party's mouth and trigger an election. Opposition parties have a responsiblity to be constructive, try to make parliament work and protect the Canadian taxpayer. I am very pleased that the Liberal party did not play along with Harper's weekly election threats and protected my taxpayer dollars. Just think of the $400 million dollars Harper is blowing now just because he new he was sinking with the swing in the economy. We need a Leader that is fiscally responisbile, socially progressive and wants to really try to make a difference in the environment. Prime Minister Dion sure sounds great to me!
  53. Beer and Popcorn from Toronto, Canada writes: 'truthbe told from Canada writes: Dion is climbing in the polls and Canadians like what they heard from him in the debates. He is a real Leader with integrity. Furthermore, the Liberal Party is completely behind him.'
    Yes - performances like these are a real momentum builder and confidence builder for Canadians:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrliDQs1Jps
  54. Blue Liberal from Canada writes: Mr. Kennedy is a class act. He has campaigned with honour and grace - he has never said a bad word about Peggy Nash. In fact, he has always said that Parkdale High Park is blessed to have a race between two excellent candidates.

    Mr. Kennedy is honest, decent and hard working. He will deliver the goods to the people of PHP.

    Kennedy was one of the prime Harris-stoppers. He was the scourge of the Common Sense Revolution in parliament. Mike Harris laughed at most of the Liberal Critics but was terrified of Gerard Kennedy.

    When Kennedy ran the Ministry of Education (a 15Billion dollar enterprise), he restored peace, respect and achievement to teachers, students and parents.

    Kennedy will bring a national profile to Parkdale High Park. Only the Liberals have the possibility of being a national progressive voice.

    It is funny to hear Layton say he is running for Prime Minister and then see that he is focusing all of his party's resources on the 45 or so ridings (mostly urban) in which they are competitive.

    With the votes of people in Parkdale High Park, the Liberals could form a minority government. Even if they end up in opposition or in a coalition, Kennedy will be either an extremely prominent Opposition Critic or he will be a High Ranking Minister (probably Health, I would guess).

    A vote for Kennedy is a vote for progress and action.

    A vote for the NDP is a vote for protest and impotennce.

    Don't waste your vote on the NDP Nash. Make your vote count with Kennedy.
  55. Conservatives Lie from Canada writes: Peggy Nash said 'You don't have to wonder what I'm going to do in Ottawa. You've seen what I can do in Ottawa'

    Yeah Ms Nash, we have see what you and the entire NDP can do: NOTHING.

    All the NDP has done for Canada was bring down the Liberals, hand Stephen Harper and the Conservatives power, and now they are sabotaging the Liberals AGAIN.

    For all their high-minded ideas and claims about how they care, all Jack Layton and the NDP have done is talk. They can never form government, they can never have power, and in the meantime nothing gets done.

    It's time to ditch the NDP and focus our voting power on Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party of Canada. Only they can stop Harper.
  56. Sy Borg from Regina, Canada writes: Conservatives Lie from Canada writes:

    'Peggy Nash said 'You don't have to wonder what I'm going to do in Ottawa. You've seen what I can do in Ottawa'

    Yeah Ms Nash, we have see what you and the entire NDP can do: NOTHING.'

    Man, that is rich coming from someone that supports a party that sat on its hands 43 times on votes in parliament. Unlike the NDP, the Liberals kept the Conservatives in power for 2.5 years.
  57. Bill Stewart from Canada writes: 'All the NDP has done for Canada was bring down the Liberals, hand Stephen Harper and the Conservatives power, and now they are sabotaging the Liberals AGAIN.'

    Man, the Kennedy team should get their talking points straight because otherwise they end up posting absurdities like this. This comment shows nothing but contempt for our democracy, and is understandable because Liberals have long had a deep disregard for democracy.

    The NDP bringing down Martin was what a principled opposition does. Do remember that an effective opposition is as crucial to a democracy as the government. An absent opposition like the Liberals wouldn't know anything about that.

    Second, Stephen Harper was DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED by VOTERS. Trying to pin the blame on Layton and not looking at reasons why the electorate might not have been so keen on the Liberals (I don't know, perhaps ADSCAM had something to do it) is just ignorant and contemptuous towards democracy.

    Third, if the Liberals in fact did have any respect for democracy, they'd be running on electoral reform to even out the unfair advantage they receive from the current system. They're NOT, and I'm appalled that Elizabeth May threw her candidates under the bus for a party that is not running making parliament more proportionally representative.

    Maybe the Environics polls showing Nash ahead by 11 points aren't far off the mark, given the stench of Liberal desperation around here.
  58. Bill Stewart from Canada writes: 'A vote for the NDP is a vote for protest and impotennce.
    Don't waste your vote on the NDP Nash. Make your vote count with Kennedy.'
    __________________________

    This comment is a case in point regarding Liberals' smug sense of entitlement and contempt for democracy. A vote for Peggy Nash is a vote for Peggy Nash. Period.

    btw NDP voters take heart in the fact that you're voting for 'impotennce' and not impotence, because that would be bad.

    Happy Thanksgiving, even to the petty, desperate Liberal hacks on here. :)
  59. Raymond Durrani from Christland, Canada writes: Kennedy:

    Why don't you tell Dion to give up his dual citizenship.
  60. David Stevens from MONTREAL, Canada writes: Giving up dual citizenship is ridiculous. I guess we should all be unilingual too... in case it gives us too much emmpathy for the people of Quebec. For that matter maybe all people with a bit too much of a tan should also be suspect...

    I would like to see you say to all the Jews in Canada that also possess Israeli citizenship that they should give that up. Won't happen and you would be in deeep sh*t.
  61. Christopher Ryan from Vancouver, Canada writes: Gerard Kennedy = Opportunistic phoney who pretended to endorse Dionne so that he would loose (which he will of course). In GK really believes will come in and ride to the rescue. None of this will come to fruition of course as the Liberals have no actual plan other than political survival. They have never stood for anything aside from personal survival.
  62. Blue Liberal from Canada writes: Funny how presenting a few cogent arguments that demonstrate the NDP's inability to make positive change is viewed as desperation.

    It reminds me why I cannot vote for the NDP, even though I am on the Left: it is a party of critique and complaint.

    The NDP is not a party of action. The Liberal Party has delivered the following:

    1. Health Care
    2. CPP
    3. Official Multiculturalism
    4. Our Own Constitution
    5. Official Bilingualism
    6. A Proposed National Child Care Program (Cancelled by conservatives with the help of Jack Layton's NDP).
    7. Eliminated the National Deficit and Paid off the Debt

    What has the NDP done except for protest?

    A Vote for Kennedy is a Vote for Action. Kennedy defeated Mike Harris and fixed education in Ontario.
  63. Doug MacGregor from Canada writes: AU GT from Long Beach, United States writes: I normally don't agree with NDP/Communists, but since I miss travelling to Canada and desperately need a 35-cent loonie, the NDP should not stop at $10 for a minimum wage. I'd like to see it at about $45 to drive the loonie to 35-cents a lot sooner so that perhaps I could visit by Christmas.
    ----------------

    The NDP believes in a well funded foreign aid program. The way the USA's economy is tanking you'll probably soon be eating from a soup kitchen that has a big maple leaf on it...so you'd better hope the NDP does form a government. Too bad they won't be as 'hard left' as 'Bolshie' Bush and 'Maverick' Mccain who are in the process of sovietizing your banking system...
  64. Doug MacGregor from Canada writes: Blowhard Liberal from Canada writes: Funny how presenting a few cogent arguments that demonstrate the NDP's inability to make positive change is viewed as desperation.

    The NDP is not a party of action. The Liberal Party has delivered the following:

    ------

    When was the last time the LIBs ever delivered anything when they actually had a majority? Try never...When will the LIBs ever get another majority...try never.

    The LIBs trying to take credit for Healthcare and CPP is like Dion trying to take credit for the Green Shaft.



  65. John Hertz from Canada writes: Doug MacGregor from Canada writes: 'When was the last time the LIBs ever delivered anything when they actually had a majority? Try never...When will the LIBs ever get another majority...try never.'

    **********

    Hey Doug how about the Liberals cleaning up the financial mess left by Brian Mulroney!!

    How about reducing the National from 71% debt/GDP to 25% debt/GDP??

    Hey Doug how about 11 straight years of surpluses??

    When the Liberals came to power in the early 90's Canada was a financial basket case. There was front page article in the Wall Street Journal comparing Canada to Mexico and calling the C$ to C Peso.

    The Liberals took care of this mess.

    Now we have Herr Harper who has screwed everything up again by drasticly increasing spending and with DUMB ideas like reducing the GST - this dumb idea has been condemned by all reputable economists across the country and the IMF and the OECD.
  66. Aje Sutton from Canada writes: Re: Liberal Party of Action?

    It was Tommy Douglas of the CCF/NDP that brought medicare to Saskatchewan and than forced the Liberals to deliver during a Liberal minority. Same is true with CPP. There was no likelihood of child care from any Liberal govt until the Martin (MINORITY) in which Layton demanded that corporate tax cuts be shifted to investments in child care, transit and affordable housing.

    In fact Dion did it again (at least he did it before the election for a change). He said that in an economic downturn he would throw child care and pharmacare under the bus but keep $50 BILLION in corporate tax cuts and would go ahead with the carbon tax.

    Liberals only act progressive when they are forced to by a strong NDP caucus.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91anmMsm6no
  67. Andrew E from Canada writes: R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    CG fr Toronto from Canada: I think we get the picture, but if it makes you feel better to continue to post the Star editorial, feel free.

    Allow me to ask you something else. Can you please name just ONE other big city editoral newspaper backing of the Dion lead Liberals?

    Globe and Mail? NO
    National Post? NO
    Montreal Gazette? NO
    Ottawa Citizen? NO
    Any French Quebec newspaper? NO

    I won't even go west of the Ontario/Manitoba border because we all know what the answer is....

    >>> Not true, Darn it all, R. Carriere. The western media behemoth THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT has endorsed Dion, bringing the full weight of Vancouver's socialist elite with them.
    So from there it's not much of a challenge to guess which way the nationally-distributed Xtra ('Where Queers Conspire'... their slogan, not mine, BTW Mods...) and Toronto's Now Magazine are going to go.

    What??? Those are all free papers? That nobody reads anyway? Ahh shucks, as you were.
  68. Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada writes: Gerard Kennedy deserves to be defeated not so much for his track record in charitable work or in his previous role of member of the provincial legislature but for having inflicted the hapless misleader Stephane Dion on the Canadian public. Dion can't even answer a straightforward question in an unbiased interview.
  69. Paul G from Toronto, Canada writes: The NDP doesn't live in the real world. When they took power in Ontario in 1990 they very nearly bankrupted the province. Afterwards, Bob Rae wrote a dam book about how the NDP is only an opposition party, not meant to govern!!! I'll never forget that one...

    The choice has always been Liberal or Conservative and this time we don't have much to choose from. Maybe when Gerard Kennedy is leader (or Justin Trudeau).

    ...
  70. Blue Liberal from Toronto, Canada writes: You NDP cultists are amusing. It was a Liberal government that delivered all of this: 1. Health Care 2. CPP 3. Official Multiculturalism 4. Our Own Constitution 5. Official Bilingualism 6. A Proposed National Child Care Program (Cancelled by conservatives with the help of Jack Layton's NDP). 7. Eliminated the National Deficit and Paid off the Debt I mean, if the NDP is going to stake a claim to it, then the Tories might as well stake a claim to it too! Afterall, they all had members in parliament. That kind of 'we forced you' argument is ridiculous. It's like saying that my cats pooing outside the litterbox forced me to buy them a different kind of litter - there might be a slight influence, but it was me that had the money, me that made the trip to Pet Store, me that carried the bad away and put it in my car. It's the same in parliament - the NDP might complain and scream and shout about a variety of things. In the end, it is the Liberal Party that passes the PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION that helps ALL Canadians. And Gerard Kennedy is a Prince of the Liberal Party. Don't listen to the naysayers - go with the WINNING TEAM that has a PROVEN record since CONFEDERATION. Vote Gerard Kennedy.

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