Congratulations Canada….You got rid of your fear mongering climate denier!
Good Luck to Justin Trudeau and the Canadian Liberal Party.
And yes, many Americans do pay attention to the political goings on of other nations!
Good Luck to Justin Trudeau and the Canadian Liberal Party.
And yes, many Americans do pay attention to the political goings on of other nations!
26
.
Enjoy your high taxes, high debt and stagnant, flailing economy. It's inevitable with far left ideologues.
'History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes'
.
Enjoy your high taxes, high debt and stagnant, flailing economy. It's inevitable with far left ideologues.
'History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes'
.
3
I lived in Montreal for 8 years and Toronto for a year, as a U.S. citizen/ 'landed immigrant' in Canada -- a permanent resident, with working privileges -- basically identical to the U.S. green card.
My parents were university professors and emigrated to Montreal to teach at McGill when I was in high school. I was a student during the Pierre Eliot Trudeau years, which helped bring Montreal and Canada to the forefront -- along with late Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau's advances of bringing the Metro, Expo '67 and the '76 Olympics to Montreal.
The Trudeau family is sharp, politically astute and knows what's important for Canada, the U.S. and the world, and Justin will forge relationships that will continue to keep Canada in the forefront.
I hope Justn will stay in power for a long time. His father, PET, was the second-longest serving PM of Canada, with 15 years for PET ('68-'79 and '80 to '84), second to 22 years for PM William Lyon Mackenzie King.
An advantage the parliamentary system brings its public over the U.S. system is that a popular PM will remain in office as long as he/she is popular, unlike the U.S. system that limits the presidency to two terms.
Under Justin's father, PET led the following reforms, among others: Established relations with Communist China, created Petro-Canada, got Canada in the G7, patriated the Canadian Constituton, health, language reforms, among others.
Justin will likely be just as effective in his leadership as his father.
My parents were university professors and emigrated to Montreal to teach at McGill when I was in high school. I was a student during the Pierre Eliot Trudeau years, which helped bring Montreal and Canada to the forefront -- along with late Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau's advances of bringing the Metro, Expo '67 and the '76 Olympics to Montreal.
The Trudeau family is sharp, politically astute and knows what's important for Canada, the U.S. and the world, and Justin will forge relationships that will continue to keep Canada in the forefront.
I hope Justn will stay in power for a long time. His father, PET, was the second-longest serving PM of Canada, with 15 years for PET ('68-'79 and '80 to '84), second to 22 years for PM William Lyon Mackenzie King.
An advantage the parliamentary system brings its public over the U.S. system is that a popular PM will remain in office as long as he/she is popular, unlike the U.S. system that limits the presidency to two terms.
Under Justin's father, PET led the following reforms, among others: Established relations with Communist China, created Petro-Canada, got Canada in the G7, patriated the Canadian Constituton, health, language reforms, among others.
Justin will likely be just as effective in his leadership as his father.
17
Since you do not have to be a member of Congress to be elected speaker maybe Harper could be Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
He certainly ran Canada just like the Tea Party would have us do here.
I hope that we get a similar large turnout and upset victory by the more Liberal voters next year
He certainly ran Canada just like the Tea Party would have us do here.
I hope that we get a similar large turnout and upset victory by the more Liberal voters next year
13
Canada is on an economic par with Texas. Canada has 8 million more citizens. This means the same dollar provides a smaller piece of the economic pie.
The largest expense for the individual is the cost of Energy. Taxes are actually the largest expense but mitigated via social programs.
The current government was beginning to get its financial house in order. The new government will correct this in quick order. The new world order is Debt and Deficits.
The largest expense for the individual is the cost of Energy. Taxes are actually the largest expense but mitigated via social programs.
The current government was beginning to get its financial house in order. The new government will correct this in quick order. The new world order is Debt and Deficits.
4
I am writing from Kampala Uganda and I am just so pleased at this victory. The Liberals get a majority of 180 seats, but more, their victory signals a 180 degree turn from policies of the defeated one - to wit, divide and rule: Fear-monger amongst the majority (“old stock) about the Islamic threat; hope the Muslim-bashing would chime with non-Muslim India-origin communities; within Muslims single out Ismaili Muslims as “good” Muslims for their western ways and bestow national honours on their spiritual leader the Aga Khan to cement the tie. None of it worked – not with the majority Canadians nor with the Indian communities. The latter saw Harper was the embodiment of anti-multiculturism, the tenet (in its pro form) enshrined in Canada’s laws, under which many of us were admitted to Canada. His Highness the Aga Khan sited his Global Centre for Pluralism in Canada for that reason.
Of course I was particularly thrilled at this victory because we (Uganda Asians) came to Canada at the behest of the new Prime Minister’ father, Pierre Elliot Trudeau in 1972. The Aga Khan played a role in negotiating with his friend PET on how many expellees would be accepted and his uncle Prince Sadruddin played a role in taking the last of the Uganda expellees to refugee centres in five different European countries. The three are heroes of a million-words book I am writing about the expulsion. “Oncle K” as Justin calls the Aga Khan (K for Karim (Aga Khan)), must be thrilled at this election.
Of course I was particularly thrilled at this victory because we (Uganda Asians) came to Canada at the behest of the new Prime Minister’ father, Pierre Elliot Trudeau in 1972. The Aga Khan played a role in negotiating with his friend PET on how many expellees would be accepted and his uncle Prince Sadruddin played a role in taking the last of the Uganda expellees to refugee centres in five different European countries. The three are heroes of a million-words book I am writing about the expulsion. “Oncle K” as Justin calls the Aga Khan (K for Karim (Aga Khan)), must be thrilled at this election.
6
Seems like the whole world is trending to more govt worship.I think we were warned about false idols and adopting govt as our savior.
3
It is a great day for Canada and they will now gain their pride and swagger back again by leading the world with a more just and moral compass than Harper ever could imagine. BRAVO!!!
17
Congrats, does this mean a future full of tax and spending shills for EU masters, while redrawing the lines for a new oh Canada, time will tell...
3
"At campaign stops, Harper recited his party’s claims of what a Liberal government would cost individual families,"
-As opposed to the 20% drop in purchasing power of the loonies during his administration-
-As opposed to the 20% drop in purchasing power of the loonies during his administration-
9
So now Canada has a politician like the States. An inexperienced but committed leftist, apologist for the muslims, and eager to show the world he is the one that can provide unicorn rides. I will check back occasionally just to say "I told you so". I guess on the plus side, he probably won't golf as much as Obama. He'll be one and done.
8
Re " he probably won't golf as much as Obama. "
Bush took a 879 days off in his 8 yrs. Obama has racked up not even 20% of that. And lest we forget, when Katrina hit, Bush was in Phoenix celebrating John McCain's birthday. When Sandy hit, Obama was in the situation room meeting with FEMA. Just saying.
Bush took a 879 days off in his 8 yrs. Obama has racked up not even 20% of that. And lest we forget, when Katrina hit, Bush was in Phoenix celebrating John McCain's birthday. When Sandy hit, Obama was in the situation room meeting with FEMA. Just saying.
28
Calling the change seismic would be an under statement. Mr Trudeau's party won these elections against a well established Governing Party that spent massive amounts of money, from both the public purse and the Cons party coffers, touting their achievements (e.g. 'Canada’s Economic Action Plan’), and putting their blue brand on even the most basic of government deliverables (a community centre here, a road there, a bridge needing repairs..). It is not just against Stephen Harper that people voted, but against his brand of government: bitter, divisive and wedge issue focused. More than the senate expenses scandal, it is the narrow minded view of what Canada should look like that undid the Harper Government.
That being said, it is interesting that despite all that, the conservatives still managed to win more than 90 seats in parliament. There is a solid, hard core conservative base that will be loyal to the party (almost) no matter what. Liberals may take the hint and start working on that today; the next elections may be in four years time, but it’s exclusively on the Liberal record that that ones will be fought, and there will be no hated Harper people will be fleeing from.
That being said, it is interesting that despite all that, the conservatives still managed to win more than 90 seats in parliament. There is a solid, hard core conservative base that will be loyal to the party (almost) no matter what. Liberals may take the hint and start working on that today; the next elections may be in four years time, but it’s exclusively on the Liberal record that that ones will be fought, and there will be no hated Harper people will be fleeing from.
19
We now have the most attractive PMs wife ever.
7
Mr. Trudeau's mom was no slouch in the looks department! (How soon we forget!)
However on the mental health perspective, hopefully the son will place greater importance on prevention programs for early detection and treatment of high stress, recognition of genetic factors without penalty, that encourage better treatment and less stigma for mental disease and developmental disabilities.
As an ex-pat going on 50 years, I have frequently wished to return to my homeland. Now, more than ever I wish that I could be there to celebrate this new era with you.
However on the mental health perspective, hopefully the son will place greater importance on prevention programs for early detection and treatment of high stress, recognition of genetic factors without penalty, that encourage better treatment and less stigma for mental disease and developmental disabilities.
As an ex-pat going on 50 years, I have frequently wished to return to my homeland. Now, more than ever I wish that I could be there to celebrate this new era with you.
10
Mixed blessings up here in Canada. Stephen Harper and his anti-Canadian values HAD to go but he unfortunately left us with some tough choices on who should be the next PM. While Justin Trudeau is preaching positivity and hope, he is an unknown and his campaign platform leaves me to fear that we are entering a period of massive spending, raised taxes and deficits. Once all of the anti-Harper enthusiasm wears off and the new PM gets down to business, we will finally see whether he is the lightweight that many fear or whether he has the gravitas to lead our country.
9
I find it hard to accept critics of Mr. Trudeau who cite little experience as a short coming of their new head of government!
How many political leaders learned their tasks at their father's knees.....
How many political leaders learned their tasks at their father's knees.....
11
Glad to see the backside of Stephen Harper, a secretive politician who tried to take away many of the things that Canada is known for and proud of.
17
Looks like Canada will go back to being "Canada." Harper's tenure has been truly strange and disorienting to witness as a bunch of Alberta oilmen appeared to hijack a country whose citizens once voted Tommy Douglas, a politician who pioneered the introduction of universal health care in that country as Saskatchewan premier in the 1950s, the greatest Canadian of the 20th century.
Now, what happens to the Keystone pipeline with T. Boone Harper headed back to oil-sands land?
Now, what happens to the Keystone pipeline with T. Boone Harper headed back to oil-sands land?
13
Americans will certainly be relieved that the Keystone project will be put to the rest it deserves.
This is an era of new cleaner less disease causing, cleaner energy, and less expensive resources. By switching to the new sources of energy, everyone will benefit, especially our grandchildren and their prodigy!
This is an era of new cleaner less disease causing, cleaner energy, and less expensive resources. By switching to the new sources of energy, everyone will benefit, especially our grandchildren and their prodigy!
7
Voters and conservatives are like Charlie Brown and Lucy. With the exception that eventually, voters understand that the ball will be whisked away and that they need a different holder.
1
Bodes well for the Democrats. It was amassive repudiation of Stephen Harper, the person and his policies both of which embodied the dismissive, small mindedness and archaic sensibilities of the Republicans...and I haven't even touched on his handling of the economy.
19
i guess you missed the part of the story that said the former PM seemed to focus more on the "far right" portion of the population and not the whole.
Kind of like Obama has only focused on his radical leftist base....
Kind of like Obama has only focused on his radical leftist base....
1
Re "Kind of like Obama has only focused on his radical leftist base.... "
Really? The banks are doing great, and so is the auto industry, stock market has more than doubled, and universal healthcare was tempered to give the healthcare industry (insurance and HMO) room to still be quite profitable. Just saying.
Really? The banks are doing great, and so is the auto industry, stock market has more than doubled, and universal healthcare was tempered to give the healthcare industry (insurance and HMO) room to still be quite profitable. Just saying.
21
Another political dynasty next door. Seems to be a nice one. Congratulations, neighbors!
7
Wow, so now Jennifer Aniston is the first lady of Canada! Oh, wait a second...that is Trudeau not Theroux. Nevermind!
3
So Canada will be another failed leftist experiment as they raise taxes even more, invite hoards of invaders and assert bigger government on 35 million people. Might as well call it California North.
2
Failed ??? you mean like Sweden? Switzerland? Austria?...maybe the Netherlands...all soooooo much worse off than the U.S.
you should have been lucky enough to get a free education in those other countries and you wouldn't be so dense and gullible
you should have been lucky enough to get a free education in those other countries and you wouldn't be so dense and gullible
26
Uh, Canadians voted? What's with the democracy means you get to pick how people vote, and yell stuff that's untrue when you don't get what you want?
1
Stephen Harper set out to destroy the basic principles of our civil society. He promised when he was first elected that we would not recognize the country by the time he was done. He was right and that is why he was so thoroughly rejected yesterday. It would take too long to list all of the things he did to undermine our values, to divide us, and to try to make us fearful - all plays out of the GOP/Tea Party playbook. He disrespected Justin Trudeau from the start of the campaign, always calling him Justin in political ads, belittling him. I noted that he called him Mr. Trudeau in his concession speech last night. Perhaps some grudging respect for his victory if not belated respect that he should have shown an opponent. Today is a very good day for Canada and the rest of the world will see the difference as Justin Trudeau takes his place at the G20 and other stages. We are so happy to say "goodbye, Stephen".
25
Speak for yourself, I sure did not vote for Trudeau.
1
"No fair," said the Democrat in the US, "they actually voted in an election. No wonder the Liberal Party was able to win. Voting doesn't occur to us."
11
Congratulations Mr. Trudeau! And I love your comic strip. (I know you've never heard that one before.)
3
Wow fantastic news! Canada returns to civilization just in time to save it's democracy. Just what I needed to perk me up after reading the terrifying news out of the UK where PM David Cameron not only threatened to go after people for having 'unbritish values' (from his point of view) even stating that the Labors elected leader Jeremy Corbyn was a 'threat to the security of the UK and every family in it' (McCarthyism) but stated even more threateningly that those he accuses 'can no longer hide behind the law' in a manner similar to statements made by Goebbles in the 1930's.
So now the UK government will go after non violent non law breakers for 'attitudes and opinions', turning everyone into unwilling informers while hunting for 'entryists' in Government, Schools and burocracy. 'Entryists' being to 'fellow travellers' as 'Terrorists' are to 'Communists'. And yet this 'British Values' PM celebrates his relationship to China and Jihads home Saudia Arabia.
THAT IS SCARY STUFF! Please some analysis on this please NYT!
So now the UK government will go after non violent non law breakers for 'attitudes and opinions', turning everyone into unwilling informers while hunting for 'entryists' in Government, Schools and burocracy. 'Entryists' being to 'fellow travellers' as 'Terrorists' are to 'Communists'. And yet this 'British Values' PM celebrates his relationship to China and Jihads home Saudia Arabia.
THAT IS SCARY STUFF! Please some analysis on this please NYT!
13
Is there a trend developing, one in which right wing draconians are being tossed, as in Australia, and now in Canada, and potentially in the U.S. 2016 election? Has the right gone too far in protecting the wealthy while disregarding the world around them?
If I were one of the GOP wannabes, I'd be closely studying what's happened in Canada and Down Under. Perhaps the public's desire for fairness, environmental stewardship, and a "sunny way" forward is replacing the grumpy guys who grovel before billionaires and leave the rest of us insecure and uncertain.
If I were one of the GOP wannabes, I'd be closely studying what's happened in Canada and Down Under. Perhaps the public's desire for fairness, environmental stewardship, and a "sunny way" forward is replacing the grumpy guys who grovel before billionaires and leave the rest of us insecure and uncertain.
23
Pierre Trudeau won -- not his son, who appears to be very unaccomplished. Canadians want to recreate the era of the father and nostalgia will quickly fade when they are faced with the reality of an amateur who should go back to teaching snow boarding.
9
For the record, he was a high school teacher.
10
Harper was a career politician who started his adulthood as a mailroom boy for an oil company.
And he spent his time as PM trying to divide Canadians. He apparently did a good job at that.
And he spent his time as PM trying to divide Canadians. He apparently did a good job at that.
18
Justin Trudeau,a young teacher may not possess the intellectual capacities of his brilliant father. However, he has been a Member of Parliament since 2008 and leader of the Liberal Party since 2013.
That makes him more qualified than any of the clowns the GOP currently has in the lead at the moment.
That makes him more qualified than any of the clowns the GOP currently has in the lead at the moment.
9
Dare we hope for a similar shift toward more compassionate, progressive, liberal policies? Dare we hope that the narrow-minded, cruel tea party in the US is on its way out?
17
How any free society can vote in a socialist is mind boggling. Doesn't say much for Canada, nor the future of the US.
2
If you think this guy is socialist you need your head examined... Trouble with American politics is that zero sum thinking and brainwashing have become the norm.
19
If ever a photo matched a comment, yours is it.
19
Only someone who uses the pant-soiling, draft-dodging, Ted Nugent as a symbol of "freedom" would be silly enough to describe the centrist Trudeau as a socialist, though, despite your protestation, there is nothing wrong with socialism done right.
The only socialism that is OK in some American circles is, apparently, is giving billionaires tax breaks at the expense of working men and women. That is redistribution of wealth.
The only socialism that is OK in some American circles is, apparently, is giving billionaires tax breaks at the expense of working men and women. That is redistribution of wealth.
23
Oh, Canada... Way to go!
19
Watch closely. I don't expect to see anything to "liberally" change in Canada other than the name/party of the PM. With less than 1/3 of the population voting he doesn't come close at representing a majority of the country or the largest demographic. Any upsetting of the apple cart will create mass outrage.
Turnout was much higher than 1/3rd.
2
According to preliminary figures from Elections Canada, more than 68 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, or about 17,546,697 registered electors. That's a big jump from the last federal election, when just more than 61 per cent of Canadians voted.
4
65% or the registered voters voted in Canada. If that is only 1/3 of the eligible population of Canada then those other non-voters don't care.
1
Too bad for Canada, where voters have shown that they can be as stupid as Americans, electing an inexperienced lightweight likely to show the same incompetence now evident in the US White House.
However, it's good news for national enemies like Vlad Putin and Xi-Jinping, who will not have to be concerned that Canada will do anything to stop their advances. In that regard, Canada joins the USA.
However, it's good news for national enemies like Vlad Putin and Xi-Jinping, who will not have to be concerned that Canada will do anything to stop their advances. In that regard, Canada joins the USA.
2
Seriously? The last incompetent lightweight the Americans voted into the White House was a Republican meat puppet who presided over the 9/11 attacks, then the delusional military intervention in Iraq and the meltdown of the American economy caused by letting his economic pupeteers run wild.
It has taken the current president nearly eight years to undo most of the damage of the the Bush II reign, and now the Republicans are putting up a bunch of intellectual light-weights who are competing with each other to say the stupidest stuff to attract the ignorant yahoo vote.
So yeah, we in Canada are happy and proud with how we handled our election. You should be so lucky.
It has taken the current president nearly eight years to undo most of the damage of the the Bush II reign, and now the Republicans are putting up a bunch of intellectual light-weights who are competing with each other to say the stupidest stuff to attract the ignorant yahoo vote.
So yeah, we in Canada are happy and proud with how we handled our election. You should be so lucky.
4
Woke up to this good news. Now, a Sanders or Clinton victory in the U.S. in 2016 and I will breathe easier.
23
Two points stand out: 1. the election race lasted 78 days, not two years as here in the US. A very sensible arrangement. 2. The Conservatives lost heavily after being heavy-handed and negative. Can the US follow in Canada's steps?
27
There's no question but what we can handle heavy-handed and negative. Petty and stupid, too, if it comes to that.
1
All I can tell you is that here in Uruguay, it is very clear that in the last decade or so Canada has lost it's standing as one of those admirable, socially caring nations. I can only asume this is a general opinion held globally and this I see confirmed by the comments by readers here.
A lot must have to do with this exiting regime, so good-riddance, with the respect due to those who were democratically elected.
Let's hope the new government can put Canada where it belongs on the world stage. I see some optimism but let's see what actually happens and not get ahead of ourselves.
A lot must have to do with this exiting regime, so good-riddance, with the respect due to those who were democratically elected.
Let's hope the new government can put Canada where it belongs on the world stage. I see some optimism but let's see what actually happens and not get ahead of ourselves.
18
I am greatly encouraged that the reign of middle class terror perpetrated by Reagan-Thatcher-Bush-Harper, et. al., is coming to a (final) end. The political pendulum has stalled and started it's return fall. All over the Western world, the ordinary citizens are finally realizing the the wool over their eyes is not for their benefit, but the oligarchs and corporations. Which are NOT people.
Next up: The USA. Feel the Bern! OK, I'll settle for Hillary if that's where the process goes.
Next up: The USA. Feel the Bern! OK, I'll settle for Hillary if that's where the process goes.
16
Is it really too much to expect the NYT to provide something more than a description of the election itself. The article says nothing about issues and the relative stances of the three parties. And to top off the Times' new definition of in-depth reporting, the article on Trudeau consists primarily of a series of tweets. So disappointing.
9
A leader bought and paid for by the Canadian oil industry, who was happy to put the US at risk with the unnecessary and in under-engineered Keystone Pipeline has been convincingly ousted by our sensible neighbors to our North.
17
Early Conservative ads emphasized Mr. Trudeau’s relative political inexperience and concluded with the slogan, “Just not ready.”
If that was the case, it backfired.
----------------------------
Sounds like a Northern bubble.
If that was the case, it backfired.
----------------------------
Sounds like a Northern bubble.
7
Looks like the Canadian people has caught on that the so called conservative approach, based on meanness, callousness, regard only for the rich and social reactionaries is noxious. Will the American people move away from bigotry and bling? One hopes.
24
Good Job, Good People of Canada! "68.5 percent of the country’s 25.6 million voters cast ballots in this election." This goes to show that voter turnout is the most important part of any election. "Conservatives" have done a great job of "conserving" wealth for the top 1% global financial elite and it's time America and the rest of the world follow Canada's lead and send them all home in the next elections.
24
Stephen Harper ruled Canada with the same authoritarian streak that the Republican Party represents in our country today. Congratulations for showing him the door.
24
I remember how during the eight years of G.W. Bush, son to G.H.W. Bush, as president, all my friends could talk about was wanting to move to Canada since the Bush dynastic reign was poisoning this country.
Now that the same familial reign is taking shape in Canada, I wonder if it will in any way mirror our experience, or even that of Syria where fathers and sons hold the reigns. Lest we not forget N. Korea either.
Maybe it'll work better for Canada than it seems to have worked elsewhere. But speaking as a California with our Brown governors, I'd say it seems to have worked out pretty well here . . . for the democrats and other sane minded people anyway.
Now that the same familial reign is taking shape in Canada, I wonder if it will in any way mirror our experience, or even that of Syria where fathers and sons hold the reigns. Lest we not forget N. Korea either.
Maybe it'll work better for Canada than it seems to have worked elsewhere. But speaking as a California with our Brown governors, I'd say it seems to have worked out pretty well here . . . for the democrats and other sane minded people anyway.
6
@Don
RE " They just elected Obama Jr "
Just go back to Sept. of 2008 to honestly admit that Obama & company have performed a veritable miracle; we are much better off today than we should have been able to expect we would be, when viewed from the bottom of that deep chasm left by Bush 7 years ago.
RE " They just elected Obama Jr "
Just go back to Sept. of 2008 to honestly admit that Obama & company have performed a veritable miracle; we are much better off today than we should have been able to expect we would be, when viewed from the bottom of that deep chasm left by Bush 7 years ago.
22
This is encouraging. As above, so below--we can only hope....
6
Although I am not Liberal voter, I am delighted that I am now no longer ashamed to be a Canadian.
20
His old man hated America. Does he hate us as well?
1
No, he does not.
4
One can only wonder, Is our Americans learning? Our nicer neighbors to the north finally had enough of their Conservative Party which acted like Friends of FDR compared to the lunatic Republicans here in the US. Is it possible the pendulum is swinging back after decades of being stuck far far to the right?
I remember seeing Justin Trudeau in a magazine at least 20 years ago & thinking, Oh my.....this beautiful guy has it all & now he does indeed have it all & I hope he doesn't waste this opportunity to reverse course in Canada so their honor & decency will remain intact & no Trump will ever rise up in their future.
We live in misery in the schizophrenic USA of today, needless misery brought by the Oligarchs who have bought our Congress & many state houses. Despite what the TV preachers say, we only have one precious life & to have it wasted & ruined by a pack of Money Addicts is the one true sin.
Politics used to be the hobby of the boring & people in government were wonks who only skimmed a little off the top in order to retire in comfort. Now our politics has more owners than a NASCAR race team & millions aren't good enough, you don't matter unless you have billions stashed away!
And to get those billions average folks must suffer. Canadians stood up & politely said NO yesterday. Americans surely have had enough of our 1 much more rabid political party. Our turn to say NO comes up in a year. Turn out the bad people who've been mucking us up for the last 20 years!
I remember seeing Justin Trudeau in a magazine at least 20 years ago & thinking, Oh my.....this beautiful guy has it all & now he does indeed have it all & I hope he doesn't waste this opportunity to reverse course in Canada so their honor & decency will remain intact & no Trump will ever rise up in their future.
We live in misery in the schizophrenic USA of today, needless misery brought by the Oligarchs who have bought our Congress & many state houses. Despite what the TV preachers say, we only have one precious life & to have it wasted & ruined by a pack of Money Addicts is the one true sin.
Politics used to be the hobby of the boring & people in government were wonks who only skimmed a little off the top in order to retire in comfort. Now our politics has more owners than a NASCAR race team & millions aren't good enough, you don't matter unless you have billions stashed away!
And to get those billions average folks must suffer. Canadians stood up & politely said NO yesterday. Americans surely have had enough of our 1 much more rabid political party. Our turn to say NO comes up in a year. Turn out the bad people who've been mucking us up for the last 20 years!
10
If oil was still $100 a barrel Harper would still be in power as would be the conservatives. Its always the economy that drives the majority of the votes.
1
These were the "throw the bums out" type of elections. We have them in Canada every 10 years or so. Parliamentary democracy at work!
23
If only you wouldn't hibernate between regimes. . .
78 day campaign. Nearly 70% voter turn out. 44 year-old leader. Three viable political parties.
Please share with your neighbors to the South.
Please share with your neighbors to the South.
17
The election in Canada gives me hope that people here in the U.S. will reject Conservatives draconian views and vote for the decency inherent in Democratic values of bolstering our Middle Class and caring for our citizens through social safety nets. If a Republican is elected President and and the Republicans get a majority in the House and Senate, then this country will be lost to wars and the erosion of hard won gains to insure that people of all ages have access to health care, women can control their own bodies, the elderly have a guaranteed income, our children are educated,and civil rights are respected.
Congratulations Canada on an intelligent, courageous, and decent choice for Prime Minister!
Congratulations Canada on an intelligent, courageous, and decent choice for Prime Minister!
6
A 78-day election campaign!!!
Isn't that refreshing? compared to the 2+-year U.S. campaign which detracts greatly from all other issues of importance.
But, think of all the many millions of campaign-expense profits lost to the political industry if the U.S. adopted a shorter Canadian/British schedule!!
Our endless political campaigning is for the greater political class, not for the public good
Isn't that refreshing? compared to the 2+-year U.S. campaign which detracts greatly from all other issues of importance.
But, think of all the many millions of campaign-expense profits lost to the political industry if the U.S. adopted a shorter Canadian/British schedule!!
Our endless political campaigning is for the greater political class, not for the public good
10
We have our country back. It ends ten years of a petty, provincial, retributive, vindictive, felonious, anti-intellectual, undemocratic, partisan, divisive conservative regime.
16
we canadians are a little delayed in keeping up with u.s. politics. now we have our own community youth leader, justin trudeau. how's yours working out america?
1
Pretty dang good, actually. He has so far - in spite of vehement, sometimes vicious opposition from the knee-jerk reactionaries in Congress - been pretty successful. Thanks for asking!
4
Considering the mess he inherited, pretty darn good.
3
I knows nothing . . . but LOVE the family photo; classic. Nice work Chris Wattie.
1
A 78 day federal campaign? And that was twice the usual length? How about over two years and growing longer? An import Canada should not allow from the U.S., Oh no! I just realized the TPP makes any refusal of an import a violation of the treaty and results in fines! Two year federal campaigns coming soon Canada. There is so much money to be made by campaign consultants and advisers that it is, literally, a matter of time.
6
Now one can only hope we Americans can finally come to our senses as the Canadians have done, and get rid (electorally, of course) of those who espouse fear, hatred and xenophobia. It time for us to be touched again by the "better angels of our nature," as that great president from the once-great Republican Party once admonished us.
14
Bravo Canada! You took back your government and now you have a chance of being the Canada the world has long admired again, even better then ever. I hope the USA takes note and finds the courage to block the radical far right forces in the USA who are controlled by big Oil, big Pharma, big Ag and the ever greedy defense industry.
11
This is an omen for the GOP in america. PM Harper's extreme right wing bias was certainly no secret, and his deep allegiances to the traditional energy industries was clearly behind his antipathy toward environmental concerns. But this is not the only alignment he had with GOP ideologies. His governing record over the last decade also shows he meant business playing hardball with the disadvantaged and impoverished while pandering to the privileged and has been so consistent in this regard it would make Paul Ryan proud. All of this was roundly rejected and thrown out in this election in all areas across the nation, including western Canada where his roots are. Even though there are structural differences between the two countries' voting regimes, the vast ground swell of voting behavior of the Canadian electorate against GOP-like ideologies as they were playing out in Canada is noteworthy and could well be as good an indicator as any that the GOP is in trouble.
14
I wish Canadians the best and hope that Trudeau shows some centrist tendencies. No society does well fluctuating between extremes.
3
Excellent. Canada comes to its senses.
11
Good luck....how many times do we have to be told.....Socialism does not work.
You can't be told more than what fits on a bumper sticker.
1
Good luck building your own fire department, police department, highways and standing armies, Redheart.
Socialism is an award-wining success story around the globe.
Too bad the word frightens you.
Socialism is an award-wining success story around the globe.
Too bad the word frightens you.
3
Well, Trudeau sounds pretty good. I hope he can make some difference.
4
I remember when Pierre Trudeau became PM Canada had a strong economy and the Canadian dollar was worth 1.10 US with in just a couple of years the Canadian economy had weekended and the CA dollar was worth .80 dollars US. Many Canadians with high paying job skill immigrated to the US. Welfare give away and feel good politics will work until the government runs out of the people money.
2
I don't know whether what you say is accurate, but it's irrelevant. Life is not about money. Why do we have such a tough time remembering that? Our biggest problem in this country is our hunger for more money. It's absolutely crazy.
4
Canada will start acting like Canada again, great. Though I had no part in the election under the current voting laws for expats. PM Trudeau, may I please have my voting rights restored?
13
LOL...did he play the saxophone on late night tv? Good luck with electing some unproven pretty-boy who has less than a third of the nations support. That didn't work out so well here in the States.
Harper won a majority with less of a plurality that Trudeau's.
Obama won with more than 50% of the vote both times, by the way.
How did that "everyman" Texas boy work out for you?
Obama won with more than 50% of the vote both times, by the way.
How did that "everyman" Texas boy work out for you?
4
The best thing I can say about Stephen Harper is that he didn't try to bring back the death penalty, which undoubtedly many members of his party would have supported. But Harper's government built more prisons and was more interested in incarceration than in rehabilitation.
Although his is the Conservative Party, it has nothing to do with conserving. It's economic policy was primarily centred around expanding Canada's oil industry, especially the Alberta tar sands, regardless of its environmental pollution or destruction of the boreal forest.
The new government, hopefully, will be more oriented towards nature conservation and healing the earth, something not at all brought up in the election campaign, except for discussions on reducing greenhouse gases.
It is to be hoped that the new government will discuss reducing economic inequality, which has definitely been growing. And it needs a more pro-refugee policy. Canadians voted for a more socially just society. We need to redouble our efforts for it now.
Although his is the Conservative Party, it has nothing to do with conserving. It's economic policy was primarily centred around expanding Canada's oil industry, especially the Alberta tar sands, regardless of its environmental pollution or destruction of the boreal forest.
The new government, hopefully, will be more oriented towards nature conservation and healing the earth, something not at all brought up in the election campaign, except for discussions on reducing greenhouse gases.
It is to be hoped that the new government will discuss reducing economic inequality, which has definitely been growing. And it needs a more pro-refugee policy. Canadians voted for a more socially just society. We need to redouble our efforts for it now.
15
I hope that he will be remembered for what he is and was: a mean-spirited, divisive, Machiavellian control freak who didn't hesitate to use any tactic he could to make sure that our democracy was undermined at every step where he could do so, as long as it was to his advantage.
I often feel sorry for the "losers" in an election - I feel badly for Mulcair for example, but I do NOT feel one whit of remorse over Harper's demise. My biggest regret is that my fellow Canadians didn't recognize soon enough what a petty, vindictive, non-transparent, unfair and partisan man he is before they gave him the reins of power. Good riddance.
I often feel sorry for the "losers" in an election - I feel badly for Mulcair for example, but I do NOT feel one whit of remorse over Harper's demise. My biggest regret is that my fellow Canadians didn't recognize soon enough what a petty, vindictive, non-transparent, unfair and partisan man he is before they gave him the reins of power. Good riddance.
23
Note to Stephen Harper: the US House Speaker position is open.
13
Mr. Trudeau's election lends credence to the Republican effort to build a wall on our northern border---to protect our borders from liberals.
The Canadians I know are in favor of that wall, too--to keep out the Fox News low-information reactionaries.
5
Harper, the last remnant of George W. Bush in North America, is finally gone. Good riddance. Good luck to Justin Trudeau and congratulations to the centre-left movement in the country. They won big.
17
This election is a testament to many things. It shows that fractional disagreements on the left and center can allow a politician like Harper to lead from a minority for close to a decade. It demonstrates how Canada was just as vulnerable to media manipulation by big oil interests against its popular views as its southern neighbor - the 500 pound gorilla. It holds out hope and a warning to the U.S. contemplating a tea partier outsider like Trump combined with an oil industry puppet like Rubio v. any Democrat. Because make no mistake, any Democrat will be a superior alternative be it Bernie, Hillary, Joe, or some random outsider.
The center in Canada was burned by the Black Sand and the oil price meltdown. Oil can reduce any nation into a third world economy, rising and sinking on its futures and the dangers of a commodity driven economy. Russia, Canada, Venezuela all share that common trait. But, Canada has a much more diverse capacity as a nation and a people than to be oil dependent. Hopefully it will regain its focus and thrive under its new government. Goodbye and good riddance to Stephen Harper.
The center in Canada was burned by the Black Sand and the oil price meltdown. Oil can reduce any nation into a third world economy, rising and sinking on its futures and the dangers of a commodity driven economy. Russia, Canada, Venezuela all share that common trait. But, Canada has a much more diverse capacity as a nation and a people than to be oil dependent. Hopefully it will regain its focus and thrive under its new government. Goodbye and good riddance to Stephen Harper.
16
Congratulations to Canada for ridding itself of the Conservative scourge (as California has done here, to its increased prosperity).
It is a sign of the civilized (and truly democratic) nature of our northern neighbors that as Harper inched closer and closer to introducing GOP-style scorched-earth rightism to Canada, the people interceded as said "no thanks."
Well done!
I wish we here south of the border had half the gumption of Canadians, but our politicians are bought and paid for by the plutocrats, most "news" has devolved into rightist propaganda or vapid false equivalence, and as a result our democracy yielded some years ago to oligarchy.
We stand on the brink of American Fascism. One more 9/11 would push us over the edge.
In the meantime let's treat Ben Carson, Donald Trump, or Ted Cruz as if they were viable Presidential material, stock up on guns, and drink the GOP Koolaid. It's served us so well so far ...
It is a sign of the civilized (and truly democratic) nature of our northern neighbors that as Harper inched closer and closer to introducing GOP-style scorched-earth rightism to Canada, the people interceded as said "no thanks."
Well done!
I wish we here south of the border had half the gumption of Canadians, but our politicians are bought and paid for by the plutocrats, most "news" has devolved into rightist propaganda or vapid false equivalence, and as a result our democracy yielded some years ago to oligarchy.
We stand on the brink of American Fascism. One more 9/11 would push us over the edge.
In the meantime let's treat Ben Carson, Donald Trump, or Ted Cruz as if they were viable Presidential material, stock up on guns, and drink the GOP Koolaid. It's served us so well so far ...
15
Alert to House of Representatives: since the Speaker does not have to be
a sitting member, an outstanding candidate who easily exceeds all the qualifications, especially for the tea party gang, is now available: the honorable Stephen Harper.
a sitting member, an outstanding candidate who easily exceeds all the qualifications, especially for the tea party gang, is now available: the honorable Stephen Harper.
4
I am rolling on the floor, laughing, at the reference to Harper as "honorable"
4
Its great to see someone like P.M. Stephen Harper ousted. When he seemed to be teeming-up with our Republican Party to push the Keystone XL pipeline, I could only wonder why the Alberta Oil Interests--Harper's own District's constituents--didn't simply transfer the tar sands via the, by far, shortest routs.
Just move the oil through the adjacent province, British Columbia, to a port on its Pacific Coast. The lies told by those pushing for it--jobs that would only be temporary, and insuring our oil sufficiency with oil that was unusable in the U.S.--were just a charade--for Alberta's economic benefit.
Stephen Harper had already been turned back by the good people of B.C., who didn't want the dirty tar sand oil traversing their province. As it turns out, the B.C. folks, to Alberta's immediate west, didn't ant to risk the potential environment problems that the tribes, ranchers, land-owners and environmentalists in the U.S. did. Luckily, common sense does exist on both sides of the border.
Just let the pipeline die, Mr. Harper, along with your run as Prime Minister.
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
Just move the oil through the adjacent province, British Columbia, to a port on its Pacific Coast. The lies told by those pushing for it--jobs that would only be temporary, and insuring our oil sufficiency with oil that was unusable in the U.S.--were just a charade--for Alberta's economic benefit.
Stephen Harper had already been turned back by the good people of B.C., who didn't want the dirty tar sand oil traversing their province. As it turns out, the B.C. folks, to Alberta's immediate west, didn't ant to risk the potential environment problems that the tribes, ranchers, land-owners and environmentalists in the U.S. did. Luckily, common sense does exist on both sides of the border.
Just let the pipeline die, Mr. Harper, along with your run as Prime Minister.
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
5
I was delighted by the repudiation of Stephen Harper, his party, and the nasty campaign they ran. However, it may be too much of a good thing. Liberal majority governments have a long history of campaigning left of center and governing right of center, starting with fine ideals and ending up with gutter politics. I was expecting a much narrower result and a minority Liberal government; that would have tempered any autocratic tendencies on Trudeau’s part. Yet I’m hopeful because he seems humbler than Harper, less egotistically cerebral than his father (described as the “Northern Magus” by one of his biographers), and more likely to run a collegial government. I think the cabinet, caucus, civil servants, and outside experts will play a bigger role in decision-making than in most Canadian governments over the past half century—at least for a while. The New Democrats and Greens had some good people and policies, and it’s too bad they didn’t do a little better, but at least they’ll have some voices in Parliament.
The voter turnout was impressive—68 per cent nationally, 69 per cent in Alberta, and 75 per cent in my constituency. Among lesser lights, the Marxist-Leninists narrowly edged out the Rhinoceros, Pirate, and Radical Marijuana parties. Trudeau, incidentally, promises to legalize pot, which may have played a not insignificant role in his victory. We’ll see how that plays out.
As the German poet would say, it could be verse.
The voter turnout was impressive—68 per cent nationally, 69 per cent in Alberta, and 75 per cent in my constituency. Among lesser lights, the Marxist-Leninists narrowly edged out the Rhinoceros, Pirate, and Radical Marijuana parties. Trudeau, incidentally, promises to legalize pot, which may have played a not insignificant role in his victory. We’ll see how that plays out.
As the German poet would say, it could be verse.
8
As an American born but now dual citizen, and 35 year Canadian it is interesting to see the breadth of comments here, both in regards to Canada but also comparisons of the US.
The breadth of comments is not surprising as Canada is a very culturally and politically diverse country with no dominant party. Every so often one party gets a slight upper hand winning just over a third of the votes which in our multi-party system generally results in a majority government. The downside is no matter who wins ~2/3 of voters are against the winner, yet they have pretty sweeping powers for the duration of their term to implement their vision before going back to the voters.
Although I agree with many comments here that the Harper government has been heavy-handed in many ways (in no way unique to the Conservatives, it's one way things get done) and has been plagued by some corruption issues the past few years, he also has led Canada for 9 years of nearly unprecedented economic stability and accomplished a lot of positive things over that time.
The Liberals taking power is not surprising, as subtle shifts in alliances make big differences here. What is more surprising is the collapse of the NDP, especially after their breakthrough last election in Quebec, and recently in Alberta provincially.
As the Liberal party is a centrist party vs the slightly right of center Conservatives, I'm not expecting a lot of changes, with the exception of the Environment and deficit spending.
The breadth of comments is not surprising as Canada is a very culturally and politically diverse country with no dominant party. Every so often one party gets a slight upper hand winning just over a third of the votes which in our multi-party system generally results in a majority government. The downside is no matter who wins ~2/3 of voters are against the winner, yet they have pretty sweeping powers for the duration of their term to implement their vision before going back to the voters.
Although I agree with many comments here that the Harper government has been heavy-handed in many ways (in no way unique to the Conservatives, it's one way things get done) and has been plagued by some corruption issues the past few years, he also has led Canada for 9 years of nearly unprecedented economic stability and accomplished a lot of positive things over that time.
The Liberals taking power is not surprising, as subtle shifts in alliances make big differences here. What is more surprising is the collapse of the NDP, especially after their breakthrough last election in Quebec, and recently in Alberta provincially.
As the Liberal party is a centrist party vs the slightly right of center Conservatives, I'm not expecting a lot of changes, with the exception of the Environment and deficit spending.
2
Canada is in the same shape as the U.S.
The "conservatives" are dedicated to destroying democracy, even if it destroys the country.
The "liberals" are mostly cowards who stand for nothing but their own personal interests.
The "conservatives" are dedicated to destroying democracy, even if it destroys the country.
The "liberals" are mostly cowards who stand for nothing but their own personal interests.
2
Good News. Now maybe the U.S. companies that have been fleeing to Canada for the lower tax rates will begin to trickle back in the direction they used to. Maple leafs over Burger King HQ? Come back to us.
2
The New Democratic Party set an all time fundraising record in the third quarter of this year 9.01 Million Canadian dollars! The numbers for the Liberal and Conservative parties have yet to be released., but are expected to be inline.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-ndp-fundraising-rec...
That is not a individual candidates number, its the entire parties!
9.01 Million in the US a good weekend in Hollywood for Hillary (selfies with the Kardasians are extra) or a Rodeo Hoe Down in Texas for Ted Cruz (brisket with BBQ sauce extra).
The USA presidential race is estimated to cost nearly one billion dollars...Get rid of Citizens United, PACs, Corporate donations etc. Money squelches the citizens power
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-ndp-fundraising-rec...
That is not a individual candidates number, its the entire parties!
9.01 Million in the US a good weekend in Hollywood for Hillary (selfies with the Kardasians are extra) or a Rodeo Hoe Down in Texas for Ted Cruz (brisket with BBQ sauce extra).
The USA presidential race is estimated to cost nearly one billion dollars...Get rid of Citizens United, PACs, Corporate donations etc. Money squelches the citizens power
10
The only things that will "change" are the party colour, and the composition of the Prime Minister's Office. Canada is managed, not governed, by interest groups whose lobbyists in Ottawa deal directly with the PMO.
Canada is a parliamentary democracy in name only; the politically stupid populacehas permitted this deterioration in democracy since Justin's father introduced the PMO system on re-election in the 70's.
Justin's government will reassert the Liberal principle of Power, at any cost!
Most of the commenters here, especially the Canadians, need to pay more attention to the history of Canadian government and politics. In America, gov and politics is a required subject in universities. It is not taught at any level in Canada.
Canadians must now prepare for a very uncertain future.
Canada is a parliamentary democracy in name only; the politically stupid populacehas permitted this deterioration in democracy since Justin's father introduced the PMO system on re-election in the 70's.
Justin's government will reassert the Liberal principle of Power, at any cost!
Most of the commenters here, especially the Canadians, need to pay more attention to the history of Canadian government and politics. In America, gov and politics is a required subject in universities. It is not taught at any level in Canada.
Canadians must now prepare for a very uncertain future.
I am a proud Canadian and a US citizen. I hope with all my heart that the sentiment of the electorate in electing the Liberal Party is a foreshadowing of what happens here in the US next year. We have had enough of conservative meanness and need to have a government that reflects the idea that we need to look after each other. Canada has been by and large a kinder and gentler place, notwithstanding Harper's efforts to make that change. We need to look out for each other and future generations. Momentary ultra-prosperity for a few is not everything.
18
A little cold Canadian like weather might do wonders in the US, especially the so-called Bible Belt. It seems to keep the electorate more informed by staying a bit more inside, reading newspapers or watching real News Channels - emphasis on real -, instead exercising their favourite hobby called shopping.
9
Whether in Canada or the US, conservatives represent only a minority, reactionary view, and never reflect the thinking of most people. They can never win with a voter turnout of 68%, but only when turnouts are low, when the majority gets too lazy to vote and lets the fanatics prevail.
13
I wish more people realized this.
2
It's not just the change to Trudeau....Congratulations to our neighbors for returning some sense to their parluament. Now THERE's an idea!
8
AS a Canadian I am happy to see the win for the liberals and a return to more civility in politics. The cheap attempts to undermine democratic rights and the use of nearly a billion dollars of Canadians' money by the conservatives for self serving advertising are the markers for the right in Canada. Trudeau ran a clean campaign with none the personal attack adds used by Harper's party who are well known for dirty politics and cheating(some of their members are in jail for cheating in elections). Strikingly different was Trudeau's continued emphasis that conservatives are not our enemies, they are our neighbours who also want the best for Canada. Even in his victory speech he said he would attempt to address the interests of opposition members. Now it is up to the liberals to prove they can govern with that philosophy.
12
What can I say? Youth prevails. It is as simple as that. People like new things and new figure that includes politics. It is human nature. Just like president Obama defeated the elder Republican candidate in 2008. Otherwise, who has heard of Mr. Obama before?
Canada now joins the USA in a deeply disturbing trend of familial rule. North American voters who embrace the likes of Trudeau, Clinton and Bush are committing a foul disgrace to the history of democracy here, which is founded on the rejection of familial rule. Passing power from one family member to another is an institution for other places, North America is supposed to offer the world a different alternative. If North Americans are going to start embracing the British tradition of monarchy, they strip themselves of their raison d'etre, their identity and their self respect.
Shame on anyone who votes for Bush, Clinton or Trudeau!
Shame on anyone who votes for Bush, Clinton or Trudeau!
1
@KF2016 - Your comment falls far short on the facts of the point it is trying to make: I can reel off at least three families whose sons, grandsons, or nephews followed the elected president into politics in this nation's earliest moments: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Harry Harrison > Benjamin Harrison (grandson), George Clinton who was New York's multi-term governor and served as vice-president under two different presidents, whose nephew, DeWitt Clinton also served as Governor of New York.
1
Tax the rich, spend more, increase the size and scope of the government and redistribute wealth.
Those poor Canadians don't realize what they have done. They just elected Obama Jr and will pay the same price we have. Even worse there are no term limits in Canada.
Those poor Canadians don't realize what they have done. They just elected Obama Jr and will pay the same price we have. Even worse there are no term limits in Canada.
Having lived in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada for over 5 year including the years when Pierre Trudeau, the father of Justin Trudeau was the charismatic prime minister, I gained a few insights of the differences between the conservative and liberal parties of Canada. Ed Broadbent, the then leader of the New Democratic party would describe the leaders of the liberal party and the conservative parties as the "Babsy twins of bay street" in reference to their policies. In a nutshell there is not much of a difference between the 2 parties and the vote for Justin was more of an anti-Harper vote. If Canada is undivided and today and the province of Quebec is within its fold the credit goes to Pierre Trudeau. While I am not a big fan of political dynasties, Justin Trudeau could be a breath of fresh air for Canada, the country which gave birth to another Justin, Justin Beiber.
5
It may be early yet to tell....but it was high time for Harper to go home, allow Canada to rejuvenate. Trudeau represents a 'breath of fresh air'; if predictions hold, he'll return that country to a progressive stance, and allow diversity, plurality and inclusion to flourish.
8
To our lovely neighbors to the north: Congratulations on voting out Harper and voting in a progressive PM. That is the Canada I know and admire.
We made the same move here in 2008 when we elected President Obama. I know you have 3 major parties but I believe 2 of the 3 are more progressive so hopefully, you won't experience the obstructionist stunts that our rabid right wingers do for a living under the guise of government.
This gives us further hope for the next election cycle here in the US that we will vote in another Democratic candidate and a Dem majority in Congress.
Congrats again to Canada!
We made the same move here in 2008 when we elected President Obama. I know you have 3 major parties but I believe 2 of the 3 are more progressive so hopefully, you won't experience the obstructionist stunts that our rabid right wingers do for a living under the guise of government.
This gives us further hope for the next election cycle here in the US that we will vote in another Democratic candidate and a Dem majority in Congress.
Congrats again to Canada!
9
I think there is a great lesson to be learned here by the Tea Party and the ultra right wing: ultra right wing ideology on how to run a country is not shared by the majority of its inhabitants. Your minority members in the House and Senate have disrupted legislation, hindered progress, and displayed myopic vision and gross intolerance. Remember....glory is, but fleeting.
11
That photo of Trudeau and his children playing made me think, "May the Force be with you, sir". Congratulations! We here in the US will eagerly follow events in Canada.
12
The giant wave of conservative thought that washed over the world starting with Reagan is finally subsiding. Time for a more positive and progressive phase of governing. Good riddance Ayn Rand.
15
Past American-Canadian relations have always soured when our leaders were of opposite parties. Whenever the leaders were of different political persuasions the leaders hated each other and little was accomplished.
Kennedy (Democrat) hated Diefenbaker (Conservative)
Nixon (Republican) hated Pierre Elliot Trudeau (Liberal – Justin Trudeau’s father) and
Obama (Democrat) had a frigid relationship with Harper (Conservative)
An anecdote:
When Nixon (Republican) called Pierre Elliot Trudeau (Liberal) a communist, Trudeau replied:
“I have been called worse things by better people.”
Let’s hope that with the realignment of the planets in the politics of our two leaders, Obama (Democrat) and Justin Trudeau (Liberal), this will result in a positive relationship and the rebuilding of good and constructive policies that will help to grow our two countries.
I also hope that there will be a Democrat elected as President in 2016 and that this positive synergy among our leaders will accomplish great developments between our two countries.
Our two countries have shared the longest peaceful and sharing relationship of all countries in the world.
Kennedy (Democrat) hated Diefenbaker (Conservative)
Nixon (Republican) hated Pierre Elliot Trudeau (Liberal – Justin Trudeau’s father) and
Obama (Democrat) had a frigid relationship with Harper (Conservative)
An anecdote:
When Nixon (Republican) called Pierre Elliot Trudeau (Liberal) a communist, Trudeau replied:
“I have been called worse things by better people.”
Let’s hope that with the realignment of the planets in the politics of our two leaders, Obama (Democrat) and Justin Trudeau (Liberal), this will result in a positive relationship and the rebuilding of good and constructive policies that will help to grow our two countries.
I also hope that there will be a Democrat elected as President in 2016 and that this positive synergy among our leaders will accomplish great developments between our two countries.
Our two countries have shared the longest peaceful and sharing relationship of all countries in the world.
15
With the rapid conservationism of Canada, this is a nice surprise.
The waves of political conservatism of Canada seems to get almost no USA media attention: not sure why that is. Same with recent conservative political wins in Australia.
6
What waves of political conservatism? Conservatives in Canada not only lost yesterday, but they got routed.
2
I lived in Connecticut for 10 years. Being that close to the Canadian Border, I would have thought there would be a passing knowledge of my country. No such luck. They thought we had 1 University (McGill), had no idea we had a Prime Minister and certainly didn't know his name. No idea we had provinces. Enough said.
1
Globalization is killing the 1st world's middle economies. Including Canada's.
The math is simple enough. Endless overpopulation within a fixed resource environment must lead to less shared wealth for all of the players unless the excess mouths add greater intelligence value to the pot - they haven't yet.
Prop up a few oligarchs intent on taking an ever bigger share of that struggling GDP and at some point the system breaks. The global system is now breaking. Canada is in a recession.
Why? Everything required to enjoy a sustainable wealth within a secure geography amounts to two core contributors - brains and resources. Both Canada and the United States built all of their wealth at a time when an individual brain could make a difference. But then gave it away to enrich a few nation-less corporate investors - lopsided thinkers.
Trudeau has promised to expose the secret text of the Harper TPP and re-visit immigration policy. And just like his "liberal" buddy Obama, Trudeau will embrace them both to the further economic decline of his Country now in a Harper depression. Can anyone spell Oil? Or Gold?
The NDP was the only large party that supported the actual use of basic science in national economics - they flat out rejected the TPP.
This election outcome suggests that Canadians have yet to learn how their global math works.
The next big election may finally prove that these highly educated people do get their numerical reality. Even the next Canadian election.
The math is simple enough. Endless overpopulation within a fixed resource environment must lead to less shared wealth for all of the players unless the excess mouths add greater intelligence value to the pot - they haven't yet.
Prop up a few oligarchs intent on taking an ever bigger share of that struggling GDP and at some point the system breaks. The global system is now breaking. Canada is in a recession.
Why? Everything required to enjoy a sustainable wealth within a secure geography amounts to two core contributors - brains and resources. Both Canada and the United States built all of their wealth at a time when an individual brain could make a difference. But then gave it away to enrich a few nation-less corporate investors - lopsided thinkers.
Trudeau has promised to expose the secret text of the Harper TPP and re-visit immigration policy. And just like his "liberal" buddy Obama, Trudeau will embrace them both to the further economic decline of his Country now in a Harper depression. Can anyone spell Oil? Or Gold?
The NDP was the only large party that supported the actual use of basic science in national economics - they flat out rejected the TPP.
This election outcome suggests that Canadians have yet to learn how their global math works.
The next big election may finally prove that these highly educated people do get their numerical reality. Even the next Canadian election.
1
Congratulations to Prime Minister-to-be Justin Trudeau and his bringing openness, fairness and inclusiveness back to Canadian politics. Goodbye to Harper's secrecy and meanness.
Felicitations, Monsieur le Premier ministre!
Felicitations, Monsieur le Premier ministre!
10
Well, I guess this means that Canadians might not pay to build that wall to 'keep America safe' that The Donald has promised. Shucks. I was really looking forward to Canada paying for and building a Great Wall.
5
Thank God for Canada, where a man can rise from humble beginnings, born in a log cabin, to become Prime Minister!
Thank goodness Canada has a new leader! Mr Harper was Canada's George W
All about oil, polluting more than ever and reversing Canada's welcome mat for all. Me, just a visitor from Texas who didn't even want to visit until that man was unseated. Now I may make some travel plans.
All about oil, polluting more than ever and reversing Canada's welcome mat for all. Me, just a visitor from Texas who didn't even want to visit until that man was unseated. Now I may make some travel plans.
7
I wish we could do that here.
13
You can. Vote for Bernie Sanders. Vote a straight democratic ticket.
Now why can't we run Presidential elections in America this way? No muss, no fuss and the Democrats winning a stunning upset in 2016 after quick campaigns. Come on, America, we can do this! All we have to do is get all the money out of politics, redo all the Republican gerrymandering of congressional districts, bus all the dispossessed to the polls, and have a great slate of non-dynastic candidates who really care about how ordinary people live. Is that so hard?
5
I'm glad I don't have to contemplate Harper any more. Trudeau will run a more collegial and open government. Whatever you thought of his father, he surrounded himself with superb cabinets and seemed more of a prime minister, that is, the first among equals. The ministers got equal billing with him. Harper was a controlling micromanager. Nobody will remember who his ministers were.
Justin is not the intellectual his father was but that isn't important. When the Liberals ran real intellectuals like Stephane Dion or Ignatieff, Harper would label them as elitists and out of touch. Trudeau has an infinitely more talented and diverse team than Harper had, and I have no doubt he will let them speak for themselves and take advice from the best Canada has to offer.
Justin is not the intellectual his father was but that isn't important. When the Liberals ran real intellectuals like Stephane Dion or Ignatieff, Harper would label them as elitists and out of touch. Trudeau has an infinitely more talented and diverse team than Harper had, and I have no doubt he will let them speak for themselves and take advice from the best Canada has to offer.
7
To say that "Justin is not the intellectual that his father was" is understating it by a mile. This is a man who has boasted that he doesn't read or listen to the news, that if something important happens, somebody will tell him. I fear the hidden hands who will be manipulating this marionette. So yes, Harper had to go because of many things, most notably for me, his desire to turn all but "old stock" (a.k.a. white English and French) Canadians into second class citizens who were to be watched, monitored, and reported upon by their neighbors for "unusual customs" and whose citizenship could be stripped away on a whim. But I am afraid of a clueless man in power.
Meanwhile, Matthew Yglesias wrote, despite their smug self-assurance at victory, the Democrats are actually in deep trouble, losing control of state-level governments and at risk of further losing ground in Congress, in addition to being far from certain to win the White House.
In contrast to their American counterparts, it appears that Canadians have figured out that conservatism does not benefit the average person. And even Harper was moderate compared to the likes of Trump and Bush.
In contrast to their American counterparts, it appears that Canadians have figured out that conservatism does not benefit the average person. And even Harper was moderate compared to the likes of Trump and Bush.
6
A government of the people, by the people, for the people - Oui.
A right-wing theocratic xenophobic misogynistic oligarchy like the one developing to its south - Non.
A right-wing theocratic xenophobic misogynistic oligarchy like the one developing to its south - Non.
11
As a dual Canadian/U.S. citizen I have the advantage of watching Canadian politics through the lens of someone who grew up with Nixon-Kennedy, Watergate, and Clinton-Bush. The recent economic slowdown showed Canadians that the economy had floated on high oil prices and exposed the Conservatives claim of financial competency, a major campaign platform. In the end Canadians voted for an optimistic and distinctly Canadian vision voting against one that appeared to borrow from the politics of fear of the American right.
10
What a great outcome to the election! Stephen Harper has done his best to dismantle decency and compassion in politics. His cutting of $63 billion from health care made him look more like an American Republican than any kind of Canadian. Long live Justin Trudeau!
10
Finally some good news.
Congratulations Canada. It's a first step toward returning to decency. There's a tough road ahead en route to saving the nation. Good luck.
Congratulations Canada. It's a first step toward returning to decency. There's a tough road ahead en route to saving the nation. Good luck.
5
No longer must US voters look to Denmark to see what civil society looks like. They just have to peek over--or through--Wisconsin. Not hard, and easier on the neck.
11
Trudeau ran explicitly on creating a deficit to invest in infrastructure and create jobs, a policy difference not even mentioned in this story, which is the usual U.S. journalistic grab-bag of personality bits. The other left party, the New Democrats, ran on balancing the budget, and both they and the Conservatives relentlessly attacked Trudeau as a big spender. Didn't work. Treating this as a personality election ignores the substantive debate over fiscal policy that Canadians had, and the results.
10
Now I have more hope for the Climate Conferernce in Paris. KXL be gone ???
9
Time to retire that poor woodland creature that adorns Harper's noggin.
7
I agree! I always thought Harper's hair looked as though he had it styled at the Play Dough 'Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop'...although it's not quite as bad as the artfully arranged wispy bird's nest atop Donald Trump's bombastic bean...
1
Trudeau will make mistakes. At times we will be disappointed. His views will be compromised. He'll flunk challenges. And hopefully at times he'll soar. But waking up today in Toronto, Canada already feels on track to being the Canada it one was: softer, more generous and inclusive.
13
I met Harper ten years ago. I found him to be border-line sociopathic. Sorry it took our neighbors to the north this long to give him the hook.
11
In my humble opinion, Trudeau is surely the dummest politician since W. Bush who at least had a Havard MBA. The only real job he ever had was to teach at the high school level.
2
But he can probably spell.
3
Herbert bought W his MBA back when Harvard's endowment wasn't $60b, and people still knew that business school is an oxymoron.
He even dumb people can get B's ;)
This just in (har)! I never thought I'd see a national electoral map so red look so-o-o good. Thank you Canada, especially Atlantic Canadai for showing us that political wisdom can prevail when voters think -- and actually vote.
Your upcoming winter will be a little less cold. Please share some of your well-earned warmth with us. We're FREEZING down here!
www.endthemadnessnow.org
Your upcoming winter will be a little less cold. Please share some of your well-earned warmth with us. We're FREEZING down here!
www.endthemadnessnow.org
9
Congratulations, Canada. Well done. Got any room for an American refugee? The Tea Party down here just scares the dickens out of me.
65
He won't last anywhere near as long as Harper. It doesn't take too long for people to realize their mistake voting for liberal pickpockets who are for government, not the people.
2
I've long been in awe of Canada's ability to mix openness and generous social programs with a winner-take-all capitalist spirit, reflected very visibly in the booming skylines of its majestic cities. Those cities are a constant focus of envy to this upstater's eyes - cosmopolitan, thriving, very diverse and relatively crime-free. They manage to make US cities look like the third world. While Canadians might groan at this, everything appears to run well up there. There has always been a sort of common-sense, pragmatic thread that runs through most of what the Canadians do. But lately, we've seen some fraying. The loony mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, was a shocker that exposed something nasty just below the surface. The universal health care system sends patients south, to the States, for speedier care. The currency is in free-fall because of Canada's oil production-dependency. Now, from the opposite end of the political spectrum, we have an heir to a political dynasty of glamor and celebrity winning an upset victory over Harper, who deserved it after suicidally embracing Ford in Etobicoke. This is the stuff of American politics. I hope that the inevitable excesses of the liberals are tempered by the realities of parliamentary government, but given the size of the liberals' win, and the politics of the NDP, there is cause for concern. But who knows, they might pull it off just fine. Good luck up there, friends.
4
For those Americans who say they like Bernie but of course he doesn't have a chance, think of Trudeau's "stunning rout."
7
Here comes Hope and Change North. Watch your business and your checkbook, my Canadian friends.
2
Hope and Change saved us. It was Compassionate Conservatism that nearly killed us. Unless, of course you, follow the comic book story of America.
1
If Harper had resigned a year or two ago and the Conservatives had put someone with nice hair in charge perhaps the kids wouldn’t be running the candy store.
This isn't the first time I've been envious of the Canadians. They've given themselves a new opportunity to make important progress on many fronts. We on the other hand are stuck with a regressive, gerrymandered republican congress that is incapable of moving the country forward.
13
Conservatives, while perfecting the politics of anti, have forgotten what they are for. Sooner or later the majority of people take notice.
8
Austerity loses in Canada because it never ever has worked in the first place. Wake up people in the USA you can do the same. Bernie Sanders for President.
8
Nationalizing health care is the fastest way to a permanent left-of-center political culture. It redefines the relationship between the citizen and the state in fundamental ways that make limited government all but impossible. In most of the rest of the Western world, there are still nominally “conservative” parties, and they even win elections occasionally, but not to any great effect. The result is a kind of two-party one-party state: Right-of-center parties will once in a while be in office, but never in power, merely presiding over vast left-wing bureaucracies that cruise on regardless.
The Democrats understand that politics is not just about Tuesday evenings every other November, but about everything else, too.
Once the state swells to a certain size, the people available to fill the ever expanding number of government jobs will be statists — sometimes hard-core Marxist statists, sometimes social-engineering multiculti statists, sometimes fluffily “compassionate” statists, but always statists. The short history of the post-war welfare state is that you don’t need a president-for-life if you’ve got a bureaucracy-for-life: The people can elect “conservatives,” and the Left is mostly relaxed about it because they fulfill the same function in the system as the first-year boys at wintry English boarding schools who for tuppence-ha’penny or some such would agree to go and warm the seat in the unheated lavatories until the prefects strolled in and took their rightful place.
The Democrats understand that politics is not just about Tuesday evenings every other November, but about everything else, too.
Once the state swells to a certain size, the people available to fill the ever expanding number of government jobs will be statists — sometimes hard-core Marxist statists, sometimes social-engineering multiculti statists, sometimes fluffily “compassionate” statists, but always statists. The short history of the post-war welfare state is that you don’t need a president-for-life if you’ve got a bureaucracy-for-life: The people can elect “conservatives,” and the Left is mostly relaxed about it because they fulfill the same function in the system as the first-year boys at wintry English boarding schools who for tuppence-ha’penny or some such would agree to go and warm the seat in the unheated lavatories until the prefects strolled in and took their rightful place.
1
In the rest of the western world, people aren't terrified of getting sick and losing everything, or simply don't look after themselves for fear of the expense. And the bureaucracy of America's unscrupulous medical insurance is far larger, and more inefficient, than anything we have in Canada. l
3
The Outsiders invited in by the voters. Might be a trend?
Bad riddance to a real tea party Dick Cheney clone. He will not be missed.
4
Hugh Hewitt that right wing wingnut said the reason for Harper's demise that people got tired of him but not his policies....NOT!....Canada has universal healthcare, and other social programs that have proven to be successes..Canadians seem to be more socially tolerant of many other things....they are willing to listen more then Americans and are willing to accept change if it is offered to them...we should take an example from social experiment and do the same with our people.
2
This Canadian election should be a message to the United States. The right wing cares nothing for the common person and is failing to address important issues. They are good at starting wars, but have no ideas how to resolve conflict. They work with companies, but do not care about workers. After time they lose.
1
OH CANADA!
So happy to finally have our country back!
And proud that Canadians did the right thing! Good luck, Justin!
Harper had increased his numbers in the polls in the last weeks after introducing legislation against the niqab - to appeal to voters by targeting minority groups (Muslims). I was really worried that he had succeeded in bringing American Republican-style politics to Canada. This is a vile and typical Right-Wing tactic used by Putin and Republican Americans against gays, by Trump (Mexican rapists) and Harper against Muslims (and earlier in his career against Sikhs); I always felt that Canada was better than that - and the results of this election have proven me right!
Harper was Bush-Lite - but now it is apparent that Canada is still a better place to live!
Here's hoping that Bernie Sanders can pull off as great an upset for America!
So happy to finally have our country back!
And proud that Canadians did the right thing! Good luck, Justin!
Harper had increased his numbers in the polls in the last weeks after introducing legislation against the niqab - to appeal to voters by targeting minority groups (Muslims). I was really worried that he had succeeded in bringing American Republican-style politics to Canada. This is a vile and typical Right-Wing tactic used by Putin and Republican Americans against gays, by Trump (Mexican rapists) and Harper against Muslims (and earlier in his career against Sikhs); I always felt that Canada was better than that - and the results of this election have proven me right!
Harper was Bush-Lite - but now it is apparent that Canada is still a better place to live!
Here's hoping that Bernie Sanders can pull off as great an upset for America!
3
As a Canadian ex-pat living in the US, I'm happy to see Harper leave and cautiously optimistic about a Liberal majority led by Justin Trudeau. I am particularly encouraged by two things in this election. Firstly, the percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots rose from 61% to 68%. That's still low, but at least it's headed in right direction and is a sign that people are becoming more engaged in the process. Secondly, it appears that Canadians are not so entrenched in their voting habits that they have closed their minds to alternatives. Some ridings in Canada voted Liberal for the first time in many decades. The thing I find so scary about US politics is your citizens' pig-headed insistence on voting for their favored party "no matter what", even when that party's policies clearly hurt them as individuals. (You know who I'm talking about.) A big swing like this is, I think, a sign of a healthy democracy. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!
7
All of the commenters celebrating the leftward swing of another national government, don't read too much into this at a global level. Move beyond the (mostly) English-speaking nations and the story is different. Just look at the rightward swing of several European governments. Two points (Australia and Canda) might make a trend in algebra, but not in world politics.
1
Albeit, from a distance, Canada, much like the U.S., elections are more about glamour, name, theater, than the substance, policy, and competent administration. But admittedly, it is a more or less a casual observation that most aren't sufficient sophisticated to comprehend beyond image the essence of capable governance.
In third grade I had a friend who told me his family was crazy but there was a really nice family next door, and it made him feel better to know that.
So, it is at least comforting to me to know that we live next door to people who are able to come to their senses and see through the negative right wingers' con job and vote them out of office before they do any more damage to the government, people, and the environment.
So, it is at least comforting to me to know that we live next door to people who are able to come to their senses and see through the negative right wingers' con job and vote them out of office before they do any more damage to the government, people, and the environment.
3
Now it is the USA's turn to make some sweeping changes and vote these right-wing obstructionists out of Congress and replace them with people who want to get things done for the good of all Americans--rich, middle class and the poor. Get rid of these Tea Party ideologues!
3
Magnifique! Now I hope there is some momentum to do something about the obliterated Earth in the Athabasca. Never before has so much of our planet been abused for so little gain. And along with that may we never build Keystone XL down here.
Anyway, congratulations Canada. That was good news to wake up on!
Anyway, congratulations Canada. That was good news to wake up on!
3
Wonderful, wonderful news! Remembering his Mother and Father from the 1960s and 70s - may his election be a harbinger of good tidings for American Liberals in our election next year! How proud Margaret Sinclair Trudeau Kemper must be of her son, Justin!
2
..." the Liberals capitalized on what many Canadians saw as Harper's heavy handed style." ..."the American people are sick and tired of hearing about your damned emails." Bernie Sanders to Hillary Clinton during the first Democratic debate.While I'm aware that Canada and the U.S. have very different types of National elections from each other,I repeat both quotes to suggest that in the U.S. Conservatism's glow has faded as much as in Canada,in this case at least partly because what many us here consider House Republicans' heavy handedness towards Hillary even as they threaten to allow our nation to default on it's bills by not raising the debt ceiling.For which reason I'm reasonably optimistic the Republicans will fail to win the White House.
And that's where the difference in our elections from Canada's is a good thing;Thanks to so many Congressional districts being gerrymandered in the GOP's favor the House is likely to remain under GOP control,although the GOP House leaders just may be incompetent and divided enough to be capable of even screwing that up.
And that's where the difference in our elections from Canada's is a good thing;Thanks to so many Congressional districts being gerrymandered in the GOP's favor the House is likely to remain under GOP control,although the GOP House leaders just may be incompetent and divided enough to be capable of even screwing that up.
1
The focus on strategy, politics, age, lineage, personality, and hobbies is interesting. What newspaper should I read if I'm interested in what this means for governance of Canada? What policies is the Liberal Party supporting? How will this affect the country? I know this is not as important as the sports-like coverage of winning and losing, but I'm curious nonetheless.
4
Globe and Mail and National Post Toronto - one in the middle and a tad bland and one to the right with a bit more bite.
Mr. Trudeau, may we do as well in 2016!
Authoritarianism must be destroyed in America as well.
Authoritarianism must be destroyed in America as well.
2
On the elevator this morning, myself and two twenty-somethings staring at their phones:
20...#1: "Wow-- Justin Trudeau won the election in Canada!"
20...#2 "So is he going to be, like, the President or something?"
20...#1 "Yeah, I mean, I think so... wait, no, something about "Primary Minister."
20...#2 "That's cool but I can't see Jennifer Anniston married to a minister..."
20...#1 "Yeah, I know, but he's, like, super cute-- I'd move to Canada, too!"
Me: Too old, too shocked to respond-- and phoneless.
20...#1: "Wow-- Justin Trudeau won the election in Canada!"
20...#2 "So is he going to be, like, the President or something?"
20...#1 "Yeah, I mean, I think so... wait, no, something about "Primary Minister."
20...#2 "That's cool but I can't see Jennifer Anniston married to a minister..."
20...#1 "Yeah, I know, but he's, like, super cute-- I'd move to Canada, too!"
Me: Too old, too shocked to respond-- and phoneless.
68
Before you start mocking "twenty-somethings," imagine if you'd heard two middle-aged Republicans talking about the need to repeal the ACA.
1
Hilarious! But I've heard Frenchmen and woman do the same thing about US politics.
So young, too. His mother is younger than Hillary Clinton. America used to have young presidents -- Jack Kennedy, Bill Clinton (when he was first ran 23 y years ago, and Obama. Now the candidates, Hillary, Trump, Sanders, Biden etc. are near or older than 70. Having a young leader makes the country seem more vibrant although we will have to see if Trudeau has the wisdom that old age brings American candidates.
2
Congratulations my Canadian friends. The man who idolized George W. Bush is gone. The best news is that voter turn-out skyrocketed. Hopefully the same will happen in the US.
8
OMG, this is utterly thrilling news! I've thought sporadically about emigrating northward, and this news really adds fuel to my fire! I am betting the climate and weather are just about the only things that keep most of the USA from doing the same.
2
Now why can't we run Presidential elections in America this way: no muss, no fuss and the Democrats winning a stunning upset in 2016. Come on, America, we can do this! All we have to do is get all the money out of politics, redo all the Republican gerrymandering of congressional districts, bus all the dispossessed to the polls, and have a great slate of non-dynastic candidates who really care about how ordinary people live. Is that so hard?
3
Maybe there's hope for the US in this - it's about time we ousted our conservative governments and pushed for real progress. But then, the financier, rentier, oligarchic and ignoramus classes are far stronger here in the US, as is our peculiarly successful demagoguery that works to keep them in place.
3
Given that Harper chose to model his Government after the worst elements of the GOP/Tea Party of the United States, I can't say I'm sorry to see him go.
Tax cuts to his rich friends, denial of Climate Change, a foreign policy that was more akin to Bush and his "war is an answer" approach, and his cutting of arts and cultural centers: this is the legacy of Stephen Harper.
Tax cuts to his rich friends, denial of Climate Change, a foreign policy that was more akin to Bush and his "war is an answer" approach, and his cutting of arts and cultural centers: this is the legacy of Stephen Harper.
6
Congratulations Canada!
2
There's little evidence, other than a famous last name, that he is qualified to be PM. Sound familiar?
1
Good riddance! One of the more disgraceful events ever for Canadian foreign policy, the thuggish boor of a foreign minister, John Baird, hectoring the United Nations for voting for Palestinian membership.
I do mean thug, no eloquence, no argument, just boorish, limited English skills.
I don't recall the vote but it was more or less the entire planet for the Palestinians.
Canada alone and silent or complicit on the two Gaza somewhat genocidal assaults by Israel with the last assault more than 500 children killed, all generations of 18 families killed, half a million displaced, and maybe $6Billion destruction of infrastructure including water, sewage, power grid.
A crime against humanity.
Truly shocking conduct by Canada. Truly. nearly incomprehensible that the great nation of Canada had become a Likudnik clone as its only significant foreign policy.
Good riddance as well, Keystone!
I do mean thug, no eloquence, no argument, just boorish, limited English skills.
I don't recall the vote but it was more or less the entire planet for the Palestinians.
Canada alone and silent or complicit on the two Gaza somewhat genocidal assaults by Israel with the last assault more than 500 children killed, all generations of 18 families killed, half a million displaced, and maybe $6Billion destruction of infrastructure including water, sewage, power grid.
A crime against humanity.
Truly shocking conduct by Canada. Truly. nearly incomprehensible that the great nation of Canada had become a Likudnik clone as its only significant foreign policy.
Good riddance as well, Keystone!
6
Wouldn't this be even better news if this was a harbinger of a political change to come in the US, where the electorate tires of the racist cranks whose mantra is no government spending, even less taxes on the 1 percent and threaten Armageddon unless they don't get their way
3
His father was a red disaster. So will he be.
3
Congratulations! The political winds are finally changing in America as Canada takes the lead and shows the way, with the US soon to follow in 2016 with a real democratic president replacing our center right corporatist.
2
Congratulations Canada! I wish we could follow your lead and have a short election season as well. It would save so much money, aggravation, and mashing of the mute button.
5
OK ... and what, exactly, does a "Liberal Party" victory mean in terms of Canadian politics and policy? We need some context here.
This story is woefully short on specifics as to which issues the "Conservative Party" and their opponents ran on. One might assume that "Liberal" and "Conservative" mean the same thing in Canada as they do in the United States and therefore the parties are roughly equivalent to the Democrats and Republicans, respectively. But is that so?
This story is woefully short on specifics as to which issues the "Conservative Party" and their opponents ran on. One might assume that "Liberal" and "Conservative" mean the same thing in Canada as they do in the United States and therefore the parties are roughly equivalent to the Democrats and Republicans, respectively. But is that so?
"therefore the parties are roughly equivalent to the Democrats and Republicans, respectively. But is that so?"
Roughly, that's about it. There are differences, but the overall tone for each side is more or less the same. Outgoing prime minister Harper hails from oil-rich Alberta, Canada's closest equivalent to Texas.
Roughly, that's about it. There are differences, but the overall tone for each side is more or less the same. Outgoing prime minister Harper hails from oil-rich Alberta, Canada's closest equivalent to Texas.
1
No destructive politics, no insults and the Liberal Party won. The way it should be. May it spread elsewhere (America...) but I doubt it with conservatives.
3
Good luck with that Canada. It's a disaster in the making.
1
perhaps, one day we, the people of the U.S., will be as smart as our Northern neighbors and take our country back.
4
Seems to me that the so-called 'Freedom Caucus' of Republicans in Congress think we have a Canadian - Parliamentary - form of government. There, people vote ONLY for their Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister is chosen by the Party with the most seats in Parliament.
In contrast, OUR form of government - Constitutional Republic - allows us to choose the President separate from members of Congress. The Constution further gives the President certain Executive powers not given members of Congress including ability to veto the Congressional actions unless they get 2/3 majority to overcome the veto.
SO Republican majority in Congress doesn't negate the power of the Presidency, and their minority in the majority should completely marginalize them if Republicans had any back-bone at all. PLUS more people across the country (including me) voted for the President than the entire Repblican party (more - including me again - voted for Democrats in the 2014 election as well) - making their whining, destructive belligerence all the more abhorrent.
It's all in our Constution, which every member of Congress took an oath to uphold. Perhaps they'll decide to move to Canada - they'll get the form of government they want - it's what kept Harper and Conservatives in power for over 9 years - without ever getting even 40% of the vote.
In contrast, OUR form of government - Constitutional Republic - allows us to choose the President separate from members of Congress. The Constution further gives the President certain Executive powers not given members of Congress including ability to veto the Congressional actions unless they get 2/3 majority to overcome the veto.
SO Republican majority in Congress doesn't negate the power of the Presidency, and their minority in the majority should completely marginalize them if Republicans had any back-bone at all. PLUS more people across the country (including me) voted for the President than the entire Repblican party (more - including me again - voted for Democrats in the 2014 election as well) - making their whining, destructive belligerence all the more abhorrent.
It's all in our Constution, which every member of Congress took an oath to uphold. Perhaps they'll decide to move to Canada - they'll get the form of government they want - it's what kept Harper and Conservatives in power for over 9 years - without ever getting even 40% of the vote.
1
From statistical dead heat to stunning victory? The biggest loser in this election were the pollsters who cannot determine anything in the era of caller ID. Gives me hope that down in US voters aren't as stupid as the polls suggest.
2
There is now a tremendous amount of repair work to be done for the country to recover from the disastrous and destructive experience we lived through over the past decade. We need to re-earn our positive reputation in international relations; we need to repair our broken and immoral immigration system; we need to restore democratic process to parliament; we need to do much more to help the economically displaced regain respectable and productive roles in the economy; we need to mitigate the huge growth of the wealth gap between the middle classes and the super-rich; we need to regain through our actions respectability and effectiveness on environmental protection. This election was about the people of Canada rejecting the neocon agenda without swallowing the incoherence of the NDP's economic platform. The big change happened because about three million new voters decided that another four years of Harper was no good for Canada and no good for themselves, while the NDP's economic agenda was questionable. The appropriate outcome happened and we now hope this new government will live up to the expectations that have been set out for it.
8
God Bless! A return to that Canada which provides another model for "American". May he grown into to his father's shoes. Here is hoping that Alberta reverts to the old Social Credit Party and sends the Harper cronies to oblivion.
4
This is not a revolution but merely (!) a rout. But the voices that feel that the Liberals are not that much different from the Conservatives are already making themselves heard. I was happy to hear the message of hope and reconciliation. I would like to believe it will hold.
1
Congratulations and good wishes to the people of Canada! I do envy a bit you have a short and sweet campaign for 78 days only and free of corruption by secret donors pouring billions of dollars. It is something we should try to emulate instead of our current circus with various corrupt clowns.
5
Putin must be pleased that Stephen Harper has been unseated. In July Alexei Pushkov, head of the Duma's foreign affairs committee, said that Canada was a bigger thorn in Russia's side than the US.
Many young Canadian voters believed Stephen Harper had overstayed his welcome. They wanted change. For them economy and the environment seem to matter more than foreign policies.
Justin Trudeau may be inexperienced. Give him a chance to prove himself! His election would hardly affect the US-Canadian relations.
Many young Canadian voters believed Stephen Harper had overstayed his welcome. They wanted change. For them economy and the environment seem to matter more than foreign policies.
Justin Trudeau may be inexperienced. Give him a chance to prove himself! His election would hardly affect the US-Canadian relations.
1
I expect relations with the Obama Administration will improve.
1
From what I know, First Nation people made a considerable contribution to the defeat of Harper and should be given credit. They were idle no more.
10
Great news. Canada can now return to the progressive, rational country it used to be. If only the U.S. could do likewise.
4
You must be joking. Under the current regime, we are already somewhat to the left of Putin. Which explains the slow economy, increasing popular frustration and the collapse of American prestige around. We can only thank the good wisdom of the American people for giving the Republicans control over the House and the Senate, as well as most of the states. Had Obama and his "Progressive" comrades Reid and Pelosi retained full rein over the
Federal government we would probably now be challenging Argentina for first place in the national decline sweepstakes.
Federal government we would probably now be challenging Argentina for first place in the national decline sweepstakes.
2
Egads, I remember when his parents married and young girls' hearts broke across Canada.
3
Could've sworn it said "Bernie Sanders".......
1
Excellent. Now Canada can import Obama's "Dreamers."
Mr. Harper is far more sympathetic to Israel than President Obama is. I will miss him.
2
I'll leave Canadian politics to the Canadians, but I do find it disturbing that yet another relative of a former leader has been elected the leader of a supposedly democratic country.
23
Janet, We have done that several times. John Quincy
Adams,George W Bush,cousins Roosevelt and now may be
even Hilary Clinton. Justin Trudeau has been elected
after 47 years of his father's election. Wish him
well. it was more important to get rid of Stephen
Harper than to worry about electing the son of
Pierre Eliot Trudeau.
Adams,George W Bush,cousins Roosevelt and now may be
even Hilary Clinton. Justin Trudeau has been elected
after 47 years of his father's election. Wish him
well. it was more important to get rid of Stephen
Harper than to worry about electing the son of
Pierre Eliot Trudeau.
1
This is a first in Canada and he won on its own merits, against great odds. The Liberal Party was almost extinct and was in third place at the start of the electoral campaign.
2
"Supposedly democratic" countries get to pick their leaders.
What objection do you have to that system? You elected GW Bush, even though you knew he was a dunderhead.
What objection do you have to that system? You elected GW Bush, even though you knew he was a dunderhead.
4
Former Prime Minister Mulroney quoting Joey Smallwood put it best “The tide comes in and the tide goes out”
2
Thank God! After nine long years I can finally be proud again to be a Canadian. It has truly been a nightmare under the Harper Regime. Beyond belief. It was as if we lived in a foreign land.
75
Hey, Steve, don't let the door hit you on the way out.
4
Another Putin on display. Canada on the way of their own destruction like the USA.
I'm a dual citizen, and am scared for my friends and family back home.
Canadian politicians are just like American politicians in one respect. They deal very selectively with the people they are governing, and their isolation warps their view of reality. If Mr Trudeau and his wife and children had to share an apartment block with the people that are being allowed to swarm Canada, I promise you that even his "tolerance" would be severely tested.
Canadian politicians are just like American politicians in one respect. They deal very selectively with the people they are governing, and their isolation warps their view of reality. If Mr Trudeau and his wife and children had to share an apartment block with the people that are being allowed to swarm Canada, I promise you that even his "tolerance" would be severely tested.
3
As one of the very few people who can say I was born in Brooklyn, but as a Canadian, I'm so happy my country has refuted the inherent hatred represented by Harper and his band of thieves.
Oh Canada!!!!
Oh Canada!!!!
6
Congratulation to our Canadian friends and neighbors. Harper's attempts to play the "immigration card" may have backfired in a nation known for tolerance, goodwill, a sense of fair play and a safety net.
One can only pray that this rejection of right wing government will move to the south. Barack Obama just got a friend in Ottawa and relations can improve to their former state. We couldn't have a better neighbor.
One can only pray that this rejection of right wing government will move to the south. Barack Obama just got a friend in Ottawa and relations can improve to their former state. We couldn't have a better neighbor.
3
Americans and the world will be happy when the header reads:
"Bernie Sanders and Democratic Party Prevail With Stunning Rout in America"
And good luck to the Trudeau family and to all the People of Canada who had enough of the 1% running a government for its own selfish, greedy and immoral interests.
And let's hope the British can find their way to do the same.
"Bernie Sanders and Democratic Party Prevail With Stunning Rout in America"
And good luck to the Trudeau family and to all the People of Canada who had enough of the 1% running a government for its own selfish, greedy and immoral interests.
And let's hope the British can find their way to do the same.
3
Will Canada's conservative party now take steps to add restrictions that make voting more difficult? Who'd do such a thing?
4
Harper was a very distasteful politician, Mr. Trudeau is a far more appealing one. Of course, the proof of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating, so we'll see eventually what Trudeau really accomplishes. As far as immigration goes, Canada, like America, has a very large moat, isn't being overrun with migrants, can pick and choose its immigrants without having Angela Merkel and Brussels tell it how many new immigrants it has to have and from where via forced quota of gate-crashing "asylum seekers" - 400,000 of which Germany now has to face deporting as they really don't qualify. We're waiting with interest on the other side of our very large moat how that goes. So Canada, while like all countries has to make decisions on immigration, at least knows it has sovereign power to make those decisions on its own and for itself. That gives it the freedom to move to the liberal center. Mr. Trudeau is hardly a radical socialist, and much of Canada's economy is doing well. Comparisons to Sweden or Switzerland or Britain or the EU are, therefore, specious.
1
Harper's strategy of having a long campaign season, in hopes of making the Liberal Party look inept, backfired. His worldview, and party, perhaps in synch with the 1% of the world, and U.S. Tea Party politics, fortunately did not resonate with Canadians, who elected a progressive.
U.S. Republicans have begun an extraordinarily long campaign season as well, which, so far, is backfiring on them, as no viable candidate has yet emerged, and existing ones are far from presidential material.
In the Democratic debate, television pundits and journalists cried that Hillary had won. Fortunately, the rest of the U.S. clearly saw it was Sanders who had the victory--as could be read on social media and in hundreds of after-debate polls.
It can only be hoped that this sweep of progressivism continues from Canada into the U.S. elections, that voters will vote (unstymied by different states' newly implemented voting laws). The voice of the ordinary individual--those people who want jobs, decent wages, good educations, national health care, a resurgence of the middle class, coalition-driven--not US-led wars, gun control--this voice is the voice of the majority of U.S. voters.
The person who can answer this call, does not have a hawkish streak, and will not fall right of center, as does his main opponent, Hillary, is Bernie Sanders.
Congratulations to Trudeau and his fellow Canadians. U.S. voters--now is the time to change the direction of the U.S. and follow Canada's example.
U.S. Republicans have begun an extraordinarily long campaign season as well, which, so far, is backfiring on them, as no viable candidate has yet emerged, and existing ones are far from presidential material.
In the Democratic debate, television pundits and journalists cried that Hillary had won. Fortunately, the rest of the U.S. clearly saw it was Sanders who had the victory--as could be read on social media and in hundreds of after-debate polls.
It can only be hoped that this sweep of progressivism continues from Canada into the U.S. elections, that voters will vote (unstymied by different states' newly implemented voting laws). The voice of the ordinary individual--those people who want jobs, decent wages, good educations, national health care, a resurgence of the middle class, coalition-driven--not US-led wars, gun control--this voice is the voice of the majority of U.S. voters.
The person who can answer this call, does not have a hawkish streak, and will not fall right of center, as does his main opponent, Hillary, is Bernie Sanders.
Congratulations to Trudeau and his fellow Canadians. U.S. voters--now is the time to change the direction of the U.S. and follow Canada's example.
2
Great! Good luck, you Canadians. Wish we had a real choice down here. The only hope is Bernie Sanders right now. And it's only a dim glimmer at that.
3
As a U.S. Citizen and Canadian Permanent Resident, a liberal Democrat, one who grew up on the border and in both countries, I can tell you the romanticism seen in many of these posts from Americans for Canada is naïve. Yes, Canada has some great qualities. The lack of gun violence is one particular strength Canada has over the U.S. A multi-party parliament is also a healthier form of government in my mind. But there are aspects of American life that are far, far better than life in Canada for most people, and these are frequently not understood by Americans who pine for Canadian ways. Examples: Canadian healthcare, while universal, is no where in the same league as U.S. healthcare. There are entire medical specialties (child psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine) that barely exist in Canada. Mental health care in general in Canada is lacking horribly. Provinces like Ontario give public money to Catholic schools. Other faith-based schools are not publically supported. Just Catholic. The separation of church and state is not part of the Canadian constitution. And immigration policies in Canada are more biased and more restrictive than anything ever proposed in Arizona. Canada has no where near the depth and breadth of civil society that we have in the states. The arts, too, in the U.S. are more extensive, more well funded, and more adventuresome. Canada has many great qualities and I love the country. But I live in America because life here can offer much more.
Well done, Canada! Congratulations!
Now you can set about returning to being the country all love and admire, after this strange Harper neocon interlude that brought Canada's name down--for the first time I remember---internationally.
These guys 'holy' messaging is dangerous wherever it occurs, the neoliberal message spells doom for regular citizens. Canadians were wise enough to see. I hope our electorate can similarly note what is not in their interests.
Now you can set about returning to being the country all love and admire, after this strange Harper neocon interlude that brought Canada's name down--for the first time I remember---internationally.
These guys 'holy' messaging is dangerous wherever it occurs, the neoliberal message spells doom for regular citizens. Canadians were wise enough to see. I hope our electorate can similarly note what is not in their interests.
9
I am a Canadian. Trust me, there are no similarities between the Liberals and those Conservatives aligned with Harper. He led our country in a very uncomfortable step to the right, well beyond past conservative leaders. His draconian legislation on many, many issues was deeply troubling. Most Canadians awoke this morning to the belief their country was beginning its return to its proper place. One of tolerance and respect for others.
15
Traditionally the also-ran in a race of this sort will be gracious in defeat and return to his or her customary role as a responsible member of the body politic. I congratulate Mr. Trudeau and feel already warmed by what hopefully will be a renewed relationship between the northern liberal democracies in our America.
3
May the Good Minister Harper go gently into that good night.
3
This is a victory for the Canadian people and A VICTORY for the Canadian wilderness.
4
November 9th,2016 NY Times headline:
A Stunning Rout by Sanders and Dems as GOP are Defeated In Disgrace
A Stunning Rout by Sanders and Dems as GOP are Defeated In Disgrace
7
A little early to make predictions. People were ecstatic when Hollande was elected in France, but that has turned out very poorly.
4
Congratulations to the Canadian Liberals of your Democratic victory
8
As a Canadian/American I am so happy! Now if we can get Hillary Clinton elected and a democratic Congress - that would be great and maybe compassion and justice can return to North America.
8
Hilary? Surely, you jest doctor. Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, perhaps. Hilary?
Same old, same old.
Same old, same old.
3
Well, I guess the new Hillary Clinton worked for you.
One can only hope that this victory for the Liberal Party will also at long last sound the death knell for the annual hunt and slaughter of baby seals. The Harper administration has been a champion of the seal-fur industry and the conservative government - hypocritically, given its professions of free-market conservatism - has been subsidizing this industry for years at tax-payer expense. The annual seal hunt each spring targets mainly baby seals - under 3 months old - and the method most preferred by the hunters (the vast majority of whom are fishermen during the off-season) is clubbing them to death. Because $2/pelt is deducted from furriers for each bullet hole, the hunters avoid shooting more than once, but since they generally shoot from a distance, this means leaving the seal to die a slow, agonizing death. Often the seals are dragged by hooks and even skinned while still alive. All this occurs with the seals' mothers looking on helplessly. And all for the fashion statement or status symbol of real fur when perfectly realistic man-made substitutes are readily available. The income for off-season fishermen, incidentally, from this incontrovertibly cruel and inhumane hunt, is negligible. It is a huge blot on the good name and reputation of Canada. I hope Mr. Trudeau extends his "sunny ways" to the seals and ends this abomination once and for all.
10
And so the worldwide push back against rabid conservatism has begun.
17
Liberals are all the same. They take something that is working well, they ruin it, and then wait for conservatives to fix it again.
You must be thinking about the Bush years. Those were the days, right?
Example please, Tom?
Did you prefer the economy under Bush? War? Terrorism? Congress? I really can't think of anything that was better eight years ago other than my arthritis.
Did you prefer the economy under Bush? War? Terrorism? Congress? I really can't think of anything that was better eight years ago other than my arthritis.
Phew. Harper seemed to minted in the same reactionary wing nut factory as Bush/Cheney/Giuliani. Good only for Oil and Gas and off shore bank accounts and military contractors. Bad for Canada and bad for our future. A very good riddance to you, Sir. Please don't call.
14
Should the GOP take note? The split in the GOP is affecting American politics in a most negative manner. How is The Donald responding to his past associations with the mafia in New York and New Jersey to get business done? Just goggle daily newspapers in New York in the 1980s through 1900s for the developments. Or ask the FBI.
1
Looks like optimistic headlines still exist.
As for Harper: good riddance and drown your sorrows in Crawford, Texas.
US citizens can once again make the threat "If a Republican wins, I'll move to Canada"
As for Harper: good riddance and drown your sorrows in Crawford, Texas.
US citizens can once again make the threat "If a Republican wins, I'll move to Canada"
14
It is curious to note that, in Canada as well, there are political families where the son follows int the footsteps of the father. This might be more understandable in Canada where there is still a relationship to to the British Commonwealth and the British Monarchy. It is more curious that this seems to occur with great regularity in the US as well. Do ruling classes of career politicians really lead to better government?
I can not believe the NYT does not have a piece about this in the OP/ED section. This is an important world development, you do your readers no service to ignore it as it does indeed give us hope here down south. If the Canadian national nighmare can end with a 71 percent turnout, then ours can too.
11
It's amusing to see how Canadian liberals fuse the same tired preoccupations and boogey man stories about conservatives that are the mantra of U.S. liberals with a deep streak of neurosis about the U.S. Love-hate relationship barely scratches the surface of this disorder.
When you come at the world with a mantra of hate, fear and greed, you are the Boogeyman for real, and the stories will keep coming wether you like it or not.
1
Maybe Bernie can now tell us about Canadian Socialism, bit closer to home than Denmark. Trudeau's Liberals ran on a platform of 10% deficit spending
for three years to fund federal investment in infrastructure. Sounds like adults are back in Ottawa again. Only hope it's contagious.
for three years to fund federal investment in infrastructure. Sounds like adults are back in Ottawa again. Only hope it's contagious.
11
Good for Canada…getting rid of that fear mongering crook Harper. Wishing our "good neighbor" to the north all the best under the new Liberal leadership.
7
YES! Losing Harper from the world stage is a huge gift Canada. Your southern neighbors are so glad you dumped the thug who kept threatening us with his pipeline of filthy tar. Let's hope Trudeau drops the horrid Keystone pipeline that Canada has been trying to shove down our throats greased with Koch money. I guess divisive Harper will have to eat his words about his pipeline of filthy sludge he wanted to run over our aquifiers. What a great day.
9
Just to give some context. Mr Trudeau was elected on the basis of an anti austerity economic program much like the one advocated by economic Nobel laureate and NYT Op-ed contributor Paul Krugman.
Next meeting of the G20 should be interesting with the Canadian electorate choosing to get off the austerity train.
Next meeting of the G20 should be interesting with the Canadian electorate choosing to get off the austerity train.
10
As a Canadian living in Canada, I was in shock that we were all of a sudden, living under an ultra right wing regime filled with scandals. To top it all, Stephen Harper was hosted by the infamous coke snorting mayor of Toronto Rob Ford, himself.
I am proud to be Canadian. Proud that we as an electorate were able to vote intelligently to put democracy back into this country.
Justin Trudeau's certainly has charisma. However, when I look at his paper thin resume of being a teacher for two years of French and Math, makes me worry if he is up to the job to govern such a big country that is in recession.
But then again, Lincoln didn't have much of an education and he was one of the greatest president the US ever had.
Let's hope for the best! At least Justin was able to chase away the Tea Partier. That in itself is a great accomplishment.
I am proud to be Canadian. Proud that we as an electorate were able to vote intelligently to put democracy back into this country.
Justin Trudeau's certainly has charisma. However, when I look at his paper thin resume of being a teacher for two years of French and Math, makes me worry if he is up to the job to govern such a big country that is in recession.
But then again, Lincoln didn't have much of an education and he was one of the greatest president the US ever had.
Let's hope for the best! At least Justin was able to chase away the Tea Partier. That in itself is a great accomplishment.
12
Like Justin Trudeau, I was born in the third year of his father's first pass as PM of Canada. We both grew up in a Canada that was tolerant of differences, welcoming to immigrants, and a country that believed in the principles of justice and compassion that Canadians have long embraced as their national identity.
It is not stunning that Harper was deposed. There has never been a Canadian PM less deserving of the title "Honorable" than Stephen Harper. In every aspect of his government, he was as vindictive and self-interested as it is possible for any politician to be.
It is a relief or perhaps simply a delight that he has been deposed. He shamed Canada like no other and the only accomplishment his that he displaced Maurice Duplessis as the most despicable politician Canada has ever produced. Only the most tenderly intentioned conservatives could look at him with anything other than shame and embarrassment.
Good riddance, Mr. Harper. You'll not be missed.
It is not stunning that Harper was deposed. There has never been a Canadian PM less deserving of the title "Honorable" than Stephen Harper. In every aspect of his government, he was as vindictive and self-interested as it is possible for any politician to be.
It is a relief or perhaps simply a delight that he has been deposed. He shamed Canada like no other and the only accomplishment his that he displaced Maurice Duplessis as the most despicable politician Canada has ever produced. Only the most tenderly intentioned conservatives could look at him with anything other than shame and embarrassment.
Good riddance, Mr. Harper. You'll not be missed.
128
As a Canadian, I'd like to say to those outside our country that the comments from Audrey in Glasgow are as accurate as you will see in this paper. Harper is not a politician you disagree with, he is one you despise. On his first election night 9 years ago he declared that we would not recognize this country when he's done with it. He was slightly wrong; we recognize it all right, but as a weakened, embarrassed, divided, internationally ridiculed shadow of the great and respected nation that it once was.
This was not a vote for Trudeau. It was a vote against a delusional and demented ruler who did damage to this country that will take decades to undo. Bush was just plain dumb; Harper is just plain evil.
This was not a vote for Trudeau. It was a vote against a delusional and demented ruler who did damage to this country that will take decades to undo. Bush was just plain dumb; Harper is just plain evil.
85
Far-right politicians in the US are also shaming our country. As a people, we are not as mean-spirited as they are an it is time for us to follow Canada's lead and boot them from office!
6
It sounds like you had the conservative equivalent of the USA's liberal current president. Hopefully the people in the USA will see how we have been damaged. How we have been weakened and embarrassed and divided. Canada's problem sounds all to familiar to us.
1
The Conservative have won 29.3% or 99 seats which is 31.9%(5,570,986) of total 17,465,299 votes cast. The Liberals have won 54.4% or 184 seats which is 39.5%(6,894,398). The vote % difference is 7.6%. The seat difference is 25.1%. The result is closer than it appears. You can win more games in tennis and still lose the match. Similarly you can get more votes but still lose an election. Winning an election is one thing but administration is another. Mr Trudeau's liberal policies hopefully should not put Canada at risk both internally and externally. As long as USA remains the favorite of all terrorist groups in the world I think we have little to worry about.
1
You gotta love Canada!
Way to go!
Let's hope Mr. Trudeau does not turn into another Tony Blair or ... oh no! ...into a Barack Obama :-0!
Hope and Change, yeah, sure.
Way to go!
Let's hope Mr. Trudeau does not turn into another Tony Blair or ... oh no! ...into a Barack Obama :-0!
Hope and Change, yeah, sure.
2
Woke up to this great news. Couldn't be happier that Canadians had the good sense to give this tyrannical Tea Partier the old heave ho. Let's hope this augurs well for our next election..
9
As with Obama's victory in 2008, the Liberals' victory would not have been possible without the help of the incompetent, venal, almost-delusionary Administration that preceded it. Unfortunately, electorates only want progressive change when it is long past denying that rightwingers in power inevitably gut their countries' economies and feed harmful divisions. If the radical reactionaries like Harper (who misleadingly call themselves conservatives) would simply govern without making selfishness and greed their watchwords, they would stay in power forever. It's a tragedy that they're always allowed to remain in office until they've trashed everything before they're voted out.
7
Lets be clear, because the cautionary note here is not choosing liberals over conservatives. Conservatives will win again. As liberals will win again.
Both in the US and Canada.
The cautionary note here is about the more rare occurrence where the son of a former head of Government rises to become the new Chief Executive.
We've seen how badly that can go.
Both in the US and Canada.
The cautionary note here is about the more rare occurrence where the son of a former head of Government rises to become the new Chief Executive.
We've seen how badly that can go.
It must be admitted Harper abolished poverty in Canada.
First he got rid of the National Council of Welfare which published many reports on all aspects of poverty in Canada. Its two annual reports Welfare Incomes, and Poverty Profile, provided a critical overview, now gone.
And then Harper abolished the census long form which formerly went to every fifth household and provided all the data for poverty.
So solving poverty was easy with Harper--just stop collecting and publishing the data.
There was a minor problem since some poverty experts remained in government. So Harper did as he did with inconvenient government environmental scientists. He muzzled them and classified their research. All statements had to come from the minister's office, and no statement could be made without vetting from the prime minster's office. I kid you not.
Of course there were some anti-poverty advocacy groups out there. Easy. Tell them they lose their charitable status and grants if they speak publicly.
Thus did Harper deal with the 1,5 million Canadian children in poverty.
Trudeau has a different approach. He will increase the targeted child benefit, restore data collection and dissemination, and encourage civil society groups advocating solutions to poverty.
Oct. 19, 2015: Canada's Day of National Liberation. Harper would fit right in with the Republican clown show. Please take him.
First he got rid of the National Council of Welfare which published many reports on all aspects of poverty in Canada. Its two annual reports Welfare Incomes, and Poverty Profile, provided a critical overview, now gone.
And then Harper abolished the census long form which formerly went to every fifth household and provided all the data for poverty.
So solving poverty was easy with Harper--just stop collecting and publishing the data.
There was a minor problem since some poverty experts remained in government. So Harper did as he did with inconvenient government environmental scientists. He muzzled them and classified their research. All statements had to come from the minister's office, and no statement could be made without vetting from the prime minster's office. I kid you not.
Of course there were some anti-poverty advocacy groups out there. Easy. Tell them they lose their charitable status and grants if they speak publicly.
Thus did Harper deal with the 1,5 million Canadian children in poverty.
Trudeau has a different approach. He will increase the targeted child benefit, restore data collection and dissemination, and encourage civil society groups advocating solutions to poverty.
Oct. 19, 2015: Canada's Day of National Liberation. Harper would fit right in with the Republican clown show. Please take him.
16
Like a good conservative, Harper lives in a faith-based reality where what you believe is what matters regardless of facts. We're familiar with the likes of him around here and they're equally delusional.
1
Let's hope American voters can also see the light and toss our ignoramus fascists to the curb in 2016. Enough, already.
And by-the-way, let's talk about the Benghazi Fraud Hearings in the House sooner rather than later.
And by-the-way, let's talk about the Benghazi Fraud Hearings in the House sooner rather than later.
11
Why can't the US be more like Canada?
Wait, Canada has a larger land mass than the US, and one tenth the population, which is eighty percent of European extraction.
Apart from having the British Monarch as Head of State, and their long and bitter winters, why wouldn't any right winger not want their country to be more like Canada?
Wait, Canada has a larger land mass than the US, and one tenth the population, which is eighty percent of European extraction.
Apart from having the British Monarch as Head of State, and their long and bitter winters, why wouldn't any right winger not want their country to be more like Canada?
Canada has tougher gun laws, government run healthcare, lots of regulations, and is not very religious. Not a paradise for the US right wing, and probably too socialist for most Democrats, other than Bernie Sanders.
1
I would hope that Canada would now relax many of it's prohibitive immigration requirements being more liberal. I would very seriously consider living in Canada were entry not so restrictive. How about it Trudeau? You can populate the north country. More people means a bigger economy and growth.
1
Just go to the consulate and fill out the forms and wait, you will likely be accepted. If you have a professional degree or listed occupation, as a US citizen you can immediately get a TN visa to enter, live, and work in Canada. Check out the web for details.
Canadians have figured out that conservative policies only benefit the very rich at the expense of everyone else.
33
You do realize that on average only the rich have done better under Obama. There has never been greater disparity ... even when compared with Republican administrations. The poor are poorer and we have more of them. The middle class a worse off than when Obama took over. Those liberals/democrats always accuse conservatives of favoring, have never done better.
Congratulations and best wishes Canada! Can some of your beleaguered Americans join you? We have also had enough of our horrible so called conservatives, who are really anarchists!
16
This should give heart to all of the Bernie Sanders fans.... and they are many!
12
Why? The US is not part of Canada. That's kind of like the tail wagging the dog.
I was thinking the same thing. Bernie's strategists must be feeling encouraged today.
Last fall I sat next to a group of Canadian ex MPs in Paris. They were not fans od Steven Harper, and I join them in the joy they must be feeling today.
10
Canadians were slow to see the real Harper, better late than never. Good riddance.
14
Seems like they finally got off their behinds & voted.
1
Hallelujah! Let's hope this spreads south.
20
Christmas has come early for our Northern neighbors.
May it be known fear mongering and backwards policies leads to positive results. Congratulations, Canada!
May it be known fear mongering and backwards policies leads to positive results. Congratulations, Canada!
16
Let's hope this is a foreshadowing to our elections here, that we vote a huge referendum against destructive right wing policies and politicians. It is long overdue.
32
Because modern-style Liberalism is working so well everywhere else?
5
See Paul Krugman's recent column on Denmark and Norway.
Because Libertarian, reactionary policies are working so poorly. In our case, they are not working at all. Case in point: the hapless, helpless, tied-up-in-knots Congress and especially the House.
Congratulations to our northern neighbor!
Let us hope that this will mark the beginning of a new era of Canada the Good.
Let us hope that this will mark the beginning of a new era of Canada the Good.
15
About time!
I was going to make a snide remark about things in Canada taking longer due to the extreme cold, but then I remembered *we* were ignorant enough to vote Reagan to 2 terms followed by Bush I for a third catastrophic term until *we* got wise.
I was going to make a snide remark about things in Canada taking longer due to the extreme cold, but then I remembered *we* were ignorant enough to vote Reagan to 2 terms followed by Bush I for a third catastrophic term until *we* got wise.
14
I don't know how wise we got. We turned around and voted W in twice, and gave congress to the GOP.
1
This is such a great outcome. Harper was headed to the deep end of right wing fanaticism. He was more understated than say, Ted Cruz or Scott Walker, but he was an admirer. Good riddance.
Bonne chance, M. Trudeau.
Bonne chance, M. Trudeau.
27
For a notoriously stable country, if there is such a thing, Canada does do huge swings. The Liberals have gone from 34 seats to 185, and at one time the Conservatives had two seats only. Anything can happen and does.
9
It's because we don't have gerrymandering. Electoral boundaries are determined by a commission based on the Constitution and census statistics.
My sincere congratulation to Mr Trudeau for his great victory.
I hope now that Mr Trudeau as a good liberal will modify the cheat and unbalanced TTP treaty, in order to guarantee advantages also to the small and medium Canadian Firms and the overall trading fairness control rights to the Canadian Government and Justice.
I hope now that Mr Trudeau as a good liberal will modify the cheat and unbalanced TTP treaty, in order to guarantee advantages also to the small and medium Canadian Firms and the overall trading fairness control rights to the Canadian Government and Justice.
8
It seems Harper's wrong policies towards immigrants, muzzling of press were the main reasons for his defeat. Canadians have shown how vigilant voter can show exit door to any leader who is far removed from the pulse of masses.
10
A delighted congratulations to my Canadian friends. Their long nightmare is over. Would that ours would end as well, with the thousand models Harper had in this part of the world sinking like the millstones around our necks they are.
14
At last. Canada was on the road to hell under Harper - becoming a disgrace to democracy and democratic values. This is a true victory for liberal values in the broadest sense.
15
Great news, eh? Harper represented the Alberta oil sands, not the Canadian people. Lets hope Trudeau will be the PM of all Cnadians, not only the Anglos and Quebecois but of the more recent immigrants as well, those from Asia and everywhere else. Even from US.
"Tall, athletic, ...boxes", beautiful family. Too bad he wasn't born this side of the border.
"Tall, athletic, ...boxes", beautiful family. Too bad he wasn't born this side of the border.
6
Great news for Canada!
9
An interesting side note: With Trudeau in power, he'll be able to decriminalize and then legalize recreational marijuana. This could have huge effects on tax revenue in the Great White North. More here: https://www.civilized.life/_-burning-questions-canadas-cannabis-futureth...
4
Maybe there's some hope for the US.
45
That was my first thought also.
O Canada!
I can't help but feel like this was a proxy loss for the right wing here as well. "Conservatives" have completely lost their compass and it's coming home to roost. You can be a shill for extreme wealth for only so long before people start to look elsewhere. I have to admit that I do enjoy watching them circle the drain.
Congratulations Canada!!!
I can't help but feel like this was a proxy loss for the right wing here as well. "Conservatives" have completely lost their compass and it's coming home to roost. You can be a shill for extreme wealth for only so long before people start to look elsewhere. I have to admit that I do enjoy watching them circle the drain.
Congratulations Canada!!!
80
Congratulations to all Canadians! Now, if we could only follow their example and get rid of the fascist Republican rabble!
70
Today Canada voted to oust their long-reigning, Tea Party-esque Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Harper ran on a platform of division, racism, and elitist disdain of the will and desires of the majority of Canadians, which he has stoked for more than nine years.
In winning an absolute majority of seats in Canada's new Parliament, Justin Trudeau has a mandate to bring Canada aggressively into the 21st Century. Perhaps this can be a harbinger of political change sweeping throughout North America.
Tres bien, Canada!
In winning an absolute majority of seats in Canada's new Parliament, Justin Trudeau has a mandate to bring Canada aggressively into the 21st Century. Perhaps this can be a harbinger of political change sweeping throughout North America.
Tres bien, Canada!
61
170 seats needed to be won to ensure a Liberal majority government. The Liberals won 184 seats. I would say offhand that the decline of Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar has had a tad more than just a little to do with the win. Conservative Harper's EU austerity-style economic policies and mockery of people receiving assistance in Atlantic Canada certainly resonated with voters.
114
The decline of the Canadian dollar was a non issue here. Harper's economic policies were a non issue. This was not a vote about economics, but about a heavy-handed and divisive style of government that ignored what is fundamental to Canadian politics: moderation and compromise.
1
"Decline of the dollar"
Under Harper the Canadian dollar has declined in value against the U.S. dollar by 40 Cents. From roughly 1.15 to 0.75 can/us.
If anyone thinks that the PM has any control over that market speculation then they are spectacularly ignorant.
Under Harper the Canadian dollar has declined in value against the U.S. dollar by 40 Cents. From roughly 1.15 to 0.75 can/us.
If anyone thinks that the PM has any control over that market speculation then they are spectacularly ignorant.
I disagree. The economy wasn't on anyone's mind. We voted for "our Canada", a country that reaches out to the unfortunate, welcomes refugees, encourages peace and revels in our multi-culturalism. We had lost that country for 10 years and we weren't going to take it anymore.
1
What's so surprising about the Canadian general election outcome ending the Conservative party rule under Stephen Harper and bringing in the Liberal party leader Justin Trudeau as the new PM? Except that the anti-incumbency factor reflecting through the voter fatigue with the Conservative rule and its policies might have worked this time to the advantage of the Liberal party and its new face in Mr. Trudeau, what new meaning should be attached to this normal democratic change through popular participation in a vibrant democracy such as Canada? One should welcome this change of guards through popular mandate.
10
I agree! And now PM Trudeau´s solid experience as a snowboard instructor will really come into play! This guy never held a real job in the real world!
1
Glad to see an article, however superficial, about one of our closest neighbors and the US's major trading partner. It's refreshing after the relentless slew of articles about the Middle East. Why not report on Canada--and Mexico, the rest of Central America, and the Caribbean--a bit more frequently, given how close they are to the US?
84
Seems as though Canada got over its delusion that a conservative approach could lead them to a more cohesive, prosperous and peaceful future. Let us Americans take a lesson from our northern neighbors, more than just pinching their hockey players....
72
Only one thought comes to mind tonight - Alleluia! Not for the specific victory of Mr Trudeau, but for what may be a real opportunity for our politics to become more positive and for our democracy to be renewed.
58
Congratulations Canada in getting rid of the smear campaigner par excellence in Harper. The Tories old divide and conquer tactics were getting old and the whole niqab affair was too much. Having oil prices slide to decade lows didn't help them either. Under Harper Big Oil grew dramatically but Canada became overly dependent on it for revenue and if they're not in recession now, they're awfully close to it.
This could have huge implications for climate change, and science in general in Canada, since the muzzle imposed by Harper on scientists studying things like climate change will get lifted and we'll truly know how damaging extracting oil from the Tar Sands is.
Harper and the Conservatives extreme anti-science agenda was a page right out of GWB and the current Republican playbook regarding climate change , so now with Abbott gone in Australia and now Harper out in Canada, if the Dems win the Presidency here and at least one of the houses (probably the Senate)in Congress, we could get meaningful policy changes regarding our warming earth before its way too late.
This could have huge implications for climate change, and science in general in Canada, since the muzzle imposed by Harper on scientists studying things like climate change will get lifted and we'll truly know how damaging extracting oil from the Tar Sands is.
Harper and the Conservatives extreme anti-science agenda was a page right out of GWB and the current Republican playbook regarding climate change , so now with Abbott gone in Australia and now Harper out in Canada, if the Dems win the Presidency here and at least one of the houses (probably the Senate)in Congress, we could get meaningful policy changes regarding our warming earth before its way too late.
70
Fersure Harper & Co were American wannabees...I loved it when President Obama would call Harper "Steve". I was just so totally fed up with their narrow-minded, backward policies, glorifying the monarchy, emphasizing the military, making it harder to become a Canadian citizen, buying expensive jets we don't need, and on and on and on. It is a new day for Canada.
18
well done Canada, you've kicked out a government very similar to what we in Australia are still subjected to . . . and no, all we've done is change the First Mate, it's still the same listing-horribly-to-the-right boat.
40
Sheldon, when are you folks going to become a republic? I hope we can override the monarchists here and do the same! Take care,
10
When political leadership goes from father to son then you know that the (political) system is broken! Children of politicians that become politicians themselves have usually never held any real jobs either. In other words they are simply not in touch with the real life of ordinary people!
And unfortunately Trudeau jr. is no exeption! From his resume one can easily tell that he has never done a hard days work in his life! And now he is PM!!!
And unfortunately Trudeau jr. is no exeption! From his resume one can easily tell that he has never done a hard days work in his life! And now he is PM!!!
4
Certainly more in touch with most Canadians than Jeb! with most Americans. Mr Trudeau is a well-rounded individual, much more than just a rich man's son.
25
Yes! He was also a snowboard instructor! Very impressive!
What proof do you offer in support of the claim that having had a real job somehow prepares you for elected office? The position of elected official carries its own expertise that has almost nothing to do with business. It is possible for an elected official to gain empathy for poverty or the working class if they have experienced it, but the Roosevelts are a good counterexample.
1
America will have a bright future if we follow the lead of outlet Canadian neighbors.
23
There is hope for the world yet! With the ousting of right wing incumbents in the governments of Australia and now Canada, we are hopefully witnessing the beginning of a more enlightened era, particularly when it comes to that most urgent of issues - climate change. Now we just need to ensure that another Democrat is voted into the White House, hopefully for another eight years, and we will at least have a fighting chance of re-writing our future.
37
Harper ran a campaign of fear mongering, intolerance and lack of respect. His followers also propagated the mantra of fear. At no time did Harper command the attention of the nation by focussing on how a Conservative government would lead Canada; instead, the message was fear of the other and intolerance for difference. Harper consolidated power and ran a Prime Minister's office where dissent or even discussion of options was quickly stifled. His muzzling of our national science council was an example of this. Although many Canadians find themselves philosophically somewhere between Conservative and Liberal idealogies, this election clearly indicated that at its base, respect for each other, and open discussion are paramount qualities of the Canadian identity. Although I have concerns about some of Trudeau's promises, I sincerely hope for a return to a Canada characterized by acceptance and tolerance.
48
nvloc,
When I moved to America, I considered myself socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Our (Canadian's) "right" is so different. I've been called a communist, abortionist (we keep our healthcare costs low by aborting al of our fetuses!), socialist and a few other choice words. I've been mocked for not thinking climate change was "natural". I had to google when Gay marriage became legal bc I just assumed it was one of those laws that was on the books as a silly law and making it legal was more of a formality than something out of actual necessity. I'm only telling you this bc you mentioned being somewhere in between liberal and conservative. Canada and America's right and left spectrums do not match up!
When I moved to America, I considered myself socially liberal and fiscally conservative. Our (Canadian's) "right" is so different. I've been called a communist, abortionist (we keep our healthcare costs low by aborting al of our fetuses!), socialist and a few other choice words. I've been mocked for not thinking climate change was "natural". I had to google when Gay marriage became legal bc I just assumed it was one of those laws that was on the books as a silly law and making it legal was more of a formality than something out of actual necessity. I'm only telling you this bc you mentioned being somewhere in between liberal and conservative. Canada and America's right and left spectrums do not match up!
1
Listening to the Blue Jays game in the days just before this election, it was interesting to hear the Liberals' Canadian radio ads extolling their vision for the future of Canada, while the Conservatives' ads were full of fear-mongering. It certainly reminded me of the approach by the same groups in the U.S. so of course I am glad the Liberals won. Congratulations, Canada!
57
Perhaps our country's 2016 national election will reduce the number of Republicans in our Congress. I like Justin Trudeau's father when I was in college. I hope he will do well for Canada in the future just like the old Trudeau.
24
The vast majority of Canadians are celebrating tonight because the defeat of Stephen Harper is a slap in the face to dog whistle politics, fearmongering, and an unprecedented assault on our democratic values. The long national nightmare is finally over. I am an NDP voter but I congratulate Justin Trudeau. He ran a very strong campaign, stressing a return to the compassionate, inclusive values that once made Canada beloved as a nation of fair brokers. I was expecting a Liberal minority government supported by the NDP, but I am more than happy to see Harper's divisive political career come to an end.
68
78-day election. Why can't we have that?
51
Agreed. Its because we're exceptional in every way. Despite most other countries limiting campaign time (and the money required) they are all wrong. Money is the only thing that matters.
21
Our long national nightmare is over.
30
Once in a generation Canadians get it in their heads to elect a Conservative government. Then they remember that Con governments are really awful.
38
"For much of the 78-day race..."
Words to savor. A short, focussed race that didn't drag on for months, and months, and months, and -- wait for it -- months.
The US race has felt like 700 days, of night.
There should be a 90-day limit on Presidential campaigning, immediately before the election, period.
Words to savor. A short, focussed race that didn't drag on for months, and months, and months, and -- wait for it -- months.
The US race has felt like 700 days, of night.
There should be a 90-day limit on Presidential campaigning, immediately before the election, period.
565
Funny thing is...78 days is actually the longest campaign ever in Canada. Usually it is a month and a half long.
EXACTLY - electioneering for the next election seems to begin as soon as an election ends in then US. People are questioning if it's too late for Joe Biden to make his decision and it's more than a year to the election. What a DUMB, expensive way to run a country.
78 days! Here in the US what a blessing that would be...
As the odious Tony Abbott was to Australia's image in the world, so Stephen Harper was to Canada's. I'm glad they are both gone.
Stephen Harper represented a strain of Canadian intolerance that found little place in politics there until recently. He was, to outsiders, very un-Canadian in his immoderation.
Stephen Harper represented a strain of Canadian intolerance that found little place in politics there until recently. He was, to outsiders, very un-Canadian in his immoderation.
21
Tony Abbot has gone (sort of), but his policies remain--it's just that now they're going to be dressed up in verbal confetti (in contrast to three-word slogans).
Well done Canada, I am truly jealous :)
Well done Canada, I am truly jealous :)
13
Let's hope this is a preview of what's to come in the 2016 US elections. Hard line conservatives just don't deliver for anyone other than the very wealthiest citizens and large corporations.
49
We're a few years ahead of the Canadians in the political cycle. We've already discovered what happens when we elect someone without any experience and who promises everything.
2
Like what AACNY? Fewer uninsured? Getting us out of Iraq? Unemployment half of what it was? A much higher stock market? A dead OBL? As opposed to the "experienced" guy who preceded him? Pick any of those, I'll wait.
Happy New Year, my fellow Canadians. I can hear Champagne bottles popping all over, even among the third-party NDP who are happy to see the end of Harper. The king is dead, long live the democrat.
17
It's understandable The Times' liberal readership is rejoicing at Harper's defeat, and I'm looking forward to change too.
But as someone who's lived in various parts of Canada, I'd like to temper the enthusiasm with a few reminders:
Long before the Harper government, Canada had environmental issues, from clear-cutting on Vancouver Island to the dead landscape near Sudbury, Ontario.
Long before the Harper government, Canada had infrastructure problems. To this day, Winnipeg has no freeways and the traffic is clogged. Victoria is similar. No four-lane road crosses the country.
Long before the Harper government, Canada's native peoples lived in squalor in a number of places and were ousted from large swaths of Quebec when huge dams were built to light New York.
Long before the Harper government, Justin Trudeau's father Pierre Elliott put Canada under martial law in 1970, civil liberties were suspended, and troops patrolled the streets of Montreal.
Long before any Trudeau or Harper, Canada interned its Japanese civilians during World War II. The internment lasted "until 1949 (four years after World War II had ended)," although "by 1947 many Japanese Canadians had been granted exemption" from a decree confining them to east of the Rockies. (Source: Wikipedia.)
Now that Harper is gone, expect some improvements, but do not expect Trudeau to create a paradise, any more than the U.S. became a paradise under Obama or would become one if Sanders were elected.
But as someone who's lived in various parts of Canada, I'd like to temper the enthusiasm with a few reminders:
Long before the Harper government, Canada had environmental issues, from clear-cutting on Vancouver Island to the dead landscape near Sudbury, Ontario.
Long before the Harper government, Canada had infrastructure problems. To this day, Winnipeg has no freeways and the traffic is clogged. Victoria is similar. No four-lane road crosses the country.
Long before the Harper government, Canada's native peoples lived in squalor in a number of places and were ousted from large swaths of Quebec when huge dams were built to light New York.
Long before the Harper government, Justin Trudeau's father Pierre Elliott put Canada under martial law in 1970, civil liberties were suspended, and troops patrolled the streets of Montreal.
Long before any Trudeau or Harper, Canada interned its Japanese civilians during World War II. The internment lasted "until 1949 (four years after World War II had ended)," although "by 1947 many Japanese Canadians had been granted exemption" from a decree confining them to east of the Rockies. (Source: Wikipedia.)
Now that Harper is gone, expect some improvements, but do not expect Trudeau to create a paradise, any more than the U.S. became a paradise under Obama or would become one if Sanders were elected.
18
Your point being what? Liberals winning doesn't mean paradise? Who wants paradise? Happy just to keep an adult in the White House. Even happier if there was a majority of sane adults in the House and Senate. Very happy for Canada and Trudeau. The Good Guys won.
Congratulations, Canada! Let's hope that this kind of return to sanity finds its way south to the U.S. and helps to unseat many of the Republican radicals on Capitol Hill.
18
Canada and Italy get some young, progressive leaders while the U.S. candidates are looking quite old in comparison. The Democrats have a 67 year old woman neck in neck with a 74 year old man, while CNN clamors to inject the fresh blood of another 74 year old man in the race. Meanwhile, a 69 year old man currently leads the GOP.
Noteworthy
Noteworthy
9
No one over 70 should hold political office: POTUS, SCOTUS, Congress, state offices all the way down to city council! Old people need to get out of the way. Let the younger generation rule their own fate. They may even have some newer/better ideas.
Disclosure: I in 78 and moved in 2001 from NYC to live in the Nevada high desert. And No. I did not participate in Burning Man.
Disclosure: I in 78 and moved in 2001 from NYC to live in the Nevada high desert. And No. I did not participate in Burning Man.
4
No one under 60 should hold political office: POTUS, SCOTUS, Congress, state offices all the way down to city council! Young people should sit at the sidelines and learn from their elders. History was much bloodier when we died younger and young people ran things. Think Alexander the Great and Richard the Lion Hearted. Let the younger generation rule their own fate after considerable seasoning. They can pass in their newer/better ideas for review and comment.
Disclosure: I'm 76 and just coming into my own with a lifetime of learning and practicing critical thinking.
Disclosure: I'm 76 and just coming into my own with a lifetime of learning and practicing critical thinking.
1
And Plato wrote that no one under 50 should for good reasons hold any significant office either!
May the American electorate be so happy after your next election.
21
This evening Canadians turfed the most malignant and destructive administration this country has endured in living memory. There will be a new era of progressive governance in Canada, starting with a huge amount of repair work needed to move the country forward again.
41
When Bernie wins, where will all the Republicans go now???
13
Alberta will take them. Harper won 30 of his 102 seats there.
7
Robert Lee (no irony intended) is Alberta your version of Alabama?
It's baffling to me why the NYT would call this a "surprise win." I'm not an expert, but I sort of saw this coming beginning no later than when Rachel Notley won the Premiership of Alberta. Harper is not well liked among his own, let alone by those in other parties. He was becoming more desperate with each passing day and almost ironically imitating Donald Trump in some crass mannerisms. Now, he will return to Calgary under a mayor, premiere and prime minister who are all of a different party from himself.
17
Couldn't agree more. The only surprise here is the cluelessness of the Times' staff. Trudeu has been doing well for some time. "Stunning" was only the inattention of the American media to an election which will have an important effect on our own lives as well.
3
It's not that Harper is gone that is a surprise. It is that the Liberals won.
Rachel is NDP and the NDP was the official opposition in Federal Parliament, with 68 more seats than the third place Liberals had. To most people in Canada, Notley's win suggested the possibility of an orange (NDP) wave, not a red (Liberal) one.
Rachel is NDP and the NDP was the official opposition in Federal Parliament, with 68 more seats than the third place Liberals had. To most people in Canada, Notley's win suggested the possibility of an orange (NDP) wave, not a red (Liberal) one.
The majority win by Liberals is a surprise. But it was in the making when voters from NDP (centre-left) decided that is was better to clearly defeat the Conservative Party and switched votes to Liberals. The other option was a minority government either by Liberals/NDP or NDP/Liberals. The point was always to stop the right-wing Canadian government siding with old fashion retrograde policies from Bush era.
13
Only 78 days to campaign? How do Canadians not endure pundits with predictions every other day for two years? How is big money expected to decide who to shower with billions in such a short time? What a strange country way up there in the Arctic.
15
Just so you know:
Most of the Canadian population lives within 200 miles of the 49th parallel (our mutual border). That is not the Arctic. Alaska is the Arctic.
78 days is long for us. We are now exhausted.
Big money always finds it's way. Usually every day.
Most of the Canadian population lives within 200 miles of the 49th parallel (our mutual border). That is not the Arctic. Alaska is the Arctic.
78 days is long for us. We are now exhausted.
Big money always finds it's way. Usually every day.
6
Do they not offer a program in Geography in California?
7
Dear Nancy and Robert Lee
Pretty sure than John was being sarcastic
Pretty sure than John was being sarcastic
8
Once again, after losing its way for about a decade, our wiser neighbor to the north shows us the way. May we, too, soon have a sea change in Congress - away from mendacious, penurious nativism and toward the progressive, open-minded and inclusive society all Americans deserve.
20
We voted strategically to get rid of a person most of us had come to loath. I am not happy with the alternative choices, and not happy that we had to do that.
You, on the other hand have a golden choice in Mr. Sanders and his platform. I wish we had the opportunity to vote for someone instead of against someone.
Use your luck wisely.
You, on the other hand have a golden choice in Mr. Sanders and his platform. I wish we had the opportunity to vote for someone instead of against someone.
Use your luck wisely.
6
I like Sanders' ideas, but the cranky irascible facade is not just a facade; he's really like that. His demeanor is more Presidential than Trump's, but that isn't saying much. Sorry to try to burst your golden bubble.
2
Our long national nightmare is over.
13
The best thing about this result is that Canadians rejected the divisiveness and dirty politics that seem to be a hallmark of conservative parties in the English-speaking nations. Harper hired an Australian political mercenary Lynton Crosby who successfully used his Karl Rove-ian skills in Australia and the UK. This resounding pushback from voters north of the border has sent both Harper and Crosby packing - hope it's contagious. Now, if only we could do the same to that other Australian that brought us Fox "News".
37
You lucky folks have the opportunity to vote for Bernie Sanders and a straight Democrat ticket. You get to vote to really accomplish something. You get to vote for something instead of against something.
I wish we had had the same.
I wish we had had the same.
7
Oh please say no to TPP, Mr. Trudeau.
11
Not likely. Since now we will have Justin and Barack, as they say, Cheek to Cheek!
These new BFFs will see things differently than you.
These new BFFs will see things differently than you.
Stephen Harper was an unqualified nightmare and I am grateful to our northern neighbors for voting him out. From election fraud to being in the pocket of oil interests, he's the closest thing to George W Bush that Canada ever saw, and I am sad that either one ever spent a day in office.
That said, two predictions I've read about Justin Trudeau concern me: that he will push for the Keystone pipeline (the remaining tar sands oil needs to stay in the ground, as do all major oil reserves around the world, if we're to keep global warming anywhere near 2 degrees C) and that he's an advocate for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP, one of the reasons that Obama--who's been pushing TPP hard, despite the opposition from his own party--has lost some political luster in my eyes)
See: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/19/canada-election-change-governmen...
Please, our friends to the north, tell me that this isn't so?
P.S. By the way, NYT, we could use some better reporting on the likely ramifications of the Liberals/Trudeau's rise; Keystone and TPP are major global issues.
That said, two predictions I've read about Justin Trudeau concern me: that he will push for the Keystone pipeline (the remaining tar sands oil needs to stay in the ground, as do all major oil reserves around the world, if we're to keep global warming anywhere near 2 degrees C) and that he's an advocate for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP, one of the reasons that Obama--who's been pushing TPP hard, despite the opposition from his own party--has lost some political luster in my eyes)
See: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/19/canada-election-change-governmen...
Please, our friends to the north, tell me that this isn't so?
P.S. By the way, NYT, we could use some better reporting on the likely ramifications of the Liberals/Trudeau's rise; Keystone and TPP are major global issues.
15
A comparison with G.W. Bush is not correct. Mr. Harper is not stupid. He was driven. None of us ever did figure out by what. He has a personality disorder, not a cognitive deficit.
It will be some time before we know what the Liberal majority will do about TPP and the oil economy. We are hoping for the best, but I can't help but expect the worst (which is what usually happens). Mr. Trudeau is not a seasoned leader, and I don't know how good his caucus and advisors will be.
It is good that this debacle is over, but I am still holding my breath.
It will be some time before we know what the Liberal majority will do about TPP and the oil economy. We are hoping for the best, but I can't help but expect the worst (which is what usually happens). Mr. Trudeau is not a seasoned leader, and I don't know how good his caucus and advisors will be.
It is good that this debacle is over, but I am still holding my breath.
4
Thank you, Nancy. I very much appreciate your insight.
(And it's good to know that American exceptionalism lives on, insofar that in George W. we can still boast having hosted--note that I didn't write "elected," as he was not the first time--the most exceptionally clueless leader the world has seen!)
I
(And it's good to know that American exceptionalism lives on, insofar that in George W. we can still boast having hosted--note that I didn't write "elected," as he was not the first time--the most exceptionally clueless leader the world has seen!)
I
1
Considering the fact that the US has brought significantly more oil into production in the last half decade than has been developed in the oil sands, and that 80 to 90 percent of the CO2 out of a barrel of oil comes from the end user, perhaps you should lie looking at the rapid development of shale oil and gas in the US rather than blaming possible climate disaster from CO2 on the Canadian oil sands. Oil is oil. It all produces significant amounts of CO2. The oil sands is not a significantly greater contributor than the US's new shale oil deposits. If you really care about CO2, go after all the the new sources and stop demonizing the oil sands.
Good riddance to Harper. Now may we but do the same and rid ourselves of the Republican Party. Nice to see our northern neighbors wake up to the 21st Century. Would that we would as well.
21
Watching the "marathon" Canadian campaign from afar (80 days folks), it was interesting in the entire procedure. Canadians wanted a regime change and they were able to pull it off. Mr. Harper, and the Conservative Party achieved power, because of a split between he New Democrats and Liberal Parties. Thus, making it easy to form a government voted in by a minority. During Mr. Harper's tenure, he made several attempts to remake Canada, but was met with stiff opposition.
Today, Canadians decided that to get rid of Conservative rule, they had to effectively go to a two party set up. That is, at the expense of the New Democrats, vote for the Liberal Party. Ridings which normally vote NDP, went Liberal.
Let's hope Mr. Trudeau does not squander his mandate. The Liberal Party was pushed out of power because it was out of step with what Canadians wanted. Now they are being given a chance, to replace an out of step Conservative government. I wish them well.
Americans can learn a great deal from our northern neighbors. Everything from short election cycles to cooperation. That is putting Americans first ahead of special interests, moneyed interests and social interests. Maybe a hint of America's future is seen by today's result in Canada.
Today, Canadians decided that to get rid of Conservative rule, they had to effectively go to a two party set up. That is, at the expense of the New Democrats, vote for the Liberal Party. Ridings which normally vote NDP, went Liberal.
Let's hope Mr. Trudeau does not squander his mandate. The Liberal Party was pushed out of power because it was out of step with what Canadians wanted. Now they are being given a chance, to replace an out of step Conservative government. I wish them well.
Americans can learn a great deal from our northern neighbors. Everything from short election cycles to cooperation. That is putting Americans first ahead of special interests, moneyed interests and social interests. Maybe a hint of America's future is seen by today's result in Canada.
23
Felicidades Canada!
12
I don't know what to say, the left wing party I support promised austerity the right wing Prime Minister I detest promised austerity and the party I railed against for 40 years promised deficit spending. Maybe I was wrong and Canada was correct. Today's Canada s a far better country than the one was born into.
12
Why is it that the average reader of the Times likely knows less about Canada -- especially its politics and issues -- than about Germany or Iraq? Could it have something to do with the fact that the Times gives substantially less coverage to Canada -- especially its politics and issues -- than about Germany or Iraq?
Contrary to popular opinion, Canada is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of America Inc. Nor are its people and culture merely American Lite.
For those who would like a somewhat esoteric way to spot the differences, compare the grain elevators of Saskatchewan to those on the American prairies and plains.
Contrary to popular opinion, Canada is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of America Inc. Nor are its people and culture merely American Lite.
For those who would like a somewhat esoteric way to spot the differences, compare the grain elevators of Saskatchewan to those on the American prairies and plains.
9
It just goes to prove, Virginia, there is a god, even in Canada!
10
Dont be so hard on yourself, canadians have the reputation in the world.
1
Mr. Trudeau impresses me as having an awful lot in common with Senator Sanders. Perhaps his win presages changes to come south of the border, as well.
Three cheers to our neighbors to the north and their vote to keep Canada Canadian. We've missed you!
Three cheers to our neighbors to the north and their vote to keep Canada Canadian. We've missed you!
18
What a lovely comment. Thank you from a Canadian
4
I wish. Mr. Sanders would be a golden candidate in Canada. However he is not running here, but you do have him.
You have the chance we did not.
You have the chance we did not.
2
Surpise win for Trudeau says your headline. Not a surprise if you had paid attention.
16
Agreed, and it would appear the movement to unify the anybody but the Conservatives vote worked. Times, you reported on it, why did it surprise you. Nine years is enough of anyone, especially a dullard like Harper. He belongs where he is going, history's ash heap of deadly, unimaginative politicians.
"Oh Canada..." show us the way.
"Oh Canada..." show us the way.
7
Why does the American media keep describing this as an "upset" or a "surprise?" It has been the expectation of recent polls. Yet this same media keep telling us everyday that Trump will implode, but it doesn't happen. Is this syndrome named in the DSM-V?
11
This will be fun, now that Canada's finances are about to take a downward plunge along with oil prices. At least it'll be cheaper to take a trip up there, and -- who knows -- maybe the border guards won't be quite so full of themselves.
5
On what basis do you make these idiotic comments. Oil prices are based on world prices not the economy, genius. Do us a favor stay in Seattle.
6
Neighbor - why so grumpy? We're just a couple of hours drive away and you can visit the city that the US ranks #1 city to visit in Canada. It's cheaper than being a visitor in Seattle. Shopping is a bargain for you as many items, hotels etc. are the same cost in flat dollars, but then you get a 30% discount on the exchange rate. Yes gas costs more in Vancouver, but those gas taxes make for a good medical system for everyone - including visitors to Canada. Our border guards are pretty darn polite too. Come see us again - we're happy to have our neighbours visit. But remember; leave your handguns at home.
Here's hoping that the one-two punch of Trudeau's election combined with falling oil prices administers the coup de grace to the Keystone XL pipeline.
11
From from a climate perspective, Harper has been an absolute nightmare. A A new morning is dawning in Canada.
12
Congrats to our northern neighbors. Now lets make it happen in the rest of North America
23
I trust that a few of my fellow inattentive compatriots will notice that the Canadian election results were accurately published within two hours after the last polls closed in a Country far larger, with more time zones and a far greater number of remote sparsely inhabited areas than the US.
We , on the other hand, can take weeks to announce results which many believe are neither honest nor accurate.
We , on the other hand, can take weeks to announce results which many believe are neither honest nor accurate.
25
And it's virtually all done pencil on paper ballots.
19
That is because of those junk machines that continue to be used in U.S. elections which despite issues, continue to be used in the voting process.
7
I've expressed a fair amount of what I consider moderate opinions on this website. In France I would be considered a Le Pen conservative. In the United States I would be considered a Sanders liberal. Canada is a sort of mix between the two, and a true experiment in representative, liberal, and libertarian democracy for the world. Sort of like a big, cold Vermont.
I applaud Justin Trudeau's victory. His father stood up to Johnson over Vietnam and established an independently minded Canada that was still somehow allied with the United States. His predecessor Jacques Chirac stood up to George W. Bush over Iraq and affirmed a NATO-allied Canada that would not be beholden to American imperialistic whims. However, Trudeau's challenge now has little to do with the U.S. ... it is to balance the multiple identities of the New Canada without sacrificing its values or capitulating to Islam, which I view as the primary challenge and/or enemy of Western values in the 21st Century. He is young an inexperienced, but with luck he can help guide North America forward ...
I applaud Justin Trudeau's victory. His father stood up to Johnson over Vietnam and established an independently minded Canada that was still somehow allied with the United States. His predecessor Jacques Chirac stood up to George W. Bush over Iraq and affirmed a NATO-allied Canada that would not be beholden to American imperialistic whims. However, Trudeau's challenge now has little to do with the U.S. ... it is to balance the multiple identities of the New Canada without sacrificing its values or capitulating to Islam, which I view as the primary challenge and/or enemy of Western values in the 21st Century. He is young an inexperienced, but with luck he can help guide North America forward ...
7
One small correction...it was PM Jean Chrétien who stood up to Bush.
8
Dear AC,
You mean "his predecessor Jean Chretien" stood up to George Bush on Iraq
Chirac was president of France
You mean "his predecessor Jean Chretien" stood up to George Bush on Iraq
Chirac was president of France
4
You are wrong on two counts.
First, Jacques Chirac was the president of France. Jean Chretien was the Canadian prime minister.
Second, the Canadian voters did not respond to Stephen Harper's attempts to use Islamophobia to divert from the real issues that impact every day lives. How does a woman wearing a niqab have any impact on the economy, environment, freedom of press and freedom for academic research? This was a win for moderation and intelligence... Values not only confined to the west.
First, Jacques Chirac was the president of France. Jean Chretien was the Canadian prime minister.
Second, the Canadian voters did not respond to Stephen Harper's attempts to use Islamophobia to divert from the real issues that impact every day lives. How does a woman wearing a niqab have any impact on the economy, environment, freedom of press and freedom for academic research? This was a win for moderation and intelligence... Values not only confined to the west.
2
In this part of the World its the NDP who should be looking at their belly buttons.
Jack Layton gave them a beach head through Quebec. They did not expand from it.
Jack Layton gave them a beach head through Quebec. They did not expand from it.
hey canada - you get what you deserve
1
Thanks...we're pretty happy about it too!
27
True and we wanted a change. This coming from a conservative who was tired of the autocratic rule of Harper. Change is good for every democracy and hopefully the Conservatives will come back with a new, better leader. Justin Trudeau I hope you govern with a more open government than the outgoing one.
3
As a Canadian liviing in British Columbia it took a lot of thought before I voted Liberal. The old Trudeau was not very well liked on the West Coast but it was time for a change for our country. Harper forgot his roots and became too dictatorial and I just was tired of the party.
I am looking forward to the Liberal promise of not buying the F35's and putting that money into ships for the Royal Canadian Navy as they are desperately needed. I am a little worried where the money is going to come from for all the election promises but still am looking forward to a bit of change for the country. I hope the Conservatives will elect a more moderate leader and be ready for the next election.
I am looking forward to the Liberal promise of not buying the F35's and putting that money into ships for the Royal Canadian Navy as they are desperately needed. I am a little worried where the money is going to come from for all the election promises but still am looking forward to a bit of change for the country. I hope the Conservatives will elect a more moderate leader and be ready for the next election.
89
If nothing else, you are rid of the hate-baiting. That is worth an awful lot.
1
Winner: CANADA and the World!!!!
22
Take away Citizens United and the noxious influence of Adelson and the Koch brothers, and this could be us!
37
How is it that an election going as the polls predicted is considered a surprise? Trudaeu and the Liberals were the odds-on favorite.
7
Surprise because the liberal vote could have split between the NDP and Liberals, giving the Conservatives a majority...parliamentary process.
4
One of the stupidest things that the Harper regime did was to unilaterally sever tie with Iran merely to please Israel.
19
Congratulations Canada. This is the liberal welcoming generous Canada we knew in the 1980's. Canada welcomed Immigrants by the thousands. We will always be grateful to the country we love. Harper was an awful human being, a racist, a neocon and evrything non Canadian. Thanks god he is gone.
34
Incidentally, Mr. Justin Trudeau, who led a principled passionate campaign, enlightened self-interest and respectful of everyone’s dignity, has just been officially declared the next Prime Minister of a strong majority government.
I am now confident Canada will regain its deeply-rooted democracy and its place in the world. The Trudeau Cabinet has its work cut out to build the greatest caring nation on socioeconomic development, social innovation and justice, civil rights, the environment, federal-provincial relations and trade, all domains adversely affected by the outgoing Prime Minister Harper’s Cabinet.
On the world stage, the country’s new leadership will spare no effort to reverse Stephen Harper’s past wrongs by playing an active role on climate change, starting from the COP21 in Paris, building strategic allies, addressing global complex issues, both at home and on the world stage.
I can’t wait to witness Canada regaining its long-standing traditional voice in international peace-making and conflict resolution, which suffered a nine-year hiatus.
I am also confident Mr. Trudeau will run an open and transparent government.
I am now confident Canada will regain its deeply-rooted democracy and its place in the world. The Trudeau Cabinet has its work cut out to build the greatest caring nation on socioeconomic development, social innovation and justice, civil rights, the environment, federal-provincial relations and trade, all domains adversely affected by the outgoing Prime Minister Harper’s Cabinet.
On the world stage, the country’s new leadership will spare no effort to reverse Stephen Harper’s past wrongs by playing an active role on climate change, starting from the COP21 in Paris, building strategic allies, addressing global complex issues, both at home and on the world stage.
I can’t wait to witness Canada regaining its long-standing traditional voice in international peace-making and conflict resolution, which suffered a nine-year hiatus.
I am also confident Mr. Trudeau will run an open and transparent government.
31
Good Riddance to Mr. Harper and his cabal.
35
Now, if only U. S. voters could regain their sanity, and rid us of the Tea Party!
7
Bonjour world,
We dull kings of steady quiet diplomacy will be rejoining the global community as full partners. Canada will be getting back to being Canada momentarily.
Peace !
We dull kings of steady quiet diplomacy will be rejoining the global community as full partners. Canada will be getting back to being Canada momentarily.
Peace !
35
Val in Brooklyn, NY to M. Baker in Montreal. Bonjour to you Canadians!
As you probably know, we said almost the same thing the first time Obama was elected! I bid you peace!
Partha Neogy in CA. I agree & Go Bernie!
Jon in NM. Agreed, a zillion %.
John Q. Esquire in Northern CA. I'm one of "the vast majority" of whom you speak. Until just recently, w/ a report in the NYT of Canada's right-wing leaning gov--now changed--my impression of Canada's been that of a better country. Peaceful, decent healthcare, etc. (The only flaw being crazy cold winters. I hate cold weather). That's something I need and want to change. Some of the comments from Canadians are quite enlightening.
David Ticoll of Toronto. I'm just an NYT reader in Brooklyn, but, I certainly don't see your country as a "quaint anomaly."
Nancy in Vancouver. I'll take your country's "boring" politics over our spicier, i.e., corrupt politics, any day of the week!
To all of my Canadian neighbors up there, wish us the same luck with our elections, next year--we'll need it!!
Forgive the lack of accent marks, but, hopefully you'll understand:
Felicitations Canada!
Submitted 10-20-15@12:43 a.m. EST
As you probably know, we said almost the same thing the first time Obama was elected! I bid you peace!
Partha Neogy in CA. I agree & Go Bernie!
Jon in NM. Agreed, a zillion %.
John Q. Esquire in Northern CA. I'm one of "the vast majority" of whom you speak. Until just recently, w/ a report in the NYT of Canada's right-wing leaning gov--now changed--my impression of Canada's been that of a better country. Peaceful, decent healthcare, etc. (The only flaw being crazy cold winters. I hate cold weather). That's something I need and want to change. Some of the comments from Canadians are quite enlightening.
David Ticoll of Toronto. I'm just an NYT reader in Brooklyn, but, I certainly don't see your country as a "quaint anomaly."
Nancy in Vancouver. I'll take your country's "boring" politics over our spicier, i.e., corrupt politics, any day of the week!
To all of my Canadian neighbors up there, wish us the same luck with our elections, next year--we'll need it!!
Forgive the lack of accent marks, but, hopefully you'll understand:
Felicitations Canada!
Submitted 10-20-15@12:43 a.m. EST
3
Incidentally, Mr. Justin Trudeau, who led a principled passionate campaign, enlightened self-interest and respectful of everyone’s dignity, has just been officially declared the next Prime Minister of a strong majority government.
I am now confident Canada will regain its deeply-rooted democracy and its place in the world. The Trudeau Cabinet has its work cut out to build the greatest caring nation on socioeconomic development, social innovation and justice, civil rights, the environment, federal-provincial relations and trade, all domains adversely affected by the outgoing Prime Minister Harper’s Cabinet.
On the world stage, the country’s new leadership will spare no effort to reverse Stephen Harper’s past wrongs by playing an active role on climate change, starting from the COP21 in Paris, building strategic allies, addressing global complex issues, both at home and on the world stage.
I can’t wait to witness Canada regaining its long-standing traditional voice in international peace-making and conflict resolution, which suffered a nine-year hiatus.
Judging from the caliber of advisors and elected MPs, I am also confident Mr. Trudeau and his ministers will run an open and transparent government.
I am now confident Canada will regain its deeply-rooted democracy and its place in the world. The Trudeau Cabinet has its work cut out to build the greatest caring nation on socioeconomic development, social innovation and justice, civil rights, the environment, federal-provincial relations and trade, all domains adversely affected by the outgoing Prime Minister Harper’s Cabinet.
On the world stage, the country’s new leadership will spare no effort to reverse Stephen Harper’s past wrongs by playing an active role on climate change, starting from the COP21 in Paris, building strategic allies, addressing global complex issues, both at home and on the world stage.
I can’t wait to witness Canada regaining its long-standing traditional voice in international peace-making and conflict resolution, which suffered a nine-year hiatus.
Judging from the caliber of advisors and elected MPs, I am also confident Mr. Trudeau and his ministers will run an open and transparent government.
305
And just how is our young Justin going to pay for all of this, with the price of oil so low? Or has our trust-fund/pro-snowboarder/bouncer not thought that far yet?
Canada can’t be worse! Mr. Stephen Harper castigated Mr. Justin Trudeau as “reckless” on spending, notwithstanding six consecutive deficits under his watch. But, economists from think tanks (CD Howe), financial institutions and academia consider Trudeau’s modest-deficit plan imperative to reverse the uninterrupted 5-year deterioration of economic growth and 7-year decline in employment rate, particularly in permanent jobs which sank to the lowest point in 25 years.
Paradoxically, Mr. Harper's greatest deficit is $25B in health and environmental degradation, the worst performance on per-capita basis when compared to our main trading partners, including Japan and China! By lowering the carbon footprint’s urgency in Federal priorities for 8 years, Canada accumulated such a gruesome deficit of “promissory note” on climate change, payable mostly by future generations.
On diplomacy, bilateral relations with the U.S., Mexico, Brazil and China nosedived and are painfully felt not only by flagship firms like Bombardier, Desjardins, banks, engineering and consulting giants but also countless small businesses with incalculable adverse consequences. On governance, Mr. Harper has gravely endangered the progress of the Canadian Federation by doing away with First-Ministers’ Conferences since 2009, an unprecedented hiatus in socioeconomic consensus-building, not experienced since 1941 due to WWII.
A Trudeau-led government would be much smarter in creating economic opportunities.
Paradoxically, Mr. Harper's greatest deficit is $25B in health and environmental degradation, the worst performance on per-capita basis when compared to our main trading partners, including Japan and China! By lowering the carbon footprint’s urgency in Federal priorities for 8 years, Canada accumulated such a gruesome deficit of “promissory note” on climate change, payable mostly by future generations.
On diplomacy, bilateral relations with the U.S., Mexico, Brazil and China nosedived and are painfully felt not only by flagship firms like Bombardier, Desjardins, banks, engineering and consulting giants but also countless small businesses with incalculable adverse consequences. On governance, Mr. Harper has gravely endangered the progress of the Canadian Federation by doing away with First-Ministers’ Conferences since 2009, an unprecedented hiatus in socioeconomic consensus-building, not experienced since 1941 due to WWII.
A Trudeau-led government would be much smarter in creating economic opportunities.
2
I am very disappointed in the election results. Justin Trudeau has no relevant qualifications or experience to be Prime Minister of Canada. For any US citizens interested in his background, please take a moment to read his biography. There is no work experience, education or training that is applicable to the job.
What Mr. Trudeau has promised Canadians is a long list of government spending initiatives, and more deficits. He campaigned on running deficits to stimulate growth. Canadians seem to feel this is the way to go.
What Mr. Trudeau has promised Canadians is a long list of government spending initiatives, and more deficits. He campaigned on running deficits to stimulate growth. Canadians seem to feel this is the way to go.
42
It is the way to go.
5
Strangely enough, "no relevant qualifications or experience" seems to be what many US conservatives now consider the primary qualification to be a Republican candidate...take Donald Trump..puh-lease!
I personally am fairly certain the best qualification for office is to carry through with the wishes of the electorate. Trudeau seems pretty well qualified to me, but not being Canadian, I didn't get to vote in their election. You can be certain I'll vote here and it won't be for the toupee-wearing windbag.
I personally am fairly certain the best qualification for office is to carry through with the wishes of the electorate. Trudeau seems pretty well qualified to me, but not being Canadian, I didn't get to vote in their election. You can be certain I'll vote here and it won't be for the toupee-wearing windbag.
6
Very few politicians are properly qualified. Western societies don't take choosing politicians seriously. Anyone can present themselves if connected. Then the solution to getting better people is to force wannabe politicians to go through the same evaluations that civil servants have to pass. Extensive exams, math exams, history exams, exams on finance, art history, then personality evaluations. There are so many people qualified people for these positions, but there is no proper evaluation.
Now that Canada is regaining a semblance of sanity, are there any of you Canucks willing to sponsor an old man (68 going on 69) and his child bride (55) for permanent alien residency. Financially solvent. She's an advanced practice nurse (Family Nurse Practitioner). He's (I'm) healthier than anyone would have predicted two or three or four decades ago. Certainly more so than I deserve to be. Severe cold sensitivity (Reynaud's Syndrome) on my part, so geographically limited to Vancouver/Victoria,B.C. for health reasons. RSVP ASAP.
19
Uh, Glen? The Canadians sell citizenship. Look it up.
Congratulations to our polite and sensible neighbors to the north. It's a relief to see you slip back into your role of providing a stable contrast to our volatile ways. Bernie, take heart.
442
How stark does the contrast have to get for US Americans to notice?
2
the liberal party is far more in step with clinton's politics than bernie's.
Volatile? Looks more like backwards and ignorant to me.
1
Oh lets not be so nice America. We know the soft lumbar agreement has come to an end and Justin is not so enoumered with the f-35 fighter aircraft contracts.
More interested in the Navy oddly enough for a Montrealer.
The fun is just starting.
More interested in the Navy oddly enough for a Montrealer.
The fun is just starting.
2
For the Conservative it was time to leave........for the Liberals it was time to show once more what they can do.......for the NDP it was time to disappear.....
I am proud and happy to be a Canadian !
I am proud and happy to be a Canadian !
92
An NDP Government would have been a much better choice.
I recall watching Justin Trudeau giving the eulogy at his father's funeral and commentator wondering if we were not going to be hearing more from this young man in the future http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/2000-justin-trudeau-delivers-eulogy-for...
10
Sorry-- meant to type January 20,2017.
1
I'm very happy for Canada. I must say, reading all the comments about how awful Harper has been for the near decade he's been in charge has made me appreciate our two-term limit on the executive here in the U.S. At least, no matter how grim things seem on the afternoon of Inauguration Day, you can console yourself that it'll all have to change in 7 years and 364 days. I pray I'm not thinking that come January 17, 2017. Bernie, Hillary, don't let me down!
19
I moved to Canada 12 years ago, of which nearly 10 were under the shadow of the Harper government that never won more than 40% of the vote.
I'm not a huge fan of the Liberals, but I've never been more pleased with the outcome of any election I've ever voted in. Good job, Canada!!!
I'm not a huge fan of the Liberals, but I've never been more pleased with the outcome of any election I've ever voted in. Good job, Canada!!!
34
That oil pipeline to Texas just got even stickier!
10
I live in Toronto (despite my screen name saying Boston). Trudeau's win was no surprise at all. Almost every poll predicted his win. What was surprising was that he won a majority. That was not expected. I'm pretty shocked to read a piece by a NYT writer who wasn't at all in touch with what all the newspapers were saying in Canada.
11
Harper, another neocon who overstayed his welcome.
Congratulations Canada!
Congratulations Canada!
42
It is sad this will bring no joy to America. It will just arouse the wickedness in this country. America is terrified of Canada's new leader. He seems not as eager to kill.
10
There's no need to be afraid of Justin, I assure you! He's just very silly.
It brings joy to me!
1
Only a surprise if you have not paid the least attention to what was happening..
11
Justin and Hillary will be on the same page. Excellent outcome.
8
Maybe he'll help her 'evolve' on cannabis policy.
4
Glad to be able to say Prime Minister Trudeau again, but I also can't help but wonder if I would be saying Prime Minister Layton, were he still alive.
10
Mark,
The media would have pilloried Layton if he were still alive. Mulcair simply spoke the truth, a cardinal sin in politics. Justin is not his father and this is not 1965 when Pierre Trudeau ran as one of the three wise men. Job One was getting Harper out. I have lost an excellent NDP member of parliament but here in Quebec things happen too quickly for us old geezers and maybe a vin ordinaire Prime Minister is what we need right now.
The media would have pilloried Layton if he were still alive. Mulcair simply spoke the truth, a cardinal sin in politics. Justin is not his father and this is not 1965 when Pierre Trudeau ran as one of the three wise men. Job One was getting Harper out. I have lost an excellent NDP member of parliament but here in Quebec things happen too quickly for us old geezers and maybe a vin ordinaire Prime Minister is what we need right now.
1
Hooray for the Liberal Party in Canada!
I hope liberals and progressives in the USA get out to vote next year too! Voter turn-out is critical in 2016...
I hope liberals and progressives in the USA get out to vote next year too! Voter turn-out is critical in 2016...
49
Voter commitment is the crucial factor in 2016.
Viva Canada!!!!!Harper is gone.
33
Today Trudeau, tomorrow Sanders.
Go Bernie, go!
Go Bernie, go!
47
Nice to see Canada move away from the hard right. A similar leader to Stephen Harper, the Australian Tony Abbott was removed by his own party a little over 5 weeks ago.
Both Canada and Australia will at least have Prime Ministers who are progressive and believe in the science of climate change/global warming. How long until the US Republican Party joins the rest of the civilised world in calling for greater cuts to carbon emissions?
Both Canada and Australia will at least have Prime Ministers who are progressive and believe in the science of climate change/global warming. How long until the US Republican Party joins the rest of the civilised world in calling for greater cuts to carbon emissions?
115
Dear Barry,
I wish Canada had the economic leeway of Australia...
Why is it so hard to get the economic responsibility as well as social justice and empathy in the same party and leader!! Argh!
I wish Canada had the economic leeway of Australia...
Why is it so hard to get the economic responsibility as well as social justice and empathy in the same party and leader!! Argh!
1
The United States' polluting emissions are lower now than ever before... but it wouldn't be low enough for liberals at any measuring point. We will eventually have to live in Igloos during the winter, and tents in the summer to satisfy them. Notice how China is never demonized for polllution so thick that it rests on one's head like haloes with citizens all wearing face masks?
Darn! Just when Harper had completely crushed the thought of moving to Canada to escape the right-wing weirdos here in the U.S.
19
As I write this it appears the Liberals will have at least 185 seats - a comfortable majority government. The obvious question is what will they do with it, and can they avoid the perils of a "comfortable" party -- the inability to pull together that the US Democrats exhibited in Obama's first two years, when they held the house and the senate too.
11
Lee,
I don't know what kind of legislation you envision other than Paul Krugman's economic policies which was the liberal's economic platform. The big decisions will await what happens in November 2016 the programs most American Progressive desire are not under Federal control. Monetary and fiscal policy and foreign affairs are in the federal bailiwick and the USA elections will inform us how far away from the US we have to move. Even things like universal healthcare which Americans think of as very Canadian was a Saskatchewan thing before to came to Canada. I am a social democrat but the Liberal's anti-austerity platform left me ambivalent. Our right wing party and our left wing party were both deficit hawks and only the liberals promised spending and deficits. I am anxious to see a country as rich as Canada take on Global finance and I wish Justin well.
I don't know what kind of legislation you envision other than Paul Krugman's economic policies which was the liberal's economic platform. The big decisions will await what happens in November 2016 the programs most American Progressive desire are not under Federal control. Monetary and fiscal policy and foreign affairs are in the federal bailiwick and the USA elections will inform us how far away from the US we have to move. Even things like universal healthcare which Americans think of as very Canadian was a Saskatchewan thing before to came to Canada. I am a social democrat but the Liberal's anti-austerity platform left me ambivalent. Our right wing party and our left wing party were both deficit hawks and only the liberals promised spending and deficits. I am anxious to see a country as rich as Canada take on Global finance and I wish Justin well.
1
Party whips have a lot of clout to keep rebels in line.
Today, Trudeau in Canada. Next: Corbyn in the UK.
Then the trifecta:
BERNIE IN '16
Then the trifecta:
BERNIE IN '16
41
Except the UK just had an election, so it would be more like. Next: Bernie in 2016. Corbyn in 2020.
1
Trudeau is more like the Hillary of Canada than the Bernie.
4
Try Prdudent Rubio in 2016. Sad, but quite possible.
.
.
I'd like to know what the Governor-General thinks of all this.
Also, how beautiful will the new PM's children be when they grow up?
.
I'd like to know what the Governor-General thinks of all this.
Also, how beautiful will the new PM's children be when they grow up?
2
Speaking as an alumnus of McGill University at the same time that the prime minister-elect Justin Trudeau was a student and at the same time the current Governor-General David Johnston was Principal of that same university, I would assume that he is elated. I can't imagine that another McGill graduate, Thomas Mulcair, is all that elated, but I hope that he leads the Loyal Opposition. He is a good man. It's certainly great to see the end of Harper and his cronies. Not soon enough!
1
So freedom and democracy might finally be returning to our friend and neighbour to the north? From your mouths to God's ears!
16
We are not past the Ontarian western border yet. Still have Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia to count yet.
What burns me is the Green Leader, Elizabeth May, showed up with the wrong identification at her polling booth.
The Canadian Green Party was not going to win but would have made a lot of people think beyond their own little worlds.
Evidently, someone introduced Elizabeth to a free bar she could not get away from.
Shame, a lot of kids believed in her.
What burns me is the Green Leader, Elizabeth May, showed up with the wrong identification at her polling booth.
The Canadian Green Party was not going to win but would have made a lot of people think beyond their own little worlds.
Evidently, someone introduced Elizabeth to a free bar she could not get away from.
Shame, a lot of kids believed in her.
1
Look out world, Canada is back!
28
As an American living in Alberta, watching the majority government of Justin Trudeau ride the wave into power could not come soon enough! The whole country is outraged and embarrassed about the environmental policies, muzzling of scientists, ignoring of grave issues for aboriginals, and being tone deaf to the voices of the people of Canada that Harper has displayed. This is a vote to re-enter the community of the rest of the world to solve the problems of today! What a huge relief the country is feeling!
63
Félicitations, Mr. (Prime Minister) Trudeau! And to all Canadians.
Now the work of overcoming the Harper debacle begins.
Now the work of overcoming the Harper debacle begins.
37
I explained to my kids I voted with my head, not with my heart
I therefore voted for Harper
Seeing as I'm writing on a USA media, I feel I must provide some explanation: we are taxed to the max up here. As an example: you have no federal tax, ours is 5%. I'll start and stop there regarding our expenses, and debt.
There is no more room for additional deficit. I saw Harper as a "necessary evil" (doesn't sound as harsh when said in its original french expression). Basically, he's here to clean up the massive debt Justin Trudeau' father, Pierre, left us with: massive government and expensive programs we can't afford.
I'm a bleeding heart as much as the next guy. I want to vote with my heart. But it's not the time for that.
I'm pro-choice, for gay marriage and believe in medicare for all. I love our 50 week maternity leave, even though as a small business owner it is very difficult to manage.
I want these values to remain for many generations. I don't want to profit of them at the risk that future generations may not.
Here's an analogy: I don't eat top of the food chain fish, even canned tuna, because it tastes so good, and want my grandchildren to also taste delicious, fatty, blue fin tuna.
I'm afraid that Trudeau, with all his good intentions, may be putting that at risk. Specifically because of his good intentions.
I therefore voted for Harper
Seeing as I'm writing on a USA media, I feel I must provide some explanation: we are taxed to the max up here. As an example: you have no federal tax, ours is 5%. I'll start and stop there regarding our expenses, and debt.
There is no more room for additional deficit. I saw Harper as a "necessary evil" (doesn't sound as harsh when said in its original french expression). Basically, he's here to clean up the massive debt Justin Trudeau' father, Pierre, left us with: massive government and expensive programs we can't afford.
I'm a bleeding heart as much as the next guy. I want to vote with my heart. But it's not the time for that.
I'm pro-choice, for gay marriage and believe in medicare for all. I love our 50 week maternity leave, even though as a small business owner it is very difficult to manage.
I want these values to remain for many generations. I don't want to profit of them at the risk that future generations may not.
Here's an analogy: I don't eat top of the food chain fish, even canned tuna, because it tastes so good, and want my grandchildren to also taste delicious, fatty, blue fin tuna.
I'm afraid that Trudeau, with all his good intentions, may be putting that at risk. Specifically because of his good intentions.
43
Interesting comments since Pierre Trudeau was prime minister in the 1970's and died in 2000. If Canada is still dealing with problems from 40 years ago, neither Harper nor Justin Trudeau would be able to do much.
15
I understand your concerns Francois, and there is a history of conservative measures (not during the Great Depression, of course) stabilizing economies during tough times. However, there are few Republicans in this country (Murrica!) that can accept your position on social issues, let alone your support for ensuing citizens' financial well-being. Perhaps the "crazies" in America prevented the responsible conservatives from winning in Canada?
1
Replying to my own comment as I'd like to answer replyers
Pierre Trudeau started the non-sustainable programs decades ago, as did most occidental leaders at the time. He wasn't an anomaly, to his credit. Not demonizing the person either, I actually a fan of of Trudeau father's vision of the country
Just wish there'd be a better way to monitor government spending. Seems like those are always the worst hangovers
As for protecting the social programs of the country: that's the beauty of our Parliament and mutli-party system, and my favourite (booyah Canadian spelling) government of all: a minority government; i.e. the sum of elected officials not part of the ruling party is more than the sum of the ruling party
These governments tend to get the least amount of (partisan) bills past... and end up doing just what government should do: nothing fancy, nothing expensive, just run the country while being considerate and polite to other elected officials
My biggest wish would be that minority governments can't just call a new election on a whim, and that they have to govern a minimum of 4 years. Now that would be some seriously civilised governing
Pierre Trudeau started the non-sustainable programs decades ago, as did most occidental leaders at the time. He wasn't an anomaly, to his credit. Not demonizing the person either, I actually a fan of of Trudeau father's vision of the country
Just wish there'd be a better way to monitor government spending. Seems like those are always the worst hangovers
As for protecting the social programs of the country: that's the beauty of our Parliament and mutli-party system, and my favourite (booyah Canadian spelling) government of all: a minority government; i.e. the sum of elected officials not part of the ruling party is more than the sum of the ruling party
These governments tend to get the least amount of (partisan) bills past... and end up doing just what government should do: nothing fancy, nothing expensive, just run the country while being considerate and polite to other elected officials
My biggest wish would be that minority governments can't just call a new election on a whim, and that they have to govern a minimum of 4 years. Now that would be some seriously civilised governing
3
Hope this foreshadows what will happen next year in America.
Tired of scorched earth Conservatism.
Tired of scorched earth Conservatism.
49
So will Tony Turner, author of "Harperman", get the last laugh?
2
Real Change Now kind of sounds like Hope and Change. I hope it turns out better for you than it did for us.
4
Unlike the U.S., Canada has a parliamentary form of government where you only vote for one local candidate to be a member of parliament with the majority party then forming a government with a prime minister. Clearly, Canada, like the U.S., has tired of ultra-conservative politics with their regressive anti-environmental, anti-immigrant stances. Let's hope this sentiment is a predictor for those of us south of the border as well. We need to embrace the future rather than to retreat into the failures of the past with more tax cuts for the rich, anti-immigrant xenophobia, and "heads-in-the-tar-sands" climate change denial that will add humans to the endangered species list.
10
We need to embrace common sense, and not adopt more pie in the sky political "solutions" from liberals and Progressives. America would do much better with most liberals muzzled or put out of their misery.
1
Here we go again. When it comes to defending human rights and global security, Canada hiding behind America's skirts.
1
Congratulations Canada!
While the rest of the Western World moves toward a more inclusive, prosperous, and understanding planet, conservatives in this country hold onto archaic and destructive ideologies.
For instance there was a time when fiscal conservative meant, being fiscally conservative; raise taxes, cut spending. The new Rupert Murdoch, FOX News, Tea Party, radical Republicans want to cut taxes and spending. Both options provide the government with less revenue.
Granted less public works, social aide programs seem like they save money for the government, however,when you reduce the populations' spending, you reduce the size of the economy and thus taxes. It's simple math.
While the rest of the Western World moves toward a more inclusive, prosperous, and understanding planet, conservatives in this country hold onto archaic and destructive ideologies.
For instance there was a time when fiscal conservative meant, being fiscally conservative; raise taxes, cut spending. The new Rupert Murdoch, FOX News, Tea Party, radical Republicans want to cut taxes and spending. Both options provide the government with less revenue.
Granted less public works, social aide programs seem like they save money for the government, however,when you reduce the populations' spending, you reduce the size of the economy and thus taxes. It's simple math.
7
Good riddance to George W. Bush of the North!
26
So glad. Canada is back in first place as my go-to country should the repulsive repubs win. Although, I'm hoping Hillary gets elected and we return to decency ourselves. Hooray for Canada!
14
Welcome back, Liberals. We sure missed you.
15
I hope this means that Canada will end its hypocrisy and open the doors of its vast empty spaces to millions of refugees from the Middle East and Latin America.
5
Yeah, it'll be interesting to see if all the left-wing promises will come into play, including as you mentioned making Canada less xenophobic in terms of public policy. Trudeau mentioned the First Nation peoples, lets see if he will forget roughly 5% of the Canadian population as every prime minister has before him. They live in ghettos and have virtually no representation in government. I don't know what's worse, being a First Nation/Aboriginal individual in Canada or a Muslim in Canada.
The GOPers are now going to have to start to think about building a fence not only down South with Mexico, they have to want a fence up North. Look, the Liberal Party has swept into power. Knocked out the Conservative party up there. And the GOPers could be facing them now, ready to invade the US with their Liberal agenda.
GOPers, watch out. They're everywhere, darn Liberals.
GOPers, watch out. They're everywhere, darn Liberals.
7
Sadly, there were GOP leaders who were suggesting a wall between Canada and the US before the election.
It is a good day for Canada. A very good day for the humanity of its poor, its elderly, its sick, its Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, and yes, Muslim.
6
That's a bit optimistic considering Canada's policies towards the First Nation people and foreigners in general have not been what you hoped it would be under every other prime minister. Let's see if Trudeau sets a new tone. I'm not holding my breath, but I would love to see Canada take in more refugees and stop alienating immigrants with their xenophobia.
I'm certain my Canadian friends are happy with this development. Harper was about as stale as month-old bread at this point.
In a lesson that might be worth paying attention to south of the border with election coming up in 2016, Trudeau came out unambiguously in favor of legalization of cannabis two years ago. It doesn't seemed to have damaged him or the Liberal Party.
Why should it? Legalization has been a majoritarian position in both Canada and the US for several years now. It's a simple political calculation. Want to win a general election? Support what the people demand. Legalize it.
In a lesson that might be worth paying attention to south of the border with election coming up in 2016, Trudeau came out unambiguously in favor of legalization of cannabis two years ago. It doesn't seemed to have damaged him or the Liberal Party.
Why should it? Legalization has been a majoritarian position in both Canada and the US for several years now. It's a simple political calculation. Want to win a general election? Support what the people demand. Legalize it.
4
With just over 10% of polls reporting, the Liberal Party is just ten (whoops now just four, double-oops, now just two) seats away from a full parliamentary majority. Say "hello" to the new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Sayonara Stephen Harper. Canadians have clearly rejected Harper's divisive campaign of manufactured divisiveness, environmental trashing, gratuitous truculence in foreign policy, and so forth.
Canadians have opted for civility and sanity in their governance, rightfully reclaiming their place as thoughtful exemplars of sober public policy-making. They seem to feel that their decade-long flirtation with the toxicity of Tea Party-ism has failed them and abused their long-standing political tradition.
Here, South of the 49th parallel, let us take good note.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
This just in (no pun intended)! A Liberal majority has been captured and now promises to be an unexpected super-majority.
Canadians have opted for civility and sanity in their governance, rightfully reclaiming their place as thoughtful exemplars of sober public policy-making. They seem to feel that their decade-long flirtation with the toxicity of Tea Party-ism has failed them and abused their long-standing political tradition.
Here, South of the 49th parallel, let us take good note.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
This just in (no pun intended)! A Liberal majority has been captured and now promises to be an unexpected super-majority.
10
It's 4:30 am in my part of Europe and as I unexpectedly woke up, the first thing I did was reach for my iPad to learn about Canada's election, I am so excited for Canada! Now back to sleep...
10
Harper gone. No flowers.
4
Maybe there is hope for us too.
58
Not after you read this:
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/democrats-are-in-denial-their-part...
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/democrats-are-in-denial-their-part...
One can hope!
You have the golden candidate and the golden message that I wish we had. I am so glad to be rid of Mr. Harper and his gruesome crew, but if I could have voted for Bernie Sanders I would be a happy woman.
We elected the latest incarnation of an old party that had fallen on hard times for a decade. We hope they don't carry on as before, but there is no guarantee.
You have the option of something brand new. May you make the best of it.
We elected the latest incarnation of an old party that had fallen on hard times for a decade. We hope they don't carry on as before, but there is no guarantee.
You have the option of something brand new. May you make the best of it.
3
So can the Canadians now stop harping on Americans for having political dynasties?
That said, it's interesting that so many in Quebec not only voted by Harper, but also for Mulcair. You'd think Trudeau would be the natural fit for so many separatists who aren't voting Bloc Quebecois.
That said, it's interesting that so many in Quebec not only voted by Harper, but also for Mulcair. You'd think Trudeau would be the natural fit for so many separatists who aren't voting Bloc Quebecois.
2
Great news!!
Mexico's Pena-Nieto is now the only remaining right-wing ideologue that needs to go - and he's deeply unpopular right now.
The right-wing may feel loud and shrill, but this region in general has shifted leftward in a big way; and that seems like it will continue.
Mexico's Pena-Nieto is now the only remaining right-wing ideologue that needs to go - and he's deeply unpopular right now.
The right-wing may feel loud and shrill, but this region in general has shifted leftward in a big way; and that seems like it will continue.
8
12
Trudeaumania, loud and clear.
Justin promised during the campaigns to be a bigtime tax and spend liberal who is not afraid of running up huge budget deficits.
The last time a guy promised change, people in this country were shortchanged.
Justin is promising REAL change. Hope it does not turn out to be REAL SHORT CHANGE.
Congrats, anyway, Justin.
Justin promised during the campaigns to be a bigtime tax and spend liberal who is not afraid of running up huge budget deficits.
The last time a guy promised change, people in this country were shortchanged.
Justin is promising REAL change. Hope it does not turn out to be REAL SHORT CHANGE.
Congrats, anyway, Justin.
This might presage a Sanders upset here in the US. People are finally waking up all over the world.
What upset, the Liberals have been building strength in the polls for weeks! Get your facts straight NYT!
4
Lighten up, even the Canadian press had no idea what was going to happen, right up until about 2 hours ago.
2
The way the US media forced their description of the current Canadian election into an US-style two-party contest is funny. I guess they can't count higher than two.
11
There's a number bigger than two?
Time to say goodbye to Harper... Smells too much like a Canadian version of a Republican although on the scale of US politics he may be a bit left of mainline Democrats in the US ... but apples and oranges ... Canadian provinces have more power than states in the US and are generally far more left on the social policy scale.
5
John Oliver clearly made a difference!
7
Hmm...not sure....what about the party prank (i.e. being pushed down a flight of stairs)...pretty bizarre but John Oliver did cover the campaign in an amazing way...please don't throw him in jail!
I have been following this election very closely, after having followed our political scene closely for years.
I just now had to look up who John Oliver is. I vaguely recognize his face.
I don't believe that he had any influence whatsoever on the Canadian election results. How much influence did George Carlin have in any of yours?
I just now had to look up who John Oliver is. I vaguely recognize his face.
I don't believe that he had any influence whatsoever on the Canadian election results. How much influence did George Carlin have in any of yours?
Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.
Canadians are a better people and more civil society than Stephen Harper, our soon to be former PM. He has tried to do to us what the Tea Party is doing and has done to the US. We have had enough. We did not like what we saw as losing our place in the world and sterling reputation. He is an embarrassment, not in the way of Rob Ford, but for the loss of decency, manipulation, lies and corruption that he represents, along with the erosion of our Parliamentary system with his usurption of power to the PM's office.
Canadians are a better people and more civil society than Stephen Harper, our soon to be former PM. He has tried to do to us what the Tea Party is doing and has done to the US. We have had enough. We did not like what we saw as losing our place in the world and sterling reputation. He is an embarrassment, not in the way of Rob Ford, but for the loss of decency, manipulation, lies and corruption that he represents, along with the erosion of our Parliamentary system with his usurption of power to the PM's office.
916
Stephen Harper ééé Corruption manipulation?
I think Trudeau is even worse. Notice how Mulcair was leading until Trudeau promised a reinvestment in CBC - Radio-Canada... That is weird but since that time the coverage changed... He got in the spotlight ... Medias shared that to get Harper out, it is better not to divide the votes... Stressing how liberal star was rising and NPD's one fading...
Liberal technique was to BUY media's in promising the investment after the cut's Harper made in media's. It is perhaps not corruption, manipulation as you said... It is certainly shady!
I think Trudeau is even worse. Notice how Mulcair was leading until Trudeau promised a reinvestment in CBC - Radio-Canada... That is weird but since that time the coverage changed... He got in the spotlight ... Medias shared that to get Harper out, it is better not to divide the votes... Stressing how liberal star was rising and NPD's one fading...
Liberal technique was to BUY media's in promising the investment after the cut's Harper made in media's. It is perhaps not corruption, manipulation as you said... It is certainly shady!
Congratulations! Wish us luck...
1
Thank you, Judy, for your clear, concise and comprehensive appraisal of the Canadian 'spring'.
Thank heavens Harper is gone. Good for Canadians, of which I am one.
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My Toronto-born wife heartily agrees.
1
Looks like big oil lost a Government huh?
20
Not so much. Unfortunately, like most governments the world over big money has big influence.
I am hoping that Canadians will hold the new government's feet to the fire. We expect something better and voted for it.
However..... folks get lazy and tired and in reality life is easy compared to those who have real problems.
I am hoping that Canadians will hold the new government's feet to the fire. We expect something better and voted for it.
However..... folks get lazy and tired and in reality life is easy compared to those who have real problems.
1
That's, "Big oil lost a Government, eh?"
2
Margaret, good on you for getting the idiom right!
1
Let this be a lesson to the old line American conservatives! Your time will come.
20
Because of the proposed DRASTIC tax increases by the Liberal/NDP parties, my sister says she is "holding her nose and voting for the Conservative." If Harper's party wins the majority, it will be a result of failure to appeal to the middle by the Liberals.
1
A very big "if."
There were no drastic tax increases proposed by any party. If your sister is concerned she must be very rich. All parties proposed tax decreases for the middle class.
What photo finish? All polls have had Liberals ahead. As we speak, in the only poll that counts, the Liberals are taking Atlantic Canada in a clean sweep.
When people are sick of the status quo, they vote strategically. There is no vote splitting. The NDP swept the Conservative dynasty out the door here in Alberta, because their leader, Rachel Notley was a savvy, honest, and believable politician, and all of her opponents were not. Her leftist leanings were not even an issue.
We are all sick of Steven Harper and we will vote in a Liberal majority. That's my prediction based on 32 ridings out of 305.
When people are sick of the status quo, they vote strategically. There is no vote splitting. The NDP swept the Conservative dynasty out the door here in Alberta, because their leader, Rachel Notley was a savvy, honest, and believable politician, and all of her opponents were not. Her leftist leanings were not even an issue.
We are all sick of Steven Harper and we will vote in a Liberal majority. That's my prediction based on 32 ridings out of 305.
31
The Harper Party has been wiped out in returns from Atlantic Canada. Harper will be seeking refugee status with the Tea Party. Take in this one refugee, please.
47
Doug, I understand there is a need for a House Speaker and Harper certainly should be considered, if a Fascist like Churchill could get honorary citizenship surely Harper should get consideration when he so fills the job description.
2
Sorry Doug. We already have Trump and Carson. You have to keep SH.
5
Thanks, but we have too many as it is!
How can the US adopt these super short election cycles Canada has? I can not believe I have to listen to and look at some of the "candidates" propped up for the White House for two entirely miserable years.
183
American campaigns are long and tedious, but a campaign lasting only a few weeks would have given us President Trump, so be careful what you wish for.
2
"How can the US adopt these super short election cycles"....They would be a lot shorter if we didn't have primaries. Remember, the real election doesn't even start until after the party conventions in August.
1
Short? This was the longest election in over a hundred years. I don't know how you do it, my American friends.
2
It's nice that the Liberals and the NDP parties are splitting the weird progressive/liberal vote in Canada. It means Harper and the Conservatives will flow back into office smoothly.
Go NDP!
Go NDP!
4
Not so much. People voted strategically to ensure Harper would be gone. Period.
3
Why is it that the average reader of the Times likely knows less about Canada -- especially its politics and issues -- than about Germany or Iraq? Could it have something to do with the fact that the Times gives substantially less coverage to Canada -- especially its politics and issues -- than about Germany or Iraq?
Contrary to popular opinion, Canada is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of America Inc. Nor are its people and culture merely American Lite.
For those who would like a somewhat esoteric way to spot one of the differences, compare the grain elevators of Saskatchewan to those on the American prairies and plains.
Contrary to popular opinion, Canada is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of America Inc. Nor are its people and culture merely American Lite.
For those who would like a somewhat esoteric way to spot one of the differences, compare the grain elevators of Saskatchewan to those on the American prairies and plains.
21
I think this election pretty much confirmed your comments. Whether some Americans understand that, ultimately, it really does not matter. They have more than enough of their share of serious issues to deal with especially a very divided country that shows no signs whatsoever of abating.
Let's not forget that in the US a candidate is elected president based on electoral college votes and not the popular vote. Just ask Al Gore how that worked out for him. Don't ask him about the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision to hand the election to George Bush...that would really ruin his day!
20
Our Prime Minister is not elected by popular vote. Each party elects a leader among themselves. The party that wins the most ridings in a first past the post scenario wins the most seats in Parliament and the leader becomes the Prime Minister. It doesn't work very well when there are more than two parties.
Mr. Harper has been in power for close to ten years and his party has never won more than 40% of the popular vote.
Mr. Harper has been in power for close to ten years and his party has never won more than 40% of the popular vote.
1
Until recently Canada's right was America's left. And our left …. well let's just say you'd be reconvening the McCarthy Inquisition. But then - about a decade ago - along came this mannikin in a wig with a constipated look. He knocked the 'progressive' off the progressive conservative moniker and they became just conservatives. They moved so far right they made your Tea Party look like ... well like a tea party - crumpets and all. But they couldn't sell that to Canadians suckled on the public teat, so they donned a bit of lipstick and passed themselves off as the Lord-lovin' righteous right (you know - like your GOP). But like your GOP, it was pretty much do as I say and not as I do. And like your GOP, they and those who paid paid their way were dead set against any regulation of business, industry or the environment. In fact they were just about to de-regulate our banks, when your unfettered, artificially fattened banks went into meltdown mode. It made our guys look like they knew what they were doing, and so our skittish voters extended their turn at the trough. But when little piggies become big piggies and can't stop engorging themselves, somethings gotta give. We had one huge porker explode in public view. It wasn't pretty and those in charge got a lot of do-do on their white shoes. Bottom line: ordinary folk up North now think it's time to take the whole passel of hogs off to market. And that's what the whole thing is about, see?
38
Laughing out loud at your history lesson. Thanks.
1
Need to correct some commenters here. The left is not split in Canada. The right is split because the Tories and Liberals are the same people. They split the right-centre vote. The Liberal Party of Canada has changed much in the last 30 years.
Tories and Liberals are cheerleaders for the globalist agenda, share the same corporate donors and media friends, employ the same tactics to divide the electorate (Tories along social lines; Liberals along regional lines); and both attempt to distract voters with their class warfare on taxes.
The NDP can draw MPs from every corner of the country and are the only realistic alternative available to the Governor-General, should he need one, to form a pan-Canadian plurality.
Tories and Liberals are cheerleaders for the globalist agenda, share the same corporate donors and media friends, employ the same tactics to divide the electorate (Tories along social lines; Liberals along regional lines); and both attempt to distract voters with their class warfare on taxes.
The NDP can draw MPs from every corner of the country and are the only realistic alternative available to the Governor-General, should he need one, to form a pan-Canadian plurality.
8
Nice try, MFR. You fail to understand that the NDP is splitting Liberal voters and supporting Conservatives throughout Canada. Have you EVER talked to an NDP voter who would vote for a Conservative otherwise?
No you haven't.
No you haven't.
5
I beg to disagree. The current version of the Conservative Party under Harper is much more right than the Liberal Party...so I actually would state that the left is more split between the NDP, LIberals and the Green Party. Perhaps the Tories and Liberals were more similar years ago but certainly not for the past 15 years.
12
What I find amazing is how young the candidates are. Trudeau is only 43 and the grizzled veteran Steven Harper is 56. Contrast that to America where Hillary and Trump are 67 and Sanders and Biden are 74. I don't know if younger people have younger ideas, but somehow the crop of candidates the US has this year are a generation older than their Canadian counterparts.
7
The problem in the U.S. is the primary process and the outrageous funds required to run. With this in mind and in recent years, because of the process, generally the same OLDER names keep re-emerging election after election. Ultimately, outside of Bernie Sanders who has been a longtime member, yet politically Independent, it is just aging recycled candidates because they or their families are really the only ones that can continue to raise the money.
11
As someone who has lived and worked in Canada (and currently in Winnipeg), the Harper regime is the worse environmental administration in decades, gutting science agencies and environmental protection through budget cuts and outright fraud. Government scientists were (and are) specifically forbidden to speak out and have no first amendment rights. Sorry, I admired Canada until Harper got elected but he transformed it into Bush Cheney on steroids and I no longer have much respect for the country's inhabitants who could elect such a person.
173
Remember: sixty per cent of us didn't vote for the Harpies.
22
I guess we won back your respect in repudiating Harper tonight.
1
judy, it appears Canada finally woke up. Congratulations.
One thing I do not understand about Canada is how it is possible for two parties on the left to split the vote and allow the one party on the right to win complete control of the government with only 35% of the vote? A simple democratic solution would be to require at least 50% of the vote in order to win a riding - that if no one gets 50% the top two would face each other in a run off election. The U.S. system is equally dumb because we allow (actually pay for) party primaries. We should instead have a single open primary with all the candidates competing against each other and the top two facing off in the fall general election.
7
Well, that just happens to be the case when one has more than two parties and Canada is not the only country with this type of multi-party system. As with a few other countries in the world, proportionate representation in government is now being considered more and more as an option which will give even those not with the most votes more of a say in government.
I look at it a little more positively than you do in that unlike the U.S., Canada, at least has some political/ideological options to consider and even when not in power they still can have some say in what eventually happens. FYI, back in the sixties Tommy Douglas, Kiefer Sutherlands grandfather, was an important individual in the eventual implementation of universal healthcare in Canada and the party of which he was a member, that was the forerunner to the current NDP, have to date never attained power at the federal level.
I look at it a little more positively than you do in that unlike the U.S., Canada, at least has some political/ideological options to consider and even when not in power they still can have some say in what eventually happens. FYI, back in the sixties Tommy Douglas, Kiefer Sutherlands grandfather, was an important individual in the eventual implementation of universal healthcare in Canada and the party of which he was a member, that was the forerunner to the current NDP, have to date never attained power at the federal level.
3
What's interesting this time is that young people are not sitting on the fence but are voting. Voting is 'cool' and they are methodically going about their fight to 'heave Steve'. At my favourite downtown coffee shop this morning I asked the room filled with mostly twenty somethings if everybody had voted and they all - some 30 or so - said yes. There was the same spirit during the last municipal election when everybody downtown decided to vote strategically to get rid of the Fords.
If Harper squeaks through there could be pitchforks on Parliament Hill. I could be carrying one myself.
If Harper squeaks through there could be pitchforks on Parliament Hill. I could be carrying one myself.
18
As a dual national who has lived in Canada for over three decades, ran a business and raised a family here, I still find Canadian politics incomprehensible. On the other hand, what the US political system has become is no longer any better. But at least one has a choice of individuals -- up here one seems to have a choice as to which party, but hard to tell if the electorate has anything real to say about directions and priorities. Canada can be a pretty decent place to live, with the healthcare system. But it just looks like the US -- the longer I am here the more conscious I become of the differences. After the election I hope for a change, and wish for improvements. But I expect neither.
29
What Americans fail to see is the trees vs. the forest. I recall a right wing commentator write that one should always vote for the party. Meaning, Republican in his case, but I think the advice is sound for the left.
Already we have Bernie-ites (I am one) saying that if he doesn't get the nomination, they won't vote. (I am NOT one.) It's as if just in our lifetimes history hasn't shown such a purist attitude a give away to the other side.
So many of our political ads are of the "he/she did, he/she did not" nitpicking at the scabs that all humans eventually have. And the American lemmings just fall into line and believe those are the reasons to vote for or against an individual.
In the meantime, the forest is ignored and the election gets lost.
Already we have Bernie-ites (I am one) saying that if he doesn't get the nomination, they won't vote. (I am NOT one.) It's as if just in our lifetimes history hasn't shown such a purist attitude a give away to the other side.
So many of our political ads are of the "he/she did, he/she did not" nitpicking at the scabs that all humans eventually have. And the American lemmings just fall into line and believe those are the reasons to vote for or against an individual.
In the meantime, the forest is ignored and the election gets lost.
Ontario represents 40% of Canada's voters. Imagine the U.S. having one large state with a population of 120 million people and the largest single economy within the U.S. - California, Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois as one state.
The government in Ontario is a Liberal majority. The Ontario plan is to grow by leveraging $130 Billion transportation infrastructure investment "over 10 years" and deficit spending until 2017, after which balanced budgets are expected.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) is Canada's social democratic party: Bernie Sanders would be welcomed in the NDP.
Tom Mulcair is Leader of the NDP and a former province of Quebec Liberal Party Minister - 8 years ago. The NDP campaign focused on attacking the Conservative government, leaving wide berth to the Liberals to cultivate NDP votes on the Left while attacking the Conservatives on the Right.
To defend against Conservative rebuttals, NDP strategist took a high-gain risk and promoted a Right-wing "balanced budget" approach. Voters on the Left were confused and hurt. The NDP, polling high at the get-go, suffered as Leftist voters realigned voting intentions away from NDP toward the Centrists Liberals - now espousing Leftist policies.
Justin Trudeau, Liberal leader and likely Prime Minister after the votes are counted tonight, spoofed existing Ontario Liberal government policy book and focused on the need to replace the tired Conservative government by asking NDP supporters to vote Liberal.
The government in Ontario is a Liberal majority. The Ontario plan is to grow by leveraging $130 Billion transportation infrastructure investment "over 10 years" and deficit spending until 2017, after which balanced budgets are expected.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) is Canada's social democratic party: Bernie Sanders would be welcomed in the NDP.
Tom Mulcair is Leader of the NDP and a former province of Quebec Liberal Party Minister - 8 years ago. The NDP campaign focused on attacking the Conservative government, leaving wide berth to the Liberals to cultivate NDP votes on the Left while attacking the Conservatives on the Right.
To defend against Conservative rebuttals, NDP strategist took a high-gain risk and promoted a Right-wing "balanced budget" approach. Voters on the Left were confused and hurt. The NDP, polling high at the get-go, suffered as Leftist voters realigned voting intentions away from NDP toward the Centrists Liberals - now espousing Leftist policies.
Justin Trudeau, Liberal leader and likely Prime Minister after the votes are counted tonight, spoofed existing Ontario Liberal government policy book and focused on the need to replace the tired Conservative government by asking NDP supporters to vote Liberal.
18
This election is a fight for the soul of democratic Canada.
If Harper wins, democratic Canada dies.
Just like if any G.O.P. candidate wins in November 2016, the U.S. dies.
If Harper wins, democratic Canada dies.
Just like if any G.O.P. candidate wins in November 2016, the U.S. dies.
280
What a shameful indictment of democratic Canada. If its that easily killed there can be much depth to it.
4
We're on life support as it is.
2
In Victoria, BC thankfully, I do not have to be concerned that voting for the Green Party will "waste" my vote and give Harper another disastrous term. The too close to call race here is between the Green Party (which lost to the NDP by only 2% in the last election) and the NDP. The Liberals would have been a distant third but is not even possible to vote for their candidate in Victoria as she was removed from race after controversial statements she made on social media about Muslims and Israelis became public and the deadline for nominations had passed. The Green Party has strong support here because they are the only party to oppose all current pipeline projects that plan to ship raw bitumen out of Canada. As a Vancouver Island resident protecting our cherished coastline and marine habitat is one of the most important issues we face.
41
By inference, my American friends should be able to answer this question:
What nation is, by far, America's largest trading partner?
What nation is, by far, America's largest trading partner?
9
And more specifically, what country is the largest source of US petroleum imports?
6
And hey, even more specifically, thus. Avoiding the horrible pollution caused by marine shipments of petroleum crude and products.??
If Canadians hope that their country will, at long last, get serious about playing a part in the fight against climate change, then they must throw Harper out.
142
Absolutely. His stubbornness in even trying to alleviate climate change is aided and abetted by Canada's two largest newspaper chains — both operated by the same Harper bagman.
59
A great shame that so many democracies have gone so far to the right. The name Trudeau brings positive memories of someone who gave Canada stature in the community of nations.
238
A majority of Canadians have come to that conclusion since Harper began soiling our reputation and Canadians traveling abroad started noticing a certain chilliness when before its was warm greetings and smiles.
20
Howie Lisnoff - "A great shame that so many democracies have gone so far to the right."
Perhaps they have gone to the right because they realize that going left is just wrong, for the country and for its people.
Perhaps they have gone to the right because they realize that going left is just wrong, for the country and for its people.
1
And look at the result of political movement to the right: endless wars... environmental destruction... tremendous income inequality.
11
As a Canadian living in the US, the one message above all, regardless of who wins, is that the interminable, hyper-costly US election process is absurd. The 11 week campaign, the longest in Canadian history, was sufficient to allow 5 debates, in 2 different languages, with the 3 major party leaders (plus the Green and Bloc Quebecois in some). The important issues were debated in sufficient detail for any interested voter to come away with a solid sense of where the parties and their leaders stood. No circuses like the Republican "debates", which would likely be bad even without Trump.
The bottom line is that Harper has never been able to appeal to much more than 1/3 of Canadians; even when he got a majority in 2011, it was with less than 40%. He stayed in power for 9 years because the opposition was divided. This time, the 2/3 (actually more like 70%) who can't abide Harper were determined to show him the door. Originally it looked like they would coalesce behind the NDP. At the end, they decided that the Liberals, a known quantity vs the NDP, which has never governed nationally were the safer choice, particularly with such a familiar name at the top. That probably bodes well for Hillary...
The bottom line is that Harper has never been able to appeal to much more than 1/3 of Canadians; even when he got a majority in 2011, it was with less than 40%. He stayed in power for 9 years because the opposition was divided. This time, the 2/3 (actually more like 70%) who can't abide Harper were determined to show him the door. Originally it looked like they would coalesce behind the NDP. At the end, they decided that the Liberals, a known quantity vs the NDP, which has never governed nationally were the safer choice, particularly with such a familiar name at the top. That probably bodes well for Hillary...
99
Ah, but there is a major difference. In the U.S. we choose our candidates through a primary election process, whereas in Canada the voter has no choice concerning who will run. If you consider that our primary process doesn't end and the real election process doesn't begin until next summer, the differences are not so great. But I agree, all in all that the present U.S. election process is absurd.
4
I am not sure that primaries have been a good thing for governance in the US. Overall, it's not clear the caliber of those elected has improved since the days when the party leaders chose candidates. The fear of primary challenges has certainly contributed to the dysfunction in Congress. Better, perhaps, to have more parties, as Canada, and have them choose their leaders and if they choose poorly suffer the consequences.
2
I am afraid your idea of the primary process and its advantages, is to say the least, questionable. At the Presidential level in particular, because of the longevity of the process and the enormous sums of money required, it then becomes almost a survival of the fittest, not necessarily the best candidate for the job, hence, election after election the same old recycled candidates re-emerge. New potential candidates do not run because unless they can raise the enormous sums of money just to get in to the game, they do not bother.
2
As a Canadian who immigrated legally and has lived in the US for 30 years, I always figured I would return and retire there someday. My son went to university in Ottawa. Last year when I visited him I saw my first burka...in fact four, trailing behind a man in shorts. My son lived in what he called 'Little Somalia', which was evidenced by black clad veiled women in shopping centers. He said they had given up on grilling because their propane had been stolen so often. In the winter I returned to Vancouver, which was as expensive in Manhattan. In the area I lived in, virtually all signs were in Chinese and there was an argument underway about whether they had to be in English as well. Every house I'd ever lived in had been plowed down and replaced by shoddily built condos, or houses stood empty, bought by offshore investors. I don't like Harper, but above all you need controlled immigration and a program of integration. My relatives settled Canada and parts of the US. Generations broke land and worked hard, what about our rights? Vancouver is now a satellite of China and as wealthy foreigners drive up prices, homelessness and drug addiction among First Nations and Canadians are endemic. I don't agree with Harper on much, but unfettered immigration and immigrants who continue to insist on wearing Niqabs and clustering neighborhoods that do not adopt Canadian values will and have ruined the country. Watch Germany and see what happens.
321
Well said Bravo.
5
I, for one, am quite glad you left.
52
The comments on "drug addiction among First Nations" and "unfettered immigration" are dead giveaways to a narrow, dare I say un-Canadian, mentality. Harper's Conservatives refuse to investigate, or even mention, the crisis epidemic of missing, stolen, and/or murdered aboriginal (First Nations) women and they (Harper's gang) foments anti-immigrant hatred when the real problem with immigration is not the influx of hard-working workers from poorer countries, but the city-destroying influx of oligarchs bringing in their filthy wealth.
Worse is the talk of how their relatives settled Canada ... meaning, they colonized the territory and wiped out any rights for the original people that lived here. At least here in Canada now, some indigenous communities are insistently taking back what was theirs all along.
Worse is the talk of how their relatives settled Canada ... meaning, they colonized the territory and wiped out any rights for the original people that lived here. At least here in Canada now, some indigenous communities are insistently taking back what was theirs all along.
148
I have to say that I like what Harper promises in 2015 (most importantly - income tax splitting, but other things as well) a lot more than what he did up to this point.
In some sense, two previous elections were flukes, as Liberal party had genuinely unpopular leaders since Paul Martin. I'm glad I dragged myself to Liberal convention in 2012 and endured the vote for the rules that let Trudeau become a leader.
However, I have to say I like the current Conservative platform better. If only Harper didn't decide earlier on that Canada should be just another petro-economy - the outcome might have been different.
In some sense, two previous elections were flukes, as Liberal party had genuinely unpopular leaders since Paul Martin. I'm glad I dragged myself to Liberal convention in 2012 and endured the vote for the rules that let Trudeau become a leader.
However, I have to say I like the current Conservative platform better. If only Harper didn't decide earlier on that Canada should be just another petro-economy - the outcome might have been different.
1
I expect the Canadians will teach Steven Harper a lesson ..... big time. It appears that Harper has sold Canadian values to the highest bidder (those who can raise the most campaign funds for his re-election). Whether selling Canadian natural resources to the Chinese or UN votes to the Israelis he has not represented the will of the Canadian people.
102
You're wrong on one point, at least: His support of Israel, and fight against ISIS & Hamas/Hezbollah is one of the things that Canadians should be MOST proud of.
1
As an expat Canuck who is immensely proud of many of my birth country's accomplishments, from national healthcare to being far ahead of the US on Gay Marriage, I do have to express profound dismay that there is no ranked choice or instant runoff system in place. This has allowed Stephen Harper, a far-right reactionary who would be very at home in the clown car GOP race, to continually form governments with South of 40% of the vote, as the Liberals and NDP fracture up the progressive vote.
This is one way the US gets it right. By having a party that can absorb all from corporatist Clinton Dems to Democratic Socialists, the Democratic party has giving itself a fighting chance in national elections, gerrymandering and ALEC and Koch $ notwithstanding.
Of course, Canada could simply and sensibly just allow IVR or ranked choice, and no longer would the country I grew up in have a government which represented less than 40% of the public, something that will happen this time, no matter who wins.
This is one way the US gets it right. By having a party that can absorb all from corporatist Clinton Dems to Democratic Socialists, the Democratic party has giving itself a fighting chance in national elections, gerrymandering and ALEC and Koch $ notwithstanding.
Of course, Canada could simply and sensibly just allow IVR or ranked choice, and no longer would the country I grew up in have a government which represented less than 40% of the public, something that will happen this time, no matter who wins.
224
In some elections at the municipal level in Canada, next time around, ranked choice elections are coming and I would expect, eventually move up the ladder in to Provincial and ultimately Federal elections.
4
Ranked elections are in the Liberal and NDP platforms.
8
mikeyz - "...a far-right reactionary who would be very at home in the clown car GOP race,"
As an expat Canuck who is immensely proud of many of your birth country's accomplishments why do you find it right to insult a large number of Americans who may back the GOP?
As an expat Canuck who is immensely proud of many of your birth country's accomplishments why do you find it right to insult a large number of Americans who may back the GOP?
1
While Harper’s capital L libertarian views have never been exactly secret, it’s still jarring that in many major public policy issues he has marched lock-step with the American right. He has effectively gutted Canada’s environmental laws. Ditto for campaign finance laws. He has introduced wedge issues, demonized Muslims, expressed public disdain for the Supreme Court of Canada, most especially when it has ruled against his policies, blacklisted charities and NGOs, made clear his contempt for science and empirical evidence, politicized the public service and silenced government scientists. His tough on crime agenda is heavy on ideology and sparse in evidence. We, too, have a war on terror ceaselessly exploited to stoke fear and an “us versus them” mentality. Never mind that the risk of terror attacks in Canada is almost non-existent – there have been, so far in 2015, two terror-related deaths in Canada. Even then there continues to be dispute about the attacks carried out as they were by unhinged loners. Up until Harper became PM there had never been any issue in Canada of electoral fraud. A non-issue so effectively exploited and milked by the American right naturally also had Harper jumping on that train. But there is a delicious irony to this. Harper’s former right-hand man, Dean Del Mastro, a man oozing with sleaze, was convicted and jailed for violating election laws – a first in Canada. I can’t wait to see the last of this neo-con.
756
PS,
Harper is not a Libertarian he is a social conservative and believes in economic control by the wealthy and powerful. For want of a better word he is a 20th century Fascist except for his coming of political age in what was then anti-Catholic Southern Alberta. Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman would have hated Stephen Harper. I call Harper a Colorado Springs Conservative.
Harper is not a Libertarian he is a social conservative and believes in economic control by the wealthy and powerful. For want of a better word he is a 20th century Fascist except for his coming of political age in what was then anti-Catholic Southern Alberta. Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman would have hated Stephen Harper. I call Harper a Colorado Springs Conservative.
127
Excellent summary for the U.S. readers. I am off to vote right now - either one of the opposition candidates would be a wonderful change. The highly experienced and intelligent (but lackluster campaigner) Mulcair will lose in part because he admirably stood by the ruling of the courts on the issue of the niqab - knowing that this wedge issue would hurt him most in Quebec. It will be heartening indeed if Trudeau's idealistic and positive campaign wins over the cynical, destructive political tactics of the Harper government.
106
Well said, many of my concerns exactly! Regretfully, as a long-term tax-paying immigrant who has only recently applied for citizenship (due to changes by Harper's bill C-51), I will not be able to act on my concerns; at least not until the next election (unless this post is read by someone who makes the decisions and does not want one more centrist casting votes).
7
From an American perspective, my main takeaway from this election is that while the U.S. shares a 5,525 mi. border with Canada, and it is probably the closest country to us both culturally and economically, the vast majority of Americans most likely have absolutely no clue who Stephen Harper is, what his politics are, or that Canada is lead by a "Prime Minister," and how such a person is chosen. The leader of Canada could literally be the reincarnation of Ghengis Khan and few here would notice, the populace is that ignorant and ill-informed. No wonder the Tea Party has done as well as it has.
1024
No slight here, but try to understand that if one wants to know what is going on in other countries, especially a close and important neighbor like Canada, use the internet and check the Canadian dailies. Frankly, unless it something or someone controversial like the former sleaze mayor of Toronto, Rob Ford, the American media has no interest, hence, if I want to really know what is going on throughout the world without the sensationalism and controversy, the media in the U.S. is the LAST place I look for information.
7
I get that feeling as well. We love to visit your country but are always surprised to find that very few people we talk to know very much about us. That's OK, we are small and compared to your over the top politics, ours are very boring.
However, I have written to the NYT's twice in the last few months. Even the NYT's didn't know that our political leader's title is Prime Minister. The NYT's referred to that office as 'Premier of Canada'.
However, I have written to the NYT's twice in the last few months. Even the NYT's didn't know that our political leader's title is Prime Minister. The NYT's referred to that office as 'Premier of Canada'.
70
If not for the fact that my youngest sister moved to the GTA 20+ years ago, became a Canadian citizen and had four kids, I probably would not follow the news about Canada either. For that matter, I wonder how many people know who Peter Mansbridge is.
1
I love Green Party of Canada Good Luck to all
6
Cliffhanger? Can the polls really be THAT wrong, or is this just more standard media junk that the NYT is so fond of imitating these days? As of the last poll, it was 39 Libs to 30 Cons, with an 80% chance of a Liberal plurality in Parliament.
16
I hope the polls are correct but I'm sure the NYT is cautious because of what happened in the UK. The polls there said it would be close and Cameron ran away with it unfortunately.
2
The last polls in our Provincial elections in Alberta, Quebec and Ontario were that wrong!!! They were worse than wrong they were obsolete in a country where line line phone only serve an older demographic. Montreal is a very large college town where only seniors get polled and what are perceived as fringe parties win constituency and what is perceived as a contender for government is relegated to fringe party status.
Canada s very much a country of middle class people with middle class values and a middle class education. If you need a phone it travels with you and land line phones where people are polled are on the fringe of main stream Canada.
Our media needs polls in order to sell product and that product is simple high fructose corn syrup rather than nutrition.
http://o.canada.com/technology/personal-tech/1-in-5-canadian-homes-only-...
Canada s very much a country of middle class people with middle class values and a middle class education. If you need a phone it travels with you and land line phones where people are polled are on the fringe of main stream Canada.
Our media needs polls in order to sell product and that product is simple high fructose corn syrup rather than nutrition.
http://o.canada.com/technology/personal-tech/1-in-5-canadian-homes-only-...
7
It's a shame that the NYT seems to treat Canada as if it is some sort of quaint snowbound anomaly, only slightly easier to understand than the hills of Mars.
Contrary to the interpretation of this article (and its previous iteration over the weekend, *every* pollster and observer now says that the Liberals are clearly in the lead, and likely to obtain significantly more seats than the other parties. The only thing in doubt is whether that number of seats will translate into a majority in the House of Commons or a significant minority government position.
The Liberals' current share of the popular polls is around 37%+, which is close to what got the Conservatives a majority last time.
This article's description of the issues in this election is painfully superficial, as well.
I suspect that your Canadian readership is at least as large as it is in, say, France, Germany, maybe even the UK. Yet your coverage of these countries is far superior. Reminds me of the time a US call centre operator in Virginia asked me what the weather is like in Canada...
Contrary to the interpretation of this article (and its previous iteration over the weekend, *every* pollster and observer now says that the Liberals are clearly in the lead, and likely to obtain significantly more seats than the other parties. The only thing in doubt is whether that number of seats will translate into a majority in the House of Commons or a significant minority government position.
The Liberals' current share of the popular polls is around 37%+, which is close to what got the Conservatives a majority last time.
This article's description of the issues in this election is painfully superficial, as well.
I suspect that your Canadian readership is at least as large as it is in, say, France, Germany, maybe even the UK. Yet your coverage of these countries is far superior. Reminds me of the time a US call centre operator in Virginia asked me what the weather is like in Canada...
569
DC:
Ian Austen, I believe is a transplanted Canadian or at least a writer who claims to be an expert on Canadian issues. The issue is as he now writes for a U.S. publication and is appealing primarily to an American audience and the mindset that goes along with it, parochialism starts to take over in his columns. Frankly, nowadays, I spend exactly one millionth of a second, if that, worrying about what Americans think of Canada.
Ian Austen, I believe is a transplanted Canadian or at least a writer who claims to be an expert on Canadian issues. The issue is as he now writes for a U.S. publication and is appealing primarily to an American audience and the mindset that goes along with it, parochialism starts to take over in his columns. Frankly, nowadays, I spend exactly one millionth of a second, if that, worrying about what Americans think of Canada.
5
David,
Sadly the polls are likely to skew the results because of the anyone but Harper sentiments but the polls are likely to reflect only the Liberal and Conservative voters. While Liberals and Conservative voters are likely to have both land lines and cells younger voters have only cells.
http://o.canada.com/technology/personal-tech/1-in-5-canadian-homes-only-...
Sadly the polls are likely to skew the results because of the anyone but Harper sentiments but the polls are likely to reflect only the Liberal and Conservative voters. While Liberals and Conservative voters are likely to have both land lines and cells younger voters have only cells.
http://o.canada.com/technology/personal-tech/1-in-5-canadian-homes-only-...
3
I think that U.S. news and opinion coverage of Canada and Canadians is sufficient in comparison to Germany, UK, France, etc. Canada and Canadians are not easily understood by Canadians let alone Americans.
To quote Winston Churhill, with a twist, "the province of Quebec can be described as a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."
The enigma is Canada. The mystery is how Canadian voters are easily mislead by politicians.
Consequently, Canadians tend to remove a government rather than vote for a government.
If, as I suggest, Canadians have challenges voting for a government, how do you expect our American friends to understand Canada or Canadians?
To quote Winston Churhill, with a twist, "the province of Quebec can be described as a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."
The enigma is Canada. The mystery is how Canadian voters are easily mislead by politicians.
Consequently, Canadians tend to remove a government rather than vote for a government.
If, as I suggest, Canadians have challenges voting for a government, how do you expect our American friends to understand Canada or Canadians?
1
Hope they get rid of the embarrassment called Harper. Canada deserves better.
267
A question for the Canadians here: For several years, I've been hearing Canadians agonizing over how Stephen Harper has betrayed his nation's tradition of tolerance and decency, and brought right-wing US style politics to Canada.
As a U.S. citizen, I've sympathized: from a distance, Harper looks an awful lot like a Tea Partier to me (especially nowadays, fanning up cultural hatreds and hanging out with the Fords.) But now I'm hearing voices arguing that "there's no difference between the Liberals and Harper."
Can that be? Why wouldn't NDP voters in many ridings vote tactically to get rid of Harper first, stop Canada's move to the right, and *then* worry about differences with the Liberals on trade, civil liberties, and other issues?
I'm just asking. I don't know the nuances of Canadian politics. But it seems like a left voter would prioritize voting out Harper, rather than taking the chance that he might hold on again, due to a split opposition combined with "shy Tories" who weren't showing up in the polls.
As a U.S. citizen, I've sympathized: from a distance, Harper looks an awful lot like a Tea Partier to me (especially nowadays, fanning up cultural hatreds and hanging out with the Fords.) But now I'm hearing voices arguing that "there's no difference between the Liberals and Harper."
Can that be? Why wouldn't NDP voters in many ridings vote tactically to get rid of Harper first, stop Canada's move to the right, and *then* worry about differences with the Liberals on trade, civil liberties, and other issues?
I'm just asking. I don't know the nuances of Canadian politics. But it seems like a left voter would prioritize voting out Harper, rather than taking the chance that he might hold on again, due to a split opposition combined with "shy Tories" who weren't showing up in the polls.
196
There has been a lot of talk of "strategic voting" and a number of organized attempts to encourage people to vote for the local candidate with the best chance of beating the Conservative.
http://www.votetogether.ca/
http://www.votetogether.ca/
4
Many voters are planning to vote on a "strategic" basis - that is, for whichever candidate (NDP or Liberal or whatever) has the best chance of beating a Conservative candidate. However, many NDP members have a great distrust of the Liberal Party, stemming to some extent from scandals under past Liberal governments (eg. the sponsorship scandal under Chretien's and Martin's governments) and a general perception among many NDP members that Liberal governments aren't much different from those of the Conservatives, which was often true in the past.
Ian Austen didn't explain properly in his column that Canada's electoral system is exactly the same as that of the UK and that someone running for election in one of the ridings (constituencies) can win with just a plurality of the vote, not a majority. In that regard, our first-past-the-post elections for each constituency are no different from what they are in most of the US for your House of Reps. The main difference from the US government system is that whoever becomes Prime Minister after an election is a member of the House of Commons - same as in the UK, where there is also an overlap between the executive and legislative branches of government- whereas your executive branch is separate from the legislative branch.
Ian Austen didn't explain properly in his column that Canada's electoral system is exactly the same as that of the UK and that someone running for election in one of the ridings (constituencies) can win with just a plurality of the vote, not a majority. In that regard, our first-past-the-post elections for each constituency are no different from what they are in most of the US for your House of Reps. The main difference from the US government system is that whoever becomes Prime Minister after an election is a member of the House of Commons - same as in the UK, where there is also an overlap between the executive and legislative branches of government- whereas your executive branch is separate from the legislative branch.
7
Bill, To answer your question it depends largely on aspects of policy. Both believe to a larger extent in trade liberalization.
Where they differ significantly in my opinion is on social issues and foreign policy. The later, I believe to play the most significant role in this election. Specifically around the language parties use on issues surrounding climate change, security and terrorism and the UN. Some of these issues have a direct tie back to specific domestic policies, for example climate change and the development of the oil sands in Alberta. The Liberals have a long tradition of being very committed to multilateralism and cooperating with the U.N. and favouring these types of engagements over engagements those that are at odds with the U.N.. Examples are the Kyoto accord, the war in Afghanistan etc. The Liberals have been skillfull at diplomacy and have, in the past invested much in that area. The predecessors to the current Conservative Party of Canada, the Progessive Conservatives were very invested in diplomacy. However, the current CPC (Harper) puts little stock in multilateralism and prefers bilateralism and usurping the U.N. They are also security hawks. Its my opinion that has been too much of a departure from the traditional way in which Canadians see themselves in the mirror.. My two cents.. We will certainly see tonight
Where they differ significantly in my opinion is on social issues and foreign policy. The later, I believe to play the most significant role in this election. Specifically around the language parties use on issues surrounding climate change, security and terrorism and the UN. Some of these issues have a direct tie back to specific domestic policies, for example climate change and the development of the oil sands in Alberta. The Liberals have a long tradition of being very committed to multilateralism and cooperating with the U.N. and favouring these types of engagements over engagements those that are at odds with the U.N.. Examples are the Kyoto accord, the war in Afghanistan etc. The Liberals have been skillfull at diplomacy and have, in the past invested much in that area. The predecessors to the current Conservative Party of Canada, the Progessive Conservatives were very invested in diplomacy. However, the current CPC (Harper) puts little stock in multilateralism and prefers bilateralism and usurping the U.N. They are also security hawks. Its my opinion that has been too much of a departure from the traditional way in which Canadians see themselves in the mirror.. My two cents.. We will certainly see tonight
11
In regard to comments comparing the Canadian leaders to debate to the Republican goon show, let us of the frozen north not feel too superior just because Harper's vindictiveness is less overt (and, perhaps, therefore, more dangerous) than the likes of Trump or our little Canadian brother, Ted Cruz. At one of the debates, which happened to be on the 15th anniversary of Pierre Elliot Trudeau's death, his son Justin was moved to defend the innuendoes that Conservatives and the NDP too, had oozed out during the campaign against Pierre Elliot Trudeau.
18
Norman,
I grew up in Pierre Trudeau's riding, there was hardly anyone in our riding with a background similar to that PET. We were struggling immigrants or children of immigrants and today more of us live in Toronto than Montreal. Tom Mulcair represents the riding Pierre Trudeau grew up in. Pierre Trudeau would never have gotten the Liberal nomination in Outremont.
Justin Trudeau represents a riding of largely immigrant working class families although I suspect very few Jews. l like the Canada Justin grew up in much more than Pierre's Canada but I suspect that if it wasn't for the class divide of Pierre's youth very few of my cohort would have left Montreal.
PET's Prime Ministership was great for Toronto but too many of us lost our community both those who stayed and those that left. My cohort are all diminished by the departure of so many of Montreal's best and brightest. Pierre Trudeau may have been a great Prime Minister but the loss we who directly voted for him endured still scars everyone of us.
I grew up in Pierre Trudeau's riding, there was hardly anyone in our riding with a background similar to that PET. We were struggling immigrants or children of immigrants and today more of us live in Toronto than Montreal. Tom Mulcair represents the riding Pierre Trudeau grew up in. Pierre Trudeau would never have gotten the Liberal nomination in Outremont.
Justin Trudeau represents a riding of largely immigrant working class families although I suspect very few Jews. l like the Canada Justin grew up in much more than Pierre's Canada but I suspect that if it wasn't for the class divide of Pierre's youth very few of my cohort would have left Montreal.
PET's Prime Ministership was great for Toronto but too many of us lost our community both those who stayed and those that left. My cohort are all diminished by the departure of so many of Montreal's best and brightest. Pierre Trudeau may have been a great Prime Minister but the loss we who directly voted for him endured still scars everyone of us.
3
Not being Canadian, and not having followed this campaign, I did read a couple months ago that P.M. Harper said that Canada would not be recognizable when he was finished (paraphrasing). I don't know if that is what Canadians want.
8
No it isn't. Mr. Harper has gutted environmental regulations, gutted scientific research, put all bets on oil revenue to the detriment of exploration of a post-oil economy, shut down parliament twice when it looked like he would be faced with a non-confidence vote (which would trigger an election), introduced what is known as omnibus bills that included hundreds of pieces of legislation and were almost incomprehensible, passed legislation that has Canadians incensed about basic freedoms, used cynical divide and conquer racial and fear mongering tactics over such ridiculous things as clothing, cut back on tax inspectors that rooted out tax fraud, and waged a tax war on charities with an environmental or social mandate. Among many others.
No we didn't want any of this.
No we didn't want any of this.
18
We don't, which explains why the Liberals are leading in the polls. Can't wait until the ballots are counted tonight. :)
25
A Liberal Party scandal put Harper (an evangelical Christian) into office in a minority position. In our three-party system, he was able to fashion a majority goverment in a subsequent election with about 39% of the votes. He then proceeded to attempt an unmandated makeover of this liberal-minded country, legislating only on behalf of his 30% core support. The other 9% have come to their senses, so he's done.
36
The Canadian televised debates held principally amongst the 3 party leaders mentioned, and one that included the Green Party candidate Elizabeth May, all remarkable for the issues raised in a respectful manner among the candidates: the economy, foreign policy roles, immigration, environment, rebuilding infrastructures -- many issues, perhaps excluding discussion of health care (funding and state of health care quite neglected) all contested in respectful manners. The first Canadian televised debate was held the same evening as the first Republican candidates debate; the contrast in level of discussion made my head spin. No matter who wins the Canadian election this evening, the country will not be 'shocked'. But perhaps, it really is time for a change...
26
Unlike the U.S., in Canada, there is and always has been at least some form of political/ ideological option to choose from. That is why so many Americans are still having trouble dealing with a Bernie Sanders type since he obviously represents an option as a viable Presidential candidate in all of those categories that they are not used to. Like in so many other industrialized countries in the world today, if they all had American style politics and ideology along with the continuing and increasing enormous influence of money, universal healthcare, for example, would have never been a consideration, let alone implemented.
20
Voters will decide today whether Republican-style politics of fear and division will play in Canada.
240
The longer they were used, the more they backfired. PM Harper is probably now sorry he hired those negative Australian "advisors" who specialize in campaigns of fear. Justin Trudeau has stayed positive throughout the campaign (at a rally in Alberta yesterday even calling Conservatives "our neighbours and friends") and it is this positive vision many Canadians want back for their country!
44
The Tea Party fear-and-paranoia formula appeals greatly to the same crowd that applauded every move by Harper to weaken the role of members of Parliament and consequently democracy itself.
15
The people have spoken!
6
Stephen Harper is out of touch with his country and the rest of the world. He lives in a bubble that's sealed tightly against any logical information and impenetrable to pleas of Canadians.
He would fit in well with the States' Republican race.
He would fit in well with the States' Republican race.
422
I appreciate the first paragraph. The word 'longest'. Yes, it is long in Canadian standards. The Blue Jays were six games behind the Yankees when this election started. You guys are still going with yours:)
7
yes, the race in the USA is far longer but they have some advantages, not least of which is having a legislature that can impeach the President and also a two-term limit on the presidency. We in Canada got Harper two years before Obama was elected and there is some chance -- though I hope small - that he could in our scaled down version of the White House, 24 Sussex Drive, when the USA inaugurates its new Prez in January 2017!
When was the last time a President was impeached ?
It was Bill Clinton, with regards to the Lewinski affair. However, he continued to govern. So I'm not sure exactly what impeachment means.
Mr. Justin Trudeau has big shoes to fill. His father Pierre Trudeau is a remarkable man. He was responsible for making multiculturalism a reality, and looked at diversity as more than just "an economic necessity or an opportunity for innovative business growth with super power status" like the US. He saw diversity and multiculturalism as an essential part of Canadian goodness, fairness and identity. He also saw it as an important part of "culture"...not "just entrepreneurialism for making money". Congratulations to Mr. Justin Trudeau and his family.
Il a de très grands souliers à remplir! Bonne chance Mr . Trudeau