I think there is a big risk of a rebound. Especially if the outside attitude is dismissive of Quebec nationalism. I could easily see the Bloc rebounding.
Federal Election - 2015
Tue, 2014-04-08 23:26
#52
Pogo
Tue, 2014-04-08 23:43
#53
Arthur Cramer
I think there is a big risk of a rebound. Especially if the outside attitude is dismissive of Quebec nationalism. I could easily see the Bloc rebounding.
If it happens, it won't because of the NDP. It'll be because the old line parties have no respect for Quebecers to think for themselves, something, which the NDP understands, respects, and encourages.
Wed, 2014-04-09 23:26
#54
Sure thing Steve - the NDP will get right on that. 
NDP sources also say the party had cleared plans for these satellite offices with the clerk of the House of Commons, who told them to "go ahead."
http://www.torontosun.com/2014/04/09/harper-tells-mulcair-do-right-thing...
Wed, 2014-04-09 23:33
#55
Poilievre’s attacks a case study in the ‘Harper method’, Mulcair charges
NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair has a message for anyone thinking about speaking out against the Fair Elections Act, or the government in general: prepare to be the victim of harsh, personal attacks.
The Harper method, as Mulcair coined it, is simple – attack anyone who doesn’t agree with you, and “go after them.”
“Whether you are in charge of nuclear safety or you are in charge of Fair Elections in Canada, if you do not believe in what they [the Harper government] are saying, even when it doesn’t make sense, you’re going to be attacked,” Mulcair told reporters after his party’s Wednesday caucus meeting.
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/04/09/poilievres-attacks-a-case-study-in-th...
Wed, 2014-04-09 23:48
#56
Harper and Trudeau change the rules and demand the NDP pays back the money based on the change to the rules. I agree deband that corrupt board of internal economy. Too much room for abuses of power.
Thu, 2014-04-10 00:24
#57
Poilievre’s attacks a case study in the ‘Harper method’, Mulcair charges
Yup, that's the way to go. The buck stops at the Prime Minister's office, and Mulcair is correct in reminding people that Harper is responsible for what is happening with this government.
Sat, 2014-04-12 01:50
#58
The LPC leader sounds more that a bit defensive - sure looks like Mulcair has scored to me.
http://www.news1130.com/2014/04/11/trudeau-rejects-attack-he-cant-connec...
Sat, 2014-04-12 02:34
#59
Good article from a previous NDP candidate, and she has her priorities correct as well, putting economics at the beginning of the list.
Start running on jobs, jobs, and more jobs, and the rest will fall into place.
Are u listening NDP?
Au revoir, Pauline: Goodbye to Quebec's time of division
http://rabble.ca/columnists/2014/04/au-revoir-pauline-goodbye-to-quebecs...
Sat, 2014-04-12 10:42
#60
Really!
Justin Trudeau downplays privileged upbringing after B.C. speech'
I was lucky in my life,' Trudeau told reporters after being questioned on childhood
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-downplays-privileged-upbr...
Sat, 2014-04-12 10:44
#61
Let the attack ads fly!
Even Trudeau knows its true.
Sat, 2014-04-12 10:44
#62
What a clown Justin is turning out to be!
Justin Trudeau defends disqualifying Trinity-Spadina hopeful
Liberal leader says no candidates with leadership debt can run in 2015
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-defends-disqualifying-tri...
Sat, 2014-04-12 11:07
#63
If Anglo Canada can tone down its triumphalism over the so-called demise of the sovereignity movement, it may in fact die off. It seems that every animal has a flight radius and a fight radius inside that. You enter into the flight circle, and it flees. Don't give it enough time to leave, and penetrate into its fight circle, and it has to fight.
Quebec Sovereignists are made by the English, not the French.
Given that, the question is, will there be another anti-French Anglo eruption before the federal election in 2015? If not, the BQ may fizzle away, or the people might decide to keep their marker in there just in case and give them a few seats. Now the PQ is out of power, there are still many sovereignist militants who might like to switch to the federal scene. I would be surprised if they were not hard at work as we speak.
What they do need to do is start reframing the Quebec nation in positive terms, instead of as a people under siege and morsels of pork. If they have not learned that from the Quebec election, they are sunk.
If Ottawa doesn't play ball with Couillard's PLQ, they could turn a Machiavellian blind eye to a rise in the BQ as defenders of Quebec interests while paying tepid lip service to the Canadian union. Mulcair is going to make a pitch that the federal NDP can work with the PLQ especially with him in there. The question is, are the people going to want two colluding parties? They normally don't.
Writing off the BQ in 2015 is a bad bet IMO. Anglo triumphalism is chomping at the bit.
Sat, 2014-04-12 11:47
#64
Don't worry, yes the Anglo media is crowing about it right now, but it won't last. Already other things like the Finance Minister are stealing the spot light.
Sat, 2014-04-12 12:39
#65
Flanagan on Harper:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/touch/story.html?id=9729122
[i] About Stephen Harper:
"He has enormous gifts of intelligence, willpower and work ethic; but there is also a dark, almost Nixonian side to the man. He believes in playing politics right up to the edge of the rules, which inevitably means some team members will step across ethical or legal lines in their desire to win for the Boss.”“He can be suspicious, secretive, and vindictive, prone to sudden eruptions of white-hot rage over meaningless trivia, at other times falling into week-long depressions in which he is incapable of making decisions.” [/i]
Sun, 2014-04-13 20:34
#66
Toronto Star is doing its very best
Justin Trudeau: Riding high after one year as Liberal leader
Liberal numbers are up in many critical areas, from members to dollars, despite Trudeau’s occasional missteps
DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Justin Trudeau attends the Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver on Saturday. Trudeau makes no apologies for spending much of his first year on the road and away from the insular world of Parliament Hill.
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2014/04/13/justin_trudeau_riding_hig...
Sun, 2014-04-13 20:46
#67
Arthur Cramer
That is ridiculous. Trudeau is getting so much help from the MSM.
Mon, 2014-04-14 04:53
#68
Shouldn't Justin be wearing a red turban in that picture?
Mon, 2014-04-14 16:39
#69
An excellent (thorough, rigorous) analysis by Alice Funke of Pundit's Guide of where the races stand in the 30 new ridings created in advance of the next federal election ... and why "The road to a 2015 majority now looks to be like a much steeper climb for Stephen Harper".
Amongst other things, it prompts in me some questions about how the NDP is handling the cross-riding scrambles of incumbents and other nominees, particularly in Quebec.
Mon, 2014-04-14 17:12
#70
alan smithee
oops.
Mon, 2014-04-14 17:27
#71
Arthur Cramer
Shouldn't Justin be wearing a red turban in that picture?
LOL! NAILED IT!
Mon, 2014-04-14 20:40
#72
Blocked Liberal candidate Christine Innes pursuing defamation lawsuit against Justin Trudeau
She is seeking $1 million in damages for libel and slander and $500,000 in “punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages.”
Innes offered to settle the case in return for a public apology, a reversal of the decision to block her candidacy and donations from two organizations, but Trudeau and MacNaughton rejected the offer.
Mon, 2014-04-14 20:45
#73
Arthur Cramer
I don't know what to think of the Iness law suit; I am guessing she will be attacked pretty viciously by the LPC attack machine.
I don't think I would have done this; I'd have opted to go to court and see if I could get a judge to overturn Trudeau's decision. On what basis, I don't know, what do you think I am, a lawyer or something?
Mon, 2014-04-14 21:11
#74
i think she should have just run as an independent and split the liberal vote in both TS and UR. That would really hurt Justin.
Mon, 2014-04-14 21:25
#75
alan smithee
i think she should have just run as an independent and split the liberal vote in both TS and UR. That would really hurt Justin.
and help Harper.....
Mon, 2014-04-14 22:01
#76
This sure does not good on Trudeau!
Bu unsure how it will help Harper very much.
Thwarted Liberal candidate Christine Innes sues Justin Trudeau for defamation
Files lawsuit over contest to carry the Liberal flag in Trinity-Spadina byelection
Christine Innes, who tried to win the Liberal nomination in an upcoming byelection in Toronto, has filed a $1.5-million defamation lawsuit against Justin Trudeau and Liberal Party of Canada official David MacNaughton, the party's provincial co-chair.
The lawsuit alleges that Trudeau and MacNaughton defamed Innes by accusing her and her team of "bullying and intimidating" young Liberals during the campaign for the Liberal nomination in the downtown Toronto riding of Trinity-Spadina.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/thwarted-liberal-candidate-christine-inn...
Mon, 2014-04-14 22:24
#77
I had thought for quite some time now Harper will throw in the towel but he is hanging in there for now. Let's see what happens as the Cons have lots of time for a leadership convention before the rumoured next election.
With Cons moving their support away from Harper, and Trudeau being sues by Liberals, Mulcair might be coming up roses.
Harper support among Conservatives starting to crumble
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/04/14/harpers_support_among_cons...
Tue, 2014-04-15 00:01
#78
On vested interests
http://accidentaldeliberations.blogspot.ca/2014/04/on-vested-interests.html
Tue, 2014-04-15 10:17
#79
i think she should have just run as an independent and split the liberal vote in both TS and UR. That would really hurt Justin.
and help Harper.....
Not really. Even if she ran under the Libs banner, NDP support is way too strong in Trinty Spadina for her to make a dent. Having lived in TS and UR nobody knows who Innes is. Without a party banner to run under, she would be dismissed as a fringe candidate.
Tue, 2014-04-15 11:57
#80
Timing is everything, and Mulcair is showing good political instincts here.
Tom Mulcair takes election bill fight to Trinity Spadina
http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/politics/inside-politics-blog/2014/04/tom-mu...
Tue, 2014-04-15 14:29
#81
Mulcair plans to ask Tory MPs to vote against Fair Elections Act
TORONTO – The New Democrats are targeting Conservative MPs in their latest attempt to stop the Harper government’s controversial proposed overhaul of election laws.
The opposition party announced a plan Tuesday to publicly approach certain Tories over the coming days to convince them to vote against the Fair Elections Act — which NDP Leader Tom Mulcair described as an attempt by the prime minister to “roll the dice in his favour for the next campai
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/04/15/mulcair-plans-to-ask-tory-mps-to-vote...
Tue, 2014-04-15 16:10
#82
Some people think that Trudeau is in big legal trouble here which is being interpreted as exercising poor political judgement.
Trudeau will lose
ould I be wrong? Of course. I thought (and still feel) Divisional Court were idiotic for letting Rob Ford off the hook – I never saw that bit of historic stupidity coming. Could happen in the Innes v. Trudeau et al. case, too.
But as things stand now, Trudeau and his advisors will lose, big time. And the NDP’s Joe Cressy has already won a by-election that hasn’t even been called yet.
Tue, 2014-04-15 16:13
#83
Meet Joe Cressy: Door-knocking in Trinity Spadina and loving it
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/04/15/meet-joe-cressy-door-knocking-in-trin...
Wed, 2014-04-16 01:00
#84
Infighting could spell trouble for Liberals on campaign trail, insider says
"I think this whole fight is leaving a bad taste in more than a few Liberals' mouths, and they may be just inclined to vote Joe Cressy who is the nominated candidate for the New Democrat party," said Lisa Kirbie, senior vice-president of Daisy Consulting Group who has held senior positions with Liberal politicians in the past.
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2014/04/20140415-...
Wed, 2014-04-16 16:46
#85
Liberals to acclaim Chrystia Freeland for 2015 in University Rosedale
Decision to wrap up nomination race nettles some local Liberals
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-to-acclaim-chrystia-freeland-fo...
Wed, 2014-04-16 16:49
#86
For Harper, not a bad day at the office
http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/04/16/for-harper-not-a-bad-day-at-the-office/
Wed, 2014-04-16 16:51
#87
Actually wrong reforms and wrong salesperson
Right reforms, wrong salesman
http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/04/15/right-reforms-wrong-salesman
Thu, 2014-04-17 00:26
#88
---
Thu, 2014-04-17 12:17
#89
OnTheLeft
I have read all the links about Joe but still think that we should (and must) pick a better candidate for the by-election.
It is significant that Joe has never really done much outside the "NDP family" - "campaign organizer, social activist, backroom boy, community organizer, etc". I don't think this impresses most people. He doesn't have any knid of presence or name recognition outside the party itself.
We should pick a candidate with some substance who projects the image that we are serious about forming government. I don't know who that may be but I would hope we can attract such a candidate for a very winnable riding.
Joe looks too much like a smug backroom operator, inexperienced in the ways of the world. There is an obvious reason why the Liberals knifed Christine Innes and that is to clear the way for a heavyweight candidate. They knows that the stakes are very great in Trinity-Spadina and if they wrest the seat away from us they will be better able to present themselves as the only alternative to Harper. The old red door - blue door stuff that has bedeviled the NDP throughout its history.
They will pore everything they have into this by-election and will present Joe as a mere apparatchik with no real life accomplishments, and they will beat him. There is too much at stake here than for us to give them that narrative.
[img]http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/2014/04/17/adam_v...
Long time Toronto city councillor Adam Vaughan is making the move to federal politics, agreeing to run for the Liberals in the upcoming byelection in the downtown riding of Trinity-Spadina.
The deal was sealed at a lunch at Le Select Bistro Wednesday with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, sources told the Star, but the party has been courting the outspoken Vaughan for months.
Vaughan, who represents the southern portion of the federal riding on city council, will be seeking the seat vacated by Olivia Chow, who is trying to unseat Mayor Rob Ford in this year’s mayoralty election.
He won the ward in 2010 with almost 75 per cent of the vote.
Vaughan, a former journalist, took the ward initially in 2006 by easily defeating Helen Kennedy, Chow’s one-time executive assistant.
He will be competing for the riding with New Democrat Joe Cressy, a 29-year-old social activist with strong party ties. Cressy ran Chow’s 2011 federal campaign and stepped down as a strategist on her mayoralty campaign to run in the riding.
His arrival in the race — he must first beat other candidates for the nomination — sets up an epic battle between Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair in an urban riding where both need to show strength.
Trinity-Spadina has swung between Liberals and New Democrats in recent elections, but the NDP believe they had established an endurable beachhead with Chow.
[url=http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/04/17/adam_vaughan_to_run_for_li...
Great job NDP. Looks like we may have our own version of Jim Coutts.
Thu, 2014-04-17 12:27
#90
The liberals blew thier shot at the riding over the innes incident.
It will take more then the smug and annoying Adam Vaughan to change that. I could never stand thst guy and I look forward to his defeat.
Don't under estomate Joe, he can take Adam.
Thu, 2014-04-17 12:29
#91
OnTheLeft
![http://i.minus.com/icUAUO.gif[/img]](http://i.minus.com/icUAUO.gif[/img]){kind=link}
Thu, 2014-04-17 12:42
#92
OnTheLeft
I agree.
I doubt the NDP will be winning many seats, if any, in the GTA during the next election.
Thu, 2014-04-17 13:52
#93
OnTheLeft
Ugh, just realized I posted this in the wrong thread.
Thu, 2014-04-17 15:41
#94
The liberals blew thier shot at the riding over the innes incident.
It will take more then the smug and annoying Adam Vaughan to change that. I could never stand thst guy and I look forward to his defeat.
Don't under estomate Joe, he can take Adam.
I'm not sure about that. Besides getting the Liberal vote, the small minority of Cons living in TS all say they plan on voting for Vaughan! They want him OUT at City Council. Since the Cons won't make a dent in TS, this is the next best thing. To get Vaughan off City Council.
So Vaughan will have a much bigger coalition backing him. Libs, Independents, Cons and voters who swing back and forth between the Libs and NDP.
Joe has his work cut out for him.
Just for the record. Having lived in TS for 20+ years I always voted NDP, and never voted Liberal both Federal and Provincially.
Thu, 2014-04-17 15:58
#95
Wow nice to see the vote of confedience in Joe. Not.
Honeetly if the Trudeau name is famous enough to take the riding for the Liberals, I doubt Adam Vaughan will change things. Its just more evidence that Liberal Party is more interested in big names over substance, fame over hard work. I guess we'll see.
The debates will likely be important, it should be interesting.
Fri, 2014-04-18 01:11
#96
On April 15th North Report wrote (post 81)
But as things stand now, Trudeau and his advisors will lose, big time. And the NDP’s Joe Cressy has already won a by-election that hasn’t even been called yet.
On April 17 On the Left wrote (post 88)
I have read all the links about Joe but still think that we should (and must) pick a better candidate for the by-election.
It is significant that Joe has never really done much outside the "NDP family" - "campaign organizer, social activist, backroom boy, community organizer, etc". I don't think this impresses most people. He doesn't have any knid of presence or name recognition outside the party itself.
We should pick a candidate with some substance who projects the image that we are serious about forming government. I don't know who that may be but I would hope we can attract such a candidate for a very winnable riding.
Joe looks too much like a smug backroom operator, inexperienced in the ways of the world. There is an obvious reason why the Liberals knifed Christine Innes and that is to clear the way for a heavyweight candidate. They knows that the stakes are very great in Trinity-Spadina and if they wrest the seat away from us they will be better able to present themselves as the only alternative to Harper. The old red door - blue door stuff that has bedeviled the NDP throughout its history.
They will pore everything they have into this by-election and will present Joe as a mere apparatchik with no real life accomplishments, and they will beat him. There is too much at stake here than for us to give them that narrative.
[img]http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/canada/2014/04/17/adam_v...
Long time Toronto city councillor Adam Vaughan is making the move to federal politics, agreeing to run for the Liberals in the upcoming byelection in the downtown riding of Trinity-Spadina.
The deal was sealed at a lunch at Le Select Bistro Wednesday with Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, sources told the Star, but the party has been courting the outspoken Vaughan for months.
Vaughan, who represents the southern portion of the federal riding on city council, will be seeking the seat vacated by Olivia Chow, who is trying to unseat Mayor Rob Ford in this year’s mayoralty election.
He won the ward in 2010 with almost 75 per cent of the vote.
Vaughan, a former journalist, took the ward initially in 2006 by easily defeating Helen Kennedy, Chow’s one-time executive assistant.
He will be competing for the riding with New Democrat Joe Cressy, a 29-year-old social activist with strong party ties. Cressy ran Chow’s 2011 federal campaign and stepped down as a strategist on her mayoralty campaign to run in the riding.
His arrival in the race — he must first beat other candidates for the nomination — sets up an epic battle between Trudeau and NDP Leader Tom Mulcair in an urban riding where both need to show strength.
Trinity-Spadina has swung between Liberals and New Democrats in recent elections, but the NDP believe they had established an endurable beachhead with Chow.
[url=http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/04/17/adam_vaughan_to_run_for_li...
Great job NDP. Looks like we may have our own version of Jim Coutts.
On April 17th North Report wrote (post 91)
I doubt the NDP will be winning many seats, if any, in the GTA during the next election.
Forget Trudeau, at this rate Adam Vaughan will win the 2015 federal election single-handed!
Fri, 2014-04-18 11:27
#97
Stubborn negatives undermine Tories’ shot at another majority
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/national/Stubborn+negatives+undermin...
Fri, 2014-04-18 11:52
#98
alan smithee
Good...We can't afford another Tory majority mandate...especially with a possible Tea Party government in Washington in 2016.
Fri, 2014-04-18 13:50
#99
Listening to the CBC radio this morning it appears that Mulcair has scored with his commnets about elitist Trudeau not being able to relate to working families.
Fri, 2014-04-18 15:04
#100
Listening to the CBC radio this morning it appears that Mulcair has scored with his commnets about elitist Trudeau not being able to relate to working families.
Good to hear that this theme is resonating... this theme is parallel to the Liberal Party obsession with star candidates.
Fri, 2014-04-18 15:54
#101
Listening to the CBC radio this morning it appears that Mulcair has scored with his commnets about elitist Trudeau not being able to relate to working families.
Cool, do you have any details on what was said?
I wish the NDP would unleash some attack ads against Trudeau on this theme and his support of regressive.