Del Duca lacks for much of a "look" and doesn't come across as sincere. They'll paint him as corrupt and the ultimate insider in an attempt to negate the weakness that Ford is no longer an outsider.
The Ford campaign's aim will be to create an extremely negative caricature of Del Duca in those terms and there's a lot to work with. If they succeed in doing so it will help to split the left vote through demoralization etc.
A critical mass of people like Ford and approve of his governance, including his pandemic choices. The Liberals and NDP are fighting for the same awkward and needy coalition. Finally: the Trudeau-Singh handshake deal is very advantageous for the Ford campaign.
Ford had a LOT of gaffes that should make "governing competency" the main theme of the campaign. The fact that the opposition hasn't gone there yet is surprising to me.
From wasted time and money fighting the carbon tax (and the stupid pump stickers that didn't stick) to the license plates that weren't visible at night (and nobody wanted a new plate design), to a pandemic response that swung from opening things up too quickly only to need to lock things down again (rinse and repeat), this has not been a terribly competent government. Add in a highway that few experts think we need (but which will make land owned by donors way more valuable) and this should be an easy "we'll be competent" campaign.
Boring could work here, but so far it looks like the campaigns are mostly a bunch of targeted promises without much thematic connection. Just convince me that you'll do slightly fewer stupid things and you'll probably get my vote! That bar ain't high in Ontario right now ...
Never mind platforms. The NDP and Liberals need to team up to get Ford out. That's Job #1. Both parties have to be willing to withdraw candidates where there is a chance for one of them to beat the Cons. That's all that matters right now. Ontario will be far better off with either Del Duca or Horvath leading, rather than Ford. It doesn't matter which.
Ontario can't afford all the promises of the NDP and Liberals though. There isn't any appetite to raise taxes while Ontarians are paying for some of the most expensive residential real estate on earth on salaries lower than even the US average.
I think Ford will win because he's neither a Liberal or NDP. Del Duca's hand gun ban makes even less sense than Wynne's Green Energy fiasco. It's ideological zealotry. Just as putting up wind turbines had a greater negative environmental impact than doing nothing, banning handguns will do absolutely nothing about gun crime. The NDP also are too ideological and not realistic about policy. There are no simple solutions to complex problems. So as bad as he is, Ford is still the least worst option out there.
You are wrong about Ford. That is your ideological zealotry. You don't name a single thing Ford might accomplish. Or has accomplished. You vote Con. Del Duca's handgun thing is in itself probably not useful. To say it absolutely will do nothing is ignorant. The race hasn't even started and the NDP gets a "too ideological and not realistic" from you? Can you expand on Dougie's policy? Why when I look at Doug Ford all I see is his crackhead brother?
Cats kill the most birds, annually in the billions. Tall buildings kill them in the many millions, but wind turbines don't hold a feather to either. And things can be done to mitigate the damage by wind turbines. Unlike Ford, if he gets another 4 years.
Andrew, leaders are one thing, but who is running in ridings is another. From a quite conservative riding, whose current MPP is not running and is a a sad excuse IMHO (Hillier), we have both a PC candidate and the new Ontario Party running (I assume this is where Hillier votes will go), there is a chance to split the vote. This is the case in other such ridings. That said, the progressives are very active and mostly likely will split the rest too. Leaving us with. . . . Most likely another PC MPP.
I used to be an optimist. None of these 3 has a clue how to address the issues facing Ontario....kind of like Ottawa on a smaller scale. Leaders are needed, and the only really sharp one leads the Greens.
Good quick overview. How about the elephant in the room that the media seems to be ignoring: the New Blue Party? As of yesterday, they were only two short of a full slate of candidates and were being successful at pointing out the Conservatives' undressed status in a lot of areas.
Belinda was my MP. She was wrong on pretty much everything related to COVID, the convoy, and was completely invisible while a Conservative. She has recently started sending out a lot of paperwork that suggests she has learned nothing and is determined to be on the wrong side of every issue. The New Blue's may siphon a few votes from the equally useless C's. Fundamentalist Christians will love them; their platform being decidedly GOP. I don't think they'll be a significant player.
I wish the Greens and NDP would merge with Mike Schreiner as leader. That guy is smart and realistic. I'll be voting strategically to beat Doug.
Yep, if you look at the list of parties in any given election, there's usually a whole slate of fringe players. Some manage to only run in a few ridings, others more. This party isn't getting a lot of media for the same reason other fringe parties don't -- the liklihood of them winning is very low. Even fairly established small parties like the Greens -- even with Mike Schreiner who has been excellent -- have struggled to win more than a seat or two in Ontario.
When it comes to fringe parties, my favourite by far was the Rhino Party. If you are going to lose, at least have a sense of humour!
It’s a registered Party. The leaders are Jim and Belinda Karahalios. Belinda is an MPP and Doug Ford expelled her from the Tories for voting against one of his bills. The mainstream media are doing their best to ignore the party. The reasons for this depend on one's political views. Their populism might have something to do with it.
Wikipedia - New Blue Party of Ontario- gives a decent outline of the party's history. Not sure of your party affiliation if any but I recommend this to anyone who wishes to broaden their engagement.
Honestly, I was surprised by that. It seemed pretty left field considering the obvious issues to choose from. I'm guessing they've all issue researched themselves into a tizzy and are trying to pitch to key groups, but it didn't speak to me as gun violence hasn't seemed to be a front page issue during the pandemic.
Given that home affordability is driven by provincial and municipal planning, I'm shocked that's not ago-to for the opposition.
You're saying anti-gun = identity politics? Just trying to clarify not offended.
They're doing it because anti-gun politics worked for the federal Liberals in the last election, especially in the GTA suburbs. People fear crime and associate guns with crime. That's why. Bear in mind I haven't stated my position.
I agree. It's a way to split the suburbs off from the country. There's a major new research paper out about the urban-rural divide in Canadian politics. Click "Save PDF" for a sleek printable version:
Del Duca lacks for much of a "look" and doesn't come across as sincere. They'll paint him as corrupt and the ultimate insider in an attempt to negate the weakness that Ford is no longer an outsider.
The Ford campaign's aim will be to create an extremely negative caricature of Del Duca in those terms and there's a lot to work with. If they succeed in doing so it will help to split the left vote through demoralization etc.
A critical mass of people like Ford and approve of his governance, including his pandemic choices. The Liberals and NDP are fighting for the same awkward and needy coalition. Finally: the Trudeau-Singh handshake deal is very advantageous for the Ford campaign.
He's like Ontario's Hillary...so much baggage.
Del Duca is Hillary...Doug is a train wreck
Ford had a LOT of gaffes that should make "governing competency" the main theme of the campaign. The fact that the opposition hasn't gone there yet is surprising to me.
From wasted time and money fighting the carbon tax (and the stupid pump stickers that didn't stick) to the license plates that weren't visible at night (and nobody wanted a new plate design), to a pandemic response that swung from opening things up too quickly only to need to lock things down again (rinse and repeat), this has not been a terribly competent government. Add in a highway that few experts think we need (but which will make land owned by donors way more valuable) and this should be an easy "we'll be competent" campaign.
Boring could work here, but so far it looks like the campaigns are mostly a bunch of targeted promises without much thematic connection. Just convince me that you'll do slightly fewer stupid things and you'll probably get my vote! That bar ain't high in Ontario right now ...
Never mind platforms. The NDP and Liberals need to team up to get Ford out. That's Job #1. Both parties have to be willing to withdraw candidates where there is a chance for one of them to beat the Cons. That's all that matters right now. Ontario will be far better off with either Del Duca or Horvath leading, rather than Ford. It doesn't matter which.
Ontario can't afford all the promises of the NDP and Liberals though. There isn't any appetite to raise taxes while Ontarians are paying for some of the most expensive residential real estate on earth on salaries lower than even the US average.
I think Ford will win because he's neither a Liberal or NDP. Del Duca's hand gun ban makes even less sense than Wynne's Green Energy fiasco. It's ideological zealotry. Just as putting up wind turbines had a greater negative environmental impact than doing nothing, banning handguns will do absolutely nothing about gun crime. The NDP also are too ideological and not realistic about policy. There are no simple solutions to complex problems. So as bad as he is, Ford is still the least worst option out there.
You are wrong about Ford. That is your ideological zealotry. You don't name a single thing Ford might accomplish. Or has accomplished. You vote Con. Del Duca's handgun thing is in itself probably not useful. To say it absolutely will do nothing is ignorant. The race hasn't even started and the NDP gets a "too ideological and not realistic" from you? Can you expand on Dougie's policy? Why when I look at Doug Ford all I see is his crackhead brother?
Cats kill the most birds, annually in the billions. Tall buildings kill them in the many millions, but wind turbines don't hold a feather to either. And things can be done to mitigate the damage by wind turbines. Unlike Ford, if he gets another 4 years.
You may be right, but I can't after the last 2 years.
Hi, I'm on Team Red and worked for the Liberals for ages, I'm rooting for them to win, but I'm being objective. Honest!
Andrew, leaders are one thing, but who is running in ridings is another. From a quite conservative riding, whose current MPP is not running and is a a sad excuse IMHO (Hillier), we have both a PC candidate and the new Ontario Party running (I assume this is where Hillier votes will go), there is a chance to split the vote. This is the case in other such ridings. That said, the progressives are very active and mostly likely will split the rest too. Leaving us with. . . . Most likely another PC MPP.
I used to be an optimist. None of these 3 has a clue how to address the issues facing Ontario....kind of like Ottawa on a smaller scale. Leaders are needed, and the only really sharp one leads the Greens.
Good quick overview. How about the elephant in the room that the media seems to be ignoring: the New Blue Party? As of yesterday, they were only two short of a full slate of candidates and were being successful at pointing out the Conservatives' undressed status in a lot of areas.
Belinda was my MP. She was wrong on pretty much everything related to COVID, the convoy, and was completely invisible while a Conservative. She has recently started sending out a lot of paperwork that suggests she has learned nothing and is determined to be on the wrong side of every issue. The New Blue's may siphon a few votes from the equally useless C's. Fundamentalist Christians will love them; their platform being decidedly GOP. I don't think they'll be a significant player.
I wish the Greens and NDP would merge with Mike Schreiner as leader. That guy is smart and realistic. I'll be voting strategically to beat Doug.
Yep, if you look at the list of parties in any given election, there's usually a whole slate of fringe players. Some manage to only run in a few ridings, others more. This party isn't getting a lot of media for the same reason other fringe parties don't -- the liklihood of them winning is very low. Even fairly established small parties like the Greens -- even with Mike Schreiner who has been excellent -- have struggled to win more than a seat or two in Ontario.
When it comes to fringe parties, my favourite by far was the Rhino Party. If you are going to lose, at least have a sense of humour!
I also loved the Rhino's
Well, I’m in Ontario and politically engaged and this is the first time I’ve heard of said party. The elephant is nowhere near ‘the room’ it seems.
It’s a registered Party. The leaders are Jim and Belinda Karahalios. Belinda is an MPP and Doug Ford expelled her from the Tories for voting against one of his bills. The mainstream media are doing their best to ignore the party. The reasons for this depend on one's political views. Their populism might have something to do with it.
Wikipedia - New Blue Party of Ontario- gives a decent outline of the party's history. Not sure of your party affiliation if any but I recommend this to anyone who wishes to broaden their engagement.
https://www.newblueontario.com/new-blue-print
🙏🙏🙏
I can see why this is a political piece. Ford can't be an outsider, Del Duca has to get known, and the NDP have no chance. Helpful!
Honestly, I was surprised by that. It seemed pretty left field considering the obvious issues to choose from. I'm guessing they've all issue researched themselves into a tizzy and are trying to pitch to key groups, but it didn't speak to me as gun violence hasn't seemed to be a front page issue during the pandemic.
Given that home affordability is driven by provincial and municipal planning, I'm shocked that's not ago-to for the opposition.
You're saying anti-gun = identity politics? Just trying to clarify not offended.
They're doing it because anti-gun politics worked for the federal Liberals in the last election, especially in the GTA suburbs. People fear crime and associate guns with crime. That's why. Bear in mind I haven't stated my position.
I agree. It's a way to split the suburbs off from the country. There's a major new research paper out about the urban-rural divide in Canadian politics. Click "Save PDF" for a sleek printable version:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/canadian-journal-of-political-science-revue-canadienne-de-science-politique/article/urbanrural-divide-in-canadian-federal-elections-18962019/FDC5CB034B8CC82C83C817026160BA5B
I hadn't even heard that idea....optics over substance.