Dear Readers,
The fate of Canada will be decided in just a few days.
The Liberals have taken the lead in early polls, with the Tories trailing slightly behind.
In the 2011 Canadian election, we conducted a poll to see whom you would vote for. We received thousands of responses and the numbers proved very accurate to the actual result.
So this year, let’s see if you are right again by casting your vote above.
With a dismal voter turnout in the last Canadian election, it’s great to see Canadians are voting in big numbers. But while I am proud that we are once again fighting for our right to vote, a part of me is scared of the outcome. Why?
Because it seems many Canadians have no idea why they are voting for who they are voting for – making the outcome of this Canadian election one of the greatest threats to our nation.
I am a proud Canadian, but I am worried about our future. Every where I turn, I see propaganda being deployed by every political party. What’s worse is that I hear citizens echo the same statements without knowledge of whether the statements are true, or without knowledge of all the facts.
The tactics of each party being used to sway our votes is an attack on the intelligence of Canadians – using propaganda to take advantage of young and inexperienced voters. Our society is further being comprised of those who have been brainwashed by media and propaganda, and the politicians are taking advantage of it.
I see this in almost every political commercial. Examples? Where do I begin?
The Economy
Economic growth is the nucleus in any political campaign, but there’s been a lot of misconception surrounding this most important topic. So its no wonder that both the Liberals and the NDP have attacked the Conservatives on this matter.
Justin Trudeau’s Liberals claim, “Stephen Harper has had the worst growth rate of any prime minister since R.B. Bennett in the depths of the Great Depression and the worst record on job creation of any prime minister since World War II.”
Tom Mulcair’s NDP says, “Stephen Harper has the worst job creation record since the Second World War and the worst economic growth record since The Great Depression.”
Both parties have been using this same attack since the beginning of their campaigns. While the numbers are true, what they fail to mention is this:
“We’re coming off the worst global economic crisis since the 1930s.”
To think that Canada was not affected by the financial crisis of 2008 is foolish. Clearly, judging by Trudeau and Mulcair’s statements, they believe that Canadians are either living in a bubble sheltered from the outside world, or we are just plain stupid.
So let’s cut to the chase: how has the economy been under Harper’s government? Let’s look at it from the outside and compare how we did against other countries, via IMF stats.
Since Harper has been in power, Canada has topped the list of G7 performers for annual growth twice; once in 2008, and again in 2009, coming out of the worst global economic disaster since the Great Depression.
From 2010 to 2014, Canada has been range bound between the second and third spot.
This year, despite the major oil shock, Canada’s projected GDP growth will put the country right back where Harper inherited it in 2006 – in the number four spot.
If it weren’t for the collapse in oil price, Canada could very well be in a much higher position, which is what Harper has alluded to, citing that, “Canada’s current downturn is an anomaly.”
All bias aside, these are the numbers by the IMF.
Compared to our G7 partners, has Harper done a good job with the economy?
CLICK HERE to Share Your Thoughts
Lastly, while Trudeau and Muclair continue to point to the fact Harper’s government brought in the largest deficits in Canadian history, what they fail to mention is that this “largest deficit in Canadian history” not only occurred just after the financial crisis, but has been shrinking dramatically ever since and may even be balanced this year.
Take a look:
Can the most powerful nation, the U.S., say the same thing? Not a chance.
France? No way.
The United Kingdom? Nope, getting worse.
How about Japan? Not even close.
Italy? You’re kidding, right?
The only two nations out of the G7 that can say they have a balanced budget this year are Canada and Germany.
I am not saying you should vote for Harper, Trudeau, or Mulciar; I am simply stating that in future political campaigns, let’s focus on economic platforms instead of propaganda.
Were this year’s political campaigns too focused on propaganda?
CLICK HERE to Share Your Thoughts
Taxes
The second most influential theme in politics is tax reform. And here is where it gets tricky.
Trudeau tells us that he will raise taxes on the wealthiest 1% – those making just under $200,000 per year. He will raise taxes on people in this category by 4%. By doing so, he will be able decrease taxes on the middle class by 1.5%.
Take a look:
Is it fair to raise taxes for one group – a group that already has a higher tax bracket – 4%, just to give a tax break of 1.5% to another group?
Let me know what you think by CLICKING HERE.
Harper tells us that Trudeau’s Liberals will also raise payroll taxes (which will affect some of the “middle class”) costing this group around $1000 per year, per person, in take-home pay. But, as Trudeau mentioned, his 1.5% tax cut could put up to $670 per year, per person, for the highest earners in his middle class group.
Via CBC:
“Liberal CPP payroll tax hike on middle-class Canadians would cost workers earning $60,000 over $1,000 in take-home pay.”
According to those numbers, it would appear that taxes on some of the “middle class” would actually increase by $330 under Trudeau’s plan. The numbers don’t add up. Again, speaking as a business owner and investor in many businesses, hiking payroll taxes hurt both the workers and business owners, and in the long-run hurts employment overall.
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey of Canadian small business owners, 67% said mandatory increases in payroll taxes would increase pressure to freeze or cut salaries and 35% said they’d need to lay staff off. Similarly, a survey of Ontario Chamber of Commerce members found that 44% of members would need to reduce payroll or hire fewer employees in response to the Trudeau-Wynne payroll tax hike.
I know that what I just wrote may seem to favour the Conservatives platform, but these are numbers I have pulled from the Liberal platform and their documents. I haven’t voted yet and there are tens of thousands of Canadian readers of this letter. So please do feel free to engage in discussion regarding this particular topic by leaving a comment and sharing your thoughts. But please do be respectful in your comments with the understanding that open discussion is how we educate each other on our difference of opinions.
CLICK HERE to Share Your Thoughts
on the Tax platforms proposed by each party.
Could Trudeau Help?
Trudeau claims to stop government spending on ads, but in fact, has promised CBC/Radio-Canada contributions of $150 million every year. Perhaps that is why you’ve seen so many Liberal-sided CBC commercials and interviews.
There are things Trudeau is trying to do right; one of them is a $900M investment to boost high-tech innovation and fund startup incubators. While the idea is great, it remains to be seen how effective this may actually be.
Why?
Because as an investor and entrepreneur who has worked with many startups – including my own – those running government funding and resource programs for technology and startups run them without a sense of urgency or competition.
Personal case in point: I once sent over a 3-page condensed business plan to a government employee in charge of helping fund startups, as requested by this government employee. The result? No response for three weeks. Emailed him again, and he apologized and said he got it, but hasn’t had the time to go through it – which is absurd since that was his job. Three weeks later, still no response. Emailed him again. No response. By that time, I had already gone elsewhere.
The simple fact is government supported programs are often run poorly and at a snail’s pace. Again, I speak from personal experience: a technology company I invested in had to move from government to private sector support because the government moved far too slow. This company was developing a technology that could change the world – you simply can’t have slow movers in the tech space.
My point is that government spending to fuel innovation and business startups are great, but they shouldn’t be used to make government bigger – which is exactly what government support programs do: hire more government employees.
The problem with government support is that we have government employees with little to no experience in entrepreneurship, not only giving advice, but also deciding which businesses are likely to succeed.
The truth is, those who are successful when it comes to innovation and business rarely would give that up to get a 9-5 job working for the government. I hate to sound harsh, but that is the reality.
We don’t need more government workers to tell startups how to run their business which, from the onset, is what Trudeau appears to want in his plan: create more government support for tech startups.
Via CBC:
“Trudeau said the Liberals would invest $200 million per year over the next three years in what the party is calling a “new innovation agenda.” The money would support technology incubators – companies that provide startups and entrepreneurs with the practical and logistical support they need to focus on developing their products – and research facilities and financing for small businesses looking to grow.”
Instead, what the government should do is incentivize small businesses through tax breaks and grants so businesses can expand and grow, and thus, hire more people. Less payroll taxes would also encourage businesses to hire.
We need more support for privatization because private companies are focused on growth and profit – which means they need to work hard and be focused to thrive. Government has no such need since they thrive through tax payer dollars. We DO NOT need bigger government.
CLICK HERE to share your thoughts and experiences
on government support programs.
A Resource Rich Nation
We are very lucky and blessed that Canada is a resource-rich nation. So when the price of commodities – especially oil and gas – declines, Canada will undoubtedly be at risk. Conversely, when prices rise, Canada benefits.
Trudeau says Harper has relied on resources too much. Maybe he’s right. I believe there should be more emphasis on innovation and more importantly, the capital markets (small caps in particular) where Canada has significantly lagged behind. But we shouldn’t take away focus on commodities to do that (I talked about this a few years ago in my Letter, “The Impact of the TSX Venture on the Economy.”) Taking focus away from commodities will hurt our economy.
To tell our country not to focus on natural resources is just plain ignorant – the pillars of our great country were built on the foundations of our natural resources.
Would you prefer we be more like Japan, a country without natural resources that has been battling massive debt and deflation over the last decades, despite being one of the most innovative countries in the world?
Here’s what I think will happen: Energy prices will eventually bounce back, which will help Canada greatly if we choose to vote for the party that will take advantage of it.
CLICK HERE to Share Your Thoughts
Final Thoughts
While its great to see a strong voter turnout, I am afraid that many voters – in particular, the millennial voters – have no idea who or what they are really voting for.
I’ve spoken to many Canadians that have already voted and asked if they actually studied the plans and platforms of each party. Unsurprisingly, 9 out of 10 have not. Instead, when asked about it, they regurgitate the commercials they’ve seen on TV – choosing to make one-liner statements rather than go into any detail about each plan.
Sadly, many voters today have no idea about real-world global economics. They vote for what will benefit them in the short term but forget about how it will affect their future.
I am trying my best to be “fair” and equal to all parties, but I want to make sure that before you vote, you know what you are voting for – and not just what you’re being told. Do research and look for the actual plan of each party and not just what they promise in one-liner statements.
There is no such thing as a perfect government. There never will be because we are all different. That’s what makes freedom so unique. But there is such a thing as balance. And it is in our best interest to achieve that balance.
I strongly suggest that if you are Canadian and haven’t already voted, do not sit idle.
Go over the economic plans – and not just the propaganda – of each party and vote for the one that will benefit Canada – as a whole – the most.
If you believe that putting Canada into further debt outweighs the negativity surrounding the Conservative plan, then by all means vote Liberal.
If you believe that social programs take precedence over economic initiatives and growth, by all means vote NDP.
If you believe that a balanced budget and growing the economy through fiscally sound policies, outweigh the scandals and negativity surrounding Harper, then vote Conservative.
Vote for what will make Canada better. Don’t just vote for what will make your life easier in the short-term.
Be a proud Canadian who strives for success through hard work and perseverance – not bigger government.
CLICK HERE to Share Your Thoughts
Seek the truth,
Ivan Lo
The Equedia Letter
http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/stephen-harper-master-manipulator/ar-AAfw2KK?li=AAadgLE&ocid=mailsignout
“Da Liddle guy” from Shawinigan, who was (and is) the biggest liar, cheat and thug gangster in Canadian political history, is behind Trudeau Jr all the way. Justin is being mentored by his Uncle Jean.
You, like many Conservative supporters just don’t get it. This election is NOT about the economy. Only greedy, selfish short-sided people think it is. This election is about transparency, credibility and decency. The Harper gang has none of that. Why would you believe they will do what’s in their platform, when they twist and lie about what they’ve done over and over again? Who avoided facts and issues, and resorted to slanted, derogatory and insulting attack ads? No respectable person would even consider voting for the despicable Conservatives. Harper has shamed Canada and his supporters are a disgrace to this country.
Its interesting you say its about deception – you are just another one of the people who has been brainwashed by Liberal advertisements. Trudeau talks about Harper’s lies and dividing the country. Did you forget Trudeau’s anti-Alberta interview? Yet he has the nerve to tell us that Harper is diving the country? You think Trudeau is transparent? He’s allocated budgets to many departments yet has failed to say how that money will be spent! Stop believing in propaganda. Elections should be about the economy and not about social issues.
Trudeau’s platform is propaganda, but Harper’s lies are scripture? Elections are about who you want to run the country, not your bank book. Cons just don’t understand that there is more to life than m-o-n-e-y. Only cold blooded lizards ignore social issues entirely for the sake of the “economy”.
I will NOT vote for Harper and his conservatives for many reasons, the most important of which is his disrespectful, stingy way he has treated our veterans. Here is a most interesting piece by a war veteran, who is also a former conservative MP and cabinet minister. Read on…….
Dr. William Winegard had this opinion piece in the Citizen yesterday:
I am a lucky man.
Now 91, Canada has always been a touchstone of sorts for me. I have had my challenges, but I always felt my country was in my corner, backing me up if I needed help. For that, I am forever grateful.
I have been an author, an educator, an engineer, an administrator, a fund-raiser for charitable causes, a volunteer, a scientist, a politician, a cabinet minister and an Officer of the Order of Canada recipient.
I have also been in the Canadian military, serving in the navy in the Second World War. I guess serving my country was in my blood as my father and grandfather had been in the military in the First World War and my grandfather was also in the Boer War.
Being in the military is not an easy job. It is, at times, frightening and extremely dangerous. My father, at 16, was one of the 172,000 Canadians wounded in the First World War. A number of my colleagues in the Second World War became some of the 50,000 Canadians killed. More than 500 more Canadians were killed in the Korean War and 158 died in Afghanistan. Canadians also died in numerous United Nations peacekeeping assignments.
Every single one of those deaths was tragic. Those soldiers, sailors and air force personnel fought for our freedom and paid the ultimate price. They believed in serving their country and felt when they needed help, or retired, their country would in turn look after them. It was a social contract everyone understood.
Recently, however, that social contract has been strained beyond recognition. As proof of those strains, 160 troubled military personnel took their own lives between 2004 and 2014 — more Canadian soldiers lost to suicide than to combat in Afghanistan.
Suffering financial, physical and psychological wounds, those soldiers needed help, but the Conservative government under Stephen Harper, which repeatedly said it honoured military veterans, turned away.
Instead, the government closed veterans affairs offices, laid off staff who used to help veterans, reduced pension benefits, and said it should not be held to historical promises involving veterans.
This insensitivity and callousness is, frankly, hard to understand. The federal government spent billions during the war in Afghanistan and yet reduced needed benefits to those who put on our nation’s uniform.
As a Member of Parliament, and a cabinet minister, I served in the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Mulroney, who told caucus that a former military member “will always be given the benefit of the doubt” in any dispute with veterans affairs.
It is my wish that the current government felt the same way. Unfortunately, it doesn’t.
That’s why I support the Anyone But Conservatives ABC — Canadian Veterans Campaign 2015, a group asking voters to support fair treatment and respect for veterans by endorsing riding candidates who have the best chance of defeating a Conservative candidate on Oct. 19.
I have had a great life in Canada. Let’s help military veterans have a great life too. Vote for positive change.
Dr. William Winegard is a Second World War Veteran, a Conservative MP for nine years, a cabinet minister for six years and a recipient of the Order of Canada.
You should know that the Conservatives are paying a ton of money to the veterans Just because Trudeau and the Other You know the one I mean Buffoon say it is so you shouldn’t be believing it
It’s only been ten years and already you “forget” ADSCAM, the Gun Registry, etc. And you’re saying that Paul Martin was being greedy when his businesses were registered off shore to avoid Canadian taxes. The best thing would be for Western Canada to separate. Quebec (and Ontario) without the transfer payments would collapse into another Greece.
Yes,
the problem with Harper is that when it comes to climate change he is a born again “Dinosaur”. I am borrowing this word from the Economist magazine in relation to him. He does not allow scientists to have their say, he will fire them before. He is oil centred and really does not put enough emphasis, or trust, in Canada’s capability of creating an alternative industry. Maybe he thinks deep down that Canada would be a 3rd world country without hewers of wood, oil etc.
He also loves to bomb middle east countries without taking responsibility for bombed out refugees. He is not alone. The US should take in every refugee from Iraq….not Germany…which wasn’t even part of that war. So it goes on with Syria, Lybia, Afghanistan….bomb everything and let the people rot. Just dont let them into our country….brutal…
Take a look at the so called refugees, the majority
are young men .Why aren’t the Islamic countries taking care of their own people ????
Voted Conservative. There was no better choice!
Empirical proof that Conservative supporters have their head in the sand (or some other dark place).
Again, not one smart comment – just one-liner statements that are bashing without educated responses.
It was the appropriate REPLY to a one-liner, thoughtless statement.
Hey Smarty Pants,
National Post
Don’t EVER forget that Trudeau not only bashed Alberta, but even went so far as to say he would separate Quebec from Canada! In his latest commercials, he talks about Harper separating Canada and dividing? When has Harper ever said that? Trudeau’s interview still exists so NO its not propaganda, its how Trudeau thinks!
“In a French-language interview in February, Trudeau took issue with the social conservative policies of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government and indicated he would be in favour of Quebec separating if they continued.”
There is only one clear choice and it is Harper and the Conservatives, the only ones that are concerned about the economy, because without a strong economy every thing else suffers
Well, everything else, oh, wait, no, the economy, too – pretty much everything suffered under Harper. Next! Elizabeth May, is a better choice for crying out loud.
Your points are well researched and thus valid. I’m afraid you are correct that most votes will be cast out of ignorance and lack of research. I’m certain the vast majority of the millennial voters (and not just them) have never read much less heard of the likes of “Friedman and “Hayek”. If they had I’m certain the NDP and Liberals wouldn’t fair very well in the election count on Monday.
All you need to read is what’s at the link in the first post. In case you missed it, here it is: http://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/stephen-harper-master-manipulator/ar-AAfw2KK?li=AAadgLE&ocid=mailsignout
Makes you sick in the stomach doesn’t it.
Our world is in turmoil, we may be headed for a world war. For those who believe this I ask? Which leader would you want to leed us. I would want a strong leader.
I hope the percentages shown are correct. I believe the Conservatives will win a majority due to their immigration policy. The polls are inaccurate since most Canadians would not want to appear racist, however, as accommodating as we are, we are not door mats. ” By the end of the 21st. century, Europe will be Muslim. ” Bernard Lewis
Found this in the Winnepeg post, well said:
“CHANGE WHAT?
The Conservative government got us through the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression — Canadians say they want change.
The government reduced the GST by two percentage points, a 30% reduction on a tax that we pay on everything — Canadians say they want a change.
The government introduced pension splitting for retirees (this benefits my wife and me, and most of my retired friends, and we are not rich) – Canadians say they want change.
The government instituted tax free savings accounts, which benefits anyone willing to save — Canadians say they want change.
The government has negotiated a number of international trade deals which will stand us in good stead in years to come — Canadians say they want change.
The government stands four square in favour of Israel, a country threatened with extinction by a vastly larger contingent in the area, and the only democracy in the Middle East — Canadians say they want change.
Canada has been declared the best country in the world in which to live – Canadians say they want change.
My question to those Canadians who want change is which of the foregoing would you like to change, why, and what would you replace them with?
BILL MACCALLUM”
Anyone care to comment?
All parties have blemishes but Conservatives most worthy to lead Canada. Go Steve !!!!
This site verifies that it is not worthy of my endorsement. I am glad to disengage forever. There are other values in my life that take priority over MY bank account.
And to quote T.S. Eliot:
: The greatest sin is to do the right thing for the wrong reason”
This is a website about investments – in case you didn’t know. Go ahead and pay more taxes if that is what you so choose. Trudeau’s plan in practice actually raises taxes for everyone. He says we’ll drop taxes for the middle class by 1.5%. Whoopdie doo. But he will raise payroll taxes by more than that. So you lose middle class. but you will be blinded by these tricks. go take a look at the liberal’s full platform. not just the one about middle class tax breaks, because coincidentally, it leaves out the payroll tax hike.
Typical of a confirmed “Central Planner” who thinks he knows better than everyone else and seeks to rule over other people. Has it ever occurred to these “world improvers, do gooders,” that just maybe we need LESS government rather than more government? Whatever happened to free enterprise? Isn’t it the wealthy who by their handwork, risk taking, and entrepreneurship that create new industries through research and innovation and have the capital to create jobs. All government needs to do is get out of the way. What or who gives the politicians and bureaucrats the right to decide to take money away from one group and give it to another? That tactic like socialism has been an abject failure in numerous countries. Business and jobs will flow to where capital and labour are treated the best
When the NDP and the Liberals talk about job creation, they mean expanding the government. When the Conservatives talk about job creation, they mean creating an environment favourable for entrepreneurship and investment,
I am in a quandary, there really is not much choice as I see it,I normally go Conservative but the TPP; what I can find of it, is a sell out to corporate America and this country will never be the same.Harper is feeding his ego and being a good ole lap dog on this one. I can bite anything else but this one feels like a deal breaker. Yet Trudeau is a corporate puppet as well and in bed with the Clintons’ so just another American yea-sayer, he is not his father. I like Mulcair on a personal level but his programs just mean more taxes along with the Liberals. I just don’t see a way out!!!
This is not the time to run a balanced budget. Harper is wrong and economic history has shown that in times of economic recession the government intervention is needed, to invest and create jobs. Canada needs stimulus, especially now, and the only answer is to spend, invest, create jobs and generate more tax revenue. A balanced budget is for normal economic conditions, these times sre far from normal and Canada and all the other “resource” nations will face great pain. I disagree with Harper “subsidizing” Western Canada only, I disagree with Harper engaging Canadian armed forces in conflicts and combat missions. Canada was always on the peacekeeping side, not combat. This has only happened under Harper, and it needs to stop. I disagree with Harper’s leadership and his strict censorship of his caucus. I disagree with Harper’s negative ads, canadians don’t like that and it shows that this strategy backfired.
I really wish we had someone like Bernie Sanders running for prime minister… all 3 candidates should have a message that encourages Canadians to stop listening to nonsense and start focusing on real matters… all this propaganda has totally turned me off…
If Harper and his ilk, which may very well include Trudeau, retain power in this county, the ultimate result is described in the article in the following link.
National Observer
That would make the economy somewhat irrelevant since my Canada would no longer exist.
It will be a pity if the Liberals form a government under Mr. Trudeau.
Like all idealists – Mr.Obama comes to mind – Mr. Trudeau is ill-equipped to deal with the real world. In the real world, singing hopeful songs around the communal campfire will solve surprisingly few problems.
Mr. Trudeau recoiled from the use of the term “barbaric” when applied to honour killings. Doubtless he would prefer the term “culturally specific anomalies.” After all, what could be more important than not giving offense?
He favours a mindless multiculturalism – a concept based on the false premise that all cultures are equal.
He thinks Canada can exist on some rarefied plane of peacekeeping. We should wear white gloves and supervise while lesser nations scrub the toilets and take out the garbage. Rather than stop the oppressors, he favours sending warm winter jackets to those who have already been oppressed.
He has swallowed the theory of anthropogenic global warming, hook line and sinker, despite the fact that warming has not kept pace – as the alarmist theory suggests – with the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gasses.
He admires the “basic dictatorship” of China.
In short, he is not a sensible man; he lives on a happy slope on the Big Rock Candy Mountain.
His lead in the polls suggests that charisma baffles brains.
Great points. Taking a look at the Conservative comments vs. Liberals, its clear that Conservative supporters are more educated supporting their opinions with well-research facts, rather than just comments of Harper being bad, or change is needed – without telling us what change it is they are talking about.
Well done and well said Doctor.
i could never vote for somebody that makes themselves look better by making their opponent look bad. just talk about what you are going to do. sorry stephan. you blew it for me. everyone else took the high road and you took the gutter. i’m not an expert on politics or the economy but i just don’t like the negative approach and therefore i don’t like the person and certainly don’t what that person representing me as a proud canadian. Anyone but harper.
Gerry, I am sorry to say but it seems you haven’t seen any of Muclairs or Trudeau’s commercials. None of them talk about their platforms but only bash Harper. Take a look at Trudeau’s latest commercial about Harper dividing the country. Just take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD5FAzvltpI
Here’s a video to show just how childish Trudeau’s Liberals are : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpi-YYILzJU
those commercials aren’t the same. attacking a person (personally) is different from attacking their policies. why does the commercials refer to mr trudeau as justin. it’s an attempt to make the person look like a boy and not qualified. “nice hair” has nothing to do with political policies. for me it’s a last ditch attempt of a desperate person to try to win. He has nothing truthful/good to say about himself so he attempts to downgrade his opponent. it has worked in the past but i believe it won’t this time. we’ll find out in a few hours.
the bottom line is no matter who gets elected will likely screw it up. for me it is who will screw it up less and who i would like other countries to see as our representative.
i guess i was in the majority. harper creeped out more than 1/2 the whole population of Canada, not just me. nothing to do with economics etc. just a creepy person!! Also arrogant, dishonest. i suspect that trudeau will screw it all up at first . lets hope he’s a fast learner because we’ve been told he’s “not ready” (as well as having nice hair). trudeau didn’t win , harper lost. a smart person knows when to quit before others tell him. (hold or fold) i believe i could have won this election. maybe not hehe
nice hair though
You’re not considering the terrible mess the Liberals have put Ontario into. This terrible performance drags down Harper’s figures, yet he still balanced the budget!
There is more to life than just money. He wants to give more to those that already have, and take from those who do not. Be it healthcare, rights or also not enough to live on. I have voted and done so strategically not my first or even second choice according to my politics, but this man must be gone before he ruins our Canada.
You have lost a lot of cred, impartiality should be your drum to beat! Not visible in this letter.
Hi Ward, I apologize if my Letter sounded a little one-sided. You are right, impartiality is the focus of this Letter. The Letter was meant to spur voters into having real discussions based on facts, and not slander.
It would appear that based on the comments, and many that I have read in other publications, many Liberal supporters (not all) seem to make statements such as “Harper is liar,” or “Harper is deceiving,” rather than more educated statements such, “The Liberal plan is better because…”
I respect the votes of Canadians no matter their views, and I have friends who are Liberals – it doesn’t mean I stop being friends with someone just because they have Liberal views.
If you are Liberal, I suggest that your job should be to encourage others – respectfully – to vote Liberal. But don’t encourage someone by slandering another party; instead, use statements such as, “Vote Liberal because they have a strong plan to…” This goes the same for Conservative or NDP supporters.
Thanks for your courage in speaking out.
They are nothing but BS and nonsense
Ivan, you missed the boat this time. You quote facts but you seem to think those facts are correct. Inflation stats are manipulated, which distorts GDP and every other metric we depend on – to make the SYSTEM look better. Fact is middle class is worse off than 30 yrs ago. Which means we have been in recession for that long, not just a few months. The Corps and 1% took their $$ to tax havens so that is also distorting the picture.
You seem to think Canada is a democrocy and that Canadians can’t think straight. Of course not. The MEDIA is in charge and tells us what to think. Do they EVER tell Canadians about anybody they don’t like or trust? Why do you think they call them Fringe Parties? Corporations own EVERY main party, even NDP and soon enough Greens. Like, who do NDP’s unions work FOR?
Ivan, the greatest threat is TPP, NAFTA (already killed 400k good jobs), CETA, FIPA and the rest. Canada is already the most sued nation under NAFTA, which is how corporations control govts. No longer will Canadians enjoy democratic ability to make necessary changes.
And, Ivan, do you really think that a hungry world will NOT buy our resources if we don’t sign TPP? Since Harper killed manufacturing, we can’t sell anything else anyway. Why do you think the OTHER countries are signing, if not to keep us down?
Get this thru your head folks. ANY Treaty (trade, climate) binds future electorates. Why would anybody put on a straightjacket? Only idiots bamboozled by cunning MSM.
WAKE UP. WAKE UP. WAKE UP FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S SAKE.
Doesn’t anyone realize this is all a big con game. we do not have democracy, we have bribery, theft and skimming. every election a bunch of people, does not matter what party they represent, compete to bribe as many people to vote for them as they can. After the election the winning party passes laws to legally steal in order to pay for their bribes, but what they don’t tell you is they will be skimming off the top for themselves.
And when the money runs dry as it usually does they borrow and borrow and borrow enslaving not just us but future generations who are not yet born and did get the chance to take part in this big scam.
To vote for any of them is to perpetuate the situation.
Don’t vote………….Send a message……….Spoil your ballot
Lots of good commentary here, much of which i agree with. Under Harper. we have become the 51st state or worse, since we don’t have any state’s rights, just obligations to corporate America. I think I will vote for nobody, as the present system is irrevocably corrupt and broken.
we need a leader with a young heart who understands the problems the older generation has created and how we can create a better live for everybody and not just for the super rich.
Now we have this new beginning and some people are shaking in their boot’s – but they should not – because the new leader does not work by dividing the nation , the people Justin will be open for everybody to work with and to contribute.
No more divide and conquer ……… this world had enough war’s and trauma’s just for money and power.
Hi
Regarding the adjustment of taxes to balance class structure, all these politicians would be wise if they focussed more on the gst than income taxes. Rich people spend more on themselves because they can afford to. Refunds can be adjusted to return money to the poor.
Tax policy should be prioritized to hit frivolous items ( alcohol, recreational drugs, gambling) hard, and damaging personal indulgences ( crazy dangerous sports, smoking cigarettes, getting lost or stuck on some mountain requiring rescue- these should require self paid insurance rather than volunteer help)