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Really?? This is far more detailed than Topp's policy paper on the arts, and I thought this one had some substance to it. I actually think this is one of Topp's best so far...
I also noticed that Nathan Cullen has also just released his 6th policy paper - on security for Canada's food system and farming. It's up on his website.
http://en.nathancullen.ca/security_for_food_and_farmers
Brian Topp's 6th policy paper
It ends
Thanks, Wilf. I needed a good laugh/cry before bed.
As a book-end to northwestern_lad's post above, here is the 3rd episode of 8e fue, which just went online: http://www.radio-canada.ca/television/8eFeu/serie.shtml#ep3
"Pour qu’une société puisse évoluer, elle doit pouvoir se développer et développer son territoire. Certaines communautés autochtones l’ont bien compris."
I watched it tonight. Seems to be a full consensus that the Indian Act has to go - but be careful what replaces it. And what a history of screwing First Nations. Saganash was good, as was Charlie Angus.
Anyone watch the At Issue panel on The National tonight? Their biggest complaint seemed to be that the Leadership Race so far has been boring. Though someone (not sure who), mentioned something interesting, which was along the lines of, "the race is so low key, you would almost think the NDP doesn't really think they can win the next election."
Which makes me wonder, do we really think we can win the next election or not?
I think mainstream media doesn't get the culture of the party, and has always been prone to downplay its potential. Still, the NDP managed to become the Official Opposition last May. I think trying to do things to placate mainstream media and its wonked, dull, empty and foolish horse-race sense of what matters in democracy is a mug's game. Or worse.
It's not what real people with real problems worry about.
Sorry, but we're not here as a form of entertainment for one Mr. Andrew Coyne and associates.
People should not ignore how big of trouble the Liberals are in. Other than their fundraising numbers, they don't have much to smile about. It's a lot of smoke and mirrors these days.
In all sincerity, I don't really see the math adding up to a majority.
I can see us holding most of our seats. Yes, even in Quebec, and not necessarily with a Quebec leader.
The problem is I can't see a path to 155 seats (or whatever the equivalent will be once Harper has piled a bunch more seats into Alberta).
There aren't enough seats outside Ontario for us to realistically form a government. We don't stand a chance at building a wave in Alberta: maybe a seat or two. Picking up every seat in BC, SK, and MB (unlikely) wouldn't even net us 50 seats. Picking up every seat in the Maritimes would net us around 25.
The path to victory runs has to involve Ontario. But the province had terrible experience with the Bob Rae NDP government. If we win the 55% of seats he won at the Provincial level (except at the federal level), that would be worth a solid increase of 40 seats from what we have now. Still not enough to do it by itself. We'd need gains all across the country.
I sometimes wonder if the only way to pull this off is an NDP-Liberal coalition. I'm receptive, but very skeptical, of Nathan Cullen's point.
For those who were around back then (sorry if I'm making anyone feel old = P), how does this Leadership Race compare to the last one held in 2003?
... actually, further to my last post, the NDP matching Bob Rae's success in Ontario in 1990 isn't impossible. But it counts on people being equally pissed at Dalton McGuinty as they are at Steven Harper, with the NDP being the main beneficiary.
The At Issue panel was a travesty. The host Peter M. treats the NDP with scorn. He is the least professional journalist on CBC TV. They brought in John Ivison as a guest (Coyne was not there). He got his job because he could be counted on to reject everything NDP always. Even the Can Press reporter could not break out of the frame set by Peter. Has anyone heard anything about the leadership race, does anybody know there is a leadership race? Maybe he has trouble getting out.
I remember when CBS news turned against the Vietnam War. LBJ said if I have lost Cronkite (CBS news host Walter) I have lost America. He then declined to run for re-election in 1968.
Mansbridge lost Canada years ago. His show is a special production for the PMO.
I hardly ever watch the show, its too painful, and irritating. It wil be awhile before I watch again.
Well said writer.
I'm looking forward to the last few weeks of the leadership race though where the media will have no choice but to provide media coverage, as it's a reasonable assumption that whoever we elect as NDP and Official Oppostion Leader may well end up being Canada's prime minister one day, and perhaps sooner than we all think is possible.
Well Peter Mansbridge's show has always about Mansbridge and his right-wing BS.
Listening to Don Newman usually made me want to puke.
Wouldn't it be nice to have some media types like Peter Gzowski which unfortunately is sorely lacking at the CBC these days.
Rex Murphy - ugh!
Time to cut this minority supported (39.6%) prime minister down to size!!!
http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/01/27/major-harper-long-time-coming/
And we need a kick-ass leader to do it.
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/01/26/ndp-membership-makes-big-gains-in-q...
Honestly, one of the reasons the orange wave took place is BECAUSE the media was treating it as a two-way race. We had trouble getting coverage, but we were in full control of our message when it got out.
First they ignore you. Then they fight you.
Not looking forward to greater media coverage.
Facebook update:
Peggy Nash 6,195 likes
Nathan Cullen 5,645 likes
Niki Ashton 4,932 friends
Paul Dewar 4,080 likes
Brian Topp 3,721 likes
Romeo Saganash 2,988 likes
Thomas Mulcair 2,494 likes
Martin Singh 744 likes
Double post
I don't think Peter Mansbridge will continue to hold his job much longer. He is very arrogant and there is a push to "Fox Newsify" the CBC by putting attractive (and young) newscasters in place. Mansbridge may think he is very handsome but he is also losing his following. Soon, he too will be replaced.
In terms of Mansbridge's politics, I know he is a big fan of Jean Chrétien. He said as much in an interview with the Hill Times shortly after the CBC went to their "standing up" format and "red, white, and blue" (identical to CNN) colour scheme. CBC news is really lost, looking South of the border for their production cues when they should be paying attention to Canada, and the taxpaying public that pays for, supports, and views their programs.
I hardly watch the CBC anymore. If I see anything, it is the ocassional HNIC game. For all other TV I have found other outlets and when there is news on the CBC website, I usually try and find the video elsewhere because their media player buffers so badly.
ETA: The only show I like on the CBC is The Hour, but The Hour has the production values of a Bob and Doug McKenzie flick.
I remember watching on May 2nd the CBC coverage of the election they looked like someone had died. They have all their eggs in the Liberal basket and that is why they are still pushing BOb Rae on everyone.
I know that there are some English-speakers that are having a hard time judging Peggy Nash's French. This might be a little helpful. The French Canadian Newspaper, Le Devoir, not only thinks her French is up to snuff, they have even called her french "impeccable": http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/341175/chefferie-du-npd-nash-la...
she has degrees in French, French literature and Spanish, I think;
unless modern languages faculties have greatly declined, she better be fluent ...
http://peggynash.ndp.ca/about
Peggy holds an Honours BA in French language and literature from the University of Toronto and is fluent in English, French and Spanish.
Paul Dewar has been endorsed by Irene Mathyssen, Member of Parliament for London—Fanshawe, and by Claude Gravelle, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt.
http://pauldewar.ca/content/veteran-mps-mathyssen-and-gravelle-endorse-p...
Dewar has also picked up an endorsement from Nova Scotia MLA Maurice Smith.
http://pauldewar.ca/content/nova-scotia-mla-maurice-smith-endorses-paul-...
Although Dewar has picked up some significant endorsements lately, his big weakness is that he has no one from Quebec of any real consequence in his corner. I frankly don't see how he can be a viable candidate without some real backing From Quebec. It underlines the knock against him that his French is inadequate.
Yeah, I don't think we need to elect a Quebec leader to hold Quebec. Layton was basically from Toronto. The "native son" thing probably helped, but Quebeckers aren't that shallow. (Or else they'd have easily backed Dion.) Good French is a must. Mulcair and Saganash could do it. Topp and Nash could hold most of it too if they start inspiring people.