‘A government for the people’ — but will Doug Ford govern for all Ontarians?
Ford’s Tories won the most seats, gaining the right to form a majority government under our parliamentary system. The PC juggernaut wiped out most of the Liberal cabinet, reducing Kathleen Wynne’s governing party to a rump. He also beat back a remarkable challenge from Ontario’s New Democrats
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/06/07/a-government-...
Reality will quickly bite for Doug Ford’s new PC government in Ontario
Andrea Horwath’s New Democrats should look back on this campaign with satisfaction. Horwath herself ran the strongest campaign of the three major party leaders, and as official opposition at Queen’s Park the party will play a much more prominent role.
Their challenge will be to hold Ford accountable and replace the Liberals as the alternative to the PCs for the long haul. It helps a lot that many voters started to look at Horwath this time as someone who could actually be premier.
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2018/06/07/reality-will-quick...
Horwath did not win but ended the campaign undamaged as leader in the eyes of the public. The NDP always has a hard time unseating conservatives with the Liberals running from opposition.
The first challenge for the NDP in Ontario is to make sure that they keep their leader for the next election. They need to make sure that they place this extremely high on priorities as without this, I think the next election will be a certain loss. Any hope of winning will be found in retaining the present leader's goodwill in the population.
To do this the leader has to remain constructive, calm, never petty. she cannot sacrifice goodwill. If soemthing that risks that has to be done by the party, the leader should not do it. In this political phase the party has to protect the leader now.
It sounds like NorthReport is enjoying every minute of the Doug Ford era.
Doesn't look good.
Too bad the alternative to Ford could not coalesce under the Andrea Horwath-led NDP, but we all know the reasons for that. And my hunch is that way too many bridges have been burned between the Liberals and the NDP so we will now see a repeat performance next year in Ottawa.
Ontario has given Doug Ford carte blanche to do virtually anything he wants
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/06/07/ontario-has-g...
Agreed Sean. I hope they pay attention to that.
Doesn't look good.
Too bad the alternative to Ford could not coalesce under the Andrea Horwath-led NDP, but we all know the reasons for that. And my hunch is that way too many bridges have been burned between the Liberals and the NDP so we will now see a repeat performance next year in Ottawa.
Ontario has given Doug Ford carte blanche to do virtually anything he wants
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/06/07/ontario-has-g...
So, should the NDP join up with the Liberals to stop the Conservatives next year?
Horwath did not win but ended the campaign undamaged as leader in the eyes of the public. The NDP always has a hard time unseating conservatives with the Liberals running from opposition.
The first challenge for the NDP in Ontario is to make sure that they keep their leader for the next election. They need to make sure that they place this extremely high on priorities as without this, I think the next election will be a certain loss. Any hope of winning will be found in retaining the present leader's goodwill in the population.
To do this the leader has to remain constructive, calm, never petty. she cannot sacrifice goodwill. If soemthing that risks that has to be done by the party, the leader should not do it. In this political phase the party has to protect the leader now.
Goodwill only goes so far. Ford's leadership numbers were pretty lousy. But it didn't matter. Party was more important. The Cons led in the polls almost uninterrupted for two years. They were destined to win after 15 years of Liberal rule. They probably could have selected Jack the Ripper as leader and still have won.
Horwath did not win but ended the campaign undamaged as leader in the eyes of the public. The NDP always has a hard time unseating conservatives with the Liberals running from opposition.
The first challenge for the NDP in Ontario is to make sure that they keep their leader for the next election. They need to make sure that they place this extremely high on priorities as without this, I think the next election will be a certain loss. Any hope of winning will be found in retaining the present leader's goodwill in the population.
To do this the leader has to remain constructive, calm, never petty. she cannot sacrifice goodwill. If soemthing that risks that has to be done by the party, the leader should not do it. In this political phase the party has to protect the leader now.
Goodwill only goes so far. Ford's leadership numbers were pretty lousy. But it didn't matter. Party was more important. The Cons led in the polls almost uninterrupted for two years. They were destined to win after 15 years of Liberal rule. They probably could have selected Jack the Ripper as leader and still have won.
It is too early to say. We do not know the political skills of Ford or the extent he will misread how far the Povince is willing to go. He does not know either as without a costed plan nothing here has been tested.
If Ford runs into difficult waters Horwath does have considerable goodwill and respect. If she were to leave a divisive race would undo the position the NDP is in now and introduce a leader that would have to rebuild what Horwath has.
I certainyl do not think there was a strong vote for the Conservative party so much as a anger rejection of the Liberals. Horwath almost doubled her vote from the start of the campaign while Ford only held his.
Doug Ford: “I’m so glad I’ve got a new job ‘cause the business I was at before is tanking”
Inspiration: Young drug dealer dreaming of becoming premier finally has a role model.
It doesn't matter if Doug Ford personally has an agenda or not. He has smart people around him who will maximize profits for business, cut social spending, privatize, etc. They will come up with the ideas, and he will sign the bills.
It doesn't matter if Doug Ford personally has an agenda or not. He has smart people around him who will maximize profits for business, cut social spending, privatize, etc. They will come up with the ideas, and he will sign the bills.
True- but this is often true of Trump. It is the reason the right enable Trump.
S in O writes: The first challenge for the NDP in Ontario is to make sure that they keep their leader for the next election.
Notalib responds: Really? Three consecutive losses in the NDP world is all you need for an organized entrenching of leadership? Its no wonder the NDP struggles with winning stuff.
Why is it now that people who don't support the NDP want the NDP leader to step down? Go figure!
S in O writes: The first challenge for the NDP in Ontario is to make sure that they keep their leader for the next election.
Notalib responds: Really? Three consecutive losses in the NDP world is all you need for an organized entrenching of leadership? Its no wonder the NDP struggles with winning stuff.
It is all about context. In the case of some losses the leader is a part of the problem. In this case she was clearly an asset that got the party a long way but not all the way. She is certainly a person they could go all the way with. The party has to look at what it is missing to do that and it is not the leadership.
You cannot build everything in one shot -- winning is about understanding a setback and knowing what to pull down and what to build on.
Leadership peace now and strong efforts to build in the new seats the party has and consolidate as well as build ground organizations particularly in the 905 seem to be smarter than taking your best assets and replacing them without working on the areas you are weak.
Really? Three consecutive losses in the NDP world is all you need for an organized entrenching of leadership? Its no wonder the NDP struggles with winning stuff.
She has increased popular votes and seat count every election, and for an NDP leader that looks pretty good.
Keeping Andrea in the ONDP leadership after its second-best showing ever makes a lot more sense than Tommy Douglas hanging on to the federal NDP leadership after losing his own ridings in 1962 AND 1968.
Context is important.
Both examples given of Layton and Howarth "steadily increasing the vote" only led to conservative governments.
So staying on that track, probably means more of the same.
Howarth forced the last election when she held the balance of power, a coveted position of political power within the NDP universe as real power consistently escapes them (often even when they actually form government) yet forcing that election only saw her throw away the balance of power. An absolutely ridiculous move that should have seen the end of her leadership then.
Quite frankly, the ONDP would be better off with the balance of power in a Lib government like back in those days vs being the officially useless opposition in the staggering Ford Nation majority they just helped usher in.
Howarth proudly hammered the "change for the better" mantra Topp introduced into the NDP Lexicon after the results were in the other night. So she clearly has a track record of believing change for the better is an end to Liberal governance and a return to regressive conservatism versus actually winning government.
So yes Howarth will stay because the NDP is and has been for sometime a Con assist party, thinly veiled with progressive rhetoric to ensure they appeal to their now tarnished decades old brand of being some sort of party of average folk.
Like the UK, the NDP in Canada seems incapable of coming out from under the right leaning apparatchik that steers the party. And, as we see in the UK, even when new leadership proves that a solid progressive platform can draw significant numbers and interest that same right wing apparatchik would rather destroy their own party's political potential than loosen its grip on the steering wheel.
Get ready because this is coming soon
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/doug-ford-ontario-pc-government-priorities-1.4698429
Fuck the Liberals - don’t give them an inch! They are no friend of the NDP
https://mobile.twitter.com/tomfraserhfx/status/1005184595053117440
Is this thread good to discuss Ford/PC policy and plans?
I liked the PCs idea about people on minimum wage (or under a certain amount) not paying income taxes instead of just raising minimum wage. I'm not sure if automated servers at McDonalds was in any part prompted by minimum wage increase but I've been following the issues going on with Tim Hortons a bit. I wasn't surprised to see a business react to the raising of minimum wage by slashing benifits and making up for the cash-loss in other areas.
By raising minimum wage the goverment obviously stands to benifit more since they're collecting more income taxes. Hardly Robin Hood stuff. By making it so people earning minimum wage not having to pay income taxes it's more money in their pocket and no significant impact on businesses - so long as the government doesn't try to recoup costs from them of course.
I'm not sure if a provincial government can dictate who pays income taxes or not but I hope so.
It doesn't matter if Doug Ford personally has an agenda or not. He has smart people around him who will maximize profits for business, cut social spending, privatize, etc. They will come up with the ideas, and he will sign the bills.
Ya so what? If the pc actually do this then in 4 years Ontario voters will have the opportunity to boot them out. If they get voted back in then really, who's fault is it?
Never mind who won the vote, Ontario Election 2018 is an NDP triumph
https://nowtoronto.com/news/ontario-election-2018-andrea-horwath-results/
Context is important.
Both examples given of Layton and Howarth "steadily increasing the vote" only led to conservative governments.
So staying on that track, probably means more of the same.
So then I guess by that logic, we should be looking for a new leader who can decrease our vote?
How did it happen?
https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/06/08/how-did-doug-ford-win_a_23454555/
I doubt Liberals will be recognized officially in the Legislature however it has absolutely nothing to do with the NDP, although the NDP remembers what happened to them in 2003. But regardless, it is Ford who will decide.
NDP leader Jagmeet’s brother Gurratan gets elected to Ontario assembly
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/ndp-leader-jagmeets-br...
The silver lining is that the NDP will have the majority opposition members on all the committees at Reading 2 of government bills. Going left has worked for the NDP. Horwath is still the most likeable and virtuous leader. This government, if there ever was any, has to be challenged from as far left as is practical to bring the compromises into reasonable bounds.
As I said, structurally, Ontario is a Tory province. That is made even worse because of the vast inequalities in the number of constituents in each riding. There are no apartment buildings in a lot of those ridings. Everyone has their own house, and all the infrastructure that supports that lifestyle.
Yet working class people are the first ones who will be screwed, and individual horror stories will make them consider the NDP. The problem is that it may not affect too many people in the Tory heartland. When people in houses start struggling to pay the bills, they are going to get cheesed off as well.
And Doug Ford was looking into heaven at his brother Rob, whose legacy got him where he is. His dad didn't make it into Mike Harris' cabinet, and now he is premier. As well as remembering Rob in heaven, let us hope Doug also remembers his grandmother, who raised his dad and several siblings on her own in abject poverty.
This was an urban factor added to Tory Ontario which gave Ford the grand slam. He thought he could get 80 seats, but he will settle for 75.
Context is important.
Both examples given of Layton and Howarth "steadily increasing the vote" only led to conservative governments.
So staying on that track, probably means more of the same.
Howarth forced the last election when she held the balance of power, a coveted position of political power within the NDP universe as real power consistently escapes them (often even when they actually form government) yet forcing that election only saw her throw away the balance of power. An absolutely ridiculous move that should have seen the end of her leadership then.
Quite frankly, the ONDP would be better off with the balance of power in a Lib government like back in those days vs being the officially useless opposition in the staggering Ford Nation majority they just helped usher in.
Howarth proudly hammered the "change for the better" mantra Topp introduced into the NDP Lexicon after the results were in the other night. So she clearly has a track record of believing change for the better is an end to Liberal governance and a return to regressive conservatism versus actually winning government.
So yes Howarth will stay because the NDP is and has been for sometime a Con assist party, thinly veiled with progressive rhetoric to ensure they appeal to their now tarnished decades old brand of being some sort of party of average folk.
Like the UK, the NDP in Canada seems incapable of coming out from under the right leaning apparatchik that steers the party. And, as we see in the UK, even when new leadership proves that a solid progressive platform can draw significant numbers and interest that same right wing apparatchik would rather destroy their own party's political potential than loosen its grip on the steering wheel.
Say - why do you call yourself notalib when all you produce is Liberal propaganda? Really curious about that.
Horwath's vote in your mind was owed to the Liberals and withheld apparently. That you refuse to blame the Liberals for the election they lost and insist that the NDP was responsible for Ford -- this makes it clear that when you say notalib you are probably not being truthful as your attitudes and sense of entitlement about NDP support and responsibility makes you obviously Liberal.
The argument that the NDP does not run to win but is somehow a tool of the Conservatives certainly makes your posts a tool of the Liberals.
Fasten your seat belts
S in O writes:
Say - why do you call yourself notalib when all you produce is Liberal propaganda? Really curious about that.
Horwath's vote in your mind was owed to the Liberals and withheld apparently. That you refuse to blame the Liberals for the election they lost and insist that the NDP was responsible for Ford -- this makes it clear that when you say notalib you are probably not being truthful as your attitudes and sense of entitlement about NDP support and responsibility makes you obviously Liberal.
The argument that the NDP does not run to win but is somehow a tool of the Conservatives certainly makes your posts a tool of the Liberals.
Notalib responds:
Sorry which one of the facts I posted is "Liberal Propaganda" as you define it?
Your answer is why I put Notalib as a "name."
Anything that does not rhyme with the conservative propaganda that dominates this board is dismissed as the musings of clueless Liberals.
I welcome you pointing out exactly what facts I claim you take issue with, as that would result in a discussion. But as many do here, you seem to prefer ad-hominem attacks, void of facts and often out of context.
So anything that mentions uncomfortableness with Liberal policies is Conservative propaganda. Who knew!
Wow!
The Liberals are almost tied with the Conservatives here. The truth hurts.
Thank goodness at least the NDP supports working people.
The Ontario election: A report card for equity
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/cathy-crowes-blog/2018/05/ontario-electi...
Ontario Election 2018: Doug Ford's new conservative order
Where once the PCs were the party of elderly and affluent voters, they now do well with voters who are younger, have less education and lower incomes
Horwath came close this time, with a fleeting lead in the polls at mid-campaign, before dipping back to 34 per cent, the second-best result in the history of the Ontario NDP. The NDP’s appeal to the “ordered voter” worked in its areas of existing strength, and limited PC gains in Toronto.
In the suburbs and the 905 region surrounding Toronto, where the party has been week for a quarter century, it stalled.
The barrage of negative advertising from the Conservatives about NDP candidates who refused to wear poppies, or accusations that declaring Ontario a “sanctuary province” would allow foreigners to come illegally and abuse health-care resources, killed the NDP’s momentum.
These were cultural appeals to “ordered voters.”
The NDP could have framed a response in its childcare, pharmacare and dental care proposals: Those who work hard should be able to look after their teeth and deserve quality education for their young children.
But the Conservatives succeeded in defining that as “free stuff” that the NDP would tax you to pay for.
https://nowtoronto.com/news/ontario-election-2018-doug-ford-voters/
Doug Ford's Chance To Undo Liberals' Missteps On Mental Health
Despite a vague election platform, Ford has the people, research and opportunity he needs to affect positive change.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/marvin-ross/doug-ford-mental-health-addict...
Doug Ford’s Victory Is Also One For White Nationalists
Ford’s alleged dog whistles and connections to the far-right will further embolden white supremacists and normalize hatred.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/davide-mastracci/doug-ford-ontario-electio...
S in O writes:
Say - why do you call yourself notalib when all you produce is Liberal propaganda? Really curious about that.
Horwath's vote in your mind was owed to the Liberals and withheld apparently. That you refuse to blame the Liberals for the election they lost and insist that the NDP was responsible for Ford -- this makes it clear that when you say notalib you are probably not being truthful as your attitudes and sense of entitlement about NDP support and responsibility makes you obviously Liberal.
The argument that the NDP does not run to win but is somehow a tool of the Conservatives certainly makes your posts a tool of the Liberals.
Notalib responds:
Sorry which one of the facts I posted is "Liberal Propaganda" as you define it?
Your answer is why I put Notalib as a "name."
Anything that does not rhyme with the conservative propaganda that dominates this board is dismissed as the musings of clueless Liberals.
I welcome you pointing out exactly what facts I claim you take issue with, as that would result in a discussion. But as many do here, you seem to prefer ad-hominem attacks, void of facts and often out of context.
Take a minute and read your post -- if you need a clue it would be somewhere between your first and your last letter you typed. It was full of assumptions that are only a figment of Liberal entitlement.
The whole pile of shit about the NDP being at fault becuase the Liberals lost might be your first clue.
Oh and by the way that was the furthest from a series of "facts."
Also you quoted some of the explanation.
[quote=NorthReport]
Doug Ford’s Victory Is Also One For White Nationalists
Ford’s alleged dog whistles and connections to the far-right will further embolden white supremacists and normalize hatred.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/davide-mastracci/doug-ford-ontario-electio...
[quote=NDPP]
Particularly Zionist White Supremacists, who believe they were 'chosen' by god to usurp, steal and occupy the Palestinian Indigenous lands, subject them to a vicious apartheid regime, ethnically cleanse them and bomb or shoot them when they resist or protest.
It is quite alright for 20,000+ of these Zionists, JDL, and Soldiers of Odin to 'Walk With Israel' but should others protest this illegal occupation and genocide, Doug Ford has already signaled he will be Israel's man at Queen's Park. And few will notice or care. The more things change the more they stay the same.
Warmington: B'nai Brith Files Police Complaint Over Saturday's Al Quds 'Hatefest'
http://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-bnai-brith-files-police...
"...Premier-elect Ford says this will be the last time. 'Our government will take actions to ensure events like Al Quds Day, which calls for the killing of an entire country's population in Israel, are no longer part of the landscape in Ontario,' tweeted Ford.
Strong statements from a strong leader in a time when many turn a blind eye and play it safe by falling back on political correctness. If Ontario's incoming premier has his way the days of people calling for the death of others is over." [No such call was made but who needs truth or accuracy, especially where the accusers are so powerful and so generous to those who do their bidding and so difficult to those who don't.]
NDP's Andrea Horwath says she'll do her best to fight cuts at Queen's Park
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/andrea-horwath-ndp-provincial-elec...
Doug Ford's Chance To Undo Liberals' Missteps On Mental Health
Despite a vague election platform, Ford has the people, research and opportunity he needs to affect positive change.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/marvin-ross/doug-ford-mental-health-addict...
Please fix the Liberal misgovernance. Go Ford
Doug Ford’s Victory Is Also One For White Nationalists
Ford’s alleged dog whistles and connections to the far-right will further embolden white supremacists and normalize hatred.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/davide-mastracci/doug-ford-ontario-electio...
We cant forget who the official opposition is. NDP being the official opposition can keep a check on the white nationalists. Good riddance to the Liberals, its because if their policies that the white nationalism has gained ground in the first place. Truth hurts Liberals.
Doug Ford’s Victory Is Also One For White Nationalists
Ford’s alleged dog whistles and connections to the far-right will further embolden white supremacists and normalize hatred.
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/davide-mastracci/doug-ford-ontario-electio...
We cant forget who the official opposition is. NDP being the official opposition can keep a check on the white nationalists. Good riddance to the Liberals, its because if their policies that the white nationalism has gained ground in the first place. Truth hurts Liberals.
Are you trolling or are you unaware that an opposition party across from a majority government has no practical power. The only time they have power is if they are more popular than the government - and that is not the case now. That power would only be the threat of political consequence.
One thing that can be used by all opponents of Ford...since he never costed his platform, he doesn't actually have "a mandate" for ANYTHING.
One thing that can be used by all opponents of Ford...since he never costed his platform, he doesn't actually have "a mandate" for ANYTHING.
Those with the most money and influence will tune that message into saying he has a blank cheque - so a mandate for anything.
The province should not have given him a blank cheque but that is what they did.
Things are moving quickly!
Freeland to meet Ford as Trump, NAFTA become priority
https://ipolitics.ca/2018/06/12/freeland-to-meet-ford-as-trump-nafta-bec...
This sucks but it is the price you pay when the government goes off the rails!
Ex-Harper MPs and staffers win big in Ontario election
https://ipolitics.ca/2018/06/11/ex-harper-mps-and-staffers-win-big-in-on...
Friends of Israel will be as influential or more - so those interests will be well taken care of. Canadians, who are mostly frightened of anything to do with this lobby, or know the parties they support are also invested in this support, will pretend not to notice.
"Doug Ford's rant about the Al Quds Day rally in Toronto is another looming threat to free speech about Palestine and a grossly inflammatory characterization of International Quds Day."
https://twitter.com/dimitrilascaris/status/1006312585224970241
