Tag Archives: Ontario election

A Quebecker’s take on the Ontario election

Posted by gruesomegreg on

This morning, La Presse columnist Vincent Marissal weighed in on the Ontario election, leading off with the infamous Ford family BBQ, and noting that the Tory hat trick failed to materialize.  Here are a few more interesting excerpts, translated by yours truly.

« Ces résultats provinciaux en Ontario sont importants sur la scène nationale parce que contrairement au Québec, les partis fédéraux et provinciaux sont intimement liés, comme le démontre l’implication des conservateurs de Stephen Harper, mais aussi des libéraux et des néo-démocrates fédéraux. »

(Translation: “The provincial results in Ontario are important on the national scene because contrarily to Quebec, the federal and provincial parties are intimately linked, as shown by the intervention of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, but also of the federal Liberals and New Democrats.”)

« Les leçons de ces élections sont claires pour les conservateurs : il leur reste encore du travail à faire pour percer dans les zones libérales avant de reprendre Queen’s Park. Il leur faudra aussi trouver un leader plus inspirant. Depuis Mike Harris, il y a 17 ans, les conservateurs n’ont pas été en mesure de trouver un chef capable de les mener à la victoire. »

(Translation: “The lessons of this election are clear for the [Progressive] Conservatives: They still have work to do to break into Liberal territory before retaking Queen’s Park.  They also need to find a more inspiring leader.  Since Mike Harris, 17 years ago, the [Progressive] Conservatives haven’t been able to find a leader capable of leading them to victory.”)

« Le seul espoir pour le NPD réside dans le fait qu’il manque un siège aux libéraux pour former un gouvernement majoritaire. Dalton McGuinty se retrouve à la tête d’un gouvernement minoritaire et il devra vraisemblablement se tourner vers le NPD pour survivre dans les moments difficiles. »

(Translation: “The only hope for the NDP lies in the fact that the Liberals are one seat short of forming a majority government.  Dalton McGuinty finds himself at the head of a minority government and he will seemingly have to turn to the NDP to survive in difficult moments.”)

Although Marissal seems to lose sight of the fact that the provincials PCs don’t share the same name as the federal Cons, he makes some valid points.

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Meet the new boss–same as the old boss!

Posted by gruesomegreg on

Well, it seems that my pre-election prediction came true, and we’ve ended up with a Liberal minority government–albeit by only one seat.  Twas a small slice of drama in an election that had a very low voter turnout, with the Libs bouncing between the 54-seat threshold required for a majority and the not-quite-there 53-seat mark for most of the evening, seemingly coming up short at the end.  Much like in Manitoba, the popular vote was extremely close, but the governing party held on by winning the big cities–a whopping 49 per cent of the vote in Toronto, I just heard.  Did I call it, or what?

I was watching the election coverage on Sun TV, which just showed tomorrow’s front page, with a flaming headline “Welcome to Hell.”  That said, I felt that the network was reasonably Fair and Balanced, with most pundits predicting a Liberal win at the beginning of the program.  There were a couple laughable, cringe-worthy moments, when one talking head called David Miller a socialist and the “worst mayor ever,” and another panelist used the tried-and-true “Some people say” tactic to suggest McGuinty is the worst-ever premier.  But man, Christina Blizzard aside, I gotta say that far-right network has some attractive females on it.  Maybe I’ll start watching it on mute, like a Katy Perry video, or something.  That said, with the sound on, their coverage wasn’t all that exciting.  If they had done this as a call-in show, it would’ve been much more entertaining. ;)

I gotta say, I’ve only been here since ’05, so Premier Dad is the only Ontario premier I’ve known.  I can’t say I’m thrilled with the prospect of another four years of him–but then again, he might not last that long if he doesn’t score that 54th seat.  It seems his victory speech is being delayed right now cuz they can’t get the video screens at his campaign HQ working.  Not a good omen, if you ask me…

A good piece of GREEN policy!

Posted by gruesomegreg on

Taken straight from DanforthGreens.ca:

“We would legalize marijuana and collect taxes from its sale.  Proceeds would go to education and harm reduction.  We do not encourage marijuana use and would like to aim for a smoke-free Canada.  But criminalizing youth for using substances no more harmful than legal alternatives is an expensive way to make good kids become hardened criminals.  Legalization and education is a more economical and effective way to tackle drug abuse.  It also helps keep drugs away from kids by making them available legally only to responsible adult users buying from responsible, licensed suppliers.”

The article in question seems to be written within the context of the federal party’s platform, but I have it on good authority that the Ontario Greens feel the same way.

As for the other party leaders, Hudak “experimented” with pot in university, while Premier Dad tried marijuana “in his late teens … twice”–but he wouldn’t recommend it to his kids.  (Thanks CannabisFacts.ca!)  Andrea Horwath answered “yes” to a Toronto Star email asking if she’d ever smoked up, but didn’t provide any further details.  I hafta say, I’m a little disappointed that Little Miss Populist couldn’t provide us with any stories about pot parties when she was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, so here’s a couple of my favourites from Cannabis Facts’ Politicians on Pot page:

Actually, I can relate to this.  I once “accidentally” ate three hash cookies at once.  BEST 4/20 EVAR!!!

Well, I can’t say times have changed much for the Argos.  Suffice to say that if you see a cloud of smoke billowing out from a bathroom stall at Rogers Centre, it’s probably not tobacco. ;)

COMMENT OF THE DAY: Dalton The Conqueror

Posted by gruesomegreg on

From: http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111005/ontario-election-campaign-day-29-111005/20111005/?hub=OttawaHome

Hey, I’m no fan of McGuinty either, but this guy makes him sound like a tyrant from the middle ages…

Meanwhile, in the other election that mattered this month, the Tories fail to stop a fourth-consecutive majority in Manitoba

Posted by gruesomegreg on

Although not every poll has reported at the time I write this, it seems the Globe and Mail has gone ahead and given the NDP its fourth consecutive majority in Manitoba.  And while the popular vote is incredibly close, with the PCs and the NDP separated by less than one percentage point, the NDP received a lot of support from the voters in the provincial capital (in this case, Winnipeg), who sent several of their candidates into office.  The PCs barely managed to reduce “one of the biggest majorities in modern Manitoba history” (as per Global Winnipeg), but they couldn’t steal nearly enough seats away from the governing party.

Stop me if this sounds kinda familiar.  With the latest polls giving the Liberals a 10-point edge among decided voters, it seems like the Ontario Tories don’t have enough steam to take power from McGuinty.  If you switch the Liberals and the NDP around in the Manitoba scenario, you might have a pretty good picture of Thursday’s upcoming results.

Mind you, Ontario has nearly twice as many ridings as Manitoba–and I think our NDP will do better than two seats and 7.5 per cent of the popular vote–but if McGuinty wins another majority, he will owe it to Toronto.  As this fancy graphic shows, downtown Torontonians didn’t really vote for Ford, and he hasn’t become any more popular since taking office–if anything, it’s the opposite–which puts the infamous Tory trifecta in serious jeopardy.  Sorry Tim Hudak, we’re just not that into you.

One final word from Manitoba, and columnist Roy MacGregor, who just called their election one of the dullest ever:

“Mr. Selinger lacked the charisma, was forced to deal with new economic realities and, of course, would be dealing with the greatest force known in Canadian politics: the joy of putting the boots to those grown complacent in office. There was, apparently, a strong mood for change at one point, soon replaced with a much stronger mood for cheering on the Jets and basking in the best, and longest, summer in memory.”

Sound like anyone we know?  Although Toronto didn’t just see its team return after a 15-year absence (Read: Leafs will miss the playoffs again), almost two-thirds of Torontonians would rather watch the Leafs than the election results.  Nuff said!

Stay tuned for Election Week in Canada!

Posted by gruesomegreg on

While I’m sure that the provincial election is the second-most important thing this Thursday for most Ontarians, it’s worth noting that we’re not the only ones going to the polls this week.

  • Last nite, in the wee hours of the morning, the Progressive Conservative party of Alberta named its new leader, an event more important than any provincial election in my home province, as Alison Redford will govern God’s country until she decides to step down–with nothing short of a new, further-right political party able to wrest power from her hands.  That said, Alberta could soon become the first province with both a female premier and a female opposition leader once this election formality does occur, likely sometime next year.
  • PEIslanders went to the polls today, and with pretty much all polls reporting (thanks, Globe and Mail!), their ProgCons are poised to see their seats more than double–from two to five!–as the Robert Ghiz Liberals maintain an overwhelming majority that would make McGuinty jealous–and not a single NDPer in sight!
  • Tomorrow is Election Day in Manitoba, where a nasty campaign could see its NDP lose power after their three-term premier Gary Doer left provincial politics to become Canada’s ambassador to the USA.  (Let’s just say that Stephen Harper might soon be making more visits to Winnipeg.)  Meanwhile, the provincial Liberals are poised to go the way of their federal cousins, with leader Jon Gerrard possibly pulling a Michael Ignatieff in the process.
  • Like I said before, if you don’t vote on Thursday, you forfeit your right to complain about the state of the province, as far as I’m concerned.  I may or may not divulge more info as to which way I’m leaning in the next couple days…
  • The last province to head to the polls this month, Newfoundlanders (insert your own Newfie punchline here) will be voting next Tuesday, the 11th.  Apparently moose control is a big issue on the Rock, which sees the PCs hold 43 of 48 seats in the province.  Although their popular premier Danny Williams recently retired from politics, naming Kathy Dunderdale as his replacement, the ProgCons seem poised for another election victory, with the NDP looking to increase its seat count from one to “more than the Liberals”.

Notice a common theme here?  With the exception of the country’s smallest province (no jokes about PEI–I’ve got family out there), the Liberals are looking at a cross-country déconfiture.  That said, I am going to make a bold prediction that we’ll see a decreased Liberal minority government come October 6th.  Hudak would have to practically double his seats to form government, and I don’t think he’s impressed enough voters to do so, especially in a political climate where most of Toronto’s bloggers hate Rob Ford.  On the other hand, while the NDP might see some gains in the city, they’ve climbed a mountain that was much too high, and when they found out they couldn’t fly, mama it was too laaaaate!

(Perhaps I should’ve saved that one for the Manitoba election.  It’s seems that Andrea Horwath’s more into the Human League–and shame on Star reporter Linda Diebel for not being able to name that tune!)

In any case, while Sarah Thomson‘s pretty and all, she won’t be getting my vote.  But hey, if the Liberals do form the next government, at least I can say that I tried to stop them.  We’ll see how it all shakes down on Thursday!  Oh and by the way, my other prediction is Habs 3, Leafs 1. ;)

Even Tim Hudak’s hand-picked “francophone” candidate doesn’t express himself too well in French…

Posted by gruesomegreg on

I must admit, in all the debate madness of last nite, I completely forgot about the French-language debate on TFO.  Not that it was top priority for me, as none of the candidates that took part are running in my city, much less my riding, and mon anglais is just fine, thank you.  That said, I would’ve tuned into a leaders debate in French, but that was not the case here, as neither Tim Hudak nor Andrea Horwath speaks our second official language.

Dalton does, apparently, though he sent Madeleine Meilleur, minister of francophone affairs, to represent his party–which makes perfect sense.  The NDP went with Gilles Bisson, a Franco-Ontarian from Timmins-Baie James, while Hudak’s hand-picked candidate was a guy named Jason MacDonald from Ottawa, who admittedly speaks French as his second language.  Hey, so do I, though it seems that according to L’Express, Toronto’s weekly French newspaper, my French is better than his.  Here’s what they had to say about the PC representative:

“Son voisin d’Ottawa-Sud, Jason MacDonald, a parlé plus posément que les autres – français langue seconde oblige – mais il a passé la soirée sur la défensive, sachant que son parti, dont le site web n’a même pas de version française, a peu d’appuis chez les Franco-Ontariens.

Dans la discussion sur les services en français, il en était réduit à promettre de «respecter la loi» et il s’est acquitté tant bien que mal de sa mission d’annoncer des «décisions difficiles», jamais précisées, afin d’équilibrer le budget.”

Okay, let me put on my translating cap here…

Her (Meilleur’s) Ottawa South neighbour, Jason MacDonald, spoke more slowly/calmly than the others – French being his second language – but he spent the evening on the defensive, knowing that his party, whose web site isn’t even available in French(!!!), has little support amongst Franco-Ontarians.

In the discussion on services in French, he was reduced to promising to “respect the law” and he acquitted himself, for better or worse, on his mission to announce “difficult decisions,” without going into further detail, in order to balance the budget.

Hé les francos, si les PCs prennent le pouvoir, c’est lui qui pourrait être notre ministre des Affaires francophones!

(I’ll leave it to Jason MacDonald to translate that last sentence for ya.)

COMMENT OF THE DAY: Andrea Horwath brings back bad memories…

Posted by gruesomegreg on

From: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ontariovotes2011/story/2011/09/28/ontario-vote-horwath-election318.html

As Ontario’s provincial leaders try to build on last nite’s debate, it seems the CBC agrees with me.  No real winners there, though Horwath looked pretty good, and McGuinty spent a lot of time defending himself.  That said, I’m not sure I’m ready to vote NDP, for pretty much the same reason as this guy:

After a double dose of debates, I’m still undecided…

Posted by gruesomegreg on

Not only was the Ontario leaders debate televised on pretty much every local TV channel (TVO?  SUN TV!?  Hope you enjoyed that ratings boost!) this evening, but as luck would have it, the all-candidates debate for my riding of Trinity Spadina aired immediately afterwards on Rogers TV.  More on that in a second.  Let me just say that both were helpful in giving me a picture of the parties and the candidates running in next week’s election, but for the moment, I’m still undecided.

As a non-partisan, undecided voter, I didn’t carry any bias into the leaders debate.  I will admit that I’m not a big fan of McGuinty, and his constant peddling of the HST and the Green Energy Act during the debate won’t win him any new supporters, in my books.  As expected, McGuinty preached the status quo, citing statistics that showed what great shape Ontario is in.  Of course, the other leaders had their own statistics to counter that perception.  That’s the beauty of statistics; you can pretty much find some stat somewhere to support whichever point you wanna make.  Did you know that 23 per cent of Albertans want to separate from Canada!?  (See what I just did there?)

As far as the opposition leaders are concerned, I think that Hudak really drove home the point that the PCs are all about job creation and the economy, which obviously speaks to a large portion of the population.  But the debate soon devolved into a verbal shoving match between Hudak and McGuinty, with some of the issues getting left behind in the process.

Kudos to Andrea Horwath for steering things back on topic on several occasions.  You know, I couldn’t even spell her last name properly before the debate, but I think she spoke to me the most.  She came off as folksy and personable, mentioning individual Ontarians by name, and I could definitely relate to her son’s hospital story.  In some ways, she kinda reminded me of Jack Layton, defender of the people–and I’m sure her PR people coached her on that.  If I have one concern about the NDP platform, it’s that I’m not sure they can pay for all their services on raised corporate tax rates alone.

If anything, I was most looking forward to the Trinity-Spadina debate on Rogers TV.  I didn’t even know the name of my local MPP, Rosario Marchese, until the weeks leading up to the election, though I’d get the occasional flyer in the mail showing his smiling face next to Jack Layton’s.  (I don’t wanna say the provincial NDP’s beating a dead horse, but…)  So I was hoping to familiarize myself with him by way of this debate.  Unfortunately, he got held up in traffic, or something, and his seat was left empty for the debate between the major party candidates.  Sarah Thomson lead off with a shot at him not living in the riding anymore, but later, in response to a caller’s question, she revealed that she lived “just beyond the boundary” of the riding herself.  Kinda looks bad on you Sarah, I gotta say.

Near the end of the debate, fresh-faced Ronnie Mike Yen stuck up for Marchese, saying he was a “good guy,” then mentioned that there were only three solid choices who lived in the riding, in a thinly-veiled attack on Sarah Thomson, who says that she’s planning on moving here.  (Whether or not that’ll happen if she’s not elected, she didn’t say…)  Yen, who reminded me of a quote from American Psycho: “He’s the voice of reason.  The boy next’s door…” didn’t elaborate much on several issues, and repeated a lotta ProgCon talking points.  He is passionate about eliminating red tape for restaurant owners, though, I’ll give him that.  (When he ran against Adam Vaughan for city councillor, the only Mike Yen signs I saw in the riding were in the windows of restaurants, so there ya go.)

If anything, the candidate who most impressed me was the Green Party’s Tim Grant, a retired teacher and resident’s association board member who had a lot more to say on education than either of the other candidates.  (Sarah Thomson based her support for all-day kindergarten on the viewpoints of her five-year-old son.)  He’s also his party’s transportation critic–despite not having a seat in the legislature.  I felt that he came off as well-spoken and knowledgeable on most issues.  Thing is, the environment isn’t a high priority for myself, personally.  Then again, I’ll hafta see where the Green Party stands on legalization of marijuana before I decide to let my ballot go up in smoke. ;)

I should mention that Marchese finally showed up, right after Socialist candidate Guy Fogel delivered a semi-passionate speech about the evils of the current system, abandoning his cue cards once he really got going.  Marchese’s brief dialogue afterwards showed that he can yell louder than the commies, but I was otherwise unimpressed.  Here’s hoping he makes an appearance in The Annex sometime before the election, because my first impression of him was not particularly positive.